Our first time watching THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING 2001 blind movie reaction!

[@monkeymox2544]

I notice this in a lot of reaction videos: for some reason many people seem to miss that until Gandalf returns and throws the ring into Frodo's fire, _they do not know it is the One Ring._ Gandalf was happy to leave it with Frodo because although his suspicions were aroused after Bilbo's behaviour (and he had wondered about the origin of it in the past), he didn't actually know anything until he discovered that test, and carried it out. Edit: to be clear, I'm talking about the films, here. As I discuss elsewhere in this thread, in the books he knew more, for longer. But he still wasn't _certain_ until he carried out the test in the fire.

[@JFrazer4303]

The movie changes many things. It was 20 years after Bilbo's birthday that Frodo left. And Pippin wasn't a trouble making fool. He and Merry went knowing the risks, planning to help Frodo.

[@ieradossantos]

Yep, the events where thousand of years prior

[@ProfOfBirdLaw]

The movie also doesn't set the scene. In Middle Earth there are COUNTLESS magic items to be found lying about. They're all VERY important, but there's no way to know that this ring is THE ring. The movie only tells us that there are rings, and one important one, and then shows us a ring. The mithril shirt is a king's bounty, so we can assume that any magic item is PRICELESS. They aren't made anymore. They're all ancient. But there's only ONE that we should be worried about, and nothing except the memoirs of Isildur himself would indicate that this ring is that ONE item.

[@Snoozefor10minutes]

I will tell you another subtle detail in the testing scene, when writings don't appear on the ring instantly, Gandalf relaxes thinking that it's not the same ring he read about. Then goes on to feel sad that it is the ring of sauron, when frodo says he sees some writings on the ring

[@onniruusunen9444]

@@JFrazer4303 It was 17 I think

[@User87_]

Lets get something straight right off the bat This isn’t a “cult classic” It’s a cinematic masterpiece

[@mentallygonereacts]

Haha very valid comment! We are very excited to experience the trilogy in it's entirety

[@bluebird3281]

@@mentallygonereacts The books have sold 150 million copies over 70 years and has been translated into over fifty languages. It's a big cult!

[@toyota420xp]

@@mentallygonereactspause at 59.23 and look at your face

[@actualfactual7944]

​@@mentallygonereactsto be fair he means this is one of the largest grossing franchises in film ever. Cult classic should never be said anywhere near this franchise. It literally grossed hundreds of millions of dollars and won oscars

[@georgechapman9688]

​@@bluebird3281should be more

[@mrbrightside2937]

"Cult classic" implies a niche following, like napoleon dynamite or Scott Pilgrim. LOTR is not a cult classic, it's a modern classic with a huge following from critics and audiences alike

[@Grimlock1979]

Indeed. It kicked off the entire Fantasy industry from the past 70 years.

[@KthulhuXxx]

@@Grimlock1979 I love Lord of the Rings, but that's not really true. Did Tolkien have a huge influence on fantasy? Sure. But fantasy had been a popular genre for a few millennia before he was born. Robert E. Howard, H. P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Lord Dunsany, the Brothers Grimm...I could go on and on. If anything, I think that Tolkien actually had a somewhat negative influence on fantasy: Lord of the Rings was so popular that the genre diminished for DECADES to become largely works that were incredibly derivative of Lord of the Rings.

[@dirtydoflamingo_]

Yes he did, anything they we consider high fantasy and the tropes that come from it are because of his writings. Robert E. Howard was sword and sorcery which as a genre is slightly different. H.P. Lovecraft and his writing, although fantastical, are more cosmic in nature. Clark Ashton being much the same as h.p. the brothers grim did fantasy sure, but more so to the degree that we compare with fairy tales. If any of the people you named had any weight, it'd be Dunsany.

[@unclebounce1495]

It's not a modern classic, either. It's just a classic, period.

[@joshuafischer684]

These are some of the most critically and commercially beloved movies of all time.

[@Alexanderthegreat159]

Growing up is understanding that boromir was a good person. Just with all the stress of protecting his people and the constant fighting that they do against the evil of Mordor it makes it understandable that the ring corrupts him so easily. NONE of the rest of the fellowship really had to deal with stuff like this before coming to rivendell. All boromir wanted to do was protect his people and in the end just before he dies he shows why he's a great man.

[@ProfOfBirdLaw]

Faramir was done dirty, everyone knows this. But Borimir was done well. The fans just had more time to read with the books.

[@NickThorbjørnsen2207]

Boromir had a lot of pressure on him.

[@99Kresnik]

Easily is a bit of a stretch. Smeagol is someone falling easily to the Ring, since he commits murder of a friend just to claim it upon sight. Its difficult to portray in film, but the Ring is too much for the vast majority of people to even see.

[@Kjf365]

​@@99KresnikThe thing about Smeagol is that I'm fairly certain that he and Deagol had been fishing in that spot for years most likely, with the ring slowly corrupting them from a distance. They probably ended up liking that lake because of the ring's presence there like a small dose of an addictive drug. So when they finally found it, they were already ripe for murder.

[@briancahilleire]

​@@Kjf365Incredible. I had never thought about this before.

[@garybassin1651]

When Merrie and Pippin just stand there when Boromir is shot by the first two arrows, it is because they are in shock. Remember that Hobbits are not used to war and seeing friends getting killed in front of them.

[@praetorian3902]

Great point.

[@doodoo5594]

which makes it even more admirable that they had the guts to stand and fight after watching their much more experienced friend and mentor fall protecting them

[@johnywhat8601]

And they had a very different experience with Boromir. He taught them to fight and even wrestled with them, he picked both of them up and jumped across the gap in the stairs of Moria. To them, he was like the big brother they loved and idolized. I think this explains the shock, pain, and anger they felt. I keep hoping somebody will make video focusing on their relationship in the film.

[@julioverne579]

Except for the old Took who could actually ride a real horse and swung the head off an Orc so swiftly it landed right inside a rabbit whole or so. Wich was the invention of Golf 😂😅

[@mattrasp1615]

Boromir is the goat. Shame they missed the Boromir story and were laughing and calling a river and ocean. It’s like they missed them being small people

[@_bulenty]

Boromir's final heroic scene is cinematic gold and breaks me every time "I would have followed you, my brother... my captain... my king."

[@BobBlumenfeld]

His acceptance of Aragorn as king mirrors Aragorn's acceptance of the responsibility of protecting Minas Tirith, as well as his much noted donning of Boromir's bracers.

[@sariel8406]

and the start of an illustrative career. Among all the cast he is the most successful post LOTR.

[@dvdesprza]

Did you know that when Aragorn kicks the helmet… oh wait, I’m getting ahead of myself.

[@forsakenjones4695]

🤣

[@VelkanAngels]

Man, that got a good chuckle out of me 😂

[@FireflyPDP]

It was actually Huey Lewis -- oh wait wrong movie

[@jimmyabort8763]

Yeah and when he deflected the arrow..

[@thaiss8656]

😂😂😂

[@KarstenHuehn]

The reason no one went to help Gandalf was that everything you saw was a matter of seconds … the slowing of time in stressful situations a can make it seem much longer.

[@ohifonlyx33]

just like Hobbits slipping under the surface of a river can seem like it's a lot deeper than it is.

[@Mediocre_Chairman]

They were also out of sight/in cover of all the orcs/goblins that were still shooting at them and going to help puts them all directly in the line of fire

[@OneOuttaOne]

And that there were still goblins shooting at them. And that in the books Gandalf didn't even have the time to grab the edge.

[@trulybtd5396]

Gandalfs powers are not like Harry Potter everyday trinket magic. Think of it more like the divine powers of an angel sent to earth. It is used to fight other similar beings, not small skirmishes. In a regular fight he is stuck with the same tools as everyone else. There is also a matter of his location being exposed if he goes all wizard

[@richardwallis9374]

Yea kinda more like I would imagine Michael the arch angel or something simaler

[@0okamino]

Getting anywhere near properly explaining the Istari (which I don’t think even Tolkien himself fully did) while avoiding spoilers is beyond my power, that’s for sure.

