(2/2) Showing my sister The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Extended) for the first time!

[@kathyastrom1315]

That close-up of the Rohan soldier with an empty eye socket has a great backstory. The man showed up at the extras casting call with the eye patch he always wore, and the production person asked if he would consider taking the patch off for the filming. He had always been self-conscious about it before and never revealed the empty socket outside of his immediate family, but after filming, he was much more comfortable about it and delighted in his featured close-up.

[@zombie5505]

Well that's awesome, he is how he is

[@rexbo29]

Never knew that. That is a great backstory!

[@kathyastrom1315]

@@rexbo29 The DVD commentaries are filled with stories like that. Highly recommended!

[@hamishsmith2685]

I never knew this! Thank you for sharing that behind the scenes story!

[@zumbinis]

At the moment, I don't remember seeing this one-eyed character. I will have to watch again and look for him. I also only have one functioning eye.

[@samuraijaco1]

“I do not love the sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness. I love that which they defend.” -Faramir

[@admrob]

character assassination was movie Faramir. The elves showing up to helms deep was also dumb.

[@powerbadpowerbad]

I'm going to memorize this statement and resite it at work,in my apt complex,at the laundry mat,etc,etc,..

[@di3486]

The very best besides Sam❤

[@squaaaaak3178]

@@admrob I'm saying that to anyone who will listen quite often. also the somewhat bigoted portrayal of gimli as comic relief.

[@aerthreepwood8021]

@@squaaaaak3178 . . . Do you think Elves did the screenplay?

[@SunRayz3r]

Carly: Yes Theoden: Yes Cassie: Yes Gimli: YES! Me: Yes! So glad we’re all in the same page.

[@PiraticalBob]

That was really fun to watch. :)

[@seanski707]

The editing in that was perfect

[@ExploreWinnipeg]

genuinely laughed out loud at the moment

[@Strider91]

Its rare these days to see such agreement. . .

[@falloutfan2502]

No! Um, wait, I mean, Yes!

[@MrDevintcoleman]

Genuine thanks to whoever is doing the editing and left Sam’s whole speech. It’s so incredible!

[@kaiielle]

That would be Mike! He's a really wonderful editor that is the lead editor on the PIB team and handling all of the LOTR reactions.

[@michaelortiz9359]

Right?! It’s so good! I’m always a little bummed out when someone edits some of that speech or even all of it ugh

[@OneTrueVikingbard]

@@michaelortiz9359 for me, it’s the opposite. It’s overly saccharine, especially that part about there being “some good in this world”, and clearly just Oscar bait: and, if the past two years have been any indication, tone deaf and utterly wrong. Also Tolkien never wrote that line at the end. Two thumbs down.

[@f.g.5967]

Mike is his name? He is a master. Zoomed in on the lip bite the first time Strider showed up and the “look to the west” editing here was sublime.

[@JM-do6wc]

Agreed! It's the best editing of all the reaction videos!!

[@ravenblack3474]

Cassie has a good poker face when her sister is predicting the plot

[@Sir_Osis]

Speaking of which, these films can be a bit confusing first go round and Carly is really good at picking up on the films’ nuances and foreshadowing.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@Sir_Osis ..if not into books?

[@presencerocks2224]

@@Sir_Osis I think that's because she is into fantasy in general. They talked about that I believe before Fellowship of the Ring. Pretty much all of the fantasy stories since LOTR have emulated some part of it. She can probably see right through it now. Still the best fantasy story ever written

[@rivercitymud]

Seeing her without her usual emotive expressions made me realize she looks a bit like Ali Larter. I've been watching this channel since the start and I never noticed that before.

[@gilmer3718]

I love how she casts a side eye when it was coming to the reveal of Gandalf the White now.

[@Cadinho93]

The moment when you realise that almost 20 year old CGI still looks better than most of CGI today… Also, you know the movie is a masterpiece when after 4 hours of watching, you go: "NO! I need more!"

[@ashleywilliams1060]

So true. There are lesser CGI movies that it's cringely obvious the effects were not holding up.

[@richardb6260]

The CGI isn't really better. It's because a better story makes the flaws less noticeable. If you aren't involved in the story, you spend more time looking looking for where the FX come up short.

[@ashleywilliams1060]

@@richardb6260 maybe, but I've seen even in Avatar the CGI lines began to be very obvious years ago. I'm just seeing it now in LOTR.

[@richardb6260]

@@ashleywilliams1060 I watched Harryhausen stop-motion Sinbad movies as a kid and thought they were the greatest FX in the world. Then I watched a reaction with two people complaining about the stop-motion in The Empire Strikes Back saying the CG isn't very good. It's all relative. Personally, I think the FX in both Avatar films are some of the best I've seen. While some of the FX in Avengers: Endgame fall short, but it doesn't matter if you're wrapped up in the story. I watched men dressed as Godzilla stomp on cardboard cities as a kid and loved every minute of it.

[@richardb6260]

the same people who did the FX for LotR did them for Avatar. I see no lines in Avatar. On a huge IMAX screen and 3D, both films are flawless. The only time I thought it was flawed was in some of the added scenes for the extended edition. Like the hunt on direhorseback. You're right, the Balrog in the dark looks great. The cave troll? Not so much. There's a scene in Returns of Legolas taking on a Mumakil. Terrific, fun scene. But Orlando Bloom looks pasted in. Doesn't bother me. I grew up with heavy matte lines, obvious miniatures, rear projection, and people in rubber suits. Iron Man may fly more covincingly than Christopher Reeve did. But I still love Superman: The Movie.

[@scalefree]

2 great stories about Aragorn's horse Brego. Apparently Viggo is a bit of an equestrian & during filming he became quite attached to Brego so he went to Jackson & bought it from him, took it home wherever he lives & kept it for several years until its death. one of the stuntwomen in the crew also fell in love with her horse but couldn't afford the price of a horse trained for movie work, kind of steep. so Viggo bought it for her as a present.

[@dennisswainston411]

This was the horse Arwen's stunt double rode when carrying Frodo to Rivendale..

[@marcusfridh8489]

One more movie that shows viggo's equestrianism is the movie Hidalgo.

[@livebackwards]

It's even better than that; the stuntwoman's intended horse went up for auction and a New Line exec had his eye on it, but Viggo went to the auction and outbid him, then gave the horse to the stuntwoman.

[@Slapyousilly1]

love this, thanks. that is amazing

[@cmoeller3]

Don’t forget the horse that played shadowfax.. such a beautiful house.died in 2014 I believe!!😢😢

[@StinkyBuster]

I think the flashback scene of Boromir is the singlemost essential scene in the extended editions. Absolutely love that scene.

[@mycroft16]

I'm to this day astonished it got cut from the theatrical. It's only a few minutes long and it does a HUGE amount of story lifting. The studio must have been absolutely adamant about a runtime and this got cut too.

[@StinkyBuster]

@Niclas Lööf I disagree actually. The Saruman scene, while good, doesn't actually add anything to the story and is a big deviation from the books.

[@lionspawfilmandphoto]

The Sons of Gondor scene from this movie was my favorite restored footage. For Fellowship it was the Gifts of Galadriel, and for Return it was the Voice of Saruman.

