The Fellowship of the Ring is the Best Fantasy Film Ever

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I love The Lord of the Rings. Fellowship of the Ring is the best of the three. I talk about why it's Peter Jackson's masterpiece in this review.
Music by Epidemic Sound (www.epidemicsou...)
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Special thanks to Andrew Elliott (Stalli111: / stalli111 ) for editing this video.

[@captainmidnight]

Which Lord of the Rings is your favorite? To try everything Brilliant has to offer for free for a full 30 days, visit brilliant.org/midnight You’ll also get 20% off an annual premium subscription.

[@chasehedges6775]

All 3 of the PJ films

[@chasehedges6775]

The Hobbit Trilogy was decent but nowhere near the level of LOTR

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

I think Fellowship, although if I'm being honest, the Rankin-Bass Hobbit is my overall favorite Tolkien adaptation

[@matthewhecht9257]

Fellowship is my favorite.

[@PiscatorLager]

Moving Treebeard's RotK lines to Galadriel's opening scene is recycling book quotes done right. It's using pieces of brilliant text to build the world while you tell the story. Pretty much the opposite of Tom Bombadil's attempt to manipulate Meteor Man into sacrificing friends via Gandalf's talk to Frodo about pity.

[@TemplinInstitute]

"But there were some... who resisted" It's not wise to trust anyone who wasn't fully engaged by that line.

[@singletona082]

Not just the line, but the way it was voice. I heard that and had a full body shiver. The lady narrates well. Better than most, and due to poor vision? I grew up listening to books on tape. the opening mythic beginning is beautiful.

[@TotallyNotElPresidente]

"I know some people find the Shire part of this movie slow" My brother in Christ, it's honestly the best part of the film once you become a fully functioning adult with responsibilities :')

[@chasehedges6775]

You are right but he’s also not wrong.

[@scottwerner279]

When I was stressed in college and grad school, I would just put on the shire parts of LOTR. It kind of made me feel better, but also made me wish I was a little farmer eating eggs and mushrooms

[@grandmufftwerkin9037]

The Fellowship shows us the importance of loyalty. The Two Towers shows us the importance of hope. The Return of the King shows us the importance of sacrifice.

[@rorylynch7775]

Thank you Grand Moff Tarkin.

[@naturaljoe7397]

I was gonna say endurance rather than sacrifice

[@transformersrevenge9]

Saw LOTR in the cinema just recently. Seeing Fellowship on the big screen was straight up a magical experience. So pure, fantastical, whimsical, epic, dark and passionate movie. Loved every second of it.

[@RayMcElroy50]

"To the bridge of Khazad-dum!" Cue the most epic musical score of all time

[@chasehedges6775]

“YOU SHALL NOT PASSSS!”

[@chasehedges6775]

“Go back to the shadow.”

[@Windwalker88]

I have listened to that track way to many times

[@harbl99]

The stage directions in full for that amazing 'balancing on a collapsing staircase under fire' sequence: "They run down the stairs."

[@shahriarabdullah568]

I met the guy who made the Uruk-hai “dirt placenta” a few years back, he’s renowned in SFX for slime work. He was also responsible for the red slime Neo is in when he ‘wakes up’ in the real world in the Matrix.

[@Z11J11B]

Feels like I’m the only one who ever says Fellowship is the best when I talk to friends about these movies! This is one of those trilogies where I think a case could be made for any of the 3 being the best and it’d be totally fair. Fellowship just nails it for me though.🤘🤘⚔️

[@aimlevel]

I've been saying this since the end of the trilogy and 99% react with insults or incomprehension. Most people are simply superficial followers for whom only Oscars, or awards in general, count. Similar with The Departed by Scorsese. Certainly a very good film but not even close to being his best.

[@Z11J11B]

@@aimlevel I think they finally felt obligated to accept that a fantasy movie could in fact be “worthy”, and award Return of the King its pile of Oscars. All three movies should’ve won Best Picture in my opinion.

