Armies of Middle Earth

Based on the 'Lord of the Rings' films, the 'Armies of Middle-Earth' series were made 2003-2005.  Art Asylum managed design & development, Play Along provided funding, marketing and distribution and sculpting was done by Gentle Giant Studios using computer scan technology. Of these only Play Along's name appears on packaging.  In 2004 JAKKS Pacific acquired Play Along & their name was also on wave 7 sets.  The figures were made in Hong Kong.

Battle Scale - 2-inch Figures in a 6-inch World

In Jan 2003 Play Along announced a large new series of  3 inch figures.  Considered risky by many Play Along felt there were fans who, given a choice, would like to recreate large battle scenes rather then collect just one of each character.  The result was a masterpiece of about 120 different figures, accessories and environments.

Dedicated to:

Stephanie, the Playalong Customer Rep, always answers, always accurate, always nice,
and for putting up with us LOTR fanatics

Abbreviations

E = English packaging
F = French/English packaging
S = Spanish/Portuguese packaging
R - Re-issues
V - Version
FS - Fellowship Poses - Poses created for the Fellowship Collection
Italics - My own descriptions.

SOLDIERS AND SCENES

Merry
Boromir
Pippin
48110  Uruk-Hai E,F
Ugluk
Mauhur
Uruk-hai Warrior
48109  The Defeat of Sauron E,F
48113  Gondorian Soldiers E,F
Royal Guard
Aragorn in Gondorian Armor
Gondorian Bowman
48114  Elven Soldiers E,F
Elven Soldier #2
Elven Standard Bearer
Elven Archer-R
48116  Marching to Mordor E,F
Sam in Orc Armor
Frodo in Orc Armor
Orc Whipmaster
48117  The Capture of Smeagol
48117  Fighting Fellowship
Fighting Gimli-R
Fighting Boromir
Fighting Legolas
48165  The Legions of Haradrim
Haradrim Warrior
Haradrim Standard Bearer
Haradrim Archer
48104  Moria Orcs-R
xxxxx  Ambush at Weathertop-R, (orig. called 'Attack at Weathertop')
48030  Prologue Elves
Prologue Gil Galad
Prologue Elrond
Prologue Elf Archer-R (actually Elven Archer)
48031  Army of the Dead
Army of the Dead Swordsman
King of the Dead
Army of the Dead Warrior
48032  Companions of the Ringbearer (reissues of Fellowship poses)
Merry-R, FS
Gandalf-R, FS
Pippin-R, FS
48108  Mordor Orcs-R
48102  Attack at Amon Hen-R
48035  Attack on Rohan
Uruk-hai Warrior-R
Wildman
Orc Whipmaster-R
48034  Fires of Mount Doom
48036  Rescue at Cirith Ungol
Gorbang-R
Frodo (bound)
Sam-R (new paint scheme)

Bridge at Khazad-Dum with Balrog-E,F
Balrog
Gandalf the Grey (moria)
Moria Goblin Marksman
Orthanc Chamber at Isengard-E,F
Gandalf the Grey
Saruman the White
Grima Wormtongue
Osgiliath Ruins with Fell Beast-E,S
Fell Beast (#1 w/ Ringwraith, slightly altered Mtd Ringwraith #2)
Frodo (osgiliath)
Shelob's Lair with Frodo & Sam: Shelob-Webbed Frodo-Sam fighting Shelob (E)
Pelennor Fields with Fell Beast: Pelennor Fields Fell Beast-Witch-king-Eowyn in Rohan Armor (E)
Bridge at Khazad-Dum with Balrog(R) (E)
Orthanc Chamber at Isengard(R) (E)

Battle at Helm's Deep E,F
Helm's Deep Castle
2 Siege Ladders
3 Uruk-hai Mines
Aragorn in Helm's Deep Armor
Legolas in Helm's Deep Armor
Uruk-hai Bomber
Pelennor Fields Deluxe Set E
Siege Tower
Siege Tower Troll
Gondorian Catapult
Gondorian Standard Bearer-V2 (w/ gondorian soldier's orig. head)
Gondorian Soldier-V2 (w/ standard bearer's orig. head)

Attack Craft Orc with Club
Attack Craft Orc with Sword & Shield
Orc Drummer
Aragorn-R FS
Rohan Soldier-R (w/axe)

48600  The Fellowship Collection E,F (all FS)
Frodo Baggins
Boromir
Merry
Pippin
Gimli
Sam Gamgee
Legolas
Aragorn
Bill the Pony
48600 The Fellowship Collection-R E (same but no Bill the Pony)
Ringwraith-R sword up
Twilight Frodo Baggins
Ringwraith-R sword out
48510 Ambush at Weathertop Collection E, AFX
Strider
Frodo Baggins-R
Sam Gamgee-R
Ringwraith-R (sword level)
Ringwraith-R (sword up x2)
Ringwraith-R (sword out x2)
48550 Battle at Helm's Deep Collection E (Amazon.Com)
King Theoden
Rohan Footsoldier-R (x2)
Elven Warrior-R (x2)
Elven Archer-R (x2)
Uruk-hai Soldier-R (Captain)
Uruk-hai Soldier-R (Ballista operator)
Deluxe Warrior Collection-E,F (Canada Walmart & unk)
Rohan Horseman-R
Gandalf the White on Shadowfax-R
Warg Rider-R (Sharku on Warg)
Aragorn on Horseback-R
Moria Orc Sneak-R
Moria Orc Bowman-R
Gollum-R
Frodo-R
Elven Archer-R
Battering Ram w/ 4 Uruk-hai soldiers-R
48580 Exclusive 20-Piece Figure Set-E (Amazon.Com)
R-Strider
R-Eomer
Fighting Gimli
R-Merry
R-Pippin
R-Frodo in Orc Armor
R-Sam in Orc Armor
R-Ringwraith (sword up)
R-Twilight Ringwraith
R-Sauron
R-Rohan Horseman (#1 w/spear)
Haradrim Warrior
Haradrim Archer
R-Ugluk
R-Mauhur
R-Snaga
R-Shagrat
R-Gorbang
R-Orc with Mace

The Fellowship No. 1
R-Gandalf the White on Shadowfax
R-Peregrin Took (Pippin)
The Fellowship No. 2
R-Aragorn on Horseback
R-Boromir
Mordor Orcs
R-Sharku on Warg
R-Orc Soldier (Orc Scout)
Ringwraiths
R-Ringwraith on Horseback (Dark rider)
R-Ringwraith (sword out)

Gollum (FYE)
Legolas-R (Barnes & Nobles)
Frodo-R (TRU)
Aragorn in Gondorian Armor-R (FYE)
Gollum-R (K-B Toys, unique blistercard w/rounded front)
Gandalf the Grey (moria) (Tower Records, in plain poly bag)

GANDALF'S TOWER AOME FAN CLUB -

The only organized fan club was 'Gandalf's Tower AOME Fan Club'.  The club was run by Cloud City Collectibles in association with Play Along.  It offered two levels of memberships with fees: Silver ($30) & Gold ($50).  Gold members received a black T-Shirt with 'Gandalf's Tower.Com' printed on front & 'ONE CLUB TO RULE THEM ALL' on back (see picture).  All members received the 'Twilight Ambush at Weathertop' set & discounts on AOME items.  The club lasted about 1 year (2004).

Updates - I am in middle of total re-write & if you know any other sets/figures, contact me & I will add them.  Thanks.