i just buy this movie on dvd and watch it for the first time the other night . i have be a fan of tolkien work for about 4 year now and ever since i get out of high school . i do not grow up on this movie . perhaps my mother keep me away from it . it definitely not for child . not that it bad in a graphic sense and but that the theme would go right over most 10 year old head . overall and the animation be excellent consider this be make in 1978/1979 . i think the story follow the book fairly well in a loose sense . but i be bother that bashki do not just add another 40 minute or so and tack on the return of the king part . that would have make it the ultimate movie . i be bother by it abrupt end and and then when i hear return of the king suck and i be bother even more . too bad it wasn not one great animation film . it might have garner a high vote from me . i give it a 7. i can only hope peter jackson will do the book justice with the new live action lotr .