Peter Jackson’s letter from Middle-earth, in the eye of a creative storm
Peter Jackson thanks a fan for his kind words about The Fellowship of the Ring, recalling the challenge of the film and the strong team spirit. He expresses admiration for Tolkien's work and mentions he's working on The Two Towers.
I very much enjoy receiving letters from around the world about my work.
On laid paper bearing the understated The Lord of the Rings letterhead, a blue ink signature immediately catches the eye. It's Peter Jackson's, at the height of one of cinema’s most ambitious undertakings. This letter, addressed to one Roland Brodner in 2002, finds Jackson taking time to reply to a fan in the midst of post-production for the trilogy’s second chapter, The Two Towers. He shares, almost as a personal note, the scale of the challenge:
THE LORD OF THE RINGS has been a terrific challenge, not only for me but for my crew and cast. They were all just as dedicated to the project as I was, and as hard as it seemed at times, we built up a sense of camaraderie that helped us through. I consider myself very lucky to have gathered up such a fine team of talented artists. It helped that we all had a great love of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, which I think comes through on the screen.
What struck me most upon discovering this letter was its simple, heartfelt tone, so at odds with the sheer scale of the project. Beneath the polite phrasing, you can sense the exhaustion and pride of a director, then still relatively unknown, who had just shaken Hollywood by filming all three installments simultaneously. Few authentic Peter Jackson letters from this pivotal time are known, especially ones dated between the release of the first film and the highly anticipated arrival of the second.
At the moment, I am working on the post production of the second chapter in the trilogy, THE TWO TOWERS, which is to be released in December. I hope you will enjoy it as much as you enjoyed the first.
This letter captures a rare turning point: Jackson, aware that he had marshaled an army of craftsmen to honor Tolkien’s vision, takes a moment to thank a single viewer. A precious, moving trace, one that reveals the passion and dedication that fueled this now-iconic trilogy.
This letter is shared by Laurent-Maria Deschanel, a French expert and founder of Autographes.com. A respected autograph dealer, he offers a refined selection of original letters, manuscripts, and signatures from renowned figures around the world — artists, writers, scientists, political leaders, and more. Guided by his passion and discerning eye, the website features a rich, carefully curated, and regularly updated thematic catalog.
