What a WILD ADVENTURE this has been! A very fulfilling ending. this movie had SO MUCH in it! THANK YOU FOR JOINING OUR JOURNEY!!❤💙💜 THE HOBBIT IS NEXT! If you want the ENTIRE LOTR TRILOGY UNCUT Reaction OR EARLY ACCESS to our Hobbit Movie Reactions check out our Patreon: www.patreon.com/spartanandpudgey
Love Rohan? it’d never have existed without Galadriel’s help: saving Gondor & enabled Rohan leading to its FOUNDING. Delivered Gondor from invasion & led to the foundation of Rohan, five centuries before the LotR. This is an account on the event. * The Rohirrim were in origin the folk named Éothéod, who lived in the North. In 2510 of the Third Age Gondor was invaded by both Easterlings and Orcs at the same time. Borondir, a messenger, delivered a desperate request for aid from the Steward of Gondor to the Éothéod; for their forefathers had often been allies (check art by Julax). * Eorl the Young, the King of the Éothéod rode out on his steed Felaróf (a forefather of Shadowfax), and his mounted host followed, seven thousand strong (art by Wouter Florusse). They rode along the Mirkwood forest until they came near Dol Guldur, where the Necromancer [Sauron] had his abode; and the attacks on Gondor were according to his will... * Eorl turned away westward for fear of the dark shadow and cloud that flowed out from Dol Guldur, and then he rode on within sight of the Anduin river. Many riders looked toward the river, half in fear and half in hope to glimpse from afar the Dwimordene, the perilous land that in legends of their people was said to shine like gold in spring: Lórien. "But now it seemed shrouded in a gleaming mist and to their dismay the mist passed over the river and flowed over the land before them. Eorl did not halt. `Ride on!' he commanded. `There is no other way to take. After so long a road shall we be held back from battle by a river-mist?'" ~ Unfinished Tales; III; II (check art by Guillaume Tholly) But they saw that the white mist was driving back the glooms of Dol Guldur, and soon they passed into it, riding slowly at first and warily; but under its canopy all things were lit with a clear and shadowless light, while to left and right they were guarded as it were by white walls of secrecy: "`The Lady of the Golden Wood is on our side, it seems,' said Borondir." * Eorl was not as sure about that as the messenger but trusted in the wisdom of his horse Felaróf: "`He scents no evil. His heart is high, and his weariness is healed: he strains to be given his head. So be it! For never have I had more need of secrecy and speed.' Then Felaróf sprang forward, and all the host behind followed like a great wind, but in a strange silence, as if their hooves did not beat upon the ground." The host rode on, as fresh and eager as on the morning of their setting-out, during that day and the next (obviously thanks to Galadriel). At dawn of the third day they rose from rest and the mist was gone, and they saw that they were far out in the open lands. A crossing of the river was near and "they had come there at a speed beyond hope". The Éothéod arrived in the nick of time to rescue Gondor's army and defeat their foes (art by JB Casacop). The intervention by Galadriel both saved Gondor and ensured the foundation of Rohan, for in gratitude (and wisdom) the Steward gave Gondor's northern territory to Eorl. There the Éothéod settled, soon known as the Eorlingas or the Rohirrim, and held it until the LOTR era.
The ride of the Rohirrim from the effects, music, passion, epic speech, and feels was the best. Everyone in the cinema who heard that was ready for war and was soooo pumped
@@craiggibbons8228a mix of practical effects and a little bit of CGI genius before CGI was a thing let alone a crutch for future film makers haha. 300 plus real riders and horses and all bonded with their horses and many had to find ways to keep their horses so the horse doesn’t get separation anxiety same as the rider.
@@craiggibbons8228I fully agree. It makes you wonder who chooses which things get edited. This is why having a team you don’t communicate with much isn’t a good idea lol 😂😅❤
The thing about Frodo chosing not to destroy the ring is that the ring is at its most powerful here. No creature could have been compelled to willingly destroy the ring in that moment. The only way it could ever happen was how it did, by accident.
Gandalf's speech in Moria was so so important, Frodo's belief in Gollum and by extension himself led to the destruction of the ring. It honestly makes me tear up to think of it
@@Bronze_Wing recently i saw something where someone (shitty memory, sorry😅) pointed out that Gandalf in the end took three eagles to Mt Doom.. one for Frodo, one for Sam and one for Smeagol..... 💔❤
Eomer sobbing over what he thought was his dead sister is still some of the best acting performances I’ve ever seen to this day. It gives me chills everytime. It’s totally what a persons real reaction would be to finding a dead loved one on the field of battle
His screams are haunting. Never in any other movie have I seen someone capture the screams of grief as realistically as this. It totally echos the cries I have seen from people over many years as a paramedic. He is an amazing actor.
Fun fact: the choir that started to sing in the “for Frodo” scene, was repeating the oath that Aragon made to Frodo in the first movie. “If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword.” The choir was signing it in Sindarin (elvish). What a scene 😍
Someone once wrote to Tolkien and asked why Frodo failed to destroy the ring. Tolkien told him that Frodo did more than anyone else could have to resist the power of the ring, and in the end nobody was capable of throwing it into the fire. I imagine at the end, when the ring was desperate to survive, it was at its most seductive.
Letter 246 if anyone is interested in reading about it. He said that "Frodo indeed ‘failed’ as a hero, as conceived by simple minds: he did not endure to the end; he gave in, ratted. I do not say ‘simple minds’ with contempt: they often see with clarity the simple truth and the absolute ideal to which effort must be directed, even if it is unattainable... I do not think that Frodo’s was a *moral* failure. At the last moment the pressure of the Ring would reach its maximum - impossible, I should have said, for any one to resist, certainly after long possession, months of increasing torment, and when starved and exhausted. Frodo had done what he could and spent himself completely (as an instrument of Providence) and had produced a situation in which the object of his quest could be achieved. His humility (with which he began) and his sufferings were justly rewarded by the highest honour; and his exercise of patience and mercy towards Gollum gained him Mercy: his failure was redressed... Frodo undertook his quest out of love - to save the world he knew from disaster at his own expense, if he could; and also in complete humility, acknowledging that he was wholly inadequate to the task. His real contract was only to do what he could, to try to find a way, and to go as far on the road as his strength of mind and body allowed. He did that. I do not myself see that the breaking of his mind and will under demonic pressure after torment was any more a moral failure than the breaking of his body would have been - say, by being strangled by Gollum, or crushed by a falling rock."
yep, thats basically the entire point. there wasnt a single being left in middle earth at that point who wouldve been capable of throwing the ring in there voluntarily. not at the place where it was at its most powerful, its most seductive. not even gandalf or tom bombadil. it needed a random accident, where no one actually intended for it to fall. which is what happened in the struggle between gollum and frodo.
@@thahoule7924 Tom Bombadil was not affected by the Ring and the Ring was not affected by Tom. Tom had power over his own land, not the rest, and he'd never have reached Mount Doom, because he'd have forgotten what the purpose of that was or what the Ring did.
One thing a lot of people miss is that when Frodo was hanging over the lava, the Ring had not yet been destroyed, and he was still under its influence. That's why part of him clearly wanted to let go, because the Ring was still down there, desperately calling out to him to save it, even if it meant giving up his life to do so.
I also think that he was actually considering just jumping in the lava because he couldn’t life with the fact that he failed his task in destroying the ring. He couldn’t life with that. That’s why when Aragorn and the other’s bowed to the hobbits, he looked so unhappy. When he finally set sail and went to the undying lands he was truly happy because he could life in peace with Bilbo and Gandalf and finally leave the burden of the ring behind him. It’s such an amazing Story!
@@gandalfthestoned7523 It was probably both motivations at once. Frodo is an emotionally complex character who has a lot of conflicting feelings churning around in his head.
@@gandalfthestoned7523 let's not forget too that Frodo is exhausted beyond reason. He's been on this long journey bearing this heavy burden and it's finally over but, he's also lost quite a bit of his sense of self along the way. Part of him is ready to die in that moment. And that is still true later, and why he joins Gandalf in leaving at the end, because he's been irreversibly spiritually altered by his journey and is ready to move beyond this world because he no longer fits into it.
@@adamhurst9491Bilbo also gave up the ring willingly. It took some nudging, but he did it. After 60 or so years -- a tremendous feat of mental strength and willpower.
On Eomer's screams: imagine you just fought the most intense battle of your life, many of your mates have been killed or mortally wounded and you are searching between the dead, only to find your sister, your only remaining close relative, who was not even supposed to be there, supposedly dead... Man, I would bawl like no other
Wasn't Eomer the nephew of King Theoden of Rohan (thus Eowyn's cousin)? Theoden's only son was killed in battle and buried (that whole scene when Theoden is freed from Saruman's spell only to discover his son is dead; Eowyn's singing mournfully at his funeral). Theoden was prepared to let her be head of his kingdom in his absence or if he died in battle. If Eomer was her brother, wouldn't he assume the throne (as was the custom both in fiction and by tradition in our patriarchal reality)?
@@jademmEowyn isn't Theoden's daughter, she's his niece and Eomer's sister. She's the more level headed of the two and Theoden sees her as a better peacetime leader, whereas Eomer's more suited to warfare and leading the Rohirrim. That said, she doesn't even end up ruling Rohan - she gets married to Faramir and they rule Ilithien together.
@@jademm you're absolutely right, Eomer was crowned king of Rohan starting the third dinasty of the Rohirrim. In the books Tolkien describes how the bond between Gondor and Rohan at the beginning of the Fourth Age was rock solid not only because the respective kings had been battle brothers before being crowned, but also because Faramir and Eowin moved together to Ithilien to found a new kingdom with people both from Rohan and Gordon moving there to colonise the left bank of the great river Anduin.
Eomer reacted so strongly seeing Eowyn because she was supposed to be back in Edoras to rule it during Theoden’s absence. So finding his sister unconscious on the battlefield was a huge shock. And he probably thought she was dead at first with ho badly wounded she was.
It makes sense as far as the in-universe logic goes... but to this day, I think it was a bad acting choice on the part of Karl Urban, and poor editing in an otherwise superbly edited film. He's a great actor so he _commits_ and comes across very convincingly like his entire world has just ended (probably why Jackson kept it in), but that kind of works against it. We, the audience, SHOULD be empathizing with Eomer here. But every newbie I've ever seen coming into the franchise has that moment of confusion "Huh? But she's not dead." It kind of kills the emotional impact they're aiming for.
