Converting HATERS To Lord of The Rings: The Return of The King | Reaction/Review

[@whatmodern]

Girl in the middle went from saying “juicy” every minute in the first film to quietly weeping in the last 30 minutes of this film. Character development unreal for her.

[@Sageddegas]

Genuinely so glad because I couldn’t even finish the first movie reaction the girls were making me insane

[@tailssonicteam1604]

​@@Sageddegas😂😂

[@kasperneedspeace]

You see those two houses? The one in the middle is mine.

[@TheGillenium]

They definitely talk way too much

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

If anyone I know starts unironically calling everything 'juicy' I will never speak to them again.

[@martijnvanvelsen6313]

After the ring was destroyed: Frodo left Middle Earth, so that he may be fully healed. He was still able to feel the wound on his arm from the sword at the beginning, plus for being the ring-bearer and it nearly consuming him like it did Gollum. Aragorn returned Gondor to it's former glory, and ruled happily with Arwen for 120 years. He had one son and two daughters. When his time drew near, he chose to take command of his own end. We laid in the House of the Kings in Minas Tirith with Gondor's past rulers and drifted into eternal sleep. Arwen passed one year later. Gimli became the Lord of the Glittering Caves under Helm's Deep, as it was rich with Mithril. He kept his word to Galadriel, and encased the strands of hair within glass and treasured it. Legolas restored the woodlands of Middle-Earth that were ravaged by the war, along with adventuring with Gimli. After Aragorn's death, Legolas made a ship of his own in Ithilien, and left Middle-Earth to cross the sea to reunite with the rest of the elves in the Undying Lands. Gimli crossed the sea with Legolas, due to his close friendship with the elf, and was the only dwarf that was offered that honor. Samwise married Rosie and had 13 children. He was also elected Mayor of the Shire for seven consecutive seven-year terms (49 years.) Afterwards, Sam was given passage to the Undying Lands to reunite with Frodo, as Samwise was also a Ring-Bearer, even for a short time. Pippin became the 32nd Thane of the Shire, and held that position for 50 years. He had one son named Faramir Took I, who later married Sam's daughter. After he retired as Thane, he left with Rohan and Gondor with Merry. He remained there for the rest of his life, and was entombed in the Hall of the Kings, and later moved to be laid to rest alongside Aragorn. Merry was knighted by King Eomer and become Master of Buckland. He married, and wrote a book. He had at least one son. At 102, he returned to Rohan and Gondor with Pippin, dying around the same time as Pippin. He was laid to rest in Gondor with Pippin, and later moved alongside Aragorn.

[@UchihaOokami2596]

Love the fact that after the original doors of Minas Tirith were sundered by Grond, Gimli gifted a new door that was fully made with the Mithril from his kingdom.

[@dphack22]

Thank you so much for actually posting this. You are a hero.

[@SiniyLazutchik]

Very useful and detailed comment, I hope at least one of these guys reads it.

[@Dusk.EighthLegion]

Blimey, even reading this is getting me a little teary eyed, it's just the perfect ending for everyone's story.

[@OfficialEdwardNewgate]

I always love seeing what characters do after the end of their main stories, the fellowship's ones are probably my favorite. It's just so good man.

[@ClaudiaGonzalez-mg4xf]

Bilbo's pity really saved the world at the end

[@JDela10]

Frodo: _"It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance!"_ Gandalf: _"Pity?.... it was pity that stayed Bilbos hand. Many that live deserve death and some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be to eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play in this, for good or evil. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many."_

[@marcusfridh8489]

And Aragorns pity for Grima saved the Shire at the end in the book. In the chapter "The scouring of Shire".

[@bengilbert7655]

And Frodo's pity. Frodo got the Ring to Mt. Doom. His previous mercy allowed Gollum to be there to inadvertently destroy the Ring.

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

I never forgive them for butchering The Hobbit book with those 3 monstrosities.

[@JDela10]

@@ThwipThwipBoom to be fair, the moment in the movie where Bilbo spares smeagol / gollum is actually pretty well done. How bilbos determined expression changes to sadness and pity when he sees the loneliness and sadness on gollums face.

[@MorgothsBalrog]

Think about it. Boromir sacrificed his life to save merry and pippin. And they returned that sacrifice by helping save his city and brother.

[@Angivel]

I've legit Never thought about that, but you're right and that's beautiful❤

[@Xylos144]

On top of that, he drove Frodo off, but the impact he had on Faramir, and the example of his death, led Faramir to ultimately let Frodo go in defiance of his father. Boromir's story, even more so in the movies than the books, is a good man putting light out into the world, so that when he falters, it echos back through those he's touched to offer salvation and redemption.

[@yarras2208]

Yesss , he's one of my favorite characters

[@cholkymilkmirage4984]

@@Xylos144 thats what make these stories so good. There are so many things thats shown and not told, so many moments and themes that overlap and what we see consciously vs subconsciously is so different, but at the same time we know its amazing and hits close to home.

[@dryder7078]

@@Xylos144 The mistakes of good men are lessons for the ones who follow to learn from and rise above. It is the same in real life.

[@jordanwilliams1447]

I think why guys identify with Aragorn so much is because he’s the personification of true masculinity. Nothing toxic about him. He’s a man who feels, cries, loves, and fights for what’s right. He’s the kind of man who lifts other men up.

[@RedFloyd469]

I wouldn't say I "identify" with him. In fact, for the movies (not the books), he's the one that gives me the second least emotional resonance. The last being Legolas. It's just that in the movies he pretty much IS the personification of human valor, leadership, strength, kindness, loyalty, bravery and let's not forget, skill. He's the perfect soldier, and symbolically, the perfect king. But that's just it. I am none of the above. Nobody really is. We're all severely flawed in many ways. And although aragorn does not start out as the symbol of "masculinity" (I disagree with giving him this gendered term. Had he been a woman instead, doing all the things in these movies that he already does, I would love him equally.), his character growth is pretty much invisible throughout the films, save for maybe a few small hints. (this is different from the books, in which we get to see the inside of his mind, if I'm not mistaken, and he does show a lot of doubts. It's been ages since I read them though.) If there is anything "toxic" about him, it would be the fact he kinda led Eowyn on. And saying "it is but a shadow of a thought that you love" was really rather cruel. He should have just stated outright his heart belongs to another. (I guess this is much clearer in the extended edition, especially when he reveals he's 89 years old.) Save for that, Aragon is an ideal to strive towards, much like Sam, as has been pointed out in the video. Whether we are men or women, we should ALL strive towards such ideals. Not for petty arrogance, but for the good we can do in our time. And for that matter, all of these main characters share this at least: they are exemplars. Examples of what to do and not to do, what to strive towards and what to reject. But for me personally, I identify so much more with the characters that AREN'T perfect, AREN'T ideal and struggle HARD for every inch of their lives, fail, cry and despair. The Pippins, The Eowyns, The Faramirs, the Boromirs,the Frodos, the Gimlis (the movies kind of did him dirty turning him into comic relief) and of course, the absolute GOAT, The Sams. I'd even go so far to as to say I can identify with Denethor and Gollum (If anybody's ever felt like an outcast or somebody who is broken, Gollum hits all the harder.) It's they that are the HEART of this story, even if they lack the shine and glamour of the ideal characters. They are us, plain and simple, and they teach us a lesson in humility, strength in small acts of kindness and loyalty, small acts of bravery, etc... So yeah, I (respectfully) disagree with the "identify" part. I look up to aragorn, but I can never be his equal. None of us can.

[@arthurbarcellos8784]

There is no such thing as "toxic masculinity"... I would call that "toxic humanity"

[@jordanwilliams1447]

@@arthurbarcellos8784 well, no, but okay

[@arthurbarcellos8784]

@@jordanwilliams1447 so do you agree that "toxic femininity" goes around the same way "toxic masculinity" do?

[@jordanwilliams1447]

@@arthurbarcellos8784 you really came here because seeing “toxic masculinity” made you uncomfy and you’re trying to argue it doesn’t exist? You could be doing anything else. I mean, shit, I’d rather be-I really don’t feel like educating you. Christ, my guy, my comment’s been up for a fucking month-the ship’s sailed. Byeeee

[@JohnnyG860]

You know its a masterpiece when the whole couch is just dead silent at the last quarter of the movie

[@par32]

Whenever I rewatch this I sit through the entire credits in silence lol

[@MelaniePoparad]

Yeah, 7 chatty young adults. Silence.

