The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | Movie Reaction

[@jasonbeatty831]

Absolute crime that Sean Astin never got nominated for best supporting actor.

[@Sinvare]

Andy Serkis as well. His performance as Gollum was revolutionary.

[@simeonteitelbaum3673]

He should have been best supporting actor that year easy

[@nilloc28]

One of the best roles played ever. He definitely sets the bar for me.

[@MiketheratguyMultimedia]

To be fair the winner that year was Tim Robbins, playing a quietly suffering victim of child abuse in Mystic River. For once the person who beat out the favorite was actually worthy of the award.

[@t0lis654]

i think sam is a main character

[@jammyjimmy666]

This film is literally "oh you think you're done crying? Nope" on repeat

[@SeanPS]

Fade to black to fade to black to fade to black to fade to black...

[@wooshbait36]

Only if you are a little girl

[@Runo1923]

I SAID WE WILL CRY TODAY!

[@pabloc8808]

And it doesn't matter how many times you've watched it, it always hits hard

[@jasonhinojosa7623]

You wanna cry more next time? The 3rd eagle that comes with Gandalf to rescue frodo and sam was actually for gollum, Gandalf held hope that he could still be redeemed.

[@brianlafrazia8237]

“My friends…you bow to no one.” Still hits me hard every time!

[@sebastianmartini120]

dont spoiler dude come on

[@brianlafrazia8237]

@ What? THEY ALREADY WATCHED IT.

[@brianlafrazia8237]

@ WTF is wrong with you?

[@andrew77961]

@@sebastianmartini120Spoiler for who?

[@NS-tm2th]

@@sebastianmartini120 It's a reaction video. The entire video is a spoiler

[@tkinsey3]

"I will not say, 'Do Not Weep', for not all tears are an evil"

[@kumaskd]

😭😭😭😭

[@adamplentl5588]

Peter Jackson was like "I know they cryin rn."

[@sparkybaker]

Honestly, the noise that came out of Arianna at "you bow to no one" pretty accurately conveys how I feel every time I see that scene.

[@onBeat4684]

The story happened for that scene

[@FAFO4wisdom-s9o]

The trumpet playing elephant cry is what I call it. I've been known to make that noise myself; anytime someone eats the last Oreo. 👀

[@Alienoiable]

Same

[@christopherjohnson4934]

It’s how everyone with a heart feels ❤

[@gazlator]

1:04:40 And so, just for a moment, four little hobbits stood taller than all the people of Minas Tirith. Magnificent stuff.

[@adflicto1]

wow nicely said

[@danielgregg]

@@adflicto1 Those are Tolkien's words, or close to them. I haven't read the books in twenty years.

[@ashishawasthi9796]

Stop, you're gonna kill me

[@Jim-Mc]

The quick shot of Pippin sobbing as the volcano goes off and presumably realizes Frodo has succeeded and apparently died gets me every time, and doesn't get enough mentions.

[@Redd89-o8s]

people always find that part sad but havent realise frodo didnt die ,he went to valinor(heaven)

[@greekschmike]

The shock on Merry’s face as the blast hits as well. He goes from celebratory battle cry to instant shock and horror, and it’s amazing everytime

[@johnsmooth1229]

​@Redd89-o8s Only in the context of the movie could that possibly be true... and it's not. Tolkien wrote a lot more about their lives after that point, and he did not make it about a dream of if he survived. Frodo and Sam definitely survived.

[@Redd89-o8s]

@johnsmooth1229 sry i didnt understand this? You were talking about Frodo but you said at the end that he and sam survived? Anyway i think that tolkin havent said anything about Frodo's death at Valinor but he hinted that his end was peaceful, we dont know how and when that happened, maybe he lived a long life in Valinor gifted by gods because of his endevours, maybe not

[@johnsmooth1229]

@Redd89-o8s I see what you're saying. Based off the first comment, I thought you were saying that when pippin was crying at the explosion of Mount Doom that Frodo actually died there. You are correct that he sailed to Valinor with Sam coming later in his life

[@Patriot009]

"Well, I'm back," he said. That's the last sentence of the book trilogy, said by Sam while holding his children. I'm glad Jackson made that the last line in the movie trilogy.

[@saelind73]

Ditto.

[@greypilgrim228]

Considering some of the artistic choices for the films that people have argued over (like choosing to make the Mouth of Sauron a literal mouth), Peter Jackson and his team were really faithful to the books, they tried really hard to stick to the script, and where they couldn't for movie time limit reasons or things from books that don't translate well or are difficult to to film, they also tried to add them in at other points or put nice Easter eggs back to the lore. They knew it wasn't about them but Tolkien and the books, their egos weren't required. Compare this to Rings of Power, War of the Rohirrim, and other modern takes that decided to deviate heavily from the source for 'modern audiences', where the directors and writers egos are front and centre trying to stamp their mark, and it's no wonder this trilogy has stood the test of time. We likely won't see another masterpiece like this for another decade or two.

