Earlier this month, on the 20th anniversary of his arrival in New Zealand to begin working on The Lord of the Rings, Sir Ian McKellen shared a link to a diary he kept during production. After dusting the web 1.0, the entries are a good look at how the movies are made, and a fun little backdrop behind the screen of Peter's trilogy (which is still pretty cool).
Below, we’ve put together some of the best images, ranging from humorous stories from the set to the combination of comprehensive philosophy.
In one of the first entries, McKellen compares Gandalf's original beard removal to none other than Rasputin & # 39; s. He also explains that he was carrying props – staff, toffees, pipe – before writing about his experience at the start of the incident.
They have been recording without me for three months and I felt like a new boy at school as they met again for two weeks a year. The term started with a cut of the action so far – the ones that do not require any additional special effects. The videotape was filmed on a cinema screen near the WETA workshops where the dailies were viewed. The soundtrack was uneven. This music was from other movies. And so the audience began to congratulate themselves on their endeavors as a home movie until the story passed and in their silence they watched Boromir die and the hobbies cry out as they lost to Gandalf in Balrog. Peter had provided beer and wine but I did not drink alcohol and had candy floss (cotton candy) and popcorn. Afterwards a party in the house of Barrie Osborne (Producer) and her partner Carol Kim (Production Manager.) Late in the evening Billy Boyd (“Pippin”) persuaded me to follow down the twenty-foot fireplace to the hall. And I wasn't drunk.
McKellen also presents herself as a theme park lover – who knew?
I'm a fan of the theme parks of the movie. Last year I spent a night at Disneyland Paris where, as in previous trips to Universal Studios Los Angeles, I was confused. Their rides experimented and created the experience of somehow participating in popular films. Some use the original film for their effects, of which 3D Honey I Shrunk the Children in Paris is the latest powerful example. But most of the time the older riders are just sitting low viewers on past trips with spectacular variations, performance models, and visual delusions. So if you are "flying" in Anaheim across London to the Peter Pan or Burbank car on the other side of the month on an ET bike, you are closer to the theater than the cinema. Also, in stage shows, parades, and fireworks shows, the subject matter of cinema can be cinema but the experience is theater. Mickey and Minnie et al are live players, not 2D images or shadows of actors on screen. Disneyland and Universal are thriving because their customers enjoy live theater just as much as they go to the movies. Live theme parks!
On the way back, there was a plan in London to convert the Battersea power station that had been used into a theme park. There, in 1995, we filmed a series of spy wars for our Richard III movie. I should like to continue the “Tricky Dicky Ride.”
Entering the same, he recounts an intriguing story about the work of the late Sir Christopher Lee, and to make him laugh.
Last week, the day after Gandalf was filled with Frodo and Sam on their way to Bree, promising to meet them at The Inn of the Prancing Pony, I worked with Christopher Lee for the first time. Gandalf visits his fellow Istar at the Orthanc Tower, where Saruman asks for his visual stone, a palantir. I don't feel face to face with Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, Fu Man Chu all at the same time because Christopher looks so beautiful in his outfit. And there is work to be done.
(…)
Christopher Lee proves that different voice is valuable in movies. The stars are not just beautiful faces, so, when they speak, they also have to sound right. His 200 (or 300?) Films have captivated Shakespearian theater audiences. Spread across the black throne under the evil roof of Orthanc, he looked like King Lear in age and authority. She is 78, beautiful and strong. Speaking of which, all I see and hear is Saruman, my old friend is very uncomfortable. Unless he gets the speech, at Peter Jackson's suggestion, with a snarl. Being within 4 meters of Lee's bone does not slow down. I'm glad she wasn't wearing her dress.
He loves stories about actors and I went crazy last week with a stranger, not to mention Brian Bedford:
“Noël Coward reading the poster: Michael Redgrave and Dirk Bogarde at Sea Will Have No More! & # 39; I don't see why not – everyone has him. & # 39; ”
I like to make Saruman laugh.
One of McKellen's other stories about making friends on the set includes grumpy Sir (jet-lagged) Sir Ian Holm. Most importantly, however, the entries are reproduced by what McKellen calls "a critical review of the original Lord of the Rings."
When another Sir Ian (Holm meaning) arrived from London in March, he was with the brothers but that didn't stop his time for the introduction of clothing and makeup exams for quick cash. He was wandering around the Hobbit workstations and curly wig. I was recording a studio at the Wellington station near me and took her to the tent for lunch. “How are you doing here?” He asked me deliberately. I told him he was about to be treated and within 24 hours he agreed. A month later, he couldn't leave, vowing to return to New Zealand before the movie was finished. This would not mean that he expected Bilbo's share to be increased. Ian had discovered South Island.
(…)
Now shown the first episode of Bilbo / Gandalf in Bag End I almost decided to expect some rejuvenation that would clear out the sounds and progressive sounds of the effects and music perhaps. So here is the first critical review of The Lord of Rings. "Bilbo is alive and if in any of Ian Holm's other active games, he will win a lifetime."
That is to say, the co-stars of McKellen are not for everyone. He goes on a great length with the horses produced, until he says he thinks they have done well in the Moria mines.
Not all Tolkien creatures pass as Gollum or Treebeard or the cave rider. The horses are dear to his heart – even Randwraith's bells, which can be ugly in appearance, stagger like demons, their hoofs clad in claws but, like all nags, they obey mere commands. They are oppressed in the ministry and are angry. I'm glad I didn't have to work with them.