[@Waterdiver3900]

@@MelaniePoparad this is what they have taking away of us the rich elites

[@Aeras89]

Nothing but sniffles at the end, lol

[@nalublackwater9729]

Back when they showed this at cinemas 20 years ago you had packed cinema rooms. Like, no free seat. You could hear a pin dropping from the other side. The don't make movies that capture the attention of rooms full of adults and kids at the same time and with the same intensity anymore.

[@charltondsouza4644]

"My Friends, You bow for no one"....tears every time !

[@juliodavila424]

For me, it's "I do not say to you: 'do not weep,' for not all tears are evil " Everything comes to an end. Empires and life-long friendships. So poignant.

[@nancyhayes9958]

“I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.”

[@Cernunn0s90]

Every. Single. Time.

[@alanzlotkowski2695]

Merry, Frodo, and Sam have an expression of awed confusion...then there's Pipin, who has the look of surprised amusement!

[@anjaplushenka5995]

*Proves the royalty of Aragorn's heart. A true monarch always, always respect true greatness.*

[@TheMightyCrucibleKnight184]

"Go and fear no darkness, arise riders of Theoden! Spears shall be shaken, shield shall be splintered, a sword day a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride! Ride now! Ride for ruin ride for the world's ending! Death!!!!!" - King Theoden, Bernard Hill RIP.

[@MrRomegard]

the only speech to top it is Erwin, not the charge itself but the speech ^^

[@frozengoat5834]

@@MrRomegard I love Erwin's speech, Idk. Pretty similar. Low-key a courage of "But it is not this day" myself over both of them. That line in particular really gets me. He's not telling his men to have courage-he's informing them that they already do

[@alfonsobiggers2452]

He goes to his fathers, in whose company he shall not be ashamed...

[@paulchavez3039]

DEAAAAATH!!!!

[@paulchavez3039]

@@frozengoat5834u mean Aragorn's? ❤

[@cmdrbrantford888]

When the girls were crying.. I was thinking of that line Gandalf said at the end to the Hobbits, "I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are an evil"

[@ApexGale]

Letting your emotions spill out is healthy, Tolkien knew that a century ago. He understood humanity better than most of us do today.

[@RockBrentwood]

Yup, a whole lot of water works came out of this one; had to get the mop or order clean up in the movie aisle.

[@Cernunn0s90]

Galadriel didn't lie when she said the quest would claim Frodo's life. It did destroy him, which is why he had to leave with the elves. He sacrificed himself for the quest, and he carried the burden alone. Nobody else could have done what Frodo did, he is a true hero, but his heroic deed wasn't as flashy as slaying a dragon, just more difficult, but he saved his friends, and the rest of Middle Earth.

[@richardwallis9374]

I know Tolkein was no fan of allegory but it’s hard to not see the parallels of those that came home from the great wars and could never really reenter society. They saved their people but not for them.

[@kibblesnbits9146]

​@richardwallis9374 he was fine with applicability.

[@JeanParisot]

Those poor girls at the end trying to explain their thoughts and feelings 😅 Give them a moment for pity's sake!

[@Omegazil]

By nightfall this hills will be swarming with orcs!

[@LLLLLL-wp9bz]

@@Omegazil they need to talk before the commenters start swarming us. 😁

[@CenrelianGuardsmen]

The thing that makes lotr trilogy so great is that the movie doesn’t make you just sad, it makes you happy, remorseful, grieved, relieved, hopeful, and you could go on. The compounded feelings have so much density, and is layered so deeply. No other movie makes us feel this way, it is unmatched in its emotional impact.

[@Omegazil]

@@CenrelianGuardsmen it's because the movies focus on universal themes like courage, friendship, love... And everyone on the whole planet can relate to that. Truly a masterpiece.

[@dreamer2260]

@@CenrelianGuardsmen Perfectly put on the breadth and power of the layered emotions the trilogy brings out. Couldn't agree more.

[@SalKhayer]

The ugly, shameless crying from Addie was heartwarming. Threw me right back to the moment I showed these movies to my wife. She *hated* the idea of sitting with me for 9 hours over the course of a weekend just for these "nerdy" movies, and by the end of it she pulled an all-nighter on Sunday just to power through a 2nd watch with the extended editions by herself. Glad you guys all saw this and documented it on video to let us be able to experience this with you guys, and by proxy, let us live our first watch again as well. Definitely a movie trilogy best watched after you get a bit older to appreciate the beauty and bittersweetness of the various relationships.

[@ZuperFlax]

beautiful crying* love the openness! She really grasped the deep meaning of the movie! Great watch.

[@LordTelperion]

Hear, hear! Very moving.

[@Reblwitoutacause]

She's a keeper.

[@alexkats30]

Any person crying during those scenes is beautiful

[@mrsrevan1]

@@alexkats30 You're heartless if you don't.

[@Witherdrake]

Tolkien outright said in one of his letters, 246 to be exact; no one could have destroyed the ring willfully in the place of its making where its power was absolute. Only an act of chance or Providence could have destroyed it. In other words the Ring could only be destroyed by accident or by direct intervention by Eru'Illuvitar (God). Anyone weaker then Frodo would have never made it this far and anyone stronger would have succumb to the rings temptation. As Elrond said Frodo was chosen by Providence to take this quest on but notice no where does anyone ask Frodo to destroy the Ring. Only take the Ring to Mordor, with the goal of its destruction in mind. And yes in the end Frodo technically fails, he succumbs to the Ring and claims it. However i will refer to the professors letter about his thoughts on Frodo's failure. "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."

[@CarterAndrus]

My goat

[@nancyhayes9958]

I was so disappointed that Frodo failed the first time I read the trilogy at 12. Tolkien had taken the fairy-tale hero trope and turned it on its head. It took several years and several re-reads before I realized Frodo didn’t “fail”; he was the only one who could have gotten the ring to Mount Doom where it could be destroyed.

[@Witherdrake]

@@nancyhayes9958 frodo spent all of himself to produce the only situation in which the Ring could be destroyed. He is quiet literally dying standing at the slopes of Mt. Doom. His body attacked by starvation and dehydration, his mind attacked by exaustion and his soul attacked by the Ring itself. He isnt the hero as we think of it, Tolkien himself said Sam is the real hero. But Frodo did what even Gandalf called “a fools hope”. Frodo did all he could and Eru’Illuvitar (God) did the rest.

[@rikk319]

Tolkien really reflected his Christian beliefs with that, how all are considered broken under Christianity, but through humility and acceptance in faith, God makes things right. He didn't hit readers over the head with it, either, which is another reason why the book is embraced by so many, Christian or not.

[@underthegardenwall]

Frodo is my favorite character in both the books and movies. He doesn't get the love he deserves even though he's the one who selflessly volunteered to carry the Ring and sacrificed his soul to do it. I love Sam too, don't get me wrong, but it's low-key strange that he gets all the love even though it was Frodo who carried both the physical and psychological weight of the Ring. And he doesn't even get to reap the rewards of the journey the way that Sam does? Frodo deserves so much more love.

[@amberanime]

Boromir took 3 arrows before dying. Faramir took 2 arrows and lived. Appearently this line is made of stern stuff and requires a minimum of 3 arrows to die.

[@LLLLLL-wp9bz]

…and their father…hooves to the chest, burning dash of at least a football field, and we are only assuming he didn’t get up after that final fall…

[@debede8296]

​@@LLLLLL-wp9bznailed it

[@MyBoss1301]

@@LLLLLL-wp9bz 😂

[@SirSpuddington]

To answer the question of why the Elves didn't come to the aid of Minas Tirith - it's not shown in the movies for the sake of time, but at the same time that Sauron launched the siege of Minas Tirith, he also sent simultaneous assaults against Galadriel's Lothlorien, Legolas' home realm of Mirkwood, and the great dwarven kingdom of Erebor in the north. Every enemy of Sauron was tied up in their own separate battles, and if the Ring had not been destroyed, each of them would have fallen to Sauron's might because they were unable to fully unite.

[@MysteriaLentine]

“Aragorn always filled me with hope” His Elvish name is Estel; which means Hope🤣😂

[@0okamino]

Strider, Aragorn, Elessar, Thorongil, Envinyatar, etc etc. Call him what you will (including Longshanks). By any name, he is Hope.

[@kekekessa]

"I give hope to men, and leave none for myself" - the words of Aragorn's mother Gilraen. His path had been laid before him from his birth, and Gilraen knew this.

