Part One of the Bantam Cinema’s “There and Back Again” Festival features screenings of the extended versions of the Hobbit movies. Guests are advised to come prepared to feast like a dwarf, show off your knowledge of Middle Earth, and dress to impress in costume contests.
Doors open at 5:45 for each film, with trivia beginning at 6 p.m. followed by the costume contest. Films begin at 7 p.m.
The festival lineup is:
Thursday 4/4: An Unexpected Journey
Thursday 4/11: The Desolation of Smaug
Thursday 4/18: The Battle of the Five Armies
There will be two additional chances to see all three films, coinciding with Litchfield High School’s spring break.
An Unexpected Journey is also being shown April 12 and 14 at 6:30, The Desolation of Smaug is also being shown April 11 at 7 p.m. and 13 and 17 at 6:30, and The Battle of the Five Armies is also being shown April 14 at 3 p.m. and April 18 at 7 p.m.
“The trilogy must be seen in order since it breaks the story in the book into three parts,” noted Robert Kwalick, Executive Director of Bantam Cinema, who explained that the “Lord of the Rings” movies were made first but feature events that come later in the chronology of the story.
Bantam Cinema plans to show those three films in order later in the year.
Tickets for the “There and Back Again” Festival films are $12.50 for adults, $8.50 for children 12 and younger, and $10.50 for students, members of the military, and senior citizens. Tickets and more information available at bantamcinema.org/movie/there-and-back-again-festival-part-one.
Bantam Cinema & Arts Center is located at 115 Bantam Lake Rd.