The Bridge of Khazad-dûm | LOTR: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) | First Time Movie Reaction 

if you don't mind, could you leave your country flag with your comment? i'm curious where everyone is from.

I've said it once, and I'll keep saying it: Whoever decided to make the Balrog sound like a roaring furnace instead of just giving it a regular roar is my hero. You can almost feel the heat blasting from its mouth and its body

When the highest level character in the party says run You run!

The entire Moria sequence is probably one of the best overall scenes of any movie in history 😊

Love how shook Leoglas is when he hears its a Balrog. As a elf he know just how terrifying they are. Didn't expect half the fanbase to start debating below 🫶

Whoever put the Steps Chant lyrics deserves a reward.

The “NOOOOOOO” from Frodo literally pierces my heart every time

The movies are over twenty years old now, and still a cineastic masterpiece. The whole Rings of Power show doesn't even come close to that scene alone.

Now you HAVE to do the intro to The Two Towers and Gandalf’s continued fight with the Balrog next. Now that you’ve done this scene, it is MANDATORY that you follow up with the rest of the fight, my friend.

Just one glimpse at the detail of the musical score - they found dozens of Maori and had them learn some Dwarvish language so they could do the chanting at Khazad-dum. Amazing work by Howard Shore and Peter Jackson.

This is some of the greatest 10 minutes of cinema out there. Even watching this knowing that Gandalf makes it out in the end, it's still utterly gut-wrenching and makes me cry every time.

One of the greatest scenes in fantasy film ever. One of my personal favourite scenes in movie history. I absolutely adore the moment the Balrog first steps from the chasm of fire and "roars" at them, with the white hot glow in its mouth. Then when it "unfolds" next to Gandalf and its wings go out with its arms tensed... This scene is so perfect. Music, action, tension, CGI, actors... My god.

7:04 during PopcornInBed's 2nd viewing (her sister's first) the absolute pain on her face is so sad. She closes her eyes just before the Balrog pulls Gandalf down.

The music is so perfect in the scene. The Lament for Gandalf is an instant tearjerker.

Best reaction was Frodo's scream. And Pippin's tears. Sam collapsing and crying. Aragorn and Legolas, both, silently stunned.

One of my favourite moments from this sequence is Boromir's "give them a moment, for pity's sake!" which I think a lot of people miss on their first watch because they're still taking in everything that has just happened. And then his reaction after he gets shot down by Aragorn, immediately realising that Aragorn is right, and also noticing the way this scruffy ranger who walks at the back of the party is stepping up to lead, realising there could be a king of men under that dirty cloak after all. Sean Bean conveys all that in half a second. Legendary actor!

Gotta say, i appreciate everyone's howls of anguish when the whip hits Gandalf. Relief, followed by horror, followed by shock, and lastly, grief. This was really fun to watch all the reactions simultaneously. Well done.

Decades later and the Balrog still looks cool and badass as it did all those years ago. By the way, I really appreciate the moments in the video where you threw it back to the old format. Keeping them in front of the screen while throwing different reactors in at once before they faded away was fun to see instead of cutting away each time to show a different reactor. It was a nice touch.

When you can see the heat radiating from the Balrog's mouth, that was the most awesome effect I've ever seen. I could feel it. As Gandalf makes his stand you can get just a glimpse of his true power. I like how it's subtle, not showy. It's just a perfect depiction of that crucial moment in the story.

That gut-wrenching scream from Frodo gets me EVERY. TIME. You can FEEL the emotions--pain, shock, horror, disbelief--in that one word. Fun fact for a bit of levity: the scene where Legolas grabbed Gimli by the beard was an actual unscripted moment. The makeup, beard, prosthetics, etc that John Rhys-Davies wore took so long to apply, and he apparently disliked having to sit for so long to have it applied; also, there was some kind of misjudgement or mistake involving the true distance of how far the jump would be (I could be mistaken on the exact details, maybe someone else might have more specific info) so Orlando Bloom grabbed the first thing he could, which was of course, the beard, and that was why Rhys-Davies knee-jerk response was "NOT THE BEARD!" lol. Peter Jackson liked it so much though that he kept the shot in the film. Which is why we, the fans, get to have that random chuckle in the middle of such a harrowing scene. 🙂

This trilogy truly is a staple of cinema experience. Now we got to follow up with Enter Gandalf the White.

