The story behind this post is pretty dramatic: since 36h I have no electricity at home thanks to Xaver and my previous- almost ready!- post was deleted along the big blackout. So, I’m writing it all over again. Hopefully it’ll be good and funny as intended.
Just like millions people around the world I am a huge fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, no surprises here. My favorite book is Sillmarilion- the one my best friend gave me many years ago (thanks buddy!) but I also appreciate The Children of Hurin very much. Every time I read this book I am deeply touched with the story told. As all Tolkien’s fans I have closely watched the work done by Peter Jackson’s team while translating The Lord of the Rings to the movie language. And I was delighted with the final result. So the day I bought a plane ticket and discovered I was visiting New Zealand few days before the world premiere of The Hobbit movie I realized how perfect the timing was.
Edoras
There was a plan to visit all major LOTR locations. It all started with Mt. Sunday which in a movie starred as Edoras. This was a gloomy, windy and cold day so after driving for 1h a tiny little path deep into the mountains I was rewarded with amazing view. Not the one known from the movie but equally powerful: very wide flat valley surrounded with high peaks hidden under clouds. Two things touched me deeply: total wilderness of this place (no houses, no electric poles, no roads, nothing!), and its ordinary usage by the locals. Hey, no jokes here: in front of Edoras there are cows and sheep having their everyday meal and wondering about the secrets of the universe. You might think that the magic of the movie was lost for me forever. No way! On the contrary: I can now appreciate how this beautiful landscape was professionally used in a movie without any harm to it!
Gloomy day at Edoras
After visiting Edoras my itinerary went further down south and the day ended with camping at Lake Tekapo. The gloomy weather was left behind and a lovely sunset lighten up the lake and far snowed peaks. I was astonished with the beauty of this place. So beautiful I could hardly believe in what I saw. And suddenly I realized that what I see is the landscape filmed in a movie. Scenes from the Fellowship of the ring floated in front of my eyes. And I knew there is no point in riding around, looking for the exact locations of the movie with a navigation system and coordinates. Because the whole South Island is Middle-Earth. And no matter where I go I’ll find the immense beauty of it.
The Hobbit movie
Just few days ago the world premiere of the second part of Hobbit took place. Some lucky people participated in official meetings and screening. I am sure you wished to be there if you could. But here is what I got to share with you: exclusive photos from world premiere in LA. All for your delight! Apparently imagination of people working on a Hobbit movie has no limits: they decided to bring parts of New Zealand to the US. Literally!
They came up with idea to construct a huge pop-up book. All to create an opportunity to all Hobbit fans to get closer to the filming locations. Here are some photos of how the book looked like.
Front view of the pop-up book of New Zealand with bust of the dwarf king Thror against Mount Cook in the background.
The crew was tireless in bringing New Zealand to the American audience. They constructed a very detailed set to the fan’s delight.
Lake-town set against the backdrop of Lake Pukaki, Mount Cook in the pop-up book of New Zealand
The set brought to the US allowed the audience to feel just like in the movie or perhaps in New Zealand? (at some point this is the very same thing!)
The set of the Pelorus River, Marlborough, with barrels in the pop-up book of New Zealand
The Hobbit premiere in LA
Last but not least let me share some pictures of the honorable guests: the director and leading actors. Here they are! Starting with sir Peter Jackson – driving force of the whole mess!
The picture below shows our favorite character Bilbo but I would like to bring your attention to the details: the background of this photo presents Lake Pukaki and I will tell you the story about it in my next post. For now just remember its color.
Book of New Zealand – Martin Freeman with Lake Pukaki Mount Cook featured as Lake-town
Book of New Zealand – Luke Evans background Thror from Hidden Bay Turoa
All pictures are courtesy of Pure New Zealand team. I would like to thank to all people who made it possible (yes, Sarah, it’s about you!). And very last thing: I fully share the Hobbit’s crew delight with landscape of New Zealand. Having this amazing opportunity to actually se the filming locations and the South Island in general allow me to confirm: New Zealand landscape is breathtaking!
