NEWS & PRESS RELEASES

Five times Oscar Winner and co-owner of the Weta workshop in New Zealand, Richard Taylor, has selected the star of the Royal Armouries Museum’s design competition, celebrating its exclusive exhibition ‘Arms and Armour from the Movies: The Wonderful World of Weta’, which features weapons and armour from some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters including The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Richard Taylor chose the winner from the entrants who had each created their own fantasy figure including the weaponry they would carry. The competition brief stated ‘inspiration can come from anywhere and characters can be set in the past, present or future. Whether it is drawn, computer-generated, or modelled to create a 3-D interpretation; the choice is yours’.

The design that most impressed Richard Taylor was created by David DelaGardelle, whose fantasy character, Wignonrik, has been awarded the limited edition Weta Ray Gun or ‘Dr Grordbort’s Infallible Aether Oscillator’ to give it its proper name! This full-scale antique-styled sci-fi weapon, worth hundreds of pounds, was hand crafted by Weta’s master model-maker David Tremont and is highly sought after by collectors.

Richard Taylor said: “Myself and our senior designers at Weta workshop were amazed at the incredibly broad and fantastic array of designs that were submitted for this competition. We chose David DelaGardelle’s illustration, as this explores a wonderful and unique fantasy creature in possession of armour that felt as if it was made for and by this culture.”

David DelaGardelle from Indiana, USA, who was also awarded a VIP visit to the Royal Armouries Museum, said: “I am honored and humbled to have been chosen as the winner of the contest.”

The exhibition features objects from The Lord of the Rings trilogy; The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe; The Last Samurai; King Kong and Hellboy. All the objects on display were designed and hand crafted by Richard Taylor’s team at the Weta workshop and some items have never before been seen anywhere in the world.

Running at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds daily from 10am – 5pm until 16 November, this will be the only opportunity for movie buffs and the general public to see these exquisite items in one collection.

Train passengers on the 11.05 from Leeds to York are in for a shock next Tuesday (21 October) as a gruesome Orc, like those from the blockbusting Lord of the Rings trilogy, is set to board the train for its first day trip to York. The Orc’s adventure is to signal the mid-November closing of the Royal Armouries big exhibition: ‘Arms and Armour from the Movies: The Wonderful World of Weta’. The Orc’s first stop will be York’s National Railway Museum, followed by a ride on the Yorkshire Wheel.

The Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds, is currently showcasing weapons and armour from some of the biggest Hollywood films of recent years including The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The FREE exhibition is open now and will be the only opportunity for movie buffs and the general public to see these exquisite items in the UK.

The one-off exhibition includes Aragorn’s sword and Sauron’s helmet (The Lord of the Rings); the White Witch’s wand and Lucy’s dagger (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe); one of the plane-mounted Lewis machine guns that killed King Kong (King Kong); and Hellboy’s Samaritan revolver (Hellboy). All items have been craftsman-made by the world-famous, Oscar-winning Weta workshops in Wellington, New Zealand.

During October half-term the Royal Armouries is hosting a week of ‘Movie Magic’ fun (25 October – 2 November), which includes an exciting line up of activities and events for all the family to enjoy, these include:

Reel to Real interpretations– an interpretation team performing pieces based on family classics, covering a number of themes including Knights in Shining Armour, Western Gun Slingers and the age old story of V’s evil.

Arms and Armour of the Silver Screen – a captivating look into the historical inspiration behind the arms and armour from the movies... with an opportunity to get hands on!

Movie themed horse shows – skilled equestrians bring to life the horses and heroes from motion pictures such as The Last Samurai.

Art and craft activities with Kala Sangam – including mask making and henna tattoos taking the cultural and medieval influences used to recreate the Lord of the Rings arms and armour.

Face Painting – transform into a fairy, princess or a scary Orc... the choices are endless! Win a Weta Ray Gun competition – the chance to enter your artwork in the competition to win a Ray Gun – winners picked by Richard Taylor, co-owner of Weta with Peter Jackson.

Talks & Tours with curators – a chance to get a personal guided tour of the hit summer exhibition from the very man who brought the entire event together – Bob Woosnam - Savage

Open daily from 10am -5pm, this will be one of the very last chances for families and movie buffs to marvel at the iconic objects on display. The exhibition closes on 16th November.