[@chuckshingledecker2216]

@@StinkyBuster It's closer to the book than him just disappearing from the story forever.

[@StinkyBuster]

@Chuck Shingledecker wasn't even the point I was making so I won't argue it.

[@GamingxKnight]

The elves coming to help Rohan wasn't in the books. The reason why the elves and the dwarves never came to help, or were seemingly absent in the war of the Ring is because Sauron was attacking them with other armies in the northern part of Middle Earth. Sauron was basically trying to separate and isolate all three races so they couldn't join forces against him again.

[@JBWinter]

In one version of the books, the other Rangers arrive instead of the elves - though Tolkien revised that out in later printings. I wish they'd kept that instead, including Theoden's line "if all fight Aragon, 30 will be worth 3 thousand"

[@CorakYT]

@@JBWinter Isn't that just moved to, let's say the "next" battle in the books? I definitely remember the Rangers helping and that line from a later edition of RotK (book).

[@pinkkfloydd]

@@JBWinter The Rangers arrive for the Battle at Pelennor Fields.

[@JBWinter]

@@CorakYT Yes! It's moved to RotK, where it makes more sense than dragging them through the Pass of Erech

[@RobertMorgan]

That makes sense when you think about the context in which it's written, with Tolkien's World War experiences. That seems to be the overarching interplay in both World Wars, a villain manipulating other great powers to fight each other so as to not interfere with their scheming.

[@MrDevintcoleman]

I absolutely LOVE seeing people see Saruman’s army for the first time. It reminds me that not a lot of other movies have the scale of these. Like, it genuinely puts terror in your heart, which is the point. The best story ever put to page (in my opinion), and the best trilogy, and book adaptation, ever made.

[@feldweible]

Without a doubt!

[@firstname4337]

this is how the battle in Game of Thrones should have looked instead of that mess we got

[@randomcenturion7264]

The first look at Saruman's army, is when fantasy feudal war, looks at the nightmare that is industrial war. It is a war decided by endless numbers to be thrown at a problem until it's beaten into paste.

[@OneTrueVikingbard]

I wouldn’t call it “the best book adaptation”. Because of executive decisions by Peter Jackson and Co. to move the ending of book 2 into the beginning of film 3, they had to pad the runtime with melodramatic doomer talk in the Rohan plot while doing what I consider to be the worst offense of this movie (and one of two reasons why it is not my favorite of the trilogy): assassinate the character of Faramir in order to manufacture dramatic fluff. Jackson did the same thing in The Hobbit trilogy. Though, since he was “laying the tracks right in front of the train”, so to speak, with those movies, it’s a bit more understandable than here, where he had years of preparation and his writing team signed off on this terrible decision.

[@fmgeclipse1011]

When people say marvel is better it makes me want to rip my ears off

[@paulwagner688]

Arwen is like 2500 years old. Aragorn is almost 90. Eowyn is like 23 or 25. Gimli is close to 140. Elrond is 6500 years old. Gandalf is older than time itself. Frodo is 50. Sam is 38. Merry is 31. Pippin is 29. Legolas is well over 2000 years old. Treebeard is the oldest living thing in Middle Earth, except for some trees. Boromir was like 40 or so. Faramir is 5 years younger than Boromir. Eomer is like 28. Theoden is in his 60s. Denethor is one year older than Aragorn.

[@ugaladh]

Galadriel is over 9000. Counting of years started with the coming of the Sun, and Galadriel and most other First Age Elves existed before the Sun and Moon.

[@OptLab]

I've always said Arwen is way too old for Aragorn.

[@paulwagner688]

@@ugaladh Galadriel was born during the zenith of the years of the Trees. I think each year was like 1500 years long or something

[@mycroft16]

@@paulwagner688 Yoda definitely needs to talk to Galadriel about his skin care routine.

[@Outland9000]

@@ugaladh And do we even know about Tom Bombadil?

[@BigSeth1090]

“Why couldn’t she love Legolas?” Because we don’t need a love triangle messing with the amazing Legolas-Gimli bromance.

[@donpietruk1517]

Also because human and elven pairings in Tolkien's world are very rare. When one happens it's of major significance to the main plotline of the history of middle earth. So Tolkien would never throw a romance into the story that also doesn't serve another plot function.

[@austingillum4807]

@@donpietruk1517 Not to mention we can’t have her getting robbed of her romance and marriage to Faramir ^_^

[@paulwagner688]

Never underestimate a Hobbit when he picks up a stone. They are DEADLY accurate, as all trespassing beasts in the Shire know.

[@georgechapman9688]

Or when he has an apple ready. Ask Bill from bree how good Sam's aim is 😏

[@AnjeannetteMarie-Swifie4Ever]

@@georgechapman9688waste of a good apple 😉

[@gilmer3718]

Attercop, Attercop....

[@johnwalters1341]

The screen-writers crafted many memorable lines to set alongside Tolkien's prose ("Give it to us raw, and wriggggling!"). But one element of Tolkien's writing that doesn't get used much is his poetry. The few instances where it is used (we'll hear more in ROTK) are memorable. One of my favorite small scenes is Theoden's "Where is the horse and the rider?/Where is the horn that was blowing?..." as the Rohirrim arm themselves for battle. In the book the full poem is recited by Aragorn as he and his companions enter the Golden Hall: Where is the horse and the Rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing? Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing? Where is the spring and the harvest, and the tall corn growing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow; The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow. Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning, Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning? Tolkien used the old Anglo-Saxon alliterative verse form, and he was a master of it.

[@Scarla2U]

I love that poem: the older I get, the more it means to me.

[@casualnerd8139]

In fact, that poem is inspired by an old anglosaxon poem or song that Tolkien translated himself.

[@MorlokKurak]

Do you know the origin of the word Saxon? Isaac's Son's.

[@ishmaelforester9825]

@@Scarla2U Tolkien was a great poet, though relatively humble

[@Sindrijo]

Hwǣr cwōm mearg? Hwǣr cwōm mago? Hwǣr cwōm māþþumgyfa? Hwǣr cwōm symbla gesetu? Hwǣr sindon seledrēamas? "The Wanderer" is a 10th century poem, collected in the "Exeter Book". Modern English: Where have the horses gone? Where are the riders? Where is the giver of gold? Where are the seats of the feast? Where are the joys of the hall? There is a good video about this poem here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoStaIaiYrZgfqc

[@billbabcock1833]

I like Cassie looking over at Callie for her reaction to something she knows is coming up. Watching these two together is a blast. I'm looking forward to Callie's reactions to Return of the King.

[@KatSut1978]

Carly

[@j3ffro738]

Is it possible to like Cassie's reaction more now than the original? I'm loving her facial expressions when Carly is in suspense or calls something out. Popcorn in bed is definitely the best content creator in her genre. The Cassie Carly combo is always such a treat and worth the wait!

[@joelwillems4081]

I''ve said it before but Carley is quite good at following and predicting the plots of films. I like how she got excited at predicting the next film line in Part 1 of the Two Towers. I always smile when I do that too. :)

[@powerpointpaladin6911]

Yes, because we are watching our favorite reactor react with the same joy we have when watching her react to our favorite movies.

[@arno_nuehm_1]

It's our reaction on her reaction on her reaction.

