Before Middle Earth, before the One Ring – there was a boy. This much-anticipated biopic explores the early years of young J.R.R. Tolkien (Nicholas Hoult) as he finds friendship, love and artistic inspiration among a group of fellow outcasts at school. This challenging and stimulating youth leads to the inevitable outbreak of World War I, which threatens to tear this new “fellowship” apart. In these formative experiences, Tolkien would find much of the inspiration for his much-celebrated fantasy stories. Dome Karukoski (Tom of Finland) directs his first English language feature, supported by a fine cast including Lily Collins, Pam Ferris, Derek Jacobi, Colm Meaney and Craig Roberts.
Dome Karukoski / USA 2019 / 1h52m / 12A – Contains moderate war violence. / Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins, Pam Ferris, Genevieve O’Reilly, Colm Meaney, Craig Roberts.