Lord of the Rings’ Most Divisive Installment Just Turned 70 Years Old

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J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is widely considered the most important work of modern fantasy. First published in the 1950s, this epic story essentially created the blueprint for the genre, building a detailed world complete with its own history, languages, and myths. It has inspired countless creative works, from books and movies to video games and TV shows. Because of his enormous impact, Tolkien is often called the founder of modern high fantasy, bringing the genre to a much wider audience. However, becoming a beloved classic wasn’t always easy, and one book in the famous trilogy actually caused some controversy when it first came out.

The last book in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic trilogy, The Return of the King, was published on October 20, 1955, completing the story of the War of the Ring. It follows Frodo and Sam as they bravely attempt to destroy the One Ring by casting it into the fires of Mount Doom, while the remaining humans fight a final, desperate battle against the dark lord Sauron’s armies. The story ends with Aragorn, the rightful heir, accepting his fate and becoming king of Gondor.

Although it was the final book in the series, The Return of the King received mixed reviews. Some critics, like poet Edwin Muir, felt the characters weren’t convincing as adults, while Edmund Wilson considered the story childish. Tolkien himself wasn’t happy with the title, believing The War of the Ring would have been better because The Return of the King gave away too much of the plot. Another point of contention was the book’s structure; a large portion focuses on the hobbits returning to and rebuilding the Shire, which some readers found slow-paced after the dramatic climax of destroying the Ring.

The Lord of the Rings‘ Most Divisive Book Became Its Most Acclaimed Movie

Almost half a century after the book was first published, Peter Jackson’s film version of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King turned what was often considered the weakest part of the trilogy into its biggest success on the big screen. The 2003 movie earned over $1.1 billion worldwide and was a critical hit, breaking numerous records. The first two films, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, had received many Academy Award nominations but mostly won awards for technical aspects – a typical outcome for fantasy films back then. However, the final film achieved something extraordinary. The Return of the King received 11 Academy Award nominations and won all of them, setting a new record for the most complete Oscar sweep in history.

With its impressive awards sweep, The Return of the King secured both Best Director for Peter Jackson and, crucially, Best Picture. This marked the first time a fantasy film had ever won the highest honor, a milestone Jackson celebrated, expressing his gratitude that the Academy recognized the story beyond its fantastical elements. The film’s triumph solidified the entire trilogy’s place in film history, transforming what was once a debated conclusion into the celebrated finale of a truly beloved series.

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2025-10-21 15:10