[@Zunzurrun]

Want to keep crying? The moment when Aragorn charges in the Black Gate and everyone follows, the music starts playing the fellowship of the ring theme, and the elvish coir literally says "if with my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword"

[@JD-lp5rw]

Never even knew this, watched it perhaps 80 times, it's absolutely mind blowing the level of genius and attention to detail

[@Ford_prefect_42]

Why would you tell me this 🤣

[@FrenchieFlimFlam]

This movie is literally "Men being able to have emotions for 9 hours, a Trilogy" that's why we love it lol

[@JamesVagabond-ho5tm]

“You fidget-spinned me into the ceiling” 💀

[@samiam1002]

I was looking for this comment made by anyone and I found it 😊

[@danielallan8061]

1:06:20 Frodo kind of represents veterans not being able to fit back into society after so much trauma.

[@KublaVeruca]

Yeah... Tolkien was in WWI. All War is horrible, but WWI might be the greatest hellscape thusfar.

[@NikolayMIA]

@@KublaVerucasequel was worse

[@FaptnUndrpants]

@@NikolayMIA In terms of numbers yes and in terms of war crimes yes. But when it comes to the generally poor conditions that infantry soldiers had to endure, WWI takes the cake.

[@KublaVeruca]

@@NikolayMIA They were pretty much the same except 2 things. WWII had the Atomic Bomb. WWI had Gas. Or wide spread use of gas...

[@munjarez1721]

exactly! and the fact that Tolkien was actually a messenger during WWI (ring bearer in the movie) makes the metaphor even more profound

[@Siv51]

Maple saying, "daddy chill" when Denethor poured oil on himself had me 😂😂😂

[@davewhitmore1958]

Symbolisms!

[@Siv51]

@@davewhitmore1958 Just Trust Ash!

[@carlalussini]

And when the Wolf Head appeared and she (correctly) went "it has butthole hands"

[@Siv51]

@@davewhitmore1958 Just Trust Ash!

[@allbies]

@@davewhitmore1958 ash really does use that meme to death

[@joescott8877]

47:20 Gandalf: "Death is just another path. One we all must take." Chick on left: "EZ for YOU to say, you just frickin regenerate and Level Up!" 🤣🤣

[@Variable-2-actual]

That's Maple 🍁

[@SixFootTurkey_]

the last like 25 minutes of this are just Arianna and Maple bawling their eyes out lmao

[@Foretelling]

As any respectable first time viewer of LotR should.

[@antonia7925]

and me with them

[@talizorahnarrayya5916]

@@Foretelling hell that's me every time I rewatch the trilogy. And I'm a 6'4" dude.

[@allbies]

The thumbnail LMAO. My friends, you bow to no one. edit: I just watched the reaction and I feel so bad for Arianna she's holding herself back from wailing on multiple occasions! 😢

[@kossowankenobi]

That line still gets me every. single. time.

[@despinoza6205]

The respect! Awesome

[@Danny01474]

@@kossowankenobi just reading it gets me. It was so well written and acted. It's literally the highest recognition they could give, in honor of the biggest sacrifice these normal, peace loving hobbits did. Everyone else in the Fellowship were there knowing what would be required of them and they accepted it because they were born warriors, meanwhile these normal, peace loving, Hobbits decided to take on this massive task that the vast majority of trained people would be too scared... in spite of hearing how dangerous and harrowing their journey would probably be. Man, the hobbits are just the best.

[@Kieran-k1n5c]

As a child I never appreciated that scene. As an adult emotional

[@jamesbarels469]

Arianna was almost at that little kid level of crying. "And they...they...said..."My...my...my...friends...you...you.. bow to... no one., bwaaaaaahhhh"

[@santa1563]

“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.” one of my faves 😢

[@allbies]

@@santa1563 Tolkien writing about the experience of 20th century soldiers returning from war via one of the greatest fictional universes ever. Genius.

[@TJSaw]

With that music playing in the background. Perfection 😢

[@TommyNitro]

Tolkien understood the reality of war, for he lived it. Even in victory there is great heartache.

[@Simplenotion]

@@TommyNitro I think it's the reality of trauma...see how he treated Faramir and Eowyns story as well...They were able to heal but it took them very long to. And some people can not heal...

[@TommyNitro]

@@Simplenotion Indeed.

[@nathanielreik6617]

44:07 It practically did. It was nominated for 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, and Best Visual Effects among others and it won all 11.

[@destro6971]

“It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war” -ancient samurai saying “Hold my potatoes.” -Samwise the Brave

[@laramyelliott2903]

Let's test that theory.

[@stevem2323]

@@laramyelliott2903 I personally know it was tested.

[@franciscojosecardenetedela2008]

​​I came to see Arianna and Maple cry. I wasn't disapointed. Your reactions are really cool guys.

[@eurojack44]

So many thumbnails for videos reacting to these movies has the person with like one glistening tear, and you two are in like full emotional dismantle. I appreciate that. It is correct.

[@gg_mendes]

Aragorn: "my friends, you bow to no one" Every sigle soul:

[@PrincessTrunksBriefs]

The first time I watched it, I was a kid and just smiled. Now every time I tear up.

[@oskarcampos6993]

yes

[@SirSpuddington]

Every time I watch the charge of the Rohirrim at the Battle of Pelennor Fields, I'm reminded again of why it's pretty much my favorite scene in film history. The build-up, the thematic meaning, the scale, the effing MUSIC SCORE; it's just glorious in every way.

