The Lord of the Rings

In a quiet, green country called the Shire, a small hobbit named Frodo Baggins inherits a gold ring from his uncle Bilbo. The wizard Gandalf soon discovers that the ring is the One Ring, the most dangerous object in the world, made long ago by the Dark Lord Sauron to enslave every other people. The Ring must be destroyed — and the only place that can destroy it is the fire of Mount Doom, deep inside Sauron's own land of Mordor.

Frodo leaves home with three loyal hobbit friends: Sam, Merry, and Pippin. Black Riders chase them. With the help of a strange ranger named Strider, who is really Aragorn, heir to a forgotten kingdom, they reach the elven city of Rivendell. There, a council of wise people decides that nine companions will carry the Ring south. The Fellowship is formed: four hobbits, two men (Aragorn and Boromir), the elf Legolas, the dwarf Gimli, and Gandalf.

The Fellowship crosses the snowy mountains, passes through the dark mines of Moria where Gandalf falls, and rests in the golden forest of Lothlórien. When Boromir tries to seize the Ring, the Fellowship breaks. Frodo and Sam continue alone toward Mordor. Merry and Pippin are captured by orcs, then escape into Fangorn Forest and rouse the tree-giants. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli race to save them and find Gandalf alive again, transformed and stronger.

War spreads. The kingdom of Rohan rides to battle. The fortress of Helm's Deep holds. The white city of Minas Tirith burns and is saved. Frodo and Sam, guided by the broken creature Gollum, struggle across Mordor toward the mountain.

At Mount Doom, Frodo claims the Ring instead of destroying it — but Gollum bites it off his finger and falls with it into the fire. Sauron is undone. Aragorn becomes king. The hobbits return home, save the Shire from one last evil, and find peace. Frodo, too wounded inside, sails away with the elves over the sea.