20 Years On, Lord Of The Rings Will Never Be Equalled

[@maureenporter2967]

Don’t forget that Jackson and Tolkien portrayed strong women WITHOUT trampling the strong male characters. Eowyn, Galadriel, and Arwen are examples of noble, beautiful, feminine, and respected characters.

[@dametalone]

fully agreed. I wish the drinker would have brought up that point in this video.

[@slightlyaboveaveragebutaverage]

Yeah well, modern audiences would argue that since their not the main characters that it's not good enough.

[@GorramT]

@@slightlyaboveaveragebutaverage or that there aren’t enough, and they’re all white.

[@casewojo6186]

The whole idea is to trample men though. None of this has anything to do with the equality it’s about superiority.

[@gildo101rossi]

@@slightlyaboveaveragebutaveragefunny enough I was rewatching the Dukes of Hazzard & it was way beyond its time, not only does it have a lot of female characters who are smart, strong and capable also either good or villains, they also have black peoples who are the same too. Which would probably fuck with their minds of modern audiences because of the “racist” car

[@jaredwatson76]

“Hollywood used to depict heroic actions. Now they can only see heroic identities.” Well stated.

[@JohnGardnerAlhadis]

I think that's emblematic of Western society as a whole: we're conditioned to think of people as representative of their demographics, rather than individuals responsible for their own damn actions and prejudices.

[@wren7195]

And yet, even MORESO tied to that very deeply, is that in the great epics of the Icelandic Sagas and the gorgeous humanity striving within the Romance of the Three Kingdoms from China.... There's a divorce now between those two concepts. The sagas, both as historical accounts of real events and romanticisation of those events, still heavily wrought narratives that idolized the "one" or the "hero," someone who had cast aside self or desire in order to save everyone else... to this day altruism remains the highest ideal written down in *every* culture throughout history, ........ ....if we exclude bathroom stalls and other graffiti. It's not important because we worship "that guy, Duke Nukem" or the Lord I follow. It's important because no matter how fucking stupid we get, this still seems to get written down and rears its incompatible head. It's important to read everything you can find, because propaganda and folklore exist in different spaces if not presentations; there becomes more narrative and less ethos when you're reading/hearing propaganda, compared to lore, folklore.... These identities, these... heck, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms doesn't pull any punches, narrative would suggest the chosen ones were ultimately selfish assholes who failed when it counted, and the manipulators consolidated the realm. For the good of the people, and accidentally themselves? Yet the ethos from the original narrative was indeed the entire point. The stories state very plainly these were extremely real people who sacrificed everything they had to create the world they felt was most beneficial to all, what we'd call "right, just." But the joke, the fact, and the truth lies in that *WE* really are all of these people. We're the selfish asshole. We're the struggling sibling trying to keep her parent's broken family afloat. We're the broken Dad doing everything he can to protect his children, the Mother who doesn't know what to do save for the counsel of her loving Grandma. We're the damn stupid bullshit tales and stories that we listen to every day, and they mean *everything* because we give everything. *waves her hand tired, is very sick and exhausted* Jared, thanks for talking with me. Hollywood has gone out of its way to remove its heroes from their actions, in sort of a bizarre way of absolving everyone from anything. You are your actions because they were your choices, but if *EVERYTHING* around you tells you what/who you are instead of your demonstration of who/what you are? *waves tiredly* Here we are. Again I'm sorry, I'm.... very tired. We're.... at this weird horrifying point where everyone is screaming at all us that reality isn't what it is. Anyone who says reality isn't what it is, Christians, dolphins, anyone, are evil. Except for those who agree reality is what it is. (No exceptions)

[@smilingearth5181]

@@JohnGardnerAlhadis Which itself is a bit problematic: Western society is far, far too individualistic. We're so obsessed with individual freedom and identity that we're more than willing to sacrifice any sense of collective freedom and identity, and it shows in the media we make.

[@thisismyyoutubecommentacco6302]

@@smilingearth5181 How did you arrive at that conclusion? The issues we see today are people being too wrapped up in which victim group they belong to, or which minority demographic they "represent", these are examples of collectivist thinking, and you claim the issue is individualism? If your argument is that we've gotten away from collective identities that matter such as national identity or collective values then I agree with you, but this statement is way too broad.