[@phoenixrose1192]

I’m English, so the irony here was appreciated. 😂

[@Miqlintock]

And raised by Elrond!

[@T.Florenz]

That shot of Gandalf, sitting in silence in the alley, under the heavy, desolate weight of grief. Always gets me.

[@rikk319]

Like Iroh for Zuko. Gandalf was more of a father to Faramir than Denethor was. Such an iconic shot of Gandalf

[@elsheart]

FINALLY someone talking about this scene 🤣🤣💖💖 !!!!!!!! The best shot of the movie for me this is is a real damn painting 💖💖💖💖

[@SliderFury1]

The freeze-frame of that shot is one of the most beautiful things in cinematic history.

[@alejandrozapata4059]

That shot is like a painting. It's truly amazing.

[@scyxwill5965]

@@elsheart me too,i looooove that scene. Its like a painting adn especialy the music,the melody of the scene is my favourite

[@tls4022]

Love the new generation embracing the trilogy. It's one we are very proud of as a New Zealander.

[@tzimiable]

Its gone down in history with the likes of the original Star Wars trilogy. As long as there are movies, it will be in the collective consciousness I think.

[@jawesomes6939]

Thank you New Zealand. Love from America. 🫡

[@RyanG0899]

​@@jawesomes6939What are you thanking New Zealand for? They never made Lotr

[@Mr.Paticles]

The film made by an entire country. ❤️

[@jasonremy8688]

The trilogy thankfully will never die , I mean Ive seen the trilogy on tv like 15 years ago and I've finally checked it out 2 months ago and I'm so happy I did after I've finally attended university and matured so watching the trilogy again from a new perspective was something else and I will always treasure it. I finally understood why everyone loves it so much. Its peak filmmaking and cinema and ntg could ever touch it.

[@AgedBacon]

You gotta know that Theoden went to war thinking it was already lost, and just wanting to die in battle. He never imagined once that he could win. Once you know that, his actions, his speech takes another meaning. He just tells his men to meet their end bravely. Them screaming Death isn't just for the orcs, it's for them too.

[@Jakvin013]

I think he went to battle because it was the right thing to do. But he definitely expected to die. On the other hand, Eowyn was seeking death. At least in the books.

[@spamhere1123]

It has even greater significance than you know. Death, since the beginning of the world, was called the Doom of Men. Unlike elves, whose souls are permanently tied to the world, the Mortal Races instead had their souls escape the world upon death, and go somewhere else, somewhere even Mandos does not know--though it is heavily implied that they go to the Timeless Halls, the presence of Eru Illuvatar, essentially God Almighty in Tolkien's mythology, where they await the end of the world and its remaking. Death, and the fear of it, was what caused the downfall of Numenor, the peak of humanity since the creation of the world. The Kings of Gondor, Aragorn included, are direct descendants of this grand and powerful race of Men. They built wonders unlike any seen before in the world, including the cities of Gondor, and lived for hundreds of years. Yet their last king, Ar-Pharazon, listened to the whispers of Sauron, and envy grew in his heart--for he feared his coming death, and he bitterly desired the immortality of the Elves. Under the council of Sauron, he led the nation of Numenor against the Valar, the Archangels or demigods of the world, to take immortality for themselves. He was the only man to ever set even a single foot upon the Undying Lands...and the moment he did, the world was changed. Eru Illuvatar Himself stepped in and split the entire world asunder. The entire nation of Numenor and all their armies and fleets were cast into a bottomless abyss, and the shape of the world was forever different. It was then that the world became round, where men could sail in one direction and eventually arrive back where they started, and the Undying Lands were severed from the mortal plain, where only the Elves still know to go. All this, because Men grew to fear Death. But Theoden remembered something--Death was originally not called the Doom of Men, but rather the _GIFT_ of Men. To escape the suffering of the world and go to the Halls of God was a blessing, not a curse. Theoden was a man who remembered a timeless truth, that Man was meant to die--and death was not to be feared. For the first time in many ages of the world, a king of men accepted the Gift that God had created them with, and did not fear it. And there is nothing greater than a man who does not fear his death.

[@fyapowa]

he didn't going to die, his character is a lot more complex he never felt worthy and always doubted himself and that he wasn't enough for the position of king, or worthy of meeting his ancestor when he died. That last charge before his death was him showing his courage to go to his inevitable death to fight for middle earth. And at the end it shows full circle with his final dying words being "My body is broken. I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed. '

[@billparrish4385]

One bit of costuming detail that always impressed me was that inside Théoden's breastplate, WETA Workshop had carved Théoden's house's symbol, like a coat of arms. Never shows up on camera, it was just their love of the craft, dedication to completion and realism, and a gift to Bernard Hill to help him get into character.

[@starflameburnsbright]

Watching the behind the scenes stuff is so humling and wonderful. The love, passion and dedication. Oh to have been old enough to take part!

[@rustyshackleford6906]

Éowyn in the movie: "I am no man!" Éowyn in the book: "But no living man am I! You look upon a woman, Éowyn I am, Éomund's daughter! You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you if you touch him!"

[@rikk319]

It's a great book line, but even in the animated Return of the King the line comes off as clunky in cinema.

[@technoviking4131]

The movies are amazing but the books cannot be compared, they are works of genius.

[@Sandlund93]

It would have killed the moment if Miranda Otto said all that on screen. Some things work better in books and in a movie format you have to adapt it.

[@pavelslama5543]

Looks great on paper, but would probably bore the Witch King to death even before he got stabbed...

[@caiostrasser128]

witch king: "god damn, can you kill me already?"

[@SalKhayer]

Brig saying "Can I get you guys some tissues bro?" is one of the most unintentionally funny things of all time.

[@brigandrus]

I shoulda committed the reactors taboo and got up and got some 😂.

[@underthegardenwall]

I laughed there too. Both girls were sniffling on either side of him, and him being awkwardly like, "should I get tissues" was comedy gold.

[@MihaZ]

The theatrical has better pacing for first time viewers, but the extended cut is the definitive version afterwards. They add SO MUCH to the movies.

[@MamadNobari]

I think the only good thing about the theatrical is that it doesn't have that "we fight" from the mountain ghost dude (I think?), so it's a nice little surprise when you see them come from the ship without knowing they wanted to help. Other than it, I don't even remember what the theatricals were since I probably watched them more than a decade ago and not since.

[@underthegardenwall]

I agree, the theatrical versions are much better paced. I'm actually contemplating buying the theatrical versions on DVD because the quick pacing builds the emotions up better imo (I cry each time) whereas the extended versions I find myself low-key yawning by the end. Even though I've watched the extended versions for years, I'm starting to realize that the theatrical versions are superior in that regard - they crescendo the emotions, whereas the extended versions stymie you from the full emotional impact. Just my opinion of course.

[@qwerty30013]

I’ve yet to see a fist time viewer who watched the extended and balled their eyes out complain that the “pacing was off”

[@qwerty30013]

@@underthegardenwallcan you name specific scenes

[@underthegardenwall]

@@qwerty30013 For example, Return of the King. The confrontation b/t Gandalf and the Witch King was low-key weird since the WK was about to kill Gandalf, but then turns around and leaves just b/c Rohan arrived. Like, the WK could've killed Gandalf first, right? He had him at his fingertips, but plot convenience made the WK turn tail. That scene should've been cut if it was going to be that illogical and random. And as the person above stated, adding in more of the mountain ghost scenes felt unnecessary. The theatrical version ended with "what say you?" which added more tension to the storyline, whereas the extended version wasted time with the skull avalanche. Were the ghosts trying to kill Aragorn lol? Doesn't make any sense, especially if they were going to immediately then say, "We fight." The drinking game with Legolas and Gimli was fun but unnecessary. Could've just been a deleted scene. Aragorn goading Sauron via palantir also could've been cut. I understand the function of that scene, but it wasn't totally necessary since Gondor riding up to the black gates could've been enough to provoke Sauron. Even the Mouth of Sauron scene could've been deleted. I'm not saying ALL the extra scenes are unnecessary of course. The Two Towers flashbacks to Boromir add a lot, Saruman's death being deleted in the first place was criminal, the longer "concerning hobbits" intro from Fellowship is superior, etc. But there are a handful of other scenes (especially in ROTK) that just chip away at the pacing of these movies; if we wanted extra details, we should've had a TV show instead of actual movies.

