The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers [EXTENDED CUT] | First Time Watching | REACTION

[@LiteWeightReacting]

I've never and I mean NEVER fallen so quickly for anything in my life! This had been the most amazing journey so far! Thank you all for being so amazing! I want to encourage all of you to share any little tidbits/factoids you know about this movie (Spoiler free of course)! It was such a joy reading through them on the last movie! As always there is SO MUCH in these movies it is impossible to keep everything due to copyright so I apologize in advance if your favorite piece of dialogue did not make the final cut! The plan is to have Return of the King up in about a week!! Preferably before the end of 2024! Stay Awesome!!!

[@RockersGalore11]

There was nothing like experiencing this in the cinema when it originally came out. I was in high school and it was our generation's Star Wars!

[@user-lv5bt3nt3r]

Go straight into the hobbit when you finish LOTR (the last one is really going to wreck you, emotionally). Its a good trilogy and a good prequel to LOTR, although it gets a lot of hate from some. I read the book when I was 7 and have read it many hundreds of times since then and i like the hobbit trilogy.

[@sosadaoc6931]

I think it's so great to see someone discover LOTR. I thought it was amazing when my kids finally watched it, so I get these kind of vibes from you while watching :D

[@Nimzzeee]

These movies must be really tough to edit so to upload them at a rate of once a week is incredible.

[@bucklberryreturns]

Congrats on the books. Pro tip: Don't Google Tolkien Folio Society, or you may get major envy! My fact that's not a usual 'fun fact". When hiring Urukai extras, casting ran out of 6ft+ native Maoris who were available to play them.

[@PopsiCOLE]

Faramir: "Father, I met a halfling" Denethor: "Boromir would've met a wholeling!!"

[@LiteWeightReacting]

🤣🤣

[@Muck006]

*Faramir

[@adamscott7354]

Boromir’s mighty gift would’ve come wrapped…

[@michaausleipzig]

@@PopsiCOLE Okay. That joke wasn't half bad. But after beeing corrected on Faramir's name you at least could have spent three seconds on google before making a fool of yourself...

[@PopsiCOLE]

@@michaausleipzig And you could at least spend 3 seconds on not commenting on this post at all before making a fool out of yourself. 🤷 I don't need your input. Thanks! I know how to spell his name.

[@s1lm4r1l6]

4:40 "Kinda looked like a falling Angel." Well, funny you should say that.

[@LiteWeightReacting]

🤣

[@samcrorie]

An accurate description 🤔

[@lKnurlal]

Well actually its two falling angels, while only one of them is a fallen one.^^

[@prodigalfraudaddy-es1gl]

​@@LiteWeightReactingalso since u liked brego ..viggo took the horse in after the films bcz he formed a bond and the caretaker was financially not able to meet needs anymore

[@seanmcmurphy4744]

30:47 Rohan's capital, Edoras, was not CGI but a set built on a hill in a NZ nature preserve. It stood for only a week or so of filming, then they disassembled it again to return the area to its natural state. I think it is my favorite LotR set, with all the wonderful gilded horse carvings

[@jamesreilly6612]

The upper buildings were built, yes. The lower buildings were CGI.

[@kimarous]

Also, the flag tearing off in the wind legit happened because the winds were that strong atop the hill and it felt so thematic that they worked it into the movie.

[@stephencaveney4840]

It's my musical theme of the trilogy.

[@IsaacOrd]

NO gollum was not being dramatic. the elvish stuff is very close to for lack of a better term holy, and gollum is steeped in evil. you are actually dead on. the books go into detail on it. you are the only reactor i have ever seen understand this. WELL DONE!

[@Mantis_Toboggan_MD.]

35:00 When Bernard Hill says "No parent should have to bury their child" and then just breaks down crying, The first time I saw this I assumed he must've suffered that tragedy in his own life. His emotions were so real but as far as I can tell he never suffered that particular personal tragedy in real life. He deserved every award available for that scene alone. Just an absolutely brilliant performance that conveyed genuine grief & heartbreak.

[@cvonbarron]

RIP Bernard Hill, he died last May.

[@Mark_E_M]

That scene breaks me every time! One of the most realistic crying scenes ever!

[@william_santiago]

Actually, he met a woman who was going through the same thing and made that comment to him. He ad-libbed the line.

[@artbagley1406]

Bernard Hill, a Briton, symbolically DID experience the loss of thousands of sons: during World War 1, so many males were killed, Europe, including England, experienced what was called The Lost Generation -- here's a link to some basic info from Wikipedia, especially the section headed "As young adults -- Military service in the First World War."

[@solicitr666]

A favorite line, with just about everyone- but also an anachronism. In a medieval world, even a fantasy-medieval one, child mortality was extremely high; according to some studies an infant only had a 50/50 chance of living a year, and even then only 2 chances in 3 of surviving to 20. So parents were quite used to burying their children.

[@positivelynegative9149]

49:21 The wizards aren't men. They are Istari; comparable to angels or demigods; tasked with helping the people of Middle-earth, among other things. There are only 5 of them.

[@mariusionita266]

Istari is the term for wizards. Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast and the Blue Wizards are technically maiar, the same order of divine beings as Sauron and the Balrog in Moria.

[@honkenbonker]

Golum was actually in pain from the rope, Elven crafted items are magical in nature, and since Golum was corrupted by the evil of the Ring the rope did actually cause him discomfort. Same for his inability to eat the lembas, he wasn't being picky, his corruption made the bread inedible to him.

[@FilmBuff54]

I was coming here to say that.

[@jamesreilly6612]

Yes, the book is very clear that it's the Elven crafting of the rope that makes it hurt Gollum. (In the book it is tied around his ankle, not his neck.) It's less clear about the lembas, although Gollum complains about that being wrapped in "‘Leaves out of the Elf-country, gah!".

