- Hardcover: 128 pages
- Publisher: Watson-Guptill Pubns (July 2001)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0823051234
- ISBN-13: 978-0823051236
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
It was only years after the event that I discovered the book I'd cut up and put on my bedroom wall was in fact a collector's item, from two of the world's top fantasy illustrators, and now worth more than a week's healthy salary. So was my introduction to the sensational work of brothers, Greg and Tim Hildebrandt, whose imaginative, realistic interpretation of Tolkien is considered by many as the definitive collection.
Being a Tolkien fan I just loved the pictures. How was I to know it was a once in a lifetime out of print collector's item? So you can imagine my joy then, after years of scouring bookshops, to find this latest compilation of art from the Brothers Hildebrandt containing all those treasured illustrations from my tattered book.
The Tolkien Years not only contains all the Tolkien illustrations from the Brothers' famous late 1970's calendars but much more. Sketches, quotes, photo stills of models posing as characters, and a wonderful narrative written by son, Gregory Hildebrant Jr, who spent his young years modelling as the perfect Frodo for his Dad and Uncle.
Of course Tolkien fans must have this book, no questions asked. Devotees of fantasy and fantasy art will enjoy the high quality reproductions and stunning imaginative detail in the illustrations of the Brothers Hildebrandt. And of course, if you want a collector's item in years to come don't let this one pass you by. But a tip from an expert...leave it in the book and off the wall.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
10 reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
charming
28 Jan 2004
Format:Paperback
As any Brothers Hildebrandt fan knows, Greg and Tim's first Tolkein calender went on to become a worldwide bestseller. Some of the art,such as Unexpected Party or Gandalf with the Balrog was simply brilliant. Some of it looks dated today such as the hideous 1976 granny dress that Galadriel wears or the Sgt. Pepper mustache on Aragorn and the silly looking Fell beasts ridden by Nazgul who look like they're about to fall off at any minute. Oh well. Nobody got out of the 70s without some style howlers. Laugh at the funny stuff and be awed by the great.
One of the strongest and most charming elements of the book is the descriptions from Greg Hildebrant's son who was five when the brothers began working on the calenders. Young Greg's memories are full of wonder that's in keeper with what his uncle and father were working on. It's not all sweetness and light however, young Greg remembers that toward the middle of the project things got increasingly difficult in the studio. The pressures of the deadline, creative disagreements and artistic disappointments (Among other things the brothers didn't have time to do a huge battle scene that they'd planned) and the need to do separate projects are all mentioned.
Besides all three Hildebrandt calenders, the book has pictures of privately commissioned works (some of which are better than the orginal paintings), prelim sketches, and photos of the models. If you loved the work of the brothers or have just discovered it this will be a highly entertaining treat for you.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Awesome Middle-Earth Illustrations
13 April 2002
Format:Paperback
Greg and Tim Hildebrandt's "The Tolkien Years" is a wonderful set of illustrations that go along with mostly "The Lord of the Rings" but this book does have a few illustrations from "The Hobbit." These gorgeous works of art were originally apart of calendars that the Hildebrant brothers worked on. This book will make reading "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" much more fun as you will be able to visualize things perfectly.
Along with beautiful illustrations this book has a lot of text that includes quotes directly from Greg and Tim and full text entries by Greg Hildebrant, Jr. All of the artwork in this book is in full color and look just like original pieces of art. In addition to the final artowrk there are also concept drafts from "scribble" stages, to a general rough draft, all the way to the ginal, full color, and eye-catching pictures. There is also a very nice pull out poster as a special bonus. This is a book of artwork from Middle-Earth that no Tolkien fan should be without. The art in this book will be appreciated by everybody. Get this book and enjoy!
Happy Reading!
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Some great art, some not so great
31 Dec 2003
Format:Paperback
I loved the Hildebrandts' art as a kid, and I appreciate being able to revisit it in this handsome volume. Engaging scenes, fabulous detail, vivid colors, and some of the best Tolkien paintings ever (the Ring of Galadriel, Old Man Willow, the Pillars of the Kings, Saruman and the Palantir). Their influence can be seen in many subsequent interpretations of Tolkien (compare the Hildebrandts' "Eowyn and the [left-handed] Nazgul" with the same scene in the 2004 Ted Nasmith calendar) and in much "generic" fantasy art.
But... Some of the earlier works have odd perspective (check out the chimney in "Gandalf visits Bilbo"). The hobbits look like children (the 5-year-old Greg Hildebrandt Jr. was the model). Shadowfax just fell off the carousel. Treebeard is a cartoon. Rivendell looks like a gingerbread house. Smaug appears to be made of plastic. The Nazgul fly around on rubber chickens (really, that's what they used as the model). And Aragorn's mustache! Perhaps it looked majestic in the 70s, but now it's just laughable.
It is interesting to see the sketches (some of which are superior to the final painting) and reference photos. The text is annoyingly told from the author's perspective as a 5-year-old model, but contains some amusing nuggets like the rubber chicken fell beast. I didn't think much of the pullout poster -- it's certainly not their best work. Still, on balance I would definitely recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Tolkien (unless you already have the calendars).
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