Brush Up on Your Lord of the Rings Lore With These 30 Interesting Facts

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John Summers • Contributor
Mar 7, 2024 11:00 PM EST

Embark on a journey through Middle-earth with this collection of 30 interesting facts about The Lord of the Rings, brought to you by the Imgur user with the ridiculously long name: Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething. These facts delve into the depths of J.R.R. Tolkien's literary masterpiece, the epic film adaptations by Peter Jackson, and the life of the author himself. From hidden details in the movies to lesser-known tidbits about the books and their creator, this compilation is a treasure trove for fans of the beloved fantasy saga.

As we explore these fascinating insights, we'll uncover the dedication, creativity, and passion that went into bringing the world of hobbits, elves, and orcs to life. Whether you're a longtime admirer of Tolkien's work or a newcomer to the wonders of Middle-earth, these facts will enhance your appreciation for the enduring legacy of The Lord of the Rings. So, prepare to be enchanted by the magic, the lore, and the behind-the-scenes stories that make this series a timeless classic.

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  • 01

    15 different languages

    A Bp2 C q D m E F 12₂ G प्प HA TI • + when cen Jay K प LG Mm N m O P Qua R? D "" " R S T p U 9 V b₂ W 9 6 wete am Z a x न ૪ બ : vowel 3 E where to w
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of Lord of the Rings didn't invent the Elvish languages to fit into the Lord of the Rings timeline, but wrote Lord of the Rings as a background history for the 15 different languages he created.

  • 02

    Sindarin

    hanar a nîth ਓਗਰ 5 70 Non i j muindor a vuinthel mesh i membt Tehtar Mode Mode of Beleriand hanar a nîth mapń i mambé tôr a thêl Ve ਰਸਾਰ ਹਿਤ pip i bit Loxy e mb Acncy c nib muindor a vuinthel nöpery e bombat Döpay c mönhat tôr a thêl páry chát páy c hát
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    The Elvish language (Sindarin) J.R.R. Tolkien used for The Lord of the Rings was entirely independent from any other language, and as of 2008 contained some 25000 words. 

  • 03

    Twice the budget

    HOBBIT AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    The budget for just two "The Hobbit" movies was almost twice the budget of the entire Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

  • 04

    Everybody loves Sam

    Cheezburger Image 9891160320
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Tolkien considered Sam Gamgee the "chief hero" of The Lord of the Rings. (and so do we)

  • 05

    Changes to "The Hobbit"

    Cheezburger Image 9891160064
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    In the original 1937 edition of "The Hobbit," Gollum willingly bet his ring in a game of riddles with Bilbo and the two parted on good terms when the ring went 'missing'. Tolkien changed the story in his second edition to reflect the corruptive powers of the ring taking shape in, "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy.

  • 06

    Fear of flying

    Cheezburger Image 9891159808
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    While filming Lord of the Rings in the mountainous New Zealand, Sean Bean refused a helicopter ride to a set that was high in the mountains due to his fear of flying. He instead hiked up to the set in his full Boromir armor every day that they shot up there.

  • 07

    The other side of the coin

    the lost kingbeakek. by CITAT
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    In 1999, a Russian author, Kirill Eskov published a novel that retold The Lord of The Rings from Sauron's Perpective. In his version, he depicted Mordor as a peaceful country and Gandalf and Aragorn as evil.

  • 08

    Not a fan

    Cheezburger Image 9891160832
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Surprisingly, Tolkien's son, Christopher Tolkien hates The Lord of the Rings movies

  • 09

    Th e man The myth The legend

    Cheezburger Image 9891161088
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Christopher Lee (Saruman) was the only person involved with the Lord of the Rings films to have actually met Tolkien

  • 10

    Translated from Westron

    THE TWO TOWERS J.R.R. TOLKIEN ONSHIP ALLEN WIN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING Os J.R.R. TOLKIEN AKIEN NGS THE RETURN OF THE KING J.R.R. TOLKIEN
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    The Lord of the Rings novels were written as if they were translated to English, and the original common tongue of the books is called Westron.

  • 11

    The Beatles

    Cheezburger Image 9891161856
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    The Beatles once approached Stanley Kubrick with the idea of shooting Lord of the Rings movie that starred them. Kubrick told John Lennon, he felt the story was unfilmable

  • 12

    Another Bilbo Adventure

    له
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Instead of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien intended to write "A New Hobbit" about Bilbo who had spent all his riches from The Hobbit and wanted to go on another adventure. Tolkien remembered the powers of the ring from his first book and decided to write about that instead.

  • 13

    The Lord of the Horses

    Cheezburger Image 9891163136
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) bonded with the two horses that he rode in Lord of the Rings, so he purchased them from their owner.