PJ did a bad job at explaining that destroying the Witch King poisoned both Merry and Eowyn. The Witch King was inherently evil, so anything that came in contact was poisoned even through the extension of a sword.
@@EmphaticNod that’s why I always recommend the standard editions for people to watch if it’s their first time watching. There’s so many weird and unnecessary things in the extended editions, and the theatrical versions are the ones everyone fell in love with.
@@tylerhonaker2544 I agree, personally I think it’s pretty easy to see why Eomer is upset as there was a whole scene with Eowyn being upset at being told to stay behind and then sneaking in with Merry, and hiding when Theoden came close for example. But there was really not much showing that Merry and Eowyn got poisoned, even a quick mention earlier or when Eowyn recovers would have helped a lot there for those that haven’t read the book.
@@ElfygamingYou don't need to know she got poisoned. The battle itself up to that point fucked her up. She could barely move by the time the lead orc was hunting her down. She was very clearly badly hurt even without being poisoned
I've heard that in the books, Sam was the last to wake up even after Frodo because for the entire journey, he had been putting himself and his needs AFTER Frodo. He understood the burden that Frodo was carrying, and Sam was more than willing to try and lighten the burden as much as he could. His loyalty, honor, courage, strength, and HUMILITY is what makes him my favorite character.
If Frodo is the heart of the Fellowship, Sam is the rock. He had been that unwavering tower or pillar that Frodo leaned on so much and gave him strength. I've always felt if other person was there instead of Sam, the entire thing would be futile because Frodo would be lost in the power of the ring, esp with Smeagol corrupting him also. I love everyone, but Sam is my favorite. In the books, since Sam also carried the ring for awhile, the elves gave him grace to leave for and live in the Blessed Realms when he grew old. Sam became mayor of the Shire for several years, btw, before he left for Valinor. ☺🥰
I listened to the excellent audiobook version by Phil Dragash. Its insanely good using the lotr movie music as a soundtrack and the voice acting was so reminiscent of the actual voice actors at times. I must say there's so many beautiful moments in the books for those that love the movies but haven't had a chance to enjoy the books. N yes, Sam is probably one of the best written protagonists. Even more fleshing out in the book which was wild.
Frodo had to leave because, in his own words, "There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts that go too deep." This was no ordinary PTSD. He was deeply, deeply traumatized, not only from his journey and the physical wounds, but mostly from the psychological hold that the ring had on him. Spending his last days with the Elves in Valinor (aka "The Undying Lands") was the only way he could have a modicum of happiness and healing. And Gandal's duty has been finished on Middle Earth with the death of Sauron.
Yes, and everybody who left then was a ring bearer at a certain point, Gandalf with Narya, Galadriel with Nenya and Elrond with Vilya, which he kept safe in Rivendell.
@@doug3318 That's not a point Tolkien makes, and it makes no sense, since the whole of Arda has been marred by Morgoth. Middle-Earth is basically Morgoth's ring since he poured so much of himself into the physical world. Removing two ringbearers who are essentially good people to remove "all traces of Sauron's Evil" would be like pissing on a forest fire. No use at all. Evil is ingrained in Middle-Earth so deeply, that nothing but the remaking of the entire world could change that.
@@ciukilp so looks like you’re correct - the ring bearers went to the undying lands as a gift for their service & because they’d find no rest from their wounds/sacrifices bearing the ring while mortal & in middle earth; I retract my prior comment.
@@jennym.2631exactly. Just like how when he’s lived a long full life samwise would also sail to the grey havens as he was once a ring bearer. If only for a day.
@@marcushankins8171 It is often forgotten that Sam was a ring bearer and also that Bilbo is the only one who ever willingly gave up the ring - showing the strength of his character. In the books, Tolkien phrases the scene in the Orc tower as Frodo grabbed or took the ring from Sam.
24:13 it was in the Houses of Healing where Eowyn met Faramir who became her companion during her recovery. Eowyn wanted to die at Pelennor. She wanted a warriors death and was almost upset when she didn’t get that. She felt she’d lost everything, her uncle who raised her was dead, the man she believed she loved rejected her, and she didn’t get to die nobly in battle. But Eowyn never actually loved Aragorn. She loved the concept of Aragorn. This idea of a noble hero, courageous warrior, and benevolent leader. That was what she saw in Aragorn, but nothing else. And when she met Faramir she realized that he maintained those same attributes. He was everything she had loved in Aragorn and then more. And she actually loves Faramir, not some vague concept of a “hero” she came up with in her head.
They were my favorite story in the books. I absolutely adored Eowyn and Faramir was my favorite character. Frodo was a close second. Legolas was a close third. Lol. Movie was so different. But even though there were big changes, the movies stayed true to the spirit and were completely epic.
In the books, Eowyn gained the name Eowyn Shieldarm. She lived out her years and became a healer in Gondor. As time went by, Sam sailed West. It was said that Legolas and Gimli Elf Friend sailed into the West. Gimli was old and frail. It is said that he was the only Dwarf to reach the Undying Lands. The elf and Gandalf/Olorin lived forever. All others died with no suffering, beyond the earthly negatives. Elessar The First ( Aragorn) lived long and Queen Arwyn was buried in the ruins of the Greenwood.
Don't know if someone else has mentioned it, but the reason why Gandalf brought three eagles to Mt. Doom is because he also believed that Smeagol was gonna redeem himself. Not everyone feels the same for Smeagol as you two did, and it shows your empathy.
They were able to fully dissociate Smeagol from Gollum in everything bad he did, after Smeagol initially made himself known and had his "never come back" moment. Even when Smeagol literally told Frodo that "Smeagol lied," they believed it was Gollum again, just like when Smeagol pleaded with Frodo not to kill him at Shelob's lair they fully believed him (and that it was Gollum taking over again when he lept at Frodo for the ring). They honestly just refused to believe that Smeagol was anything other than innocent, when really, Smeagol was the one who killed Deagol and took the precious from the start. His split into Smeagol and Gollum was just to illustrate his internal conflict when Frodo met him with mercy and kindness. The moment he felt betrayed by Frodo and the two sides got back on the same page, the split was no longer a thing - Smeagol and Gollum were fully one again, united by the precious now that feelings towards the Master that caused the split in the first place were gone.
@@Mrryn We can also take into account the ring's power. The closer the ring got to mount doom the stronger it got so as they went a bit further away from the black gate and therefore from Mordor so they can take the other path the rings power weakened a bit. Also Smeagol at that point was too poisoned by the ring and even Gandalf said he would never get rid of it and even as he was leading them after the ,,never come back" part he never told them about Shelob, so perhaps that was a part of Gollum remaining there. In the end of it all Smeafol is a tragic character he is a good person and was never evil to begin with but the poison the ring had on him turned him evil and Gollum was the manifestation of the ring itself, at least that is the way I see it and that poison never goes away as it was even shown in Bilbo who had the ring for quite a while and he still wanted it even after the ring got destroyed.
The relationship between Aragorn and Arwen is a very important one symbolically. In the very distant past, an elf named Lúthien married a man named Beren. Aragorn sings about them in the first movie. Their son became the very first half-elf, and his daughter married another half-elf, and they had twin sons. One of these was Elrond, who chose to live as an immortal (half-)elf. His twin brother Elros chose to live as a mortal man. Elros became the first King of Númenor. It's from that line came King Elendil, whose son Isildur cut the One Ring off of Sauron's hand. Many generations later, Aragorn is the descendant of Isildur. Elves live for so long, Elrond has been around for that entire history, and his daughter, Arwen, choosing to live a mortal life as his brother did, and marrying Aragorn, essentially reunites the ancient split in the family when Elros chose to be a mortal man and Elrond chose immortality as an elf. Both Aragorn and Arwen are descended from the greatest heroes of the First Age, and together they usher in the Fourth Age that reunites several realms of men as the remaining elves leave Middle Earth for good.
Sauron was SCARED when Frodo put on the Ring in Mount Doom. It was the first time he realised that his enemies actually intended to destroy the Ring. He did not see that coming at all - he thought no one would be able to want to destroy it. This was described in the book: "And far away, as Frodo put on the Ring and claimed it for his own, even in Sammath Naur the very heart of his realm, the Power in Barad-dûr was shaken, and the Tower trembled from its foundations to its proud and bitter crown. The Dark Lord was suddenly aware of him, and his Eye piercing all shadows looked across the plain to the door that he had made; and the magnitude of his own folly was revealed to him in a blinding flash, and all the devices of his enemies were at last laid bare. Then his wrath blazed in consuming flame, but his fear rose like a vast black smoke to choke him. For he knew his deadly peril and the thread upon which his doom now hung. From all his policies and webs of fear and treachery, from all his stratagems and wars his mind shook free; and throughout his realm a tremor ran, his slaves quailed, and his armies halted, and his captains suddenly steerless, bereft of will, wavered and despaired. For they were forgotten. The whole mind and purpose of the Power that wielded them was now bent with overwhelming force upon the Mountain."
I haven't read the books, but I love that quote. It puts the scene in a whole new perspective. For all of Sauron's dark machinations, it never occurred to him that they sought to destroy the ring.
It’s a great way to show how powerful Sauron is. When Sauron lost his wits at the thought of Frodo being in Mount Doom, basically all of Mordor stopped working and all his armies lost their senses. Sauron had been influencing everything and everyone in Mordor.
@@Wicked_Sushithat’s what Gandalf and Aragorn were baiting on. Fun fact: the reason why Sauron moved so quickly to attack Minas Tirith was because he thought Aragorn had the Ring and was going to rally Men against him, so he immediately went to destroy the capital Man city. The film sort of alludes to that: “Sauron will not risk Men uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before the heir of Isildur sits on the throne.”
@@MrKingYuji Yes exactly!!! When Sauron saw Pippen through the Palantir, he assumed that he was the hobbit that had the ring. Later, when Aragorn used the Palantir, Sauron assumed that he had taken the ring from the hobbit, and that is why he felt so confident as to contact him. It was a great misdirection move by Aragorn.
