This bounty of Fellowship goodness will be housed in elaborate box art conceived and designed by famed Tolkien illustrator Alan Lee, and held in place by custom designed Argonath DVD-ends sculpted by Sideshow Weta, the artists responsible for creating the visual effects seen in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The Collector’s DVD Gift Set makes an imposing and beautiful addition to any DVD library unit.

In addition to the four-disc The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Special Extended DVD Edition, the limited edition Collector’s DVD Gift Set will include the highly acclaimed National Geographic Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings DVD featuring two previously unreleased featurettes and photo gallery, and exclusive collectible Decipher game cards. The most visited fansite on the internet for The Lord of the Rings, www.theonering.net states, “For those who love movies and the real stories that inspire them, National Geographic Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings poses thought-provoking questions about the history, geography, folklore and culture that go beyond the rich fanciful tale.” The National Geographic Beyond the Movie DVD is also available separately for $24.95. The previously unreleased featurettes are exclusively available as part of the Collector’s DVD Gift Set.

“This is clearly the must-have purchase for The Lord of the Rings enthusiasts this holiday season,” says New Line Home Entertainment President and Chief Operating Officer, Stephen Einhorn. “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is an amazing work of cinematic art. The packaging and presentation of the Collector’s DVD Gift Set is in itself a stirring work of art worthy of the film it frames.”

ABOUT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TELEVISION AND FILM
National Geographic Television and Film (NGT&F) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of National Geographic Ventures, which also manages National Geographic's businesses in interactive, online, merchandising, travel expeditions, and related businesses. Building on its reputation for remarkable visual and compelling stories, NGT&F augments its Emmy Award-winning documentary productions with feature and large-format films, and long-form television drama programming. Worldwide, NGT&F's programming can be seen on the National Geographic Channel, MSNBC, and PBS, home video & DVD, and through international broadcast syndication. The National Geographic Channel is received by more than 30 million households in 23 languages and 141 countries, including the U.S. More information about NGT&F is available on www.nationalgeographic.com or AOL keyword: NatGeo.

Frodo is accompanied on his journey by a nine-member assemblage: the Fellowship of the Ring. They are: Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), a good wizard and mentor to Frodo; Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), a noble warrior and future king of Gondor; Boromir (Sean Bean), a fierce soldier of Gondor; Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) an ax-wielding dwarf; Legolas (Orlando Bloom), an expert elf archer; and Hobbits Sam Gamgee (Sean Astin), Peregrin “Pippin” Took (Billy Boyd), and Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck (Dominic Monaghan).

The Fellowship is aided in their quest by Elf Princess Arwen (Liv Tyler), Elf Queen Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), and Lord Elrond (Hugo Weaving), whose knowledge of the One Ring brings to light the true danger and importance of the Fellowship’s collective journey. Relentlessly pursued by Lord Sauron’s dark riders, marauding Orcs, cave trolls, and goblins summoned by evil wizard Saruman the White (Christopher Lee), the Fellowship must resist the one ring’s limitless powers of corruption. Shot entirely on location in majestic New Zealand, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ends as the Fellowship is disbanded.

The second film of the trilogy, The Two Towers, traces the journey of Frodo and Sam as they venture deeper into the land of the enemy --- with the mysterious Gollum serving as their guide --- while their companions in the Fellowship struggle to rescue the captured Hobbits Merry and Pippin.

CONTACTS
Jennifer Sandler
New Line Home Entertainment
310-967-6992
jennifer.sandler@newline.com