Some even camped overnight on the street to appear at the world premiere of the much-anticipated film directed by Peter Jackson.
The prequel to The Lord Of The Rings franchise was shot in New Zealand, and Tolkien's great grandson, Royd Tolkien, even appeared at the premiere.
Think you know your stuff? Take our short Lord of The Rings quotes quiz below.
The man who's eaten everywhere
Few people know more about restaurants than James Pembroke, who only spent five mealtimes at home during his entire childhood.
A Berliner in 1963 – but did John F Kennedy once admire Adolf Hitler?
The young JFK praised 'superior' Nordic races during visits to Germany
Banned Iranian director to attend Cannes Film Festival
Mohammad Rasoulof to make his first public appearance since being imprisoned three years ago
Seeing the larger picture: Inspiring images of space
An exhibition explores images how photography has shaped astronomy
Eat Spam and carry on
Wartime pamphlets could teach us a thing or two about healthy, thrifty eating
The 10 Best salt and pepper sets
Whether they're for everyday use or to make your dining table look just right, it's worth getting a stylish shaker...
Thomas Müller: We couldn't handle losing a Champions League Final again
The Bayern Munich forward tells Tim Rich his side have to shed chokers' tag after two recent final defeats
The Stelvio Pass - cycling's killer climb
As the Giro d'Italia tackles the brutal climb, Simon Usborne takes on the snow and switchbacks – and soon realises what the fuss is about
Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them
Newly unearthed papers reveal a shocking extra dimension to the constitutional crisis over monarch’s abdication
Sent down at the Old Bailey
A tour of the world's most famous court
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness
The Hangover actor Zach Galifianakis’s date for his movie premieres isn’t arm candy – it’s his 87-year-old friend who he saved from homelessness
British football scores an own goal
Many managers barely survive a year in post. Martin Baker talks to experts who make a case for clubs using forensic business skills to find the best staff
James Lawton
Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again
Dylan Hartley talks tough
Northampton have spent the season proving all our critics wrong
