Tolkien's family fear release of film trilogy

The family of JRR Tolkien fear the making of a film trilogy of The Lord of the Rings will force them into hiding because of overzealous fans.

The late author's son said the family was dreading the release of the first of the three films, The Fellowship of the Ring, starring Sir Ian McKellen, Sir Ian Holm, Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler and Sean Bean.

Father John Tolkien, a retired Catholic priest, said his family was constantly harassed by fans of his father's work and feared anyone with the Tolkien name would have to disguise their origins because of the films.

The 83-year-old said: "The Tolkien family is under perpetual abuse of one kind or another. It goes on all the time."

The claims follow rumours of a rift between the Tolkien family and New Line Cinema, the makers of the film.

According to newspaper reports, members of the Tolkien estate have refused all offers of involvement with the production and, until now, have declined to give a reason.

JRR Tolkien, who died in 1973, opposed the commercialisation of his work.

Fr Tolkien said many of those harassing the family were after money, and others were obsessed fans wanting to catch a glimpse of their idol's relatives.

He said his brother Christopher is already in hiding and has wild boar in his garden to keep intruders away.