Um well I'm not sure I have that many scintillating stories to tell...

I remember before the movies came out that I had basically no interest in them, and no real prior knowledge as I hadn't read the books. We were driving over Hayward's Hill to drop my brother off at college and coming down the hill we glanced off to the right and all did a double take - "Since when has there been a castle in the quarry?"  We figured out it was from Rings, but pulled over to have a look, it was super impressive looking. Turned out to be Helm's Deep (which I later heard on an American "Behind the Scenes" being described as located in a "remote rock quarry" - the quarry is within spitting distance of State Highway 2 so I'm not sure what they meant by remote...)

Anyway we got super into the movies when they came out, even made our own board games for them   And then there was this, which contrary to what some people online seem to think, was a JOKE and they did actually find it hilarious.

(I regret nothing.)

Really enjoyed these commentaries, thanks! It makes laying up textbooks in InDesign that much more stimulating

I'm a born and bred Kiwi, living just outside of Wellington, so I know a lot of the people who worked on the movies - mostly the horse wranglers, because I do a lot of horseriding. Also one of my cousins was an orc, and another one used to go partying with the Hobbits in Wellington on a regular basis. My own 'claim to fame' if you can call it that is I was part of the crowd chanting they did at the stadium for Return of the King, things like "Grond Grond Grond" and "DEATH!" and a few other words.

Also in the commentary there was mention made of Viggo buying the horses he rode in the film and also buying a horse for Liv Tyler's riding stunt double - all true, and Jane still has the stallion he bought her. He lives the life of riley with her and her young family, and has bred some very beautiful and useful horses in the past few years. Here is a photo of them, taken a couple of months ago:

She also looked after at least one of Viggo's horses, I know she had the stallion who played Brego, he almost died a couple of years ago and required urgent surgery, luckily Jane's husband is a vet (they met on the set of Rings, actually) and the horse was saved. I'm not sure if she still has him however. Jane also has the lead Ringwraith's horse from Fellowship (the horse's real name is Bob). I know loads of people who worked on the movies - it's probably true to say that everyone in NZ either worked on the movies, knows someone who did, or knows someone who knows someone... only two degrees of separation in any direction I would guess!

I have a few other anecdotes as well, but they'll keep (I should get back to work). Any plans to do a Hobbit commentary? (For the record, I thought it kind of sucked.)