[@Zagrakhen]

Less than that, wizards (=Istari) are nerfed celestial individuals (Maiar) with an old human form, probably with nerfed power too. So to avoid temptation like Sauron had on Middle Earth.

[@brandonleon4068]

As a HP fan, yep, even Merlin or Dumbledore lack in powers in front of galdalf. But hey, they're incredible for just being humans

[@BalikTrollbane]

That is true. The wizards in tolkiens world were supposed to be angels. He was christian and took alot of his beliefs and placed it into lord of the rings. An angel is a messenger in biblical text so its interesting to point out that gandalf is very much a messenger in the first book. Aragorn litterslly commands the dead like Christ. There is the ressurection of Gandalf and also Frodo bears the ring (sin of the world) to destroy something no man has the power to do. I find these similarities rather interesting...not to the point of explicit alagory like Narnai, but more implicit and hidden/hidden with other cultural motifs and norse mythology.

[@coltonwilliams1565]

one of my favorite movie quotes: “i wish none of this had happened. i wish the ring had never come to me” - “so do all he live to see such times. but that is not for them to decide. all we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us”

[@y2sc0tt]

Boromir is perhaps the most genuine character. He perfectly embodies what it is to be human! He has both the strength, integrity and honor of men, but also their weakness and frailty. Boromir held such belief in the power of good over evil and the strength of the people of Middle Earth that he literally believed with enough willpower they could turn Sauron's work against him. He was absolutely convinced that with enough goodness and love and solidarity they could overcome the most fundamental evil of their world. The ring used those beliefs and used them to isolate Boromir from the fellowship because that's what it does. What other choice would you do when you're going up against an impossible enemy? He had the most to lose, and the Ring pounced on that. Boromir's home was literally the front line, while the others had homes that were still relatively safe at the beginning of the War of the Ring. He was also one of the only members of the Fellowship who had a reason to want the Ring. The ring is a curse. It wants to be found. The ring takes people's good attributes and uses them to twist them into something serving its own purposes. The ring literally could only corrupt Boromir the way it did because he was a fundamentally good and faithful person at heart. Galadriel said that the Ring would corrupt all of the Fellowship eventually, but it targeted Boromir first because it sensed his desperation. The ring already corrupted Gollum, Isildur, and Bilbo. In the film, it would have instantly corrupted Gandalf and Galadriel if they took that power. Yes, Boromir fell to its influence briefly, because the last threads of hope he had been grasping at since he was first drawn into the conflict against Mordor were slipping through his fingers. His country's survival was at stake, so it was only natural that he would use every resource at his disposal and do everything in his limited power that he could, and when that didn't work, even seek magical artifacts that he doesn't fully understand, just to give his people a fighting chance. Despite all that, people still don't understand him. They still call him evil, weak, or greedy. There is much more to his character that people miss in this film. He is one of the strongest members of the fellowship. This trilogy is legendary! I'm glad you two really enjoyed this!! More great things to come!

[@ChrisBrown-or8ky]

The thing to note is that as the story continues beyond the Fellowship, it reveals the true nature of Boromir. The audience needs to feel Frodo's mistrust of Boromir as our own, but as we learn more about the ring and Gondor and Boromir's backstory, the audience's misconceptions are revealed to us. And going beyond that (trying to avoid spoilers for our reactorsl), it heightens our own fears of Frodo's "purity". In other words we recognise the corruption as it manifests itself in Frodo. That said, love your comment, cos Boromir's probably my second favourite character cos, y'know the hero's the friggin man

[@kenjisparks]

Also, Boromir was immensely pressured by his father, as they will soon see.

[@EvelyntMild]

Though it's often overlooked, especially by first timers, Boromir's goodness is embodied throughout by his treatment of the hobbits. He teaches them how to fight. He carries them up the mountain. He argues for turning back from the mountain saying "This will be the death of the hobbits." He jumps with Merry and Pippin over the gap of the stairs in Moria. And finally gives his life to protect them. Ive seen these movies dozens of times and I love Boromir more every time.

[@LadyIarConnacht]

Yes, also the palantirs corrupted Saruman and Denethor the same way, by targeting their weaknesses - pride with Saruman, and despair with Denethor.

[@lathron4393]

Well said. Boromir is my favourite character

[@eoinc9511]

Hi guys! I’m an original crew member from the trilogy, and I love to watch peoples reacts to them. I feel immensely proud to have been lucky enough to have worked on them, and the joy they’ve given to millions. I look forward to watching all 3 with you! Enjoy!!!! ❤ from NZ Edit: make sure you watch the extended versions!

[@WildHorseSpirit14]

I 100% recommend the extended editions, in fact, they're the only ones I own and watch. I watch them at least once a year. Also, fellow Kiwi and I hold the trilogy close to my heart as one of my favourite franchise

[@eddietucker7005]

I am in the industry and I have been in front of the camera more than behind, but I love every moment from both sides of the lens. What did you do on the film? And how can I get your autograph!?

[@AnotherPostcard]

No worries! From the scenes we've seen in this video, they are going off the extended edition, rather than the theatrical cut. If I may ask, what role did you have in the production?

[@adamskeans2515]

[@MayLina]

When I was watching behind the scenes phootage I swear my biggest dream would be to work in weta workshop to take part in the creation of this masterpiece. But I was just born when production started :D You are so lucky for stars alighning for you! I would treasure this accomplishment my whole life

[@chriswerth918]

You know it's a good movie when you witness two people wondering "What, it's already over?"... after more than 3 hours 😊

[@rostikskobkariov5136]

true but there was a lot of yawning also. to me personally each movie gets better and better and sticks the landing hard. but on a first rewatch you really appreciate all the lore, cuz it took one man 50+ (lifetime) years to produce

[@Tazza19931]

@@rostikskobkariov5136 Yawning doesn't necessarily indicate that someone is bored.

[@jaelynn7575]

And about a decade for me to memorize every scene. I can now listen to the movie playing with my eyes closed and visualize the scenes! I've seen it more than anything else I think and I will "never stop" loving it, sort of like the Nazgul. @@rostikskobkariov5136

[@stephenlackey5852]

@@rostikskobkariov5136 they explain in their analysis after the movie that they were yawning, because they started the movie late in the evening of a looong day.

[@AcornSmokes420]

@@rostikskobkariov5136yawning is a indication of losing breath it doesn’t mean your tired Read a dictionary 😂

[@darkphoenix2]

It feels like they're constantly trying to outsmart this movie "Where's the archer guy, why doesn't he shoot the big boss?" Because he's not nearby maybe?!

[@94germy]

Boromir had his faults but he died a legend. The man had 3 arrows in him and the first thing he said was they took the little ones. RIP Boromir

[@burntpoet4376]

It’s not a *cult* classic…..it just IS a CLASSIC, timeless in fact. It stands the test of time, and diving into the lore is what deepens the fans’ love for it.

[@one1charlie643]

Sam calls Frodo, "Mr Frodo" because back in the shire, Sam is Frodo's gardener. He calls him Mr out of respect for his employer

[@Mathemagical55]

The Shire has a class system with a clear distinction between peasantry (Sam) and the gentry (Bilbo, Frodo, Merry and Pippin). It would be disrespectful for Sam to refer to any member of the gentry without an honorific as he is not their social equal.

[@Nemophilist850]

@@Mathemagical55 Yeah it's hard for people raised in our society to understand that in most cases, the peasantry genuinely would have loved their lords. We grow up with stories like Robin Hood, thinking the Sherriff of Nottingham is norm and not an aberration.

[@davidkulmaczewski4911]

@@Mathemagical55 Pippin (jokingly) tries to order Sam around when they first leave the Shire (tells him to go down draw him a pot of water to wash his face, and of course Sam says "yes, sir" and starts off), but Merry and Frodo put a stop to it.

