Experience the fantastic world of Middle-earth this summer
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go behind the scenes and see how the films that have captivated millions were created.
Be transported to Middle-earth and discover the secrets behind the trilogy’s award-winning special effects through interactive demonstrations. View the stunning selection of character costumes, weaponry and armour, as well as the prosthetics, including hobbit hands and feet, that transformed the actors into character. See exclusive interviews with the cast, crew, and director Peter Jackson.
This extraordinary exhibition culminates in an immersive encounter with The One Ring, where the characters urge Frodo to use or destroy The One Ring or return it to its master.
The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy – The Exhibition has already attracted record crowds in New Zealand, London, Singapore and Boston, and now comes to the Powerhouse Museum – the only Australian venue.
Costumes
You'll see an exciting range of props, jewellery, and weapons and exquisitely-made costumes used in The Lord of the Rings films. Some favourites include Arwen's riding costume, Galadriel's stunning dress, and Gandalf's robes.
Jewellery
The One Ring is central to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. As well as The One Ring, this exhibition features beautifully crafted jewellery including Elven brooches, Ringwraith crowns and rings, the Evenstar - the jewel that Arwen gives to Aragorn, and Galadriel and Gandalf's Rings of Power.
Armour and weapons
With so many battle scenes, films required a lot of armour and many weapons - most of which was made by professionals skilled in medieval crafts, like making chain-mail. The 'armour corridor' features twelve complete sets of armour including King Théoden's from The Two Towers, and weapons belonging to Arwen, Gandalf, Frodo, and Aragorn.
Orc Mask from The Two Towers |
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The Massive technique is used to create the onslaught of Uruk-Hai marching into battle. You can see this demonstrated in The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture trilogy - The Exhibition. |
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Make-up and special effects
See how make-up was used to great effect, and learn how some of the amazing special effects in The Lord of the Rings films were achieved. A display about prosthetics includes Hobbit feet, Orc teeth, Lurtz's facial prosthetic, and the contact lenses used to give the Orcs their unique look.
Models
To create Middle-earth, many magnificent miniature sets and maquettes were constructed. These intricate models, created in painstaking detail, took incredible skill, creativity and patience to create. Models featured in this exhibition include Frodo's vision of the ruined Hobbiton Mill, The Tower of Orthanc, and Sauron's tower, Barad-dur.
Digital effects
The Lord of the Rings films have become well-known for their brilliant use of digital effects. Effects explained in this exhibition include motion capture and motion control - the combining of 'real' and 'digital' action - and CGI (computer-generated-image technology).
Video interviews
Throughout filming of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, interviews were recorded with many of the cast and crew. These fascinating behind-the-scenes conversations reveal more secrets about the making of the films. Also featured are recent interviews with Oscar-winning special effects wizard Richard Taylor, artist Alan Lee, and producer Barrie Osbourne.
Interactive and immersive experiences
This exhibition includes both immersive and interactive experiences. Visitors are surrounded by a 'ring of fire' when viewing one of the most important objects in the entire trilogy - The One Ring. Interactive exhibits include a 'scaling' demonstration, where visitors are 'scaled' themselves, to understand the scaling technology used in the films which enabled human actors to play both large and small creatures.