[@sumsarprat]

"Then the winged hussars arrived!"

[@isaiahtodachine6489]

Reminds me of the Charge of the Light Brigade. They knew it was suicide but they don't question, they do their duty. They Charge despite the odds and fight knowing they may not win. DEATH!!!

[@SirSpuddington]

@isaiahtodachine6489 "Theirs not to make reply, theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die. Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred." A very moving poem; Tolkien likely would have been familiar with it.

[@johnlawrence7386]

Bernard Hill, King Theodor, came up with the idea of going down the front rank hitting his sword against the spears, that was the sign of an actor fully in synch with his character. RIP Mr Hill, from the Black stuff to a King. The Boys from the Black Stuff with Mr Hill as shake hands.

[@pulkmees]

It's weird that they cried at every part that leaves me relatively cold, but not this one. This one gets me always.

[@joedirt688]

Frodo never fully healed from his wounds, which means he could never stay happy in Middle-Earth. He, Gandalf, Bilbo, and the rest are going to the undying lands (Elf heaven essentially), where mortal beings usually aren't allowed. An exception is made for Frodo and Bilbo because they were ring bearers. In the appendices we learn that Sam becomes mayor of the Shire and lives a long and happy life. After his wife dies, he also sails west to the undying lands because he was briefly a ring bearer. So Frodo and Sam do meet again. Merry and Pippin spend their days with Aragorn in Gondor, and when they die they are buried next to Aragorn's grave. Legolas and Gimli remain friends, and their friendship heals the rift between Dwarf and Elf. When they reach their end, they also sail to the undying lands together. It's a massive honor for Gimli, being a dwarf, and never a ring bearer. Once they leave, the fellowship is gone from Middle Earth forever.

[@prompt4196]

I'm happy with Sam and Frodo were reuniting finally. I bet Randal was happy with it either....

[@Asari547]

i dont think gimli and legolas sailed to the undying lands. wasnt it more like 'they took a boat and drove down the river into the sea. so they were the last ones of the fellowship to leave middle earth.' i dont think an destination is mentioned

[@silmaril17]

@@Asari547 they did. Legolas like all elves eventually answered the call to sail west, and Gimli wanted to see the beauty of Galadriel again, and with her blessing he was granted entry, being the only dwarf ever to receive the honour.

[@joedirt688]

@Asari547 you dont think or dont know?

[@Asari547]

@@silmaril17 just looked it up and its pretty much how i said it is. where did you got thst additional information?

[@johnwalters1341]

At 1:08:00, LOTR (the book and the movie) have been criticized for Having Too Many Endings. Remember that the story is told from a Hobbit's point of view, and hobbits like tidy endings. In his Prologue to FOTR, referring to the hobbits' love of detailed genealogies, Tolkien writes, "The genealogical trees at the end of the Red Book of Westmarch are a small book in themselves, and all but Hobbits would find them exceedingly dull. Hobbits delighted in such things, if they were accurate: they liked to have books filled with things that they already knew, set out fair and square with no contradictions." The multiple endings of the story would please a Hobbit audience: everything "set out fair and square with no contradictions."

[@EdenRiot2]

Evidently then, I am part of the Hobbit audience.

[@aag2139]

I love me some genealogies! And elevensies...deffo a hobbit

[@justinsullivan5839]

I like that Christopher Lee (Saruman) was the reason he gasped after Wormtongue stabbed him in the back. Peter Jackson wanted him to scream, but Lee informed him - from his personal experiences as a soldier in combat - that a human does not scream when stabbed in the back, they gasp. What a boss.

[@billthomas478]

I love that he said " do you know how a man sounds when stabbed in the back? .... because I do"

[@jackmcfarlane7173]

Hard to argue with his reasoning, too. He told PJ "you gasp because the air has suddenly been driven out of your body," which, yeah I guess it would if there's a hole in your lung

[@andrewhoff8782]

@@jackmcfarlane7173 its knocking the wind out of them because they arent expecting to get slammed by a clenched fist in their back not to mention the aforementioned possible puncture of a lung.

[@jackmcfarlane7173]

@@andrewhoff8782 another good point

[@DrLipkin]

Not just a soldier. A British intelligence officer and nazi hunter. Dude was a legit WWII spy. Coincidentally, he was also step-cousins with Ian Flemming, the author of James Bond.

[@ThanxNo]

The tragedy of Denethor is that he was in possession of one of the Palantir, and sought to use it to spy on Mordor in order to defend Minas Tirith. However, since it was a two-way communication, Sauron used it to instill unbreakable despair in him-in the certainty of the death of the world of Men-thus, driving him insane with fear and hopelessness

[@archibaldcreep1]

Yeah. I absolutely love these movies. Maybe my favorite. But they did Denethor dirty. Still I love both the books and the films.

[@Bayard1503]

Yes, yes, but Sauron couldn't enslave Denethor... he was a very strong man.

[@jeambeam3173]

Also the fact he seemed to last longer then Saruman a literal angel

[@Len0Grady]

@@Bayard1503Yup- he had an unbreakable will, so Sauron just showed him everything but in the worst possible light. Despair was his #1 weapon.