Yep it perfectly shows that Sauron’s fatal flaw was he had become so evil that he could t understand the heart of good anymore, he imagined everyone would want the power cause he craved power, a bit like Ungoliants hunger for power eventually caused her to consume herself
A lot of Lord of the Rings draws from Tolkien's experiences in WWI. Concepts such as brotherly loyalty, returning home but never feeling home, and carrying scars for the rest of your life all draw from that. The ending especially feels like an homage to what the survivors of the First World War must have felt coming home.
I'm not too sure about that, in the foreword for Fellowship he explicitly states that nothing within the book was written with the intent of allegory or to draw parallels to or from real life. Though some of the concepts for sure carry over into our world, Tolkien states in this very segment of the first book that he really dislikes allegory, and authors who use them. Of course, he also mentions that every one is free to draw from the story what they will, and if it enriches their life then that's all the better, but there was absolutely no intention when writing these books for anyone to take anything apart from the journey and the stories within away from them.
@@fancypigas an amateur author, you draw from your life even if you don't mean too, especially because the easiest and most efficient way to write emotion is to base it on your own
@@schoolsenpai773 I hear you, but Tolkien literally spent decades writing these books, and then spent the rest of his life building on the lore. Both through actual written works, and through letters to his son, which his son then interpreted with left over notes and turned into even more works. I'm not sure there's much said in those that wasn't explicitly meant to be said. The closest thing to allegory I've found in those books was the similarities of Eru and the Christian God, and also how Tolkien has said he'd be a hobbit if he was in the books at all.
The books not being an allegroy doesn’t mean that Tolkien didn’t take inspiration from real life and mythology. He sure did and educated historians will tell you this.
@@dennissanfilippo8836 any link to educated historians telling us this ? Tolkien said he didn't want to make parallels or draw influence from WW2, so your opinion notwhistanding i'll go along with the actual author of the books who settled the matter two generations ago.
Something you’ll notice in this movie, I actually just noticed it At the beginning of the movie Sméagol talks about how they forgot the taste of bread, the sound of wind, the softness of trees and that was over the time Sméagol became corrupted. But on the slopes of Mount doom, the weight the ring is having on Frodo, he says he doesn’t remember the taste of food, the sound of water, the touch of grass. He describes his pain to someone who will listen to him. Sam being there was the big difference between Frodo and Sméagol. He was frodos rock from the beginning, and Sam wasn’t gonna let Frodo lose himself in the final hour of the ring. He was ready to die before he let frodo fail. While all Sméagol had was the voice in his head taunting him. Being alone with the ring for all that time destroyed his senses and mind, and mount doom and such had almost the same effect because of how close they were to Frodo. I love the parallels made very clear between Sméagol and Frodo. Especially towards the end of the movie. That’s why these movies are a trilogy of brilliance and excellence. And will be remembered in the archives of film history for generations.
No matter how many times i rewatch this trilogy, i always notice something new. The same goes for reading comments like this. If i don't notice something i haven't before, someone else sure will. Love it!
Indeed, Frodo and Sméagol share the same burden, pain, and corruption. But Frodo is the one who defeats it while Sméagol is the one who succumbs in the end. It's a 'tale of two cities' ... or two victims, as the case may be. Samwise being there for Frodo probably made all the difference indeed. He was the MVP of the entire trilogy.
The Ride of the Rohirim is by far my favorite movie scene of all time. By a mile. The way Peter Jackson translated that epic moment from the books onto film is just absolute perfection
I didn't think it was possible from how it is described in the book... but Jackson pulled it off. I love that as they are chanting death it isn't about their enemies... but themselves. They are completely accepting that this will likely be their death and so they will fight with all their might until they do. Which is what scares the crap out of the orcs who rely on fear to win... the Rohirim weren't afraid of them or death at all. And charged full speed with abandon and blood lust into the battle.
the goosebumps i had the first time i watched it was out of this world, i still remember the hyped feeling to this day, as if i was charging with them. it sorta became imprinted in my mind as an archetype of heroism and sacrifice. also one of my top 5 movie moments ever.
Don't worry, Sam became the Mayor of the Shire six times and then also sailed to Aman as the last of the bearer of the ring. We can assume that he met Froda there. 😊 This series was very nice to watch with you. 😘 I think it's time for the Hobbit series! 😁
According to Tolkien, mortals did not live long in the Undying Lands. Think of it as hospice care. You're healed as much as you can be, and when you are at peace, and ready, you pass into the afterlife. In his letter to Naomi Mitchison of September 1954 (Letters no.154), he said: ... the mythical idea underlying is that for mortals, since their 'kind' cannot be changed for ever, this is strictly only a temporary reward: a healing and redress of suffering. They cannot abide for ever, and though they cannot return to mortal earth, they can and will 'die' - of free will, and leave the world. And much later, in a draft letter of 1963 (Letters no.246), he wrote: Frodo was sent or allowed to pass over Sea to heal him - if that could be done, before he died. He would have eventually to 'pass away': no mortal could, or can, abide for ever on earth, or within Time. So he went both to a purgatory and to a reward, for a while: a period of reflection and peace and a gaining of a truer understanding of his position in littleness and in greatness, spent still in Time amid the natural beauty of 'Arda Unmarred', the Earth unspoiled by evil.
Sadly, mortals (hobbits and men) age faster in the undying lands. While Elves go to Valinor to be judged and reincarnated in the halls of Mendos, it is a mystery what happens to mortals when they die. It is most likely that when Sam went to the Undying Lands, Frodo had already passed on. And when Gimli and Legolas went after that, Sam would have passed on as well. The Undying Lands are not heaven, not for mortals.
@@VaderViktor this is a misconception. Mortals SEEM to age faster in the undying lands because they are the only ones aging. In reality they live longer due to having access to better healing. Frodo was 113 and still alive when Sam arrived in the undying lands.
Two of the most emotional scenes for me, first is when Theoden tells Eowyn, "I go to my fathers in whose mighty company, I shall not now feel ashamed" and then when Eowyn’s brother Eomer finds her broken body on the battle field and let’s out a gut wrenching cry of grief. Powerful stuff.
"I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you" wrecks me every time. Though I suppose not a single person with a beating heart can get through that scene without tearing up
The reason Frodo had to go on the ship in the end was explained better in the book. Every year on the anniversary of him being stabbed on Weathertop, he would be in severe pain. Also, his desire for the Ring didnt fully disappear. The Ring just took too much from him. In some ways it's like what recovering drug addicts say "the addiction doesn't ever go away. Every day is a struggle". Also, eventually Sam also went. The option was available to all Ring bearers, and Sam was one for a small time there.
@@alexg1778 I agree. LOTR did a great job explaining things so that movie viewers can basically get the picture. Much better than other book adaptations. I think it’s because LOTR was filmed as one movie with the same staff so it feels the same
In the end Frodo never gave up the ring, it was taken from him. So it still had a grip on him up to the moment it was destroyed. Bilbo was ok afterwards because he willing gave up the ring before he left the Shire.
@@MrKingYuji I think Peter Jackson and company did it right. If you're going to make a series of films covering a master epic story on the level of LOTR, they should film all of the story all at once even if they are edited into separate connecting films. Doing it all as one massive project provides a cohesion that connecting films done separately might miss to some degree.
Ride of the Rohirrim is by far one of the most intensely cathartic and breathtaking moments in cinematic history period...your reaction summed it off perfectly
its so well acted by the actors. The theoden actor sold it so well, like his reaction to seeing the army that is like x5 times bigger than his Rohirim. But then instantly remembers that he is the leader that all the people in fear around him need, they are all looking at him, so he cannot show fear. He instantly gives the "DEATH" chant before the fear can consume the riders. He was equally good as a King, as Aragorn was.
Shelob (the spider) was several thousand years old, and in all her life, Samwise Gamgee was the only person ever to even so much as wound her. One more bit of proof how much of a total badass Sam is!
@@moonman8450 True...but also not true. Feel like she would not come out of her caves for a large group. Have to go into her web covered caves. And she has the advantage there. She came out after Frodo, because he was alone. Plus, he wasn't a "nasty orc" that doesn't "tastes very good"
Sam was small enough to temp her as a target, but bold enough to make her pay for the try. He was the Spider's Bane, and Sting was always destined for that moment. Sometimes, it's what we least fear that is most dangerous.
@@caseybean1305 Has more to do with the Light of Elendil, which hurts and confuses Shelob (possibly a side-effect of her being a child of Ungoliant, the gargantuan monster that put out the light of the trees in the First Age). Shelob's much more than just a giant spider, she's essentially a Lovecraftian horror. Sauron left her alone because she made a useful watchdog and really didn't care about the orcs she fed on (always more orcs to replace them, right). Sam employing the Light made Shelob vulnerable, though I imagine an elvish blade was a big help too. Can't see any orcs having the benefit of that kind of equipment.
@@moonman8450 the sword Sting, is named that because it hurts spiders (spawn of ungoliant), in the Hobbit when Bilbo was attacking them, they said it stings, hence him naming it that (or it was named that by the elves, accounts differ)
@@thomasluke-wp8or that's true, where did gollum live with it? I can't remember cos he started off in sort of a shire or so it looked, but he was in caves with it too
@thatsthat2612 he acquired the ring in the wilderlands and I'm not sure 100% if he stayed there the entire time but in the hobbit bilbo gets the ring while escaping the goblins Kingdom but idk where that is geographically
@@thomasluke-wp8or smeagol took the ring from river anduin located in between the misty mountains and mirkwood,while bilbo found it beneath the misty mountains. the shire is located in the region of eriador, west of the misty mountains.