[@MrJedi20]

Interesting but sad movie fact: the ending song was a dedication to a young high school (secondary school) filmmaker named Cameron Duncan in New Zealand who had met Peter Jackson while Lord of the Rings was being filmed. He had made an award winning PSA commercial about drinking and driving. Unfortunately, Cameron was diagnosed with terminal cancer but worked on making films because it was his passion in life. The original ending song was already to go and Cameron passed away as Return of the King was being filmed. Phillipa Boyens, one of the screen writers alongside Peter Jackson, went into the appendices of the books and found the right words to rewrite the ending song titled Into the West, a tribute to Cameron’s journey from this life into the undying lands. The song went on to win the academy award for best original song as part of a “clean sweep” having Return of the King win every major category of the 2004 Academy Awards including best picture and best director. Here’s to you Mellón, Cameron.

[@FemkevanDrooge]

Absolutely love that song, thank you for this story behind it ❤ I also love that you can hear this song subtly in the background when Gandalf tells Pippin about the White Shores beyond death

[@noops99]

‘my friends… you bow to no one’ gets me sobbing every DAMN TIMEEEEE 😭😭😭

[@LLLLLL-wp9bz]

Legolas got his in early: “and you have my bow” 🙃

[@ClutchSituation]

Best reaction on KZbin. This shows how indelible these movies are. Addie speaking about character growth is what's PEAK here. Frodo comes out completely changed. How could anyone go through that and NOT be changed? J.R.R. Tolkien fought in WW1, and wrote LOTR after it. He could not have written as good of a story if he had not experienced war. "How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand... there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts that go too deep, that have taken hold."

[@Haldjas_]

This is also the reason why modern stories are often times so utterly boring and predictable, the authors haven't experienced anything worthwhile to write about, all they know is stuff that other people wrote. They write from an ivory tower only hearing about the world outside. They don't know how it is to fight wars, to be mentally and physically scarred for life and sometimes not even how to really have human interactions. Tolkien wrote his universe not just because he made a language and wanted backstory for it, he literally tried to cope with the absolute hell that was WW1 and it really shows. The fact that Peter Jackson made this trilogy just the way it had to be, is a miracle in itself.

[@romofin]

@@Haldjas_ To be fair, Tolkien is just a complete outlier in passion and talent as well. There are plenty of people these days going through awful times, but it takes a truly special mind to create something so emotionally resonant out of their own experiences.

[@Haldjas_]

@@romofin That is true, Tolkien had a talent and i agree that there are still people that write good stories, i don't wanna say that everything new is bad but being a writer, for many, is a career or activism stage not a passion these days and it shows. And that is what people notice when seeing modern lackluster movies, series or books that are basically just a checklist on genre tropes and current political themes. The latest examples being the acolyte, rings of power or even the witcher.

[@nancyhayes9958]

Bit of trivia for you: In the scene where Gandalf is saying farewell to the hobbits, he’s wearing a gold ring with a red stone; that’s Narya, the third elven ring, the ring of fire. Cirdan (the lord of the havens) gave the ring to Gandalf when he and the other wizards arrived from the blessed realm. He knew Gandalf would use it to help the people of Middle-earth fight Sauron; Gandalf used the ring to kindle spiritual fire-courage from fear, hope from despair, strength from weakness.

[@SalKhayer]

"He sounds like Count Dooku". Fun fact, Count Dooku is actually just Saruman. Literally, the same actor. RIP to that legend too. Ian McKellan's passing (likely in my lifetime) will be the one that hits the hardest.

[@poolhall9632]

Death is just another part of life... 🧙🏼

[@AliasSchmalias]

To me the hardest will probably be Sean Bean...

[@hepunk]

Fun Fact: Christopher Lee holds the record for the most on screen deaths

[@LordArthex]

@@hepunk Yeah and i thought Sean Bean's 25 was a lot, Lee's 70 is like almost 3 times more :D

[@mowgli2071]

I'm always amazed that audiences don't pick up on Count Dooku having an alternate spelling as Count Du Coup

[@mycroft16]

Howard Shore's score is one of the best ever written. The epicness for the Beacons sequence is amazing.

[@Subasschin]

This is easily one of the best reaction videos I've ever seen. These are my favorite movies ever, and the combo of having a few people who have already seen it, then showing it to newer people who actually understand writing and character dynamic is so refreshing and pure. Crying the last 30 minutes too!? Y'all had me emotional again like the first time I saw the movies lol, love it y'all. Brings me back to my childhood. Glad I could watch with you

[@par32]

The girls being nervous to talk in the end yet describing their thoughts through all that emotion was epic.

[@tigqc]

As Billy Crystal said at the Oscars that year, Return of the King should've gotten and Academy Award for each of its 50 endings lol.

[@alexanderrose1071]

I remember as a little kid, during the battle, I had to pee. Thinking that the battle was a logical ending to the movie, I told myself just to wait until the end. Little did I know what I was doing to myself, and how much longer was left in the movie

[@Toastbikini182]

lol this reminds me that my sister sat in the theatre with her jacket on for 30 minutes because she kept thinking it was just about to end 🤣

[@kibblesnbits9146]

There are even more endings in the extended edition, and more still in the books.

[@RedFloyd469]

@@kibblesnbits9146 I disagree. There is only one real ending in the books. Everything else is build up to that. And although the scourging of the shire feels a bit off, at the end of the day it was a neccessary addition. Middle earth has changed, and the trauma of the war has reached the shire just as well.

[@laura.1733]

My favourite is when he said ‘do you know that people are now moving to New Zealand just to be thanked?’ lol

[@skush9146]

I love how emotional the girls got, and even Brigs voice sounded like he was holding something back, this trilogy is just peak in every way

[@di3486]

They remembered what it means to be vulnerable, a lost skill these days.

[@Seryma86]

It really is, every couple years I rewatch and pretty much binge in one day. Just so perfect as the first one introduces you to the world (middle earth) and the characters. The second continues with character growth/bonds between the characters and the ultimate dread and dire circumstances they faced, which set up the third one perfectly which was done masterfully from beginning to end and the emotion in it was next level. Lol I kinda view it as one long ass flick at this point. I’ll never forget seeing the first one in the theatre when I was 15 just being blown away, never read the books and didn’t know what it was about (just thought the trailer looked cool), was hooked immediately in the first 10 minutes. Still crazy they were shot basically non stop, movies of these quality and length, shooting locations being released in a three year span

[@dwightgaston6079]

The girl on the left was yawning in the beginning of fellowship. From that to the blubbering end is true conversion!

[@anjaplushenka5995]

*Galadriel to Gandalf: "Mithrandir... why the Halfling?" Gandalf: "...I don't know. Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid... and he gives me courage. (The same applies, or even more so, to Frodo Baggins, Pippin, Merry, and Sam.)*

[@Real_MisterSir]

The little things make this hit so much harder. The main reason for why Frodo so desparately needed to believe Smeagol could be saved, was because he had to believe he himself could be saved too. Such is the fate for anyone who has to bear the burden of the Ring, it corrupts your soul in a way no normal healing can truly revert. It lingers in your soul. Frodo had to have a reason to believe bearing the Ring wouldn't be a damnation of his being and everything he once believed in. The things that kept him going all the way to the end.

[@davidnobre5660]

"never thought I'd die side by side with an Elf" "How about side by side with a friend" "Aye, I could do that" 😭😭😭

[@frankc9086]

The difference between this movie and other movies is you watch the adventures of the other movies but in the lord of the rings you go on the adventure . It’s like we literally traveled with the fellowship right to the end.This movie leaves you in a shambles 😂

[@illinoisan]

Simply put, it’s the greatest achievement in cinematic history. I’ve spent a long life enjoying classic movies made before I was born and grew up in a time when many more classics were first released. No other movie experience has ever been rendered in the face of so much difficulty and yet with such success.

[@adamplentl5588]

Another bit of cinematic genius that really shows what a great visual storyteller Peter Jackson is, and some imagery that Ive always loved. In Mount Doom when Sam is telling Frodo to reach and Frodo finally grasps his hand, that image is a perfect inversion of the scene at the end of Fellowship where Sam is drowning and Frodo reaches down and grabs his hand. Its a beautiful little visual twist and really shows how deep Jackson was thinking when he put this all together.