[@lsscpp]

Yep. The only thing I miss from the books, that didn't make it into these movies

[@stephenparker8250]

The music kicking in after Aragorn says "my friends, you bow to no one" is enough to make anyone cry.

[@thebigtipowski]

I give this reaction a 10 out of 10. As a grown man who has seen this movie more than 30 times, you ladies cried and tear up at all the exact same spots where I still tear up today. It’s because this movie trilogy is the best trilogy ever made, and earns our emotional investment every step of the way. And that’s my eternal statement.

[@Karaokuma]

In 2003, I was sitting in the theater when suddenly I realized this was it. I would never be going to the movies again to see a new LOTR. I never stopped crying. One of the greatest miracles in the history of cinema.

[@dangrissom7367]

Remember, when Frodo wakes up and sees Gandalf, it's the first time he saw him since he fell with the Balrog. Also, in the book, Shadowfax is with them when the board the last ship. RIP Blanco aka The lord of all horses!

[@aag2139]

You know it never occurred to me that he saw him die and then he doesnt see him till he wakens after everything! The things you notice after a long time 😂 Thanks for making a comment on it or I'd STILL not realise haha 😂😂

[@Juju_Miner]

Iv seen this movie more times than i can remember and i tear up every single time Aragorn says " My friends, you bow to no one"

[@Plaitonic]

Ive never teared up until recently

[@gpeddino]

Among many emotional moments, “you bow to no one” is usually the one that gets people the most. You girls didn’t disappoint, lol.

[@cwardfilms]

My favorite is the theory that Frodo never learned Legolas’s name as he never uses it for all 3 films and at the end when the fellowship is walking in one by one he names off everyone except Legolas haha

[@Getawaycat411]

When you've known someone too long to be able to ask their name without it being awkward

[@mrsmiastef]

​@@Getawaycat411Hahaha I've been there!!!

[@matthewhetzler4912]

Mulva?

[@MsMuffetsTuffet]

@@matthewhetzler4912 LOL

[@Pandamonium626]

Elijah Woods did a really great job of depicting the internal pain of Frodo after that whole ordeal. When everyone at Minas Tirith kneels before the hobbits he just stands there looking empty.

[@sman8491]

He looks empty because if he had his way he would have kept the ring. He wasn't the one who destroyed the ring.

[@theseagull-36]

​@@sman8491 He does not need to blame himself for that... Imagine carrying the ring across middle earth, he did so much more than was ever required of him, he just needed help to finish it.

[@sman8491]

@theseagull-36 wasn't blaming him. Was just saying.

[@Sinewmire]

All of them look uncomfortable. Sam and Merry just feel they did their part and don't deserve to be treated as heroes. Frodo is acutely aware he ultimately failed, (not his fault, nobody could hsve succeeded) and feels shame, guilt and that he too, does not deserve to be bowed to. Pippin looks delighted. It's maybe my favourite shot.

[@alloxxxsaurus]

Everyone cries because of this movie... but not for the reasons they think. Everyone assumes they will cry because everyone dies... its the opposite.

[@freeheeler00]

A couple things I'd like to point out: 1. When Sam is carrying the ring into Mordor by himself it is constantly trying to tempt him with thoughts of being the world's most powerful gardener and he's just like "nope". 2. When Gandalf shows up with the eagles, they have a third one for Gollum that leaves empty handed. 3. Tolkein wrote in letters and notes later on that Sam eventually sailed to the undying lands after Rosie died to spend his last years with Frodo. He was, after all, a ring-bearer too. Also, I'm not crying, you're crying! lol

[@ToeAndno]

Nah, he never said he spent his last years with Frodo. His text even suggests that Frodo would have died by the time Sam got there.

[@KublaVeruca]

Everytime I see that eagles save them, it just reminds me of a medivac chopper. Especially where you see Frodo rising up form the ground. And I mean those old Korean War era choppers.... I think they may have been used early in the Viet-Nam war too.... Before the Huey's took over.... Of pardon me...I meant conflicts...

[@shainewhite2781]

Winner of 11 Oscars including Best Picture. It was the first film in the fantasy category to win in all Oscar categories. It was the third film in a trilogy of Oscar Winning epics: TITANIC 1997 Ben Hur 1959 Two more fantasy films would win multiple Oscars: The Shape Of Water (4) Everything Everywhere All At Once (7)

[@KdeeBUBBLES444]

Love that the last 10 minutes of the reaction Arianna is just suffocating herself with a tissue

[@ariannaw6858]

I have to, I am beyond an ugly crying.