I love how Gandalfs last thought is of his companions before he let's go of the ledge. Like, "You guys go save the world. Dunno of I'll see ya again, but right now ... I got a fire demon to kill. Okay, flame face, you and me now! Let's go!" Tolkien was a badass writer.

Now we need Gandalf's return with the same reactors.

Truly one of the most epic moments in cinematic history. That said, I can't help remembering a more lighthearted aspect of the actual production of the scene. Shortly after the first part of the trilogy was released, Ian McKellen was giving an interview about his experience giving his "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" line. The object he was actually looking at, above and behind the camera, was a tennis ball on a stick. He said that one of the jokes he would do between takes was to say the line, in the same intense tone, as "YOU SHALL NOT BOUNCE!"

The solo young choir boy voice really drives it home as they exit the mountain.

you know u done fucked up when even gandalf screams "RUUUN!" and starts sprinting the other direction xD

This multiple reactors mashup was AWESOME !!! Thanks to the editor !

The default line when you first hear the Balrog - "Is it a Dragon?" LMFAO

"I'd let him pass." 🤣

Aragorn's face of disbelief after Gandalf falls. His ducking of arrows still flying as he is the last to leave is just great. Then the high notes of the boys choir as they leave Moria is heartbreaking.

Thanks for including us 🙏🏼 I like the way you edited it to showcase the various reactions from each reactor at certain points in a scene

"No handrails at all"... the Galactic Empire must have used the same contractor. 😁

Seeing the Balrog on the big screen was Epic. It is the best film monster-demon ever!

Gonna need boromirs last stand, gandalfs return, the battle of helms deep, theodans speech, fall of the witch king, aragorns speech, the destruction of the ring, and crowning of the king lol

That's funny. I have seen each lotr reaction video of all these people. To see them like a crowd in the cinema freaking out while watching one of the most epic scene in film history is another level. 😂

“Gandalf could be seen, glimmering in the gloom; he seemed small, and altogether alone: grey and bent, like a wizened tree before the onset of a storm.” I love this description so much ❤️ what an incredible scene. I imagine an old tree on a promontory by the sea as dark storm clouds approach. This tree has stood for decades and weathered many storms, and it will still be standing after this one.

This trilogy looks fresh and new 24 years later. Unbelievable well made it was. The flight to the bridge is one of the most intense sequences ever. This cast is so good. You see all of their emotions flowing across their faces. The weight suddenly on Gandalf. Legolas' fear because he knows from Elvish history all about Balrogs. The Hobbits with fear and confusion. Boromir and Aragorn fearful but clearly ready to stand their ground to the death. And as the whole thing plays out the pressure never let's up. The stairs collapsing while under fire. The pounding chant, the horns in the orchestra. And then the Balrog which has been built up this whole time. And it does not disappoint. That was a jaw dropping moment in the theater. Almost exactly as I had pictured it in my head for decades. And then the lain, anguish and tears. Disbelief from Legolas who doesn't have much experience with loss, and to lose Gandalf.