We have received confirmation today from Weta Workshop that Richard Taylor will unfortunately not be able to attend the events on 18th/19th October 2008.

Richard has said he is deeply apologetic for having to cancel his trip and it is a first for him in 22 years, but he has to stay in New Zealand for a meeting about the next part of the Middle Earth journey.

However, we are delighted to announce that Richard is able to send Emily Jane Sturrock and Matt Appleton in his place. Both are currently in Germany attending Ring Con giving talks to LOTR fans. Having worked on Lord of the Rings, King Kong and Chronicles of Narnia and given talks all over the world, Richard is confident that Emily Jane and Matt would present an interesting and unique view of the world of Weta and the movies and effects that have made Weta a world leader in film making.

We fully understand if you would like a full refund and if this is the case, please email shopping.leeds@armouries.org.uk and this will be arranged ASAP.


ORCS PARTY AT THE Royal Armouries Museum.
DATE: 17th July 2008

No blood was spilt as Orcs and Knights mingled amongst the guests at the launch of The Royal Armouries Museum free summer exhibition ‘Arms and Armour from the Movies: The Wonderful World of Weta’ (see notes to editors for picture details).

Entering the exhibition through a coat-filled wardrobe, visitors can see more than 230 props, many of which have never been displayed in public before, craftsman-made by the world-famous, Oscar-winning Weta workshops in Wellington, New Zealand. Visitors will see a replica Weta workshop and encounter a Centaur before passing through a ‘hobbit hole to meet Orcs and a Cave-troll.

The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds is showcasing weapons and armour from some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters of recent years including The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (the second instalment, Prince Caspian opened in the UK 26 June). The exhibition opens 12 July (daily 10am – 5pm) and runs until 16 November - it will be the only opportunity for movie buffs and the general public to see these exquisite items in the UK.

Featuring some of the most iconic props from the films, the exhibition includes Aragorn’s sword and Sauron’s helmet (The Lord of the Rings); the White Witch’s wand and Lucy’s dagger (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe); one of the plane-mounted Lewis machine guns that killed King Kong (King Kong); and Hellboy’s Samaritan revolver (Hellboy).

Arms and Armour from the Movies: The Wonderful World of Weta has come about because of a personal friendship developed between the Armouries Senior Curator of Historic Edged Weapons, Bob Woosnam-Savage, and Richard Taylor who, along with the director Peter Jackson, is one of the co-directors of Weta.

Many of Weta’s weapons and armour are based on medieval European and Eastern designs and are bespoke items individually built for both ‘beauty’ shots and for stunt-combat, often using contemporary techniques. Curator Bob Woosnam-Savage has advised on arms and armour for a number of movies including Rob Roy and Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, for which Weta made the mail armour.

The exhibition will feature objects from The Lord of the Rings trilogy; The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe; The Last Samurai; King Kong and Hellboy (Hellboy II released August 2008) and includes visits and workshops by key Weta designers from New Zealand including master sword-smith Peter Lyon.

This summer the Royal Armouries Museum Museum in Leeds will be showcasing the weapons and armour from some of the biggest Hollywood blockbusters of recent years including The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (the second instalment, Prince Caspian opened in the UK 26 June).

Craftsman-made by the world-famous, Oscar-winning WETA workshops in Wellington, New Zealand, many of the 230+ props have never been displayed in public before. The free exhibition Arms and Armour from the Movies: The Wonderful World of WETA (*see ‘notes to editors’) opens 12 July (daily 10am – 5pm) and runs until 16 November - it will be the only opportunity for movie buffs and the general public to see these exquisite items in the UK.

The exhibition will feature some of the most iconic props from the films including Aragorn’s sword and Sauron’s helmet (The Lord of the Rings); the White Witch’s wand and Lucy’s dagger (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe); one of the plane-mounted Lewis machine guns that killed King Kong (King Kong); and Hellboy’s Samaritan revolver (Hellboy).

Arms and Armour from the Movies: The Wonderful World of WETA has come about because of apersonal friendship developed between the Armouries Senior Curator of Historic Edged Weapons, Bob Woosnam-Savage, and Richard Taylor who, along with the director Peter Jackson, is one of the co-directors of WETA.

