© 2003 NLC Galadriel's Gown

The real stars of this exhibition are the Three Foot Six Costume Department who were responsible for the stunning costumes in the films (Galadriels Gown would grace any ball), and Weta Workshop who made the armour, and swords. And some of the statistics about the stuff needed to make the films are impressive. They made over twelve and half million rings to create the chainmail for the armour; over 2000 weapons, 10,000 arrows, 2000 pairs of prosthetic hobbits feet and at the height of the films production Weta Workshop was the biggest user of foam latex in the world. And as well as all this their digital division was responsible for creating a computer programme called 'Massive', which for the first time made it possible to digitally create a battle scene that looked realistic.

Ironically though, one of the exhibits which I had been looking forward to seeing most, the One Ring of Power, was among the most disappointing props on display. It was housed in a grandiose enough way at the exhibition, but on close examination the actual ring didn't have any writing engraved on it! What is that all about? Everything else is done with loving care and yet they can't find an engraver to put, "One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them. One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them" in Elvish? Even these guys have figured out how to engrave! Very odd.

In any case that is a very minor quibble. There is much to like about this exhibition, and although fairly expensive at £11.95 for adults and £8.95 for children at weekends, it is undoubtedly an entertaining way to spend an hour or two. If you are planning on going though I would book ahead; because there was a big queue when I went on wednesday, and otherwise you might find yourself disappointed.

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