[@christopherwall2121]

I liked seeing that smile on Cassie's face from Boromir's big heroic speech fade the moment she heard Denethor's voice.

[@ariadnepyanfar1048]

@@joelwillems4081 Carley has a great feel for 'Story'.

[@ibtgb2]

Theoden gives the best speeches in the series that I only appreciate more and more as time goes on. “The days have gone down in the west… how did it come to this” and “the horn of helm hammer hand shall sound in the deep. One. Last. Time.” Gives me chills still.

[@thatpatrickguy3446]

Bernard Hill was absolutely brilliant as Theoden. In a cast of excellent actors giving stellar performances he stands out the most to me.

[@TheYeti6000]

Theoden is my favorite character. A flawed hero.

[@MandoWookie]

Yeah, for a character introduced in the second film, as a feeble minded invalid, Theoden really steals the show. He and Aragorn also have a interesting intertwined dynamic, as a King who feels he has failed and is struggling to lead his people and fight his own despair, and the King who fears he will fail and has rejected his position being forced to help the former and see that there is a way forward even if you fail.

[@adamplace1414]

Totally agree. He jumps off the screen every time. Everyone has great moments in these films, but it's like every moment of his is great.

[@Slapyousilly1]

theoden is actually my least favourite character, i think he's a weak king and i feel like his speeches are just pretty lame, i wouldnt be prepared for battle after listening to him, the only moment i liked was when he was free from saruman and had to bury his son, loved that scene and still brings a tear to my eye

[@OneAndOnlyMe]

As explained in the documentaries, the total time to plan and execute these movies was nearly 15 years, back to back. One of the greatest film productions of all time.

[@jakehawke8196]

In the books, Faramir never considers taking the Ring for even a moment. "Not even if I found this thing by the roadside would I keep it." It's the change in the movies that irritates me the most. In the books, Faramir is compared favorably to Aragorn in his nobility and honor and leadership and love for his people. In the movies, they turn him subservient and indecisive (although admittedly still brave). Just a shame. He deserved better.

[@coyotefever105]

I think it adds conflict to the story and the character. I think I understand where you’re coming from but this is a change I like

[@JustKelso1993]

I actually appreciate the change for the film. It makes me appreciate Faramir MORE that he can put his desire to please his father aside despite the ring pulling him in a bit. He fights off the ring himself, it makes his character so much stronger for me.

[@retrorescued]

I appreciate the change because it proves how wrong his father was to favor one son over the other. Both were tempted.. both over came.

[@dodohead147147]

as others have said in this thread, I have always viewed Faramir's actions as more him trying to please his father and get the recognition he thinks he needs rather than a genuine pull to the ring. Faramir is my favourite character in LOTR, and is really the only "regular" human character that truly resists the temptation of the ring

[@WolfFireheart]

@@dodohead147147That's how I feel as well. The Ring had NO pull over Faramir. Its not power he craves, its love. A Fathers loves.

[@sydhamelin1265]

For all the great stuff in the extended edition, the scene with Boromir and Faramir is by far the one that should have been left in. Not only does it shed light on why Boromir was so driven to take the ring, but it also gives context to Faramir's actions, at that time, which otherwise seem more villainous.

[@sillbit]

Sadly it is quite contradictory to the book. Faramir never attempted to bring Frodo and Sam back to Gondor. He quite quickly understood what it was all about, and had a much higher moral than Boromir. Boromir didn't try to take the ring from Frodo because of Denethor in the book, but because he wanted it himself. But Boromir did redeem himself after the stint of madness.

[@sydhamelin1265]

@@sillbit I really need to read the books. I feel like the movies added some stuff that kind of bugged me, despite me liking the movies overall. Hey, can you answer a question for me. Do the books have so many death fake outs? It gets really tiring in the movies. A couple worked, but most were just superficial. SPOILERS (obviously heh) From Fellowship: The hobbits in Bree (first one, so I give it a pass, plus it was a good way to reveal their decoy plan) Frodo getting stabbed in the mines - again, it revealed the mithril, but why did he act like he was dead, only to be fine minutes later. Gandalf in the mines - totally works, given the story From Two Towers: Merry and Pippen - cutaway before trampled by a horse, Legolas then says blood was spilled. Can't stand this one, I have 'cutaway deaths'. Aragorn off the cliff - again, cutaway Return of the King: Frodo getting stung Gollum over a cliff It's like, 7 times where the movies said "they're dead....ah, got ya!" by the 3rd time I was like 'just stop' hehe.

[@sillbit]

@@sydhamelin1265 You should really read the books. There is a lot of things in the books that was totally dropped from the movies. Anyone remember Tom Bombadil? Or Ghan-buri-ghan? The whole story beginning when the hobbits are leaving the Shire is completely different. And the ending, with the real final moments of Saruman as well (which happens in the Shire). And yes, the fake deaths are pretty much completely Hollywood. Frodo in the Moria is the one that did happen sortof similar, if not so exaggerated. I agree that it gets tiring. And like most things, it feels very unnecessary. The story was good as Tolkien wrote it. No need to go and change all kind of things all over the place. I think the changes to Faramir were among the more criticized ones among a lot of people who had read the books, but the creative freedom taken with the story is quite extensive.

[@juancano3793]

@@sydhamelin1265 in the fellowship, all those do happen although played out differently. They do set up the riders I think but it already let's you know that the Hobbits were staying with Aragorn. With frodo being stabbed, he is down for a bit but he gets back up as soon as the troll is dead. The big reveal there though is that he's wearing mithril, the rest of the company don't find out until a good moment afterwards. As for gandalf that's pretty much scene for scene except gandalf just falls, he doesn't hold on. As for Two Towers, that's all just Hollywood. Can't tell you from the third one, haven't got there yet

[@Laurelin70]

@@sydhamelin1265 1) The hobbits in Bree: it is said to have happened, but it's not showed: they sleep in the parlor in the inn, and the innkeeper and his servants fake the hobbit shapes in their beds, so when the morning after they go and see their room, they see pllows and mattresses ripped up to pieces: clearly the Ringwraiths broke into their room and stabbed the pillows thinking they would kill the hobbits. 2) Frodo stabbed in Moria: yes, it's almost the same in the books, just a tad less dramatic: Frodo is hit by the Troll's spear, but they have no time to mourn, Aragorn takes Frodo on his shoulder and they flee, and while they're fleeing Frodo comes to his senses and asks Aragorn to put him down, Aragorn tells him he believed him dead, Frodo has some problems to breath and, anfter they go out of Moria he is taken care of by Aragorn, and then they discover his coat of mithril. 3) Gandalf in Moria: yes, almost scene for scene; the same goes for his meeting with Aragorn and Co. in the Fangorn Forest. 4) Merry and Pippin during the attack of Rohan riders to the orcs: not showed but implied: the hobbits are taken away by Grishnàkh before the real battle, but when the battle begins, a rider kills Grishnàkh with his arrows, and the horse that trample him oversteps the hobbits without noticing them; when Aragorn and Co go to the place, they find the pyre and they fear indeed that the hobbits could be dead and burned with the orcs; then Aragorn find the signs on the ground and the scene is almost word for word as in the books; but the readers already know that the hobbits are safe with Treebeard because their meeting happens in the previous chapter. 5) Aragorn off the cliff: invented for the movies, since the whole sequence of the attack of the werewolves and wereriders is invented for the movie. 6) Frodo getting stung: not showed in the books, but it happens: since in the books Frodo never sent Sam away, they are together when Shelob attacks them, but Frodo runs ahead and Sam is attacked by Gollum, so when he finally frees himself, he finds that his master has already been stung and wrapped up in Shelob's web (the scene is told by Sam's POV). 7) Gollum over a cliff: invented for the movies.