A few key points that I think are worth mentioning, considering what you guys said : - The Eagles, as mighty as they are, had their own war to fight back home. They sent help for Gandalf in Fellowship (and if I'm not mistaken, it might have been Radagast who was passing a message through the moths, or something similar), but they got their own struggles, too. They would also be incredibly vulnerable to attacks if they were to just fly over a battlefield - or even worse, over Mordor. You also have to take the fell-beasts into account (which the Nazgûl are riding). The Nazgûl were less of a threat near the end though, as their leader - the Witch-King of Angmar - had been defeated by Eowyn. The Eagles basically jumped into what was a last-ditch effort because it was either help, or risk losing the war against Sauron entirely. - Gandalf was sent to Middle-Earth to protect its people against Sauron (just as the other 4 mages were sent to protect other things/beings). He reincarnated as Gandalf the White when Saruman failed to uphold his role and Gandalf sacrificed himself to fulfill his own, basically taking his place. With Sauron defeated, the mages did not have a purpose on Middle-Earth anymore. Valinor (where they're going to, from the Grey Havens) is essentially the afterlife, or rather eternal life. - Frodo had the ring for 17 years before Gandalf's return to the Shire in Fellowship. They did not portray it in the movies to avoid having to age everyone or replace the cast entirely. He might not have had the Ring in his possession for as long as Bilbo, but he still had it for 18 years. It also became evermore powerful as Sauron's power grew and as the Hobbits got closer to Mt. Doom. The Ring destroyed Frodo, and caused wounds that would never be able to heal. He could never find happiness after his return, and kinda felt like an outsider. The afterlife was basically the only solution at this point. - All Ringbearers are offered to go to Valinor. Frodo and Bilbo bore The Ring, and Elrond, Galadriel and Gandalf wore the elven-rings. [Stuff happened with the Elves long ago, and Gandalf was given the third elven-ring] It's another reason why Gandalf leaves after fulfilling his role. Sam, having also carried The One Ring for a time (when he took it from Frodo's apparent lifeless body), was also awarded the honor of eternal life in Valinor. - Most of the Fellowship will reunite in Valinor down the line, besides Aragorn [and Arwen], who end up dying happily in Gondor, and Pippin and Merry, who never bore a ring and simply lived a full life in The Shire. Most notably, Legolas is allowed to invite Gimli to make their final journey there together. Gimli is thus the first and last Dwarf allowed on such a trip.
I think eliminating the 17 years gap between Bilbo's departure and troubles at Shire was rather caused time constraints on a story that would need at least briefly explain what happened that suddenly nazguls reached the Shire and Gandalf asked Frodo to escape. Here it is done in a simpler way. Plus - Samwise Gamgee also went to Valinor after his wife's death. But that - with even short snapshots of what happened to Merry and Pippin would amount to another ending.
The reason Gandalf leaves is quite simple- he's going home. Although they appeared human the 5 wizards were actually Maiar, spiritual beings that are basically Tolkien's version of angels (Sauron also started out as one of the Maiar). The place the elves sail to is called Valinor or the Undying Lands and it is where the Maiar are from. So having completed his task to oppose Sauron, Olorin (Gandalf's original Maiar name) can now return home.
An interesting note as well is that when Saurman's form was killed by Grima, it tried to go back to Valinor but could not because is was not welcome. Very interesting note from the book.
Keep in mind LOTR was written decades before "Game of Thrones." Tolkien had been thinking and writing about this world during World War 1. A lot of the themes of fellowship, brotherhood, good and evil, machines taking over the natural world, and especially the question, "How do you go back to a normal life after so much suffering and death?" came out of the war. "J.R.R. Tolkien has become a sort of mountain, appearing in all subsequent fantasy in the way that Mt. Fuji appears so often in Japanese prints. Sometimes it’s big and up close. Sometimes it’s a shape on the horizon. Sometimes it’s not there at all, which means that the artist either has made a deliberate decision against the mountain, which is interesting in itself, or is in fact standing on Mt. Fuji." - Terry Pratchet
On point quote. The War's influence on Tolkien however is a parallel he went out of his way to disprove, it's almost a meme how often LoTR afficionados convince themselves of having found a clever metaphor in JRRT's writting when it is in fact the most common false surface-level analysis of his work he made a point of denouncing two generations ago. And when faced with that nugget of truth most "fans" then pander to subconscious influence like the man couldn't decide for himself. "Tolkien's a godly genius whose words are a gospel of truth and law ! But yeah fortunately i'm here to help out the poor guy and correct his mistakes." is the most Christian thing ever. JC and JRRT could not turn more in their graves than when defended by their own fanbase. The woke controversy in Rings of Power is a testament to eye-rolling smallmindedness masquedaring as respect to sacred text.
More amazing is that Tolkien wrote this in 1954. All modern fantasy stems from this amazing achievement in beautiful writing, character, theme and world building. Such an achievement by one man has rarely been equaled and never surpassed.
High fantasy stems from Tolkien, but there are many kinds of fantasy. Stuff like The Wizard of Oz and Alice in Wonderland is whimsical fantasy, and that came before Tolkien...so did sword and sorcery, like Conan, which was written in the early 20th Century before The Hobbit. Dungeons & Dragons has a heavy influence from Tolkien, but also many other sources. Modern fantasy videogames are deeply influenced by D&D, which means they owe a lot to Middle-Earth.
@@ratthawks And Tolkien took a lot of his influence from the bible, given that he was a huge Catholic. See the relation between Morgoth and Satan and Gandalf and Jesus.
In Sci-fi we have another great, considered the gold standard of that genre with an equal level of world building and story telling and deep history behind the characters. Frank Herbert and Dune.
So, it’s really hard to notice if you don’t know to look for it, but at the end Galadriel says “the time of the three rings has ended” something like that. She’s referring to herself of course, but also Elrond who actually had one of the three elven rings, and Gandalf who wore the last elven ring. The rings were all hidden from sight (except Galadriel) until the one ring was destroyed, in the scene where they leave for the undying lands, you can see all 3 rings.
The ring Galbdalf bears specifically is Narya, the Ring of Fire. When he faces the Balrog on the bridge in Moria, he states that he is the servant of the secret fire (a reference to Ilúvatar, the creator of all), as well wielder of the flame of Anor. This is a dual reference as Anor is Elvish for Sun, so he wields the power of the light, but it is also a reference to Narya which he holds, the Ring of Fire which would give him power over fire among other powers it has. Notice be creates a shield around himself while making that statement that shatters the Balrog's (fire demon) fire sword.
The book eplains why the armies of the Elves and Dwarves do not join in the final battle. Sauron actually had sent other armies of Orcs, to attack Lothlorien, and the Dwarf kingdom of Erebor, at that same time.
you guys should watch the behind the scenes, in your own time. the way they made these movies is phenomenal, the whole crew and production team spent two years of their lives living and breathing this story to make it look the way it does
@@oliviabelisle8316The actual filming took just over one year - they began thinking about it in 1995, but I don't think any real work was done on it until around '97. Pickups ended in 2004, so depending how you measure it, it was being worked on for 7-9 years.
Great reactions guys, it was a pleasure watching you guys enjoy the movies. As a crew member on this trilogy, I feel a lot of pride when I see people loving these movies ❤️ Thanks for the journey!
@@indigoghost7399 I was on set for principle photography and pick ups, I didn’t have anything to do with post 👍 You’ll understand if I don’t give out many personal details on a YT thread haha Wouldn’t be hard for a super sleuth to identify me though (or anybody else who worked onset with me). Cheers
Thank you so much for your contribution to this movie. It may literally go down in history as the greatest movie franchise ever made. You had a part to play in that, and you should be very proud. This is the kind of movie that actually teaches values to children, and is full of positive role models.
No matter how many times you watch this series. The last two scenes, "You bow to noone" and the final goodbye still bring a tear to my eyes and I saw these when they came out in theaters
Pudgey - Are you crying? Spartan - No, i´m all good.(wipes his right eye seconds later lol) Edit: And the fact that Pudgey was unable to speak all the way during the "You bow to no one" -scene. I felt that🥰
Gandalf was a ring bearer, you can see the elven ring of fire on his finger at the shore. But he was also only sent back until his task was complete and it was. Gandalf is something akin to an angelic being. Frodo left because although the ring was destroyed it still harmed him deeply. He continued to suffer until reaching the undying lands. Sam eventually left for the undying lands too, as he briefly was a bearer of the one ring. Legolas eventually took Gimli to the undying lands. The only Dwarf ever to be allowed admittance. The undying lands is something akin to an afterlife. It is a physical place, and you retain your body there (and can still truly die), but it does not exist within middle-earth and you cannot return from it.
Gandalf (or Olorin, which was his original name) was a Maia like Sauron and, in fact, the Balrogs. He was sent to Middle Earth with four other Wizards early in the Third Age to oppose Sauron, and when his work was done he went home. I don’t know if Radagast also left. Saruman, of course, was killed by Grima Wormtongue and it’s not at all clear what happened to the two Blue Wizards who went into the East. I have read that Tolkien planned a sequel that included them, and that they had gone bad.
@@rustygunner8282SPOILER ALERT: In the books Saruman was not killed by Wormtongue and instead was left in Isengard after refusing to turn back to the light and redeem himself. He then went on to fulfil Frodo's vision in the Waters of Galadriel, and was later overthrown by the Hobbits when they returned from the mission. And although it was originally planned for the Blue Wizards to fall for Sauron's corruption, in later letters from Tolkien to his son [Christopher] he stated that this maybe wasn't wholly true, and gave them new names in "The Peoples of Middle-Earth" of Morinehtar and Rómestámo, which translate to "Darkness-Slayer" and "East-Helper". So it could be argued that maybe just before his passing Tolkien had an entirely different idea of what their destinies would be. The overall consensus does appear to be that whatever their fates, they would have likely started/founded cults or "magic" traditions that would have outlasted the fall of Sauron. Which in itself is rather interesting, because it was said that Sauron's fall and the destruction of the One Ring would have symbolised the fall of magic from Middle-Earth, and the death of all the Elven lands that were preserved by their own rings of power.
@@SMiki55 You are absolutely correct, it has been a while since I read the books when I made this comment, but I went back through them and rediscovered that
Fun Fact about the Charge of the Rohirrim. Jackson made sure that only extras that had read the books were at the front lines because he felt that they would truly understand the weight of what was happening and therefore give their all to the performance instead of an extra who was simply told "act like you're ready for battle and full of fury". Its why you can feel the emotion in that scene because those at the front truly knew what was going on
Another fun fact is they needed all the riders and horses they could find so they sent the call across New Zealand for horses and riders and most of the horse owners and riders in NZ are women so a good portion of the Riders of Rohan are women with fake beards.
