The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | Extended | PART 2 | First Time Watching & Reaction!

[@mr_yoru5834]

Frodo left because of the wound he suffered from getting stabbed at Weathertop in the first movie and because of the emotional damage he suffered from the Ring. He's going with the elves to the Undying Lands where he hopes he will be able to receive healing. He didn't tell the others because they would have tried to talk him out of it and it was his only chance to achieve some amount of peace after his ordeals. Sam will eventually go to the Undying Lands, sometime after his children are grown up and Rosie passes away, because he was also a Ring bearer, if only for a very short time.

[@Espeo92]

Fun fact : In the book Sam accompanies Frodo to the Grey Havens specifically to see him off to the Undying Lands. Merry and Pippin pop out of the bushes at some point along the way because of course they did lol. It was known for a while that Frodo was planning to leave, he even left Bag End to Sam in the book.

[@theMMAdhatter]

"There is no going back." 😭 Another fun fact: not only is the little girl who runs to Sam in the final scene Sean Astin's real daughter, the son held in Rosie's arms is the actress Sarah McLeod's daughter as well.

[@rikk319]

Frodo carried several wounds that bothered him on the anniversaries of gaining them: The Witch-King's knife on Weathertop, the poisoning by Shelob, and the carrying of the Ring. They didn't just affect him physically, but spiritually or metaphysically. The only place to gain healing or rest from that was in Valinor, which is similar to an elvish Garden of Eden. It isn't Heaven, as that is where the Middle-Earth version of God (Eru Illuvatar) dwells. Valinor is populated by valar and maiar, which are equivalent to angels. It's where Gandalf came from, since he is a maiar in human form...it's also where both Saruman and Sauron also came from, as they were maiar, too.

[@P_L1134]

@@rikk319 Valar, Maiar and elves too ! Don't forget them ahah

[@Marcus_1001]

42:23 "My friends, you bow to no one" is among my favorite lines from any movie ever.

[@FrenchieQc]

I really also like from Fellowship, Frodo to Aragorn: "Can you protect me from yourself?"

[@DC21NY]

I can't carry it for you, BUT I CAN CARRY YOU!!

[@johnwalters1341]

At 45:42, compare Frodo's smile here at the end with the smile he gave us at the beginning of FOTR, and the terrible smile he gave Sam as he put on the Ring in Mount Doom. Sam deservedly gets most of the credit, but let's hear it for Elijah Wood--what a performance!

[@GiorgiodellaPassionediCristo]

45:38

[@majkus]

“Slowly the lights of the torches in front of Merry flicked and went out, and he was walking in a darkness; and he thought: ‘This is a tunnel leading to a tomb; there we shall stay forever.’ But suddenly into his dream there fell a living voice. ‘Well, Merry! Thank goodness I have found you!’ He looked up and the mist before his eyes cleared a little. There was Pippin! They were face to face in a narrow lane, but for themselves it was empty. He rubbed his eyes. ‘Where is the king?’ He said. ‘And Eowyn?’ Then he stumbled and sat down on a doorstep and began to weep again. ‘They must have gone up into the Citadel,’ said Pippin. ‘I think you must have fallen asleep on your feet and taken the wrong turning. When we found out you were not with them, Gandalf sent me to look for you. Poor old Merry! How glad I am to see you again! But you are worn out, and I won’t bother you with any talk. But tell me, are you hurt, or wounded?’ ‘No,’ said Merry. ‘Well, no, I don’t think so. But I can’t use my right arm, Pippin, not since I stabbed him. And my sword burned away like a piece of wood.’ Pippin’s face was anxious. ‘Well, you had better come with me as quick as you can,’ he said. ‘I wish I could carry you. You aren’t fit to walk any further. They shouldn’t have let you walk at all; but you must forgive them. So many dreadful things have happened in the City, Merry, that one poor hobbit coming in from battle is easily overlooked.’ ‘It’s not always a misfortune being overlooked,’ said Merry. ‘I was overlooked just now by-no, no, I can’t speak of it. Help me, Pippin! It’s all going dark again, and my arm is so cold.’ ‘Lean on me, Merry lad!” said Pippin. ‘Come now. Foot by foot. It’s not far.’ ‘Are you going to bury me?’ said Merry. ‘No, indeed!’ said Pippin, trying to sound cheerful, though his heart was wrung with fear and pity. ‘No, we are going to the Houses of Healing.” I cannot help thinking that young Tolkien witnessed scenes like this in France in the Great War.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 25:20, this is confusing because Peter Jackson & Co. tried to have it both ways: to include Bernard Hill and Miranda Otto's wonderful scene of Theoden's death and also Carl Urban and Miranda Otto's equally wonderful scene as Eomer discovers Eowyn's lifeless body. For starters, the Witch-King's mace broke Eowyn's left arm, but it is her lifeless right arm we see in close-up. You don't take a blade to a Nazgul without a severe psychic shock; in the book Eowyn and Merry are both left near death. All these scenes in the Houses of Healing are found only in the Extended version of the movie, but they occupy an entire chapter of the book, where Aragorn heals Faramir, Eowyn, and Merry using leaves of the athelas plant, which he used on Frodo when he was stabbed on Amon Sul in FOTR: "When the black breath blows/And death's shadow grows/And all lights pass/Come athelas! Come athelas!/Life to the dying/in the King's hand lying." Aragorn's actions confirm his kingship: "The hands of the King are the hands of a healer, and so the rightful King could ever be known."

[@nancyhayes9958]

I always loved the fact the athelas was just a pleasant smelling plant for most people, but when Aragorn uses it, it heals damage from the Nazgul and brings people near death back to life. I also love that one of the ways to recognize the king is that he’s a healer. Love these books and movies.

