Making The Grades...

The MPAA rated The Lord Of The Rings: Fellowship Of The Ring (2001) PG-13 for epic battle sequences and some scary images.

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Overall: B-
In the rich literary tapestry of JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth, an unlikely assortment of heroes set out to destroy an evil ring of power. Mostly faithful to the classic novel, LOTR fans will find this an elaborate and impressive adaptation. Unfortunately it's also laden with gratuitous violence making it not a recommendable choice for children -- and all others are cautioned.

Violence: D
Along with details noted below, numerous battle scenes throughout the film show armored men fighting with swords, bows and arrows, spears, axes, magic scepters and staffs. Many on-screen deaths are depicted along with dismembered body parts sometimes flying through the air. Even with the carnage, little blood is shown. Character uses magic scepter to make explosive shock wave that knocks down soldiers (injury and death implied), and to strike foe. Sword used to slice off arm. Character picks up dismembered finger that turns to ash. Character knocked off horse. Drowned man shown with arrows protruding from back. Reckless use of fireworks causes risk to public safety, and characters are depicted with blackened faces. Character intentionally tries to scare children by telling tales of Hobbits being cooked and eaten. Black cloaked and faceless characters on horseback stalk and chase characters in several scenes. Creature interrogated in medieval-style torture chamber. Characters grabbed by scruff of neck on several occasions. Character locked in fortress, magical battle ensues including characters thrown against walls and floors, tossed high into the air, and threatened on edge of precipice. Characters slide down steep embankment. Horses almost trample fleeing characters. Characters attempt to kill others by plunging swords into their beds. Characters arm themselves to prepare for battles. Character injured by sword wound. Large wave of water washes away horses and riders. Scratch on face and finger show blood. Characters contend verbally in heated argument. Sword practice turns into friendly scuffle. Avalanche buries characters. Innumerable decaying corpses, many with weapons protruding from them, litter caverns. Creature with tentacles attacks characters: arrows and swords used for self-preservation. Character reads journal of army about to be obliterated. Character knocks skeleton down deep well. Enemy army breaks down barred doors and violently attacks characters within. Large ghoulish monster swinging a club engages in battle with characters, injuring one. Creatures swarm fleeing characters. Large fire-breathing monster with whip chases characters. Characters in peril on crumbling bridge. Man pulled by beard. Characters taken prisoner at arrow-point. Innocent characters taken captive, their homes are burned. Mention of torture and mutilation. Human flesh used as reward for fighting. Characters pursued by army, battle ensues, including sword fighting and stabbing, man shot point blank with arrows, decapitation using sword, man pinned against tree by his neck, and other excessive hand-to-hand combat. Blood seen in mouth's of wounded characters. Character who cannot swim nearly drowns.

Sexual Content: A
Man caresses woman's neck, they then kiss. Woman kisses man.

Language: A-
One indiscernible expletive muttered.

Alcohol / Drug Use: B
Characters engaging in drinking at social occasions, in taverns, and in their homes. Characters remark on large size of beer mug. Some background characters depicted as drunken. Characters often shown smoking pipes. Drug reference made in connection to weed being smoked by characters. Use of herbs for medicine.

Miscellaneous:
Appropriate affection displayed between friends, including a man who kisses a fallen male comrade. On two occasions, stealing is engaged in as a prank. Dark and sometimes frightening special effect used to change appearance of characters tempted to do evil, or under spell of magic. Mention of evil disembodied spirit. Spell-casting depicted. Magic spell exerts power on character. Recurrent fiery visual effect. Numerous ominous and dark settings. Volcano threatens eruption. Many ghoulish and hideous-looking creatures: one born out of a mud pit. Character berates another. Body of dead character committed to watery grave. Insects shown in brief scene.

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