I Like His Frodo Better than Jackson's: It Turns Out That 'The Lord of the Rings' Exists as a Cartoon as Well

Did you know that even before Peter Jackson’s legendary Lord of the Rings trilogy, there was an animated version? Yes, back in 1978, a cult fantasy epic by Tolkien was brought to life on screen — but not in live action, rather through animation. The film was directed by Ralph Bakshi, and it’s a fascinating piece of cinema history. But was it a masterpiece?

Bakshi’s Lord of the Rings used a unique technique called rotoscoping — scenes were first shot with live actors, then transformed into drawings. Sometimes the results are impressive, capturing the epic scope and dark tone; other times, it feels like a surreal dream.

The battle scenes are particularly strange: heroes and orcs seem to dissolve into smoky red filters, giving the whole sequence an eerie, almost unsettling atmosphere.

The film doesn’t cover the entire trilogy — only The Fellowship of the Ring and part of The Two Towers. Entire chapters and characters were cut: no Tom Bombadil, no Goldberry, and no proper ending. Fans eagerly awaited a conclusion that never came. Bakshi’s adaptation was followed by silence; the studio decided not to risk further investment.

Critics were lukewarm. While some praised Bakshi’s bold approach, many lamented its chaotic storytelling and lack of emotional depth.

Tolkien purists were disappointed: instead of magic, they saw a dark, clumsy interpretation. Yet surprisingly, it grossed over $30 million and gained cult status among fans who appreciated its rawness.

Some Reddit users even prefer Bakshi’s Frodo to Jackson’s! Interestingly, Peter Jackson himself has said that Bakshi’s film inspired him to read Tolkien’s books. Scenes from Bakshi’s version — like hobbits hiding from Nazgûl under trees — directly influenced key moments in Jackson’s Fellowship.

Bakshi’s Lord of the Rings remains an underrated gem — both a flop and a quiet muse that perhaps shaped how we see Middle-earth today.