Te Papa treat for Rings fans

By PAULA OLIVER

Special effects wizard Richard Taylor yesterday popped his head in the door at Te Papa and declared himself "overwhelmed" by the sight of his work being exhibited.

The double Oscar winner is back in New Zealand for tomorrow's local premiere of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, after braving cold temperatures at premieres in New York and Paris.

Yesterday, he watched the second film with his Weta crew before heading to Te Papa for a sneak preview of an exhibition of costumes, props, scenes and characters from the movie trilogy.

Mr Taylor, stepping among electrical cords and whirring drills as the final touches were put to the exhibits, said he was excited that the public would be able to get a closer look at the work.

"You always dream of the possibility that one day your work will be able to be exhibited," he said. "On film it whips past so quickly."

The exhibition has been two years in the making.

Te Papa representatives travelled to Los Angeles to knock on the door of New Line Cinemas with a conceptual idea. A good relationship developed and it was decided that the exhibition would go ahead.

It opens tomorrow, and a group of eager fans from the United States is already understood to be planning to camp at the door to get in first. The 500-item exhibition will then embark on an international museum tour until 2005.

At Te Papa, the tiny costume of Frodo contrasted with a giant cave troll, and the battle costumes of characters in the second film lined the walls.

Museum spokesman Paul Brewer said he expected the detail of the costumes and sets to dazzle visitors.

Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, premieres in Wellington tomorrow night. It opens to the public on Thursday.

Herald feature: Lord of the Rings