[@TheFifhtEye]

Fun facts: Bernard Hill (Theoden) was so loud while shooting the Fields of Pellenor (The charge of the Rohirrim) the filmmakers did not have to boost his voice via speakers and still all extras heard him. Also, the moment where he rides along the first line of the Rohirrim and clunks his sword against the spears was his own idea he had pitched to Peter Jackson (it's not in the books) and it was accepted. This is how brilliant this actor was. May he rest in peace

[@MrLainon]

There's a really funny fan theory that doesn't apply to the books, about how Frodo never learned Legolas' name. Frodo never says Legolas' name nor talks to him ever throughout the movies, and you see him say every characters name as they enter his room except Legolas, who he just stares at awkwardly. Once you see it you can't unsee it and it makes me chuckle whenever I see that scene now.

[@LarissaFay]

😂 that is so funny. Frodo doesn't say his name, and I always wondered why he didn't say it at the end.

[@underthegardenwall]

RIGHT! Legolas and Frodo barely interacted, but still...the movie didn't have to make it THAT obvious in the reunion lol.

[@randylahey1822]

Fun one but it still doesn't make any sense from the movie perspective. Aragon says his name while Frodo is listening at the council of Elrond, Legolas is also the first person Frodo sees while starring into Galadriels mirror. One could ask what was worth conversation about to make the movies look better? idk but I never thought or heard about such theories before

[@pickleboy6059]

“And you have my bow”. The 1 and only line spoken between them in the movies

[@Cinerary]

Legolas wasn’t real. Frodo was the only one who wouldn’t play into the other’s delusions.

[@MysteriaLentine]

Elrond has always believed in Aragorn even before Arwen and him got together. He is Aragorn’s great uncle, 56 times removed. Also, Aragorn didn’t give up on Arwen evidenced by him still wearing the evenstar necklace, he was being kind to Eowyn the whole time. He even told Eowyn about Arwen but she heard what she wanted to hear.

[@kaludgo5811]

Yes the blood of elros is strong in aragorn and I think that Elrond recognised it at the end.

[@dalekexterminador7846]

Yes, and Elrond was not an amazon sword deliverer.

[@benji0099]

Aragorn definitely respected and liked Eowyn, but it was never romantic for him. It was always Arwen.

[@kencueto4787]

Aragorn and Arwen are basically cousins if you think about it.

[@marcusfridh8489]

But he had to put away the ranger and become king to earn the the hand of Arwen in marriage

[@jdspencer60]

46:04 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. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be over taken. Fey he seemed, or the battle fury of his fathers ran like new fire within his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a God of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young.

[@patrickwaldeck6681]

This was my favorite passage in the books growing up. Theoden is so great. An old man destined for death giving it one last hurrah and transforming himself into a god of war.

[@colinstubblefield4670]

As great as the portrayed Theoden, it did not do him justice as the books described him. This quote from the books fully shows the valor the he had and how he, in his mind, came to believe and find peace in himself.

[@charlottemcgraw4922]

I like how you can see Frodo think about giving up when he's hanging from the cliff, but he makes the decision to live and grabs Sam's hand BEFORE the ring actually melts. He beat it in the end.

[@clojap]

When Rohan shows up and the king makes his speech it always gets me, my eyes teared up in the theater and they have every time I've seen it since. The combo of the delivery, the situation and the music are perfect. Sam telling Frodo he can carry him is also another tear jerker.

[@professorbugbear]

The music in these movies is perfection I truly hope Howard Shore feels the pride that he deserves to.

[@blurredmirrors]

1:00:41 “I can’t carry it for you. But I can carry you!” That line… gets me every damn time… Cannon crying :’(

[@rogersalllike9133]

then back hernia happened 😅

[@RedFloyd469]

Sam is a gigachad for that scene alone. He's an ultrachad when you take every other scene of him into account.

[@Tu-Li-Oh]

@@rogersalllike9133 nah. Gardener's work gets you dem gains.

[@rogersalllike9133]

@@Tu-Li-Oh man Ring is heavy

[@minezweeper2976]

It's always satisfying to see people reaction on that "you bow to no one" scene.

[@Siddious09]

That whole post movie discussion, all i was hearing was snifflings. Which is a good thing!

[@jaysinjaymesbrown7819]

Often large watch groups lose focus with too many people speaking through key scenes, but you all did a great job. The girl with the black hair was the emotional heart and soul of this reaction. Well done all. 👏

[@ezradanger]

Nothing like a room full of people tearing up at Sam's most epic line.

[@joshuawells835]

"I would have you smile again, not grieve for those whose time has come." "I go now to my fathers, in whose mighty company, I shall not now feel ashamed." RIP Bernard Hill, actor of Theoden son of Thengel, King of Rohan

[@professorbugbear]

As I age I grow in appreciation of Theoden. His story arc is so human. His self doubt in contrast to his sense of duty was so dynamic.

[@CarterAndrus]

Greatest movie of all time

[@jasonremy8688]

Was there ever any doubt my Friend 😂❤. The ending and the story sticks with you forever. Once in a while you always come back to it. You have to. Greatest fiction, greatest story ever told in filmmaking. PERIOD.

[@HickoryDickory86]

Agreed. 💯

[@DominicShaughnessy-tj8jt]

Best reactors oat too

[@ScammyJammy]

As a fan of the books I love the 1st and 2nd more tbh but the extended version of the 3rd movie is goated has probably my favorite scene from the books in it when Aragon confronts Sauron through the Palantiri

[@CarterAndrus]

@@DominicShaughnessy-tj8jt best compliment ever

[@UchihaOokami2596]

God that silence after Faramirs sacrifice was heavy. Knew this one was going to be rough for them all. And absolutely lost my shit laughing when Gothmog says “Kill all in your path” and just heard a small “oh frick”

[@treycantrell8590]

This story had helped me throughout my life in many stages. I am a veteran, an addict, and simply put just a guy. I needed a hard hit to learn how to live life after my military service, I am still struggling to let go of my alcoholism like bilbo, and as a man I hope I can stand as strong as sam does for his friend. I hope i can be that friend who can be there. It is insane that I can find something new from watching the story or reading it. I am still an active alcoholic but I understand the pull of "the ring" when I lessen my alcohol intake. Its a little voice and I just hope I aint a bilbo where at the end I am asking for a "hit". Yall helped me in a sense

[@treycantrell8590]

My original comment was to think about a heroin addict, even though I am an addict.

[@wakkadakka9192]

My favorite part is that no one will ever know that Frodo didn't throw the ring. What actually happened inside the mountain will forever remain between Frodo and Sam. All the struggle, all the doubts, all the weaknesses - all this is only between them. A story of true friendship.

[@ohheyitsollie2481]

Make me cry again bro

[@NatJSmith]

I think that’s actually part of Frodos depression. He feels immense guilt he is hailed as a hero but only he and Sam know he failed in the end. Obviously as The audience we know it was impossible in mount doom to let the ring as it was too powerful for any mortal bit Frodo didn’t know that. In his mind, he was a failure who had only saved middle earth through pure luck when Gollum fell. The guilt ate ate away at him

[@wakkadakka9192]

@@NatJSmith Interesting thought. Even though Tolkien described that the ring literally crippled his soul, and the wound from the Nazgul's sword never healed completely and constantly hurt. (just like Merry suffered from pain in the hand, with which he hit the Nazgul, until the end of his life) I would say that guilt is also was point for his suffering, and the fact that he left the end of the book unfinished and gave the book to Sam to finish as he saw fit suggests that Frodo did not want to end the book by lying about himself as a hero.

[@philippalinton5850]

@@NatJSmith Tolkien said in Letter 246 that Frodo would not have concealed the truth from Gandalf and Aragorn. So it wasn't just between him and Sam. Frodo had far too much integrity for that. :) I'm not a fan of how Peter Jackson treats Frodo in the films (although I like them overall).

[@rogersalllike9133]

No absolutely NO Like u see them after the adventure drinking beers ? After that drinking Frodo said everything out loud 😅 but nobody remembers because they had a blind spot for the night 😅😅😅😅😅

[@katie.s.]

Really appreciate Carter having Frodo in his top three characters, as Frodo has always been one of my favourites too. I love his character so much. People often overlook just how much he sacrificed to destroy the ring. His story is tragic. Starting as an innocent hobbit who loved the winding rivers, hearing his Uncle's stories of far off adventures, and reading under the canopy of trees, to having his very soul corrupted by the embodiment of evil. He is one of the strongest characters in the story, and not because he can wield a sword or use magic. His intelligence, empathy, pure heart, will and bravery is what makes him strong. If Frodo hadn't taken on the burden in the shire, then again in Rivendell, the mission would have failed almost immediately as no other character would have been able to withstand the power of the ring for as long as he did. And at the same time, had Aragorn and Gandalf etc. not fought and aided Frodo from afar, then the mission would have failed. All of the characters played an important part in destroying the ring. Where some characters have weaknesses, others provide their strength. I do appreciate the extra respect for Frodo though, as a lot of people like to downplay his role and call him weak/useless when it couldn't be farther from the truth. It's also interesting to note that he sees Gollum as his possible (inevitable) future, which is why he always shows empathy and mercy towards him. He is so set on 'bringing him back' and treating him as an equal (unlike how Sam treats him) because if Sméagol can be brought back from the corruption caused by the ring, then so can Frodo. Enjoyed these reactions!