[@jamesarthurkimbell]

But he would have whined anyway

[@markhackett2302]

Some pain, as with the lembas bread, but it was also over egged by a histrionic Gollum that didn't WANT to not be Gollum. So it is very much a mix: Gollum could have lived with it, it would be painful, but like a bad rash or yuck food. The elvishness is an anathema to the baneful manipulation of the ring's effect.

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Oh! Yes! That makes sense!

[@MannyNamiro]

I am so glad you're watching the Extended Cut. The Boromir and Faramir scenes are just too important for their characterization. And they add so much emotional weight to the last film.

[@Hannah-hq8ne]

Faramir gets the short end of the stick in general but at least in the extended editions, he feels somewhat like the book character. The theatrical edition of Faramir is just not a good character at all, truly butchered him. The scenes you speak of not being in the theatrical is the worst omission of any extended scene, can’t believe it’s not in the theatrical edition. Such an important scene for three different characters

[@nancyhayes9958]

I love the flashback. It shows so much about the brothers’ love for each other and how Boromir tried to protect Faramir from Denethor.

[@chadbennett7873]

Viggo Mortensen fell in love with Brego and purchased him after the filming. He also purchased Florian, the horse the stunt double rode for Arwen. She loved the horse and could not afford him. Brego lived his life in loving luxury, and apparently, as of 2020 Florian was the only one still alive. The good news is that they were well cared for. Viggo also purchased the horse from the movie "Hildago." He is such an amazing person, and I cannot imagine anybody else being worthy of portraying Aragorn. Loved enjoying this movie with you. Loved all of your purchases, and I identified. My memorabilia collection is frequently seen as an illness. I have an actual autograph of Tolkien, busts of the writer, statues of the characters, autographs of the entire cast and writers. I am a writer today because I read the books in the early 1970s, and wrote my own book during a 45 year span. I haven't tried publishing yet, cause I'm still refining it, and working on a sequel. So, I get it ... I understand. Tolkien created a genre, and everything in that genre that has followed has been inspired by him. So glad that you have found the pleasure that you have in the first two movies. So much more to come, and I will be here to share it with you. Thanks so much for letting me re-live it through your eyes.

[@TimechainSolutions]

At 16:14 when you correctly spotted some female riders in amongst the Rohan warriors with Eomer, what you may not know is that the majority were females (some wearing fake beards) as they were the local owners of the horses used in the shot. Using horses local to the area with their owners riding them made it a much more comfortable environment for the horses and easier for the production. A testament to the amount of love and care poured into every aspect of this masterpiece trilogy.

[@FOSsiiLz]

Do I get to be “that guy”? I’m so excited! At 16:36 Viggo Mortensen broke his toes when he kicked that helmet, so that scream is actually a real scream of pain.

[@TheOligoclonalBand]

😂

[@akaMaddy]

Nooo... i was just about saying: "16:33 did you know..." 😆

[@GrantParker]

I salute you my friend. I checked to see if anyone else fell on the proverbial blade first. Thank you for your service.

[@tw7998]

hahaha congrats on being 'that guy' :)

[@musketeer1754]

Congratulations on being that guy! There was a race for it and you won lol

[@JoaoPedro-pi1ef]

The extended version makes the movie 1,000 times better!!!! I'm glad you decided to watch it this way!

[@LiteWeightReacting]

So am I! Thanks to everyone for recommending them!

[@ThisIsMyFullName]

They leave so much important context out of the theatrical versions! Like Aragon being saved by a random horse, because the scene where he saves Brego was cut out. Or Saruman just randomly disappearing from the film, because the tower scene where he falls was cut out. Makes you wonder what other content in the 1300 hours of recorded footage they left out!

[@miketike3246]

I'm a 53 year old man and a lifelong Tolkien fan. Seeing the raw emotional responses throughout this by Lightweight is an absolute joy. I find her reactions just as moving as watching the movies themselves. Am I the only one who cries every time she cries? It's wonderful!!

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Mike! This makes me so happy! I’m so glad you found the channel and am very happy to see I’m doing this amazing trilogy justice!

[@miketike3246]

Hey there! Ever since your Interstellar reaction I became totally hooked on your channel. Your reaction made that movie even better. I am SO happy you're watching these amazing LOTR movies! Wishing you all the best and a happy holiday and keep up the great work!!

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Ah yes, Interstellar, the movie that started it all for me! I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this to you but I recently saw that in IMAX for the 10 year rerelease. It was sensational!

[@DanM95]

@@miketike3246 Mike, I’ve watched many reactors react to this trilogy, and I didn’t cry nearly as much watching them as I do with Teegan. Half the time my eyes are welling up just seeing the joy in her face, especially when she’s captivated by the amazing soundtrack.

[@miketike3246]

IMAX must have been amazing for Interstellar!!​@@LiteWeightReacting

[@andrewrankin1921]

You are so sharp. One of the sharpest reactors on KZbin for sure

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Thank you Andrew! So glad you found the channel and enjoy the video!

[@JordanJMyers]

Absolutely, shes one of the best.

[@cvonbarron]

Agreed.

[@william_santiago]

True. One of the few who pointed out that Legolas was walking on top of the snow at Caradhras, where everyone else was trudging through it.

[@chrisbanks6659]

Facts. Undeniable.

[@hjalnelson9579]

Would we even recognize the internet today if there was never Orlando Bloom's delivery of "They're taking the Hobbits to Isengard!"

[@LiteWeightReacting]

🤣🤣

[@ALDO_GOODENS]

Or, “Po-Tay-Toes!”