[@yelnikigwawa1845]

There's a piece of music that's only heard four times in the the entire trilogy; softly, in the background, as Gandalf is telling Pippin about the White Shores; triumphantly, when Sam picks up Frodo and begins to carry him; and then softly again, when Bilbo and company arrive at their final departure from Middle Earth, the Gray Havens. And then of course, when Annie Lennox sings "Into The West" over the end credits. But there's a story behind that music. As many know, Peter Jackson is a Kiwi (a New Zealander), and he filmed all three movies there, at the same time. So he and the principal cast spent nearly a year together in New Zealand. During that time, Mr. Jackson got to know a young Kiwi filmmaker named Cameron Duncan, and took him under his wing. Unfortunately, Cameron was diagnosed with cancer, and shortly before filming ended, he passed away. He was 17. But he so touched Peter and his team, that they got together with composer Howard Shore, and they wrote "Into The West", whose musical motif can also be found in those scenes. Peter Jackson also sought, and was granted, special permission for "Into The West" to not premiere with the rest of the soundtrack, at ROTK's theatrical release. Instead, this beautiful piece of music premiered at Cameron's funeral.

[@ink-cow]

"They had to win everything" Return of the King swept the Academy Awards that year. 11 awards, tying with Ben-Hur and Titanic for the most ever. Best picture, best director... unfortunately none of the individual actors won an award.

[@canceltheapocalypse8190]

I miss really feeling something in a movie theater with a crowd of strangers like I did with this movie. Endgame was probably the last time I felt that feeling-where you were with everyone and everyone was with you, as people, regardless of our differences.

[@edboy995]

In my opinion this is the greatest franchise ever made. The story the character and world building. The music and design which still holds up to this day. 10/10 and timeless ❤

[@jsbcody]

And in time, when his children had grown up and after Rosie had passed away, Sam, the Last Of The Ring Bearers, took the last ship to the West.

[@cybergeek11235]

The last last last final v3 for real this time super ultimate final ship to the west

[@ladvargleinad7566]

And that was not even the last, there was Legolas and Gimli after that, and then Celeborn as the final for real.

[@lethalstinky2668]

My favorite bit of trivia from this movie is that the deformed orc leader was designed that way to resemble Harvey Weinstein. Before New Line Cinema came on board to help the film, Peter Jackson was originally trying to get the Weinstein Company to do it but he hated Harvey Weinstein so much that he added the deformed orc to the final film.

[@LiamsEntertainmentFranchise]

I don't trust anyone who doesn't cry watching this movie. Great reaction, great sobbing, I love diet jesus

[@Someinsanegenuis]

Lol I guess u can't trust me then. I don't cry from all the chessy scenes.

[@Variable-2-actual]

It's Die Jesus

[@filigrant]

"My friends you bow to no one" - I die every time... but seing you two sobbing made me laugh so hard, not because it was ridiculous, but because I feel exactly what you felt

[@dnllrnt]

"You fidget spinned me into the ceiling, I think I'm good." 😂

[@butnooneshome]

One of the most underrated scenes is toward the end, where the 4 hobbits, back in the shire, sat round the table in the pub, in that brief unspoken moment, share that look while the world carries on around them. PTSD …

[@DarkMichael9]

I always go through the motions of crying at the "you bow to no one" part. It's so beautifully made, this sequence. You can hear a little bit of emotions from Viggo when he says "friends." That starts the whole thing. "You bow to no one," trying to hold it in. Then the emotional part of the shire song plays and that's it, it's over, we crying.

[@turnerclark3314]

When I was a kid, I felt the sadness in these scenes but didnt have the emotional context to fully understand. Now, fully grown, Sam talking about Rosie on Mt Doom just wrecks me.

[@cpmf2112]

I love that Christopher Lee gets a final stake through the heart in memory of his years playing Dracula 😂

[@zardify_]

Ain't through the heart, ain't from the front and ain't with wood though... :D

[@RobertHoward-d8g]

@@zardify_ Ahhh, but he likes his stake rare.

[@MontgomeryWenis]

Especially moments after directing Peter Jackson about how to accurately stab a man in the back, from his personal experience. 😂

[@hepunk]

Christopher Lee holds the record for most on screen deaths, one last for the record books!

[@RobertHoward-d8g]

@@hepunk Sean Bean must run a close second.

[@irishinnish1]

So, Idk if you guys are familiar with the books, but the stories don't end there... - The reason Frodo and Bilbo were invited to go with the elves is because they were considered "ring-bearers." However, as the years went by, Sam's children grew older and moved on, and Rosie passed away, he was invited by the elves to leave Middle-Earth as well, because he, too, was considered a ring-bearer, albeit for a short time. So he was eventually reunited with Frodo. - Merry and Pippin spent many years in the Shire, but decided to leave and return to see their friends back east. They spent a short time in Rohan, and then went to Gondor, where they lived out their days. When Aragorn eventually died, the two Hobbits were laid to rest with him in the Hall of Kings. - Lastly, when it was Legolas' time to leave Middle-Earth, he requested his best friend be allowed to accompany him to the Grey Havens. Gimli, son of Gloin, was the only Dwarf to go to the undying lands with the elves.

[@bowi1332]

Arianna read the books. I read them/it once. 😅

[@irishinnish1]

@bowi1332 ah OK. I just felt so bad for you two I wanted you to know they DID actually have happy endings 😁 Happy Holidays ❤️

[@vamprosmortimer5133]

19:57 As one who can really appreciate an 'old greg' reference... Thanks... I'll never see that scene the same again...

[@ben-san9677]

Gandalf: "I've got a Gan-gina!"