1:23 "aww, ya'll need to run right with'em. i don't know what dat is but dat ay..." -JL my favorite quote. 😆

I. LOVE. The LOTR Trilogy, and this entire sequence is my favorite in the entire series, fullstop. I will never get tired of how well paced it is, how from the moment the goblins scatter, you IMMEDIATELY feel nothing but uncertainty and dread. It's like your gut is telling you, "Oh shit, NOW what?!", a sentiment poetically summed up by Boromir's quote, "What is this new devilry?", spoken like a determined warrior ready to face a new threat despite his uncertainty. Then Gandalf says it. "A Balrog. A Demon of the Ancient World." And the look of pure horror that comes over Legolas as he hears these words sells the moment perfectly. He's an elf, he knows exactly what Balrogs are, the kind of threat just one poses, and how many of his kind fell to this Ancient Evil. And then Gandalf says the last thing anyone would want to hear in that moment. "This foe is beyond any of you. RUN!!" And thus begins the most intense sequence ever shown in a fantasy film. The entire chase has you on edge, the unknown danger of a Demon hot on their heels, with the clear and present danger of Goblin archers worsening matters, and the realization the place is falling apart the closer the monster gets. When the monster finally shows itself, it's a moment of true horror. It's not just a demon and a monster, but it's MASSIVE, a living nightmare straight out of the darkest pit of hell, with a roar like a blast furnace and the heat to match it. The chase reaches maximum intensity, the monster being RIGHT THERE, and everyone is now running for their very lives, across a terrifyingly narrow bridge where one wrong step leads to death in a near-bottomless pit, with Gandalf last in line. Then Gandalf gives us the most badass standoff in movie history. Turning around halfway across and facing this beast in defiance, telling it, "You cannot pass!!" It's a moment that has everyone on the edge of their seat, wondering, "What is he doing?!", enhanced by the Balrog's response, straightening up and flaring itself up as though puffing its chest, a wordless way of it saying, "Alright, old man, let's dance." And every single line Ian McKellen utters in this scene as Gandalf gives me CHILLS. "I am a Servant to the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor! The Dark fire will not avail you, Flame Of Udun!" And the moment Gandalf blocks a flaming sword the size of a bus is one of jaw-dropped awe, with even the Balrog stunned and roaring with anger, met with a defiant, "Go back to the shadow!" The Balrog simply flares its nostrils as though scoffing and brings out its whip, as though saying, "No, I don't think I will!" And then the most epically-delivered line in the entire Trilogy: "YOU! SHALL NOT! PASS!!!!" BOOM!!! Gandalf lays down the LAW to this Demon, not just denying him passage but telling him the outcome of this encounter. The Balrog charges, and the bridge falls, taking it right back down to the depths below. And just when you think it's over, the whip cracks, and catches Gandalf's leg. The collective shock and horror from the reactors perfectly summarizes how everyone felt seeing that, The realization Gandalf might actually die. And even in that moment, Gandalf only cared about everyone else, telling them, "Fly, you fools!!" before finally losing his grip and falling into the pit with the demon. It's a heartbreaking moment of horror, shock, denial, pain, and grief, summarized by Frodo's gut-wrenching, "NOOOOO!!!!!" After all that, just when it looked like everyone would make it, they lost the most powerful member of the Fellowship. The solo vocal that follows, that mournful wail of a melody, perfectly conveys the utter pain of this loss. So well done, so well put together. All three of these movies are absolute works of cinematic art, but this entire sequence start to finish is easily the best in my opinion. I love seeing the emotions I just described play out in these reactors, and I felt it with them all over again as though watching the scene for the first time again. Very well made compilation, and I make no apologies for the wall of text. That's how much these movies mean to me!!

People REALLY need to watch all of the behind-the-scenes discs to appreciate the level of effort put into EVERYTHING about these films.

a thousand times better than an average reaction mash-up. great editing, nice presentation, thank you!

What I love so much about this is how Gandalf is too humble to believe he's ready to go up against a balrog. After all this time, he still doesn't understand that HE, not Saruman, was set this task because he needed to see that he could do it. And when he finally turns and answers the challenge, he invokes not himself, not Nienna, but GOD HIMSELF. He was always humble--and oh, Tolkien always placed humility above all other virtues but somehow made it badass!

