<P> Released on 10 December 2001, the film was highly acclaimed by critics and fans alike who considered it to be a landmark in film - making and an achievement in the fantasy film genre . It has continued to be featured on critic lists of the greatest fantasy films ever made, as of 2017 . The film earned over $871 million worldwide and became the second highest - grossing film of 2001 in the US and worldwide (behind Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone). </P> <P> It was nominated for thirteen Oscars at the 74th Academy Awards ceremony, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actor for McKellen, winning four for Best Cinematography, Best Makeup, Best Original Score, and Best Visual Effects . It also won four British Academy Film Awards, including Best Film and Best Director BAFTA awards . The Special Extended Edition was released to DVD on 12 November 2002 and to Blu - ray Disc on 28 June 2011 . In 2007, The Fellowship of the Ring was voted No. 50 on the American Film Institute's list of 100 greatest American films . The AFI also voted it the second greatest fantasy film of all time during their 10 Top 10 special . The film ranks #24 on Empire's 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies of all time . </P> <P> In the Second Age of Middle - earth, the lords of Elves, Dwarves, and Men are given Rings of Power . Unbeknownst to them, the Dark Lord Sauron forges the One Ring in Mount Doom, infusing into it a great part of his power to dominate, through it and at a distance, the other Rings, so he might conquer Middle - earth . A final alliance of men and elves battles Sauron's forces in Mordor, where Prince Isildur of Gondor severs Sauron's finger, and the Ring with it, thereby destroying his physical form . With Sauron's first defeat, the Third Age of Middle - earth begins . Unfortunately, the Ring's influence corrupts Isildur, and, rather than destroy the Ring, Isildur takes it for himself . Isildur is later killed by Orcs, and the Ring is lost for 2,500 years, until it is found by Gollum, who owns it for five centuries . The Ring is then found by a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins . </P> <P> Sixty years later, Bilbo celebrates his 111th birthday in the Shire, reuniting with his old friend, Gandalf the Grey . Bilbo reveals that he intends to leave the Shire for one last adventure, and he leaves his inheritance, including the Ring, to his nephew, Frodo . Although Bilbo has begun to become corrupted by the Ring and tries to keep it for himself, Gandalf intervenes . Gandalf, suspicious of the Ring, tells Frodo to keep it secret and to keep it safe . Gandalf then investigates the Ring, discovers its true identity, and returns to warn Frodo . Gandalf also learns that Gollum was tortured by Orcs, and that Gollum uttered two words during his torture: "Shire" and "Baggins ." Gandalf instructs Frodo to leave the Shire, accompanied by his gardener Samwise Gamgee . Gandalf rides to Isengard to meet with fellow wizard Saruman the White, but learns that he has joined forces with Sauron, who has unleashed the Ringwraiths to find Frodo . After a brief battle, Saruman imprisons Gandalf . Frodo and Sam are joined by fellow Hobbits, Merry and Pippin, and they evade the Ringwraiths, arriving in Bree, where they are meant to meet Gandalf . However, Gandalf never arrived, and they are instead aided by a ranger named Strider, a friend of Gandalf's, who escorts them to Rivendell . </P>

Who dies first in lord of the rings