[@MiLikesVids]

@@nancyhayes9958 A death dealing vapor is killing everyone it touches. What do we do? Brew up some tea. -Can you say British writer.

[@ameba5093]

Marc Bloch published in 1924 "Rois et Thaumaturges". I'm sure Tolkien read it and used this book to the plot of his own story.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 15:15, the book has an entire chapter, "The Choices of Master Samwise," that greatly elaborates this little episode. Sam seriously considers suicide, before deciding that doesn't solve anything. Tolkien was a fervent Roman Catholic, and for all its lack of overt religious content, LOTR is a profoundly Catholic book.

[@JakeReactsYT]

Guys thank you so much for your patience for this reaction!! *ALSO, PARTS OF THE REACTION (MUSIC PARTS) WERE MUTED FOR COPYRIGHT*

[@cpmf2112]

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

[@cpmf2112]

Peter Jackson did a huge disservice to Denethor by not including a quick scene showing him wrestling with Sauron through the seeing stone which he did for many years, similar to Pippin earlier. He was driven insane with despair by Sauron. He was a noble man in the book but in the movie he just is a jerk with no redeeming qualities and worse, for no explained reason.

[@cpmf2112]

No, Gandalf was not about to lose there to the witch king. This was a mistake in my opinion by the director trying to build some suspense and make the witch king appear to be more powerful than Gandalf but it was a direct contradiction from the scene in the book. When the witch king tried to ride in the front gate, Gandalf was there on Shadowfax standing there waiting. He told the witch king that he could not enter the city and he did not in fact enter the city as at that moment the horns of Rohan sounded and the witch king left the front gate area. Even if the witch king had decided to try to enter the gate, he was a magnitude lower in power than Gandalf and he would have been defeated handily. Gandalf is not actually a human, but an immortal Maia spirit created at the dawn of time, essentially like an angel. He would have beaten the witch king like a bad drum and it would not have been close. This was a terrible choice by the director to me because it went directly against the book and was completely unnecessary, he broke a cardinal rule of filmmaking by repeating the staff breaking scene from earlier with Saruman, and because it made Gandalf appear weak at the expense of making Eowyn appear stronger because she took down the witch king relatively easily with an ordinary sword.

[@josesantos2084]

Please do The Hobbit series!

[@chiasanzes9770]

So now you have to also watch the Hobbit a Bilbo Baggin's story what happen before LOTR and how it all begun😊. In a way I like the Hobbit even more. A great reaction by the way👍.

[@LizabethRobinson]

Loved your reaction. Frodo can’t heal, he’s a veteran with PTSD. He’s going to the land of the elves, where he may be able to heal. Tragic - he truly lost his life in order to save others. I loved Faramiir & Eowyn getting together. What a great film Take care - hope your week gets better

[@josesantos2084]

Frodo is going to the undying lands of Valinor with the imortal elves. it is like their heaven. also, Frodo is like a priest, so his battles are all spiritual battles, he could not have a family and live in the normal world, his calling, his mission, his vocation was all spiritual to fight against evil (Tolkien was deeply catholic and it put much of his worldview into The Lord of the Rings, for example the Sacred Sacrament of Confession that happens just before the death of Boromir). Interesting to note that even a good priest like Frodo would not make it till the end without a very good friend and chance (divine providence).

[@joshuawiedenbeck6944]

Frodo also failed his task. He chose the ring at the end and had to live with that knowledge for the rest of his life. Everyone in Middle Earth treated him like a hero, and he felt the exact opposite.

[@KatBee00]

This is such a serious movie, but when you said "bro are you OKAY" when Denithor was pouring oil on himself had me absolutely cackling 😂😂😂

[@calebcundiff1057]

Yup, I just sat there chuckling for a min. The comment caught me off guard. Lol

[@dianecascio1295]

One of my favorite details of the Trilogy is : at the end of Fellowship Frodo says "I'm glad you are with me, Sam. At the end of Return Frodo says "I'm glad i'm with you, Sam." Sam is the real one.

[@lauralynn1124]

Wow! I never thought about that.

[@SharonLathanNovelist]

