Tolkien Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy really likes languages, makes some friends, goes to war, and then writes a book about short people with hairy feet.

🍿 Tolkien: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Early Life and Loss

The film opens with John Ronald Reuel Tolkien serving in World War I. Flashbacks reveal his childhood, marked by the early death of his mother, Mabel. This loss deeply impacts young Ronald and his brother, Hilary, shaping their formative years under the guardianship of Father Francis. The film highlights Mabel’s influence, showcasing her storytelling and love for language that sparks Ronald’s imagination.

Friendship and the TCBS

Tolkien’s time at King Edward’s School introduces him to a group of friends: Robert Gilson, Geoffrey Smith, and Christopher Wiseman. Together, they form the TCBS (Tea Club and Barrovian Society), a brotherhood dedicated to pursuing art and changing the world. This fellowship becomes a crucial source of support and inspiration for Tolkien, mirroring the themes of camaraderie found in his later works. They challenge each other to pursue their passions and stand up for their beliefs.

Love and Linguistic Passion

While under the care of Mrs. Faulkner, Tolkien meets Edith Bratt, a fellow orphan with a passion for music. Their connection deepens as they bond over shared experiences and artistic inclinations. This blossoming romance is complicated by Father Francis, who discourages the relationship to prioritize Tolkien’s studies. Concurrently, Tolkien’s fascination with language grows, leading him to Professor Joseph Wright at Oxford, who nurtures his linguistic talents.

War and Inspiration

World War I disrupts the lives of Tolkien and his friends, as they enlist in the British Army. The horrors of the Battle of the Somme deeply affect Tolkien. Experiencing trench fever, he hallucinates vivid imagery, drawing inspiration from the battlefield’s chaos and brutality. These experiences, combined with his love for mythology and language, begin to shape the landscapes and characters that would later populate his fictional world of Middle-earth.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• J.R.R. Tolkien (Nicholas Hoult): An orphaned aspiring writer and philologist who finds friendship, love, and inspiration that shape his future literary works.
• Edith Bratt (Lily Collins): An orphaned pianist and Tolkien’s lifelong love who becomes his muse and a source of inspiration.
• Mabel Tolkien (Laura Donnelly): Tolkien’s mother and a storyteller who instills in him a love for language, stories, and imagination.
• Father Francis (Colm Meaney): A Catholic priest who becomes Tolkien’s guardian and helps him navigate his early life and education.
• Robert Gilson (Patrick Gibson): One of Tolkien’s closest friends and a member of the TCBS who experiences a transformative friendship with Tolkien.
• Geoffrey Smith (Anthony Boyle): One of Tolkien’s closest friends, a gifted poet, and member of the TCBS, whose death deeply affects Tolkien.
• Professor Wright (Derek Jacobi): A philology professor at Oxford who recognizes Tolkien’s talent and mentors him in his linguistic pursuits.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Edith Bratt: “Things aren’t beautiful because of how they sound. They’re beautiful because of what they mean.” – Edith explains to Tolkien that the meaning behind something is what makes it beautiful, not just its superficial qualities.
• J.R.R. Tolkien: “Cellar door. Say it. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? The sound, apart from the meaning.” – Tolkien expresses his fascination with the aesthetic qualities of language, independent of meaning.
• Professor Wright: “Philology is the science of love. Love of words.” – Professor Wright inspires Tolkien by emphasizing the deeper connection and affection one can have for language study.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,535,154
• Worldwide Gross: $9,090,040

💥 Tolkien Reviews

Personal Review

As a Tolkien fan, I found this movie heartwarming! I especially loved the scenes showing the camaraderie between Tolkien and his friends, the Tea Club Barrovian Society. The war scenes, while brief, were impactful in visualizing the origins of some of Tolkien’s darker creatures and settings. I recommend it!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works”
  • “Viewers interested in biographical dramas”
  • “Those who enjoy stories about friendship and love”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “War violence (WWI battlefield scenes)”
  • “Death”
  • “Some disturbing imagery related to trench fever”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Though undeniably well-acted and handsomely mounted, ‘Tolkien’ fails to capture the magic of its subject’s imagination, playing it safe to diminishing returns.
• The Guardian: “It’s a respectable, watchable and well-acted film, and Hoult and Collins are both excellent; however, the movie is ultimately rather pedestrian.
• Roger Ebert.com: “It’s pleasant and well-meaning, but it never quite transcends the conventions of the biopic genre. It’s hard to find fault with it, but it’s also hard to get excited about it.

Audience Reactions

The portrayal of the friendships and the love story between Tolkien and Edith were beautifully done.: Many viewers appreciated the strong performances of the cast, especially Nicholas Hoult and Lily Collins.

The visuals connecting Tolkien’s war experiences to the imagery in his books were creative and thought-provoking.: Fans enjoyed the way the film hinted at the inspirations behind Tolkien’s famous works.

Overall Consensus: While visually appealing and well-acted, the film is a fairly conventional biopic that may not fully satisfy hardcore Tolkien fans wanting deeper insights into his creative process and inspirations.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The Tolkien estate did not officially endorse the film, leading to some controversy regarding its accuracy and portrayal of Tolkien’s life.”
• “Director Dome Karukoski is Finnish, and this was his first English-language film.”
• “The war scenes were filmed at Tatton Estate in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England, aiming for historical realism.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tolkien?

Tolkien is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability and pricing, as options may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tolkien, you might like these similar films:

• The Imitation Game (2014): A biopic of another brilliant British figure, Alan Turing, focusing on his early life, intellectual development, and wartime contributions.
• Dead Poets Society (1989): Explores the power of friendship, love for the arts, and the pursuit of passion in a boarding school setting, echoing the fellowship theme.
• Finding Neverland (2004): A biographical drama about the author J.M. Barrie, exploring the inspiration and imagination behind his famous work, Peter Pan.

🛒 Tolkien Related Products

• The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings Boxed Set: A beautiful hardcover boxed set containing the complete Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy. Features original artwork, making it a collectible for any Tolkien enthusiast.
• The Art of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: A collection of Tolkien’s own illustrations and sketches related to his Middle-earth stories. Provides a unique glimpse into his creative vision and world-building process.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Revised Core Set: A cooperative Living Card Game set in Middle-earth. Players embark on quests and battle enemies, experiencing the adventures of the Fellowship.
• The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Season One [Blu-ray]: A collection of Tolkien’s own illustrations and sketches related to his Middle-earth stories. Provides a unique glimpse into his creative vision and world-building process.

🎧 Soundtrack

Tolkien features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Opening” – performed by Thomas Newman
• “War” – performed by Thomas Newman
• “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise” – performed by Various Artists

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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Can you imagine The Lord of the Rings with a different Aragorn? This video explores how Viggo Mortensen saved the day and totally transformed the character – it’s wild to think how different the movies could have been!

How Boredom Created Middle-earth? #lordoftherings

Ever wonder how Middle-earth came to be? Turns out, it all started with Tolkien being super bored while grading papers! This video explains the surprising origin story of The Hobbit and LOTR. Who knew boredom could lead to something so epic?

The REAL Eye of Sauron – Film vs CANON | Tolkien Explained

Think you know everything about the Eye of Sauron? Think again! This video breaks down how the movies got it wrong according to the books, and reveals what the Eye REALLY meant. Prepare to have your mind blown!

The Fellowship AFTER The Lord of the Rings | Tolkien Explained

What happened to Frodo, Aragorn, Legolas, and the rest of the Fellowship AFTER the credits rolled? This video gives you the inside scoop on their lives beyond the main story. Seriously, you’re gonna love finding out what they all got up to!

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