What is my style is the chestnut Rastus who plays the Bill pony and is beautiful. The versatile, always attractive Rastus, is an 11-year-old, American quarter horse across Shetland. Led by Samise (Sean Astin) he handled the Fsociation baggage and endured an unpleasant winter of polystyrene and rice when Saruman's lawyers attacked the nine of us at the Wellington station en route to Moria. He was shy about the storm more than any of the other actors, even though he had no diviners. He has not complained of dust on the eyes or balls of polysterene on all body parts. In the middle of the take, as they called me for bottled water and a make-up check, Rastus helped himself to a hair salon that would add glitter to the ice. I wish he had done it in the Moria mines. He would not be impressed by all those steps and pathways or line protectors. Of course I would trust him with the ring itself.
Although not as funny as the other entries, McKellen is also in on the film's completion, including the fact that the changes are de rigueur. In matters not very business-based, he also writes about memories from the set.
Earlier this month I was back in New Zealand for six days finishing up my contribution to The Fsociation of the Ring. Insult her? Fear? Some viewers earlier this year responded with the Gray Book news that Peter Jackson was making a minor change at the beginning of the film. They think something went wrong – in part, perhaps, ironically in the unanimous approval of the "Cannes footage" where reporters and distributors spilled over 20 minutes of the finished film.
For a film director to adjust things between the final filming and the movie's release, of course, it is a common practice, such as a last-minute depiction or a writer's spell.
(…)
While Saruman and I were facing each other again, I asked Dan Hennah (art director) if I could one day ride a few metal poets who worked as doorkeepers in Orthanc. He smiled as he always did as I walked out to the Wellington airport last week, and Peter and Fran brought me a huge wooden box containing lizards, which have now entered their new home in London. Among the other precious few are the Alan Lee Gandalf pencil sketch (another gift from the Jacksons) and I admit I hung up on my lesson the big buttons of the Bag End front door where, if anyone asked, I would swear it to Bilbo Baggins before leaving Hobbiton permanently.
And I have a great collection of prototypes that sell very useful, approved products. My favorite thing, though not meat, is Burger King's goblet that has a lovely Gandalf feel to the cameo relief in its bowl. Maybe this should be available only to veggieburgers!
His first entry follows the release of Ring Assembly, McKellen writes a little about the media journey, especially about being raised by Lee and posted on hysterics by Holm.
Chris was not strong and fluent in European languages not half a dozen (after all, Mr. Lee is Danish and half Italian) but also a little talk from four other continents. Agog the two Ians are presented in Afrikaans, Zulu, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Swahili and more. I couldn't manage anything weird than "Bon safari" and "Ciao". We've been attacked to be so nominated.
Probably to prove that he also knew more than the usual answers we have to repeated questions, late in the afternoon, without warning Ian Holm introducing an answer he never gave and as I listened, the puzzling side of the day blocked off in my humorous tone. It was like hearing a colleague on the stage deliberately deviate from the text he came back night and day during the long walk. And so I started laughing. First of all I just smile and giggle at myself, take control, and bite my mouth so it can't be ignored – after all to explain that the sun is already starting to change my brain? After that fatigue freed my self-control and I started laughing. And they laugh a lot. Ian continued to speak. So I laughed some more, it doesn't matter and I enjoy it now. I got up and knelt with my feet roaring this time, until all I could do was escape, laughing across the grass in search of a drink. Chris told me later that he was scared of my intelligence. He was right.
In the lead Two TowersTo be released, McKellen writes in surprise at the cast's screening, as well as offering a quick preview of the cast from the crew.
The early arrival of the test – wouldn't it? – I helped to assemble the maize and organize the display of candy bars in an unregulated Gandalf full-size station and, to me, the most shocking, of two Saruman figures. What chance would a gray magician have against two whites?
(…)
An evacuation plan is planned. The Prime Minister of Europe will be in Paris and Dan Hennah has already released the land of the backyard party party.
Finally, there is McKellen's recollection of his last day of shooting as Gandalf, fighting with who knows what and accepting Gandalf's sword as his parting gift.
I spent the middle of the night standing in front of the green screen next to the camera, filming a picture of Gandalf as he battled invisible (really non-existent) celebrations – orcs perhaps, although I admit I'm not too sure.
(…)
Barrie Osborne, by her sheer size, brought me the G swordf's magnificent sword, then pulled out of white paper, presented a four-minute video of Gray and White, top spots from the movies and subplots, forgetting my lines, cursing, putting peace in the original Gandalf screen test to see how the costumes and make-up will work on the screen. At this point, I was feeling it. Still there was no need for tears. I will be returning to the first national meetings on the 1st of December. I can't say everybody; I had a plane to catch. I woke up the next morning and sat down in my chair and tried to look at the studio channels as we left there and realized that – I didn't forget to bring Gandalf's sword!
His last The Lord of the Rings magazine entry, McKellen leaves us with a touching impression of “the real Gandalf,” and its significance to us all.
When I was asked to sign Gandalf and my name for submitting autograph hunters, I explained that Gandalf did not offer autographs and I remember how Alistair Sim always refused, often annoying the youth with his album. If anyone insists I also explain that Gandalf is not here with us. Last week I went on to say that Gandalf does not exist! Still he did.
I admire her for her sense of happiness and for the occasion. I love her freedom and the need to be with her. The children, some as young as five, look stunned as their grandfather introduces himself, looking for Gandalf in my face. I hope they feel just as I was three years old sitting on Father's Christmas knee in a stall at our local store in Wigan. I realized that it was a cotton beard and it wasn't right. This was not a real Santa Claus. Elsewhere he was fixing my stock. The real Gandalf is somewhere else and I bet those kids I know because they trust and love him as their grandchild.
If you need a Lord of Rings fix, Two Towers and The return of the Lord are currently available for streaming on Netflix.