Eye of the Duck: A Film Podcast

Forth Eorlingas! This week we toss Gimli face first into the forces of the Enemy. It’s another four hour tour of Middle Earth, and this time, we brought Ents.

Is the middle film of a trilogy ever the best one? In this case, the jury's out, but one thing is for certain: it has the weirdest title of all three.

Topics explored this week include: Legolas’s whole deal, the groundbreaking creation of Sméagol, Merry and Pippin blazin' it with Treebeard, Helm's Deep, Helm's Deep, and a LOT more Helm's Deep.

Next week, we complete the holy trinity with RETURN OF THE KING (2003), and then we promise we’ll never talk about Rings again (just kidding, the Ring has corrupted us and there’s no turning back now). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
  • Warriors of the Third Age
  • Cameras in Middle Earth
  • From Book to Script: Finding the Story
  • Editorial: Editing the Story
  • Rick Porras as Gollum
  • The Soundscapes of Middle Earth
• Cinefex #92 Production History
• Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-Earth by Ian Nathan
• Peter Jackson: A Filmmaker’s Journey by Brian Sibley
• Uma Thurman Turns Down Eowyn
• ASC Cinematography Breakdown

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listeners, the Third Age is finally upon us. The nine companions are assembled. The recording is 4 hours long. It shall be… The Fellowship of the Duck!

This week, Adam and Dom are embarking on a quest to save Middle-Earth and somehow make sense of the greatest trilogy in movie history. It’s FELLOWSHIP, and we still cannot believe Peter Jackson actually pulled this off. There are simply too many Eye of the Duck scenes!

Some points of discussion on our journey to Mordor: do the Rings movies function as self-contained stories? Is this the best the industry will ever be? Should Jackson be arrested for skipping Tom Bombadil? And when the hell is Warner Bros going to finally put out a 4K box set that contains the Blu-Ray Appendices?!

Next week, the trilogy continues with another massive episode on THE TWO TOWERS (2002). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
  • Designing and Building Middle-earth
  • Filming The Fellowship of the Ring
  • Visual Effects
  • Costa Botes’ Fellowship of the Ring Documentary
  • Sound and Music
• Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-Earth by Ian Nathan
• Peter Jackson: A Filmmaker’s Journey by Brian Sibley
• Cinefex #89 Production History
• The Music of The Lord of the Rings Films by Doug Adams
• Peter Jackson and the Tolkien Estate
• ASC Cinematography Breakdown

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Happy holidays! Adam made a feature film and we’re (finally) going to celebrate it in style. It’s a bonus episode of holly, jolly, drinks, and independent film. With a very special guest host!

Our old friend Sarah Welch-Larson takes the reins this week for an exploration of feature filmmaking, micro budget cinema, the inspirations behind Adam’s film, and some questions about its creation–including Dom’s role as co-editor!

Also, you better believe we’re talking about Eye of the Duck scenes, too.

Next week, we set course for Mordor at long last. Part II of our Rings miniseries begins with THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2001). And we can’t wait! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Craft Services Adam Volerich Interview
• Parth Marathe
• Adam Volerich
• Dom Nero

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Justice for Gurgi! This week it’s the final stop on our tour of pre-Jackson LOTR-inspired films… and our very first ever Disney animated film!

Joining us to explore Welsh mythology, The Chronicles of Prydain, and the weird lengths Disney will go to make their adaptations kid-friendly is returning guest (and Eye of the Duck digital producer) Nik Long!

Next week we have a very special holiday surprise! We’re celebrating Christmas and independent film with a bonus episode on Adam’s very own DRINK AND BE MERRY (2025). Now available on VOD and Blu-ray! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• DisneyWar by James B. Stewart
• Slate Production History
• Mouse in Transition: An Insider's Look at Disney Feature Animation by Steve Hulett
• The Chicago Tribune Production History
• Collider Production History
• “Chronicles of Prydain” Reboot In the Works
• Final Film In Technirama 70mm
• The Lion King Surpasses Budget
• BBC Production History
• New Logo New Disney

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sing it with us!! WHERE THERE’S A WHIP [WHIP SFX] THERE’S A WAY! WHERE THERE’S A WHIP [WHIP SFX] THERE’S A WAY!

This week we face the Lord of the Lash himself for the epic return of Arthur Rankin & Jules Bass, and the wildest voice cast in Tolkien history. Roddy McDowall is Sam? Casey Kasem is Merry?! It may not be the most beloved Rings adaptation out there…but it’s certainly the last one in a very long while!

