Tolkien (2019 film)

Tolkien is a biographical drama about the early life of J.R.R. Tolkien, released in May 2019, by Chernin Entertainment and Fox Searchlight Pictures. It is directed by Finnish filmmaker Dome Karukoski, with a screenplay by Stephen Beresford and David Gleeson. English actor Nicholas Hoult portrays Tolkien in his early twenties, with Lily Collins as Tolkien's future wife, Edith.

The rumor of an upcoming Tolkien biopic surfaced in November 2013.^[2] Filming itself began in October 2017, in Liverpool, England, and its first trailer was released by TheOneRing.net in February 2019.

In the UK, Tolkien was released on May 3. In the United States, a limited release came May 7, and the final wide release on May 10.

Focus

The film portrays some of J.R.R. Tolkien's childhood, the start of his love-life with Edith Bratt, his experiences in the First World War in 1916, and the forming of his interests in philology and fantasy conception. It features Tolkien's school-mates at King Edward's school that formed the Tea Club, Barrovian Society with him before the war, such as Robert Quilter Gilson and Christopher Wiseman.

A dragon, a Balrog's face, and vague battle scenes from the First Age of Middle-earth are shown as a few of Tolkien's visions during his weeks of combat in the Somme Offensive.

Reception

Tolkien earned a total of $2.9 million worldwide in its opening weekend, finishing ninth in the box office.^[3] In total, the film earned over $9 million worldwide.^[4]

It currently holds a rating of 50% on the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, based on 199 reviews as of June 22, 2023.^[5]

Cast

Videos

Gallery

Final poster

French poster

Promotional banner

Lily Collins and Nicholas Hoult as Edith Bratt and Ronald (J.R.R.) Tolkien

The "big four" posing for a photo

First promo poster

References