Even Gandalf believed in the redemption of Smeagol. At the end when they casted the ring into the fire, Gandalf came with 3 eagels instead of 2 to resque them, but only Frodo and Sam where alive at that moment. Just an iconic masterpiece, thanks to the whole team for staying true to the lore and putting so much details in these movies!
Bravo, as a diehard fan who’s been watching these movies for 10+ years. One thing I always wish for is being able to watch these movies for the first time again. This is the closest I can get to that feeling. Your reactions have been my favorite. Much love ❤️
Also, in the scene where Sam rescues Frodo in the tower, and hesitates to return the ring, NOOO, Sam is not worried about Frodo wanting the ring too much. The ring is actively trying to influence Sam to claim the ring for himself. It is showing him the kind of power that he could wield. In the end however, Sam UTTERLY rejects the notion. However, because Sam carried the ring for a short time, and the ring actively went to work on Sams soul, THIS is why Sam himself ultimately was allowed to sail to the undying lands, albeit many years after Bilbo and Frodo did. First, Sam spend about the next 50 years as the mayor of Hobbiton.
@@telynns8490 still I love that PJ showed Sam was corrupted even for a sec, I mean the look in his eyes and the reluctance to give it to Frodo. And I like that Frodo immediately realized it, and rushed to take it back so Sam wouldn't be taken.
Love that it's the opposite. Instead, it was Frodo worried that Sam would want the ring too much and, knowing from experience the pull that ring has, immediately rushed to take it from his friend. He truly carries that huge burden.
Fun (and heartwarming) fact, in the books, after many years Sam also travels across the sea to join the others and when Legolas leaves he also brings Gimli along.
I love theodens speech. Tolkien really makes an effort to illustrate how the orcs are basically fearless. Of the few things the orcs fear is death, and horses. Imagine you’re an orc, you’re terrified of horses trampling you down, you’re terrified of dying, and then an entirely mounted army appears on the horizon screaming “Death” as they charge you. That’s a terrifying military obstacle from any perspective.
I believe the "death" chant also stems from owning the great fear of mortal kind. The servents of the enemy have often used the fear of death to control or defeat mankind mentally. By chanting death as they ride into battle and fighting with a grim joy unnerved the orcs because their ability to cause fear amongst their enemies stems from the fear of death mortals have and in that moment the riders of Rohan had no fear of death and because of that the orcs were a bit less powerful.
This scene was inspired by an actual battle that happened between the holy league and the the ottomans at the siege of Vienna. When the Winged hussars charged down the mountains to save the city from collapsing the hussars were outnumbered yet because of the surprise of being charged it caused the attack against the city to fail.
@@taylorm8119That is not true and a dumb urban legend. Shows how little you know about Europe of the 10th century. The Charge of the Rohirrim has NOTHING to do with the Siege of Vienna.
It's not the Orcs fear horse perse. They fear the Rohirrim or more specifically, a charge by them. The Rohirrim have mercilessly hunted orcs for generations and wipe out entire armies of them. It's to the point where orcs have a cultural fear of a charge by the Rohirrim.
The Lord of the Nazgul was once the Witch King of Angmar. The blade that Merry carried was forged to fight against him, made to break the spell that knit muscle and bone together. When Merry stabbed him, the spell was broken and Eowyn could kill it, though stabbing a Ringwraith comes at great cost, as you saw by how Merry and Eowyn were both wounded by doing it. The "no man can kill me" line was was his misunderstanding of a prophecy from centuries before : "Far off shall be his doom, and not by the hand of man shall he fall." It wasn't that no man COULD kill him, but that no man WOULD kill him.
While Smeagol was not technically redeemed, he was still key to saving the world in the end. Without him, Sam and Frodo never would have made it that far, and without him snapping Frodo out of it inside Mount Doom, their quest would have been for nothing. That's why Gandalf told Frodo in the first movie that Bilbo's mercy, with him sparing Smeagol's life, was so important. He did have a crucial part to play after all.
Oh please... the only reason he led them was to trap Frodo, intending to get the ring. I assume you have this take because these two won't stop cheering for him. I've never come across anyone who doesn't come to realize the Sméagol/Gollum character was bad, until here and now.
@@hebber1961 is exactly what Gandalf told Frodo in Moria. Gollum had a part to play and he did he was always after the ring, right till the end when he took the ring from Frodo. Frodo "thought" he could redeem Gollum but in the end Gollum played his part exactly as it should have been.
@@davidstufflebean3285 The acknowledgment of the destiny of the character is one thing but it's bordering on admiration. These two loved the characters from the beginning and wouldn't shed it. People who like them and/or the channel tend to adopt those misguided sympathies. Some see a victim and I see a character who although sad what happened, needed to 'go' much earlier than he did, despite the premonition of his role in the quest. Zero sympathies in the end.
that epic line when Sam said to Frodo is just so memorable :" I can't carry it for you , but I can carry you" . What a true friend Sam is to Frodo, it gets me so emotional every time I watch this scene.
Fans owe a huge debt to the cast and crew who put this all together, but Peter Jackson in particular. For him more than any other, this whole project was a labor of love. Bringing to life something that had captivated him earlier on in his life. No doubt that others working on it felt the same way. Watching each movie in theaters, too, was such an amazing experience.
A RU-vid channel uploaded the DVD commentary with Peter, Fran, and Phillipa for all 3 films recently. Worth a listen. These 3 absolutely love the source material and Tolkien. Their dedication to these films over like 7-8 years was incredible.
Lol, I feel strangely happy for him when he celebrates having the precious, because he is finally happy. It’s still twisted and tragic, but it does make me smile a moment.
I also love the story about filming the Grey Havens scene. All the actors spent the entire morning doing that scene and crying and crying and crying, which is exhausting of course. Then they went to lunch, and Sean Astin forgot to put his vest back on after lunch, so all the filming they did the rest of that day was unusable and they had to come back on another day to actually finish off that scene.
If you read the books' appendices, you'll also find out that Gimli, having been deemed an Elf-friend, was also invited to live in the Undying Lands at the request of Legolas, probably the only Dwarf to have been blessed by the Valar to do so.
One tiny correction: He was invited to view the Undying Lands from a nearby island. He wasn’t permitted to actually set foot on them. That is a privilege only given to the ring-bearers. However, Sam DID get go eventually to them. He goes on to become mayor of Hobbiton, then after his wife dies, he is taken to the Undying Lands because he was also a ring-bearer for a short while.
Both of you are wrong. Gimli wasnt invited. He went at the end of his life with Legolas hoping to see Galadriel one more time and with the hope that she, being mighty amongst the Eldar, might have obtained his favour for him. Frodo and Sam also did not go to Valinor proper. They both went to Tol Eressea.
In regards to the witch kings death, it's not explained in the movies, but Merry's sword was enchanted and broke the spell that kept the witch king alive, thus allowing Eowyn to strike the final blow. Merry being a hobbit and Eowyn a woman didn't actually affect their ability to kill him, but it *is* meant as a sort of dramatic irony.
In fact the whole "no man can kill him" wasn't a power but more like a prophecy. It was said that he wouldn't die by the hand of a man, not that he was immune to attacks. Everyone could kill him with the right context, but it just wasn't his destiny.
Right. The blade that Merry uses was specifically forged a very long time ago by the Dúnedain to fight against the Witch-king of Angmar's forces, and there were three others in the story. In the book, the hobbits find them in the Barrow-downs East of the Shire, before they meet Aragorn in Bree during a large section of the book that got cut from the film. Frodo's blade is destroyed at the Ford of Bruinen by some magic of the Witch-king (this was also changed from the book, instead they had Arwen rescue Frodo, but he actually stood up to the Nazgûl by himself). The other three blades remain with the other three hobbits, and at Rivendell Frodo gets the elven blade Sting from Bilbo as a replacement weapon. Eventually Sam drops his next to Frodo after he's stung by Shelob, and it gets taken by the orcs, so it was probably delivered to Barad-dûr along with Frodo's mithril shirt. Pippin's blade was actually what impressed Denethor in Minas Tirith, as he recognized the craftsmanship of the ancient Dúnedain, and that's basically why he accepted Pippin into his service. Merry of course offered his sword in service of Théoden, who was more immediately willing to take him in, and so Merry ended up helping to save Théoden in the end, and save Théoden's niece. Great service indeed, but Merry's blade was destroyed in the process of breaking the Witch-king's magic body (and Théoden's body was broken by his own horse). Sam's blade was among the items the Mouth of Sauron showed at the parley at the Black Gate, so Gandalf ended up returning the weapon to Sam before the four hobbits went back to the Shire. Before Frodo left Middle Earth, he gifted String to Sam, so Sam ended up with both of the blades he used throughout the story, and Pippin presumably kept his as well. Because they removed Tom Bombadil from the movie, and with it much of the hobbits' early adventures, they ended up having Galadriel give Merry and Pippin elven daggers to use as swords (in the book, they both get silver belts). But that wouldn't have done the trick on the Witch-king of Angmar: "So passed the sword of the Barrow-downs, work of Westernesse. But glad would he have been to know its fate who wrought it slowly long ago in the North-kingdom when the Dúnedain were young, and chief among their foes was the dread realm of Angmar and its sorcerer king. No other blade, not though mightier hands had wielded it, would have dealt that foe a wound so bitter, cleaving the undead flesh, breaking the spell that knit his unseen sinews to his will."
I think it's also worth noting that Gandalf and TWK never fought in the books and a fight between them would almost certainly end in Gandalf annihilating him. I get why they added it, but it could've also been left out.
Something the movies skipped over - the dagger Merry used was enchanted specifically to hurt wraiths and wights. He had it because of something the Fellowship skipped for the movie. The reason the Nazgul can't really die is because they don't fully exist in the physical plane of existence, they're half in the world of spirits. What the dagger does is partially pull them back to the world of the living, which is why Eowyn was able to kill him. Normally he couldn't be harmed. The "no man can kill me" is actually from a prophecy spoken by one of the most powerful elves to ever live. The Witch King kinda ran with it. Prohphecy goes something like (not exact quote, just from memory) "far away is the day of his doom, and not by the hand of man shall he fall." Just took a hobbit and a woman. On a side note, that's actually why putting on the one ring makes hobbits and men invisible. They don't have a real presence in the spirit world. If a more powerful being like an elf or a wizard were to put it on, they'd be fully visible because they already exist in both worlds. That's why Sauron could be seen while wearing it.