[@mirceadacialorantbrescia4340]

Plus frodo is 11 years older than sam

[@gonzalodavidvazquezgonzale5796]

Also frodo belongs to the shires "aristocracy" and sam doesnt and in the books he is sognificantly older than him

[@chadbennett7873]

As other have said, Tolkien was a Professor of Linguistics at Oxford. He created the Elvish language (among others) that is a recognized fully functioning language. There are several videos of him speaking Elvish on YT, and back when this story changed my life (1973), I purchased multiple records (vinyl) of Tolkien reading passages from the book and speaking parts in Elvish. I became a writer due to these books, and have an actual Tolkien autograph on my wall, that I must pass every day as I leave my bedroom. It is inspiration for me in my writing and in my life in general. The deeper one goes into Tolkien's writing, one realizes that Gandalf is not a mere wizard ... he is Maiar, an immortal spirit, much like an angel sent by God. It is not his mission to use his power to solve issues, but more to influence and guide those who can. The Silmarillion is a book published after J.R.R. Tolkien's death, that covers the creation by Illuvatar and establishes the higher characters who are above Sauron and Gandalf.

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

Tolkien created 17 (I think) languages for Middle Earth - including two separate Elf languages. He spent most of his life creating this mythology. His son compiled and published a series of 12 huge volumes of notes which includes an early rough draft of 'The Lord of the Rings'. There is another book I call the "old testament" called 'The Silmarillion', which he started while serving in WW I, and a couple of other books. He wrote the book 'The Hobbit' from bedtime stories he had created for his own kids.

[@JohnLeePettimoreIII]

@@saewha you've got a minor typo : CS Lewis

[@Ildarioon]

@@saewha He didn't create LOTR to protect the elvish language. He wrote the hobbit as a tale for his children and they became so big that he expanded in more adult works later on, taking inspiration from catholicism and nordic mythology. Lotr is not there for the language. In fact, the languages he created were far from completed, even by the time of his death, if you visit the true nerds forums where they know the actual languages, they dissuade people to tattoo anything relating to it as the Tolkien estate still releases writings and the language is still evolving as Tolkien modified it a lot while he was writing.

[@Catherine.Dorian.]

@@Ildarioonhe created the languages first, the story is a vehicle to use them. But you’re also correct, he wanted England to have the fairytales they had lost and he took huge inspections from those very early civilizations who have been basically erased or forgotten (I believe the druids are in there)

[@otaku-sempai2197]

Tolkien created three, distinct Elvish languages: 1) Sindarin, basically every-day Elvish; 2) Quenya, "Old Elvish", the Elves' equivalent to Latin; and 3) Silvan, the language of the Wood-elves when they don't use Sindarin. Tolkien created Westron as the language of the Dunedain (the Men of the West) that became the common tongue of Middle-earth. For the Rohirrim (the Horse-lords) he used Old English. The Dwarves have a secret language called Khuzdul, that they do not use in front of outsiders. To quote Tolkien Gateway: "One of the only major phrases known to outsiders is their battle-cry: 'Baruk Khazâd! Khazâd ai-mênu!' meaning 'Axes of the Dwarves! The Dwarves are upon you!'"

[@ZonnexNecton]

You are never late, nor early to watch this awesome trilogy. You have arrived precisely when you means to.

[@primoguerrero7928]

That S though..

[@blondymonk1535]

The S ruins it.

[@jimmyboy131]

Gold star comment

[@cxo9378]

S’s are never late, nor are they early. They arrive precisely when they needs to

[@bigl9478]

The reason the fellowship splits up at the end is because Frodo decided to go to Mordor alone. Some members of the fellowship were already getting corrupted by the ring so he decided it was safer to leave the others behind.

[@ronweber1402]

Galadriel warned that one by one it would take them all. So while Aragorn and the others were able to resist now they all would have eventually fallen to the power of the Ring.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Yeah, I thought that aspect of the ring’s effect on the fellowship was made pretty clear.

[@DopamineVice]

Sam i fucking love sam

[@clash736]

Not to mention, since the Uruk'-hai have merry and pippin in custody, the forces of sauron for all they know they have what they set out for, so its smart for frodo and sam to use this lapse to carry on in secret again

[@Catherine.Dorian.]

@@clash736I feel so dumb for never connecting that… yeah them grabbing those two definitely let Frodo get away and not continue to be pursued and answers where the Nazgûl are in reference to Frodo in the next two parts

[@doodoo5594]

28:17 the observation that moths are attracted to light is actually brilliant, especially for first time watchers, i’ve seen these movies a million times and i’d never stopped to consider that

[@di3486]

It has nothing to do with the story though.

[@PainHarbinger]

@@di3486 Perhaps the thread that they are following is that Gandalf, self-proclaimed "wielder of the flame of Anor" which references the Sun, is a "light" that attracts it up there in the first place.

[@Dron-to4uy]

The password to gates of Moria was so easy because it was never meant to be a secret. It was created together by elves of Eregion and dwarfes of Moria as the closest route between two kingdoms. It was one of very few cases of friendship between elves and dwarfes. But by the time of War of the Ring, both of these kingdoms are destroyed, so nobody lives who remembers the password.

[@otterrufus]

It has always bothered me that Gandalf read the inscription over the gates as Moria when that name was only given to the place a few thousand years after the gates were constructed. At the time the gates were made it was called Khazad dum. It only came to be called Moria (the dark pit) after the Balrog had driven the Dwarves out.

[@Dron-to4uy]

@@otterrufus i looked it up and even english transcription of writing has Moria in it. So either it was a small inconsistency overlooked by Professor or it implies that elves used to call Khazad-Dum Moria even before Durin's Bane, which, given elvish hate for underground, might be an option

[@otterrufus]

@@Dron-to4uy But would the Elves have referred to the Dwarves home as "the Black Pit" over a set of doors meant to show the friendship between the two races? The best explanation I can come up with is that the story is supposed to have been written by Frodo and he just didn't remember that part clearly after the time of it happening and his writing it down later back in Bagend. The good old unreliable narrator excuse.

[@Dron-to4uy]

@otterrufus well, given that Gimli doesn't seem to be bothered by others and himself calling Moria Moria and his film version saying "Let us go through the mines of Moria" and later, at the gate making fun of this name: "And they call it a mine. A mine!" (i know that film version is quite different, being the comic relief and all) and knowing dwarfen pride and arrogance, i can totally see them thinking something like that: "Of course these pointy-ears can't appreciate the beauty of Khazad-Dum!" and not really caring about that name

[@otterrufus]

@@Dron-to4uy Well the doors were built in 1500 of the Second Age at the latest and Khazad dum wasn't taken over by the Balrog and given the name Moria until 1981 of the Third Age 3,922 years later. Tolkien just messed up. Considering how large of a world he created it's a wonder there aren't more examples like it.

[@grantjohnston7972]

"They should follow the light" Me: "don't follow the lights"

[@Heruwath007]

Balrog: "Suprise, motherf*****"

[@jimsenbonzakura9402]

The significance of Galadriel giving away her hair (to a dwarf of all things) can't be understated. Literally there have been wars fought in the past when her uncle asked for her hair, from a place of greed and lust, to forge an artifact, and she refused. Btw, that was Feänor, an elf that killed SEVERAL Balrogs. The importance of her giving away her hair several millenia later has a big ,meaning.

[@jeremyraymer]

Aye, it was said in her hair was captured the light from the two trees in Valinor, the trees being the illumination before the sun and moon were created and Middle Earth dark except for starlight. Amazon probably messed up any chance we'll have of hearing/seeing more tales from the first age when Middle Earth was young and ruled by the elves.

[@mrdavman13]

“Wars” lol the whole world was almost destroyed because of those wars, a whole continent was destroyed and sunk under the ocean, and the world was reshaped. All cause of her hair

[@riseofazrael]

@@mrdavman13 Wow that's crazy, so I guess her hair has magical properties???

