This is Your Hobbit Speaking: Elijah Wood Stars in a New Airline Safety Video
In a world where airline safety videos now must be more entertaining than inflight movies, does Air New Zealand have the best safety videos ever? It just might: In 2009 body painted-flight attendants gave pre-flight instructions, in 2011 Richard Simmons explained via workout moves, and in 2013 Betty White informed fliers while making fun of old people. So how did the company out do itself in 2014? With “Lord of the Rings” nerds, gorgeous New Zealand scenery – and Elijah Wood/Peter Jackson cameos.
You don’t have to be a Hobbit super fan to know that the “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” movies were filmed in the country, and since the first flick in 2001, tourism there has had about a 50 percent boost.
The video starts with two wide-eyed passengers (one in a hobbit hat) noticing Elijah Wood (who starred as Frodo in the “Lord of the Rings” films) seated near them on the plane. From there, New Zealand’s breathtaking countryside and New Zealand Air representatives dressed as “Rings” characters (think Gandalf the Grey, Gimli, and Arwen) help take you on an epic journey (especially for a safety video) that has everything from battle charges to bungee jumping. LOTR Director Peter Jackson pops in to remind everyone it’s time to stow all electronic devices, and the video ends with Wood bidding everyone good travels, saying: “Thank you for embarking upon your journey with Air New Zealand. May your path always be guided by the light of the stars and may the future all the happiness and adventure our Middle Earth has to offer.
It’s not the first “Lord of the Rings” themed safety video for Air New Zealand but it is the most epic. The airline’s 2012 video was inspired by LOTR, but the hobbit wannabes never left the cabin of the plane.
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