Regarding the moth: Gandalf spoke to the moth on the tower in the first movie and the moth took his message to the eagles, then an eagle came to rescue him. It wasn't the moth that rescued him. I guess the moth in this movie was just a visual callback to that, more to let us and Gandalf know that the eagles are here rather than that Gandalf spoke to the moth this time as well.
@@MrFreonize no, all wizards have a link to nature. Radagast loved / trusted animals the most but Gandalf had his own relationship with specific beings. The Eagles, the white Mare & “animals” featured in the Hobbit I won’t mention yet.
@@MrFreonize In the books, Radagast (the Brown Wizard) sent the eagle to Isengard, but Gandalf was imprisoned, it turned out, and so the eagle (Gwaihir) rescued Gandalf from there.
Gollums death was sad, but it reflects how Frodo feels before leaving middle earth. Once the ring takes a hold it never lets go, and smeagol suffered for hundreds of years because of it so in a way it’s a mercy for him to die with it
Their affection for Gollum was cute but I feel it meant they entirely missed the nature of both Gollum and the ring, hence their belief that either would simply choose to destroy the ring and evident surprise when they both chose to retain the ring.
Man, this is the one movie that gets the waterworks going for me. “I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you”, “My friends, you now to no one” and of course the whole Grey Havens scene (particularly Gandalf’s speech) make me cry every time.
About wanting to see more Legolas and Gimli at the end. In the books they did a whole tour of the world together, with Legoals taking Gimli back to the woods of Fangorn, while Gimli took Legolas to the Glittering caves under helm's deep. It is also said that when Gimli became very old, Legolas sailed with him to the undying lands, and because of their strong friendship the gods allowed Gimli to briefly see them before his death.
About Eowyn and Merry’s wounds : the Witch King carried some kind of "aura" of Death and Evil, so when they attacked him they got hurt by that aura. That’s why Merry felt pain in his arm right after stabbing him. Fortunately, as a Dunedan, Aragorn knew how to heal such "wounds".
Also note that Merry was using a Dagger of Westernesse, taken from the Barrow-downs, which the Numenoreans had enchanted specifically in order to counter the black sorcery of the Witch King of Agmar. Merry's stab dispelled the enchantments that had made the witch king invulnerable, making it possible for Eowyn to strike the death blow.
@@magister343 True. But I intentionnaly let that part aside : there's so many differences between the movies and the books that, to me, it's not the same story, it's kinda like a different timeline, a timeline in which the Hobbits never wen to Fat-Bolger's, never met Gildor, never went to the Barrow Down, the Old Forest, never met Tom Bombadil, etc. In this timeline, the Westerness Daggers that got the Witch King hurt had been given to Merry and Pippin by Galadriel.
@@johan7170yes but you can clearly see Peter Jackson still showed that the dagger is the reason. For anyone who actually knows the lore, the scene showing merry stab him with the dagger and you see an aura dissipate from the witch kings leg along with the dagger dissolving into him. For the general audience the whole “i am no man” thing is enough. But the dagger clearly was a westernesse one.
This is months later and I doubt much people will see this but for spartan and pudgy or anyone else that would like a small in-depth explanation on after events, Aragorn went on to literally become the best king MiddleEarth aka Arda has ever seen (his son Eldarion also we to on to have an amazing run in the fourth age) till he met his end at 210 from old age, Legolas and Gimli had went on to fulfill (they made a promise that if gimli returned back to fangorn forest he would join him on exploring the glittering caves which were the caves that the Rohan people were hiding in in the battle of helms deep) they also used whatever material from the glittering caves and whatever mithril gimli was able to use to rebuild the gate at Minas Tirith, from then on they would go on to Valnor together aka the undying lands Aka literal heaven to rest the rest of their lives. Gimli would become the first and so far only dwarf to do so. Faramir and Eoywn married and had kids of their own as Faramir would become essentially second in command to Aragorn during his rule, Merry and Pippin would serve their time as guardsman and I believe general for their time till they passed away to old age, merry also inherited the role of I believe mayor of buckland, they would be buried next to aragorns grave in minis tirith. A lot of them got beautiful happy endings for the most part but Arwen unfortunately did not live long after Aragorn as she passed on from old age too being now mortal and it is presumed of a broken heart. She died and was buried in the area where they took their first vows together sadly.
Fan fact: Sam's daughter at the end...its actually Sean Austin's real daughter. It was a surprise. He havent see her for a time. And Sams wife was holding her real son. Gandals sent three eagles...still he has hoped for Gollum.
"Gandals sent three eagles...still he has hoped for Gollum." Not really, that's a movie mistake. In the book three eagles were for Frodo, Sam, and Gandalf.
Did you notice that when the eagles came for Frodo there was three….. the third one was for Gollum. You should watch the behind the senses of the making of, and if you have time definitely read the books. There’s so much more to know about the story. You definitely need to do a live stream about this movie it might help fill in the gaps and answer some questions that you have for sure. Great reaction again 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Eagles are not *that* strong - they can carry only one hobbit or a light person each. Gandalf's eagle grapping Frodo was probably just for better dramatic effect in the film
@@Albahtra Is there any mention in the books that actually supports the idea that eagles aren't strong enough for that? Especially since they are a lot bigger in the books. And even then, Gandals doesn't look like a light person. If they can carry him, another eagle could have carried two hobbits or a hobbit and Smeagol.
In the books, Bilbo, Frodo and later on, Sam were given grace to live in Valinor for the rest of their lives. Elves were very protective of their domain, mind you, but they gift others they deem worthy of living in the Blessed Realms. Gandalf, since he was a being nearer to a deity, a Maiar, of course lived there. The bestfriends Legolas and Gimli, who spent their lives in small adventures, went also after King Elessar/Aragorn had passed away. Now, Cirdan the Shipwright had already went to Valinor himself, so Legolas built a boat and travelled to Valinor accompanied by Gimli, the first and only dwarf to do so.
Frodo's ending was sad, but it makes so much sense. He completed his task but it basically destroyed him, he couldn't find peace in The Shire anymore and chose to leave. As a ring bearer, he was allowed to travel with Gandalf and the elves. Sam only held the ring for a short time, but he also travelled to the Undying Lands, I assume that he outlived his wife by some years because of the rings power. He was eventually reunited with Frodo. Legolas took Gimli with him, Gimli wasn't allowed but Legolas said fuck that lol. This is open to interpretation, but I think that the final journey is a metaphor for death, as described by Gandalf in this movie. Spartan made that connection as well. I also think that Jon Snow's ending was inspired by Frodo's, we all thought he was an Aragorn, but he is like Frodo. I don't think he would find peace living in society, so he went North with the Wildlings. The NW part was an excuse to give him what he really wanted. I have a lot of problems with the ending of GOT but this makes sense to me.
Nah bro the final journey is to the lands in the west where the rest of the maiar and the elves that fled middle earth years ago are, this why I said they should check out the lore bc there’s like tonnes of backstory that the movie doesn’t even bother to get into; Gandalf literally was sent down by the God of this world to to facilitate the destruction of Sauron and his mission was complete so his reward was to go to the undying lands in the east and live off the rest of his days on middle earth until Melkor returns at the end of the world.
it's not that you sail to the Undying Lands that you become immortal... you die quicker actually as mortal, but you can heal from your wounds... Gandalf did go back for 2 reasons: 1. He wears the Third Elven Ring of Power Narya the Red, 2. it's to complete his mission. 4 of the fellowship did go to the Undying Lands (Frodo, Legolas, Gimli and Sam) Gimli because of Galadriel and the friendship with Legolas. Pippin and Merry when they died where laid next to King Elessar 'Aragorn'
There is the theme running through the story that even if the protagonists win and save what they can, the world will be changed by the war in ways that cannot be fully mended.
Great reaction guys. Spartan was on point when he said that Frodo and Bilbo were leaving Middle Earth because they were ring bearers. They were granted the right to sail to Valinor as a special honor for bearing the One Ring and keeping it safe from Sauron. And there, in the homeland of the divine, Frodo’s wounds will finally be healed. Elrond, Galadriel, and Gandalf are the bearers of the three Elven rings of power. Additionally, Gandalf was only granted a second life on a temporary basis after the draw against the Balrog. He had completed his task and so was called back. Gimli and Legolas also reunite sometime after the war and are also granted the honor of admittance to Valinor for their service. After some adventuring the last we hear of them is that they sailed there together.
Little correction Frodo's wounds (From both Morgul blade and Shelob sting - have incurable effect like morgul blade) in Undying Lands will not be healed, they just won't be fatal to him.
GirlNextGondor (RU-vid hates her channel apparently and keeps on deleting my comment when I use her username unreversed) titled Necromancy. Explains the magic system. Death meaning different things to all beings etc etc. it’s amazing.
Back when Return of the King was released on DVD there was a version that came with something like 8h of BTS material of how the trilogy was made. It was so fascinating and showed how much attention was paid to every single little detail in every part of the production. You can really see it in the end result, these movies never get old.