[@jopay142]

@@riseofazrael "Galadriel was the greatest of the Noldor, except Feanor maybe (...) Even among the Eldar she was accounted beautiful, and her hair waas held a marvel unmatched.(...) and the Eldar said that the light of the Two Trees, Laurelin and Telperion, had been snared in her tresses." [Unfinished Tales, History of Galadriel and Celeborn] Galadriel IS a bad*ss 😄

[@akhnatenpage4854]

Not to mention, she gave him 3!!

[@rio20d]

LoTR is timeless masterpiece, it has been 20+ years and I still got chills watching it even now.

[@boqndimitrov8693]

it's a shame that the series has become such a mockery of what was created by tolkien. they even tried to make him racist and sexist, because of the lack of black characters, and other nonsense. americans!!! 🤢🤮

[@eshw23]

I agree, every time I rewatch it it is just as amazing as the first time, I doubt these movies will get one percent older even a hundred years from now

[@roselynveren5022]

yeah it is timeless, totally the opposite of the cringey Amazon RoP, where they desecrating Tolkien source material.

[@DingleJBerry]

The lord of the rings trilogy was nominated for 30 academy awards and won 17 total

[@kimbervoss3753]

And it won them when Oscars still meant a little something..

[@Heruwath007]

@@kimbervoss3753 Not only that. Return of the King was nominated 11 times and won all of them. It's one of three movies winning eleven oscars, but it's the only one winning all categories they were nominated in, while also winning the most oscars. So going from that alone, we basically have the best movie of all times.

[@charlesbarnes6912]

I've always found it amazing that Tolkien wrote all these different beautiful languages for elves, dwarves, and even mordor and then wrote his stories around them

[@TheNightWatcher1385]

And even created the fictional languages their languages descended from.

[@bookworm4174]

I loved that you picked up on the social hierarchy between Frodo and Sam. Sam is Frodo's gardener as his father was Bilbo's before him. Sam is the lowest ranking member of the Fellowship. Frodo is heir to Bilbo, quite rich, and he is related to the two ruling families of the shire: Tooks and Brandybucks. Merry is a Brandybuck, a noble in his own regard, and Pippin is a Took, son of the ruler of their part of the Shire.

[@jima6545]

The actor playing Saruman is Sir Christopher Lee. A legit real life badass. Delving into his story is a fun rabbit hole. He was also a huge fan of the books and read them every year on his birthday. Also, he actually befriended Tolkien himself at a pub near the university Tolkien taught at. He wanted to play Gandalph, but ended up playing Saruman.

[@Centurylamar88]

Definitely not a cult classic. It’s main stream. The lord of the rings books are literally top 5 best selling books EVER😂 and these movies made $1 billion each

[@Vinsanity503]

It’s a cult classic WTF

[@DestinyAwaits19]

The theatrical versions made a billion dollars each. The literary style of the books is too Victorian, and therefore, outdated.

[@Centurylamar88]

@@Vinsanity503 the definition of a cult classic is considered the best of its kind by a SMALL group of people, there is nothing small or niche about LOTR’s reputation

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

​@@DestinyAwaits19 The literary style of the books is more Elizabethan or Jacobean in my opinion.

[@Cee_H]

Maybe they just mixed their words or don't understand what a cult classic means..

[@theangelgrey.]

Sam wasn’t actually that deep under the water at all, but the camera shot is supposed to represent how he felt in that moment

[@thenoremac2685]

Most of Gandalf's magic is off-screen, because he's meant to act in the role of a counselor and guide. A few days before Frodo got stabbed, Gandalf encountered several of the Nazgul at that same ruined tower. The hobbits and Aragorn could see the flashes of fire all the way from where they were camping. He's the reason they didn't have to deal with all nine of them at once. When he's alone, facing the forces of darkness, that's when the gloves come off.

[@WJS774]

"When he's alone" is quite important. In the past, divine beings fighting destroyed an entire _continent._ That kind of power is not something that you want to be unleashing a few feet away from squishy mortals.

[@TheEggroll4321]

Gandalf doesn't just use magic all the time because he is bound by Eru(god of this world) to use equal force with mortals. Eru wants the fate of middle earth to be decided by mortals. He uses magic with the Balrog and Saruman because they are also Celestial beings.

[@RippanCSGO]

In the book it took 17 years from Bilbo leaving The Shire to Gandalf finding out about the ring(including travel, looking & interrogate Gollum etc). Frodo kept the ring hidden in the envelope for that long, then left the Shire and ended up in Rivendell meeting Bilbo again. So its way more than a month for him to age and write his book but watching the movie its seems like it's.. instant.

[@jonathonfrazier6622]

Thought it was 19.

[@AlohaTrev]

I thought it was seven years after Gandalf touches the ring and then returns to the shire.

[@kenkonwick6660]

17 yrs in the book

[@davidwoolbright3675]

Yeah. Is 17 years in the book but several months in the movie.

[@somebodysomewhere2127]

As brilliant as the films are, it always bugged me that it never really gives any clear indication of that 17-year lapse for the audience.

[@mrmadness2699]

I can’t believe you guys laughed at how deep Frodo’s hand went into the water during the “I made a promise Mr. Frodo” speech. It was one of the MOST Touching moments of the movie! And it was something of an emotional climax 😂

[@SoupDragonish]

Laughter is a release of emotion and the previous 20 minutes were pretty stressful. I don't think they found it funny, they had just watched Lord of the Rings for the first time.

[@barrymiller3385]

You're right - but they weren't to know. I think we need to cut them a bit of slack.

[@joannaholden943]

Every time I see this scene I just imagine that horrible feeling when you're not in that deep but you can't swim enough to reach the top of the water...Sam actually wasn't in that deep, but even just as deep as he was was too deep for somebody who cannot swim.

[@di3486]

@@SoupDragonishUsually people that is not used to being vulnerable laugh as a self-defense mechanism.

[@runtwer5700]

I mean, they're also calling it an "ocean", so I think it's okay to let this one slide...

[@billparrish4385]

Not to invalidate any of your symbolic analysis (because often, such analyses can exist in parallel as deeper layers), but Tolkien himself as a young man, before being an Oxford professor, served in World War I. Being English, he saw many young farm boys who had never traveled farther than a few miles from their homes, transported to far off battlefields to face nameless horrors. And even though these were totally outside of their experience up to that point, the sturdiness of their character allowed real heroism to emerge. Now consider as some have observed, how the map of Middle-earth, the primary continent of this world Arda, superimposes nicely with Europe and Asia, making The Shire somewhere around England's Midlands, a place filled with simple, country folk -- a people one might even view as the hobbits of Western Europe. Small people, in terms of wealth and power, who saw their sons go off to the Great War, and those who were blessed to return, came back very different people. So the hobbits were Tolkien's 'everyman' witnesses to these great events. Tolkien actually invented at least 15 languages, to greater or lesser degrees (some more fully developed than others), including two forms of Elvish (Quenya, language of Noldorin elves, the primary Elvish language at the end of the Third Age, during the events of The Lord of the Ring, and Sindarin, the mother tongue), Dwarvish _(Khuzdûl),_ Entish, etc. The Black Speech of Mordor was the original language of the inscription on the One Ring that Sauron forged, which Gandalf quoted in the Common Speech in Bag End (Bilbo's, then Frodo's, very tidy hobbit hole), then in actual Black Speech at the Council of Elrond in Rivendell. It was also this version that the Ring was murmuring as the various council attendees were arguing among themselves. Here is that inscription, in both languages (Black Speech of Mordor, and Common Speech represented here in English): _Ash nazg durbatulûk_ One ring to rule them all _Ash nazg gimbatul_ One ring to find them _Ash nazg thrakatulûk_ One ring to bring them all _Agh burzum-ishi krimpatul!_ And in the darkness bind them! You'll note the root of the word that Aragorn used to describe the Nine, _Nazgûl_ (from Black Speech _nazg,_ "ring", and _gûl,_ "wraith, spirit"). You'll see bits and pieces here and there that likewise hang together, such as Arwen saying _Rochon ellint im_ ("I'm the faster rider"). _Rochon_ is a form of the word for Rohan (you'll meet these guys later, but basically a country known for their horsemanship). Tolkien's invented languages are so rich, and at this point there are people who study them, and converse in them, for fun. Good stuff!

