The Ring Thing (2004)

Middle Earth is... right in the heart of Europe! A spoof of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy set in Switzerland.

Director:

Marc Schippert

Writers:

Chris Silber (author) (as Christoph Silber), André Küttel (dialogue translation)

Stars:

Edward Piccin, Gwendolyn Rich, Leo Roos

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward Piccin	...	Fredi
Gwendolyn Rich	...	Grmpfli
Leo Roos	...	Almgandhi
Sebastian Arenas	...	Rackaroll / Voice of Tree
Armin Arnold	...	Pupsi
Ralph Vogt	...	Schleimli
Jörg Reichlin	...	Lord Sauraus
Julia Nakamoura	...	Heidi
Michèle Müller	...	Elfenkönigin
Enzo Esposito	...	Elfenkönig
Yoav Parish	...	Hässlicher Handlanger (as Yoav I.H. Parish)
Kamil Krejcí	...	Kaiser von China
Robert Ismajlovic	...	Steward
Kathrin Wälty	...	TV-Werbefrau
Don Picasso	...	Zauberpferd Jean-Pierre

Storyline

All Friedrich wanted was to propose to Heidi, his supervisor, on a business trip. But while rehearsing on an airplane toilet, he and his ring drop out into the sky over the alps. Only to land in a very strange fairytale world. Come to find out, Middle Earth is right in the heart of Switzerland! To make matters worse, the quirky inhabitants mistake Friedrich for Frido the Tellyhobbie. Before he can say Tolkien, he's on a mission to save the world from an evil wizard who wants to dip the whole planet in one huge sizzling Swiss cheese fondue. A mission so crazy... it just might wake the hero in him. In the tradition of Scary Movie, THE RING THING is a spoof of the Ring Trilogy, topped off with the funny peculiarities of Switzerland.

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Plot Keywords:

lord of the rings | sword and sorcery | twelves | lord of the rings spoof | homosexual dragon | 

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Taglines:

Based on a true Story

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Sauraus translates into "letting the pigs out". In German that stands for having a party.

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Quotes

Pupsi: Yesterday? We will never make it!

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Connections

References Tabaluga (1994)

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Soundtracks

Lueg mi aa
Written by Diego Baldenweg, Nora Baldenweg and Lionel Baldenweg
Performed by The Alfornos and Heidi P
Courtesy of GREAT GARBO music

User Reviews

Not bad

I'm from Switzerland and i've seen the movie a few months ago. And i was really surprised when i came a few minutes ago to this Movie at the IMDb and didn't find no comment on it. So i thought i should might write one, because folks could be interested in this movie. OK first of all my rating for it: 6/10. The style of the film very much relies on the concept of the "Scary Movie" Series. There is really funny stuff in there. And if you liked "Scary Movie" and it's sequels you should watch this film. Now to the story: Friedo (Frodo) works at a Bank. Through a Plane Crash he falls into Middle-Earth. There he meats Almghandi (Gandalf, means in English as much as: Alpine Ghandi) this is the most crazy character i've ever seen in a comedy. He really makes you laugh. Together with Almghandi, Friedo tries to free his future-girlfriend Heidi, which was captured by Sauraus (Sauron, in English "Pig-Out" or "Let a pig out" or so) who tries to destroy Middle-Earth with "Fondue" (Our national dish, hot cheese). Some jokes may not be understand by audiences of other countries, because they're very much orientated on Switzerland. I know the movie was successful in our country but i don't think it will be released in other countries, because the most successful movie ever in Switzerland "Achtung, Fertig, Charlie!" has only be released to Russia. But you can hope. And i hope this comment was a help to you, thanks for reading.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

Switzerland

Language:

Swiss German

Release Date:

16 December 2004 (Switzerland)

Also Known As:

Das Ding mit dem Ring

Filming Locations:

Crestasee, Kanton Graubünden, Switzerland

Box Office

Budget:

CHF1,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Elevator Group AG, Condor Films

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1