“The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” directed by Peter Jackson, is a famous fantasy film from 2001. It is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel and is the first movie in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This epic film features stars like Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, and many more.
In the movie, the evil Dark Lord Sauron wants to get back the One Ring to regain his power. The young hobbit Frodo Baggins finds the Ring, and along with his friends, known as the Fellowship of the Ring, he sets out on a dangerous journey to destroy it in Mount Doom in Mordor. Although the film was financed and distributed by New Line Cinema in the USA, the filming happened entirely in New Zealand, from October 11, 1999, to December 22, 2000. They shot in more than 150 locations across New Zealand’s North and South Islands.
Where was “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” Filmed?
Filming took place in various locations across New Zealand from Oct 11, 1999 to Dec 22, 2000. Filming locations spanned more than 150 locations in both the North and the South Islands.
North Island Locations
Hobbiton at Matamata
The beautiful green Shire, home to Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, was filmed at Alexander Farm in Matamata. This farm is in the Waikato region. The set was designed to appear natural, with crops and flowers planted a year before filming. Today, it is a popular tourist destination where visitors may see the Hobbit cottages and eat at The Green Dragon Inn. The Hobbiton Movie Set is located at 501 Buckland Road, Hinuera.
Mordor and Mount Doom in Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park was used to film Mordor’s dark and terrifying landscape, especially Mount Doom, where the ring was formed. This park contains three volcanoes: Mount Ruapehu, Mt Tongariro, and Mt Ngauruhoe. Middle-earth’s icy scenes were shot at the Whakapapa Ski Field on Mount Ruapehu’s slopes.
Misty Mountains in the Southern Alps
The Misty Mountains, where Gollum hid with the ring, were filmed in the Southern Alps and the vast glaciers of New Zealand’s South Island.
Outer Shire in Otaki Gorge Road
Otaki Gorge Road, in the Otaki Totara Forest, north of Wellington, was used to show the woods and roads around Hobbiton, known as the Outer Shire.
Wellington Locations
Town Belt of Mount Victoria: The spot where the hobbits hide from the Black Rider after escaping with Farmer Maggot’s vegetables. This peaceful park in Wellington was the first filming location used.
Fort Dorset: In Wellington’s Port Nicholson harbour, this abandoned army camp became the town of Bree, where the hobbits meet Strider at the Inn of the Prancing Pony.
Brandywine River in Manakau
In the small village of Manakau, north of Otaki, the scene where the hobbits escape the ring wraiths by jumping onto the Bucklebury Ferry was filmed on the Keeling Farm.
Trollshaw Forest in Waiterere Forest
South of Wellington, the Waiterere Forest was used to show Trollshaw Forest and the woodlands of Osgiliath.
Isengard in Harcourt Park
Harcourt Park, north of Wellington, became Isengard, Saruman’s home. This is where his army of Orcs is shown pulling down trees for his forge.
Rivendell in Kaitoke Regional Park
The beautiful elvish realm of Rivendell, where Frodo heals and the Fellowship is formed, was filmed in Kaitoke Regional Park, near Upper Hutt City.
Lothlorien in Fernside Lodge
The woods of Lothlorien, where Frodo meets Galadriel, were filmed at Fernside Lodge in Featherston, east of Wellington. Visitors can see the White Bridge here.
South Island Locations
Takaka Hill: Near Nelson, this area became Chetwood Forest.
Mount Olympus and Mount Owen: In Kahurangi National Park and Golden Bay, these mountains were used for scenes of the Eregion Hills and Dimrill Dale.
Te Anau: In Fiordland, this was used for Weathertop, where Frodo is stabbed by the ring wraiths.
Arrowtown Recreational Reserve: This spot, near Queenstown, was used for the West Road, Eregion Hills, and Misty Mountains.
Shotover River: Near Arrowtown, this was the site for the Ford of Bruinen, where Arwen fights the wraiths.Kawarau Gorge: On the Kawarau River, this location was used for the Argonath, the giant statues.
Closeburn: Near Queenstown, this became Amon Hen, where Boromir tries to take the ring from Frodo.
Paradise Area: Near Glenorchy, this area became Lothlorien Woods, where Boromir dies, and Merry and Pippin are captured.
Mavora Lakes Park: Near Lake Wakatipu, this was used for Nen Hithoel, where the hobbits escape into boats, and Frodo saves Sam.
These beautiful New Zealand locations brought Middle-earth to life, making “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” an epic adventure that fans still cherish today.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Q: Where was “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” filmed?
A: “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” was filmed entirely in New Zealand. The production used over 150 different locations across both the North and South Islands. Key filming spots include Matamata for Hobbiton, Tongariro National Park for Mordor and Mount Doom, the Southern Alps for the Misty Mountains, Otaki Gorge Road for the Outer Shire, and various locations in and around Wellington for scenes like Rivendell and Bree.
Q: When was “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” filmed?
A: Filming for “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” lasted from October 11, 1999, to December 22, 2000. The film was shot concurrently with the other two parts of the trilogy, resulting in an intensive and continuous production schedule around New Zealand.
Q: When was “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” released?
A: “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” debuted on December 19, 2001. It was the first installment of the trilogy, followed by “The Two Towers” (2002) and “The Return of the King” (2003).
Q: How was the Shire created for the film?
A: The Shire, depicted as the lush, green homeland of the hobbits, was created on the Alexander Farm near Matamata, in the Waikato region of New Zealand. The film crew transformed the farm into Hobbiton by planting crops and flowers a year before filming began. This allowed the set to naturally blend into the landscape. Today, Hobbiton is a popular tourist attraction.
Q: What locations were used for Mordor and Mount Doom?
A: Mordor and Mount Doom, the dark and volcanic regions in Middle-earth, were primarily filmed at Tongariro National Park. The park, with its three volcanoes—Mount Ruapehu, Mt Tongariro, and Mt Ngauruhoe—provided the dramatic and rugged landscapes needed for these scenes. The Whakapapa Ski Field on Mount Ruapehu also featured in scenes depicting the snowy slopes of Middle-earth.