Galadriel intentionally matched Arwen & Aragorn together while they were both visiting in Lothlorien! Arwen & Aragorn met in Rivendell, & that is where Aragorn fell in love with her, although it doesn’t sound like she felt the same at the time. Aragorn’s mother Gilraen warned him that he was aiming too high, and Elrond was not happy about it either, and Aragorn took heed of this and left Rivendell, to learn how to be a Ranger and to oppose Sauron’s forces. Many years later, he came to Lothlorien, seeking rest and shelter, and Galadriel allowed him to enter. We have this line in the Tale of Aragorn and Arwen: ‘But Aragorn was grown to full stature of body and mind, and Galadriel bade him cast aside his wayworn raiment, and she clothed him in silver and white, with a cloak of elven-grey and a bright gem on his brow. Then more than any kind of Men he appeared, and seemed rather an Elf-lord from the Isles of the West. And thus it was that Arwen first beheld him again after their long parting; and as he came walking towards her under the trees of Caras Galadhon laden with flowers of gold, her choice was made and her doom appointed.’ LOTR Appendices. To me, that makes it rather explicit that Galadriel wanted Aragorn to appear at his best. Why? Who could he possibly impress in Lothlorien, except for Galadriel’s grand-daughter? I think it is quite clear that she wanted them matched, and perhaps her foresight told her that they needed to be matched, as it was part of destiny, to begin the Dominion of Men (something Elrond probably also realised, but couldn’t willingly promote, since it would mean Arwen and Elrond would be parted forever). Plus there is the scene in Lorien, where Galadriel gives Aragorn the Elessar, which went from Galadriel to Celebrian to Arwen and then back to Galadriel in order that she give it as a gift to Aragorn. Again it speaks to me as a collaborative act, and part of Galadriel helping bring the two together: And Aragorn answered: “Lady, you know all my desire, and long held in keeping the only treasure that I seek. Yet it is not yours to give me, even if you would; and only through darkness shall I come to it.” “Yet maybe this will lighten your heart,' said Galadriel; for it was left in my care to be given to you, should you pass through this land.” Then she lifted from her lap a great stone of a clear green, set in a silver brooch that was wrought in the likeness of an eagle with outspread wings; and as she held it up the gem flashed like the sun shining through the leaves of spring. “This stone I gave to Celebrían my daughter, and she to hers; and now it comes to you as a token of hope. In this hour take the name that was foretold for you, Elessar, the Elfstone of the house of Elendil!” From LOTR FOTR BOOK
Bilbo's pity for Gollum made it possible for Gollum to be here and basically correct Frodo's decision - Gollum being alive made it possible for the Ring to be destroyed in the end. That's why pity for a creature such as Gollum is so emphasized, you never know the role someone's going to play later, might be for good, even if the person is evil. “Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement.” Mordor collapsed cause the very place and the orc armies were all supported, even physically, by Sauron's power. When he was gone, all else failed to ruin.
For those of us who watched LoTR in theaters, we waited from 2001-2003 for each movie to come out. Hits differently. Granted, the first movie may have compelled some of us to read the book before the second movie. But it was still great to watch them.
unless, like me, you were already a fan for 20 years :) I had read the books probably 20 times by the time the first movie came out :) but yeah, the wait was excruciatingly painful!
Balrog scene first in theater and then in IMAX same day on release was amazing. Something I will never forget. Honestly watching in a theater would be an even better experience than home viewing, but it is still a masterpiece and will be a classic for sure.
Yeah i was 13 in 2001 and watch the very first showing that didnt end until pass midnight. I remember getting home looking at my clock saying 1am in the morning just absolutely blown away by the movie. It was Dec too for the holiday seasons. Good times. When the third movie came out i was so sad cause i got so use to seeing a lord of the rings movie every year
I didn't read the book when i first see the movie, so when I knew the "two towers" are gonna release at least a year later I'd quickly dig the books. To my surprise it wasn't the same, but the adaptation was so good I didn't mind they change a lot of things in the movie. Jackson is such genius director, yes the actors and a actresses are also equally brilliant ❤
The books go into things in a fair bit more detail. One of the pieces I love in the book is when Sam has the ring and the ring tries and tempts him by showing the plains of Mordor as a garden but Sam just wants his own small garden to tend himself.
It's funny when you look a little deeper into it. The Ring tempts Sam with visions of being a great warrior and the gardener of an entire country. He rejects these ideas as foolish. Yet, he defeats Shelob (and it's implied she died of her wounds), and kills four orcs single-handedly. After the Scouring of the Shire, he regrows the Shire. Thus, he actually achieved what the Ring tempted him with.
I like how the Ring throws everything it has at Sam. Ring: “you can be a great warrior” Sam: “I just want a garden” Ring: “I’ll give you the mightiest garden you have ever seen” Sam: “Nah, too big. I’m only 3 foot 6”
Frodo had that much PTSD from the ring the only place he could be at peace is in the everafter with the elves. Such a great movie with so many underlining storylines
@@DaviniaHillyeah that's the literal depiction in the book. But Tolkien explained later it's a reference of the PTSD phenomenon of soldiers coming home from WW2 though at that time they have yet to come up with the official term.
The reason Eowyn was able to kill the Witch King is because the dagger/sword that Merry stabbed him with (the one that Galadriel gave him) was magical and getting stabbed by it made him mortal.
To put it in proper context: In the book, his sword came from the Barrow Downs. It was forged by the people of Numenor precisely to fight against the Witch King of Angmar. That's why it could wound the Witch King, allowing Eowyn to kill him.
One of the things I really liked about these movies, is the attention the producers and directors paid to the lore of Middle Earth. There are so many scenes where we see remnants of past civilizations and past events. It adds a weight of history, without unnecessary exposition.
And they did this in places we would never see but that the actors would. Carvings and details in places the camera would never point so that the cast would feel the weight of the history too. They went to great pains to build it in layers, one upon the older upon the older etc.
Aww Pudgey! I knew you would cry in this part! We all cried... each of the films in this trilogy are excellent but it's really with The Return of the King that this masterpiece is completed! The cinematography, the scenery, the acting, the score,...all the boxes are checked! Peter Jackson has accomplished something magical and forever in our hearts. 💖
We may not have gotten a redemption for golum, but remember when Gandalf said that he felt that golum still had a part to play in the story?... The ring would not have been destroyed without golum.his failure at the end was critical for the success of the journey.
There is not a single soul that could have thrown the Ring into the fire. Its simply how powerful the ring is. Nobody would have the mental capability to do it, absolutely nobody. If not for Gollum they had no chance and that's the beauty of it.
each lord of the rings movie had it's own end song. the fellowship and return of the kings won the oscar for best song. the two towers had an end song called "Gollum's Song" very tragic and prophetic and when you listen to the song lyrics and think of both Smeagol and Frodo it shows how the ring devastates those who possess it.
Yes! They're such a great way to come down from each film, rather than a hard stop. At the end of Fellowship Frodo says, "I don't suppose we'll ever see them again will we, Sam?" To which Sam says, "We may yet, Mr. Frodo." And the credits song is titled "May It Be". "Gollum's Song" at the end of Two Towers really let's you steep in the sorrow of Smeagol while keeping the tension of the last scene. I suppose it's also fitting that the third film starts off with Gollum's origin story. And Return of the King ending with "Into the West" by Annie Lennox is so beautiful. While it has triumphant notes, it also makes me feel sad to leave the fantastic world of Arda once more. Regardless of the emotion, it always makes me tear up. Glad someone else appreciates them :)
As a budding entomologist, my teenager is quick to point out that Shelob is not ugly and did nothing wrong. After all Frodo and Sam entered her lair and she just responded naturally to them, However, Gollum knowing he was sending Frodo into the lair of a giant arachnid was 100% evil.
Iirc Frodo gets stung by the Spider at the end of the second book, and then we read on, and the third book's first half narrates the battle of Gondor, and our heroes going to battle at the Black Gate, where Mouth of Sauron shows them Frodo's mithril mailshirt. The reader knows nothing of what happened to Frodo until the second part of the third book, where it's shown that he was stung with a paralizing poison and then Sam saves Frodo. But for hundreds of pages we had thought that Frodo might have been dead. In the movies they left the Spider (SheLob) for the third one, so at the end of the second movie they expanded on the tension between Faramir and Frodo/Sam, so that their story could have a new climax there.
I remember as a child reading the passage where Sam defeated Shelob and being totally overcome. It was a brilliant moment- and well captured in the film.
i remember on all the "endings" being irritated at the time (dont get me wrong, i love them to death).....i just really REALLY needed to go to the bathroom in the theaters and i felt like i was being teased LOL
It also used to bother me that the movie “had so many endings” as well. I got over it because we all would want to know how everything finally played out. And we got the “You bow to no one” moment.
In the book Gimli and Legolas spent a lot of time together afterwards in a continued and close friendship. They visited places together. The movie was already 4 hours so I get it that they skipped it. Also, Saruman and Wormtongue were actually killed by the hobbits in an additional battle. Saruman took over the shire with evil men and they had to take it back afterwards. I would have loved to have seen that done. Though that could have been a movie in itself lol.
Honestly, I'm glad that bit got cut. After all that happened, the absolutely massive climax with the battle and Mordor, it would break the pacing of an already marathon of a movie to have the much smaller scale conflict in the Shire. They'd been through so much, it was good to have the relief come and allow it wind down without throwing in more conflict like seeing their home devastated. For the books, I love it. It shows that even though the biggest evil is destroyed, its influence continues. For Morgoth to Sauron, then Sauron to Saruman, evil is always being weakened, but it is always there, waiting.
It's very poignant in the books, though, if you think about Tolkien's experience coming home after the war to find his beloved old villages changed forever, mechanization and filth, post-war buildings and the beginnings of a surveillance state. @@184Switch
I'm glad they skipped that. It would have been very anti-climactic after seeing the big battle, and unnecessary. Nobody wants to see Hobbits fighting with pitchforks getting killed. It's the worst chapter in the book.
