The final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is set to open on March 12 in China. Insiders predict the fantasy film, honored this month at the Academy Awards, will set a new box office record, reaping at least 80 million yuan (close to US$10 million). But what can the Chinese audience expect?

The Return of the King, the third and final episode of the Lord of the Rings swept the 76th Academy Awards with eleven Oscars. Since its world premiere last year, the film has already made over 900 million US dollars, and is expected to pass Titanic as the biggest-grossing film ever.

Industry insiders say the film's triumph around the world will help it become a spellbinding success in the Chinese market. China Film Group Corporation, the film's importer, estimates it will smash the box office record for a foreign film-- which was set by the second Harry Porter movie at over 6 million US dollars.

In addition to the grand special effects, Return of the Kings boasts another striking feature -- the music. Authorized by Warner Music, Shanghai Records will release its original soundtrack to the mainland market on March 9, along with the soundtracks of the first two installments.

(CCTV.com March 8, 2004)