[@alshabib5849]

while you can pretty much pick out anyones performance in this and be satisfied, Bernard Hill in this stands out, every scene of his just knocks it out of the park and leaves such a lasting impression. many will point (and rightly so) to the speeches right before the charges where he essentially hyping himself up to die, but its also the quiet moments that really add to the character. his little argument with Aragorn where his frustration is palpable is great. the Scene that sticks with me the most and manages to move me no matter how many times i see it however is the funeral of his sun where his restrained kingly stoicism breaks down into genuine weeping that you cant help but empathize with

[@eddipl5055]

I just want to clarify that Arwen does not forfeited her immortality by giving her necklace to Aragorn , it’s just that by staying in middle earth she won’t be immortal but her “mortality” will be way slower than a regular mortal men. Necklace is just symbolic Edit (spoiler of books): I forgot to mention that she is half elf, therefore she can choose to live as an elf or a mortal men like Elros.

[@ugaladh]

It's not the staying, its being wedded to a mortal that makes the choice for her.

[@JM-do6wc]

Yes, in the end she made the same choice as Uncle Elros.

[@sjdover69]

I think the whole question is covered quite clearly in the epilogue of TLOTR. A mound in Lothlorien. After many years in mourning. But not dead. So both immortal, but choosing a mortal life. Also. From what is intimated in the books. Elven powers are gifts not genetic. Elrond and Arwen are immortal and can leave Middle-earth, despite being half-elven. Two brothers and an orphan seemed to have made their own choice. Three hobbits are gifted also. The lone dwarf is unclear whether gifted or just given. For the difference you will have to read the books.

[@Laurelin70]

@@sjdover69 Not exactly: Elrond and Arwen (and her brothers Elladan and Elrohir), being half-elven, MUST choose their destiny. Elrond chose his destiny way before TLOTR and he chose to be immortal like Elves, while his brother Elros (half-elf too) chose to be mortal like Humans. And while all descendants of Elros, included Aragorn, are mortal (though with a lifespan three times the one of common humans), all descendants of Elrond must choose personally their own destiny. They can delay the choice, but not forever. Nothing is said about Elladan and Elrohir, Tolkien only wrote in a letter that they postponed their choice and remained in Middle-earth after their father's departure. But Arwen chose to be mortal when she decided to marry Aragorn: she wasn't obliged to do so because of that, but because Aragorn himself told her that if they would marry, she would have to choose to be mortal, unless she would face "all ages of the world alone" (words of the movies, not in the books) after his death. So she WAS mortal (the choice had to be made once and for all, and couldn't be reversed), but with a longer lifespan than any other human. And when Aragorn died (chose the right moment to die: another grace gifted to Elros descendants), Arwen surveived him for a while, but not forever: in the appendices it is said that she "passed" and that in Lothlorien there is "her green grave". Moreover, Aragorn on his deathbed clearly tells her that they're BOTH "not bound forever to the circles of the world", and that "beyond them there's more than memory", implying that they will meet again (unlike what woluld be if she went to Valinor, where she would "bear away... the memory of our days together, that shall there be evergreen, but never more than a memory").

[@sjdover69]

@@Laurelin70 Yep. Agree entirely. However my response was to the comments who didn't know. I stand by my statements, as intended to the audience.

[@desertfox2000]

The Battle of Helm's Deep is probably one of the greatest battle ever filmed in movie history. It is the culmination of events that this whole movie was building up to. Carly: "Can we just skip it?" Lol!

[@georgechapman9688]

It is a cinematic roller coaster. A seesaw of they are f*cked and they are gonna win!

[@garmisra7841]

Carly's getting misty at Sam's Speech...I love these videos. It's so great to see people appreciate them for the first (or second) time because it takes me back to when I saw them for the first time!

[@CJR-wv8kc]

I hope she had tissues when she watched the third one, if she was misty eyed here the emotions just go higher in return of the king.

[@mena94x3]

I still get misty over that speech, and I’ve probably seen it 1000 times….at _least._

[@sandralorenz1796]

The three films were shot simultaneously in Jackson's native New Zealand from 11 October 1999 until 22 December 2000, with pick-up shots done from 2001 to 2003. It was one of the biggest and most ambitious film projects ever undertaken, with a budget of $281 million (equivalent to $457 million in 2021). The first film in the series premiered at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on 10 December 2001; the second film premiered at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City on 5 December 2002; the third film premiered at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington on 1 December 2003. An extended edition of each film was released on home video a year after its release in cinemas.

[@nathancruz9172]

That’s right.

[@greenbeans5127]

unbelievable that they shot all three films in just over 1 year!

[@AneudiD78]

I remember buying the extended editions and watching every behind the scenes DVD in awe of what went on making these films.

[@SeanBlader]

The craziest part to me is that Peter Jackson fished the idea of doing a Lord of the Rings trilogy to several studios with Miramax being the first to have an interest but they weren't willing to do three movies, only one. Jackson held out, but when he couldn't find any studios to do three, he was almost going to settle and see if he could get two movies. He went to a friend at New Line who got him setup with New Line's president who is said to have been disappointed that the presentation was for two movies when it should be three. The investment in the project was frankly ridiculous at the time as no other studio had spent even close to that much. It turned out to be a worthwhile investment, literally inventing an entire practical and special effects studio, Weta Workshop in New Zealand, and bringing in nearly 3 billion at the world wide box office, and with the help of Harry Potter paving the way for multi-million dollar investments in previously unprecedented production scales. One could expect that the MCU wouldn't exist if not for the results of Lord of the Rings. After Lord of the Rings other studio's went actively looking for stories of a similar scale to tell, which is how we got The Hunger Games, Divergence, and Twilight.

[@takumi2023]

@@SeanBlader those last three were a huge flop tho. Except twilight saga, they didn't do so well. And much of twilight was just teenage angest.

[@karlmoles6530]

It's amazing that there are three massive battles happening simultaneously during the last few minutes of this film, Sauron's orc Army is battling Gondor's armies for Osgiliath. The Ents are laying siege to Isengard. And the battle of Helm's Deep is going on, all at once.

[@christopherwall2121]

And up in the North, Mirkwood and Erebor and the Iron Hills are all under attack as well.

[@4nthr4x]

The LOTR trilogy is so amazingly good, it can not be expressed in words. I can watch them over and over again. Hence, I've watched quite a few reaction channels to see the growth, anticipation, eagerness and sparkle in the eyes of many a YT reactor. I have to say time and again that you both, Cassie and Carly, are most definitely my top favourite reactors out here. The level of compassion and wholesomeness is unparalleled. Thank you!

[@CJR-wv8kc]

Out of everything out there lotr reactions are my favourite, I can only experience watching the film for the first time once, but I can sort of live it again vicariously through reactors seeing it for the first time.

