At the time of writing this review it is the largest 2024 set coming in with 5,471 pieces, it will be interesting to see if this ends up being the largest set of 2024, looking at the rumours there is nothing on the horizon to dislodge it from top spot. The build is spread over 40 bags, which I was surprised to see were all paper. There are three sticker sheets and three instructions manuals.

The Build

The build is split into three sections, so you could easily build this with friends as each section slots into the one below it. I had a blast building this, the build didn’t feel monotonous at all. Although dark grey and black features very heavily, there are plenty of parts to break this up with the lava on the ground through to the various colours used to make the mountain the side that snakes around the tower. The designers of the set have done a great job showing off the menacing nature of the nature, and not one you’d want to visit on your holidays (unless you wanted to visit somewhere really warm).

The first two bags build a rocky ledge for Frodo, Sam and Gollum.

After that you move quickly onto the base of the tower, which although is a little tedious with the various coloured tiles to show the lava around the base, it didn’t really bother me. The outer walls for the tower are effectively mirror images of each other but because of the way they’re built doesn’t feel repetitive. The base has a great design feature that is hidden away to allow the gates to open, just like in the movies, which again look menacing. There is a cage used to trap prisoners dangling over the lava that can be lowered and raised. There is a small area for the blacksmith to make the weapons and armour for the armies of Mordor.

With the rest of the tower the designers have had to take liberties as the interior is never shown in the films or described in the books. The middle section, features the canteen and kitchen for the orcs and it looks like meat is definitely back on the menu! Most of the middle section is taken up by a large table that looks like a great spread is being put on. Off to the side is a small to cook the food and kegs of whatever Orcs drink. The middle section is probably the quickest section to build.

The top section has a throne for Sauron, with a clever play feature where the throne opens up to reveal a hidden room behind a Palantiri that he uses to keep to keep in touch with Sauron and twist the mind of the Stewart of Gondor. The office for the Mouth of Sauron is above this and has Frodo’s Mithril armour on display. The last section is a library with a ladder to get to the top sections.

Finally the pièce de resistance and the thing that brings it together is the Eye of Sauron at the top of the tower, which looks just it does in the movies, it even has a light brick hidden behind that lights up the eye. The eye is all brick built and features no stickers.

The Minifigures

The minifigures are in the main excellent but I do have a few criticisms. Firstly, Frodo and Sam are not accurate as they are using the same parts from Rivendell and at this stage of their journey to destroy the ring they were in their orc outfits.

The baddies so to speak are all excellent but I do wish with Sauron they had used the long leg and arm pieces so he towers over the other minifigures.

Also, considering the price and how many we got with Rivendell, it does feel a bit tight and that a few more orcs should have included.

Other than that nitpicking, they are awesome without a doubt the best one is Sauron who looks awesome with the torso and leg printing. The headpiece and body armour is moulded and looks excellent. As we don’t ever see his face in the movies they’ve used a black head with printed flames for the eyes to great affect.

The next best minifigure in my opinion is the Mouth of Sauron who again hasn’t been used since the Battle of the Black Gate and has slightly different printing to that set on the arms and legs. The face looks menacing with the mouth printed on the head.

Gollum hasn’t been included in sets since 2015, so it’s nice to see that we get an updated version with a new face print and mould.

The orcs are all excusive this to the set are there are two varieties with Green and Orange versions. Each Minifigure has different printing to make them all stand out.

The final orc is Gothmog who leads the Orc army attack on Minis Tirith. This is the first he’s been included and again he looks excellent with the leg and torso printing. The deformed face looks just like movies and he’s finished off perfectly with his own printed armour piece.

The Price

This is a tricky one because compared to other sets. Given the size and piece count, £399.99 feels fair but will be out of the price range for a lot of people who would like to add this to their collection. However, compared to other themes at the moment Lord of the Rings is sticking to one main D2C set and then the smaller Brickheadz packs. This does give LOTR fans time to save up or wait for promos like double points.

The Display

This is one of the best sets I have on display in my collection and although it is primarily all black the eye of Sauron looks incredible. When building it you don’t really get a scope of the size of it until you start joining the different sections together and then realise just how big it will all end up.