Frodo, and Bilbo, as bearers of the One Ring, were granted a special gift from the elves, that being to cross the Sundering Sea to Valinor, the dwelling place of the elves, the Valar and the Maia. Valinor is separated from Middle-earth, reachable only by ships built by the elves at the Grey Havens. Valinor is called the Undying Lands because immortal flesh-and-blood elves dwell there in harmony with the Valar and Maia, who are spirit beings with a bodily form. It is the only place in Middle-earth where complete peace and healing could be found. Since the physical and spiritual wounds inflicted upon Frodo especially, and Bilbo to a degree, were so profound, and their service to Middle-earth immense, they were accorded an honor no other mortal had been given. Gandalf was a Maia, so for him it was simply going home! A synopsis of the major characters after the destruction of the One Ring and Sauron- Frodo was utterly healed in Valinor, finding the restoration of body and soul that was impossible in Middle-earth. Remember Galadriel’s words to Elrond, “The quest will claim his life.” Eventually he and Bilbo would die, their spirits passing on to the afterlife as created by Eru Ilúvatar for mortal beings. King Elessar (Aragorn II) ruled over Gondor and Arnor for 120 years. To say he was a remarkable king would be an understatement! He and Queen Arwen had several daughters and a son named Eldarion, who became king upon Aragorn’s death at the age of 210 years. Arwen died a year later, in Lothlorien, of a broken heart. As she had chosen mortality, her spirit would join Aragorn's rather than go to Valinor. Legolas and Gimli traveled together for years. As they promised each other, first they visited the Glittering Caves behind Helm’s Deep and explored Fangorn Forest. Then, with their combined skills and help from fellow elves and dwarves, they restored the damaged woodlands, established a dwarf settlement in the Glittering Caves, and re-built the Gate of Mines Tirith using mithril. Finally, after the death of Aragorn, Legolas built a ship and sailed for Valinor (The Undying Lands), taking a by-then very old Gimli with him. Galadriel obtained a special grace, making Gimli the only dwarf to ever set foot in Valinor. He too would die, of course, but his final years were spent in peace with his dearest friend, Legolas. Sam and Rosie had 13 children, all living at Bag End. He was elected Mayor of the Shire for seven consecutive seven-year terms. As charged by Frodo, he continued the history of Middle-earth in the Red Book of Westmarch. After the death of his wife Rosie, roughly 60 years after Frodo’s departure, he passed the book to his daughter Elanor. Sam then traveled to the Grey Havens, where he was granted passage to Valinor, a special accord just like Bilbo and Frodo as the last of the Ringbearers. There he was (presumably) reunited with Frodo. Merry (Meriadoc Brandybuck) married and had at least one son. He became the Master of Buckland and wrote “Old Words and Names in the Shire”. Pippin (Peregrin Took) also married and had at least one son who was named Faramir. He became Thrain of the Shire, a position he held for 50 years. In Fourth Age year 63, after the deaths of their wives, Merry and Pippin traveled to Rohan and Gondor, both dying in Gondor some years later. They were each laid to rest with due ceremony as knights of Rohan and Gondor respectively. After the death of King Elessar (Aragorn) their bodies were entombed beside the great king. Eomer became King of the Mark upon the death of King Theoden. He swore an oath of allegiance to King Elessar, and during his reign Rohan was fully restored. Of course he married, his wife named Lothiriel, a daughter of Prince Imrahil of the Dunedain, and they had a son. Last but not least, Faramir became the first Prince of Ithilien and married Éowyn of Rohan. There you have it! Happily Ever After.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 11:21, yes, Galadriel bears one of the Three Rings of the Elves. It isn't seen in the Theatrical version of the movie, but Galadriel shows it to Frodo in the Extended version.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 28:24 you say, "Now you know what he's been dealing with." In the book, Sam carries the Ring long enough for it to begin to work on him: "Wild fantasies arose in his mind; and he saw Samwise the Strong, Hero of the Age, striding with a flaming sword across the darkened land, and armies flocking to his call as he marched to the overthrow of Barad-dur. And then all the clouds rolled away, and the white sun shone, and at his command the vale of Gorgoroth became a garden of flowers and trees and brought forth fruit. He had only to put on the Ring and claim it for his own, and all this could be." Sam's common sense prevails, but he has had a taste...

[@johnwalters1341]

At 13:37, some reactors have wondered how Shelob was able to pierce through Frodo's mithril vest. In the book, Shelob comes up from behind and stings Frodo in the neck, above the armor. Note that the movie's Shelob isn't a true spider. True spiders don't have a sting in the tail like a scorpion, their poison is up front in their fangs. She also appears to have several extra pairs of mouthparts that true spiders don't have. On the other hand, Tolkien gives Shelob compound eyes, which true spiders also don't have. I guess it's best just to go with Tolkien's description "an evil thing in spider-form" and let it go at that.

[@Witherdrake]

Shelob is the greatest daughter of Ungoliant the thing from the darkness before creation that took form of a spider. Devourer of the two trees and even gave Morgoth a run for his money. Ungoliant was hunger personified, the avatar of the Void and it is implied only Eru himself could have killed her. Shelob was perhaps more beastly in nature then her mother thought it is said she could talk in some manner as she had captured Gollum and only on the promise of bringing her better food did she allow him to leave.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 11:46 you say, "It's very cool to see [Eowyn and Merry] together." In the book, Merry is given a lift to Minas Tirith by one "Dernhelm," who Merry had previously seen while riding behind Theoden as he reviewed his troops: "But when they had come almost to the end of the line one looked up glancing keenly at the hobbit. A young man, Merry thought as he returned the glance, less in height and girth than most. He caught the glint of clear grey eyes, and then he shivered, for it came to him that it was the face of one without hope who goes in search of death." Merry doesn't discover the true identity of "Dernhelm" until the climax of the battle.

[@Benjamin_Watching]

So, Denathor (in the books) is actually one of my favourite characters, but he's written very subtly. The films (though possibly the best films of all time) make him a bit of a caricature. SLIGHT SPOILER FOR THE BOOKS: The reason for burning himself is that he has a Palantir and has been attempting to spy on Sauron. Sauron meanwhile has been trying to break his will by showing how hopeless everything is. We're seeing him at the end of his hope but still with his pride, and in complete despair. He loves Faramir, (not as much as Boromir), but wants to go out on his own terms. It's terrible, but a really tragic story. What makes it more tragic, the reasons he loves Boromir more than Faramir is that he sees the characteristics he prizes and lacks himself in Boromir, but Faramir is actually more like him. There is a self loathing complex going on with his character, which again is much more subtle than we get in this portrayal, and again, very tragic. Thanks for sharing this series with us. It's great to be able to see people introduced to this genre defining world. Now, I would advise you see if you can get into The Silmarillion. (Might take a few goes.)

[@nemesis4852]

Try listening to Andy Serkis reading the Silmarillion as an audio book. He does an amazing job with the way he voices the different characters. The Silmarillion is a very dense read. I'm a very good reader and also quite well educated, and I found it quite changeling even after several attempts. Andy Serkis really cleared it up for me. Loved your reaction, really good and sincerely genuine, God bless. Cheers!

