The Lord of the Rings is
one of the most successful film franchises in cinematic history. Winner of a
record 17 Academy Awards and breaking box office records
worldwide, the trilogy is a breathtaking cinematic achievement beloved
by fans everywhere.
For Sean Astin, a Hollywood child (son of Patty Duke and
John Astin) who made his feature film debut at 13 in the 1980s
classic The Goonies and played the title role in
Rudy, the call from his
agent about the role of Samwise Gamgee couldn't have come at a better time.
His career was at a low point and choice roles were hard to come by. His
18-month experience in New Zealand with director Peter Jackson and the cast
and crew of The Lord of the Rings films would be more than simply a
dream come true — it would prove to be the challenge of a lifetime.
"There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale" is the personal memoir of Sean Astin,
from his early days in Hollywood to the movie role that changed his life. Though
much has been written about the making of the films, Sean's first hand story of what took place
on the set has never before been told.
Sean's candid account of his 24 years of professional acting experience
culminating in The Lord of the Rings provides an unparalleled perspective. More than a companion guide to the
Rings films, "There and
Back Again" is filled with stories from the set about the actors and filmmakers
who joined together to bring Tolkien's vision to life. It's an eye-opening
tale told by a
Hollywood veteran, of the blood, sweat and tears that went into the making of
some of the most ambitious and successful films of all times.
Published by:
St. Martin's Press (US) and
Virgin Books (UK)
