For some, the

wait has been excruciating, while others have no idea what they could

have been waiting for.

Today, "Lord

of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" opens at movie theaters

nationwide. The film, based on the first installment of J.R.R. Tolkien's

beloved trilogy, is directed by Peter Jackson and features an all-star

cast.

The story revolves

around a ring that, if it falls into the wrong hands, namely those of

Lord Sauron, the world will be enslaved and conquered by evil. Bilbo Baggins,

a hobbit, gives his heir, Frodo, the ring, so that he may return the ring

to Mount Doom and destroy it. Frodo is helped by Gandalf the Grey, a wizard,

as well as other hobbits, dwarves, elves and fairies.

Tolkien was

born in England in 1892. Living on the outskirts of Birmingham, his imagination

was enhanced by the rustic scenery. When his imagination teamed up with

his masterful control of language, Tolkien became a literary legend. After

serving in World War I, Tolkien became a professor at Oxford University.

He also began to write stories to entertain his children. The stories,

rich with detail, laid the foundation for the series which continues to

attract and enchant readers around the world.

The fans of

the books have been eagerly awaiting the release of the film. The Web

site, theonering.net , encouraged fans to start virtual lines to

purchase tickets. The virtual line for tickets to the premiere at Fayetteville's

Tinseltown started Nov. 13. The group's administrator is Stacy Ulman from

Eagle's Landing and many of the members of the line are family members

and colleagues.

They have gathered

together to watch all of the specials about the film and plan to see the

film several times this week. Ulman has been a Tolkien fan since the age

of 11. He is 36 years old now but is as excited as a child while discussing

the films.

The sequels

to "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" are scheduled

to be released before Christmas over the next two years, but they could

be released earlier if the market is ready for them. By all accounts the

film should be a smash hit. The reviews that have come in are stellar

and the fans should make it as big a box office smash as "Harry Potter."

There will

be many shows a day of this film, which is rated PG-13, at all surrounding

theaters.

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