I am really interested to see what they do next. I bought this set on release day and it seemed to be really popular. Personally I’d loved to see either a larger Bag End or Minis Tirith next.

Scoring

• The Build – 10
• Minifigures – 9.5
• Display – 10
• Price – 9.5
• Score – 9.8

Visitors to the store on release day can not only purchase the new set but also get it signed by one of the the LEGO Designer behind the set, Nathan Davis. He will be at the flagship store to meet fans and sign sets between 10am and 12pm on Saturday, 1st June.

It’s advised to get there early as the Barad-dûr set is expected to be popular, it’s also only available to LEGO Insiders between 1st and 3rd June, followed by general release in the 4th June.

Official details:

LEGO® Icons The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr (10333)

On Saturday 1st June, LEGO® and The Lord of The Rings fans have the chance to be the first to get their hands on the new LEGO® Icons The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr (10333) set and meet the creative mastermind behind the design at the LEGO Store Leicester Square, London. Nathan Davis will meet fans and sign sets between 10:00 and 12:00. Put the date in your diary!

01/06/2024 |10am – 12pm
LEGO Store Leicester Square

Terms & Conditions
Maxiumum 2 sets per person
While stocks last

The model will include a total of 5,471 pieces and stand an impressive 83cm tall, along with the 10 Minifigures this set will command a high retail price, which is £399.99 ($/€459.99). Both LEGO and Lord Of The Rings fans will be able to recreate the iconic and truly evil landmark from the books and movies. It makes for an excellent display piece as well as containing some great play features.

Just like 2023’s LEGO Lord of the Rings Rivendell (10316), the set is Minifigure scale and chock full of references and details most eagle-eyed fans will spot. There will also be exclusive characters included as well as some returning faces. Most excitingly Sauron in full armour, the Mouth of Sauron, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Golem and Nazgul along with two brown and two green Orcs.

The set will be available from LEGO and LEGO.com from 1st June, making June an even bigger month for Summer releases, are you ready? What will you be picking up next month? Let us know via the comments section below.

Official details:

TRAVEL TO MORDOR WITH THE NEW LEGO LORD OF THE RINGS: BARAD-DÛR SET

14th May 2024: Today the LEGO Group, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, reveals the LEGO® Icons Lord of the Rings: Barad-Dûr set, inspired by the award-winning film adaptations. Now in brick form, the epic dark tower and Eye of Sauron build has many hidden fan “treasures” and story references from the Lord of the Rings.

Prepare to journey deep into the heart of Middle-earth with the unveiling of the spectacular LEGO Icons Lord of the Rings: Barad-Dûr set! With its imposing 5,471 pieces, this awe-inspiring masterpiece brings to life the dark tower of Mordor in stunning detail, packed with thrilling features and beloved characters from Tolkien’s timeless saga. The journey through the dark tower continues with the throne room – which includes a compartment that opens to reveal a map, and a ladder on the top floor of the tower that can be moved left and right.

At the summit lies the Eye of Sauron that rotates in various directions and features a light brick to make the eye glow. There are also 10 minifigures, including Sauron, Mouth of Sauron, Orc, Frodo, Sam, Gollum and Gothmog.

The build is split into four main sections, with the tower section being fully modular. LEGO fans with more than one copy of the set will be able to stack this section to build a taller tower.

The LEGO® Icons Lord of the Rings: Barad-Dûr set are available for LEGO Insiders from 1st June 2024 at www.LEGO.com/LOTR and LEGO Stores for all from 4th June priced at €459.99 / £399.99/ $459.99/699.99 AUD/3899 CNY/189990 HUF/599.99 CAD/10999 MXN. In addition, purchases made between 1-7 June will receive a free LEGO® Icons The Lord of the Rings: Fell Beast set, which features posable wings and joints and a Nazgul minifigure.

The new set has been teased on official LEGO social media channels and shows primarily the Eye of Sauron atop the dark tower of Barad-dûr. Could this be in a similar scale and vein to the Rivendell set? Watch the teaser video below and low us know your thoughts on the set.

We expect a full reveal soon so watch this space.

https://x.com/LEGO_Group/status/1789279412145230165