[@mycroft16]

The Battle of Helm's Deep was impossible to describe seeing it in theaters. It's impressive on any TV... but in a theater, on a massive screen, with that sound system... it was a near religious experience. It took them weeks of full night long shoots in man-made rain no less, to film it. It had to be a miserable experience spending 12 hours soaking wet for weeks. But holy crap does this battle look amazing. The build up to it ratchets up the anxiety and fear. The shots of them ripping the old and young men and boys from families to fight. The sounds of the battle muffled in the caves... it's so good.

[@cpob2013]

A couple years ago they did a rerelease event with the extended editions. First weekend was fellowship, a week later was tower's, then return. My brother and I got to watch in a brand new theater with food and everything.

[@HarrisonHollers]

40 minute battle scene. Epic!

[@drivers99]

“What can men do against such reckless hate?” I always quote that when things are getting crazy

[@KatSut1978]

I love to watch Carly’s evolution with these films. Before it was “Pippin and the other one” to after when she said”Pippin and Merry”. I always love to watch others become endeared to these characters because by the end, you absolutely LOVE the fellowship for a lifetime. ❤

[@slow_runner]

*Pippin

[@ashrafbadreddine9470]

@@slow_runner we are used to Scottie :P

[@DeRockMedia]

i love watching new peoples evolution too... many first time reacts ive seen of LOTR... cant wait to find someone irl and record it myself...that would be so fun

[@marykatezehr1074]

One thing I love about this series is that Tolkien truly admires and HONORS the beauty of a woman!! The grace, comfort, and strength of a woman that this society is really not paying attention to and I'm glad you two ladies appreciated that in these movies!!!!

[@Serai3]

Keep in mind that this is an ancient mythical world in which magic is not spells and potions, but baked into the very fabric of the world; Tolkien defined it as "art perfected". Beauty is honored in Middle Earth because it confers actual magical power, not just ordinary glamor. Arwen is said to be the reincarnation of Luthien, the most beautiful and thus the most powerful elf who ever lived. In the book, Galadriel's transfiguration is not into that strange green witch thing, but into a shining goddess whose beauty threatens to engulf the world. (I think Jackson messed that one up because he was used to making horror movies and didn't know how else to convey the crippling awe that her beauty inspired except to make it scary.)

[@adamplace1414]

Carly: "I don't want to watch, can we skip this part?" Carly 5 minutes later: "Yes!"

[@Dash277]

The cuts to the women, children and older people of Gondor are so well done. It reminds you again of what people are fighting for. The Shire, their loved ones, people who can't fight for themselves.

[@ilejovcevski79]

There are moments in these movies, where the speeches and the music still give me chills and i get genuine goosebumps when i hear them, even after 20 years of re watching.... Treebeard marching to Isengard is one of those moments. Theoden and Sam have several...

[@Cheezeblade]

Side note. Theres a little more than just "evil is evil" when it comes to saruman and sauron. Its a little deeper but in essence, the original Gods and their leader Eru illuvitar sang reality into creation. One of them, Melkor, tried to sing their own song and not harmonize with the others. But because only eru himself can CREATE new things. Melkor (or morgoth), the being that sauron serves, has nothing but hatred for things that grow. Children and women are the quintissential facotrs of life. Women for making new life and children represent all that is good in nature. Morgoth and by extension sauron and saruman despise this. Sauron cannot create anything still he can only twist and warp things into corruption. So when saruman has a chance to get some praise with sauron by wiping out not only women and children but the women and children of MEN of all races hes very pleased with the option. It is also this idea that a lot of people including myself think a hobbit was integral to the rings destruction. In the first 5 minutes of this series. Bilbo makes a point to say what is is that the hobbits love the most. Sure they enjoy peace and quiet, and as much as they might LOVE their indulgences like good ale and food and weed. What they VALUE the most, is their respect for things that grow. Add on to this the most heroic entity in the series, is not only a hobbit. But a gardener. The two most opposite things in the universe of tolkein, may in fact be the One ring, being escorted to its destruction by a Hobbit and his gardener. Its some serious poetic justice im sure eru illuvitar would be laughing through the cosmos at the irony. Thanks for coming to my ted talk.

[@icooley7391]

Wow. Wow. Well said! I knew about the "things that grow" and "Sam the hobbit gardener" and that the dark side here can not create anything only destroy/twist but it only now clicked because of your comment. Thank you!

[@Cheezeblade]

@@raylangivens7151 regardless they were canonically part of the choir of creation and they each do have a token governance. i.e. Anor presides over the light of the sun and its creation.

[@Cheezeblade]

@@raylangivens7151 i see what youre saying but in the official legndarium they are quite literally reffered to as GODS. tolkeins pantheon reflects a more polytheistic group of deities. Eru just happens to lead them as a father figure.

[@luisdawnfinder3188]

@@Cheezeblade Sounds like a very catholic interpretation of angels

[@MihaZ]

I would also add to the poetic justice element. Tolkien didn't glorify war. So the plot of the story is not to take something from evil through battle, but to return something that doesn't belong in this world.

[@kentonbaird1723]

I've subscribed because you are an active audience. You gasp, you tear up, you cheer and you hope for the characters. You engage with the material, you speculate and morn. It feels very much like watching the movies again for the first time, if only a little. Cheers.

[@lifelover515]

Cassie and Carly project such warmth together. What a tonic for this especially bitter winter season. Rock on, ladies.

[@17thknight]

Grima's tear is one of my favorite parts of this movie. He is still a man of Rohan and he loves Eowyn. He knows he's looking at all of their deaths, including hers, and there's nothing he can do.

[@Sindrijo]

I read it as a sort of 'terrified awe', he's a weak coward that loves power, it thrills him like nothing else. He doesn't love Eowyn, he lusts for her, he was trying to manipulate and groom her by isolating her. He really is a pathetic corrupt man. So in today's world he would just be some basement dwelling edgelord that loves authoritarian strongmen.

[@WolfFireheart]

Despite everything. Grima is just a other victim that's been corrupted. Probably by Saruman. I like to think of that moment as Grima see's the impossible large army, he understands the true consequences of his actions.

[@alexbeardsley751]

As a kid, the Battle of Helms Deep was mind-blowing in the cinema. And it still is! The same statement holds true for the whole trilogy! Love it edit: you know its going down when Legolas breaks out his swords.

[@shep4life]

Sam's speech in the end was beautiful 😢

[@diepost0318]

It was about 10 years after the movie came out until I realized that the actor who played Theoden is same as the one who played captain Smith in Titanic. Their looks, voices and characteristics are so different as I see it, so I was very surprised and shocked.

[@ajackdrew]

Yup! Only 3 movies in history have ever won 11 Academy Awards (including best picture). Bernard Hill had a significant part in TWO of them. Quite the unique feather for your cap :)

[@kathyastrom1315]

Bernard Hill! He had my favorite behind-the-scenes anecdote about filming that he mentioned on the TTT cast commentary. He had been having problems getting comfortable sitting down in his full armor using the chairs provided to everyone. One day after filming, he was driving back to his rental house in Wellington when he saw a garage sale in the subdivision. He stopped to see what they had on offer, and he saw two metal spikes that were about hip height with a cushioned seat on top, made to be driven into the ground to provide a seat while fishing, etc. He took them both to his trailer the next day, and on a Friday, a crew member noticed them and the rather ratty appearance of the seats. He asked Bernard if he could reupholster them for him, and he gratefully accepted, expecting just some new leather seats. Instead, what he got back on Monday were two gorgeously decorated leather mini-thrones, embellished with Rohirric emblems chased all over the seats, very appropriate for a king!