[@blackeyedlily]

@@nemesis4852I love Andy Serkis’ audio version of both the Silmarillion and the Lord of the Rings, and the Hobbit. He is such a good voice actor!

[@blackeyedlily]

I do not find Denathor a likable character in the books, but the movies definitely do a terrible job with his character. For anyone who does not know the character of Denathor in the books, and why he does some of the things that he does, he just comes across as the worst father in the world and a terrible leader in these movies. He is far more complex than that. The fact that he has been using a Palantir, and has not been corrupted to Sauron’s side, like Saruman did, is very impressive. And that says a lot about his character.

[@majkus]

In the book, the Great Eagles have voices, and the Eowyn-Faramir story culminates at the moment the Ring is destroyed: And as they stood so, their hands met and clasped, though they did not know it. And still they waited for they knew not what. Then presently it seemed to them that above the ridges of the distant mountains another vast mountain of darkness rose, towering up like a wave that should engulf the world, and about it lightnings flickered; and then a tremor ran through the earth, and they felt the walls of the City quiver. A sound like a sigh went up from all the lands about them; and their hearts beat suddenly again. 'It reminds me of Númenor,' said Faramir, and wondered to hear himself speak. 'Of Númenor?' said Éowyn. 'Yes,' said Faramir, 'of the land of Westernesse that foundered, and of the great dark wave climbing over the green lands and above the hills, and coming on, darkness unescapable. I often dream of it.' 'Then you think that the Darkness is coming?' said Éowyn. 'Darkness Unescapable?' And suddenly she drew close to him. 'No,' said Faramir, looking into her face. 'It was but a picture in the mind. I do not know what is happening. The reason of my waking mind tells me that great evil has befallen and we stand at the end of days. But my heart says nay; and all my limbs are light, and a hope and joy are come to me that no reason can deny. Éowyn, Éowyn, White Lady of Rohan, in this hour I do not believe that any darkness will endure!' And he stooped and kissed her brow. And so they stood on the walls of the City of Gondor, and a great wind rose and blew, and their hair, raven and golden, streamed out mingling in the air. And the Shadow departed, and the Sun was unveiled, and light leaped forth; and the waters of Anduin shone like silver, and in all the houses of the City men sang for the joy that welled up in their hearts from what source they could not tell. And before the Sun had fallen far from the noon out of the East there came a great Eagle flying, and he bore tidings beyond hope from the Lords of the West, crying: Sing now, ye people of the Tower of Anor, for the Realm of Sauron is ended for ever, and the Dark Tower is thrown down. Sing and rejoice, ye people of the Tower of Guard, for your watch hath not been in vain, and the Black Gate is broken, and your King hath passed through, and he is victorious. Sing and be glad, all ye children of the West, for your King shall come again, and he shall dwell among you all the days of your life. And the Tree that was withered shall be renewed, and he shall plant it in the high places, and the City shall be blessed. Sing all ye people! And the people sang in all the ways of the City.

[@bloodyneptune]

That's one of my favorite bits of the book. When Gwahir showed up with news and found Gandalf trapped, and after saving him he says "I came to bear tidings, not burdens" Gwahirs such an asshole, I love it. Like, there's a _situation_ here, man, feather up.

[@Witherdrake]

@@bloodyneptune and fun enough after the Ring is destroyed and Gandalf calls for Gwahir to bear him a third time and bring his brother and another to find Frodo and Samwise Gwaihir answers "I would bear you where-ever you will were you made of stone"

[@rikk319]

The whole idea of wizards shooting fireballs and lighting bolts came after Gandalf. Tolkien inspired Dungeons & Dragons, not the other way around. Lord of the Rings came out over 20 years before D&D.

[@remyazharyyosef1811]

Frodo and the Elves are leaving to Valinor the realm of Valar (whom we would generalized as "gods") on the continent of Aman. The history was told in great details in The Silmarillion. To cut the story short, not anyone can just simply go to Valinor. That realm had been hidden by the One God, Eru Illuvatar, from any mortal who attempts to venture there. The world was created as globe. BUT there is one straight route from Middle-earth there without circling the globe. It's like you'd be crossing over the cliff of a hill or mountain except that you won't fall. Instead, you'll be walking straight. HOWEVER, only those who are permitted to cross knew the way there.

[@CitadelFilms19]

The kingdom of Valinor. It’s the elven heaven basically. Elves go there when they are killed or can travel there when leaving middle-earth. It’s a paradise where they can live in peace with their creators. It’s extremely rare for a non-elf to be allowed there and was a huge privilege. All the ring bearers were invited because of the burden they had to carry: Bilbo, Frodo, and much much later, Sam joins them.

[@blainekessler2220]

And in the appendicies, it says that Gimli traveled a long time with Legolas seeing all of Middle Earth, and when Legolas at last felt his time right, he departed to Valinor as well, and a Dwarf went with him. Gimli being the only Dwarf to ever be permitted to see Valinor.

[@FluffySylveonBoi]

My friends, you bow to no one. I would love if we had such selfless and honest people nowadays, the world would be much better. The end of this movie always makes me cry.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 7:10 you say, "What are those things?" The folks at Weta Workshop have modeled these critters somewhat after some of the large mammals from the early Cenozoic, such as brontotheres. All Tolkien says is "great beast," without further description: "Great beasts drew it, orcs surrounded it, and behind walked mountain-trolls to wield it."