[@nickinskeep]

To isengard, to isengard!

[@isaachall9473]

you know people can sit around and speculate all day about whether or not Tolkien would've liked the movies, personally I don't think he would've considering the great amount of detail and plot left out. But I believe that his dislike for the movies would be overshadowed by his joy of seeing that entire new generations who would've never experienced his work will now be fans for life thanks to these few masterpiece movies.

[@positivelynegative9149]

The two groups of men sided with Sauron are Rhúnedain (Easterlings) from East of Mordor and Haradrim (Southrons) from South of Mordor. Those lands were long under Sauron's influence; and Sauron's master before that.

[@BlairKillgallon]

“No parent should have to bury their child.” is the most heartbreakingly human line of dialogue I have ever heard in a film 💔

[@VaultArchive72]

and in the next scene they send 6-8 year old boys to war.

[@et34t34fdf]

And for the next movie, a father admitting he wishes his remaining son was dead instead of the other, to his face.

[@MikeTaffet]

You could say the exact same thing about Interstellar

[@adamscott7354]

Takes me to I N T E R S T E L L A R too, “No parent should have to watch their own child die”

[@adamscott7354]

@@MikeTaffet get out of my head bro…

[@Kurgan0822]

Shadowfax is a special breed of horse descended from basically a divine horse. He has a human like intelligence and understands what people are saying when they talk to him. He never allows a saddle or bridle to be put onto him, and wont let anyone ride him. He is aware of the threat of Sauron, and understands how important Gandalf is in the fight, so he allows Gandalf to ride him. Basically Shadowfax has chosen to ride to war. I always thought that was so cool as a kid.

[@DaleKingProfile]

And in addition is the namesake of a great smooth jazz band from the 70s to the 90s

[@DarkMajava]

It most definitely is still cool.

[@ea5917]

As a 36 year old man with ‘broken brain’ from C-PTSD, these reactions in some way give me comfort. I recognize myself in the unfiltered emotions, which is really rare for me to see in others. And while I was bawling my eyes out during your reaction, I just happily wanted to say: Thanks for staying vulnerable and trying to remove the stigma on mental health damage so openly. I wish you the best, Erik

[@michaausleipzig]

Rohan soldier, getting ready for the battle of Helm's Deep: *oh look, that's Aragorn and Legolas over there. I'm so glad they're with us! With them on our side we simply can't loose, I know it! They're speaking elvish now, probably discussing our winning tactic. This is great!* Aragorn: "Then I shall die as one of them!" Rohan soldier: *wait, what??*

[@John-r3p4q]

lose not loose

[@SirSpuddington]

When this movie came out, the Battle of Helm's Deep absolutely blew the socks off of basically all previous epic-action-siege-type scenes that had come before it. It's perfectly paced, perfectly shot, fully intelligible, and all around amazing, just like every other part of all 3 off these movies. A lot of people say The Two Towers is their favorite of the trilogy. I'd go with Return of the King myself, but I still love this one to death. The Last March of the Ents as they stride towards Isengard on their way to war with Saruman in what they believe may be the final act of their millennia of existence gives me chills every time.

[@cvonbarron]

Agreed, it's epic.

[@FilmBuff54]

It’s probably the best recreation of a medieval battle ever committed to film.

[@TSABR]

I recommend you watch the "making of" of these movies later, it just show the love for the source material of every single person related to the movie. One such example is the scene where the orcs try battering down the keeps door. The art team knew the door was meant to be attacked, so they tried to make it hard, to build realism. The orcs attacking it couldn't break it down even with a real battering ram and a phisical coordinator (? don't know if this is the correct word) saying, and I quote: "F*** put some strenght in it like proper orcs! You are looking weak like elves!" Later they had to bring a engineering team to sistematically weaken the door, so it could break down. Pter Jackson said that if they ever had to sustain a siege, they wanted the art team to build their doors. Sorry for my broken english. Also, great reaction!

[@Lilleskutt112]

Good suggestion!

[@Dudeman23rd]

SPOILERS FOR RETURN OF THE KING, KIND OF: . . . In a funny twist, almost the exact opposite thing happened during the siege of Gondor in the third movie. The modeling team built the miniature version of Grond, the flaming battering ram, that they used for its shots so well that it actually busted down the model gates of Minas Tirith on the first try instead of after three or four like they storyboarded. They had to monkey with both the strength of the door and Grond's density to get it weak enough to shoot the way they needed it to.

[@PopsiCOLE]

*GANDALF DIES* Pippin: "What about second Gandalf?"

[@kratosGOW]

His voice and delivery on that line is what makes it extra funny! “We’ve had one, yes! What about second (breakfast)!?” 😂

[@musketeer1754]

Pippin you mean

[@PopsiCOLE]

@@musketeer1754 🤦 I can't believe I just said Bilbo. Lol

[@genghisgalahad8465]

​@@PopsiCOLE I'm going now.....

[@LiteWeightReacting]

HAHAHA

[@chefskiss6179]

"...and then I got this Funko figurine... and then this book and this book... and then I cough-cough might have dug up Tolkien's grave...hey it's not like I took his skeleton, it was just a clavicle, jeez! ANYhoo, let's watch the movie!" 😂😂😂

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Hahaha what can I say, i am obsessed 🤣

[@chefskiss6179]

@@LiteWeightReacting Just based off the beautiful world-building of the first outing and then your 'minor' purchases, lol, I'm looking forward to hearing about whether this outing will nearly brake yer bank. This outing just said "hold my beer" and knocked it right outta the park. - can't wait for part 3! BTW your editor is doing a beautiful job! Kudos to them.