[@mycroft16]

@@kathyastrom1315 I love that story. The commentaries for these films are a treasure to listen to. The amount of pure love that every single person working on these movies had for them is astounding. And it shows in things like this... something that will never be seen on film, but that the King of Rohan would appreciate. Most of the sets have large parts never meant to be seen on film, but they dressed them, and put carvings and runic writings on them anyway, because the actors would see it and feel it. Or Aragorn literally going everywhere with his sword. Or sleeping outside roughing it and eating only fish he caught in a lake/stream for a few days to really wear in his costume and character. Everyone involved just understood the scale of the thing and gave everything they could to it.

[@TheJuris1973]

@@ajackdrew he also had a small role in Gandhi; which I think won 8 Academy Awards so his total streak is 30 Oscars lol.

[@lordmortarius538]

If you want an Elf story, read the Silmarillion. It is essentially the tale of the beginning of the world and of the Elves, and their quest to retake three great gems, the Silmarils, from Morgoth.

[@daveheesen9174]

it is one of those Silmarils on the bow of Elrond's father's ship that is the star whose light is in Frodo's glass that Galadriel gave him...lots of history there

[@ShifuCareaga]

The audiobook is fantastic

[@kathyastrom1315]

On the FotR Director/writers commentary, Phillipa Boyens was teasing Fran and Peter, and said that Peter got Fran to scream her Ringwraiths scream in the recording studio by telling her that he had acquired the rights to The Silmarillion.

[@shastasilverchairsg]

I'd recommend starting with Children of Hurin, then Beren & Luthien, then Fall of Gondolin first before reading the Sil. It can be quite overwhelming for beginners.

[@murraypft]

@@ShifuCareaga I tried reading the book numerous times. It took the audiobook to get me through it.

[@zamdrist]

These movies are timeless treasures. Great reactions, it never gets old!

[@Outland9000]

They really are. Watched the extended versions this Christmas in 4K. The quality of the 4K remaster is outstanding.

[@James_Loveless]

'Of course, it is likely enough, my friends,' he [Treebeard] said slowly, 'likely enough that we are going to our doom: the last march of the Ents. But if we stayed home and did nothing, doom would find us anyway, sooner or later. That thought has long been growing in our hearts; and that is why we are marching now. It was not a hasty resolve. Now at least the last march of the Ents may be worth a song.'

[@benjamineckles]

Treebeard is voiced by the actor who plays Gimli.

[@c-puff]

We're all grateful to the editor for including the full Sam speech but I ALSO want to think him for including all of the classic meme phrases too. (They're taking the hobbits to Isengard!).

[@gerstelb]

My brother-in-law was a die-hard Lord of the Rings (books) fan for years, and when he heard of the movies being made, the one thing he wanted to see (and the thing he waited for years to show my two nephews) was the Battle of Helm’s Deep.

[@ugaladh]

My biggest fear before the release was what were they going to do with Boromir.

[@murraypft]

Carly's face when Gollum bites into the rabbit. Classic. 😂🤣 My WIFI went out JUST at that moment so I had her frozen on my screen.

[@SailorYuki]

Gandalf riding down the mountainside in the last minute is based on a historical event about the winged Hussars from Poland. They were a formidable force, and considered one of the best cavalery fighters in history. In one of their more famous battles they joined the fray in the last minute, riding on their horses down the mountain side, to the aid of the allies win the war. Thier aid was not expected, which made it more epic. That battle is what inspired Tolkien to write this part of battle of Helms Deep.

[@PhilowenAster]

Not just the charge to Helm's Deep, but also Pellenor Fields!

[@jasonk3605]

Wow. I must read up on that.

[@amirlach]

The seige of Vienna 1683. 20k horsemen with 3000 Winged Hussars leading charged into the Turks who numbered 150k. John Sobieski led his Winged Hussars into battle. Likely the insperation for Theodin.

[@metoo7557]

There's a reason why most reaction channels put LOTR on their list.. The movies are so good they've retained their fans base even 20 years later, and that's still a drop in the bucket compared to the novels. LOTR is the OG.

[@A1990MusicMan]

Love seeing you watch for a second time, and just how invested you’ve grown in the characters and how excited you are to share the movies with your sister. Her reactions are great as well!

[@joelsplawn5933]

I watched these in the theater and they blew my mind. I bawled like a baby in Return of the King. 2 years ago I watched it with my first born son(9 when we watched it), then a year later with my second son and first(8 and 10 that time), then this year with my daughter and two sons(7, 9, and 11). We all cried together. I simply adore these movies and I am happy to get to watch them with you two now and share the experience once more.

[@Jekyll_Island_Creatures]

You sure your name isn't Joel Spawn? You breed faster than Isengard birthing out Orcs!

[@fedord01]

Absolutely heartwarming reaction as always ladies! you are truly a gem! dont keep us waiting too long for part 3 please!

[@darkphoenix2]

It's always fun to watch these movies work its magic on people. She was so excited about the elves arriving.

[@bradrichert3966]

Frodo goes wandering off by himself for the same reason you would. That's where the term "Nature Calls" comes from.🤣

[@attackmanatee02]

The boy Aragorn encourages is the son of Hama. That was the man that was eaten by the warg scout before helms deep. The poor boy lost his father and then had to go to war. I never seen anyone catch the detail of who he is

[@animetrashamvs]

I dunno why but the old guy who lets his arrow go early has the funniest facial expression to me😆 It's like "oh shit, I messed up! But I also hit my target..."

[@sofa_king_kool]

I like to think the Ents that pulled down the dam didn't do it as a strategy, they just went "Oh jeez, Ricky's on fire! Better put him out..."

[@ugaladh]

Ents aren't just strong because of size. They basically can do immediately, what trees can do over long periods of time, like split rocks, dig deep, etc

[@PiraticalBob]

In the novel the burning Ent, whose name was Beechbone, burned to death, and his death sent the other Ents into a fury.

[@mendotoria]

This proves that our Professor Tolkien did not just make brilliant stories he makes you feel the whole bit of FANTASY, FRIENDSHIP, LOVE, HATE, WRATH, LOYALTY etc

[@Masterfighterx]

To answer something from part 1: Gollum is played by Andy Serkis, great actor! He also playes Caesar in Planet of the Apes. And yes, he's in a motion-capture suit, so all movements and talking is him. His ''Gollum Gollum'' cough is inspired by a cat coughing up a furball.

[@Tensen01]

He wasn't actually in a MoCap suit, just a tan bodysuit. The animation was still done using Keyframes by the animators, but using Andy's movements as reference.

[@f.g.5967]

And the spit you see un the stew scene is Andy’s actual spit.

[@kathyastrom1315]

The one vestige of his actual physical self remaining in the film is Gollum’s spit when he blows a raspberry at Sam for his cooking.