[@JulieShock]

I find it fascinating that everyone talks about Tolkien in war but never how his Roman Catholic faith influenced his writings.

[@sunfurycommenting1013]

You are almost entirely correct. Technically Quenya and Sindarin both stem from an original Elvish but developed differently as some elves (Noldor, Teleri and Vanyar) go to Aman (aka Undying Lands) and develop Quenya. Meanwhile the elves that stay in Middle-earth (also known as Grey Elves) develop Sindarin. The Noldor brought Quenya with them when returning to Middle-earth. Sindarin is the primary Elvish of Middle-earth as the Noldor by the Third Age are greatly depleted after many wars to the point they do not appoibt a new high king after Gil-galad's death at the end of the Second Age. The Noldor have also been leaving Middle-earth, so few remain to continue to establish Quenya while Sindarin continues to remain with the Grey Elves that do not seek to leave Middle-earth save for a few.

[@billparrish4385]

@@Makkaru112 It's not fun speaking to fellow Tolkien fans in Quenya? I taught my daughter to recite the Ring inscription when she was 5 years old. In the original Black Speech of Mordor, no less! We had a blast doing that together! Besides, you're the one who added "just for" to my "fun." Plus that bit about the nerds and basements. I didn't say that, and I don't think that. Nothing wrong with having fun with this stuff. OR saying so....

[@tortepasti2]

@@JulieShock would be interesting to know! care to explain or do you have a link to inform?

[@redbandita020]

1:05:40 When Galadriël grants Gimli three hairs, you must know she is basically the Queen of all High Elves (Legolas is "only" a Wood Elf). Feanor, one of the greatest elves, and most amazing crafters of the world had made a similar request of the golden lady thousands of years earlier. Feanor was so inspired by Galadriel’s grace and beauty, that he wished to use strands of her hair in the making of his three Silmarils, the most precious gems ever created in Middle Earth. He begged her three times for a single strand of her hair, but even though she was young and inexperienced at this point, she looked into his soul and saw that his intentions were not fair and benevolent, but were driven by greed and a desire to possess something more precious than the other elves of the time. She, therefore, refused his request, causing much wrath and anguish, and he was forced to find other precious substances to infuse into his gems. It is incredible then, that Galadriel would give this gift to Gimli. Her husband Celeborn is the only other being in all of her many long years who has been able to so much as touch the golden strands of hair on her head, let alone pluck them out and keep them. So when she allows this incredible rarity to Gimli, she essentially gives him the three hairs that Feanor demanded of her, because she has looked into his soul and found that he has a good heart and that he desires them for nothing more than to treasure the beautiful days he spent in her lands. Here, she finds a dwarf who is worthy of ending the hundreds of years-long rivalry between their races, who proves that a dwarf can be loyal and brave, and all of the amazing qualities that Gimli shows, despite so many of his people simply being greedy and power-hungry. It is also thought that many of the elves of Middle Earth know about Galadriel’s altercation with Feanor, and that at this moment, Legolas sees what an incredible honor the she-elf has given his companion, and realizes that he can finally trust him and put aside their differences. This is the start of their life-long friendship, and a strengthening of the fellowship that will survive many dangerous times ahead together, all thanks to Galadriel’s three golden hairs. Alice Rose Dodds

[@Xirik-Alansei]

Lots of the scenes you think are CGI are actually very well done miniature pieces that they then insert the actors in. Since most of the grand big things like those two statues are shot from a distance you can't really tell.

[@Dene181]

^this

[@Peppermt]

Bigatures! I loved the behind the scenes stuff

[@bartekw2344]

When Frodo meets Bilbo in Rivendell, you say at 32:00 "it's only been a month". Yes, in the movie it may seem so, but in the book, there is a 17 years gap between Bilbo leaving the Shire after his birthday party and Frodo starting his journey :) so in reality they haven't seen each other for 17 years. Also, yes, when Bilbo is no longer in possession of the ring his age is slowly "catching up" with him.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 37:03 Gabriella says, "because of the scar that he has he seems to be like, uh, more binded..." An interesting observation. In the book, later on in the Mines of Moria, Tolkien says, "Though he had been healed in Rivendell of the knife-stroke, that grim wound had not been without effect. His senses were sharper and more aware of things that could not be seen. One sign of change that he soon had noticed was that he could see more in the dark than any of his companions, save perhaps Gandalf."

[@Nofinator]

"Everything was ending on a high note" Boromir: 💀

[@libertyresearch-iu4fy]

Christopher Lee who plays Saruman, the wizard, was probably the one in the entire cast and crew of the movie who knew the most about the story. He had read it every year for decades, and he actually had met Tolkien, the author, once. He is a legend in the movie (especially horror) industry. There are three 'Rings' movies, and there are also three movies about Bilbo Baggins and the ring, from the book 'The Hobbit'. Most people don't really like the Hobbit movies nearly as much.

[@rickardroach9075]

There should've been one Hobbit movie and six Rings movies.

[@gsparkman]

The Hobbit is the original story of Middle Earth, written by Tolkien as child’s book. The LOTR trilogy wasn’t published until more than a decade later. The Hobbit book is about half the length of a single book within the trilogy. Even so, The Hobbit story is so rich that a single film would have had difficulty to do it justice. Two films was probably the right call, but the studio forced Peter Jackson to split it into a trilogy to mirror the LOTR series. Plus, Jackson was given about half the time to produce The Hobbit films; the studio wanted to quickly capitalize on the popularity of LOTR. For all these reasons The Hobbit does not exhibit the same loving care as found in LOTR. The Hobbit trilogy is not bad. It’s just not as well-crafted as LOTR, but few films are.

[@gameboypunk660]

The animated Hobbit movie from the 70's from Rankin Bass is still classic and my favorite version of Gandalf John Houston is amazing as him

[@AlohaTrev]

I saw Christopher Lee speak in Bangkok for a screening of the Man with the Golden Gun and he was bitter about his scenes getting cut from the theatrical release. Hope he felt better as the directors cut versions have become so popular

[@Ezekielepharcelis]

@@Makkaru112 Very true. Peter Jackson should have done the Hobbit on his own. But he also had to make King Kong at the time and said before he wouldn't have much time. Del Toro was busy in a hundred different projects at the time and only did the movie half hearted.

[@landail5681]

Caleb, hearing you both talk about how in your past this movie (and others) was considered "too nerdy" to be able to watch and enjoy without ramifications to your social circles really resonates with me - just from the other side of the fence. I grew up in the 80's and 90's being a nerd, the geeky kid, unpopular, etc because I read LOTR, played D&D, played Magic the Gathering, etc. But I had good friends who loved these things with me, and we were our own community of nerds and geeks. Now, in my early 40's, watching a whole myriad of reactors of all ages discovering for themselves how epic, how inspiring, these films (this genre, even) CAN be I admit my initial thoughts were more bitter than they should have been. I wondered why the cool kids who belittled me then are now adults who think it's awesome now - I reflected on my anger, and realized those same people also spoke with regret of not moving past their own biases sooner to enjoy these films then. It helped ME realize some of the biases I had been carrying internally a long time and work to move past them. I welcome these "renaissance nerds" and want them to feel welcome as they grow to love what I've loved for all my life. Welcome to you both, so glad you made it! 😃🍻🤗

[@WoodlandAsh]

“I wonder what it’s like to stare into someone’s eyes in their last moments. Do you see anything leave it?” - having been in this situation twice now, I can say yes. You try to remain calm and composed, serene really, to bring them comfort and then they just fade away. Something ineffable vanishes in that moment, whether you call it soil, consciousness etc. but there is a very clear shift and a sense of absence so much that you realise the body before you, though it may hold their likeness, isn’t really them. I wish I could say I hope you never have to endure it, but in truth it is the price we pay for love & in its own unique way is a privilege many do not get.