[@VadulTharys]

@@LiteWeightReacting There is an online Game that is lore accurate and the company works with the Tolkien family and the greatest Tolkien Scholars during the lockdown they did live streams with a group of Professors that were playing the game. The game is Lord of the Rings Online and you get to live in Tolkien's world explore it, see Bag End the shire, Bree, Rivendell, Moria, all of the world from the books and movies. A large part of the Early game is your character being involved in doing things to help the fellowship before they leave Rivendell, but the game is open you do what you want.

[@akaMaddy]

@@chefskiss6179 😂😂👍🫡

[@musa.cakmak]

“No parent should have to bury their child.” That one line... Always gets me.

[@mattr1100]

the rohan flag falling was actually just natural thing and they decided to keep it in and it makes so much sense like with the metaphor of rohan falling like you said. sometimes the bloopers end up being better than what was intentially written. LOTR was incredible at this. the behind the scenes is a movie in itself. you should react to it honestly. idk why more people dont that appreciate true film making

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Omg love this! Thanks for sharing that!

[@Scyth0r]

That's funny, I always thought the reverse - the arrival of Gandalf and Aragron is the catalyst for Rohan to rise up and 'take flight'. The first step on their return to greatness.

[@emmanuelprime4080]

Remember, Gimli not only being a dwarf, is also in full dwarf gear. Chain mail, two iron battle axes, iron helmet. He's weighed down and still keeps up with Aragorn and Legolas. Oh and let me just add.... The Rohan theme is freaking awesome. I have it as my ring tone.

[@stephencaveney4840]

I also have that as my ringtone to. It is the best theme in whole trilogy.

[@emmanuelprime4080]

@stephencaveney4840 that and Into The West.

[@akaMaddy]

Last comment from me on this one: please please please watch the behind the scenes/ making of 🤩. The size and complexity of this production down to the tiniest detail(s) is increndible. I'm so thrilled you're watching this masterpiece of a trilogy and it's delightful to see and feel how involved you are. Your Lotr reactions are some of the most enjoyable out there! 🥳 Ok, bye. 😅😄

[@MikeTaffet]

16:14 Yes, most of the “men” in the background were women since they needed people who knew how to ride and had already bonded with their horses. They put out a call for extras who knew how to ride, and a majority of the people were women.

[@haydenlangford4017]

To add on to your fact the women extras were given fake beards and makeup to pass as men in the movie, in the actual story there aren't any women in the ranks of the Rohirim.

[@ManuelRomero-h7b]

I know it's a serious scene, but every time I see Wormtounge rolling down the stairs, all I can hear is The Life of Brian. "Centurion, throw him to the floor." I actually laughed out loud in the theater the first time I saw it.😖

[@richardlaswell463]

14:24 What's is really funny is that orc's know what a menu is. Do you wonder if there's an orc restaurant, where they dine out with their wives and family?

[@Dudeman23rd]

I saw someone point out that because the Uruks are highly militarized, it's not completely outlandish to assume that they've been introduced to the concept of a menu through rationing and military discipline.

[@absolutezero6423]

Gimli's medical knowledge of orc anatomy when he had his axe buried in that Uruk's nervous system got a raised eyebrow from me lol.

[@Gunnar001]

I always loved how LotR handled magic and the magical properties of items. It’s not over the top in your face like Harry Potter or other fantasy universes. Like the elvish rope only untying when it wasn’t being used anymore. It’s very subtle. You typically don’t see it, but you know these magical forces are there somewhere in the background, beyond what your eyes can physically see. It just makes it more grounded, natural and believable.

[@BlairKillgallon]

The Last March of the Ents gives me chills every single time. The idea of nature fighting back against industrialisation in such a literal way is so uplifting..

[@DanM95]

@@BlairKillgallon I love your interpretation of this scene.

[@magicbrownie1357]

That music when Treebeard says "Last March of the Ents!" is just thrilling to the bone.

[@BlairKillgallon]

@@DanM95 I’d love to take credit for it, but that’s actually straight from the man himself.

[@MannyNamiro]

@@magicbrownie1357 Yeah, as much as I love the entire soundtrack, that particular piece is my absolute favourite, no contest.

[@chrisquiett1776]

"Tonight we go to war" hell yeah Treebeard! Oldest mortal in middle earth.

[@kathyastrom1315]

The one-eyed extra at the beginning of the battle came to the casting call wearing his usual eyepatch. The production person asked if he’d be okay with being on camera without it. He had never revealed his empty eye socket to anyone outside of his family before but he eventually said okay. After the film premiered, he said he has become much more comfortable with it.

[@rayward43]

On Sam's "there's good in the world" quote, Tolkien fought in World War 1 and lived through World War 2. As you can imagine, what he lived through in those terrible times heavily informed his epic tale here. Not just on a macro level, but small things too; the bodies in the water was something he experienced in WW1 when the dead would lie submerged in flooded bomb craters.

[@mariusionita266]

Oh yea, the influence of the Great War is everywhere in the Professor's work: the Dead Marshes like you said, the relationship between Frodo and Sam being like that between an officer and his orderly (Sam's character being inspired from said orderlies/batmen) and the small snippets of conversations between orcs the books provide; they all speak and behave like crude and rough people worn down and embittered by years and years of miserable war.

[@SirSpuddington]

There is no other story or franchise of book-adapted movies that I can think of for which the statements "The books are better" and "These are the greatest movies ever made" are both 115% true. I do think the books are better and that they are the greatest work of fiction that the English language has yet produced, but I also think that these movies are the greatest work of art ever committed to film and that they're basically the truest and most respectful film adaptation we could have possibly gotten. I will never not be grateful that we live in the timeline that got to have this story in this form.