  • 14

    Best Picture

    THE LORDERINGS THE THE RETURN OF THE KING NEW LINE CINEMA PRESENTS A WINGNUT FILMS PRODUCTION THE LORD THE RINGS THE RETURN OF THE KING" ELIJAH WOOD IAN MCKELLEN LIV TYLER VIGGO MORTENSEN SEAN ASTIN CATE BLANCHETT JOHN RHYS DAVIES BERNARD HILL BILLY BOYD DOMINIC MONAGHAN ORLANDO BLOOM HUGO WEAVING MIRANDA QTTO DAVID WENHAM KARL URBAN JOHN NOBLE FEATURING ANDY SERKIS AS COLLUM WITH IAN HOLM AND SEAN BEAN JOHN HUBBARD AND AMY MACLEAN VICTORIA BURROWSINGILA DICKSON RICHARD TAYLOR SWETA LTD, NZ JIM
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" is the first and only fantasy film ever to win an Academy Award for "Best Picture".

  • 15

    Not an alternate reality

    juna a North-South Road Isenge Fords op de les indi do dia das fybat Guled tish E2LLORD Ewust modlo STFOLD Emnet elm's (Entwe
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Tolkien has often mentioned that Lord of the Rings takes place in the real world and that we are now currently in the Seventh Age. 

  • 16

    Titan's Mountains

    Cheezburger Image 9891162624
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    An International Astronomical Union regulation states that all mountains on Titan must be named after the mountains from The Lord of the Rings.

  • 17

    Frodo's audition tape

    Cheezburger Image 9891163904
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Elijah Wood created his Lord of the Rings' Frodo audition tape in the woods with a homemade Hobbit costume.

  • 18

    Viggo who?!

    Cheezburger Image 9891163392
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    While filming "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Viggo Mortensen got so into character that during a conversation, Peter Jackson referred to him as "Aragorn" for over half an hour without him even realizing it.

  • 19

    Bought for cheap

    AP
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    JRR Tolkien's estate only received $62,500 for the Lord of the Rings film trilogy until a lawsuit was filed. 

  • 20

    Sauron’s destruction

    Cheezburger Image 9891164928
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' (2003), they made a special effort to make sure that Sauron's tower being destroyed did not resemble the World Trade Center attack.

  • 21

    “You shall not pass!”

    Cheezburger Image 9891164160
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Gandalf's famous quote "You shall not pass" line in the book/movie is an allusion to a propaganda slogan predating to World War 1.

  • 22

    That's a lot of feet!

    Cheezburger Image 9891164416
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Around 10,000 prosthetic facial appliances, over 3,500 pairs of Hobbit feet, 2 500 foam body suits, 1,200 suits of armour, 2,000 weapons and 10,000 arrows were made for the Lord of The Rings trilogy.

  • 23

    The War of the Ring

    J.R.R TOLKIEN THE RETURN OF THE KING Illustrated by ALAN LEE
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Tolkien did not want the third Lord of the Rings book to be called 'Return of the King', as he felt it revealed too much about the story. This title was chosen by the publisher.

  • 24

    “Lúthien and Beren”.

    EDITH MARY TOLKIEN FLUTHIEN 1889-1971 JOHN RONALD REUEL TOLKIEN BEREN
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    The gravestone of J.R.R. Tolkien and his wife is inscribed with "Lúthien" and "Beren". They were two tragic legendary characters in The Lord of the Rings, who were madly in love.

  • 25

    University of California Housing

    THE VERSITY OF · CAL LET THERE LIGHT BE IRVINE CALIFORNIA
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Housing at University of California, Irvine is called Middle Earth and each hall is named after a region or town in LOTR.

  • 26

    Sean Connery

    Cheezburger Image 9891165696
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Sean Connery turned down the role of Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which cost him $300 million (he was offered 15% of the film's profit).

  • 27

    He does fall A LOT

    Cheezburger Image 9891165440
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    Frodo falls down exactly 39 times in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

  • 28

    Actually stabbed

    Cheezburger Image 9891165952
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    In the scene where Frodo is stabbed by Shelob's stinger, Elijah Wood was actually stabbed with a prop one.

  • 29

    The perfect Saruman

    Cheezburger Image 9891166464
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    It was Christopher Lee's lifelong dream to play Gandalf in the LOTR movies. He auditioned for the role, but was given the part of Saruman instead because they thought he was too old to handle the fighting scenes.

  • 30

    17 years

    Cheezburger Image 9891166208
    via Idontalwaysbutwhenidoiaccidentallythewholething

    The length of time from when Frodo first gets the ring to when he actually sets out on his adventure is 17 years, not a few weeks like the movie makes it seem.

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