The Lord of the Ringsis a 1978 animatedepicfantasy filmdirected byRalph Bakshifrom a screenplay byChris ConklingandPeter S. Beagle. It is based on the novelof the same namebyJ. R. R. Tolkien, adapting from the volumesThe Fellowship of the RingandThe Two Towers. Set inMiddle-earth, the film follows a group of fantasy races—Hobbits,Men, anElf, aDwarfand awizard—who form afellowshipto destroy a magical ring made by the Dark LordSauron, the main antagonist. While the art on the posters is byTom Jung, the title is shown in lettering loosely based onVictor Hammer’sHammer-Unziale(1923). It’s paired withAmerican Uncial(1943) – a later typeface by the same designer – for Tolkien’s name. Hammer-Unziale also sees direct use for “fantasy beyond your imagination” on the poster shown below. The billing block is set inITC Bookman.ITC Korinna, another design byEd Benguiat, features for the synposis and the character names, respectively.
This typography system communicates an archaic, scholarly mysticism that bridges medieval manuscript tradition with accessible fantasy storytelling. The Hammer-Unziale lettering evokes ancient illuminated texts and runic inscriptions, suggesting deep historical roots and magical authenticity, while the supporting fonts ground this otherworldliness in readable, cinematic presentation that invites modern audiences into Tolkien's mythological world.
Hammer-Unziale's calligraphic stroke terminals and uncial letterforms directly reference medieval manuscript traditions, making it perfect for a story rooted in ancient mythology and linguistic scholarship. The pairing with American Uncial maintains typographic coherence through shared historical DNA while providing better readability. ITC Bookman's high x-height and robust serifs ensure billing block legibility, while ITC Korinna's distinctive character and warmth humanizes the synopsis text without competing with the mystical hierarchy.
This system creates elegant historical stratification—the uncial faces establish mythological authority at the top, while the transitional serif faces provide contemporary accessibility below. The shared calligraphic DNA between Hammer-Unziale and American Uncial creates seamless brand voice consistency, while the shift to ITC fonts introduces enough contrast to clearly delineate functional hierarchy without breaking the spell of antiquated authenticity.