[@jopay142]

I stumbled on some "Goodread" reviews, and, out of curiosity, tried the "one star" comments... I get that for some people, it might not be their cup of tea. I get it, but the other trolls? Well, they really sounded like Will, Tom and Bert.

[@bobcharles1204]

If you pay close attention to Gollums eyes, his pupils change size depending on who is speaking. Gollum has small and menacing ones, and Smeagol has large, friendly ones. Very well done.

[@cvonbarron]

Never noticed that before.

[@EnDSchultz1]

30:50 that's part of what makes these films such timeless masterpieces. They used every cinematography trick in the book, from practical effects, to forced perspective, stunt doubles, miniature sets, scene compositing, and CGI-and you often can't tell which is which. They're so seamlessly integrated that you can just accept what you're seeing and not be distracted with your brain going "I know this is fake and I know how they did it."

[@fostena]

Smeagol was "not so different from a Hobbit". Technically he was a Stoor, a.k.a. river-folk, one of the "Hobbit-types" people. A beautiful detail to note on a second viewing: Gollum always refers to himself as "we", but when Frodo calls him Smeagol for the first time he asks "What did you call ME" So cool.

[@torpedofalcon]

Aragorn pushing open the doors is an iconic shot! Also it's cool you noticed that it looked like there were women in Eomer's company. The filmmakers wanted extras skilled in riding who preferably had their own horse and many more women than men showed up who fit that need so they were made up with beards

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Oh no way!! That’s so cool!

[@philnicholson7863]

Turns out the men with horses had jobs.

[@yourbasicninja]

The editor: Mr. Jackson, was the slow motion really necessary for that short of a scene? Peter Jackson: ....YES 😳

[@Watzamada]

if i ever see a set of double doors, i always do this

[@ehned]

@@Watzamadaeven a glass door? 😂

[@domingocurbelomorales8635]

Goosebumps in all my body during the "Ent´s march". EPIC.

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Goosebumps!

[@EnviroSocial]

1:10:10 He is so confident because he knows how treebread will react. Similarly to how he reacted when he told Merry that they had the shire and Merry laid the truth on him that the Shire would also be lost. This was Pippin being really smart. I love how each hobbit in this story (despite being small and seemingly ineffective and not super brave or bright, play such a pivotal roll)

[@GunNlazor]

I think she's saying there's no way he knew what state Fangorn forest was in there

[@GrotesqueSmurf]

Andy Serkis performance of Gollum is one of the best mocap performances ever done. I will die on that hill. And he even got an award that was just invented because of his role and invented new technology for motion capture.. insane guy. And such a talented actor!

[@CliffordLake]

"Many of these trees were my friends. They had voices of their own!" I believe that's the answer to the trees being torn down in Isengard.

[@TheOligoclonalBand]

To paraphrase Elrond: "I was there, 25 years ago, when the movies came out". Peter Jackson erased every doubt about the films and his dedication to the books by opening the first movie with the biggest battle scene ever and the gorgeous Shire and got cinemas cheering when Gandalf grabbed his sword mid-air to take on the Balrog. These movies are cinematic history.

[@grahamtravers4522]

Highly unlikely of course, as the air resistance of a human body is much greater than that of a small-ish sword.

[@ryancampbell8645]

​@grahamtravers4522 it's a magic sword, bro. Also, Gandalf isn't human, he's a Maia. I think we can let it slide...

[@fostena]

@@TheOligoclonalBand and the movies came out ONE YEAR APART

[@TheOligoclonalBand]

@@fostenaNot only that, but the Extended Edition came a year After the cinematic cut. But it was worth the wait and they all came out in the week of my birthday. Four years of looking forward to the movies and watching them all again. It was glorious.

[@cvonbarron]

@@fostena That's they because they were filmed back to back to back.

[@Jono_Fleming]

It might’ve already been said, but watching someone like you react so beautifully to these movies is the closest I’ll get to watching these for the first time again. These movies have meant so much to me and many others for over 20 years and I love seeing you get so into it and become a super fan with the rest of us.

[@LiteWeightReacting]

This makes me so happy and validates why I do this!!

[@Ellis_Hugh]

"It kind of looked like a falling angel..." You have NO idea.

[@AlfredPettinger]

The trees that Saruman tore down were just that, trees. But some of them were "awake" enough to have voices. Also, some trees in Fangorn (known as "huorns") were capable of movement. It was these that destroyed the fleeing Uruk Hai after the Battle of Helm's Deep.

[@domingocurbelomorales8635]

Gandalf it´s one of the five Istari... sent to the middle earth by the Valar. With Saruman, it´s also Gandalf, Radagast and the two blue wizards. Saruman was the white because he was chosen as the leader of all them. When he turned to evil... the God Ilúvatar chose a new leader.... returning Gandalf as Gandalf the white.

[@WheresWaldo05]

Liteweight: i love when i have my- i understood that reference moment. Me: i understood that reference.

[@LiteWeightReacting]

🤣🤣🤣

[@Fatherofheroesandheroines]

1:25:27 The 'Parthian shot' is the nickname given to the Parthian Empire's horse archers who could turn in the saddle and fire like that. They fought the Roman Empire for centuries. Also, it's where we get the term 'parting shot' like when you leave someone with a nasty insult. Nerd? Yes, I am lol

[@akaMaddy]

@@Fatherofheroesandheroines You just reminded me of something: Age of empires 2 (Real time strategy game) There are various technologies/upgrades within the game and one upgrade that affects cavalry archers is called "Parthian Tactics". Haha, always nice to see that "historical terms" in the game aren't totally made up. 😀

[@mikeaustin1457]

Correct! As the archer would circle around a battle, in a chariot or on a horse, and would pass out of the line of fire, he would turn to get in one last "parting" shot.