[@johnwalters1341]

At 19:54, Denethor's actions are the actions of despair. "Go now and die in what manner seems best to you." This is one of my chief objections to the film. Tolkien's Denethor is a much more interesting and complex character than the one-dimensional jerk of the film. What is missing here is that Denethor also had a Palantir and had looked into it. Sauron wasn't able to control him like he did with Saruman; rather, he was able to choose what Denethor would see and allow him to misinterpret the visions in the seeing-stone. All Denethor saw was the fall of Gondor and the ruin of Minas Tirith. This had led to his total insanity--again, suicide isn't the answer to the world's problems. Major credit, though, to John Noble for his wonderful portrayal of Denethor: there's a reason why we see him so often in close-up.

[@majkus]

Yes, weirdly, while Jackson chose to give Faramir an unnecessary 'arc' including an unscheduled and inconsequential excursion with Frodo and Sam to Osgiliath, he reduced Denethor, one of the most complex and 'gray' characters in LotR, to an annoying caricature and simple nuisance-so much so that when Gandalf punches him out it produces laughter, as does Gandalf's brief elegy, "So passes Denethor son of Ecthelion."

[@RoadDoug]

Yeah Jake, you’ll miss a lot of the story if you haven’t read the book. One sign that Aragorn is the true king would be his ability to heal. She was injured and had faced the deadly breath of the Witch King. Denethor wasn’t really quite the nut job in the book. He did have a seeing stone and thought he could wrestle with the mind of Sauron. Galadriel had put a spell on the orcs of Mordor and the last of Sauramans Uruks. The movies are great but the books are really necessary if you want the full story

[@carylc7891]

Great reaction! Sorry you had such a tough week. Thanks for uploading your reaction in spite of it all. I hope things improve very soon. ~Every reactor gets confused about Eowyn appearing to have died on the battlefield. It's handled awkwardly in the movie. Others can fill in the details, but it has something to do with poisonous contact with the Witch King. Note how Merry's arm was injured when he stabbed the WK in the back. Eowyn held it together long enough to say goodbye to Theoden but then she collapsed. Eomer didn't know she was on the battlefield at all, so it was a double whammy for him discovering her being there and so badly injured. ~"l'Oreal hair" haha, love that.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 2:17 you say, "Oh, they have a lot of people!" They have about 6,000 Riders, as was said previously. Sauron has a LOT more!

[@Ale_ER]

Thank you for sharing this journey for us. I’ve seen this movie a million times and I still get emotional. Honestly I don’t know how anyone can hold back tears when “you bow to no one”

[@blackeyedlily]

The bittersweet ending of Frodo leaving is to show the cost of war. Yes, they won, but at a price. Tolkien’s experience of fighting in WWI resulted in most of his childhood friends dying. And he also saw the physical and psychological toil that it took on an entire generation of men. I know that other people have already told you that after Sam lived a long and full life he also was given the honor of sailing to the Undying Lands and being reunited with Frodo. This was after Sam’s wife died. There is a moment in the movie when Gandalf is describing what happens after death to Pippin. It is that quiet moment they have together in the middle of the battle at Minas Tirith.What Gandalf says in the movies at that moment is actually the description in the books of what Frodo sees as he is sailing to the Undying Lands.

[@wilhagen3759]

Frodo left for the Undying Lands because of his wound, which will be healed by the Valar, but also, since he was a Ringbearer, he will outlive everyone else and he will have to watch them die. Sam was also a Ringbearer and will outlive Rosie and their children. He eventually joins Frodo in the Undying Lands.

[@DC21NY]

28:26 the chain imprint shows the rings atrempt to weigh down and weaken Frodo. The Ring itself can change its size to not just fit its wielder, but also to slip off that person's hand in order to get closer to the dark lord. By being on a chain, Frodo not only avoided wearing it, but he also kept it from leaving his possession

[@kibblesnbits9146]

Denethor wasn't knowingly killing Faramir. He was blinded by his narcissism and depression, and he had been looking into his Palantir (seeing stone) listening to all of Sauron's propaganda for a looooong time.

[@dansharp2860]

Yes he was. He was burning both himself and Faramir alive, like the kings of old, instead of dying to Sauron's forces.

[@Hannah-hq8ne]

He knew he was alive, but what the movies fail to show is that Denethor was under the impression that Sauron had the ring and was therefore convinced that he was doing Faramir a mercy by killing him before Sauron could capture and torture him

[@jaysinjaymesbrown7819]

Not sure I've ever seen a LOTR reaction with such keen perceptiveness mixed with such utter confusion before. 😂

[@ziggysax0607]

Sam wasn't tempted. He looked at Frodo and could see what it does to him to hold the ring. He hesitated because the cares so much for Frodo.

[@DC21NY]

Wrong. It was explained that the ring attempted to influence Sam with thoughts of the shire and a happy life with the girl at the tavern. But Sam willed himself to give the ring to Frodo before it would solidify its hold on him

[@Tom-pw2ni]

great reaction, Lord of the Rings is my favorite movie, it's not a trilogy, it's one movie divided into 3

[@josesantos2084]

Frodo is going to the undying lands of Valinor with the imortal elves. it is like their heaven. also, Frodo is like a priest, so his battles are all spiritual battles, he could not have a family and live in the normal world, his calling, his mission, his vocation was all spiritual to fight against evil (Tolkien was deeply catholic and it put much of his worldview into The Lord of the Rings, for example the Sacred Sacrament of Confession that happens just before the death of Boromir). Interesting to note that even a good priest like Frodo would not make it till the end without a very good friend and chance (divine providence).