[@rickardroach9075]

Yes, I was there for my dad's final breath and have seen many dead relatives. It's not fun but I agree, it is a privilege to share that one last moment.

[@30noir]

I don't know if I'd attribute any spiritual meaning to it but there's a definite change when a person becomes an object.

[@lilyandrose8557]

very much so

[@pettytyrant2720]

30 years in care work, I've been present at several bedsides in the final moments of someone's life. I am not at all a religious person, but there is something, a shine to the eyes, a light to them which goes upon death. The awareness that marks life is in the eyes, and it's absent in the dead. What exactly it is, where it goes, if anywhere I don't know, but it's not a hunch, or a feeling, it's a physical phenomenon that can be witnessed. A definite change of state. What's left is like an empty box.

[@Mini_Hayley]

Gandalf is basically a demigod, he could thanos snap every orc out of existence if he wanted to, but it’s against his code or whatever to interfere in any ways other than being a glorified guide. Notice how he only uses his powers on stuff like the Balrog and the Wraiths on the Pelanor fields.

[@kristianmidjord]

The surprise at the end was priceless - then imagine if you now had to wait for 1 full year, before being able to see the second movie, and then again 1 full year before watching the final movie, that´s how it was for us old people😉 who watched them, when they were released in the theater.

[@everythingandthetardiscons7850]

it was BOROMIR who told Frodo not to carry the weight of the dead. Don't go attributing one of his nicer moments to Aragorn dammit.

[@williamcorbett5342]

There are a lot of details they unfortunately don’t have time to explain in the movie but a couple key things are: 1. Gandalf knew ahead of time that bilbo had a strange ring but it had been over 3,000 years since the ring was last officially seen, so it would have been wild for anyone to figure out that’s what bilbo had. 2. The wizards aren’t human type people trained in magic but actually low-ish level angels or minor gods sent to guide the free peoples of middle earth by this universes “God”

[@Shalltear773]

didn't the wizards also have their powers limited upon taking mortal form?

[@polykinkster]

Yes,@@Shalltear773 The Maiar had to become mortal to enter Middle Earth which limited their power. They were compelled to never use their power to subjugate.

[@williamcorbett5342]

@@Shalltear773 Somewhat. I think the power is still fully theirs but they are required to only use a certain amount or just certain aspects of it according to each one's role. Otherwise they'd just deus ex machina every bad situation they end up in. Their intended purpose is only to support and play their role/facilitate destiny; which is why Gandalf can duel a Balrog to the death but not climb up from a ledge he's hanging onto.

[@davidkulmaczewski4911]

@@williamcorbett5342I always viewed Gandalf's fight with the Balrog as him taking advantage of a "loophole" in his task, because he knew it was such a critical but unexpected event. The Istari were instructed not to use their powers in direct conflict with the servants of Sauron..... but the Balrog was not a servant of Sauron, it was a servant of Morgoth.

[@PeterDB90]

@@davidkulmaczewski4911 I haven't read the books but read lots of comments from people TELLING me about the books and how they are portrayed in them, and my rudimentary understanding is that Gandalf (and all Istari) are sent to earth as guides and not to interfere in direct conflict because mortals of earth have to weave their own destiny; however a balrog is not suppose to directly interfere for the same reason the Istari aren't supposed to, so Gandalf is allowed to battle the balrog to prevent him from interfering with the fellowship of the ring and their true destiny. But that's my conjecture - I don't actually know if it's remotely correct, just my understanding.

[@williamsatnan4380]

Sam's family works for the Baggins family as gardeners which is why he refers to him as Mr. Frodo even though they are friends.

[@lethaldose2000]

Hey Gabriella and Caleb. You should know that 😢Tolkien was a master linguist. He created many fictional languages, long before he wrote LOTR. ------ He had no way to properly use them, so he thought the best way to bring the. Alive was in a story. First the ,"Hobbit" story. Then with the LOTR epic saga.

[@0okamino]

Knowing that the universe in which Middle Earth exists is basically a sandbox for Tolkien’s languages makes me marvel at its vast richness all the more.

[@lethaldose2000]

@@0okamino definitively

[@TheTossedOne]

@@0okamino I'd bet money that the richness is precisely the reason that the languages are so well-built. Language and history and people are inseparable and if you want to make a language that seems real it needs to be rooted in a rich world. It's not impossible that the world of Middle Earth and its languages were created along with each other.

[@samanthatomcat]

And just to confirm, the Baggins are a rich Hobbit family. Old money kind of thing. They're held in high respect by most local Hobbits at least. And Sam calls Frodo "Mr. Frodo" because he works for him. He's employed as Frodo and Bilbo's gardener. So he's basically a peasant and Frodo is the rich kid he grew up with.

[@blanketstarry7725]

...about the "drowning" of Sam...you have to understand that movies are not just literal depictions of events and time. You must allow the medium to take liberties in order to convey emotions and a characters state of mind. Sam's submersion under water was filmed metaphorically to show the "depth" of his commitment and sacrifice he was willing to go through in order to keep his promise to Gandalf and protect Frodo. When the scene cuts from Frodo clasping Sam's hand to pulling him out of the water, the film "snaps" back from its metaphor story telling. Things like this are found throughout the movie.

[@PickledShark]

I guess? I mean it’s perfectly reasonable for someone who can’t swim to drown in any amount of water deeper than their height.

[@christopherlundgren1700]

@@PickledShark The more unrealistic part is the distance that Frodo's boat is from Sam in the long shot when he's about to go under. Frodo wouldn't really have time to turn the boat around, paddle over to Sam and grab his hand. Also we see Sam already falling deeper into the water than a short hobbit hand would be able to reach. The grasping of the hand/pulling someone from the brink is a visual motif that appears repeatedly in the movies. I don't know if it 100% works for me here, but I see what they were trying to do. You just have to go with it.

[@PickledShark]

@@christopherlundgren1700 You must not be a paddler. If anything it’s the exact opposite. That’s like 10 seconds of paddling, and maybe 5 seconds of decision-making on Frodo’s part. There’s not enough time to drown in that time. It absolutely makes sense that Sam would only be a few feet underwater.

[@christopherlundgren1700]

@@PickledShark Yeah can say that all you want but I don't buy it. Sam's barely even struggling by the time we see the arms grasp each other. "Only a few feet" is a huge distance to a hobbit. How is Frodo going to reach his little arm down that far without dangling off of the side of the boat face first into the water?

[@PickledShark]

@@christopherlundgren1700 He is dangling down over the side of the boat to reach Sam.

[@throfur3489]

So the hair thing is a nod to Fëanor asking Galadriel for a string of her hair three times, she denied it every time. Gimli asked once, she gave three.

[@Grimlock1979]

The languages were invented by Tolkien. He invented several languages during his lifetime. He loved languages and he was a professor of language and literature. There are 2 Elvish languages. The every-day-language is called Sindarin. It is inspired mainly by Welsh. The old Elven language (like Elf Latin) is called Quenya. It is inspired mainly by Finnish, Latin and Greek.

[@stefannydvorak7919]

Man! That was one of the best commentary/analysis I've listened to in a while! Tolkien was a genius mind. The world he created is a masterclass in world building. He created languages(with various dialects!). He created a complete geography and map. He created various species and inhabitants. He created a multitude of cultures. I especially liked when you talked about the music of life that inhabits us all. Tolkien created a whole religion for Middle-Earth. In his creation myths, the Great God Erú Illuvatar created life through music.

