© 2003 NLC Cave Troll - This was made especially for the exhibition and was about 12 feet high. Very impressive.

This was a real shame because the art department who worked on the film were clearly gifted. Quite why the Science Museum hasn't sorted out something better, for what is clearly going to be a very successful exhibition run, is something of a mystery.

This exhibition is fun, but it's not designed for purists. If you have read Christopher Tolkiens 14 edition 'History of Middle-Earth' (and let's face it, who hasn't?) then you will undoubtedly be making the trip to the Science Museum. But you aren't going to find yourself engaged in complex plot discussions about the differences between the books and the films. (If you want to do that then visit here.)

The exhibition is instead about two journeys. The first involves some hobbits, the odd wizard, a cast of characters and a ring. The second is the journey of bringing a classic set of books to the screen, whilst simultaneously trying to remain true to the spirit of the endevour. In many ways this is the exact same challenge that the recent Harry Potter films are facing (and I suspect that you could make an equally successful exhibition out of that one Science Museum - if you are listening JK Rowling then give them a call!) because books like these are such rich fertiliser for the mind that anyone who reads them already has their own film version running in their heads. So the fact that Peter Jackson has managed to create as compelling a version as he has is a real triumph.

© 2003 NLC Ruined Hobbiton Mill

This becomes even plainer when you have a wander around the exhibits. The level of detail in many of the costumes, and props is simply stunning. For example, in the first film, 'The Fellowship of the Ring', Frodo looks into Galadriels mirror and is given a glimpse of one possible future for Hobbiton where the rustic mill has been turned into a filthy factory and the Hobbits have been enslaved (presumably NOT on minimum wages hence the outrage?). The 'miniature' to create this is on show here. It is about 18 feet long by 6 foot wide and took nearly 3 months to build. Yet it appears on screen for about two seconds!