[@damonchen8606]

Frodo is my favourite for these exact reasons. No one else sacrificed or endured as much as he did.

[@marcusfridh8489]

Frodo wont have gotton far without Samwise the brave

[@katie.s.]

@@marcusfridh8489 clearly didn’t read my comment at all. “Where some characters have weaknesses, others provide their strength.” The ring wouldn’t have even left the Shire if it wasn’t for Frodo.

[@RoseBaggins]

Completely agree, each of the characters were important to taking down Sauron, and each of us are drawn to certain characters. As for me, Frodo has always been my favorite, he is just so awesome! 💙 #ForFrodo

[@underthegardenwall]

@@marcusfridh8489 Would Samwise the brave have destroyed the Ring? No, I think not. Tolkien himself suggests that it was Frodo's kindness and empathy for Gollum that inadvertently destroyed the Ring. Also, everything that Sam did for Frodo, Frodo would've done for Sam, so give credit to Frodo where it's due. People take Tolkien's words of "Sam is the real hero" way too literally nowadays. THINK FOR YOURSELF YA'LL. It's so simplistic to think that either Sam or Frodo could've done this mission without the other: Frodo was the one to bear the mind-fuckery of the Ring, Sam was the emotional support/guide. This *needed* a team effort.

[@mathilly]

the girl on the right (don’t remember her name :/ ) got so many things for the first time watching, it’s really impressive. she understands that without gollum the ring would probably have not been destroyed so he played a really important role (which gandalf even said in the first(?) movie). also that she points out at the end that a part of frodo did indeed die and galadriel was right about that. i really enjoyed the discussion at the end, i love it when reaction channels do this and speak about things i thought of. also the scene when boromir dies, that must be my favorite because i think he’s the role that by far represents not only the good in humans but also the weakness that is within all of us.

[@rikk319]

Galadriel said, in the film--"The Quest will claim his life", which is very true--for the film's sake it can make new viewers think that means Frodo will die. Instead, it means he will essentially suffer from PTSD over it, physical trauma from the Morgul blade and Shelob's sting and the weight of the Ring on his body and soul. He sacrificed his physical, mental, and spiritual health for the sake of the world. He justly deserved Arwen giving him her place on the ship so he could find healing and peaceful final rest in Valinor.

[@hobbes305]

I have always felt that Boromir gets a bit of a bum rap due to the corrupting effect that the Ring has over him so early in the trilogy. One detail that many overlook is in the scene in the Extended Edition when Boromir first encounters Aragorn in the memorial hall in Rivendell where the Shards of Narsil are displayed. In that scene Boromir picks up the broken base of the sword and lightly touches the broken edge, cutting his finger in the process. It is important to remember that he last time that portion of the sword had wounded anyone was when the ring finger was sliced from Sauron's hand by Isildur over three-thousand years earlier. I have always suspected that in that briefest moment, some traces of Sauron's blood might well have contaminated Boromir's wound, infecting him with some of Sauron's malevolence and desire for the Ring. Boromir is a victim to be pitied, not a villain.

[@amberbucknall3072]

@@hobbes305I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought about the blood

[@ZS-dr7bi]

The stressed shoulders, the concentrated brow, the restless leg, the sobbing!! I relate to Addie so much 😂😂😂

[@loyalsejeong]

The song ''Into the West'' at the end is so powerful and beautiful.

[@norricdaoc8746]

When I saw this in the theater, there was not a single dry eye at the end. Even us guys were wiping our eyes nonstop. The song during the amazing credits broke me, totally perfect and beautiful song.

[@Hypn0p0mpic]

I chose this song for my grandma's funeral

[@majkus]

“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. At his summons, wheeling with a rending cry, in a last desperate race there flew, faster than the winds, the Nazgûl, the Ringwraiths, and with a storm of wings they hurtled southwards to Mount Doom.”

[@orothien]

I deeply appreciate that you justly appreciate Theoden's speech and warcry.

[@fyapowa]

his final death line of "My body is broken. I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed. '" really hits home for his character arc

[@JFLY78]

"We made a promise to ourselves at the beginning of the process that we weren't going to put any of our own politics, our own messages or our own themes into these movies. ... In a way, we were trying to make these films for him (Tolkien), not for ourselves." - Peter Jackson

[@UchihaOokami2596]

These are the stories and overwhelming emotions that sick narcissists in hollywood have taken from us, and specifically their generation. Were blessed these movies came when they did, when it was artists and creative people that understood the stories that made movies.

[@LDIndustries]

@@UchihaOokami2596 So like...I'm also of the mind that recent years have seen a downturn in overall quality of movies but that's not because there are no more good movies. It's simply because so many more movies are being made now that the sheer volume of lackluster ones overshadows the ones that are really good. Hollywood had just as many sick narcissists when these movies were being made as it does now. Don't rewrite history. Hell, based on documentaries and first hand accounts modern Hollywood is less toxic than Hollywood was 20-40 years ago. The existence of masterpieces from the past doesn't take away from the abilities of the present, if you think it does then you're an idiot. The fact that movies like this exist should make you hope and believe that more can be made. The exist of great art is proof that great art can be made.

[@rikk319]

@@LDIndustries Yeah, when some people say "Hollywood is toxic, wish it would go back to the good ol' days," I think the "good ol' days" they're thinking of is Birth Of A Nation...

[@6670gazza]

And the Rings of Power is the morgul blade in Tolkiens back.

[@rikk319]

@@6670gazza Um, no. Nothing ANYONE could do would EVER take away the greatness that is Tolkien's literary work. Rings of Power is all on Amazon, not Tolkien.

[@soccer81894]

Legolas is also epic because he is the only elf in the fellowship. Most of the elves at this point just planned to leave and be immortal but Legolas (and ofc all the elves that showed up to Helm's Deep) not only risks his life by joining the fellowship, he genuinely cares for this world and his companions.

[@jasonfarrell00]

1). Theoden (id follow him into any danger) 2). Sam (most dependable) 3). Gandalf (words to live by) 1). Ride of the Rohirrim 2). Sam lifting Frodo 3). Sam’s speech in TT Man said it all: could have a two hour podcast with a top 30 moments and it still wouldn’t do these movies justice. Thank you guys for sharing this with us, I’ve seen these so many times and still get all the emotions, but there’s nothing quite like watching someone’s first watch. Loved every single one of these from yall, all the tears lol

[@stokesbook]

I just wanted to say as a life-long fan of this story, watching your reactions has been truly heart-warming. I'm so glad everyone really enjoyed it. To speak to Sam's rescue of Frodo from the tower being "convenient", Tolkien coined the term 'eucatastrophe' to mean "a massive turn in fortune from a seemingly unconquerable situation to an unforeseen victory, usually brought by grace rather than heroic effort" and this is a perfect example of that sentiment which Tolkien felt was key to his stories and the world he'd built. That calamity and catastrophe should not always been in favour of the antagonists or always to the detriment of the protagonists. Thanks so much for posting these, I hope we get to see what you think of the extended scenes

[@majkus]

"The eucatastrophic tale is the true form of fairy-tale, and its highest function." … "…it denies (in the face of much evidence, if you will) universal final defeat and in so far is evangelium, giving a fleeting glimpse of Joy, Joy beyond the walls of the world, poignant as grief. "It is the mark of a good fairy-story, of the higher or more complete kind, that however wild its events, however fantastic or terrible the adventures, it can give to child or man that hears it, when the “turn” comes, a catch of the breath, a beat and lifting of the heart, near to (or indeed accompanied by) tears, as keen as that given by any form of literary art, and having a peculiar quality. " - J.R.R. Tolkien, "On Fairy-stories"

[@aaronia8092]

I've always liked the idea that the mithril shirt got all the orcs in the tower to fight against each other. It gave me hope in my youth, this touhgt that evil somehow tends to destroy itself (its 'servants' are greedy, unloyal, etc.) vs. the truly loyal and united friends who serve 'good'.

