Biopic on J.R.R. Tolkien Explores His Early Life and Inspirations

A new film directed by Dome Karukoski and written by David Gleeson and Stephen Beresford chronicles the life of J.R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973), the British author of The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and The Silmarillion. The movie traces Tolkien's origins from a childhood marked by the loss of both parents, through his school years where he formed deep friendships, to the tragic events of World War I. These experiences inspired his creation of Middle-earth. The film is set for release in US theaters on May 10 and will later arrive in Italian cinemas, distributed by 20th Century Fox.