Incredible almost seems an inadequate word. As a rather jaded film-goer who thought she has seen it all, I was amazed to find myself surprised by the wizardry of this film. The set designs alone will stay with me forever. The first look at Lothlorien literally took my breath away. And the Balrog was a special effect that made all other special effects look amateurish. I have not felt wonder like what I felt during the fireworks display at Bilbo's birthday party since I first saw Close Encounters of the Third Kind. And don't even get me started on Viggo Mortenson. Yes, it's long. Yes, if you've read the books, you already know the story. But still this is a thrill you owe yourself. See it, then come back here and tell me I am wrong.

For the uninitiated among us, would you mind going in to a bit more detail on "Lothloriendn", "Blarog" othlorien" and "Balrog"; mind you, this may spur me on to read the book. The movie at first sitting was overwhelming, it sweeps you away. Were the Hobbits what you imagined them to be? What about the roles of the two women that were expanded in the movie, was this ok?

I honestly did not envision the hobbits as there were depicted in the film. I never saw them as cute or as clean as Elijah Wood, et al. But in this case, it was my imagination that erred, not the film. I felt the casting was spot-on, and Frodo will forevermore look like Elijah Wood in my mind. Lothlorien was the elf city, where the elf queen (Kate Blanscett) lived. Remember when the Fellowship spiraled up the walkway that encircled the giant tree? The Balrog was the demon in Moria, the mines of the dwarves. It was the thing that caught Gandalf by the ankles as it plummetted. It's been more than 30 years since I read the books, so I honestly don't recall the size of the women's roles. I did not find them intrusive, however.

Hi all I am bound to say this, coming from New Zealand, but I was staggered by the brilliance of The Fellowship of the Ring. Peter Jackson quite craftily used the New Zealand landscape to his advantage and I can point out where some of the movie was shot. The mountain scenes with the snow capped peaks were done in the Southern Alps of the South Island where some peaks exceed 12,000 feet in height. The rainforest scene at the end where the raft goes over the waterfall would have been in Westland judging by the rainforest, and the scene where the volcano to which they are going with the ring in real life is Ngauruhoe. In real life Ngauruhoe is dormant. Great movie and superb acting. Rob

Where was the little Hobbit village?

Hi all Good question. Maybe south Canterbury, or Waikato, Northland, East Cape. I can't say Taranaki because it is dominated by a volcano, and I don't think any filming was done in coastal Otago or Southland. Don't know, but these are the most likely areas. Rob

One of my cohorts, Eric Moore, lived in New Zealand for 3 years. He treated me, Koti, and Vincent Lowe to lunch today at UR Cooks.

I obviously need to see this movie! I adore the books, hae everything Tolkein ever wrote, and his biography, too plus "Guide to Middle Earth". I've seen snippets of it and I also did not envision Hobbits this way, either. Strider better be gorgeous!

Oh. My. God. Strider. Gorgeous. All I can tell you is that I had erotic dreams for days after seeing the film. DAYS! When I first heard that Viggo Mortenson had nabbed this role, I was a little disappointed, because he was not well known and I was not sure if he could carry off such an important role. Well! He carried it off, and then some! He will make you weep. He will make your knees weak just to see him stride dripping from the lake. He will make you roar with pride after each of his many muscular victories. Oh do see it soon and come tell me if I am not right.