Jackson happy with first view of finished film

By RUSSELL BAILLIE and AUDREY YOUNG


Director Peter Jackson and Weta Workshop's Richard Taylor told the Herald late last night they were pleased with their first look at the full, finished version of The Lord of the Rings trilogy's final film.

Said Jackson after The Return of the King's world premiere: "It was something I've been looking forward to for a long time, when you're always fantasising about the day you are going to have an audience watching it.

"There were a few gasps of horror during the Shelob scene and they laughed in the right places and there were a lot of sniffles where I hoped there would be."

Taylor said he had not worked out which was the best movie of the three.

"I haven't analysed it yet. I'm still reeling from the impact. I've never cried in a movie. I'd like to. It's not like I'm not a mushy bugger.

"It's incredibly emotional - but I heard Tania [his partner] sobbing."

Earlier in the day, the Government's unofficial Minister of Lord of the Rings, Pete Hodgson, told a parliamentary reception that Jackson was "a genius masquerading as an ordinary human being".

Jackson and star members of the cast were guests of honour at a reception hosted by Prime Minister Helen Clark in the Beehive.

Mr Hodgson told the cast that they would be "endlessly welcome" back.


* Return Of The King opens in New Zealand on Dec. 18.

Herald Feature: Lord of the Rings