The Variants

The variations in the toys occurred due to changes made during the production of the toys. They were not intentional, but were corrections requested by New Line, the studio producing the film.

Bilbo: two versions, one with longish hair and the other with shorter hair and a receding hairline.

Boromir: three versions, one with his cloak covering his feet up to his toes, and the other with his cloak exposing his boots. Further, there were two versions of the Boromir with the long cloak: one with dark gray cloak and silver buckles and elbow pads, and the other with a light gray cloak and gold buckles and elbow pads. (Additionally, the position of his right hand was rumored to be different on each version.)

Cave Troll: two versions, one with a more narrow face and loincloth.

Celeborn: two versions, one with silver/gray inner garments, and the other with green inner garments.

Merry: three versions, one with blond hair and a green jacket, one with brown hair and a green jacket, and one with brown hair and a tan jacket.

The Light and Sound Features

Each toy has a unique light or sound, as mentioned above. Some have articulation while others are solid pieces.

The center One Ring: flames on the side light up. Also has heat-activated messages on either side. The heat from your fingers would reveal the messages: "Legend tells of a ring believed lost for centuries, it has now been found..." and "This is the One Ring. An object of unspeakable power which must be destroyed." (The messages are visible in the images above, which were greatly color-adjusted to show the wording.)

Arwen: her pendant lights up (red). Poseable at the waist.

Bilbo: says, "The Ring must go to Frodo."

Boromir: says, "You carry the fate of us all, little one." His head and left arm can be turned.

Cave Troll: lights in base light-up (red - cracks in the Mines of Moria). Poseable arms and head.

Celeborn: has a yellow light inside the figure.

Elrond: says, "You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."

Frodo: says, "Power can be held in the smallest of things." Frodo's foot lights up (green), as if to show him turning invisible. His waist can be turned.

Galadriel: glows white when you press the Ring at the front of her base and pink/yellow when the center One Ring is used to activate the light.

Gandalf: says, "Speak, friend, and enter." His head can be turned, and the crystal at the top of his staff lights up (yellow).

Gimli: says, "Well, what are we waiting for?" His waist can be posed.

Legolas: says, "The Ring must be destroyed." His waist can be posed.

Lurtz: his shield lights up (red), and also glows in the dark.

Merry: the lantern lights up (red), and his head can be turned.

Orc: his eyes light up (red), and his head can be turned.

Pippin: his torch flame lights up (red), and his head can be turned.

Sam: the flames in the campfire light up (red).

Saruman: the Palantir lights up (red).

Strider: his torch flame lights up (red), and his head can be turned.