Peter Jackson knighted in New Year honours

MARLBOROUGH EXPRESS

SIR PETER JACKSON: The Oscar-winning film-maker "didn't think anything would surpass the 2004 Academy Awards, but I was wrong''.

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Sir Peter Jackson has called receiving his knighthood an "incredible moment".

The honour, announced today, comes on the back of yet another box office success for Sir Peter, after his film The Lovely Bones was released on Boxing Day.

The film-maker is among five New Zealanders to become knights or dames in the New Year honours list.

Sir Peter, whose career started with the 1987 horror Bad Taste, was made a companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002.

That followed the final in his Lord of the Rings trilogy, which won 11 Academy Awards in 2004 - tying it with Titanic and Ben Hur for the most won by a single film.

In a written statement, Sir Peter called receiving the honour an "incredible moment". "I didn't think anything would surpass the 2004 Academy Awards, but I was wrong."

The honour reflected New Zealand's "film pioneers" who blazed the trail for the industry, he said.

He added that it was a tribute to his parents, Bill and Joan, "who gave me the most valuable gift of all - unqualified encouragement and unconditional support, [and] would have been beside themselves with pride at this moment".

It is understood Sir Peter is now working to adapt the Mortal Engines fantasy novels for the screen, as well as producing The Adventures of Tintin and The Hobbit. His World War II film Dambusters is due for release next year.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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Jonathan   #45   03:03 am Jan 17 2010

Great but Sir Peter sounds a bit strange...

Greetings from Sweden to Sir Peter!

bo   #44   07:09 pm Jan 08 2010

It's really Fantastic! But let's not forget the little woman who stands behind Sir Peter! Take a bow Dame Francis Wilde! Without someome to care for the kids and type up the scripts, Wellywood's resident genius could never have made these fantastic films ! Fantastic work both of you! Fantastic!

james booth   #43   05:27 pm Jan 08 2010

agreed- fantastic! Like the knight himself- this is simply fantastic news

dan . j   #42   12:35 pm Jan 08 2010

how fantastic!

Irene   #41   11:31 am Jan 08 2010

This really is fantastic, simply fantastic.

jack peterson   #40   05:48 pm Jan 07 2010

FANSTASTIC! doesnt sum it up enough! The man deserves more than a knighthood, he should be NZ's first boner fide SAINT, now THAT- would be FANTASTIC news for all hardworking honest kiwis!!

jb   #39   08:12 pm Jan 06 2010

I agree, it is fantastic! Fantastic job Sir Peter!

pjfan   #38   04:40 pm Jan 06 2010

Fantastic news, I agree. It's Fantastic.

tommy   #37   03:58 pm Jan 06 2010

Fantastic. Fantastic. It really is Fantastic.

Dirke   #36   02:05 am Jan 03 2010

I certainly long for the day when Kiwis can salute their heroes unreservedly instead of looking for Capitalist Monsters. Good on you Sir Peter for rising above the opinions of the people who can't do what you have already done! May they stay on their sickness benefits or in their academic towers.