random lotr facts

f a c t s

- 30 actors were trained by the two dialect and creative language coaches.
- Over 3,000,000 feet of film were shot during production.
- 70 specially trained horses were used in the production.
- 90,000 unit still photographs were shot on set.
- Over 100 locations were used in the film.
- On average, each Middle-earth civilization required 150 costumes.
- The trilogy has been translated into over 40 languages.
- At the height of production, "The Lord of the Rings" had a 2,400-person crew.
- 1,600 pairs of prosthetic Hobbit feet were used by the principal Hobbit cast during the production.
- The most lunches served on set at once: 800.
- 350 sets were constructed for filming.
- 900 suits of handmade armor were created by the Weta Workshop.
- In the trilogy, the Fellowship's journey takes 13 months.
- 68 miniature sets were built for sets from Orthanc Tower to Lothlorien.
- 250 horses were used in one scene.
- Eight acres of farmland in Matamata, New Zealand was turned into the set of Hobbiton.
- There were 274 shooting days of principal photography.
- The film required two years of pre-production and two years of post-production.
- There were five shooting units in the production.
- 5,000 cubic meters of vegetables/flowers were planted in Hobbiton a year before filming began.
- For the first time ever done in cinema history, three films were made simultaneously.
- The 9 cast members of the Fellowship got tattoos of "9" in Elvish script at the end of the shoot.
- 12,500,000 rings were linked together by hand to create the Weta Workshop's chain mail.
- Over 400 script pages were filmed for the trilogy.
- 42 tailors, designers, cobblers, embroiders and jewelers worked in the wardrobe department.
- Over 550 hours of behind-the-scenes footage was shot on set.
- 95% of the crew were native New Zealanders.
- There are 114 speaking roles in the film.
- 250,000 silk leaves were applied by hand to a tree in Hobbiton.
- 100,000,000 people worldwide have read the trilogy since it was published in 1954.
- 15,000 costumes were made by the wardrobe department.
- Middle-earth is said to have existed 7,000 years ago.
- Sets had to withstand 60 lbs. per square foot to be safe for cast and crew.
- 100 hand-forged and inlaid weapons were created by the Weta Workshop.
- 300 handmade knotted wigs were made especially for the production.
- 1,460 eggs were served at one breakfast for the LOTR crew.
- 48,000 items such as swords, scabbards, axes and shields were made by the Weta Workshop.
- Four Hobbits bungee-jumped while on location in New Zealand.
- 200 individually crafted Orc masks were created by the Weta Workshop.
- "The Lord of the Rings" was in development for seven years by director/writer/producer Peter Jackson.

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