[@cstephen98]

For the final battle they enlisted the army. They also had to be careful not to wander out of the area cleared of mines. When they told the soldiers (playing humans and Orcs) to go at it, they were well... quite enthusiastic and had to be toned down

[@trayntp]

I was like, “Watch them cry when he says, ‘My friends, you bow to no one.’” 😅🤣

[@cybergeek11235]

"Watch this thing fall to the ground when I drop it"

[@xKagryx]

It’s is -SO- validating to see people still have such strong emotions from watching these films all this time later.

[@tsitonio]

That is the amount of emotions I expect from a reactor at "I can't carry it for you but I can carry you" and "You bow to no one" moments.

[@London-vm5iw]

Maple’s impression of an exasperated micromanaged orc, trying its level best to raid Osgiliath, was so funny. “What do mean quiet? We’re literally…I’m *LITERALLY* being quiet. I *can’t* paddle any quieter!!! 🚣👿🤦🏻‍♀️”

[@fattymatty9319]

Emotional damage is when you realize Gandalf brought three eagles, just in case 😢

[@zizula7]

one for Frodo, one for Sam and 3 ??

[@fattymatty9319]

@ and one for Sméagol, just in case. 😭

[@charichari]

@@fattymatty9319 sadly smeagol/gollum was too far gone to be saved :(

[@ryanakers1372]

Fun behind the scenes note; the little girl that runs to Sam at the end of the movie is Sean Astin's real-life daughter.

[@MrXLSAM95]

And Rosie is real wife!

[@davepresley4689]

I always say its worth remembering that frodo was essentially in a state of constant torture that only got worse the closer he got to morder. Absolutely nobody would be thinking rationally in his circumstances and even though he makes some terrible decisions, if anyone deserves some slack its Frodo. (Edit) also Frodo's mission was only to get the ring to mount doom. Nobody ever said anything about him destroying it. The implication was there but it very intentionally was never said.

[@cpmf2112]

"I can't throw it in for you, but I can throw you!" 😂

[@JamailvanWestering]

Lol

[@KublaVeruca]

I'm sure in another universe, after Frodo say's the ring is his, Sam just screams, "You MotherFucker!!!" and tackles Frodo into the lava... 1 in every 14 million...give or take...

[@Variable-2-actual]

Too soon.

[@Alookatportland]

48:50 this moment hit so much harder in the theatrical version since they cut off the scene after Aragorn asks them to fight without getting their answer. So originally this moment was a big surprise.

[@zarinshapurjee9430]

The return of the king was nominated for 11 Oscars and won all 11 including best picture and best director. The return of the king was the only movie to win best picture in fantasy genre

[@johnwalters1341]

At 28:43 you say, "There are some badass lines in this movie." In the book, these words were spoken by Gilraen, Aragorn's mother (we saw her monument in FOTR). They actually make more sense coming from her.

[@hackapump]

I just realised that when Frodo smiles back at his friends when he enters the ship, it's probably the first time he smiled since Bilbo's birthday/goodbye party.

[@caveritt82489]

The thing about the LOTR fans base, especially the ones who have a pretty good understanding of the full lore, is that all we want to do is share that knowledge and we are sooooooo excited about it. 🤓

[@PaulC-Drums]

I just knew that this would hit these two harder than most. I love when you narrow down the channels that react on an emotional wavelength most similar to you. I almost feel greedy getting my soul so repaired by seeing it. Another one of my favorites was Maple's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind reaction. Love this channel. EDIT: Like seeing Bilbo in his old state and saying that he's "quite ready for another adventure." I've watched so many other reactions, but only these two got as emotional as I did during it.

[@KublaVeruca]

Oh man, i love that movie! I'll make a note to watch her reaction....

[@PaulC-Drums]

@@KublaVeruca It really resonated with her! For some reason it's split into three parts though, just FYI.

[@KublaVeruca]

@@PaulC-Drums That guy had a great run of movies for about ten years, Adaptation was great too... I think he directed The Beastie Boys Sabotage video... I think he did quite a few music videos.... I might be wrong though, it's been a while...

[@JackOiswatching]

I can't even imagine holding back tears with the ending of this movie because EVERYONE watching it is a blubbering baby with the ending. 😅

[@I_ll_beer_back]

Three films have received the most Oscars to date, namely 11: Ben Hur (1959), Titanic (1997) and THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING (2003). And quite rightly so. Peter Jackson made film history with his breathtaking Lord of the Rings trilogy. The three parts of The Lord of the Rings were nominated for an extraordinary 30 Oscars and won 17 of them.

[@scolack123]

1:04:55 And it was in that moment, 4 Hobbits stood taller than all those who dwell in Middle Earth

[@abeartheycallFozzy]

Christopher Lee was a real life secret agent man in WW2 and told Peter Jackson he needed no direction on how to act when getting stabbed. "I know the sound a man makes when he has a knife in his back." Somebody always mentions that in a LOTR reaction. FIRST!

[@zardify_]

The quote is wrong, but yeah. He was one of the inspirations for James Bond, the writer of which is Christopher Lee's cousin. He read the script and said "a man stabbed in the back doesn't yell AAAHHHGGG, the breath is stuck in him so he doesn't quite make a sound" is closer. It's quite logical, I must add.

