Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy rocked the 2000s with its fantastical blend of craftsmanship and storytelling, disproving the long-held view of the saga as “unfilmable.” Yet in its wake, there has been a spawn of fan films to take up its mantle, with one in particular honoring Tolkien’s legacy through a remarkable display of ambition and raw pᴀssion.
Released in 2009, this British fan film was a pᴀssion project of filmmakers Kate Madison and Paula DiSante (as Alex K. Aldridge) that explores the origins of Aragorn’s parents, Arathorn II and Gilraen. Made on a budget of just £25,000, this small indie production proves that great storytelling doesn’t hinge on expensive Hollywood spectacle—rather, it’s born of hope.
Born Of Hope Was An Impressive 2009 Fan Film About Aragorn’s Father
Clocking in at a brisk one hour and 11 minutes, Born of Hope follows Arathorn II (Christopher Dane) as he rallies his people against Mordor’s armies amid his romance with Gilraen (Beth Aynsley). Consequently, the film takes place in Middle-earth’s late “Third Age“— a period in The Lord of the Rings timeline defined by Sauron’s rise against the waning Dúnedain
After rescuing Gilraen and her parents from an Orcish battalion, Arathorn II is tasked by his father, Arador (Iain Marshall), with unearthing the attack’s origins. Upon investigating, Arathorn II realizes that not only are the Orcs now serving Sauron, but that they are in search of the “Ring of Barahir,” the emblem his father bears as Chieftain of the Dúnedain.
In spite of its shoestring budget, Born of Hope features impressive Orc makeup that rivals that seen in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Despite the target on his back, Arador refuses to hide from his role as Chieftain, ultimately being killed by a hill troll and leaving his son with the duty of uniting the Dúnedain against Sauron; this mission, along with the birth of his son, Aragorn, sets Arathorn II on a sacrificial path only redeemed through the “War of the Ring.”
Born Of Hope’s Story May One Day Get A Hollywood Adaptation
Despite the target on his back, Arador refuses to hide from his role as Chieftain, ultimately being killed by a hill troll and leaving his son with the duty of uniting the Dúnedain against Sauron; this mission, along with the birth of his son, Aragorn, sets Arathorn II on a sacrificial path only redeemed through the “War of the Ring.”
Whether this comes to fruition or not, one thing remains certain: Born of Hope is a powerful testament to both indie filmmaking and the infectious zeal of the Lord of the Rings fandom, with the film’s dedicated team of actors, makeup artists, and crew standing as shining examples of the role pᴀssion holds in fulfilling one’s dreams.
The Lord of the Rings
- Movie(s)
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The Lord of the Rings (1978), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
- Created by
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J.R.R. Tolkien
- First Film
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The Lord of the Rings (1978)
- Cast
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Norman Bird, Anthony Daniels, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Ian Holm, Andy Serkis, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Morfydd Clark, Mike Wood, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Charlie Vickers, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Sara Zwangobani, Daniel Weyman, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Lenny Henry, Brian Cox, Shaun Dooley, Miranda Otto, Bilal Hasna, Benjamin Wainwright, Luke Pasqualino, Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt
- TV Show(s)
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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
- Character(s)
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Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Legolas, Boromir, Sauron, Gollum, Samwise Gamgee, Pippin Took, Celeborn, Aragorn, Galadriel, Bilbo Baggins, Saruman, Aldor, Wormtongue, Thorin Oakenshield, Balin Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Nori, Dori, Ori, Tauriel, King Thranduil, Smaug, Radagast, Arondir, Nori Brandyfoot, Poppy Proudfellow, Marigold Brandyfoot, Queen Regent Míriel, Sadoc Burrows
