The rings of power is the latest episode in Under the spell of the Ring franchisee. Set during the Second Age and based on JRR Tolkien’s appendices Under the spell of the Ring, the Prime Video series goes back in time and tells the story of the loss of peace in Middle-earth and the attempt to eradicate all evil. It is the most expensive TV series ever produced, with Amazon Studios spend over $1 billion for a five-season commitment to the series. The rings of power was subject to positive reviews from critics for both its cinematography and music score, and audiences agreed, making it the most-streamed series on Prime Video at the time of release.
Given that The rings of power is set in the same universe as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings, filmmakers must meet certain criteria. Middle-earth has a certain aesthetic that, while manageable in the studio, is more effective when real world wonders are used to help build this magical fictional world. The rings of power is packed with fantastic shots of phenomenal locations. Here’s a rundown of all the real-world filming locations used in The rings of power and why they were chosen.
New Zealand and Lord of the Rings
Fans of the original Lord of the Rings movies will already know that the first three movies and the subsequent prequel hobbit trilogy were shot mainly in New Zealand. Thanks to Lord of the RingsNew Zealand has a increase in tourism, with attractions such as the Walk to Mordor and even a visit to The Shire. With its expansive landscape and unique layout, New Zealand is an ideal filming location for any fantasy story. It therefore made sense for filmmakers to return to New Zealand for: The rings of power to create the same atmosphere as in the previous films. Indeed, most of the production took place on the North Island, with beautiful scenes shot in various New Zealand locations in Haukari, Piha and Fjordland National Park.
Coromandel Peninsula
One of the largest peninsulas in New Zealand, the Coromandel Peninsula or Te Tar-o-te-ika-o-Maui in the native Maori, includes the Hauraki Marine Park. With green hills surrounding Mount Moehau, most of the peninsula is covered in forest filled with a variety of flora and fauna that make for an exceptional addition to Middle-earth. Untouched by human hands, the Coromandel Peninsula adds an entirely new setting that can leave audiences in awe.
Piha Beaches
The rings of power does ask for some coastal scenes, one particular scene is when Galadriel and Halbrand get stranded on the beach after The Sundering. The beaches of Piha may seem a little out of place for Under the spell of the Ring, considering that a vast majority of the story takes place in the mountains or forest, but the presence of such a unique beach only adds to the depth of the world building. With its black sand and fauna-covered cliffs, the Piha beaches are a fantastic place that has to be seen to be believed.
Fjordland National Park
As the largest national park in New Zealand, Fjordland National Park features Mount Kidd, which can be seen when the characters in The rings of power climb a mysterious range between the Misty Mountains in discovery. Another part of the national park featured in the series is the shores of Lake Te Anau, which serves as the backdrop for Anduin. This area can also be seen in The two towers when Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins cross the swamp of the dead, with Gollum leading the way.