[@majkus]

For mortals like Frodo and Bilbo, the Undying Lands (probably Tol Eressëa, not Valinor proper) are much closer to Purgatory (Tolkien's Catholicism again)-Bilbo and Frodo will abide there for a finite time, to be healed of the spiritual damage they received as Ring-bearers. But in the end, they will lay down their mortal lives and go on to whatever fate awaits mortal souls. Gandalf's explanation of the afterlife to Pippin is Jackson's invention for the movie and is wrong in several ways.

[@nancyhayes9958]

I loved your reaction. Definitely watch the Hobbit. It isn’t as good as LOTR, but it’s got some spectacular moments. Lore dump: Check out the scene where Gandalf is telling the Hobbits goodbye. He’s wearing a gold ring with a red stone. It’s the third elven ring, Narya, the ring of Fire. The three elven rings are used for preservation, protection, and healing. Galadriel has Nenya, the ring of water. She uses it to preserve and protect Lorien. Elrond has Vilya, the blue ring of Air. He uses it to protect Rivendell and enhance his own, considerable, healing ability. Gandalf was given his ring when he came to Middle-earth a couple thousand years before the time of LOTR. The elf who’s the lord of the Grey Havens gives it to him to help Gandalf with his mission to help the free peoples fight Sauron. This ring helps the bearer kindle spiritual fire; he can change fear to courage, despair to hope,uncertainty to decisiveness. It enhances Gandalf’s own abilities as a councilor. The light Frodo got from Galadriel is the light of the star of Earendil and is holy light.it’s why it hurts Shelob so much. I’m leaving out all the details in case you ever read the Silmarillion, but Earendil is a star of hope, proof that the gods haven’t abandoned Middle-earth. It appeared at the end of the First Age preceding the defeat of that age’s dark lord. (I think an equivalent would be if we could see the Christmas star rise every night.) The star that Sam sees peaking thru the clouds and smoke in Mordor is Earendil. Tolkien got the name from an Anglo-Saxon poem. The only line I know is “Hail Earendel, brightest of angels.” The elven phrase Frodo says when he first draws the light is “Hail Earendil, brightest of stars.” It’s more obvious in the book, but Frodo, Sam, and Gollum are the perfect storm to destroy the ring. Frodo uses every scrap of his physical, mental, and spiritual strength to get the ring to Mt. Doom. Sam uses every scrap of his energy to keep Frodo alive and get both of them to Mt. Doom, where, in spite of everything, they would fail. No one could destroy the ring, not Isildur 3000 years ago, not Frodo now. The ring is at the place where Sauron created it, the place where it is most powerful, and it will overwhelm anybody. That’s where Gollum comes in. He’s the unwitting agent of fate, divine interference, and the Ring’s own perversity. Gollum swore, on the Ring, to help Frodo, and Frodo warned Gollum that the Ring would hold him to his word. He broke that promise, and the ring destroyed him. Iluvatar, the same God who sent Gandalf back, set things up so Frodo’s courage and incorruptibility, Sam’s courage and loyalty, and Gollum’s treachery all work to see the ring destroyed.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 30:00, some reactors have objected to Faramir and Eowyn falling so hard for each other so easily, but I think it's two damaged people helping each other heal.

[@blackeyedlily]

And the books cover this development in more detail.

[@martinbynion1589]

As you can see, Jake, Sauron's staff don't have a great dental plan! 🙂I love your comment about "the words". Tolkien's writing is what this story is all about.

[@blainekessler2220]

I you didn't catch it, when Gandalf brought the eagles to rescue Sam and Frodo, the eagle that Gandalf was riding picked up Frodo, one of the other 2 picked up Sam. The third eagle Gandalf brought was for Smeagol. He hoped he could rescue Smeagol as well. And it was either in an interview or one of Tolkien's letters, he said the real "hero" of the story was Smeagol. You said that Frodo could not have done it without Sam, and Sam could not have made it without Frodo. But in truth, Neither of them could have done it without Smeagol. And in Tolkien's own words, Smeagol was the hero of the story.

[@mobylure]

Remember the scene when Sam was drowning in the FOTR? It was Frodo's hand reached down for Sam's. While in Mount Doom It was Sam's hand reached down for Frodo's. Those scenes was like connected.

[@blackeyedlily]

Yes, Sam is the best! He is my favorite hero of all the heroes in this story. Gandalf said in the first movie that Gollum had a role to play. The fact is that no one would have been strong enough to throw the One Ring into the volcano. So Gollum slipping off the ledge, after finally getting his precious back was the role he was meant to play.

[@Witherdrake]

Some people have asked why Sauron didn't have guards or defenses on the path entering Mt.Doom. Well Sauron never even considered that anyone would even think to try and destroy the Ring, only try to use it to usurp him. At the battle of the Blackgate he actually thought Aragorn had it and when Frodo in the Sammath Naur claimed the Ring and Sauron realized what was actually happening Tolkien wrote. "And far away, as Frodo put on the Ring and claimed it for his own, even in Sammath Naur the very heart of his realm, the Power in Barad-dur was shaken, and the Tower trembled from its foundations to its proud and bitter crown. The Dark Lord was suddenly aware of him and his Eye piercing all shadows looked across the plain to the door that he had made; and the magnitude of his own folly was revealed to him in a blinding flash, and all the devices of his enemies were at last laid bare. Then his wrath blazed in consuming flame, but his fear rose like a vast black smoke to choke him. For he knew his deadly peril and the thread upon which his doom now hung." Sauron was an arrogant creature full of malice and hate and that proved to be his downfall.

