1. Movie
2. Born of Hope

Born of Hope [1] is an independent, free streamed internet film about the story of the Dunedain Arathorn, father of Aragorn, and the events that lead to Aragorn's exile in Rivendell. Kate Madison [2] directed and produced the film, and Paula Disante wrote the script under the name of Alex K. Aldridge. Even though they based the theme on stories of J.R.R. Tolkien, the film is entirely fan-made and had no association with the Tolkien estate nor the producers and studio that created the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy. The film revolves around the Dunedain, on their Ranger lives in exile from their former glorious kingdom. It displayed the hardships and losses they face due to Sauron's ill-will towards them. The story took place before the War of the Ring. It featured the story of Gilraen and Arathorn, mother and father of Aragorn, and the Dunedain's life and survival, as the Orcs destroy their villages and slay their people. It also reveals the events that resulted in Aragorn growing up with the Elves of Rivendell.

They initially intended to submit the movie to a fan film festival in 2003 for Tolkien and the Lord of the Rings. But later, they developed the idea to make it into a more significant production than first expected. The storyline progressed from the few lines written by Tolkien about the background of Aragorn and his forefathers. The film followed the main events of the tale, including the Trolls' murder of Arador, Aragorn's grandfather, and his son Arathorn succeeding him as the Riders of the North's chieftain for two years, after which also perished. However, they slightly varied his death. In the writings of Tolkien, the Orcs killed him by an arrow through his eye. Meanwhile, in the film, the Orcs shot Arathorn through the heart and then another on his eye, as the film production intended to enhance the scene's impact.

Their initial budget was £8,000 solely from the personal savings of the director Kate Madison. But later, through an internet campaign and the help of the Lord of the Rings fans, they acquired £17,000 more. With the full budget of £25,000, they began shooting the hour-long film in April 2006. In July 2008, they began working on central photography until 2009. Most of the scenes' location was in Suffolk, England. They shot the film mostly in the West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village. Many of the sceneries featured were also from Snowdonia National Park in Wales while the forest shots were from Epping Forest between Essex and London.

Born of Hope's release date was on December 1st, 2009. The film garnered a total of 42 Million views on Youtube by December 2017.

The film received a four-star review from The Times newspaper. Wendi Ide wrote the critique and deemed it better than many Hollywood movies, garnering a higher rating than those included in the column. The film also gathered praises online globally due to the quality of the film despite its modest budget.

The Dunedain, an ancient royal line of kings, endures as Rangers of the North, in the forests of Middle-earth. Despite their noble ancestry as former rulers in the West, they live in difficulties and dread because of the Dark Lord Sauron's continuous attacks to bring their demise. He intends to end the line of his old enemy Isildur. Therefore, even with their misfortunes, they hold on to their hope in the king's line that endures. Because of this, there is a chance against the reigning darkness in Middle-earth. The film starts with a weary group of people walking through the forest, then Orcs suddenly attack, and a group of Rangers led by Arathorn rescues them. They took them to the settlement of Arathorn's father Arador, the hamlet of Taurdal. The chieftain Arador sets forth his son to discover the Orc's purpose in their previous attacks. They knew Sauron dominated these creatures. The Ranger finds out that the Orcs were after the Ring of Barahir, the heirloom of Isildur's descendants. Soon after, Arathorn and Gilraen become lovers, and Arador gives his permission for their union.

Arathorn was hesitant to ask Gilraen's father for her hand but eventually gathered his courage to confess to him, of which he agreed. One year after their marriage, the chieftain Arador dies in the hand of a Troll. Arathorn succeeds him as the Dunedain chieftain, and soon they welcome the newborn Aragorn. Afterward, the Elves Elrohir and Elladan came to warn them of incoming troubles. The Elves advise Aragorn and Gilraen to escape and dwell in the refuge of Rivendell. As they contemplate their decision, the Orcs strike the settlement slaughtering many of their people. During the Rangers' effort to follow their enemies, Arathorn receives a fatal injury and dies. Upon the death of Arathorn, Elrohir and Elladan escort Gilraen and Aragorn to Rivendell.

• Christopher Dane as Arathorn II
• Beth Aynsley as Gilraen
• Robert "Bobble" Harvey as newborn Aragorn
• Jonah McLafferty as baby Aragorn
• Luke Johnston as child Aragorn
• Iain Marshall as Arador
• Kate Madison as Elgarain
• Danny George as Dirhaborn
• Sam Kennard as Elrohir
• Matt Kennard as Elladan
• Andrew McDonald as Dírhael
• Phoebe Chambers as little Maia
• Amylea Meiklejohn as Maia
• Philippa Hammond as Ivorwen
• Howard Corlett as Halbaron
• Lars Mattes as Halbarad
• Lewis Penfold as Gorganog
• Ollie Goodchild as Halbarad
• Raphael Edwards as Mallor
• Richard Roberts as Shaknar
• Tom Quick as Dorlad

1. ^Born of Hope - Official page.
2. ^Kate Madison.