[@RoninSkye24]

@@smilingearth5181 believing that individuality is causing these issues of people wanting to lump each other into categories and talk about how wins in the oppression competition between these groups is truly baffling to me. The issue is the opposite, people aren't viewing each other and themselves as individuals anymore. Instead they look at everyone they come across in life, sort them into whatever group they think they belong to, and then base their interactions with them off stereotypes and beliefs that they think befit that person's 'group' so to speak. If people would stop that dumb shit and realize that not every black person is a democrat, not every white person is a racist klan member, not every asian person is a mathematician, etc the world would be a better place. Then people could be seen by their merits, values, and their personal contributions to the world instead of by what boxes they check on some stupid arbitrary form someone creates in their head.

[@discman15]

2000: "I knew Tolkien personally, I'm here to carefully, respectfully depict his work" 2020: "never heard of him, I'm here to fix his work"

[@jamesthecat]

Yeah, probably just some gammon anyway. Time for me to shine!

[@quatore-5886]

Your strawman comment style is facile and childish

[@reddytoplay9188]

strawman?@@quatore-5886

[@RB-bd5tz]

@@quatore-5886The OP describes the modern entertainment industry perfectly.

[@guillermoelnino]

​@@quatore-5886 g o ba ck to y ou r mary sue

[@FedralBI]

"I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed." Breaks me every time.

[@GreyhawkTheAngry]

Now more than ever!

[@MultiDarkElf]

The language these characters speak is a work of art.

[@Langley_Ackerman19]

​@@GreyhawkTheAngryAgree, Rest In Peace Bernard Hill.

[@LudwigPaiste28]

⚔️

[@robw7676]

Theoden's redemption culminating in the "forth, and fear no darkness!" speech before the charge of the Rohirim at the Pelanor Fields is one of the best portrayed aspects of the original trilogy. Bernard Hill was utterly magnificent. It always makes me think of the charge of the Polish heavy cavalry lead by King John III Sobieski to lift the Ottoman siege of Vienna.

[@acerimmer8338]

"My friends, you bow to no one." Not only does that make me cry every time, but it succinctly sums up the entire LOTR trilogy. Truly the apex of filmmaking.

[@IrishMan441]

I just got misty eyed reading this.

[@tyrellthiel2201]

I am guaranteed to sob, every time.

[@BulletproofGOAT]

I feel it in my chest every fricking time!

[@katashley1031]

I bawled my eyes out throughout ROTK but that was where the ugly cry began, lol.

[@gabriellynch2764]

I say that that is the best line ever delivered in film.

[@tinose]

My wife just died due to her illness and after she got diagnosed more than 5 years ago she prepared notes about how her funeral should be like. She said that these were her favorite movies even as a child and as she struggled with her illness she was captured by the way all of the characters in the movies fight so bravely against the dark which reminded her of herself. She noted that even tough not everyone could celebrate victory in this realm, good prevailed because of this bravery. Her favorite quote was the conversation between Gandalf and Pippin: “PIPPIN: I didn't think it would end this way.
GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?
GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
PIPPIN: Well, that isn't so bad.
GANDALF: No. No, it isn't.” So thank you Lotr for inspiring my late wife to have fought so brave for a couple more years…

[@kdog5041]

I hope she found her green fields

[@TheYogaDen]

I'm sorry to read your story, thanks for sharing it. I hope you're doing okay. Take care :-)

[@arctother5176]

This brought a tear to the eye as it really does show how inspiring the characters struggles can be.

[@prince-solomon]

My condolences, buddy. Her soul sailed off to the next adventure. Stay strong!!!!, a loss like this will never heal, but it will get better over time, believe me.

[@averybryant6997]

WOW..an epic journey in the real...may your wife rest in peace.

[@beerdragon4583]

“Evil cannot create anything new, but can only corrupt and ruin what good forces have invented or made.” -Tolkien

[@jub7345]

Tolkien adapted that from Satan

[@wreagfe]

@@jub7345 ?

[@mjolnir_swe]

When did he say that tho?

[@jeck988]

@@mjolnir_swesomething about a quote from the Bible about how Satan can’t create only corrupt and destroy

[@cmln2413]

@@jub7345 Actually I believe Peter Jackson adopted that philosophy from Satan

[@andysun73]

From the very first minute of the film, you knew something special was happening. "The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air."

[@hal64738]

The music, the voice, the elven voices in the background, GOOSE BUMPS EVERYTIME I SEE THE INTRO

[@hippiecheezburger5457]

Those words are simply true today the way that there is truth in fantasy is why I really love LOTR the storytelling is my favorite

[@Kowalski089]

You know what’s stood out to me recently regarding the LOTR trilogy versus many modern movies and TV shows? How dirty the cast is while filming. Viggo Mortensen would live in his costume, go fishing in it, wearing it in and looking like a man who has been in the bush his whole life. Sean Bean would hike up the mountains in full costume to film early in the morning because he was afraid of flying. So when they got to filming, the actors were covered in grit and sweat, and you could see their blood was pumping in the way a long camping trip will do to you. It looked, it felt, so real.

