[codebreaker]

Isn't the introduction at the beginning of the film a rough critique of World History ?

I believe Tolkien himself said it was loosely based on historical events.

[JenB]

Tolkien denied that the events in LotR were based on any 'real' occurences, almost as vehemently as he denied any trace of allegory. From the Foreword: "The real wear does not resemble the legendary war in its process or its conclusion....I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations"

If LotR really has any sources, outside Tolkien's own imaginations, it would be North-legends. This strain is particularly apparent in Tolkien's elf-legends; I recently read Kalevala and kept wondering if Tolkien had not written this story too!

[HairOfTheDog]

I believe some lines can be drawn to real world events, but they were not usually drawn by Tolkien himself, though he was undoubtedly influenced. Many of his notes were written during the war, in the trenches.

[Valin]

I believe Tolkien himself said it was loosely based on historical events.

Sorry "I have received or read concerning the motives and meaning of the tale. The prime motive was the desire of a taleteller to try his hand at a really long story that would hold the attention of readers, amsuse them, delight them, and at times excite them or deeply move them."
< snip>
"It's sources are things long before in mind, or in some cases already written, and little or nothing in it was modified by the war that began in 1939 or it's sequels.