[@dontyouworryaboutit_]

it’s the most rewatchable

[@alexcoleman2735]

I used to have ROTK as my top pick but the three endings really bogs the end down. #1 just has such a great blend of genres and creates such magic and suspense

[@lancefullmer9384]

Timing for this video is perfect as Bilbos birthday is tomorrow(September 22nd)

[@KlingonCaptain]

Tomorrow is also the first day of Autumn. 🍁🍂

[@KlingonCaptain]

P.S. Bilbo and Frodo have the same birthday! 🎉🎂

[@wstine79]

Fellowship and Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's stone came out at the right time. People needed escapism after September 11th and they did the job.

[@chasehedges6775]

LOTR and HP were and are THE BEST!

[@NerdoftheRings]

Amen to this, brother!

[@Avarn388]

The trilogy is my favorite movie trilogy of all time. A series of movies we will NEVER see again because of how much lightning this was in a bottle. Especially compared to the Hobbit and ROP… But Fellowship is a rare film I would give a 10/10. There are issues but it manages to introduce its premise so effectively and is well paced, written and shot. There’s so much I could mention but the Council scene serving as the midpoint is by far one of the best expository/ introduction scenes I’ve ever seen. When you think what the scene needed to accomplish, setup the world building and introduce the remaining Fellowship; it’s incredible. Phlipa Boyens and Fran Walsh outdid themselves with the screenplay and it should be studied on how you adapt/ pen a story. Nothing is wasted.

[@josecarr6464]

The Lords of the Ring Trilogy is still to this day the best trilogy ever made and you cannot argue against it🤷🏾‍♂️

[@chasehedges6775]

💯💯💯💯. It’s a masterpiece

[@into_play3226]

I think you could argue that the original Star Wars trilogy was better, but I agree that the Lord of the Rings was the best.

[@davidchristie6003]

I think there are some trilogies with higher highs, but I can't think of many that maintain the same high level for all 3 consistently. The cornetto trilogy maybe, if they count for this. I can't remember Back to the Future well enough to recall if one is a bad one or not. The original 3 Indiana Jones and Toy Story films maybe too? Either way I think TLOTR is as good or better than any of them.

[@walli7754]

​@@into_play3226i love star wars, but I think lotr Is way better

[@JamailvanWestering]

@@into_play3226I disagree with that. The OT has some okay action scenes but also some awful ones

[@LeonardoKlotz]

I was 8 years old when I saw the first Harry Potter in theaters with my aunt Though I was too young to truly grasp the world building, I was sunked into its fantastical world I couldn't be invested the same way with LOTR at that time. I just wasn't ready at the time. My little mindset just wasn't ready Only after turning 18 that I was able to dive into that world and become fascinated by its fantastical landscape the same way I became fascinated with Harry Potter when I was 8 years old

[@Mogorman87]

I was like 15 when it came out. Man it was perfect timing for me! Blew my little mind… Potter couldn’t hold a candle to it for me though.

[@chasehedges6775]

The Peter Jackson films cannot be surpassed. They’re superb.!

[@benwasserman8223]

One does not simply praise The Fellowship of the Ring… without preparing videos for the other movies in Peter Jackson’s LotR trilogy.

[@castlekirk9106]

The way the film transitions from location to location is cool. You start at the shire then whisked away to Bree, rivendell, snowy mountaintop, Moria, lothlorien, Amon hen. It’s thrilling

[@ghost21501]

It's crazy what you can accomplish when you have a fantastic story and a filmmaker who is willing to honor it. Yes, I'm pointing fingers at you Rings of Power.

[@antoniomay167]

As an adult who spends an hour in traffic going to and coming home from work, and seeing homeless everywhere, the Shire hits differently than it did as a child. It feels like paradise nowadays.

[@benconnolly9883]

Oh, a Captain Midnight Lord of the Rings video? Instant click

[@quoc-nam6286]

Well thank you, captain midnight, I GUESS I have no other choice but to start a 12-hour long version trilogy run AGAIN WELL DONE

[@TheLyricalCleric]

Watched Fellowship with my best friend when it came out in theaters. We walked out of the movie and cried together, hugging each other. We called each other Frodo and Sam, and we knew the movie was something special, one of a kind. I’m glad to have been part of the adventure.