[@aboubenadhem9066]

The Romans named it after the Parthians, but it was a tactic common to many steppe pastoralists (including the Magyar ancestors of the Hungarians).

[@DarthMerlin]

Gandalf is a Maia, a race of beings that are essentially angels in Tolkien's world. So your comparisons to him as an angel are spot on.

[@xenontouchstone]

I still find it hard to imagine what casting director thought " mmm, who would make a great dwarf? I know , 6 foot tall John Rhys-Davies". whoever it was that was a stroke of genius.

[@DaleKingProfile]

He was actually the tallest of the main cast

[@absolutezero6423]

Its interesting that he was portrayed of the shortest characters as Gimli but also voiced one of the tallest characters as Treebeard.

[@metoo7557]

Yes that is indeed Karl Urban. That isn't CGI they did indeed build Edoras on that hill for the movie, although the location is real. 'so he is the same power level as Saruman at this point?' Yes. When Sam says he's a gardner, he's not actually joking.. that is indeed who Sam is, Frodo's gardner.

[@NotTheRealCodyDean]

Being someone who’s read everything from this universe, Peter Jackson really did accomplish the impossible with these films. He really did capture lightning in a bottle with these stories, in the format of film, and they used every film technique in the book to accomplish this. I think it’s important to remember also not to get frustrated at people who have not read the books, to think that they could possibly understand everything in these films is not reasonable. I mean Sauron alone had about nine different names in the books, names that mean different things for different reasons. I thoroughly enjoy watching people enjoy these films for what they are, regardless of what level of knowledge they bring to this universe.

[@ImDerpyDuck]

With a soundtrack that is 99% absolute bangers and the other 1% being the silence between tracks, "Evenstar" from this movie always makes me have to find a quiet spot for a little cry 😭 I also love the visualisation of the Elves being in a battle from this part, seeing beings who, outside of violence, would live forever, be willing to sacrifice that for others is so melancholic 😢

[@krisfrederick5001]

“Where now are the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow; The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow." I liked the first film but didn't fully appreciate it until I witnessed this genius. Tolkien's experiences from the first World War, to the industrial revolution and the destruction of nature in the process of progress are vividly expressed. "Should I describe it, or would you like me to find you a box?" Brego was the true hero in this. Even you can't say "neigh" to that precious.

[@adamscott7354]

Don’t forget where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?

[@zeezee9670]

@26:10 _He's so scared._ Of course. *This place spells trauma to Gollum.* Remember the Fellowship Of The Ring. Gollum was captured, brought down here to Mordor & then tortured to reveal where the ring was. The Nazgul were sent thereafter hunting the ring bearer, Bilbo Baggins, in the Shire

[@mariusionita266]

In the books, Gollum reveals Sauron HIMSELF interrogated him (and yes he had a physical body) and he noted he 'had only 4 fingers on his black hand', implying that his ring finger cut off by Isildur didn't regenerate.

[@zeezee9670]

@@mariusionita266 I didn't know that. *Thank you so very much.* And yes I am guilty.. haven't read the books yet, and yes time for me to stop the excuses to postpone it,

[@Sir_Lauchboy]

Tolkien created the charakter of Sam based on a fellow soldier in WW1. Obviously Tolkien came from a wealthy family so he was ranked as an officer. But there was one soldier in his company who was rather a small guy not very strong but the bravest and purest of the whole company. Tolkien personally wrote that he sometimes felt small next to him even Tolkien was an high ranked officer and the guy was just a enlisted. Because the guy was so brave and so noble hearted that Tolkien felt small next to him. So was the character of Sam created😊

[@taylemgames2652]

Tolkien was an orphan. It was his education that afforded him the rank of an officer.

[@billprice8596]

Sorry, but Tolkien was not a wealthy man, He was actually an orphan; his father died when Tolkien was 3 and his penniless mother died when he was 12. Tolkien was an officer because of his education.

[@BenjaminKleager]

Regarding the bog with the dead faces: Tolkien was a veteran of World War 1 and as such also came in contact with some of the more horrific facets of trench warfare. Such as dead bodies in water holes in no mans land - which I believe served as an inspiration for that part of the story. Edit: Also - the Elven archers turned as one due to Legolas arriving. He is in fact the prince of the Wood Elves.

[@Nimzzeee]

1:07:30 For a character that had so little screen time, Haldir's death is still felt so deeply by the audience. His screen time is even smaller in the theatrical cut and still his fall is felt greatly. Testament to the strength of the depiction of these characters.

[@eighthdoctor]

I don't recall him dying in TTT book so could never understand why they kill him off in the film adaptation. 😬🥺 Craig Parker did a great job with the role either way and his behind the scenes look at his choice of accent for Haldir is so interesting. 💜

[@Nimzzeee]

​@@eighthdoctorThis makes me want to dig out my boxset and watch the special features again for all the amazing behind the scenes content.

[@eighthdoctor]

@@Nimzzeee Yay! The amount of behind the scenes stuff they gave us on those Extended Version DVDs was AMAZING. We were truly spoiled for choice. 🤩🥰

[@daz_n]

​@@eighthdoctorHe wasn't there in the book. Rohan stood alone as Theoden clearly said. There were no elves at Helm's Deep other than Legolas.

[@AsdDsa-qo7es]

@@eighthdoctor No elfs actually shows up at the battle in the books

[@medalion1390]

Fun fact: When Viggo Mortensen kicked that helmet… It moved 😐

[@sixteenbirds]

Loved your first two - can't wait to see the third! There are some moments in the third that reduce even a big, strong man like me to tears. I love seeing people watch these for the first time, it's the closest thing to how I felt when I watched them for the first time. Subscribed!