[@WilliamGreer]

Me and a group of eight of my friends ditched school each year for each of the LotR movies to see them on the first showing, first day, and waited in line. No regrets. Way before the movies came out I became friends with my best friend over the world Tolkien created. He was there in our group of nine.

[@3twelve206]

25:39 They do seem stupid but it’s because they’re Hobbits. Hobbits don’t leave their homeland and live out in the country. They’re not warriors. They drink, eat, party, and sleep. An extremely peaceful innocent and pure spirited race. It’s also why Bilbo and Frodo are able to sustain the ring’s corruption longer than humans. Just look what it did to Boromir. Despite their stature they’re vital to the quest. Only Frodo can do this. Only his soul is pure enough to carry this burden. Love your reaction!

[@Mrspuma527]

Firstly, props to you both for tackling such a long fantasy movie with an open mind. What is interesting to me is that ‘applicability’ was so important to Professor Tolkien and seeing you taking an older story and still find meaning in it that is still relevant today is such a joy to watch. Thank you.

[@Kaikoura26]

Gandalf was conserving his powers to light the way for three days. Dude was not charging but spending that whole time. That was why he was out of breath while running from belrog. There is a ton of back story to this trilogy.

[@pragynaparamitamallick2365]

No one understand why Gimli asking for a hair of Galadrial, and her giving, was a big thing. Because there was a elf warrior. Great one. He asked for the same but his heart wasn't pure so galadrial didn't gave him her hair. You can see Legolas smiling at Gimli because he knew this story and understood what an honour this dwarf got that was once denied to a great elf warrior.

[@GeoffTrowbridge]

There are actually six total films in the LotR canon. There’s also the “Hobbit” trilogy, which is a prequel and tells Bilbo’s backstory. Granted, the “Hobbit” films are weaker efforts (for too many reasons to explain right now), but if you want to continue your Middle-Earth journey after this trilogy, they’re still enjoyable and worth watching.

[@meghan8266]

I love that you guys wrote notes for this. As a long time fan of Lord of the Rings it makes me so happy when people go into it and try to understand and remember all the little details so they can get the full experience. Good job you guys! ❤

[@geraldclough1099]

More than 40 years as a paramedic, and I've been attending intimately with more dying people than I could reliably remember. With many of them, I could watch monitors and know when the gross life processes died. Mostly, they just stopped. In one case, I was talking to the man in the ambulance, and I saw the EKG go flat while he was still talking. Strange moment, talking for a few seconds after his heart stopped. Another told me she was going to die, and then she did. The visible injuries were not so great to suggest pending death, but it turned out that the brain was dying from effects of a basal skull fracture. There's really no sense of anything leaving. But there is a change, because all the subtle tiny movements and the tone of living muscles goes away, leaving a stillness.

[@splitimage137.]

wow

[@DarkXVenator]

Likewise, have had many impending doom folks and such over the years. I ask every one of them if I get them back and alert and have yet to get an answer. Not sure about you but everyone I’ve ever had never realized they were gone lmao . Peaceful I suppose

[@geraldclough1099]

Except that you learn pretty quickly that the ones wailing "OH, LORDY! I 'M DYING I'M DYING" aren't. It's the ones who tell you very matter of factly who are probably going to spoil your day. @@DarkXVenator

[@otaku-sempai2197]

There are three Lord of the Rings movies because the novel was published as three books. But there are also the three Hobbit movies telling the story of Bilbo Baggins' adventure with Gandalf, the Dwarf-lord Thorin Oakenshield, and his twelve companions. The Hobbit was published in 1937; Tolkien started LotR as a sequel, but the story grew as he wrote. Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.

[@billthomas478]

You should really read the books. Best trilogy of all time. Also, watch the extended versions of the rest.

[@miggmon]

do you really think so? they would be sleeping by page 10.

[@tiago_s_]

@@etano1701 😂

[@RafikisAnts]

i nearly drown 21 years ago in a swimming pool i was the only one in the pool and that camera shot is exactly how it feels the surface may only be a foot away it feels like miles when you need to breathe and when your near the end, out of strength to fight the stillness, silence and serenity of the moment is unreal then 3 giant splashes from above as 3 men jumped in to pull me out

[@BlyatBlaster]

1:05:41 Legolas smiles here when Gimli tells him his gift. Because Legolas is an elf and knows elven history. Thousands of years ago, Galadriels half uncle Feanor asked her for a single strand of her hair. But Galadriel senses the malice in Feanor’s heart and refused. In response (sorta) Feanor crafter the three Silmarils, clear jewels that he infused with the Light of the Two Trees of Valinor before they were destroyed. The Silmarils are extremely sacred to the Elved, but also the cause of hundreds of years of war and bloodshed and suffering for them. And they resulted in the three Kinslayings of the Elves, that’s elf on elf violence and a BIG no no. So then thousands of years later Gimli asks Galadriel for the same gift Feanor had asked her for. But this time she perceives no malice in Gimli, and so not only does she gift him his request, she gives him three, one for each Silmaril. Gimli would keep these strands and later infuse them into jewels and place them above the entrance to his domain in the Glittering Caves.

[@nicolasgamant7389]

Elvish is absolutely a language, when Tolkien wrote his masterpiece, he not only created an entire world, he created an origins story for this world stretching over millennias, he also created full functional languages, maps who evolve over time, a mythology...etc to do that he studied cartography, topography, languages...etc

[@clojap]

The "Wizards" in this story are supposed to hold back, they aren't supposed to dominate lesser being with their powers or really even show what they are capable of. They were sent to try to inspire the people of middle earth to rise against Sauron.

[@Dan-B]

Context for the Wizards: The Wizards are immortal spirits called Maia, who were sent to Middle Earth thousands of years ago and took the forms of Men. They were sent to keep an eye on Sauron (also a Maia) and to guide people in resisting him (Emphasis on “guide” since they’re so powerful they aren’t allowed to use their full power for risk of doing more harm that good)

[@leowakefield5942]

I'm sure someone has already commented this but the Argonath (the big statues along the river) weren't actually cgi like you guessed. They actually built statues, which are about 7ft tall and used miniatures to film the scene! Most of the stuff in these movies that would be done with cgi today is practical

[@RambinoYT]

You do not wanna see into someone's eyes when they leave. I was at my father death bed holding his hand and then in the last moments i had my hand on his chest to feel his heart stop beating while looking him in the eyes as they close. It's the most painful thing i have ever experienced, there is no pain that can beat that i think other then if i have to do the same with my mother. That memory will haunt me for the rest of my life, i have never felt more weak and helpless ever

[@kelsthemod8051]

The reason the fellowship doesn't go after Frodo and Sam is because Frodo meant to go by himself. Boromir being corrupted by the ring was a sign of what was to come to each of the other members of the fellowship if they stayed too long in the presence of the ring. As Galadriel said, "one by one it will take them" or something like that. Frodo going by himself (+Sam) was to protect everyone else from suffering the same or similar fate as Boromir. Sam went out of sheer devotion and loyalty, even if Frodo intended to go alone, he would not be able to keep Sam away. I hope this helps explain. -Kelsey, a Tolkien fan of approx 20 years.

[@Alexanderthegreat159]

47:40 Well in Pippin's defense, he still considered a kid by Hobbit standards or at least a teenager. You don't be considered an adult to your 30th I think, and I think he's 28. Hell frodo's 50. Hobbits just mature later than other beings.

[@WJS774]

Galadriel is so weird because she is so _old._ The older elves get, the more distant they are from mortals, and Galadriel is around 20,000 years old. In Tolkien's world, that makes her older than the sun and moon. In the real world, that would make her older than human civilisation. It should be little surprise that they all find her so strange.

[@t-pnaminami3808]

Peter Jackson used to make smaller horror films before making Lord of the Rings. That's why there's such a horror twist to many elements in these movies. I think they fit. Even the books were more "darkness and death with a glimmer of light and hope" than straight up fun adventuring.

