The screams came from amusement rides

None of the stars, the photographers, the VIP guests, nor the film itself would exist without the imagination of JRR Tolkien.

But there was scant evidence of that creativity at the world premi�re.

Surprisingly, given the investment ploughed into the film series, made back to back in Peter Jackson's native New Zealand, there was a pall of indifference at the launch.

Promotional work

There was no sign of the costumes and colour that typified the Potter premi�re and helped cast a spell of enchantment over Leicester Square.

A few people strolled around dressed as wizards but they turned out to be doing promotional work for a well-known brand of crisps.

A single plastic battle axe was waved about with wild abandon but the only orcs and trolls present were the press photographers, scrambling on ladders and shouting at celebrities.

"Look to your left", "Up here!", "Look over your shoulder", "Liv, over here!".

Bigger fuss

Liv Tyler, Elijah Wood and Sir Ian McKellen beamed at the cameras and provided the star quality but the loudest screams came not from fans imploring the celebrities for an autograph but from people being hurled about on a nearby amusement ride.

The premi�re felt understated

The premi�re was distinctly underwhelming - a fact of life post 11 September, perhaps, but more than likely the cause was the British disease of not wanting to appear too smug.

In the US, I have no doubt there would have been a much bigger fuss made of a film that is one of the events of the year.