Next week, we close out the first act of our trilogy with the highly contentious Disney cult classic, THE BLACK CAULDRON (1985). Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Middle-Earth Envisioned: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: On Screen, On Stage, and Beyond by Brian J. Robb and Paul Simpson
• Cinefantastique Production History
• Arthur Rankin Jr. on Rings
• Film Release in Trouble
• “Frodo, The Hobbit II”
• Leonard Nimoy on “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins”
• St. Petersburg Times on Release of “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins”
• Powerpop on “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins”
• Leonard Nimoy Sings “The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins”

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It’s the first major adaptation of Tolkien’s trilogy and it is…rotoscope animation? Enter Ralph Bakshi and his completely batshit vision of an animated Middle Earth!

Is it a mixed masterpiece or a very audacious disaster? Either way, Bakshi’s rotoscope RINGS is extremely influential for Peter Jackson, and we’re celebrating its legacy this week.

Next week, we complete our unofficial animated trilogy with RETURN OF THE KING (1980) from Rankin and Bass. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
  • Forging Through The Darkness: The Ralph Bakshi Vision
• Middle-Earth Envisioned: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: On Screen, On Stage, and Beyond by Brian J. Robb and Paul Simpson
• Cinefantastique Production History
• Jim Hill Media Ralph Bakshi Interview
• A.V. Club Ralph Bakshi Interview
• The Hollywood Reporter Production History
• Ralph Bakshi on Peter Jackson

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Listen up, Hobbitses! An adventure is knocking at your door! Will you answer it? Even if it’s a musical?

It’s the first actual Tolkien adaptation of our series this week, and we are so confused that it exists. Rankin and Bass? The dudes who make the Rudolph and Frosty movies? Yes. And for some reason, Otto Preminger is in it.

Next week it’s Ralph Bakshi’s THE LORD OF THE RINGS animated spectacular! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Middle-Earth Envisioned: The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: On Screen, On Stage, and Beyond by Brian J. Robb and Paul Simpson
• J. R. R. Tolkien: A Biography by Humphrey Carpenter
• The New York Times Production History
• Tolkien Hates Disney
• Cinefantastique Production History

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Series premiere! This week we leave The Shire behind to embark on our journey through Middle Earth and the epic fantasy genre!

In the spirit of Lord of the Rings, we’ve divided our miniseries into three parts, and we’re starting today with Part 1: The Road to Mordor. And that road begins with, you guessed it, Ray Harryhausen!

Peter Jackson’s trilogy would not exist without the sword-and-sandals stop-motion action of Harryhausen – so as we voyage towards Mordor, we must first trek the scorching sands of Ancient Greece, where harpies fly, gigantic statues terrorize, and gods try to kill us out of boredom! Oh, and spooky skeletons.

Next week, we spend some time with a different type kind of Hobbit in Rankin and Bass’s animated THE HOBBIT. Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Special Features
  • Peter Jackson Commentary Track
• Peter Jackson on Ray Harryhausen
• Art UK Production History
• Ray Harryhausen/Bruce Eder Commentary Track 1992 Criterion Release
• Ray Harryhausen Talks Animating Skeletons
• Ray Harryhausen UK LaserDisc Interview
• Ray Harryhausen on Jerky Metal
• Bruce Eder on Jason and the Argonauts
• The New York Times Ray Harryhausen Feature
• Infinity Magazine Issue 41 Production History

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Run back the tape! We’re closing the book on yet another miniseries this week, and… revealing the journey that lies ahead!

It’s been a joy scrubbing through all the haunted camera recordings of these found footage horror movies, and we’re thrilled to tie off some loose ends, answer listener questions, and decide once and for all: is the Blair Witch even named Blair?

Next week, we start anew…listen to find out where we’ll be headed with our next miniseries!! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Try to remember these times, listeners. Some of the best nights of our lives were being had in parking lots.

When Connor O’Malley brings a couple DV cameras to the suburban abyss of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, we simply have no choice but to watch. It’s somehow the culmination of every found footage film we covered in this series, and also one of the funniest feature-length films ever uploaded directly to YouTube… or anywhere, for the matter.

It’s RAP WORLD, baby. And we’re living in it!

Next week we wrap up our found footage miniseries, answer some listener questions, AND…announce our next series! Join the conversation on our Discord at https://discord.com/invite/RssDc3brsx and get more Eye of the Duck on our Patreon show, After Hours https://www.patreon.com/EyeoftheDuckPod

References:

• Vulture Conner O’Malley Interview
• Fader Production History
• Filmmaker Magazine Production History
• Screen Slate Conner O’Malley & Danny Scharar Interview
• Conner O’Malley Needs a Producer

Credits:

Eye of the Duck is created, hosted, and produced by Dom Nero and Adam Volerich.

This episode was edited by Michael Gaspari.

This episode was researched by Parth Marathe.

Our logo was designed by Francesca Volerich. You can purchase her work at francescavolerich.com/shop

The "Adam's Blu-Ray Corner" theme was produced by Chase Sterling.

Assistant programming and digital production by Nik Long.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Letterboxd or join the conversation at Eye of the Discord.

Learn more at eyeoftheduckpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.