[@AdamNisbett]

@@Tensen01 well kinda yes and no. The original filming with the other actors was just him in a tan suit. Then he later recreated his blocking in a special green screen style room in a motion capture suit, though it was pretty rudimentary compared to modern motion capture suits and only captured rough limb/body action and nothing of the face. The animators then used the motion capture as the starting point for driving the limb motion of their digital puppet, tweaking it as necessary and added the facial expressions by imitating the film footage of Serkis’s face.

[@Tyranidlord556]

When the Uruk-hai begin chanting and slamming their spears into the ground, the idea of it came about when a group of the actors/extras (most of which were members of the New Zealand defence force) would do it in between takes to keep themselves warm. Also, the wide shot of the uruk-hai chanting, the audio was recorded during an football match where they got the crowd to chant with Peter Jackson leading the chant through a loudspeaker. So much behind the scenes is absolutely amazing.

[@caseg7761]

"WE DONT HAVE TO WATCH IT, WE JUST NEED TO KNOW THE ENDING" was by far the best response I've ever heard to this 🤣🤣🤣

[@vergil8833]

A movie about the elves is all the fans have ever wanted. The Silmarillion is driven by elves and probably everyone wants to see it made like these movies. The Silmarillion is full of stories, each one could be a movie.

[@theawesomeman9821]

hopefully Christopher Tolkien will allow studios to adapt the Silmarillion, in the near future.

[@christophersmith8316]

I'm not sure how well entire movies of Elves Behaving Badly could be pulled off. The current mainstream fantasy hippy elves and Tolkien's noble elves are very different that the very Viking stories of the first age. I remember how shocking in the Hobbit I found the elves throwing the Dwarves in jail and trying to take their kingdom from them.

[@mycroft16]

The Fall of Gondolin, attacked by an army of Balrogs. Or we could go for the deeply twisted Turin and Glaurung where he marries his sister after being cursed. Man, I would pay to see every one of those stories made into a film on this scale.

[@vergil8833]

@@mycroft16 And of course a trilogy about the Sons of Feanor, one movie for each kinslaying they committed.

[@masamune2984]

Just wanted to thank and recognize Mike for his amazing editing skills, despite apparently being sick as a dog! Truly appreciated, and hope you are feeling better 🙂

[@aion5386]

Aragorn and Legolas is good friends because they have known each other for roughly 61 years (since Aragorn was 23 ish)

[@MusicalJackknife]

Man, Aragorn got both of them weeeaaaak lol. Can't remember if Cassie was so openly taken with him the first time around, but it's hilarious how much she isn't hiding it and how much Carly is right on board.

[@ernesthakey3396]

Yeah, but Legolas could totally get it too...

[@Jekyll_Island_Creatures]

And to think, he wasn't originally cast, so his involvement was pure serendipity.

[@twinkthatloveslotrtrilogy7676]

Im a guy and I still think Aragorn is hottest man ever

[@boki1693]

When you said, "the babies faces are really getting me." Those kids were the directors kids. The three of them plus the director had minor parts in all three movies. It's fun trying to spot them.

[@ariadnepyanfar1048]

I love the first movie best, and that's not to take away the masterpieces of the following two. This movie, Sam's speech makes me cry floods every time. It's everything we need, the idea of that speech. That there's good in the world, and it's worth fighting for.

[@jazzytims883]

Shout out to the editor on that "Ride out with me" scene. The alternating "yes"'s between Cassie and Carly and the movie cast hit well

[@BasicBodThor]

Must be fun reacting with her seeing this for the first time. Now you know what it was like for us watching your vids haha

[@marcusaurelius4777]

I love the sheer tenderness that you two have toward the violence in these films. Tolkien himself would have been so honored and proud that you felt so maturely and tenderly about the loss in war, as you displayed here. He fought in WWI, in some of the most inhumane engagements in mankind's history. He fought in the Battle of the Somme, one of the most grotesque, and disgusting displays of human barbarity that mankind ever unleashed upon itself. He lost all of his friends, save for one, in that war. All of the friends he held dear were mercilessly killed, and needlessly so. Tolkien wanted very clearly to show how destructive war was in his books. The fact that you two felt so horribly for all involved, hell, even the "bad guys" lol was so innocent and surely, it would have made Tolkien very happy to know that people like you could understand what he was trying to communicate. War is not a good thing, it's not "badass" or something to look forward to. I love that you focused on the children sent to war and the little babies crying. It was the correct response to this "reckless hate" as Theoden, the King, put it.

[@Demigord]

i love that the one thing the sister is worried about is aragorn falling for the other woman.

[@AlicEknowsBest1]

Just wanted to say that I subscribed the moment you explained to your sister Aragorns helmet kicking incident😂 I just loved that

[@D25Bev]

I wish these films were celebrated like they were releasing again. With premieres getting the cast & crew back together, talk show interviews, quirky advertising like aircraft paintjobs & fast food menu's with toys etc. I'd just love the world to celebrate these brilliant films how it did when they first released.

[@NukedStar]

So glad you guys have all recovered. I was looking forward to this reaction more than Christmas.

[@AzereusMantor]

i love how the atomic bomb on the right is so invested.. when she said "look to the west" , she actually remembered parts of the movie... i love her reacting to my fav movie.

[@to0muchtoan]

Lmao I just love the facepalm reaction with Treebeard's "you are not orcs"

[@20ecupirate13]

The sacrifice of the elves at Helm's Deep is everything! Imagine being told you didn't have to fight, and that you could go to The Undying Lands to live forever in peace and choosing to stay to help the race of men. The same men who failed to destroy the One Ring. Gives me chills.

[@curtiswfranks]

There are so many sappy, wholesome, perfect moments in this movie. I love them so much. Sam and Frodo get the extended discussion about the stories that really matter and whether they will ever be put into songs and tales. Faramir proves his quality and recognizes the greatness of the Shire. My goodness. Less sappy, but equally inspiring, is basically everything at Helm's Deep. Oh, and Gimli and Legolas' blooming friendship despite centuries of friction and bigotry between their peoples. And the last march of the ents! I just love it so much.

[@flatline8580]

"She was born to be an elf." SO true. Liv Tyler sooo perfect in the role, but there is only one Galadriel (Cate Blanchett)

[@sanzoftatooine]

"Now for Wrath! Now for Ruin! And a Red Dawn! My favorite part of this was during the battle of Helm's Deep when Carly says "The Elves?" Classic.

[@jonathanross149]

I love the glances over to your sister to see her reaction.

[@gravenewworld6521]

Treebeards “Many of these trees were my friends!” Line kills me everytime

[@maryohara6192]

The flu has been horrible here going through my boys and me, I couldn't sleep, it was great to see this it brought me some peace and had me forgetting how sick I felt and helped me to relax some, now I will try to get some sleep. Thank you! ❤

[@fjoergyn]

"Hroom, hm, come, my friends. The Ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom. The last march of the Ents." hits me hard like the soundtrack, every time

[@danl.909]

Another wonderful reaction from our lovely sisters. Thank you so much, beautiful ladies. See you on the next one? I do hope so!

[@theoneandonlyoni]

You’re really good at not spoiling anything for your sister, and I like getting to se your second time watching, cause now we get to see you catch stuff you missed the first time.

