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MovieEarlier animated adaptations (1977–1980)Animated
The Lord of the Rings (1978)
15 Nov 1978 · 2h 13m
Ralph Bakshi's rotoscoped cinema film adapts The Fellowship of the Ring and roughly the first half of The Two Towers, ending after Helm's Deep; a planned second part was never made.
UK release 5 July 1979. Several shots were later echoed in Jackson's Fellowship of the Ring.
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Where The Lord of the Rings (1978) fits
SectionEarlier animated adaptations (1977–1980)
Release order#2 of 14, after The Hobbit (1977)
Chronological order#13, after The Hobbit (1977) and before The Return of the King (1980)
Timeline noteNot connected to either Rankin/Bass special; it stands alone and stops partway through the story.
Where to watch (UK)Varies by region
Counts towards progressNo: optional 1970s–80s animated adaptations
Watch time2h 13m
MoreWikipedia ↗
Around it in release order
- 1The Hobbit (1977)1977
- 2The Lord of the Rings (1978)1978
- 3The Return of the King (1980)1980
- 4The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring2001
- 5The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers2002