The Origin of the Rings (2001)

Documentary. This is a D-list effort to explain the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien and the major motion picture based on Lord of the Rings. The experts who "sit and deliver" cover the basics but not very engagingly. In a word, no one in Tolkiendom has heard of any of them (save maybe one) and no one outside of Tolkiendom will be able to stay awake. Stand-ins for J.R.R. Tolkien as a boy and as a man look nothing like him (the former is closest but the latter looks more like a cross between C.S. Lewis and Tolkien scholar T.A. Shippey) and all illustrations seem geared only to resemble fantasy in general while having nothing to do with the world created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Even worse is when various no-name movie production artists hold forth on their opinions and renderings of what a wizard, hobbit, orc, and elf might look and act like -- who cares? 2.5 stars.