Click here to read the abridged article that appeared in the final issue of the Official Lord of the Rings Fan Magazine!
For us East Coast fans, luck finally turned our way when the Museum of Science, Boston was given the chance to host “The Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy: The Exhibit” from August 1 through October 24 this year.
In the wake of last December’s Return of the King Line Party/Trilogy Tuesday endurance adventure, Boston Ring(lead)ers Mariella and Amanetsang found that they very much enjoyed creating fan gatherings, and wanted to continue even after the movies ended. Thus Boston's Magickal Mythopoeic Movie Group was set up to plan events including a gathering for the Exhibit. Soon, expectopatronvm.com was buzzing. Fans throughout New England and across the country signed up for a visit the weekend of September 4.
Events began Friday, September 3 with a moot at the California Pizza Kitchen, hosted by King Lamoni and his two sons. Feanturique, Amanetsang, Travelingdog, Mirage, Kitsa, Fred0 and his wife Sue attended.
On Saturday, our presence was felt at the Museum with some excellent costumes – especially King Lamoni’s mind-boggling Aragorn recreation – and the very-popular buttons provided by SamsKimmie.
Assistant Curator of Collections Andy Grilz addressed our group before our 2 p.m. entry, giving us a terrific behind-the-scenes commentary. For instance, we found out that Orlando cinches his belt six inches smaller than the smallest mannequin the Museum could find for his costume. One of Saruman’s books is really A History of Scotland from the 1800s, while the scrolls of the White City include a few rolled-up blueprints in disguise.
Finally, it was Exhibit time! Some of our favorite elements: the Cave Troll, Viggo’s leather clothes, the giant model of Orthanc, and – unanimous on this one – the life-size model of Boromir lying in state, just before tumbling over Rauros Falls. As Border asked after the show, “Did anyone actually see Boromir move?”
Following the exhibit, we spent a few hours touring the rest of the Museum (Brendon and I falling in thrall to the lure of the “perpetual motion” machine), more than 20 of us braved Boston’s Big Dig construction and dined at the Boston Beerworks pub, sharing more buttons, LotR-themed party decorations, fantastic costumes, stories and photos. Some of the costumers, including a woman in Gondorian armor she’d made herself, won prizes in the form of Lord of the Rings posters. An Evenstar necklace went to the hobbit woman in the green velvet cape.
Anyone interested in a last-minute visit is welcome to visit the site and let folks know you’re coming. We’d love to see you. Watch for more Boston-area events, like a screening of ROTK-Extended Edition, coming up.
One final word – another possible confirmation for the Exhibit’s return to the Western Hemisphere. Grilz hinted that while the Boston Museum was the only museum that had the ability to handle this exhibit when it was first planned in 2003, “it’s no longer exclusive in North America.” Grilz said the exhibit may return in some form to the United States after completing its initial world tour.