I had the pleasure of watching this piece of art in the cinema. It's incredible how the crowded room was completely silent at that moment.

Need a comp for Boromir's last stand... "they took the little ones..." 😢

It never fails. No matter how many times I see this scene, even knowing how the rest of the movies go, watching Gandalf fall, hearing Frodo scream, watching the other hobbits sob with grief, all of these other people reacting starting to shed tears as well because they don't know how the story ends... It gets me too. It gets me every time. I'm not crying, it's just raining inside.

I love this. And to know that Feänor fought several Balrogs at once , by himself, until he ultimately died of his wounds after their leader Gothmog jumped in the fray.

Saw this in theaters when I was a kid. Absolutely one of the most epic sequences in cinematic history.

Thanks Lebowski! This is, for me, the most powerful sequence in the entire trilogy. The leadup and reveal of the Balrog is perfect and the actual look is intense and terrifying. Everyone nails the sense of loss when Gandalf falls. And Aragorn's leadership comes to the front in mustering them to push on past their grief as there's work to be done and the danger is still present. Amazing!

Legolas might have the single best reaction to Gandalfs death. A lot of the reactions from the rest of the fellowship are expected, but when Aragorn tells Legolas to get the Hobbits up, Legolas is literally in a state of shock. Its the only moment in the entire trilogy where we see him vulnerable like this

I always felt there were several reasons that Boromir stopped Frodo from running out to save Gandalf. The first is the bridge was collapsing & he may have been afraid to risk Frodo & the ring falling i to the abyss. The second is we as the audience can’t see it, but from their pov we would also see the swarm of orcs & goblins rushing forward with bows & arrows.

So many times I have seen this movie and reactions but I have cried every time in this scene. It indicates that is a masterpiece

The single most heartbreaking scene in all of cinematic history. I remember as a child watching this scene for the first time and I teared. The cast's acting was also mighty fine and on point.

Aragorn and Legolas's looks of shock make complete sense, since they know they essentially watched this worlds version of an angel die.

Thanks for adding in the translation of the chanting and the vocal credit for Liz Frazier.

What is this new devilry? Love that line.

I love how Gandalf is wary and a little bit afraid of the balrog and yet glorfindel be like: alright boy let's dance.

The classic "when scary things get scared.....not good"

The expression on Legolas' face when he hears the word 'balrog' is that of an Elf who fully expects to die in the next few minutes. It says 'oh f***' far better than anyone saying that ever could. There doesn't seem to be either a Saltire or Union Jack flag here, but FWIW I'm from Scotland.

Pudgey just flat out refusing to deal with this whole situation lol :D

20 years later and still goosebumps this whole scene. Movie perfection.

For those who haven't read the Silmarillion, there actually is a lot more to it. When Morgoth was around, and Sauron was merely one his servants (he shapeshifts and runs away from people, Sauron wasn't really a big thing compared to Morgoth, he starts fucking around when Morgoth was exiled) battles were WAY more horrific. That's 1 Balrog (assumed to be the last one), the elves fought battles with HUNDREDS of balrogs.

Really appreciate the additional notes about the music!

A great scene from the greatest trilogy of all time.

Okay, _this_ was a well made compilation video! Gave everybody their time and space, and was the perfect section of time to show.

Respect to Elrond. He put the "we fuck" squad together for the Ring.

I find it funny how they were all like how is Gandalf going to fight the Balrog and not realizing that Gandalf and the Balrog are the same thing in different forms and on opposite sides (they are both Maiar but the balrog turned to evil)

Sometimes people dont take account how powerful a Balrog is, they were Maiar, an Ainur just as the same level of power as Gandalf.

Hands down, seeing this scene for the first time *in theaters* is a high point of cinematic experience for me.

A truly legendary movie! I'm sure many of the viewers will also watch it with their children and even with their grandchildren! It's a pity that such films are no longer being made nowadays!

