Both The Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit are prime material for film adaptations. The novels, by J.R.R. Tolkien, are much-loved fantasy stories set in the fictional world of Middle Earth. Although The Hobbit comes before The Lord Of The Rings, it was the later which was adapted for the bi🐼g screen first.

The Lord of The Rings trilogy comprises three movies which were released yearly from 2001 to 2003 and went on to gain huge critical praise as well as mammoth box office success. They were also nominated for 30 Academy Awards and w🅷alked away with 17 of them.

It was this success that led to Peter Jackson, who directed the trilogy, being asked to adapt The Hobbit, which was also released yearly in three parts, from 2012 to 2014. For many Tolkien fans, it wa🅷s at this point that the entire thing fell apart.

There are huge differences between the two trilogies. Firstly The Lord of The Rings is actually based on a trilogy of books, while The Hobbit is one book and some extra content from other Tolkien works, stretched over three movies. Secondly, the filming process was very different. A behind the﷽ scenes glimpse really highlights the differences in sets, costume design and use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) technology, which underꦰwent huge advancements between the two trilogies.

While some may disagree I’m firmly in the camp of The Lord Of The Rings (LOTR) being the far superior trilogy. Take a look at these behind the scen✱es photo🏅s from both movies and see if you agree.

30 LOTR: Sean Bean Befriends The Extras ꦇ

I love this image of Sean Bean, who plays Bo💃romir, looking like he’s having fun in his suit clowning around with the extras who are all in full makeup and armorܫ. The contrast between the two makes for a quirky and amusing glimpse behind the scenes.

Many involved with The Lord Of The Rings trilogy said the filming process really bonded them and they felt like a family. This camaraderie is often reflected in behind the scenes images and t🌠his one is a great example.

29 ꦯ The Hobbit: Barrel 🌟Escape Sequence

The wine barrel getaway is one of the most complex sequences in the movie trilogy. The seven-minute action sequence from The Desolation of Smaug combine🍷d footage from green screen sets and location shoots with aerial footage and computer-generated environments and effects.

They ended up with a whopping 98 hours of footage.

ܫThis still is taken from the river rapids they 🐬built in the studio. There’s no doubt the sequence is one of the standout moments from the movies but the level of CG technology used blows my mind.

28 LOTR: Elven Costumes A✃re Exquisite 💟

Here we can see Peter Jackson talking to Liv Tyler, who plays elf Arwen. The thing which stands out to me most about this shot is th𒁃at𝓰 you can see the exquisite attention to detail on the Elven costumes.

The headpiece is phenomenal; deli🍎cate, sparkling and every bit as ethereal and dainty as you’d expect from Elven headgear.

The robes have the same level of attention to detail as you can pick out tiny individual beads in an intricate and delicate pa⛦ttern. Combined with the long flowing hair and subtle prosthetic ears they combine perfectly to bring the elves to life.

27 ও The Hobbit: Directing The 🌠Way

This image feels like a proper behind the scenes glimpse. Here you can see Mart🤡in Freeman, who plays Bilbo being given direction by Peter Jackson. In the background, it looks like a working studio. I see crew, cameras, parts of a set and the whole thing feels busy.

A busy set always brings joy to my filmmaker heart.

This feels like a tiny glimpse into the movie-making process and it’s a fantastic shot because of it. One of my favorites from The Hobbit.

26 LOTR:🙈 Orlando Practices Archery 🍸

Attention to detail is everything in The Lord Of The Rings and each actor plays their part. In this behind the scenes image, shared by Orlando himself, you can see him 🍸practicing his archery.

Legolas is a world-class archer and this has to be portrayed accurately. By ensuring h♚e is comfortable and competent with a bow Orlando brin🔯gs a realism to his character.

Also, I’m not sure what the plastic dog is for but it looks fantastic chill𒊎ing in the background. A nice glimpse of some of the preparation involved 💖in production.

25 ꧅ The Hobbit: Bilbo Gets His Sworౠd

This image is taken from 🅺the scene where Bilbo gets his sword. It is one of the few that evokes those epic feelings of awe and wonder that the original trilogy images do.

Although yo𓂃u can still see the seemingly ever-present green screen in the background this set feels more complete than most.

It is these intricate sets which evoke the excitement for me and in The Hobbit trilogy, ꦕthey are𒐪 sadly lacking. This shot brings back a few of those memories.

24 LOTR: Helm’s D✅eep Details

The Battle of Helm’s Deep remains a standout piece of cinematic action to this day. The 39-minute battle sequence is the central plot point of The Two Towers and ensures that the sometimes problematic middle 🐼movie stands alone as a fantastic piece of cinema.

This image is from one of the sets used during the four months of filming.

Just looking at the scale of this set really conjures up those images you see in the movie. This is just part of the picture as well. Many extra sets and models were also used to bring the epic battle to o💟ur screens.

23 The Hobbit: Battle Weary 🌸

In this image, taken on the set of The Battle Of The 5 Armies, you can see both Sir Ian McKellen and Peter Jackson looking pretty battle weary themselves. Although the family atmosphere and support you see in The Lord Of The Rings images▨ is still evident here something just looks differeౠnt.

Martin Fr🌊eeman looks happy but the others have a slight air of holding each other up. It feels like this may have been taken at the end of a very lo♔ng day.

22 🧜 LOTR: Acting With Gollum

In this shot, you get a glimpse of how some of Gollum’s scenes played o🦹ut. Here Elijah Wood, who plays Frodo, is seen with Andy Serkis as Gollum in his motion capture suit.

Although Gollum was generated with animation his movements are based on Serkis’s own and this is a great example of how that look⛦s behind the scenes.

This method allows real interaction between the two actorꦓs, letting them create a scene together, which will later be used to produce what you see on screen.

21 ൲ The Hobbit: Mirkwood Is Amazing

I love this image of the Mirkwood set. It feels mไystical, despite the green screen background. The colors and the detail are stunning and it looks like Middle Earth should.

A good set makes a movie for me and this is one of the strongest in The Hobbit.

The rocks, roots, and trees are incredibly well made and it brings back the same feelings the images of The Lord Of The Rings sets do. Not only does it look ꦜawesome here but it also translates so well to screen.