Review Review: 10237 The Tower of Orthanc

[Leewan]

No, it's not.

[Anio]

Wooo, it is been a while this car was created !

Thanks for the link.

[Farseer Petriel]

Thank you for the excellent review! I wish to have this set...

[Csacsa234]

Thank you for taking the time and make this awesome review! This set is truly a masterpiece, I am seriously considering buying this if I can save up enough money. Its a must have with beautiful details.

[KazeMonsuta]

I'm sure the review is well writen, it's Rufus! :D

I couldn't dare to read it, as I want to experience the set for myself. When I got it, I'll read it completly, promise!

But I read the ratings and wonder why you give a high 8 for the figures, while there seems to be more criticism.

This just hyped me up even more for this tall beauty.

Thanks!

[Redhead1982]

Another great review! I took my time reading it, as I hoped to go through in one go, which was not possible with my weekend company. It's a set I sought for while at the Legoland park. Despite all-black look (as it's supposed to be), the building itself looks far from boring, there's a lot of detailing that attract some of the attention. I don't mind that size is not proportional to minifig scale, however, I'd prefer more details from books/films included as opposed to some play features, such as the dungeon. Nevertheless, it's a fascinating set.

[Rufus]

Where are you keeping this thing?

At the moment, it's occupying the Reviewing Area. I'm thinking it'll go on the mantlepiece (it's either that or the floor ), but that'll mean removing some Architecture.

Great review, Rufus! The one thing I do not understand is your criticism of the availability of Saruman in a cheap set. I think it's always good to make important figures available to as many fans as possible and don't consider the future monetary value of my toys collectibles.

I try to anticipate what people will complain about, and I made the point that people would complain about having to spend $200 for Saruman, so his availability in a small set would be a bonus for some; others will complain that about the lack of unique figures in this set (aside from Gríma). This Saruman has a unique skirt.

For the score, I've taken into account the Eagle, and included the Ent in here (which is debatable, but he is a movie character).

One thing I was wondering about is why there are two 1 x 3 tiles used here instead of slopes. Is this to allow for some interior details?

Thanks Rick! That's a good question. The tilting tiles are on the outside of the 'Council Chamber', and if give Saruman's sticker a little more room than two 2x2x3 slopes would allow, but it is possible to replace the tiles with such slopes if you have them.

I have to say what a spectacular review of such a detailed set, Rufus! This set will sure to be a winner with die-hard LOTR fans... That light-up brick used for the palantir is used to great effect, I'm sure it looks amazing in the dark.

I'll try to get a picture in the dark.

I'd prefer more details from books/films included as opposed to some play features, such as the dungeon.

I think they've captured all the major movie scenes, and I guess there's be a lot of empty space otherwise. But I'd have liked more Orcs.

It's a set I sought for while at the Legoland park.

I think we got the last one.

[Borex]

Thanks for the review, and kudos to the designers of this set. Top notch!

[Lynx]

I'd really like to hear the opinion from anybody who voted 'average' or even 'below average' on this set!

[WhiteFang]

Rufus, thank you so much for bestowing us with this epic detailed review. There is nothing more that I can ask for, but to marvel at each image that you painfully taken with lots of your time and effort in it, and the enjoyable read which accompanied by it. I really looking forward to get this iconic set and this is indeed a breakthrough for seeing a castle medieval related settings in such an UCS or equivalent sizing.

[N7LEGO]

Very nice review ! Thanks Rufus !

[SMC]

I'd really like to hear the opinion from anybody who voted 'average' or even 'below average' on this set!

I had not seen the below average, I would also like to know why, no moth maybe :)

[Brickadiergerard]

To paraphrase the Beatles, "Woke up, got out out of bed, dragged the comb across my head, found my way downstairs and drank a cup, turned on the computer and ordered the Tower of Orthanc." Made me miss my train, but the warm glow that comes from knowing it's ordered was well worth the rush at the other end. Can't wait.

The more you look at this set, the more nice touches you notice. Having the pictures of the 5 wizards, including representations of Alatar and Pallando, is an obvious one that's been discussed before, and the nod at the reference by Saruman to the keys and the rods of the 5 wizards is clever. I think somewhere in the books there's a reference to Saruman breeding wargs in his dungeons, and if so the stickers with the eyes tap into that. I think when it comes to it, they could have got away with making a big black pointy tower and middle-aged fan boys like me would've still paid out for it (Because it's Orthanc! And it's made of Lego!), but they haven't - the they've made an interior which is well thought through and is a little homage to the films and the books in a way that shows the designers really cared about their source material. That impresses me hugely. AND they've done it by combining them with enough play features to make it something my kids will love playing with (nearly as much as me). All in all, LOTR lego at its best I reckon.

[Mutant Orc]

Yay! awesomeness!!

I do believe that Dooku and Saruman have the same faces (which makes sense) ....

I can't wait to buy it!

[Roger_Smith]

Great review :)

If I had a lot more money to spend, I'd propably get this ;)

[Darth Caedus]

Placed my order for this gem today. Hope it gets here by the weekend! Excellent review.

[Wolfbear]

So excited about this set! I just ordered it today. Thanks for the review - it makes me even more excited than before, especially knowing that my parts inventory will grow with so many useful basic pieces.

[DragonKnights]

I spent about five or six hours assembling the tower today. What a huge set! It's amazing how tall the set stands, and I enjoy the attention to detail. Now to just find a place to put it!

[octavspot]

Very comprehensive review, it's cool that you used stills from the movie to compare details on both the characters and the tower. Your review really, really makes me want this set now! lol :D

[Alldarker]

Great review, Rufus!

I got the set last week as well. However, the height above the shelf I intended to place the Tower on, when I would have finished buidling it, turns out to be about 5 cm too short to actually fit the Tower in

So I haven't yet been able to start building it, until I find a more suitable space. Seriously annoying!

[Missing Brick]

Mine's going in an Ikea Billy bookcase with glass door (40 x 28 x 202cm). If you take out all the shelves in the top half the tower fits with about 25cm space above for a couple of eagles to fly in.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Missing Brick

[SheepEater]

Mine's gonna be on a small table. It's gonna be kept fully erect for about a month, then after that I'm gonna split it in 3 tiers to avoid warping the bricks of the foundations due to stress.

[The_Spectacle]

Great review. The frustrating thing about this set is that it makes such a nice display piece. It looks great but I'm not sure where the heck I would put it. The thing is gigantic. My wife is already muttering about the fact that Helm's Deep and the Unexpected Gathering sets are still put together. If I were to add this one to the mix I'm afraid things might end badly for me. :)

[The_Chosen_1]

It's gonna be kept fully erect for about a month...

Now that's an impressive feat.

I can't wait to start building this! I don't recall if this was mentioned in Rufus's review, but what's the total build time?

[Nefarious]

Now that's an impressive feat.

I can't wait to start building this! I don't recall if this was mentioned in Rufus's review, but what's the total build time?

I took me between 5 and 6 hours, and another person has reported that build time as well. :)

Edit: I don't think I'll ever disassemble it. I bought it as a display piece, and like the high end Star Wars sets, that's what I feel its real purpose is. The thing is huge, gorgeous, very detailed and one of the best, if not the best, set I own. Very happy with it, despite the pricetag. Also, I have a shelf where it fits with 1 cm to spare.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Nefarious