[@tj3423]

25:47 Yes this part with Eowyn is a bit odd and one of the few flaws this movie has. It does jump from her seeming to be fine when Theoden dies to her lying on the ground unconscious as if she's dead with no explanation in the movie. I feel they must have cut out a scene where she collapses from her injuries of coming in contact with the Witch King. Even though this is the extended cut there's still a lot of scenes they filmed that couldn't be included in the final version. Also I'd like to add that when Sam is giving Frodo back the ring, he doesn't hesitate because the ring has any power over him, it's because he's scared of how much Frodo changes when he sees it. Part of him doesn't want to give Frodo the ring back because he knows how hard it is on him and feels like he's slowly losing his friend because of it.

[@zoesumra9152]

Eomer finding Eowyn apparently dead is book canon. The last conversation with Theoden isn't... I would have left that out!

[@blackeyedlily]

Yes, I wish that the movie would have had a line about the impact of the black breath and why contact with the Witch King was so damaging, as well as the significance of Aragorn healing them.

[@adam_clown]

Men are the only race that Eru Iluvitar (God of the LotR universe) allowed to have an after life, which is what Gandalf described to Pippin, and yes Hobbits are part of the race of Men.

[@lcbonastre2418]

Next Trilogy The Hobbit Extended Edition Of The Adventures Of Bilbo Baggin: (1) An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition (2) The Desolation Of Smaug Extended Edition (3) The Battle Five Armie Extended Edition

[@janethernandez724]

Bravo Jake, another excellent reaction! I had to wait to get home from work to watch this one! LOL 33:36 you said L'Oreal changed up his hair! Well, it is hard to notice right away but Aragorn's hair grew longer on the way to Mordor it seems, and he had the longer strands of hair braided behind his head, and his front layers hang out loosely windblown and all, that's how I see it at least now that you mentioned it. 34:39 Yes, the language/words in this move are beautifully written and powerful and meaningful too as you mentioned. 34:50, I love that small chat with Sam to Frodo, and then he finally says, "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!" That gets me every time, Sam is the MVP in my eyes when I was reading this book, and watching the movies, he's Frodo's true-blue friend. Yes, everyone should have a Sam and yet everyone should be like Sam. Go on and see the Hobbit series. The Hobbit book came out first as a children's book. Then later The Lord of the Rings book came out, not meant to be a children's book. The Hobbit is not a long book like a little over 300 pages about and the LOTR about 1200 plus pages, but Peter Jackson and team managed to make the Hobbit into three movies. and he utilized a character from the LOTR that didn't appear in the Hobbit book as well as create a new character. You will see and find out. It was great watching you react to this movie, and I can see many of your subscribers have answered your questions you had during the movie and in your outro. Seriously, you miss out a lot watching only the movies when you have not read the books for a bit of background knowledge, but you know us, we're here ready to help you understand what you are watching! Now you know why we love this story of LOTR. I am looking forward to more! Peace. ☮

[@txheadshots]

When Frodo wakes up - he was surprised to see Gandalf - he thought he was dead at the hands of the Balrog

[@ErriesPlays]

Faramir's Father also had a Palantir (a magic seeing stone) and he was being corrupted the same way that Saruman was. This is the main reason why he's such a *bad king* and gives up before even trying to defend the city. He had given up hope before the attack even started. I think the reason he's a *bad father* (to Faramir) is because the queen died giving birth to him.

[@bloodyneptune]

It always gets me that when they all bow, the Hobbits are the tallest people there

[@monsecarpediem]

Woohooo!!!! :) Love your reactions

[@Commander-vf1lk]

5:05 Nope. That’s 200,000 Mordor Orcs. While the Rohirrim riders has 6,000

[@cristianguerra7279]

Now is your time for your journey with The Hobbit trilogy, and understand why elfs and dwarfs hate each other

[@sister1976]

If I remember correctly the journey from they leave the 'shire and until they are back is 13 months :) They then live several years in the 'shire before the go to the gray havens where frodo and bilbo leave on the elven ship with Gandalf and the elves

[@mikefetterman6782]

Sean Astin (Sam) is one of those unassuming actors who has been so iconic in his career. Sam Wisgamji, RUDY (football movie) and MIKEY (Goonies) and Drew Barrymore's brother in the Hawiian 50 First Dates with Adam Sandler. He always is so much better than you initially perceive.

[@mikefetterman6782]

Oh, and that "old hobbit man" judging Gandalf in the beginning and the 4 hobbits at the end, is an old lady, not a guy.

[@PaulQuintanaJr]

Nai hiruvalyë Valimar. May you find the home of the Valar (the Powers). Frodo was so effected physically and mentally from the experience, he could not be at peace. Valimar, specifically an island name Tol Eressëa, is basically Heaven to mortals. Their wounds can be laid to rest and be at peace.

[@kibblesnbits9146]

"Just armies" .... 10,000 fully armed orcs on the march

[@johnwalters1341]

At 24:40: "Out of doubt, out of darkness, to the day's rising he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing. Hope he rekindled, and in hope ended; over death, over dread, over doom lifted out of loss, out of life, unto long glory."

[@joannharrington2279]

I'm so glad you are back. Great reaction to this trilogy. Sad to see it end, but I am waiting for the next movie. Please do the Hobbit series.

[@ryanwinters7886]

Frodo is going to the undying lands Valinor where the Elves are from with Bilbo for their great sacrifice

[@josesantos2084]

yes. it is like their heaven. also, Frodo is like a priest, so his battles are all spiritual battles, he could not have a family and live in the normal world, his calling, his mission, his vocation was all spiritual to fight against evil (Tolkien was deeply catholic and it put much of his worldview into The Lord of the Rings, for example the Sacred Sacrament of Confession that happens just before the death of Boromir). Interesting to note that even a good priest like Frodo would not make it till the end without a very good friend and chance (divine providence).