[@WildVoltorb]

It takes a hell out of courage to tell such story. Thanks for sharing

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

The scene where Boromir dies makes me cry EVERY single time I watch it!

[@theoian]

You are correct.

[@chasehedges6775]

💯💯. Definitely

[@joshp.2872]

The Fellowship is arguably the best of the three films as it feels the most faithful. Gimli hasn't gone full clown mode like he was made to do in Two Towers and we don't have Legolas turning into a Marvel Avenger shield surfing at Helm's Deep and singlehandedly taking down a war elephant (oliphaunt in the books).

[@connorgoosen2468]

I agree with all your points. I also have always felt that Fellowship has the best pacing of the trilogy. I love the others don't get me wrong but the way it moves from location to location, revealing more about the world and the characters makes the long run time go by so quickly for me. Great video as always!

[@ericc.petrie7572]

It’s the most self-contained story, Fellowship. You get to meet the characters organically, the action, tension, and stakes are all laid out in a natural way that flows with the story. The later films are wonderful. But they aren’t complete stories in the way Fellowship is because there’s an expectation that you know the chief characters and the primary conflict already.

[@mjb7015]

I have been subscribed to Captain Midnight for years, and have yet to see any of the "loads of free gifts and prizes" mentioned in the outro.

[@denismitrovic1860]

What is this sorcery?! I watched this video while walking, and not even 5 minutes later I found the book in one of those public book shelves. I guess I know what my next read will be.

[@mr.dr.prof.patrick7284]

i grew up thinking lord of the rings was nothing but nerdy wizards and goblins and nothing that would interest me… but then one day i decided what the hell i’ll watch it.. and it became my favorite trilogy ever

[@thomassnyder9020]

It’s wild that you JUST posted this - I literally just finished rewatching the movie twenty minutes ago. I cried when Boromir died.

[@korvo3427]

I'll do you one better, I saw it at the theater just last week! I'm pretty sure he posted it to coincide with Hobbit day/Bilbo's & Frodo's birthday.

[@thomassnyder9020]

@@korvo3427 Oh, I didn’t know that was a thing! I just felt like it was time for a rewatch, but I might have been subconsciously influenced. Lol

[@korvo3427]

@@thomassnyder9020 Funnily enough I've been rewatching them at this time of year even way before I knew about it. It somehow just feels like lotr season.

[@QuiltGuildFilms]

Fellowship is my favorite of the three. It’s just so good and the ‘action’ scenes are some of my absolute favorite

[@GoodBloodGames]

Make this an hour long gush video on Fellowship and I will watch it daily

[@thescottishaccent]

Two Towers is the best of the trilogy for me, but Fellowship is a close second. The extended edition in particular.

[@IsaacV24]

I’ve actually been rewatching the extended editions of these movies the past few days. It’s just the best film trilogy ever made. (And imo, Return of the King is my favorite one!)

[@chasehedges6775]

AWESOME

[@Bugge5001]

I think the Fellowship opening is awesome. It tells so much in so little time and looks amazing.

[@davidchristie6003]

The films are an absoulte masterclass in how to adapt a book to a film. Maybe only topped or equaled by Fight Club. The moment you point out where the Proudfoot gives Gandalf stink eye is a perfect example. A whole section can be removed from the story and summarised into one moment, because this different medium offers a way to visually indicate instantly what the book was explaining. I wish the YA book to film directors of the 2000s had leaned more into the strengths of their own medium.

[@watchtower0988]

okay FINE, Mr. Midnight. Ill watch LOTR again.

[@alexcoleman2735]

It’s probably still my most watched movie. The summer I got it on VHS I watched it almost everyday.

[@murdockfiles9406]

All THREE films are head and shoulders above anything Hollywood spits out.

[@nazeirsvibingandstuff769]

To be honest with you i watched film while i was sick in bed while watching this and i still always loved this film,its musics,its worldbuilding and I'd even love also is gandalf as a character because he also that type of vibe with Bilbo because their very old friends from a different time which it makes sense why they treated each other like old friends than old soldiers that been through hell and back after the war is finally over, and it immediately saddened me because i thought gandalf was gone, never gonna come back anytime soon that's what i felt like while sobbing in the film because i have already love this character seeing him gone makes it more depressing seeing it happens and i feel the same with frodo during the scene of feeling devastated but saddened from gandalf passing and blaming himself but wished the ring would never really existed i have the same thought but when the music feels like inspired but trumpahant of "despite everything else happens to you, doesn't mean we wanted to just give up but we keep moving forward towards the finish line".