I know it's been 7 months, but a few fun facts of the third movie: 1. During the Ride of the Rohirrim in the books, King Theoden charged before the army screaming, "Death! Death!" In the movies, he is telling the army to shout death. An interesting theory as to why they say death in the movie, is because Orcs don't really have a lifespan. Dwarves and Elves live for a long time, but still have a lifespan. So, one of the main ways of defeating Mordor's enemies is by giving them the fear of death. Trying to break their spirits before the actual fighting begins. Rohan is shouting "Death!" because they are denying the fear of death. They are ready to embrace their end in a glorious battle where their names will live on in history. Because of this, the Orcs are stunned, because they've never come across Humans who were unafraid of death. In fact, they were unafraid in general, just pure adrenaline and that terrified the Mordor Army. 2. Gandalf is crying when seeing Barrudor/Tower that Eye of Sauron was on, being destroyed. He is crying because he has spent the last thousand plus years trying to defeat Sauron and he was finally destroyed. The Wizards in the Middle Earth universe are created for a specific purpose. They have been around since the beginning of time as Spirits, but their physical bodies were only within the last thousand or so years. So, Gandalf is crying because his task or rather, purpose in life, has finally been achieved. Which is also why he leaves with the Elves in the end, so he can return to Spirit form since there is no longer a reason for him to remain in his physical form. 3. Eowyn and Faramir did end up getting married and ruled Rohan and Queen and King, with Eowyn being the one in charge. Faramir would be referred to as "Husband of the Queen". Meanwhile, Eomer became General of the Human Armies for both Gondor and Rohan. 4. Legolas and Gimili would create the first ever Dwarven-Elven coexisted Kingdom in the Glittering Caves underneath Helm's Deep and rule over it together. Dwarves and Elves have always been rivals, since the First Age. Gimili and Legolas's brotherly bond was so strong, they created a Kingdom where all races could live together in harmony. Once Gimili got really old and was dying, Legolas pleaded to the Deities of Middle Earth to bring Gimili with him to the Undying Lands, and they allowed him in. So, Gimili and Legolas sailed on the last boat to Valinor to live out the rest of their days together. 5. Frodo and Bilbo are both invited by the 3 Elven Lords (Elrond, Celeborn, and Galadriel) to go with them and Gandalf to Valinor because they were both affected by a Ring of Power. Frodo was also stabbed my a Morgul Blade by The Witch King of Angmar on Weathertop in the first movie/book and that wound will eventually turn him into a Wraith. The only way to prevent that, is for him to live in Valinor, where he can die of old age, rather than a poisoned wound. 6. There are a few Dwarves riding on ponies with Bilbo and everyone at the end, before Bilbo, Frodo, and Gandalf leave. Those Dwarves are the last remaining Dwarves that were in the Hobbit book/Movie Trilogy. They heard that Bilbo was leaving Middle Earth and so they all got on their ponies to help get there, as one final journey with their old friend. 7. Samwise Gamgee became the Mayor of Shire if I remember correctly, once Frodo left. He was basically in charge of everything, and all the vast fortunes that Bilbo and Frodo earned through their adventures were given to Sam. So, he was extremely wealthy. Merry and Pippin remained best friends and I know they had important roles in the Shire as well, but I forget what. I loved your reactions to the trilogy! I have watched so many reactions and this was by far, the best one yet! You guys were so joyful with the characters, had different perspectives than other reactors, and were completely honest about everything. Not just trying to say what the fans wanted to hear. The edits were hilarious and you two were just so enjoyable to watch!
Fun fact: Although Peter Jackson is suffering from severe arachnophobia, he told the designers to make the spider as terrifying as possible. He said that is was kind of a therapy for him.
I wish they had added a sort of aura of shadow or darkness around Shelob, since she is a daughter of Ungoliant, who is basically a symbolic demonic representation of darkness itself.
Éowyn’s full dialogue with the WitchKing was monumental in the books and was from Glorfindel; the elvish prince’s prophesy/Curse/Oath upon the WitchKing one of the time he and one of the Numenorean kings was chasing away said WitchKing back towards Angmar(Yes. He was afraid of Glorfindel Of The Golden Flower very much. Same with Galadriel too I might add. He wouldn’t even approach lothlorien. He & his armies would always avoid her lands to the point of risking taking longer roads around her lands) Éowyn: “Be gone, foul Dwimmerlaik, Lord of carrion. Leave the dead in peace!” Lord of the Nazgûl: “Come not between the Nazgûl and his prey or he will slay thee in turn!” Éowyn: “Do what you will. I will hinder it, if I may!” Lord of the Nazgûl: “Hinder me? Thou fool. Dost thou not know the prophecy? ‘No living man may hinder me.’ “ Éowyn: “But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Eowyn am I. You stand between me and my Lord and kin. Be gone for living or dark undead, I will smite you if you touch him!” Being severely injured, Éowyn was immediately healed by Aragorn, who saved her just in time before she certainly would have died of her wounds. She remained behind to heal, while also meeting and falling in love with Faramir. At Éowyn's behest, Merry was made a knight by her brother, the newly-named king of Rohan. After the War of the Ring, Éowyn married Faramir just outside of Ithilien and became its lady while Faramir became its king. Together, they had one child together named Elboron and a grandson named Barahir. And the dramatic pause from the WitchKing before he died was palpable in the books. ❤❤❤
Reading all the bits you posted made me realize again how insanely good Tolkins writing is but at the same time it also made it just the more clear why the story could not go into a movie(trilogy) without any changes.
@kekibannmi6054cool thing is Angrist was given to Aragorn which was the blade that used to take out the silmarils from Morgoth’s crown. Which means so much to Aragorn and there is a power to it. But yeah. The blade the hobbit used was Númenorean from the barrow downs. The remnants of Cardolan one of the 3 Numenorean kingdoms of Arnor right next to the shire
I haven't seen it posted yet but the Rohirrum charge is a little different in the books but shows the courage of Theoden. Here is the book. "At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before: 'Arise, arise, Riders of Theoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!' With that he seized a great horn from Guthlaf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains. 'Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!' Suddenly the King cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Eomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first eored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Theoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Orome the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morningcame, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City." -Return of the King pg 838 book 5 Gives chills every time.
Best movie scene of all times: the ride of the Rohirrim. The rising sun, Theodens rousing speech, and Rohans theme soaring as they all ride to their doom. So many goosebumps. And let me tell you, the cheer from the audience seing that in the theater, I’ll never forget it ❤
Tolkien's tale created a world of fantasy that can only be copied but never recreated. Game of Thrones and Harry Potter followed a path that Tolkien alone created. The movies, as epic as they are, even pale next to the novels.
@@qbasicmichael I'm actually working on my own fantasy story, and it's interesting to see how many people love LOTR and feel like nothing can ever be that good again. It can sometimes get a little discouraging, especially when you've been working hard on a story.
@@qbasicmichael Yes, legends and fairy tales, romances with elements of the supernatural, even Arabian Nights. The tales of elves, dwarves, etc. are all part of the old lore and mythology. Tolkien pulled his characters from those.
I saw all of these movies in the theater with friends and colleagues. I can tell you, every single big manly man in that theater was absolutely weeping. Don't feel bad for crying. That's just normal. Shit. I cried the first time I read the book. Such a splendid story, and an amazing emotional ending. Let us not forget how much the music brought an amazing story to also punch us in the guts. Unforgettable story, amazing actors, absolutely unfathomable production, etc. However, it was absolutely Howard Shore that turned those last scenes into an experience that stays with you for life. As much as everything else in the movie can be phenomenal, never underestimate the power of a fucking immortal score. Howard Shore is an absolute God.
Loved your reactions to these movies. I think that one of the strongest themes of LotR gets buried underneath the fanfare and elation one experiences after the final victory. It is, however, very intentional that Tolkien wrote a protagonist that failed in his quest. And make no mistake- Frodo absolutely FAILS. He doesn't stumble near the end before becoming resolute and victorious - he is consumed by the ring, ultimately, the same way Smeagol, Isildur, and Boromir were. But Gandalf prepares us for the true victory of Frodo in the very first part. He says, "“I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay... small acts of kindness and love." Frodo forgives the wretched creature Gollum time and again, in spite of his betrayal and treachery. And here's the real lesson: these are the small everyday deeds of our protagonist that lead directly to victory. If Frodo had chosen not to spare Gollum, he wouldn't have been there to take the ring for himself and tumble into the fires of Mount Doom. Frodo's pity and forgiveness literally saved Middle Earth.
Sam was the true hero. Sam married Rosie Cotton, the girl of his dreams. He has a huge family with her. Elected mayor of the Shire 7 times. As an old man, after Rosie passed away, he sets sail to the West as the last ringbearer. Maybe he sees his old friend, Frodo, one more time.
Unfortunately it is stated that mortal's life spans are drastically shortened in Valinor/ Aman meaning that Frodo would likely be dead before Sam arrived.
In the books after the story ends the epilogue tells you Legolas and Gimli are inseparable friends who travel together to take in the sights of Middle-Earth, and that finally, when Legolas crosses the sea to Valinor with the last of the elves Gimli actually goes with him - the only dwarf to ever do it. In part because they would not be parted, but also because Galadriel was so impressed by Gimli that she probably puts in a good word for him with the gods.
I remember somewhere in books. Some highly/lordy/big deal elf once asked Galadriel for a single hair and she denied him. Then she gave Gimli 3. Part of the reason Legolas pulls that enigmatic smile after Gimli tells him so, he knew the tale of the hair denial.
@@Jonkronnthat was Feanor asking Galadriel for one hair to make the silmarils and she gave 3 to Gimli showing she had a high standard for loyalty and gimli didn’t ask her out of selfish reasons
Sméagol was too far gone. He possessed and was possessed by the ring for 500 years. At that point, with or without the it, he would slowly have been destroyed from the inside out. Frodo's plight was 6 months and it was enough to mark him forever, leaving him unable to stay in middle earth at the end. The fact that he had any genuine care for Frodo is a testiment to his good character. Sméagol's purpose was fulfilled when he fell into the fires of Mount Doom. You can consider him a hero in a way.
The reason Frodo had to leave was because the wound that the Witch King gave him never healed and was killing him, Gandalf left because he finished his mission
It's not just because of that wound. All the ringbearers were given passage as they were not meant to wield such a power as mortals and were negatively affected by it. When Frodo is recovering Gandalf notes that there is tinge of transparency to him. Particularly around his left hand. Note that Bilbo was also allowed to leave, and he certainly didn't get stabbed by the Witch King. And Sam himself eventually takes a ship also, even though he only bore the ring for a very short time.
To add: Gandalf is a Maiar which is a lower tier god like Sauron. They're not suppose to interfere anymore but Gandalf along with 4 other wizards(including Saruman) were given a mission by the top god to help stop Sauron. Now that Gandalf's mission is complete he pretty much has to go back.
The wound from the Morgul blade was minor compared to the damage the Ring inflicted upon his soul. He never willingly gave the Ring up and ached for it every day since, as did Bilbo to a lesser extent, and the only way to obtain some measure of healing was to leave with the elves.
The final scene shows all the ringbearers leaving Middle Earth for the West. Frodo and Bilbo carried the One Ring. Elrond and Galadriel carry 2 of the Elven-rings. If you look closely Gandalf wears the third (with a ruby). At the end of a long, long life, after the death of Rose, it is said that Sam also goes to the Grey Havens and crosses to the West as he was a ringbearer, even for the shortest time
And while they did digitally increase the numbers, they used so many real extras on real horses when shooting the thing, it's one of the great cavalry charges to happen in real life. Maybe the biggest to happen outside of actual war.