Seeing all of your reactions helped me remember how it felt when I watched it in the theater. Thank you.

Great job. Made me cry all over again! I like the way you popped people in and out instead of showing each group react to the same scene over and over like most compilations are done. Much better approach! Now more!

I saw this in the theater when it came out. I had low expectations, but holy cow was I blown away that day by this film. Everyone who saw it that day was in shock.

I'll never forget watching this at the premiere, I was 15 years old. One of the best moments in cinema history.

When the bell rings my heart sings 🇩🇪

1:56, the fear in Legolas's eyes. As an Elf, he knows what they are capable of...the stories of the War of Wrath where half of Middle Earth was destroyed(Beleriand continent sunken) , the fall of Gondorlin in the flames of the servants of Morgoth.

I've always loved Aragon's face when Gandalf falls. Because you know he's been secretly depending on Gandalf's management of Fellowship the entire time; but now the task has fallen to him and he's scared to death of being in a leadership position and his entire face says "Oh God no, I need you more than they do!"

These movies were perfection. The loss of Gandalf hurts now just as bad as it did when I first saw this in theatres and read it in the books.

Thanks for posting this. Well done! One of the most emotional scenes in any movie ever.

Not Mrs October crying over your edit! Nicely done! Love this trilogy!

The significance of this scene when even Gandalf says it is a Balrog. To Aragorn and Legolas strikes a chord, as a monster that cannot be slain and the fear in even Legolas' eyes. But when Gandalf tells them to run, is like your God standing before you in fear and saying,"Run!"

"Run you fools!" best quote ever. To his very last moment he wanted to protect them...

It's always nice to see the reactions of all the people who have never seen this masterpiece. Especially the Balrog scene. Everyone is always shocked when they see this living hell come out of the flames and roar.... Great job as always buddy! We want more Lord of the Rings compilations, especially the prologue! Greetings from Italy!

One of the greatest scenes from one of the greatest movies of all time. Great choice Mr L.

"Give them a moment for pity's sake!" I think this part really informs Boromir. He has real empathy for his friends and his people which the ring twists into fear and dread.

8:25 legolas is in complete shock, because even more than himself, as an elf, he thought gandalf to be a truly immortal being, incapable of dying, so Legolas is processing death of a similar seemingly immortal being for the first time in his long life.

Our MrLebawaski has stepped up his game a lot :) It is noticed and appreciated! Well done my man. Thanka for these clips.

Great job, love the little trivia snippets! 🇺🇸

When Gandalf said "You Shall Not.... MULTIPASS" I felt it.

I went to a screening of this movie in a concert hall where a full orchestra played the music live. I was on the side terrace of the hall, and I wondered why the seats next to me were empty. Just before the movie started, a male choir took the empty seats. Can you imagine how that sounded when the choir sang right next to me in Dwarfish during the flight over the bridge? I will never forget that as long as I live.

Love the way Peter showed how each individual expressed themselves with grief individually as it fits each character at the end of that scene. Great directing.

6:20 Gandalf wasn't kidding when he said swords were of not more use.

no matter how many times I have seen this movie, at this moment tears always run down my face

7:05 Cassie closes her eyes in sorrow, while Carly joyfully smiles. Cass knew, as she reacted to it already.

I love everyone said simultaneously, "what the hell is a Balrog??" USA 🇺🇸

It's nice to see you including different reacters. Another great vidéo Dude. 🇨🇦

7:40 the man at the bottom trying to compose himself enough to not cry. Love it.

When I read this sequence the first time (1982-ish, at age 12) it was such a gut-punch. The line "Fly, you fools!" was haunting.

To think that if the Balrog hadn't shown up, there wouldn't have been a movie xD

this is so well put together. we get all their reactions for the scenes without actually having to rewatch the scenes over and over. great job with this.

Lord of the Rings is one, if not the best story ever written. Can't read it enough and none of the feeling of it goes away or diminishes. Makes me feel something