[@SoupDragonish]

If you watch the 'making of' material, Peter says he was under strict instructions that there would be no blood spurts in the various decapitations and amputations to get the desired rating. Peter himself is pretty good at the old blood spurt if you watch his earlier films. lol.

[@asarishepard8171]

There are these deep country shots in one of his earlier films, unalive I think its called. That hint at his interest in Tolkien. Irs astonishing to see these earlier shots in a horror film.

[@BumpyBaluga]

There were 3, 7, and 9 rings. However, in the books, the rings the elves had were not made by Sauron. They were made in secret so they were not currupted by the Ring of Power.

[@yomamma.ismydaddy216]

Well they weren’t made by Sauron but they’re still corruptible by the one, they only started using them again after Sauron lost the ruling ring

[@BumpyBaluga]

@@yomamma.ismydaddy216 Sauron did not directly participate in the creation of the Three Rings, so they were free of its corrupting influence. So although he did intend the One Ring to rule them all, the Three were tied to the One's power but their wearers did not become corrupted by Sauron's influence.

[@yomamma.ismydaddy216]

@@BumpyBaluga yes they didn’t become corrupted by the one rings influence bc as soon as Sauron put on the one ring the elves took theirs off😂 and they didn’t put them back on until after Sauron was defeated and separated from the one ring

[@TrangDB9]

I like that philosophical talk after the movie.

[@candicelitrenta8890]

When these movies came out we had to wait a whole year to see the 2nd and 3rd one a year after that. You are able to just stream it and watch it all now. Big difference waiting that long to the speed of todays videos.

[@Alcagaur1]

"Mr. Frodo" reflects the class system that Tolkien experienced first-hand through school and into the trenches of WWI, where a "batman" would take care of the upper-class officer who often couldn't do much more for himself than tie his shoes, since he had been literally waited on hand and foot all his life. In that context, Sam, even though addressed by his first name, would never dream of treating Mr. Frodo as an equal.

[@joerosenman3480]

Or to put it simply, Sam was Frodo’s Gardener. Employees refer to their bosses as “Mister.” (But they were friends too 😊).

[@ArdaUnhail]

I don't know if anyone else write about it but Aragorn decides not to follow Frodo because he knows that eventually, one by one they will drawn to its power and will try to get the ring for themselves, that is why Gandalf said "you can only trust yourself." that is a wiser but harder decision to make on Aragorn's part, i believe.

[@macariorodriguez630]

The nazgul that was sniffing after them is named Khamul the Easterling. All the nine have their own powers and weaknesses though the Witch King holds the greater power. Khamul has the greatest ability of the lesser nine to sense the ring but he is also the most hindered when in daylight. Had it been dark he would have found them under the root with no issue.

[@cid7819]

The Nazgul are the nine men in the beginning. The nine men with the rings. They turned into the Nazgul

[@amberlynYT]

I dont know that i would classify LoTR as a cult classic lol a classic, definitely ❤ im so looking forward to your reactions! You guys are awesome ^_^

[@mentallygonereacts]

Beyond appreciative for the ongoing support, much love!

[@cmdrbrantford888]

@@mentallygonereacts BTW, this was filmed entirely on location in New Zealand. The set of "Hobbiton" is still there for tourists to go visit. Also.. not to bore you too much with Tolkien's lore, but "WIzards" in Middle Earth are actually immortal beings called Maiar. They were sent by the gods of the world (The Valar) to contest Sauron and the evil in Middle Earth... but they were put in the form of old men so their powers were limited. They were sent more to encourage and advise the races, then to use raw power (as Sauron did, who is a corrupted Maiar, by the way). They only use their power when absolutely required, and even then its a fraction of what they can do in their original form. The evil Maiar aren't constrained in that manner. (Balrogs are also corrupted Maiar. The big bad guy who is not in this movie is Morgoth - an evil Valar being - in ancient times he was the original "Dark Lord". It was he who corrupted some of the Maiar to his service, such as the Balrogs and Sauron). He was banished from the world, but his understudy Sauron became the new "Dark Lord"

[@0okamino]

The Cult of Tolkien is multitudinous, and very devout. 😉

[@lynnesears6254]

Exactly....looking into the eyes as someone dies....the twinkle or spark of life is extinguished and it's empty and dull. Something I won't forget.

[@Kavala76]

This film has blood, it's just that orc blood is black not red. If you check sword blades during a fight you will see they are covered in black orc blood. Human blood, as you would expect, is still red.

[@qbasicmichael]

(Spoiler) The extended version of "the battle of five armies" has tons of orc blood. :-)

[@mp9810]

You need to watch the 2nd and 3rd, it gets better and better. The 3rd is one of the greatest films of all time.

[@jasonhill1199]

This guy is a genius writing names down, NOBODY has ever got them on the first watch

[@CliffSedge-nu5fv]

+1 for good note taking. They do a review of the notes at the beginning of _Two Towers_ too. I appreciate the close appreciation.

[@sariel8406]

Mithril was first mentioned by Bilbo when he gave Frodo the vest. Think you guys missed that when you asked "what is mithril" hehe. About Gandalf not doing much at the troll fighting chamber is because area spells will also kill the good guys. So he had to engage the enemies one by one. Grey wizards are also not as powerful as white wizards, thats why Saruman defeated Gandalf. Why nobody saved gandalf - Frodo was running towards gandalf and has to be taken away because Frodo is more important. There are still orcs around. Then there is nobody else who could reach gandalf fast enough.

[@seregrian5675]

Welcome to Middle-earth, kids! You are embarking on a journey that not only have so many of us taken before, but now we get to share the wonder with you. You can already see all the lore-drops that others have been sharing with you - and there's so many little stories that are woven into the main story. One thing that no Tolkien fan can resist is sharing their love and the lore with new friends. You are going into not just a simple movie experience; you are witnessing an epic legendary adventure. And to see you taking notes along the way is such a nice touch to see! Get ready for the ride of your life!

[@yaneyd93]

The United States must be the only country on earth where liking the Lord of the Rings is considered "nerdy".

[@Mangoes95]

These are my absolute favourite movies, I'm so excited to see your reaction to the trilogy

[@miraaranel]

The statues of Aragorn's ancestors on the river is not CGI. They actually built them!!

[@SuperARCANGEL0]

Please watch the extended versions next if it's not to much of a hassle for you guys Edit: I'm sorry I was talking out my ass, I can't differentiate the versions now

[@gregall2178]

This was the extended version... Isildur losing the ring is an extended scene 🙂

[@LockeDemosthenes2]

Yeah, it also had the "concerning Hobbits" scene, it's clearly the extended version.

[@SuperARCANGEL0]

@@gregall2178 Yeah u're right.

[@WheresWaldo05]

Please do not. The extended version were not in theatre for a reason. The cut scenes (in extended version) are terrible and made me irritated beyond belief. Something the perfect movies, theatrical movies, have never done to me.

[@mekhifreeman6804]

@@WheresWaldo05 completely agree. The extended scenes are corny and go on too long

[@aaronstone8147]

At the very beginning they know they are going on an adventure.

[@OmegaS-117]

LOTR Is 1 of the best movie Trilogy EVER

[@LN-Lifer]

Dude taking notes!!! If that isn't nerd I don't know what is. And I say that with the utmost respect

[@CliffSedge-nu5fv]

Proper way to read Tolkien.

[@hd7704]

@@CliffSedge-nu5fvWrong. The only way to read Tolkien properly is to … read … his … books

[@richardhansen3703]

You asked if Legolas is immortal. Yes. He's an elf.

[@edgarbrooks7695]

fun facts on this one. Gandalf hitting his head at bilbos was an accident, the reaction was so good they kept it in. the stunt person playing the orc that Aragorn fought had hard time seeing and almost hit him when he threw that dagger ;which would have killed him because that was a real knife because they didn't have a prop dagger on set at the time. the stunt guy was supposed to throw it a bit too one side giving vigo time to duck and swing the sword.