[@chrisbarnett5303]

1000 percent. It's the closet in tone to the books and it adds the least unnecessary non-Tolkieny stuff the next two. Fellowship got me to read the books which lead to me reading them over and over again along with the Silmarillon and the rest of his work. It's an absolute marvel how these films were made. I personally love all the Shire stuff, both in the book and movies. Maybe because all the descriptions of food and exploring bucolic countryside

[@AIbatrozzxs]

My favorite movie from my favorite trilogy. Watching this for the first time at 9 years old was the best experience i ever had.

[@offeral]

Save Pulp Fiction you could have just said it's the best film ever. I remember the scene where Frodo loses the ring in the snow and that shot was so crystal clear that I was speechless. The CGI was amazing especially compared with the muck we went through in the 90s. The character development was near perfect especially for just a 3 hour window. I could watch this movie a thousand times and never get tired of it.

[@ideal8499]

The best thing about the LOTR Trilogy is that you can say this about any of the three movies, and people will agree. Goes to show what a masterpiece this trilogy was.

[@bigtimmy13]

Not trying to make more work for you but feel free to start a second channel where you wax poetic about LotR all night and day. I could go on and on about how much I appreciate this video, suffice it to say thanks for giving me a nice little breather here while I work out my conflicting feelings about Rings of Power.

[@quoc-nam6286]

well thank you man, I now have no other choice but to start a 12 hour long version trilogy run again

[@Zombiesnyder13]

The score for the Bridge of Khazad-dum was so epic that you can put it into the lawnmower scene from BRAIN DEAD and make it feel epic and badass Which I already did

[@dlargom97]

I have just seen all 3 extended this week and my favorite is Fellowship and Return for different reasons. Fellowship because of the Shire alone, the 9 components of the fellowship are united and alive and because is a bit lighter. Return is my favorite of the other two films because is more epic and it is the conclusion.

[@SuperMoviemaster21]

Couldn’t agree more with you about Amon hen!:-) That’s what I always truly think of but I think of fellowship as well with It’s spectacular and beautiful sequence! :-)

[@g-rated3514]

Very well said, sir. I appreciate how your videos never go too much into blind fandom, nor excessive criticism. If I could make a follow-up video recommendation to everyone else, it would be to check out So Uncivilized. He did a video two months back explaining how the LOTR trilogy feels like Tolkien despite the heavy changes needed for a film adaptation.

[@santinodewreede3955]

The shire portion is slow. But it helps feed the tension the hobbits go through the rest of the film. It’s necessary

[@grandmufftwerkin9037]

The Fellowship of the Death of Sean Bean.

[@Dantegrey1]

I agree, even if my 80s childhood nostalgia is shouting Neverending Story! Labyrinth! Willow! at me, old Harryhausen classics and the other films in the trilogy are pressing themself in, Fellowship is clearly the best - just above King Kong (1933).

[@CinnamonGrrlErin1]

TBH, I'd probably watch Willow over LOTR, even though I love those movies. But 80s fantasy was just *special*

[@Dantegrey1]

@@CinnamonGrrlErin1 It really was

[@Swayeee]

I agree that this is the best of the trilogy. The other two have very different vibes. Still good but this one is it

[@gregorycollins6561]

This first Jackson film is the one hewing closest to the source. I have always thought that was what made it somewhat superior to the next two films.

[@g.e.o.r.g.e...]

Theatrical all the way. It's a perfect 10/10 for me.

[@owlwaifu4949]

Personally my favourite is return of the king, and its entirety for one scene The ride of the rohirrim is such a fantastic moment in both the book and esepcially the movie that it makes it not only one of my favorite movies ever but my favorite fantasy film Its such a beautiful powerful moment that it makes me cry every time i rewatch that film

[@ChristopherButeau]

Its hard to pick a favorite...the films do not stand out from each other as much as star wars. I do love this one simply because when initially watching it with friends... It was immediately apparrent that they all KNEW what they were doing and because of that were doing it well.

