Slamdance gets infusion of 'Lord of Rings' mania

Movie narrator Dominic Monaghan, who plays beloved hobbit "Merry," describes the overwhelming devotion of "Ringers," saying 6.5 million Web sites pop up when doing an Internet Google search for "Lord of the Rings." He reiterates the enormous success director Peter Jackson's trilogy had at the box office (billions made and counting) and at the Oscars (a record 11 Academy Awards in 2004).

One can only wonder while watching the elaborately dressed-up "Ringers" in the movie — including dozens of Utahns who were filmed while attending popular Salt Lake line parties — what Tolkien thinks about the latest madness surrounding his masterpiece. He did, after all, once describe the crazed hippie fans who were stoked about his books as being "my deplorable cultists."

"Lord of the Fans" acts somewhat like a LOTR 101 course, both informing and entertaining this rowdy audience with a humorous script, fun graphics and footage to go with loads of historical facts and anecdotes.

Along with dozens of fan blurbs — some insightful, some funny, others in need of some editing — the filmmakers also interviewed author Clive Barker, director Cameron Crowe and "Lord of the Rings" stars. Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Elijah Wood (Frodo), Sean Astin (Sam) and Ian McKellen (Gandalf) are among those to give tributes to Tolkien.

The movie will be shown again at the Murray Theater today at 8:30 p.m., Monday at 5 p.m. and Thursday at 9 p.m. Go to slamdance.com for ticket information.

"We'd like to see it get out to the best possible audience," said writer/producer Cliff Broadway who spent 2 1/2 years in production. "It was a lot of fun to be so supported by a worldwide community that was galvanized by the Internet. . . . Tolkien has inspired generations. We wanted to put that into perspective. I love it. I'm very happy with it."

To borrow the words Monaghan used to describe an LOTR-themed park called Hobbiton, this movie will be "a little slice of heaven" for many fans. Then again, true Ringers might describe it as being a little slice of the Shire or Rivendell.

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