[@demadddis96]

Im already looking forward to see your reaction to return of the king! (its my favorite movie ever and i wish I could see it for the first time again). Thank you for appreciating these films. Youre such a lovely and receptive person and its a joy to watch you. You nailed the names by the way! :D

[@farenvanwyk5587]

In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war fathers bury their sons. This is the way of the world and the way it always will be. Gollum liked raw fish and the occasional bird because he lived in a huge cave complex and had no way of cooking his meals and so after 500 years I think anything other than raw fish or birds would have made him quite ill. Thank you for showing the respect that this tale deserves. I was so taken by this that in the '90s I named my daughter Arwen in honour of Tolkien.

[@citizenbrain8065]

Your reactions to this franchise have been some of the best and most enjoyable I've ever watched. It's obvious you feel every moment and are deeply invested. Plus, you pick up on the names of the characters faster than 99% of people. It's wonderful to see someone immerse themselves in the world so fast. Can't wait to see the next one!

[@cvonbarron]

Agreed, she's got an excellent memory.

[@Agantyr23]

At 55:42 you watched the character assassination of Faramir, perhaps the most hated changed from the books. In the books he let them go, saying that Frodo reminded him of elves with Sam replying that Faramir reminded him of Gandalf. Also: The ents decided to go to war in the first place on the entthing.

[@luke8371]

You’re hands down my favorite Reactor on YT! You have such a kind heart and so much passion, and it shows through your emotional investment in characters and your absolute love for storytelling. Keep up the reactions, your fan base is growing! Bravo!

[@BlairKillgallon]

I’m so glad you’ve taken this series into your heart so fully. Some people don’t understand the magic of these films and this story and I genuinely feel sorry for them. Welcome to the Fellowship ❤️

[@LizabethRobinson]

Ditto!

[@LiteWeightReacting]

So happy I listened to all of you!!

[@thychius5457]

I LOVE SEEING PEOPLE GET INTO LORD OF THE RINGS AND TOLKIEN'S WORLD IN GENERAL! Now you just need to get the Silmarillion and The Hobbit as well, and you will be golden! Also, you noticed the easterlings having cool armor. Its been one of my favorite costumes forever and FINALLY someone recognizes it.

[@ianrastall]

All right, man. This is what I've been waiting for for days. Never clicked on something so fast.

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Thank you! Makes my day reading stuff like this! I hope you enjoy!

[@admiralkeelhauled42]

“Kinda looks like a falling angel…” Yes. That’s what they are. Gandalf and the Balrog are the LOTR universe of angels, Balrogs being fallen ones.

[@BlairKillgallon]

9:30 all three of the people in the shot had decently serious injuries at time of filming. As I’m sure you’ve been told., Viggo had broken several of his toes when he kicked the helmet at the bonfire, Orlando had fallen off a horse and broken a couple of his ribs and John Rhys Davies’ scale double had two dislocated kneecaps, so all three of them were in quite a bit of pain as they were running across that mountain.

[@LiteWeightReacting]

This must’ve been so taxing on everyone!

[@PopsiCOLE]

​@@LiteWeightReactingthere's always the one guy that mentions Vigo's toe broken when it comes to this film lol. It's law. There's always one guy that has to say it haha.

[@BlairKillgallon]

@@PopsiCOLE I tried to put a different spin on it, but you know, it has to be done. ‘‘Tis as certain as the sunrise.

[@gravedigger8414]

It is so heartwarming to see someone, YOU, fall in love with these incredible movies, the world that was built for us and this magnificent soundtrack. 🥰

[@LiteWeightReacting]

So so happy you all are enjoying them as much as I’m enjoying the movies!

[@Hannah-hq8ne]

Love how any reactors who know John Noble immediately go ‘I love him’ and then are like ‘eww, awful man’ 😂😂

[@Jeff_Vader]

That shows how his acting was so damn incredible.

[@cvonbarron]

She must have seen him in other things, but agreed, it was cool that she recognized him immediately.

[@hadoken95]

It's a pity he wasn't given the chance to truly play the character with all the nuance that exists in the books for poor Denethor. That and the character assassination of Faramir are the two big sins I still hold against Peter Jackson. Instead we get a pointless warg attack and Aragorn "falling" just to give Liv Tyler something to do in the film. Ah well - I do still love the films, but some wounds are too deep even still :P

[@scorn787]

4:41 "It kind of looked like a falling angel". Yes. Yes it very much is.

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Right?!

[@hornetgags]

Looking forward to the 'Viggo Mortenson - Aragorn - broke his toe when he kicked the helmet and the scream was real pain' comment about 200 times. Great reaction as always. This is my favourite of the trilogy. RIP Bernard Hill - King Theoden

[@JamailvanWestering]

Would be funnier if someone had mentioned that in 1 scene Viggo had nearly drowned and makes me think that that scene where Brego finds him was meant to be longer

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Haha we’ll have to keep a tally to see how many we get!

[@jip5889]

You know the banner that flies away when the guys arrive at the horse lords was an accident? It felt so cool they left it in the film!

[@adamscott7354]

Like you were almost late man, I’m scrolling looking around all like where teh fucc is ma essential LOTR tradition Viggo broken toe comment? It’s like Christmas without a tree!

[@jip5889]

@ He is never late. He arrives precisely when he means to.

[@andrewcharlton4053]

Sir Christopher Lee (Saruman) is a must must read on wikipedia if nothing else. Just a fascinating life lived to the full.

[@dfg12382]

Your LotR reactions are my favorite reactions to any movie ever. These movies are being treated like just another movie way too often. You knew directly you had something special and give it the attention it deserves. Merry Christmas.