[@nickfromohio6032]

These are the best movies ever made.

[@Japangf2345]

I actually rethought this yesterday, the Peter Jackson middle earth movies are my favorite even the bad ones, I rewatch them always as they are my comfort movies. But I find myself choosing the fellowship over the other ones, I think it’s cause it is a journey it’s a mystery it’s a fun story it is perfect fantasy like you said, and I love to sleep to movies that are a journey idk why but this is the best one, that being said all three are great I would rank them fellowship 2, ROTK 1. Two towers 3

[@LeonardoKlotz]

RIP Andrew Lesnie

[@untrustworthyshelfing9953]

YUP! As a big fan of fantasy writing, art, and films, this is the top dog. It is a bummer that we can't get better animated and big budget films that ACTUALLY delve into the intricate particularities of good fantasy. The scale is just all wrong in Hollywood films to capture the allure of magic and heroes. This trilogy, and this film in particular, kept the action "close" to the characters, meaning that you never lose the human scale of the fantasy. By the time you get to Moria and the Balrog, it blows your mind!

[@waywardlaser]

Just revisited the trilogy for only the second time in my life this past week and I definitely agree that Fellowship is the best film of the three.

[@ghost21501]

This is my favorite movie because it made me obsessed with Kate Blanchett. Galagrial is absolutely gorgeous in this movie.

[@korvo3427]

It's Galadriel, my guy.

[@daghaggmark1764]

Yes.

[@TheBEARofHIGHWAY1]

I really agree with this opinion of the Fellowship of the Ring. Originally when I saw it in 2001 I hated it. Then my mom made the mistake to give me the extended version for Christmas. And wow I love it. The soundtrack, the dialouge, the wraiths, everything. Well... mostly. I kinda find the Liv Tyler getting chased by the wraiths kinda short and convenient, but if that is the part I dislike the most, what a movie!

[@nylohro4091]

It was like the perfect film to come out in the early 2000s. It utilized a centuries worth of film techniques with miniatures, forced perspective, etc that improved with film tech while computer effects were still new so they were limited in scope but still pushed boundaries of that area and what could be. I don't think it could have come out earlier or later. Earlier it would have looked like an 80s sword and sorcerer movie akin to Excalibur or something and much later it could have been overly reliant on computer effects with some looking rather dated.

[@untitleduntitled4740]

That’s the magic of filmmaking for ya

[@Story2ScreenMovieReviewPodcast]

Of the original three films, Fellowship is an artistic masterpiece on so many levels aswell as Peter Jackson best film

[@SuperAlfern]

I miss dvd double disc sets. They need to make a comeback.

[@GRB-tj6uj]

What really shows the greatness of the movies for me is -perhaps paradoxically- the realisation that they still are deeply flawed as adaptations of Tolkiens work. To be clear, say this as the kind of person who dives into the History of Middle Earth and the secondary literature to research Tolkiens theological views on death, so Hollywood probably couldn't adapt it in a way I find satisfying. Still, if I watch them as a fan of the books I'm deeply annoyed, but if I watch them as an admirer of the art of cinema they're basically flawless. Whatever issues Jackson caused by messing with the plot, the way he builts a scene is unsurpassed in modern Hollywood. And the movies get even better now we've seen filmmaker after filmmaker fail to produce a battle sequence that comes even close to his depiction of Helm's Deep (I think only Eisenstein can compete in the history of cinema). When you watch the later seasons of GoT it immediately becomes clear how great Jackson's achievement actually was. I think Fellowship is the greatest of the three as well and I find it interesting that it is also the one that stays closest to the book (and cutting Glorfindel and Bombadil was completely justified). Perhaps certain people who try to adapt Tolkien as well should've taken that as a warning.

