And on this special day, your birthday, I offer myself at the request of Sir Peter Jackson for you to command as you see fit.

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In popular imagination, New Zealand has become the home of dwarves, elves, dragons and 4ft-tall hairy-footed Hobbit burglars since director Sir Peter Jackson used his homeland as the backdrop for his version of Middle Earth in the Academy-Award winning film series.

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Lord of the Rings white wizard Gandalf, played Sir Ian McKellan in Peter Jackson's film adaptation which is currently storming the box office, came in at number 10.

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