[@Olivia-W]

This, exactly. Along with the realism and subtle detail of the clothes they wore- because they were effectively clothes, not costumes. Supposedly much of the detail can't be seen on camera... but it absolutely is, in the subtle ways it affects how the actors move, the ways the fabric moves, the different way light scatters on embroidery and detail on armor. Our brains pick all of that up. Lord of the Rings feels real because it is real, because the tiny details our brain expects are there.

[@Dominic-jr3on]

i think Legolas was the only clean ish one out of the fellowship but it makes sense. you even see him walking onto of snow when the rest are up to their necks . Ahsoka has that issue where its all to clean and perfect and looks wrong. you know it shouldnt be like that, like with poor cgi faces (despite the other issues it has)

[@iogssothoth666]

Yeah. Contrast that with Wheel of time, where not only the costumes are ugly as fuck, but there is a time lapse of three fucking months of tracking in the wild but their costumes are as spotless as if they came out of the cleaner, not a speck of dust or mud on them. This series was a complete joke. Adapted properly, the wheel of time has the potential to eclipse LoTR, GoT and Star Wars, in term of cultural impact and money making. Amazon gave it the panderverse treatment, with a director who actively hated the fans and the source and sought to use it to prop up THE MESSAGE, and currently, it sits somewhere between Xena and Hercules. What a waste.

[@TheGeneralGrievous19]

Good analysis, Kowalski. 🐧👍

[@royw-g3120]

Only noticed recently but when Princess Leia comes out of the trash compactor her white dress is spotless!

[@plainbagel9192]

Having Ian McKellen and Christopher Lee on set was almost like having source material consultants.

[@emirlsanchos6302]

Christopher was the true Tolkien scholar, having met Tolkien on multiple occasions in the past in addition to knowing all the ins and outs, top to bottom, of the author's lore.

[@Fulphilment]

@@emirlsanchos6302 Christopher Lee was a real opera and metal bad-ass. I learned about his achievements long after his death. His role in these movies is immortalizing him more than his role in the Star Wars prequels or any other of the over 260 roles (he's a Guinness record holder up until this day).

[@Stevie-L-n8g]

While they ignored them!

[@Lennis01]

Years ago, Christopher Lee was sort of earmarked to play Gandalf if live-action LotR movies were ever made. Peter Jackson was unaware of this unspoken agreement, however, and Ian McKellan was cast in the role instead. It was sort of a happy accident. I'm sure Lee would have killed it as Gandalf, but what we actually got was no less epic. And who else could have played Saruman so well?

[@mikearchibald744]

@@Lennis01 Uh, earmarked by who? I was around long enough to know of message boards in the nineties, it was Sean Connery first and last that people talked about.

[@niks5643]

Just rewatched the trilogy not two weeks ago. I still tear up when Aragorn, King of Men and most perfect male role model to ever exist, says to the Hobbits "My friends, you bow to no one" and kneels before them. Everything he's done and he still honors and elevates others. They don't make 'em like they used to; movies, or men in movies.

[@dukelavish]

The moment I watched this, the scene of him bowing came up... Perfect timing 😁

[@thespacesbetweenstudio3346]

Showing such humility also elevated Aragorn

[@highadmiralbittenfield9689]

"He who exalts himself shall be humbled. He who humbles himself shall be exalted."

[@cmcculloch1]

I agree completely - that beautiful score coming in surely doesnt hinder the emotion in that scene or the viewer either

[@cazd4590]

Yup that part gets me bad every time

[@happysaffa8871]

I was 19 in 2001 when fellowship came out but my mom came to visit me in my home city and we went to go watch it together( We lived in different cities/countries). She had a VHS rental store in a small town, so movies were our thing. She had always taken me to movies or shown me movies to engage my emotions( Godfather, American history X, Goodfellas. Sophie's choice...) But I had the privilege to take her to all 3 LOTR movie premiers. We cheered and cried together every December when it came out. I miss my mom and I miss good movies like these.

[@wesleymitchell2460]

This film made my father, who was a mechanic and a man’s man through and through, ask a million questions to his teenage son that he had very little in common with. For me, it was a rare moment where my father and I really connected for the first time and where he took interest in something I loved.

[@antithoughtpolice7497]

Ahhhhh, that's so cute!

