Post 1000 and Minas Tirith revealed

[Dusty]

WOW. I can only stare. No words can form to describe Minas Tirith. WOW.

Dusty

[Bruce N H]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the kind words.

General: Yes, I am not consciously trying to emulate Peter Jackson's interpretation of Tolkien. Formendacil is right, my first (rather poor, IMO) chapters preceded the release of the first movie by a couple of months. My first reading of LotR preceded the release of the first movie by a couple of decades, with many rereadings in between, so my mental images are pretty set by now. If anything, my mental images are more shaped by the Bakshi cartoon, as I saw that about the same time as I read the book.

Um, I hope people don't think I'm going to build a full scale city. At this scale that would have to be about the size of a small house. I do intend to do a microscale at some point. Otherwise, the scenes you see are about as big as I can get (that's pretty much all of my gray right there).

Figs - Yes, I agree that my fig choices aren't the best. I've got a problem with continuity, though. Most of these choices were set when I started the project, and I had a pretty poor selection of figs at that point. I've since increased the numbers of each faction, but I had already photographed scenes with certain torsos, so unless I were to start the whole thing over I'm pretty much set in by now. I'm particularly unhappy with my orc solution (fright knights). Since I first had orcs in scenes LEGO has released figs that would fit much better. Oh well.

Gate: I'll definitely have to take pics with the gates closed. Those posts of brown 2x2 round bricks have 2x2 turntables at the top and the bottom, so that's how they swing open and shut. When the gates are closed it reveals arrow slits that open on the area in between the two forward towers--so the defenders could rain death down on any attackers approaching the gate.

City Streets: Yeah, it would probably be better to have all stone houses, but I was mainly having fun trying lots of different ideas and combinations. I'm glad the fountain made sense. That box next to it is supposed to have hay--I was thinking of that as a place for horses to get food and water or something. I'm glad you enjoyed the peek behind the scenes. I basically made several fake roofs and put them in the background of each set to imply a large city. That cart is directly based on someone on C-C.com's design, btw. I'm really sorry that I didn't write down who so I could give proper credit.

Houses of Healing: That bed design is Ley Ward's (Professor Whateverly's). It was discussed in this forum last summer sometime. Aha! You've fallen for my trap! That floor isn't tiles, it's all those dang 1x2x5 tan bricks you get if you've got a bunch of HP sets, laid on their side. The walls aren't attached to the floor at all - it's just sitting there, so the angle isn't anything special. I was particularly happy with furnishing the Warden's office, btw.

Tower of Ecthelion: Yeah, it's pathetically thin, but that's all of my white right there. Wait until I do Denethor's throne room--you'll wonder how it could fit inside that building--a bit like Narnia inside a wardrobe. BTW, I was really happy with the picture where I pasted the sky behind the tower.

Later,
Bruce

[Dragon Master]

That is one awsome city. Great job Bruce!

[JoshWedin]

Aha! You've fallen for my trap! That floor isn't tiles, it's all those dang 1x2x5 tan bricks you get if you've got a bunch of HP sets, laid on their side. The walls aren't attached to the floor at all - it's just sitting there, so the angle isn't anything special.

Yes, I did! I never would have guessed. That is quite clever, I like it. I have sort of figured out how to do that with tiles, but it is very part intensive and would not have a pretty exterior. Good job, Bruce!

Josh

[xiblal]

Congratulations on 1000 posts!!
Your MOC of Minas Tirth is…… WOW! I really love all the detail there is. I love the arches along the top of the wall, and the width of the gate is great. And the use of the 1x2x5 bricks as flooring really looks good!!

I would also like to thank you for introducing me to this forum

James

[Blueandwhite]

Nice work! Finally, the Houses of Healing gets the respect it deserves!

In my opinion, this was one of the more significant chapters in the Return of the King, and it was omitted from Peter Jackson's original theatrical release, so its nice to see it in lego form.

I really like the way you do cobblestone roads. Its very convincing. The only real critiism I have is with the Tower of Ecthelion. It seems a tad small. I actually like the idea of a microfig scale Minas Tirth. Set behind the current model, and photographed correctly, this could really give the city the sense of scale it deserves.

Great work Bruce!

[Norro]

Hi Bruce,

I like it! Seems like just days ago you put up the first chapter (tear). The walls are brilliant, the streets are nice (how many of those buildings are desserted or are they all lived in?) I also like the gates (the surrounding walls are shorter aren't they?)

Thanks so much and God Bless,

Nathan

[The Blue Knight]

Very nice work Bruce!

I have thought of a micro Minas Tirith, but now I will have to do a full scale one. Yeah, right! I understand just how big a commitment of bricks that is, the scale is immpressive. The HofH and the Tower are the only deviations, they are just too small. The H of H look great, I like all the little details like the wall walk railing.

I like the flooring, even now that you have let the genie out of the bottle. I also like the angled tudor-ish buildings just inside the gates, a very nice touch. You are to be commended on your interiors as well.

I can't wait to see how you will handle the elevation of the Seven Circles! Well done my friend!

[Troy T. Moore]

Nothing like a one person display there Bruce!

My favourite shot is the one looking down the street (last one on "gates" page), the houses, the street, the people....

All the posotive comments I can easily second. A real work of art, bringing it all together.

When will we see details of the inside of those houses?

The House of Healing is very cool, I like the capes for drapes, and the arrangement of items on the shelves and tables.

I look forward to the story to go with it.

[Bruce N H]

Hi all,
I've sneak previewed these here before, so these are nothing new to classic-castlers, but I've finally made Minas Tirith scenes a live link on my website. I've been advertising this around the forums, so figured I'd re-post it here again in case someone hadn't seen it the previous time.






PLMKWYT,
Bruce

[ottoatm]

I had forgotten about this creation... but it was a real pleasure to view again during my coffee break...

Great work, I can't wait to see what you do with it - will it be integrated into your LOTR story (I"m guessing yes)? Anyway, well done... your pretty good at this MOC stuff...

[Formendacil]

Beautiful as is becoming the standard... Comparing the work you've done now with some of your earliest stuff online, it's easy to see that you're skills have really improved (or become more apparent). One thing that really stood out for me that I hadn't seen/noticed before was the stairway leading up to the wall behind the Houses of Healing. I really liked the use of the half-arches to add a touch of elegance to an otherwise boring feature.

I also noted two distinct colour variations. A couple of different photography sessions methinks?