[@mercyfulnate]

This is my favorite film ever because of Rohan. The musical motif is so incredible. The flag has been my phone background for years now lol.

[@EmphaticNod]

Agreed. The Rohirrim's epic charge down the hill to end the battle of Helm's Deep always moves me to tears. I love them so much I named my second son Rohan. ❤

[@derrisreaditbefore]

I really enjoyed watching this again with you Chrissy, and that Carly is watching for the first time is wonderful - that Carly reads fantasy is obvious, "until I see a body, I don't believe it". All the tropes *IN* fantasy are born from the trilogy these movies are drawn from. Which, I think, is what makes them so satisfying to watch. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philipa Boyens adapted the book(s) beautifully. The spirit/soul/center of the story remains utterly true. "That there's good in the world, and it's worth fighting for."

[@stephensmith3111]

Director Peter Jackson made a cameo appearance in his own film as the man throwing a spear from the battlements of Helm's Deep. Also, the music composed, orchestrated, and conducted by Howard Shore for all three films is easily on the same exalted level as anything by John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Hans Zimmer, and anyone else that you can name.

[@murraypft]

Peter Jackson was also the pirate that got shot.

[@StinkyBuster]

And also chomping on a carrot in Bree in Fellowship

[@DrLipkin]

@@murraypft That's not until next movie.

[@mycroft16]

Pretty much all of the producers and various effects leaders from WETA Workshop and WETA Digital make cameos throughout the films. A lot of the actors families even. In this one, the boy Aragorn talks to about his sword, is his own real life son who told him he needed to take this role. The little kids at Bilbo's party when the trolls turn to stone the camera cuts to them jumping (boy and girl) are Peter Jackson's kids. They are also a pair of the kids in the caves under Helm's Deep in this. Sean Astin's daughter makes an appearance in the next film.

[@murraypft]

@@DrLipkin your right, Watched TOO many reactions. They all run together.

[@masamune2984]

Watching Cassie get so excited and loving LotR even more the second time around, and Carly mirroring that excitement due to her love of the fantasy genre, and not only predicting parts, but referencing obscure details, all while Cassie smiles at points without spoiling anything (all while Mike the editor brilliantly edits those moments) is just so much fun and enjoyable and heartwarming to watch. Thank you all ☺️

[@Michijere77]

You guys have the best reactions. And Carly’s smile is amazing.

[@CathleenMJennings80]

For some reason, I could never remember Orlando Bloom's character name. My 7 year old nephew said, "It's like he has no Legos... he's Lego-less." lol

[@MegaroadProducciones]

I keep forgetting how damn good these movies and scenes are. And it's great to do so because with every scene, and every dialogue, it feels so, so good and so epic. And the moment when Carly asked if they could skip the fight scene because she doesn't like those strong scenes, and then we have Sam's monologue, talking about just those moments when the main characters in these stories, are at a low point, that they feel like giving up, but they don't and they keep going, because at the end of the road there is goodness in this world. Suck it up, Amazon Prime Video and your horrible Rings of Power series. You're never going to live up to productions like these.

[@Jekyll_Island_Creatures]

Big difference between this and that abomination Amazon churned out recently.

[@arthurcamargo8416]

Hasufel, the horse that "kissed" Aragorn awake, was played by Kenny. Viggo actually spent so much time with Kenny while filming, that they became fast friends, and it played into the movie well, when you see Aragorn's chemistry with Hasufel! After the movie's filming, Viggo bought Kenny and the horse that played Arwen's horse. They lived very happily with Viggo for the rest of their lives! Viggo famously loved and protected horses... that was one of the reasons he took on the role of Frank Hopkins in the movie Hidalgo! Great reactions! Thank you so much for reacting to this!! I am really looking forward to Return of the King with you and Carly!!

[@pasaniusventris4113]

as much as i don't enjoy it, i also don't blame eowyn for falling for aragorn pretty much at first sight. he arrives, and with his help the king is freed, he's noble, he's kind, and he doesn't look down his nose at her for her ambitions. he's everything a king should be, and handsome besides. i think i would've fallen for him, too.

[@NDHFilms]

I’m sure lots of people have mentioned this by now, but the actor for Wormtongue, Brad Dourif, is the voice of the Chucky doll in the Child’s Play movies.

[@Tensen01]

One of my only complaints about this Trilogy is how the characterized Faramir here. In the books he absolutely refused taking the ring to Gondor. He didn't even want to see it lest it corrupt him like it did his brother. The only change I actually have a problem with.

[@themourningstar338]

Yeah I don't particularly like that they did Faramir dirty in this movie, but I get why they did it. Since we don't get any of Frodo's inner dialogue or POV in the movies they had to make changes to Gollum and to his relationship with Frodo, which worked pretty well to show Frodo's inner turmoil and how much he's struggling. But then they had to make the changes with Faramir in order to get Gollum back on the correct trajectory of plotting against Frodo.

[@mycroft16]

@@themourningstar338 Yeah, it's pretty jarring coming from the books, but it absolutely does make sense in terms of the film. It's gotta be a nightmare to adapt even a normal book for film, but something as beloved and massive as LOTR?

[@themourningstar338]

@@mycroft16 No doubt. They are two totally different mediums, and there are some things that just do not translate well from book to screen. Then those changes cause other things later down the line that have to be changed. Definitely very difficult to do it well. They did an amazing job with LOTR, it's incredibly impressive how little they had to change the story to still make it work for film.

[@CJR-wv8kc]

@@themourningstar338 the other reason is because the timelines do not match, much of what you read from frodo and sams journey in the book actually happen part way through return if the king, it works in book format but on screen trying to cut it together with aragorns etc journey it means they have nearly nothing to do but walk by the time helm's deep happens.

[@georgechapman9688]

The ring is only resisted by a couple of people, If every other character was like "nah you keep it" it might diminish the threat level no?

[@berlin990]

This trilogy is really special, we will never get to see anything like it again.

[@rubroken]

If you read LOTR, you'll learn that Denethor(the steward of Gondor), and Saruman had possession of a palantir(?) a black crystal ball that could let it's owner telecommunicate with other palantir owners. Sauron had one and although Saruman and Denethor were strong willed, they slowly succumbed to Sauron's hold on those crystals. You see that when Pippin(?) looked into one and saw Sauron. I haven't read the books in 40 years but I seem to remember that

[@ernesthakey3396]

Little bit of spoiler for the early part of ROTK?

[@WolfFireheart]

Your quite right. Both Denethor and Saruman were noble and good people that thought they could resist and gain advantages by using those "cursed" things. But it turned them into what we see in the movies. Denethor is but a shell of the great man he once was. Saruman is drowned in despair and thinks its just impossible to fight the might of Mordor. So he joins Sauron instead. When Saruman tried to convince Gandalf to join him, he was really trying to save his friend from pain and death.

[@chadbennett7873]

As I always love your reactions, my favorites are when you are together, because your relationship is beautiful. The way you share delights, fears, disappoints and successes is extremely endearing, and as an only child, something I didn't think I missed until I watched you two. I've known many siblings who could learn much from the both of you, and I know you cherish what you have. You are an example for us all! Much love to both of you!