[@ronweber1402]

@@zardify_ Ya I can see how inhaling or exhaling with a knife stuck in your lung would be extremely painful so you would try to freeze.

[@christopherlane5238]

@@ronweber1402 Its not the pain, its the lack of proper air pressure for your voice box to work.

[@KublaVeruca]

@@christopherlane5238 It's taking a sudden breath in and stopping... Like a hicup, but softer... jk, I just made that all up.

[@Mephistolomaniac]

"Rosie Cotton, dancing" Samwise Gamgee has my whole heart

[@ShacuLOL]

"My friends, you bow to no one" gets me everytime I watch this, and I've watched this part at least 1000 times since it came out

[@nicolasahumada8974]

47:42 Exactly my first reaction whenever something in the slightiest emotional shows in the LOTR movies. (Ive seen the movies 200 times each).

[@johnwalters1341]

At 52:00, the Orcs seemingly fight one another at random. In the book, there were two bands, one resident here at the Tower of Cirith Ungol, led by Shagrat, fighting a second group that had followed Frodo and Sam up the Stairs, led by Gorbag. It's hard to believe that they would pretty much kill each other off, but it saved Sam a lot of trouble!

[@crispy_338]

Yep you’ve got lots of different factions of orcs: black uruks, Mordor orcs, morannon orcs, Uruk-hai, goblins, etc

[@agedp8386]

Each with their own dialect as well, so that when meeting each other they needed to use the Common Tongue, which enabled both Merry and Pippin, and Frodo and Sam, to understand them. Clever detail covered by Tolkien.

[@kylereese5841]

Adore these movies, they're so incredible, especially for their time but even still, now.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 3:53, the movie wasn't able to adequately reproduce Saruman's chief weapon: his voice. Tolkien writes: "Suddenly another voice spoke, low and melodious, its very sound an enchantment. Those who listened unwarily to that voice could seldom report the words that they heard; and if they did, they wondered, for little power remained in them. Mostly they only remembered that it was a delight to hear the voice speaking, all that it said seemed wise and reasonable, and desire awoke in them by swift agreement to seem wise themselves...For some the spell lasted only while the voice spoke to them, and when it spoke to another they smiled, as men do who see through a juggler's trick while others gape at it...But none were unmoved; none rejected its pleas and commands without an effort of mind and will, so long as its master had control of it." Think Adolf Hitler at a Nazi Party rally, times a thousand. Christopher Lee gives it his best shot here, but it is a pale imitation of the Voice of Saruman.

[@LongIslandSoldier]

“My friends, you bow to no one”. Gets me every time. It shows the respect Aragon has for the hobbits. He knows and shows how important their roles were. If a king will bow, everyone knows they are special.

[@nubbinthemonkey]

I'm sorry, I couldn't stop laughing and how progressively wrecked you guys get. I always skip to Sam & Frodo on the volcano for ROTK reactions, and you guys were absolutely bawling already! I thought, "there's no way they make it to 'you bow to no one' in one piece."🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

[@gregw74]

Btw. It’s no coincidence that the Orc commander (the walking cyst) resembles Harvey Weinstein. Aside from the obvious reasons, he almost ruined this trilogy by his advocating to the studio that it only be one movie. An idiot on so many levels!

[@Rebecca-mv5yj]

Gothmog was not named. It was just Frodo who said this. I don't believe Peter Jackson has confirmed if what Frodo said is true. And I think its a great disservice to the actor who plays Gothmog and the voice actor: Craig Parker who was Haldir voiced Gothmog and Lawrence Makoare who was the Witch-King and Lurtz did the acting. So please stop the assumption!

[@benjaminschinella3491]

Sad fact about the movie, there are 3 eagles because one was for Smeagol since they never knew he betrayed Sam and Frodo. Fun little detail.

[@phousefilms]

Book version was even sadder. Smeagol was fully ready to help Frodo and forget his plan to use Shelob before entering the lair(given he didn't split Frodo and Sam up through trickery), but Sam's insult to him drove any attempt at repentance out of his mind for good.

[@gryphonvert]

What's really striking, of course, is: nobody else knew that Smeagol/Gollum was even WITH Frodo and Sam. He joined them after Frodo and Sam left the others, and while Gandalf was dead/resurrecting. Gandalf shows many times that he doesn't have the ability to see or sense what's happening with Frodo; he isn't always sure that Frodo is still alive, even, and he has to have faith, and hope. (I'll fully admit that it's been a while since I read ROTK, so I don't recall if the book says that Gandalf got some sense that it was Gollum who fell with the Ring. It makes sense, as the movie showed, that Gandalf seemed to know the moment the Ring was destroyed -- because as we find out later, he's a Ringbearer himself, wearing Narya.)

[@Corey313]

I figured that y'all would cry during the last 20 or 30 minutes of the movie especially at You Bow to no one line. Arianna started during the ugly face cry and eventually Maple started doing it but y'all cried at the appropriate parts. Awesome reaction ladies Frfr 💯❤️

[@johnchrysostomon6284]

The director Peter Jackson said he gave Christopher Lee instructions on how to act when being stabbed. Lee said that was not how someone would react. Jackson realised that Lee was talking from experience (Lee was a soldier in WWII) and knew how people sounded when stabbed. So he let Lee act the way Lee thought

[@billthomas478]

He wasn't just a soldier. He was SAS

[@Tolandruth]

You passed the vibe check if you dont break down and cry to the "you bow to no one" line we cant be friends.

