15 details you might have missed in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'

Kim RenfroSep 27, 2020, 18:02 IST

Ian McKellen as Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring."New Line Cinema

Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy is full of cool prop details, intricate production designs, and cameos that the average viewer might not have noticed.
We combed through all of the extended-edition DVD features to find the best details in the movies.
From Gandalf's sneaky pipe-staff to cameo appearances and more, see the 15 things you might have missed in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" here.

Nineteen years ago, J.R.R. Tolkien's seminal fantasy story "The Lord of the Rings" debuted as an iconic movie franchise. Director Peter Jackson assembled an incredible team of actors and craftsmen to bring the highly detailed world of Middle Earth to life.

Each of the three movies was released in an extended-edition DVD format which included many hours of behind-the-scenes features. These mini-documentaries revealed prop design details, fun cameos, and production tricks that the average viewer wouldn't have noticed on their own.

We've gone through the bonus material for the first film, "The Fellowship of the Ring," to bring you all the best details and facts.

Keep reading to see 15 details you might have missed in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring."

Ian McKellen based his vocal performance of Gandalf on the way J.R.R. Tolkien spoke in real life.

Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." New Line Cinema

Pippin was part of the band playing at Bilbo's birthday party.

Billy Boyd plays Peregrin "Pippin" Took in "The Lord of the Rings." New Line Cinema

The pipe Gandalf smokes is stored in his staff whenever he's not using it.

You can see the pipe at the top of Gandalf's staff in this shot. New Line Cinema

There were four primary methods used to make the hobbits appear smaller than humans in the movie. The first (and perhaps most obvious) were the body doubles, both tall and short.

Kiran Shah was Elijah Wood's body double for Frodo. New Line Cinema

There were four primary methods used to make the hobbits appear smaller than humans in the movie. The first (and perhaps most obvious) were the body doubles, both tall and short.

The second technique used was forced-perspective. In this scene, Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen were really sitting together in that cart — but Wood is several feet behind McKellen.

Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen starred as Frodo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey. New Line Cinema

The second technique used was forced-perspective. In this scene, Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen were really sitting together in that cart — but Wood is several feet behind McKellen.

For more dynamic scenes between the hobbits and humans, something called a "big rig" was built. Stunt actors inside giant suits with animatronic hands would walk past the hobbit actors.

The hobbits inside a bar in Bree in "The Fellowship of the Ring." New Line Cinema

For more dynamic scenes between the hobbits and humans, something called a "big rig" was built. Stunt actors inside giant suits with animatronic hands would walk past the hobbit actors.

For a few scenes, like the one below, the smaller body doubles filmed the scene and then a CGI face-replacement was done in post-production.

Frodo and Boromir right after Gandalf's "death" in "The Fellowship of the Ring." New Line Cinema

This scene, which shows the Fellowship together for the first time, was filmed on two separate blue-screens. John Rhys-Davis (Gimli) is the tallest actor of this bunch, but he fit perfectly to scale with the hobbits.

The Fellowship together for the first time in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." New Line Cinema

This scene, which shows the Fellowship together for the first time, was filmed on two separate blue-screens. John Rhys-Davis (Gimli) is the tallest actor of this bunch, but he fit perfectly to scale with the hobbits.

A gigantic version of the One Ring was used to create close-up shots like the one below.

The One Ring during the council of Elrond. New Line Cinema

Art designers John Howe and Alan Lee appear in the opening prologue.

The nine kings who were given rings of power in the prologue of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." New Line Cinema

The Nazgûl's horses have a metal sigil of Sauron's eye hanging around their necks.

The Nazgûl chasing Arwen and Frodo in "The Fellowship of the Ring." New Line Cinema

The lighting team made a special board of Christmas lights to reflect in Galadriel's eyes as a way to make her seem more mystical and special.

Cate Blanchett as Galadriel in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." New Line Cinema

The Gates of Argonath were built as 8-foot-tall miniatures, and the prop design team specifically carved out chunks of the nearby cliff as an in-universe explanation of how the statues were created.

These statues are also known simply as The Argonath. New Line Cinema

The Gates of Argonath were built as 8-foot-tall miniatures, and the prop design team specifically carved out chunks of the nearby cliff as an in-universe explanation of how the statues were created.

During Boromir's death scene, the score includes a chorus singing in the Elven-Tongue called Sindarin. The words are a quote that Faramir says in Tolkien's second book, "The Two Towers."

Sean Bean as Boromir in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." New Line Cinema

During Boromir's death scene, the score includes a chorus singing in the Elven-Tongue called Sindarin. The words are a quote that Faramir says in Tolkien's second book, "The Two Towers."

After Boromir's death, Aragorn takes his vambraces (the armor on his forearms) and wears them as his own in tribute.

Boromir shortly before his death, and Aragorn right after. New Line Cinema

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15 details you might have missed in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'

Ian McKellen based his vocal performance of Gandalf on the way J.R.R. Tolkien spoke in real life.

Pippin was part of the band playing at Bilbo's birthday party.

The pipe Gandalf smokes is stored in his staff whenever he's not using it.

There were four primary methods used to make the hobbits appear smaller than humans in the movie. The first (and perhaps most obvious) were the body doubles, both tall and short.

The second technique used was forced-perspective. In this scene, Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen were really sitting together in that cart — but Wood is several feet behind McKellen.

For more dynamic scenes between the hobbits and humans, something called a "big rig" was built. Stunt actors inside giant suits with animatronic hands would walk past the hobbit actors.

For a few scenes, like the one below, the smaller body doubles filmed the scene and then a CGI face-replacement was done in post-production.

This scene, which shows the Fellowship together for the first time, was filmed on two separate blue-screens. John Rhys-Davis (Gimli) is the tallest actor of this bunch, but he fit perfectly to scale with the hobbits.

A gigantic version of the One Ring was used to create close-up shots like the one below.

Art designers John Howe and Alan Lee appear in the opening prologue.

The Nazgûl's horses have a metal sigil of Sauron's eye hanging around their necks.

The lighting team made a special board of Christmas lights to reflect in Galadriel's eyes as a way to make her seem more mystical and special.

The Gates of Argonath were built as 8-foot-tall miniatures, and the prop design team specifically carved out chunks of the nearby cliff as an in-universe explanation of how the statues were created.

During Boromir's death scene, the score includes a chorus singing in the Elven-Tongue called Sindarin. The words are a quote that Faramir says in Tolkien's second book, "The Two Towers."

After Boromir's death, Aragorn takes his vambraces (the armor on his forearms) and wears them as his own in tribute.