Tolkien has continued to inspire the imaginations of millions of people worldwide as both a linguist and a storyteller. His works have remained relevant long after their publication, and people everywhere continue to find creative ways to breathe new life into them. Whether it be from major Hollywood films, down to simple enthusiast book reviews, the world of Middle Earth continues to capture the hearts and imaginations of its readers.

The Office of Film and Broadcasting (OFB), which was under the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, enjoyed early looks at many of the press releases and marketing materials put out for movies, and this included all three of the famous Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movies, as well as the 1978 Lord of the Rings animated film, directed by Ralph Bakshi. The OFB, apart from saving the press release material they were given, enriched their files with various reviews published by a wide range of newspapers, as well as their personal notes that they took while watching the films themselves, which they would later use as aids in their own reviews. To browse the finding aid for the Office of Film and Broadcasting, click here. 

Here, a former Catholic University student demonstrates her love for Tolkien’s books with her review of The Hobbit, appearing in 1967 in The Tower, the University's student paper. The full issue of the newspaper has been digitized, and put online here, along with the rest of the newspaper.