Posted on 03/23/2014 7:48:58 AM PDT by Perdogg
If you remember the first film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, the 1978 animated version by Ralph Bakshi–the legendary outsider director behind Fritz the Cat, Wizards, American Pop and Fire and Ice–you’ll recall the experience was a mixed bag.
The movie was a dark, moody, oversaturated vision of Tolkien’s world, with stunning design and many memorable scenes. Bakshi used rotoscoping to trace live footage for animation, and posterization to give it a rough, hand-made look. Both techniques allowed many corners to be cut, but at the time, the film’s PR claimed Rings was the “the first movie painting.”
(Excerpt) Read more at boingboing.net ...
ping
American Pop was excellent.
I still watch the old VHS I bought when it came out.
No, I don't recall it as a "mixed bag", but thanks for attempting to think for me. If anything, it is superior to the overly CGI-dependent modern version.
“Canned corn, candy corn, popcorn, Crackerjacks! You’re the prize in my box! “
Saw Fritz the Cat.....never saw Bakshi’s ‘Rings’.
wanted to see Bakshi’s ‘Coon Skin’ and ‘Heavy Traffic’, but never did. At this point in time I am not interested in either.
would love to see a John Kricfalusi treatment of “Rings” that would be sick....
Sucked.
I saw the LOTR in the theaters as a child. It ended abruptly, in the middle of one of the great battle scenes. Then a message was displayed on screen to watch for the sequel, which never came. I had the feeling then and now that Bashki ran out of money and time, anyone could see the battle scenes were just live action with a bit of cartoon paint on them. But that ending, he didn’t even try to wrap up a storyline. And where is that promised sequel?
I couldn’t help being distracted by the wiggling hair on the Hobbits’ legs.
Thank you for the blast-from-the-past ping.
Fritz lives... 
I dig Bakshi. Crazy stuff, very different at the time. Still pop in “Wizards” and “Fire & Ice” from time to time.
Fire and Ice is one of the greatest pieces of fantasy put to film, IMO.
Bored Of The Rings - Episode 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yivyy5iRNc
Yeah, Fire and Ice had Frazetta heavily involved, it’s a really good one for sure. The giant lizard rampage scene is fantastic.
Freegards
I loved Bakshi’s Mighty Mouse. I found his other work dreary and depressing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.