Arms and Armour from the movies - exhibition
ARMS & ARMOUR FROM THE MOVIES - The Wonderful World of Weta
12 JULY UNTIL 16 NOVEMBER 2008
Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds
New Zealand’s Weta Workshop has won countless awards for its work on major films such as The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, King Kong, The Last Samurai and Hellboy.
Now, in a unique exhibition, the Royal Armouries Museum is proud to present over 200 pieces of arms and armour produced by the Workshop’s craftsmen.
See, at close quarters, the weapons wielded by Gandalf, Frodo Baggins, Aragorn, Faramir and Boromir in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Peter’s armour and the White Witch’s dagger from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe as well as pieces from King Kong, The Last Samurai and Hellboy.
There will also be a number of special events occurring around the exhibition. For full details, keep checking the website.
About the exhibition
A stunning exhibition of the skill and craftsmanship of the Academy Award® winning Weta Workshop.
Even if you’ve never heard of New Zealand’s Weta Workshop you’ll have witnessed their craftsmanship in blockbuster films including The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, King Kong, The Last Samurai and Hellboy.
In our major exhibition for 2008, the Royal Armouries Museum is proud to present a unique display of the actual arms and armour crafted for these films.
Featuring over 200 pieces including the truly iconic items such as the hero weapons of Gandalf, Frodo Baggins, Aragorn, Faramir and Boromir from The Lord of the Rings trilogy as well as Peter’s armour and the White Witch’s dagger and wand from The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Witness also a selection of pieces from The Last Samurai and King Kong’s Skull Island plus Hellboy’s famous revolver, ‘The Samaritan’.
The pieces on show have been specially selected to show the incredible levels of craftsmanship that have gone into their creation, and the inspirations which led to their design.
The exhibition also gives the visitor the chance to examine pieces close-up which generally can only be seen fleetingly in action scenes and showcases both the practical considerations and the sheer attention to detail which has gone into every single piece.
It’s unlikely that this unique collection will ever be exhibited in this form again, so this really does represent an opportunity that should not to be missed!
SPECIAL EVENTS
Throughout the duration of the exhibition there will be a series of related events including seminars and talks by special guests from Weta, film shows and demonstrations.
CHILDRENS ACTIVITY DAYS
Every Wednesday and Saturday throughout the summer holidays (23rd July - 30th August) there will be plenty of activities for children of all ages.
Why not bring the kids along to the Royal Armouries Museum for a ‘dangerously entertaining’ day out.
PLEASE NOTE: A small charge may apply to some activites.
WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS WITH PETER LYON
Peter Lyon is a self-taught swordsmith and armourer who first began making swords in 1985. Peter specialises in replicating European medieval swords for collectors and medieval re-enactors and his methodology ensures incredible authenticity.
In 1998 Peter joined Weta Workshop as Senior Swordsmith for The Lord of the Rings. His extraordinary craftmanship can be seen in the hero weapons which played an integral part in bringing this story to the screen.
Since completing his work on the trilogy, Peter has continued his professional relationship with Weta on a variety of projects, including the crafting of hero weapons for The Last Samurai and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.
Peter will be giving a series of workshops and seminars in September.
Click here if you would like more information about these events and to register your interest.
WoW EVENINGS
Every 2nd Thursday of the month starting 14 August
6pm – 10 pm
Tickets £10
Special late evening events themed around the films featured in the exhibition. Activities will include live-action demonstrations, talks, guided tours, craft activities and film shows plus exclusive access to the exhibition.
Thursday 14 August
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
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Thursday 11 September
The Last Samurai & King Kong
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Thursday 9 October
Hellboy
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Thursday 6 November
Lord of the Rings (To Be Confirmed)
Sleepovers for all ages
Book your tickets now www.royalarmouriesshop.org
GAMES WORKSHOP
Games workshop will be demonstrating the art of model painting and gaming at special workshops through out the summer.
Location:
Royal Armouries Museum
Armouries Drive
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS10 1LT
Map