[@EndlessMike1987]

Sam, an unassuming Hobbit, was the first creature to make Shelob experience pain like that.

[@Variable-2-actual]

Yes he did kill shelob. Spiders have no healing ability and depends on their exoskeleton to keep their fluid in their body. Once the body is breached they will die due to not being able to breathe.

[@derekdecker555]

I watched Return in theaters about 2 months after my aunt, who was like a surrogate mom to me, passed away. When Sam started describing the Shire it really hit me and I had to leave the theater I was bawling so hard.

[@houseisforthesoul]

gandalf: "do not weep for not all tears are from evil" these girls for an hour:

[@dlweiss]

Re: your questions about WHY there are groups of humans fighting on behalf of Sauron - sadly, even in our world, there are plenty of people who can be convinced to fight against their own interests, on behalf of those who don't care about them at all. People just have to believe that their new masters will only hurt *other* groups of people, and that they themselves will be spared any of the oncoming consequences.

[@christopherlane5238]

The current US political theatre is a prime example of what you just described.

[@smartalec2001]

It's not just fear; those peoples had been taught by Sauron's agents for thousands of years that Sauron was their god, and to hate the Free Peoples. Sauron promised them the lands and riches of Middle-Earth if they would aid his conquest.

[@zimvader25]

It’s the classic “hate others more than you love yourself” mentality.

[@smartalec2001]

It wasn't just fear of Sauron. These folk had been brought up to see Sauron as their deity and to hate Gondor, Rohan, and the Elves. Sauron promised them the lands of Middle-Earth and the riches of their people if they fought for him.

[@KublaVeruca]

Yeah...wouldn't be the first time young men were conscripted to fight for their occupiers. "Go fight these guys for us, cause they open their eggs on the wrong side. If you don't we will destroy your city"... Still happens... Fortunaltely we crack out eggs down the center line now...like civilized apes...

[@jopay142]

Depending on who does the "counting", the Morgul army that assailed Minas Tirith is evaluated between 100,000 to 250,000 soldiers... And Sauron had at the very least that many again, in reserve, behind the Dark Gates. When Gandalf says that there are 10,000 orcs preventing Frodo to reach Orodruin, Jackson terribly down sized the armies of Sauron. Then again, probably due to the sake of feasability, he had to... Great reaction!!

[@Metaphix]

Sam had a hard time giving Frodo back the ring, but not nearly as hard as anyone else getting rid of it, including Frodo. Sam is the most wholesome dude in the story.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 28:23, it is interesting to compare the swords in LOTR with the swords in the Harry Potter movies, which look cheesy by comparison. The producers hired real armorers with a real forge, and they produced museum-quality weapons for the production. There were two guys who spent the whole time making real (plastic) chain mail, with each ring fitting into four others. In the process they wore off their fingerprints!

[@Variable-2-actual]

Took them 7 or 8 months just doing that.

[@the_sigil4340]

Goddam, the emotions are overwhelming in this movie, what a masterpiece

[@chessenthusiast]

This movie gets everyone. 21 years later, still the greatest ending to the greatest film trilogy ever produced.

[@edenstar80]

This is the amount of sobbing to the end of these movies that I can relate to 😂❤. Amazing reaction guys. Maple’s first reaction was actually the first ever LOTR reaction I ever saw and the connection she made to these characters and this story was so heartwarming and it was a blast re-watching it now Arianna as well. As a full on fan of these books, from NZ; who was swept up in the LOTR fandom here when they were being made - these films are beloved and hold a great deal of pride for many Kiwis. The appreciation of how great they were, especially for the time they were made; and how well they hold up even today in all aspects of filmmaking, fills me with so much warmth.

[@Maehedrose]

Yeah, don't feel bad, that "You bow to no one" line gets me bawling every time.

[@its.gingie]

"I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company, I shall not now feel ashamed." King Theoden had one of the most incredible characters arcs. RIP Bernard Hill, and thank you for such a fantastic performance.

[@andrew77961]

I just realized I’ve seen the extended version so many times that I can’t remember what was left out of the theatrical version except for the Mouth of Sauron scene.

[@andrew77961]

Maybe also the “this army” scene when they attack the ships?

[@abeartheycallFozzy]

The flashback of Boromir and Faramir celebrating and Boromir being sent off to Rivendell? I think that was left out and it explains why he was so obsessed with bringing the ring to Gondor.

[@gabrielrivera9136]

@@andrew77961 Saruman's death for some unexplainable reason was left out of the theatrical version. That's how I can normally tell which cut they're watching.

[@todderickson2435]

I am SO glad that I found you dear ladies months ago. You have quickly become one of my favorite reactor duos, due in large part to your genuine emotions. Believe me, I've seen this trilogy at least a dozen times, and I cried right along with you. Best. Movie. Trilogy. Ever. 😊