“The Lord of the Rings” revolutionized the Fantasy and Adventure genres in both print and film. What’s often overshadowed by the smashing success of the franchise is the impact LOTR had on the country that served as the backdrop for much of the footage in the film series – New Zealand. Ever since “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” hit theaters on December 19, 2001, fans have flocked to remote outskirts in the country where big scenes were filmed.
The film franchise is turning 20 years old, and to celebrate, Tim and Eben are joined by Sarah Handley, General Manager for the Americas and Europe at Tourism New Zealand. They’re discussing how the film’s legacy has impacted the country’s tourism sector, how New Zealanders really feel about film tourism, and whether the guys can be extras in the upcoming LOTR Amazon series.
In Hot Takes, Tim and Eben discuss whether or not travel experiences are “tainted” by the simple fact that you’re somewhere new – is hiking in a faraway country actually better than hiking close to home? Also on the docket is whether Tim loves Blink-182 simply because it reminds him of when life was much simpler.
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