Many of WETA’s weapons and armour are based on medieval European and Eastern designs and are bespoke items individually built for both ‘beauty’ shots and for stunt-combat, often using contemporary techniques. Curator Bob Woosnam-Savage has advised on weaponry for a number of movies including Rob Roy and Ridley Scott’s Kingdom of Heaven, for which WETA made the mail armour. The exhibition will feature objects from The Lord of the Rings trilogy; The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe; The Last Samurai; King Kong and Hellboy (Hellboy II released August 2008) and includes visits and workshops by key WETA designers from New Zealand including master sword-smith Peter Lyon.

Notes to editors:
1. www.royalarmouries.org
2. Images available on request
3. Contact Redbrick Communications for full list of items showing at exhibition
Ref: rbc.ra 003

Manchester has played a key supporting role in ensuring the UK hosting of major exhibition featuring weapons and armour from Hollywood blockbusters such as The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.

A free exhibition Arms and Armour from the Movies: The Wonderful World of WETA (*see ‘notes to editors’) has been organised by former University of Manchester student, Bob Woosnam-Savage. Now Senior Curator of European Edged Weapons at the Royal Armouries Museum Museum in Leeds, Bob credits his time studying art history in Manchester for rekindling his childhood fascination for arms and armour.

“I was interested in arms and armour from an early age,” says Bob. “I had lots of little toy knights and things like that and, being brought up in Shropshire, my parents used to take me around lots of Welsh castles. But it wasn’t until I came to Manchester to study History of Art that my interest was reignited. I studied medieval Renaissance art and there’s a lot of pictures and sculptures of people with arms and armour and that was me hooked again.”

That passion then fed a longstanding desire to organise a movie themed exhibition, a dream which is set to become true after he forged a personal and professional relationship with Richard Taylor, co-founder with director Peter Jackson of the Oscar-winning props maker, Weta Workshops.

“I got in touch with Richard as a fan but also with an idea that had been at the back of my mind for years, to put on an exhibition about armour in the movies” explained Richard who prior to arriving in Manchester studied at Nantwich’s Malbank School and Sixth Form College. “Richard and I kept in touch over the years whilst the idea was fermenting and then two years ago I went on holiday to New Zealand, met up with Richard and Peter Jackson got taken around the WETA Workshop. Richard and everyone thought the exhibition was a great idea, including Peter and so that was it. This is the first ever exhibition solely dealing with arms and armour from The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia. It could be enormously big, a blockbuster in its own right.”

Bob is now busy unpacking over 230 props which have been shipped over from New Zealand for the exhibition which opens on July 12th. They include Aragorn and Frodo’s swords from The Lord of the Rings and wands waved by Tilda Swinton when playing the white witch in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Another major draw will be the giant revolver wielded by Hellboy, the sequel of which is due for release during the Armouries exhibition. “It’s just so massive. If someone sits there holding it, it just looks totally wacky. Brilliant!” enthuses Bob.

But surely academic purists must baulk at an exhibition of props created not for realist dramas, but fantasy films? Not so says Bob, who is one of Europe’s leading experts on historical arms and armour and has written several books on the subject. “It’s one of the ironies that some of the finest looking medieval swords in the movies are in Lord of the Rings motion picture trilogy, which is, of course, fantasy. They’re made from an historical perspective by a proper swordsmith and in the medieval manner, using the same forms of construction.

“If you look at say Strider’s sword, one of the earlier Aragorn swords, it’s a really nice, almost classical medieval sword with a little bi-knife in the scabbard like a real one would have. It’s based on what’s called a bastard sword, the term coming from it being nether two or one-handed. It’s in between, a classic hand-and-a-half and it’s got a lot of nice detail you just don’t see in the movies. For the first time they’re loyal to detail.”

Bob is also excited by the prospect of visits to the exhibition by Richard Taylor and key Weta designers including master swordsmith, Peter Lyon. “This is all such a privilege for me, not only getting to hold and exhibit these fantastic pieces but hear first hand of how they were made in the traditional fashion. It’ll be a great way for others to learn whilst simply enjoying being a fan of the movies. I enjoyed studying in Manchester but lectures on Oxford Road were never this exciting!”

Notes to editors:
1. For a full list of exhibits and the movies in which they featured, images and further details of the exhibition or Bob Savage’s career, please contact Redbrick Communications.
Ref: ra.002 Arms & Armour from the Movies