[@IzanamiNoMikotoo]

Frodo and Bilbo are going to where the elves all were leaving to. Valinor. A "continent" or more of a land of the undying. It's where the Valar (sort of like angels of the god Eru) are and it's the real home land of all elves. I guess you could kinda compare it to heaven but it's more complicated than that. You should look into what the Valar, Eru, Maiar, etc. are if you are interested in it. It's the creation story of the world and also explains what Gandalf, Saruman, Sauron, etc actually are.

[@barbaracotton6452]

"That's not ideal." Lol

[@johnwalters1341]

At 44:06, Bilbo by this time has become pretty forgetful. In the book he says, "What a pity!...I should have liked to see it again. But no, how silly of me! That's what you went for, wasn't it: to get rid of it? But it is all so confusing, for such a lot of other things seem to have got mixed up with it: Aragorn's affairs, and the White Council, and Gondor, and the Horsemen, and Southrons, and oliphaunts--did you really see one, Sam?--and caves and towers and golden trees, and goodness knows what besides."

[@arkikali5632]

So glad I got to watch your reactions--thank you! Also, LOL at "What happened to his hair?" Umm... it's clean. 😆 Most of the movies, they're on the road for days and weeks and his hair's kind of greasy. When they leave Rivendell and then Gondor and a couple of other places, they've all had a bath and cleaned up. 🙂

[@rob5894]

Aagorn is a King. Kings have healing hands.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 45:00, many reactors don't understand why Frodo is going on the ship. The ship is taking its passengers to the Undying Lands of the Elves, and Frodo and Bilbo are there by special dispensation, as Ring-bearers. Frodo has been suffering from what today we would call post-traumatic stress syndrome. Tolkien is deliberately vague, I think, about what becomes of a mortal who goes to the Undying Lands; Frodo will be healed of his pain and suffering, and that is the main thing.

[@terekuru21]

Definitely watch The Hobbit trilogy! I like to think of it as a family friendly LOTR XD Less dark, but still good imo :)

[@joonas1396]

"Gollum had to die for the ring to be destroyed" Oh how wrong you were, it was the exact opposite. 😄 It wouldn't have been destroyed without him.

[@joshuawiedenbeck6944]

It was the ring being allowed to completely consume someone (the ring being sin) that ended up being its undoing. When sin is completely enveloping, it destroys itself.

[@newnumber2721]

Such a long time from p.1

[@blackeyedlily]

The Army of the Dead is a cursed army because they broke their oath to Isildur and he cursed them for it. They cannot find rest after death until they find someway to fulfill that promise. Oaths are very important in this world. In the books they don’t have this moment of looking like they are refusing Aragorn only to turn around a moment later and say that they will help him. I love these movies and have very few quibbles with them, but this is one of them, as that was just done to create a moment of suspense and it doesn’t really make any sense to me. Another moment like that which I dislike is in the first movie when at the end, when it looks like Sam is actually going to drown for a moment. They hold that camera shot on Sam under the water for too long, again to build up some sort of suspense. It just comes off looking stupid in my opinion.

[@ninaclausen5467]

Loved your reaction. Please react to The Hobbit as well 🤩

[@ungenerationed9022]

I've never heard a reacter (and I've watched many) say" you just need to listen to Pippin." 🤣🤣🤣

[@tiffanyalberti2029]

Please react to the movie Queen Of The Damned.

[@agedp8386]

Glad you got to watch and appreciate this epic tale. But it's strange that you didn't care enough for the significance of its Christian roots in the life of both its author and a large part of its audience to check yourself from repeatedly using the name of their brother, their captain, their king, as a common curse word.

[@johnwalters1341]

At 44:00, at this point in the story, Bilbo is getting very old and forgetful. In the book he says, "I should have liked to see it again. But no, how silly of me! That's what you went for, wasn't it: to get rid of it? But it is all so confusing, for such a lot of other things seem to have got mixed up with it: Aragorn's affairs, and the White Council, and Gondor, and the Horsemen, and Southrons, and oliphaunts--did you really see one, Sam?--and caves and towers and golden trees, and goodness knows what besides."

[@Hannah-hq8ne]

So, the connection between Arwen and the Ring and the necklace is just made up for the movie and doesn’t really make any sense. Arwen in the books is hardly present but never loses faith in Aragorn, never attempts to leave to Valinor, so the whole ‘her fate is tied to the ring’ is randomly added in

[@mikefetterman6782]

Denethor, father of Boromir and Theramir, they neglected to show, also had one of those crystal balls for years and was driven mad by Saruman through it. This gives more insight into why he was so odd. Through massive condensing, to fit the 4 hours, they had to cut out parts of the story. Sam hesitates to give Frodo back the ring because he sees how damaged he has become and is leery of putting his friend through more pain. He isn't really affected by the ring. Only Sam and Tom Bombadil (cut from movie) escape the power of the ring.

[@ralphar]

The Hobbit movies? Don’t bother. Unless you’re just really desperate to get back into Peter Jackson’s (not Tolkien’s) universe.

[@flam380]

watch after lord of the rings by nerd of the rings tells u what happened next

[@kevinhanson7867]

U lost the plot? Hmm. Maybe it's because u TALK TOO MUCH???

[@senior_comrade8401]

you'll have to read unfortunately. this isn't spider-man, you know. and Valinor can only be half explained to someone with an inborn perception of writing quality.

[@ADe-p7d]

I really hate the fact that they used ghosts, it takes away from the story and makes it feel like a cheap victory by relying on overpowered allies, in the books it was reinforcements from other parts of Gondor that won the battle. Also leaving out a badass like imrahil is criminal.

[@Hannah-hq8ne]

I was so disappointed the Swan Knights weren’t in the films 😢