[@popshot8898]

I watched LOTR asa kid, dont rememevr ANYTHING, and didnt care. Growing up im always reminded "LOTR IS GOATED" andi just kept thinkig thats just an exaggeration. First tme watched all of it at 23 years old, i can definitely say that IT IS GOATED. As the films kept going on, it kept surprising me, and kept slapping me in the face whenever i have doubts whle watching it. Everything from the writing, CGI, directing, etc. has aged so well. Hard to believe that these weree released in three consecutive years in the 2000s.

[@homielander5924]

First two movies were the best (two towers my favourite) third one was a step down imo

[@HawkOfLight1]

I love this movie and haven't seen it in over twenty years

[@nazeirsvibingandstuff769]

To be honest with you, this movie it was always my favorite film that come out in the early 2000s and it's opening is always my favorite part an a film, i really love the soundtrack in the movie makes it calming but the feeling of triumphant of saying to"despite all everything you its still you, need to keep moving forward" from that scene where frodo cries,and the characters are some what felt like actual people that you can relate than fictional characters and I still always love this movie for its own unique adaptation of the book and being its own thing, I'm surprised that this franchise is the older brother to harry Potter.

[@2ToyBoys]

I'm just glad they made them then....instead of now.

[@EntrEsprit]

Hell yeah, Fellowship of the Ring > Return of the King

[@LoveStallion]

I've been reading the books for the first time this year, and one of my main takeaways is that the film of Fellowship is better than the book. Jackson cut a lot of unnecessary stuff (sorry, Tom Bombadil lovers), and it works way better. Reading fellowship, I couldn't believe how deep I was into the book and we weren't even in Rivendell yet. I love the world building, but it just kept going and going and going. And shut up about the Gaffer, Sam.

[@thisisfyne]

Wholeheartedly agreed my dude.

[@professorlogos5459]

I love The Fellowship of the Ring, but I think The Two Towers is Better.

[@Zombiesnyder13]

I'm not a fan of the high-fantasy genre But I did enjoy this movie, a lot

[@headecas]

Time to watch a video I 100% agree with, which means ur 100% right

[@theworstthingaboutnewbooks6006]

Hello! Happy day all I hope your day is going super amazing well! I prefer The Two Towers, but I'm not complaining. You do you!

[@anubusx]

Still amazing to this day.

[@projp9057]

Indeed

[@MrSloth-sy3rh]

two tower's was always my favorite

[@shybard]

True.

[@Jamal-bl7yh]

I Get It I Think That Starchaser The Legend Of Orin Is edgier than Disney Star Wars and I'll die on that hill too

[@claytonrios1]

What do you think of the War of Rohirrim? Will you give it a chance in theaters?

[@captainmidnight]

Trailer was promising, I’ll give it a shot for sure.

[@claytonrios1]

@@captainmidnight I always love seeing Japanese versions of some of my favorite franchises especially since the main heroine has a lot of Ghibli qualities to her.

[@theritchie2173]

Now THAT's Galadriel. Not, you know - the other one.

[@bigdingus5359]

The only thing remotely close to the feeling of watching LOTR was watching Dune in theatres.

[@singletona082]

The Shire really is why Fellowship works. if they had rushed into the adventure, we would have a wholly other read on the Hobbits. Without the shire they're just... another fantasy murder hobo gang leveling up. With the shire and how long we spend there soaking it in? We get the feel that these are people who do not belong riding with armiesor sneaking across the lava blasted hellscape of mordor, or sitting at the table with kings and wizards. Yet that is what they were called to do and without them? Without sam's farthest step? There is no heart.

[@bernRA]

have you seen Charlie Hopkinson's Boromir? captures exactly as you described.

[@bowenhorne0616]

Nah you can go ahead and drop fantasy from the title, Fellowship is the best movie ever full stop

[@KlingonCaptain]

"The Lord of The Rings" is NOT three movies, but one three part movie.

[@benjaminshoultz9657]

6 minutes in and you glaze over the soundtrack. That Shire theme is a straight banger

[@Lord-Emperor-Vader]

You should have waited for tomorrow since it is Hobbit Day one of the two days to celebrate Tolkien and his works (the other being March 25th)

[@jameslancefield9810]

Was the Shire not inspired by the south of England? (Devon or Cornwall)

[@pargelooper]

yes