[@LucasxDucas]

As someone who lost his little brother at 16, watching Theodon weep over his son always gets me since I witnessed my parents go through that horror. Wonderful reaction, Lite - Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@positivelynegative9149]

31:46 Come on, historian. He doesn't mean the literal hour of the day. Surely, you've heard "hour" used to convey a more general period of time. In this context, he's referring to the advancements of Rohan's enemies. He's basically saying Gandalf is showing up too late to help.

[@StarfishPatrick231]

Give The Silmarillion a go, there is SO much lore and worldbuilding in that. Also known as the Middle Earth Bible.

[@MACARLIN]

Vigo loved the horse playing Brego so much that he purchased him after production finished.

[@slimmccoy8863]

As I understand it, he also purchased Arwen's horse and gifted it to Liv Tyler. If it's not a true story, well... it should be.

[@MortenM80]

​Not for Liv as I recall, but for the woman who cared for and trained the horses on set, she wanted to buy him, but couldn't afford him

[@RobertHoward-d8g]

Indeed he did, and the horse lived out the rest of his days on Viggo's Canadian ranch.

[@TheHeartlessFour]

A majority of humans sided with Sauron in the books. Just Gondor, and Rohan stood against him. The rest were leaderless neutrals.

[@georgezee5173]

14:10 I love the fact that that orc reminds you of a bird, because I've always thought that too! 🤣 He's always kind of reminded of one of those vultures from the old The Jungle Book animated movie 😁 Very cartoonish design, but also memorable

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Omg good call!

[@epicycles700]

Yep. You're officially obsessed now. You've taken up residence in Hobbiton.

[@NJAsmodeus1]

30:30 the flag was a serendipitous accident. It wasn’t meant to fall off and fly away. They incorporated it into the arrival.

[@Dudeman23rd]

Yes and no; the flag was always supposed to tear off, but the way it just _flew_ over the landscape perfectly in shot was completely serendipitous.

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Super cool that it did though!

[@Raydensheraj]

I'm like that with Frank Herbert's DUNE universe....a nerd of the highest order😂

[@BarnaclePD]

"That Little Trumpet trill was perfect" Oh you just wait! The Rohan theme is one of the most incredible peices of music put to paper.

[@morgan79737]

Welcome to the LotR community, Lite. A pleasure to have you. These 3 movies are magic of the like we will never see again in our lifetimes. That intro alone with Gandalf and the Balrog, pure perfection.

[@bigfella9600]

I watched this series in theatres at the ages of 10, 11, and 12. Fellowship of the Ring came out 2 months after my parents divorce. My mom took me to all three movies and even to today, 20 plus years later we still have a bond over it. These stories built me up at a tough time, making me into the person I am now. I love that people are finding and loving these stories.

[@mikeconlin7450]

The ROAR I let out when I saw this on my subscriptions page.

[@maryannweitzel5636]

I'm a 72 year old great-grandmother who read the books in jr.high in the 60s. And believe me you'll read the books but it'll take a while. ❤

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Hello Mary! I am so ready to read all the books! Thank you for sharing this! So happy you found the channel!

[@folcotook3049]

I read them in jr high in the 80s. 😁 Tolkien's writing is very dense with detailed descriptions, so definitely give yourself time as you go through them on your first read.

[@rhudoc3745]

There is an audio book of LOTR narrated by Phil Dragash. It has the musical score play in the background of the story. I'm also 72 g-gpa and read them in the 60's and many times since. But the eyes weaken so this audio book works very well for me.

[@mikeaustin1457]

@@LiteWeightReacting HI! I'm really loving your reactions to these movies - i teared up with you! I imagine you will want to watch the Hobbit movies afterwards, wanting to go back to Tolkien's world again. I'm begging you to - in this case, read the book 1st. The Hobbit movies take some wild departures from the book, and you'll only have one chance to experience his masterpiece the way Tolkien wanted you to. :) And yes, LOTR movies have several departures from the books, but the film makers capture so much of it so well, you can see the movies 1st and not spoil a reading. Thanks! and Merry Christmas!

[@TaxmanTV]

Best LOTR reactions out there. Well done. Certainly for the finale bring lots of tissues and snacks (since its long), but it's epic on every scale.

[@BradleyFreakin]

10:30 So the question of which towers are the TWO towers is actually a complex one. Although JRR Tolkien left a few options open to interpretation, Peter Jackson heavily implies that the 2 towers are indeed Orthanc (Isengard) and Barad Dûr (Mordor)

[@zxr8871]

I often wonder if Tolkien was referencing Barad Dûr and Minas Morgul. But I quite like the idea that Saruman was consumed by his own importance and considered Orthanc to be the second tower.

[@johndignan64]

Tolkiens original cover art showed the Tower of the Moon aka Minas Ithil later Minas Morgul, and Orthanc.

[@cvonbarron]

I"m pretty sure it was stated in the book that those were the 2 towers.

[@DaleKingProfile]

But it is kind of hard to convey that when Minas Morgul doesn't even appear in this film. Since we only see two towers at this point makes sense to go with them.

[@PChazman1]

The songs at the end of each of these movies are so perfect. I especially love the one at the end of this movie, "Golum's Song." It encapsulates his tragic character so well. Also the use of female singers for each song at the end of each LOTR movie is wonderfully bookended by the use of three male singers at the end of the 3 Hobbit movies.

[@jimhowe2624]

Also, yes.. the soundtrack to these films is utterly phenomenal! Like, after a few drinks I just listen to it on repeat! 😅 The Rohan theme is particularly epic

[@LiteWeightReacting]

Been on repeat all day!

[@edwardchristensen414]

Said it before and I will say it again, so refreshing to see a reactor actually reacting and sharing her thoughts on what she saw. Keep going girl, you will soon be number one❤ Merry Xmas from Denmark.