Hobbits in Helicopters

[chickenlegs-11.livejournal.com]

I thought I'd post this here as I'm not sure if this photo (in colour) has been widely seen before. (Also posted to my LJ)

I was digging through some of my boxes of junk and came across a local (Melbourne) newspaper I'd saved from April 2004 which featured a two-page spread on the boon LOTR given to New Zealand's tourism and industry. One of the people interviewed for the article was Bill Reid who was chief pilot for the movie's aerial shots around Nelson. Bill says he had a ball with the four hobbit actors and "I'd been briefed by their minders to really look after them. If we'd had an accident and hurt them, we'd have been sued for millions and millions of dollars. But as soon as I'd get off the ground, they'd say "C'mon Bill, c'mon Bill - throw it around! Loop it! Roll it! Do some acrobats!"

Here is the photo that went with it. I've seen this once around LJ as a black and white shot, but I thought I'd scan in the photo here as this one is in colour - and it is rather cute! Elijah looks absolutely squishable!

Comments

[yeuxdebleu.livejournal.com]

Oh, I haven't seen this photo in color. Love it!! And look at Sean...LOL He was always soooo worried about the helicopters and safety. He doesn't look like he thinks it's nearly as much fun as Elijah does. Love the expression on Billy's face, too. And you're right....Elijah looks very squishable.

[chickenlegs-11.livejournal.com]

Billy's expression is just so "Billy" isn't it? And yeah I noticed Sean doesn't look too happy! :D

[yeuxdebleu.livejournal.com]

I wonder if that photo was taken in the morning. Elijah looks sleepy, Sean looks apprehensive, Billy looks wired from too much caffeine and Dom looks like he doesn't know WTF is going on. LOL It's a great photo.

[angelwood.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I misssss the hobbitssss. It's kinda weird though seeing them in costume in a chopper.

[maddeningpadme.livejournal.com]

they were in costume cuz they had to be flown to those places shooting all over NZ. they have to be ready to go. hurry up & wait! the famous acting saying ;) not sure where they actually were flying to in this pic but im guessing for an FOTR scene. i always loved this pic :)

[chickenlegs-11.livejournal.com]

Yeah I thought that too. It's like Third Age Middle-Earth meets 21st century New Zealand.

[angelwood.livejournal.com]

Exactly!

[owlgrey.livejournal.com]

I remember that article!

[chickenlegs-11.livejournal.com]

This is from an article published in the Herald-Sun in Melbourne. Does that mean you are in Melbourne too?

[owlgrey.livejournal.com]

Yep, I'm in Melbourne!!!

[chickenlegs-11.livejournal.com]

Cool!!!

[ex-salwood.livejournal.com]

Ooooh how absolutely wonderful! I've only ever seen it in black and white!

[eandme.livejournal.com]

LOL! Sean's expression!! ROTFLMAO...

I could...bite! Elijah.

[rakshi.livejournal.com]

This picture is amazing! May I please post it to SANET? I'd be so grateful! The look on Sean's face is beyond priceless! He's so clearly terrified while the rest of the guys are just as clearly enjoying the hell out of it. A total Safety Hobbit picture!

Thank you so much!

*hugs*

[ladysnaps.livejournal.com]

they'd say c'mon Bill - throw it around! Loop it! Roll it! Do some acrobats!

everyone but sean though! those wild, reckless, little hobbits. they should be spanked. ;-)

thanks for the color pic and article. i've never seen it in color either.

[honeyandvinegar.livejournal.com]

*CAN* you imagine the guy's fear at crashing them all? Oh God, it must have been killer!
Such gorgeous lads are they... lookit how pale Sean is, LMAO... I could squish them ALL, but of course... 'specially the chentnut hair, velveteen clothed hobbit in the front. *points* Gimmee.

[bunniewabbit.livejournal.com]

The color version is new to me, I believe! Thanks so much for posting that.

[changetje.livejournal.com]

Wow, thanks so much for sharing! I've always loved this pic, and in color it's even better! :D Heh, I always love seeing them as Hobbits in 'this' world :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_celebrian/]

Thanks so much for the color version. :-)

[mole-caz.livejournal.com]

It's new to me too! Sean looks green and Elijah pink! Ummmmm...pink!

[verangel.livejournal.com]

Just love them like this!!! The great innocence of this wonderful time.
:)

[westmoon.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Aw, the memories!

[gini-baggins.livejournal.com]

Never seen this pic in color! Thanks very much :D
The boys are having the time of their lives while Sean look so uncomfortable LOL.