[@theheartieobserver]

"You give them the time to cook, and they absolutely cook" I love the way you said that! It's so true!

[@harbl99]

You can see every second of the _seven years of prep time_ they took with this film.

[@rini6]

“You bow to no one” - I’ve got some dust in my eyes.. every time.

[@beanwithbaconmegarocket]

I was in high school when these movies came out and saw them multiple times in theaters. Fellowship was absolutely mind-blowing. People used to buy tickets to other movies just to see the trailer. But I think I love them even more now. Good to see the next generation experiencing them.

[@jackalope_hunter]

awh thats cool man the ladies were so into it by the end. respect. every fantasy fan is breaking down inside by the end

[@VitriolicThunder]

This movie is actually tied for the most Oscars with Titanic and Ben-Hur.

[@jasonremy8688]

Titanic tho don't deserve it imo. Any of the Oscars . Any. Way too overhyped and overglorized.

[@MasterIceyy]

I will never understand how the LotR didn't receive a single award for best actor, I feel like because it was a fantasy film, it wasn't taken as seriously as the stereotypical passion project indie films that normally win best actor. Sir Ian Mckellen was insanely good as Gandalf, Viggo, Elijah, Andy Serkis, and Sean all deserved to at least be considered for the award.

[@PickledShark]

@@MasterIceyy John Noble deserved an Oscar for his performance in this film. And so did Sean Astin

[@ChuckJansenII]

LOTR was also a clean sweep of wins from nominations. None of the cast was nominated for Best Actor or Supporting Actor. Not sure about the reason for this. Maybe someone knows. Across all three movies from all the different organizations with awards LOTR trilogy is the most decorated film series with 475 wins out of 800 nominations. Still in disbelief that A Beautiful Mind beat out The Fellowship and Chicago beat out The Two Towers for best picture. Ben Hur is a great movie and deserved the awards.

[@jayconant3816]

@@jasonremy8688 fact

[@Sage2000]

A proprer 1 hour of sobbing reaction. Warms my heart. ❤

[@AnotherScribbler]

I love that the Ring tried to corrupt Sam by drawing on his ambition, and when his ambition was a nice garden it tried to sell him on the whole world as a garden. Which Sam found ridiculous. I mean, it would have worn him down eventually like it did Frodo… but what a champ.

[@marcusfridh8489]

And only it was Bilbo and Sam that could let the ring go volontarly after have put it on

[@telynns8490]

I love that scene in the book. The ring promises him the whole world to make a huge garden out of and Sam just goes pppffffttt... that's silly. (paraphrasing of course!)

[@rikk319]

It was a team effort. Sam definitely would have killed Gollum early on if left to his own devices, dooming the world. Frodo would have failed physically to even reach Mt. Doom if not for Sam. Frodo's strength was empathy, and Sam's strength was loyalty.

[@maaderllin]

@@rikk319 greatly put!

[@RedFloyd469]

Just imagine the ring seeing Sam's heart and absolutely struggling to find clever ways to seduce him because absolutely nothing else except Frodo and Gardening are on his mind. "I know, I'll tell him I'll turn the world into a giant GARDEN, that'll work!"

[@omnomnomnomm]

"Epic" is the right word for that scene. My dad is not a movie person, he probably watched only a dozen movie in his lifetime, but when i watched this on tv he stood behind me silently while The Ride of The Rohirrim scene is on. Then he told me he got goosebumps (we all did, dad 😅)

[@korganrocks3995]

Dads and standing in the room but refusing to sit down is such a fun phenomenon! 😄

[@omnomnomnomm]

@korganrocks3995 it's a canon event bro 😂

[@nefle541]

47:04 The 3-men synchronized 'I-can't-believe-how-epic' headshake says it all.

[@korganrocks3995]

Hahaha, I missed that, but it's genuinely great choreography! 😄

[@Orieni]

49:30 “the horses are so brave”. Trained horses knew what to do. They understood the commands, and there are hundreds of stories of riderless horses joining in the charge. The British cavalry, whom Professor Tolkien would know, even said the horses knew which regiment they belonged in.

[@17thknight]

The one thing i hate about the non extended editions is they don't give closure to Faramir and Eowyn, showing them get together and heal is a huge part of their story

[@telynns8490]

Even in the extended version the story is rushed. It is sooooo good in the books. Just love the city nobleman and the rustic horselord lady falling for each other.

[@rikk319]

@@telynns8490 Eh...not much rustic about a princess and niece of a king...

[@telynns8490]

@@rikk319 Not her so much as their whole people. They were considered more rural people then the urban Gondor.

[@rikk319]

@@telynns8490 That's true enough. It is interesting how much Tolkien stresses humility in the story. The Gondorians, as descendents of Numenor, are supposed to be the "superior" humans, but Gondor has decayed a lot, and the Rohirrim are much more vital, active, and optimistic than the Gondorians.

[@stevem2323]

@@telynns8490 It's not rushed, just you can't have time and space like in the books.

[@johnlawrence7386]

Bernard Hill who played Théoden passed away a few weeks ago, a great actor. RIP Bernard.

[@jeremys2586]

Having seen all three films in theaters when they released….it was an unbelievable experience. It was astounding because nothing had ever been made to this scale before, not even Star Wars. It was the perfect theater experience and everyone left either crying or in shock at what they just witnessed.

[@Shyning77]

True. And nothing has ever been made to this scale after.

[@thanatoes537]

To answer the question on why gandalf barely ever uses magic throughout the films. gandalf is not a human, but a Maiar, essentially a minor angel. Other Maiar include Saruman, the Balrog in Moria, and Sauron himself. Gandalf along with four other wizards (Saruman, Radagast, and the Twin Blue Wizards) were sent to Middle Earth to guide the people there. They are bound to not be able to use their powers unless against an equal. Gandalf does use magic to create lights and such but he only uses it for combat when against Saruman and the Balrog, who are both Maiar.

[@__Sauron_]

Some wholesome facts about the fellowship in the fourth age. Sam became mayor of hobbiton and when his wife died he got to travel to the west because he was a ring bearer and reunite with Frodo. When Aragorn dies at the age of 210, Merry and Pippin are buried next to him in the halls of kings in Minas Tirith. When Aragorn dies, Legolas start to feel that the west is calling to him. So he goes to Gimli and invites him to come with him to Valinor (the blessed realm) and Gimli excepts. He is the first and only Dwarf to be granted permission to come to Valinor and spend the rest of his life there. It’s very likely he meet Gandalf and Galadriel again there. I think it’s just so wholesome and really shows how beautiful and symbolic their friendship is.

[@rikk319]

Tolkien never said Sam met Frodo in Valinor. There's a chance they did, but Frodo was also older than Sam and could have died before Sam got there. Either way, they'd end up in the Timeless Halls together before the end of the world.

[@__Sauron_]

@@rikk319 oh really? I’ve see some videos, for example the video from Nerd of the Rings when he talked about what happened in the fourth age and he mentioned that they meet again.

[@bj0urne]

When you realize Gandalf rescued Frodo and Sam with three eagles because the third one was for Smeagol😭

[@Aeras89]

😭 Omg

[@MemoristCed]

Not for nothing did Nienna nominate him to be one of the Istari.

[@thegobblerr]

im so glad Carter mentioned Gandalf's fall as a top scene. That scene was when you really realized how good this trilogy was going to be.

[@nancyhayes9958]

Oh, absolutely. I was in the theaters with my boyfriend, trying so hard not to reveal anything since he hadn’t read the books. Afterwards, he told me he didn’t know what was coming in Moria, but he knew it was bad. We were holding hands, and I kept squeezing his hand harder and harder, hard enough to sting a little.

[@brandoncarbaugh7994]

Before Fellowship: "I thought this was boring as a kid." After RotK: "I'm naming my kid Sam."

[@GeoffPlays]

It feels like over time, the quality of what we produce continues to fall. It seems like this is occurring across the board in all sorts of different categories from tech to food to products/furniture to media. A lot is due to consumer culture, the fast moving nature of pop culture with social media, the shoehorning of corporations and ads into everything, and mass production, but on the other end I think that the sheer quality of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is more a testament to a standout desire among everyone participating in it to make it as good as possible, rather than just being forced to use more practical effects because of the year it was made, and it being more standard practice. Or the boomer "old equals good" mentality that some people have. Watching the behind the scenes really shows how crazy the production quality was. Maybe one of the most hardcore amounts of effort put into a movie series ever. Using the peak of digital tech at the time, but without being lazy like a lot of modern productions can get. Sets, costumes, props, and locations were all made and chosen with an insane amount of care, and the creativity in cinematography and editing is just *chefs kiss*. One of few movies that will definitely be an all time classic, and one that still ages gracefully with its special effects.

[@amiraitallouache4377]

Sean Astin's performance when Frodo abandons Sam at the top of the stairs always kills me

[@Parker8752]

Sean Astin is a great supporting actor. I loved his performance in stranger things too.

[@philippalinton5850]

This scene isn't in the book. Book Frodo never believed Gollum over Sam or sent Sam away. Although I like the films, this is perhaps the change from Tolkien's books that I hated most.

[@React2This]

It’s not over until the Oscar-winning song over the end credits, “Into the West,” sung by legend Annie Lennox.

[@elegrin5170]

Guys There is an AMAZİNG DETAİL at 1:01:15 .. For Frodo moment.. Listen to background theme music when Aragorn says "For Frodo" at 1:01:15 ... That Background Theme Music's lyrics is the promise that Aragorn gave to Frodo at Rivendell"... Lyrics are this.. "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword.." .. That is so significant moment .. So that means, Aragorn did what he promised..

[@RoyalAbsy]

When you are unable to choose top scenes and characters from a movie after epochs of contemplation , it goes on to show how epic that piece of art actually is.

[@MikiSibs]

"Arise, arise, riders of Théoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin and the world’s ending! Death! Death! Death! Forth Èorlingas!" Gives me goosebumps everytime.

[@SethBarbrick]

When Aragorn was crowned he said in Elvish "out of the sea to Middle-Earth I have come" which is what his ancestor Elendil said when he founded Gondor and Arnor

[@blueroninstudios]

Rest in peace: Christopeher Lee as Saurman Bernard Hill as Thedoen Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins Christopher Lee was cousins with Ian Fleming, the creator of the James Bond novels, and played Scaramanga in James Bond's The Man With The Golden Gun. Bernard Hill was in was in two great films that defined the 90's: he played the captain of the ship in James Cameron's Titanic, and he played the doctor in "The Ghost and The Darkness". Ghost and the Darkness also features two actors who later played important characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: John Kani and Michael Douglas, who played King T'Chaka of Wakanda in Marvel's Black Panther) and scientist Hank Pym, the OG Ant-Man (in Marvel's Ant-Man). Ian Holm also played Ash in the original 1979 science fiction horro classic, Alien.

[@Lii170]

Christopher Lee was the first ever Count Dracula too, he's basically the reason Dracula is portrayed like that in popular culture.

[@blueroninstudios]

@@Lii170 Actually he was the third. Before him it was Bela Lugosi (1930's) and Max Sheck (1920s silent film Nosferatu). Lee's and Lugosi's portrayla led to Dracula looking and speaking the same for a few decades for sure, though. But Lee didn't play him until the 1950's for Hammer productions. His tenure in that role lasted I think until the mid 1970's though. So he was ONE of the first to play Dracula, and definitely one of the most popular....especially with the ladies.

[@Lii170]

@@blueroninstudios True, somehow I confused the dates, but Bela Lugosi was first. Not Nosferatu though, he's more like the vampire archetype, not Dracula.

[@Cernunn0s90]

Ian Holm played Ash in 1979 Alien. Bishop was a character in the sequel, Aliens.

[@chasebender7473]

The army of the dead were released and bro said “there edging streak is over” 💀

[@brigandrus]

☠️😂

[@CasualClassical]

My top three scenes: 1) Sam confronting and driving off Shelob at the end of the tunnel of Cirith Ungol 2) Gandalf rallying the forces of Gondor against the orcs after denithor told them to give up and flee 3) Theodins ride out of helms deep with Aragorn and the horn of helm hammerhand blaring Top three characters: 1) Gandalf. Absolute legend 1v1’d a balrog. Never mind he set the plot in motion by preventing bilbo from leaving the shire with it when the Nazgûl were after the ring. Saved so many people so many times. Truly the GOAT, not even close. Whenever Gandalf is in the scene I feel safe. 2) Theodin. Came back from losing his mind and body to Saruman to exemplify the noblest leadership. Saw his people through their darkest hour and commanded their undying loyalty at every moment. So loyal were his men that even after he died they continued the fight until Sauron was defeated without ever knowing there was a hope. Frodos quest was a secret after all. 3) Sméagol. He is unarguably the most complex character. So dynamic, so many critical plot moments, and literally saved the world. The way his character engenders fear when we first see him skulking in Moria, then hatred when he attacks Frodo for the ring, then pity when we learn of his plight and torment, then tolerance when he frees himself from his ring-borne alter ego, then back to pity when Frodo “betrays” him to Faramir, then back to hatred when Sméagol turns Frodo against Sam, and finally we feel gratitude when he prevents Frodo from ruining everything. Such an insane and genius character arc Aragorn Frodo and Sam are all tied for 4th and my reasons are many… lol

[@ameba5093]

47:34 You know when you ask a guy what you're thinking about and he says “nothing,” but then you realize he's thinking about the Roman Empire? Well. This is exactly the look on their face. A mix of pride, satisfaction and fantasy 🥰

[@taewae]

you guys straight sobbing for the last 30 minutes is so real lol, no matter how many times i've seen this movie i still ugly cry. it's why i tend to watch this one the least out of the trilogy just cuz it's so emotionally draining

[@T.Florenz]

Agreed

[@BB-ck7xe]

Fwiw, there’s nothing inherently special about hobbits that make them resistant to the ring other than the fact that most of them don’t really want anything and it has nothing to tempt them with - they’re quite content with their simple lives and, as Bilbo notes right at the start, they mostly just love peace and quiet and things that grow. They don’t really have any deep fears or ambitions to exploit so they’re very slow to succumb to the ring’s evil, but they’re not immune.

[@majkus]

And in the book, the character of Tom Bombadil, who has basically renounced all ambition ("He is a moss-gatherer," as Gandalf says), is utterly unaffected by the Ring. This, arguably, is the main literary purpose of the character.

[@rikk319]

@@majkus Faramir is unaffected either, which is something of a plot hole in the book. Smeagol was also already shady when he and Deagol found the Ring, which explains why he was so quickly seduced by it.

[@AuspexAO]

@@rikk319 It's sort of implied that Aragorn wouldn't really be corrupted either. Sure, the Ring is powerful, but not everyone can be tempted to do evil. 9/10 people would probably take the easy path if given the chance, but that 1/10 is going to be incorruptible.

[@richardwallis9374]

The ring tried to tempt Sam when he had it by telling him he’d make him the best gardener in the world with the entire of middle earth being his field 😂

[@gvs93fdr]

Definitely the right decision to watch original version first. That's the version that won eleven Oscars. That's what you should stick to. Watch the extended versions later.

[@LanaLiliyMoon]

That's sad though I can't imagine not having those extra scenes

[@Sage2000]

Agreed. Its a better way to present theToken universe.

[@MichaelHattem]

The theatrical edition was made for watching in theatres, hence its runtime. The extended editions were made for watching at home. If the extended had been released in theatres it still would have won all those Oscars.

[@SilverViper1000]

The extended edition was not made for home it was made for fans. A lot of the extended scenes just expand the universe at the cost of good pacing and most oftenly they do NOT bring any benefits to the overall story. But also there are instances in which the story would be much better with them still in. Most important scene in my opinion is with mouth of sauron. It gives the whole fight at the end more weight and tragedy, because even though the hobbits are not dead, the fellowship thinks they are and that they are fighting a hopeless war. The scene with saruman is also often mentioned, but to be honest, it doesn't add that much to the story but explains where saruman went. I personally like the scene where the witchking shows off his power but it as well doesn't add much but showing how powerful he is and what an actual effort it was to get him killed.

[@kurukq]

Maybe the extended version woulda won more though. It's epic af!

[@DZ-1987]

"Ride! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin! And the world's Ending!" How bold must I be to dream to rival that. Very bold. Progress is done out of respect for what came before, and out of the will to advance further, greater. I can only hope my stories can reach that height.

[@VampireHunter5790]

Viggo actually bought the horse that played Brego after filming wrapped and kept him on his ranch until he passed away of old age. He also purchased the horse that Arwen's stunt rider rode during the Nazgul chase and gifted it to that stunt rider. Sword master said Viggo was the best actor/swordsman he had ever worked with and so did the riding instructor. Viggo just dedicated himself to every aspect of this.