[@jasondowns940]

Man I had the same experience, and that’s why these movies are so special for so many people

[@chrisseymour2848]

Thats cool. I can ask my dad whether Ungoliant and Shelob are aliens or demons and have a 15 minute discussion about it.

[@kirstenirwin9084]

That's the sweetest thing I've read all day.

[@SautterFilm]

My dad showed me the films after I read the books at 16 years old. Those are some of my most treasured memories.

[@bottwaandcalover]

My dad randomly picked up the fellowship of the ring in high school, back in the 60's. It sucked him in and he became a Tolkien fan, and it changed his life and how he felt about literature. He made sure all three of his kids were raised on this classic trilogy. I remember him reading me The Hobbit to fall asleep to when i was 5 years old. When the movies came out, my good ol' dad took all of us kids to see them, and even though there was no Tom Bombadil, we were completely blown away. I was 13 when Fellowship came out and seeing Gandalf and Aragorn played so damn well and so well cast blew my little mind. My dad passed in 2019, and left us all some very good memories. R.I.P dad. Thanks for reading me to sleep all those years ago.

[@mbp2059]

This is beautiful. May he rest in peace!

[@markmunroe-hz8rf]

Believe it or not, when Return of the King ended in my cinema in my home isle of Trinidad, many of the patrons clapped. That goes to show what a classic the 📼 films were and still is.

[@spankynater4242]

Kinda weird, it was just a book.

[@juanjoseleonvarea2495]

@@spankynater4242 There are books that change your life, that make you discover ideas, places that do not exist, characters that motivate you and define you as a person, especially when you are very young.

[@mbp2059]

​@@spankynater4242 It was more than a book; it was the embodiment of a way of life. Tolkien viewed Sam as the true hero of the story. “At last they rode over the downs and took the East Road, and then Merry and Pippin rode on to Buckland; and already they were singing again as they went. But Sam turned to Bywater, and so came back up the Hill as day was ending once more. And he went on, and there was yellow light, and fire within; and the evening meal was ready, and he was expected. And Rose drew him in, and set him in his chair, and put little Elanor upon his lap. He drew a deep breath. ‘Well, I’m back,’ he said.”

[@zpopinfresh]

You want to talk about the LOTR actor's dedication and NOT mention Sean Bean? A man who was afraid of flying, so would get up super early, get into costume, and then HIKE to the set locations in the mountains? The man is a beast, and responsible for the first time I wept in a cinema after watching Boromir die.

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

I think the reason Boromir is such a successful character, with such a potent and powerful death, is because he's the true "everyman" insert; making human mistakes with the RIGHT intentions - finding the BEST of himself at the end - giving EVERYTHING he is for what he believes, for his position It is _ourselves_ we see dying in that forest... and it hurts

[@JulOyt]

Hearing the cast and crew watched Sean In costume as Boromir hiking as they flew past over him is hilarious.

[@YT1300MF]

@@unbearifiedbear1885so true! He is very relatable because he is the most fallible. He doesn’t have any magic or special abilities. I love his character for much the same reason I love Theodin. I still get misty eyed every time I see the final scene with Boromir in Fellowship. His courage and strength even while he’s dooming over the fate of men, only for Aragorn to finally recognize him as a brother, it’s all just pitch perfect, and sadly something current media is incapable of producing.

[@Mr-Bogs]

If there's one death I wish I could reverse in LOTR, it would be Boromir's. I understand it's important for the story, but man would it have been a treat to see 3 movies of Sean Bean in Middle Earth! I feel like he's such an underrated and forgotten actor

[@Ironica82]

"The mightiest man might be slayed by one arrow, Boromir was pierced by many" - Pippen That quote right there shows how much of a GOAT Boromir was.

[@paulbenthin8946]

10:18 “Hollywood is a very different place now…but you know what isn’t different?!? The audience. There’s still the same longing, new worlds, heroic characters…” so well said! Totally agree

[@mathewhegan4606]

I worked on the films over several years and it was exactly like this. We knew we were working on something huge and special and we were ALL so committed to doing it justice. It's all we talked about at craft tables, it's all we thought about while shooting and it felt like the whole country was behind it. We'd trek all over the country to be involved in anyway we could. I remember standing on a wall for hours with Rohan Royal Guard armour cutting into my shoulder so much I could barely think but it did not matter because what we were doing was spectacular. Holy crap the night shoots were a long slog but it was incredible fun, ever under the rain towers! Genuinely tough but everyone supported everyone else in making something miraculous. I could talk for hours about moments with the lead cast, or the sets, or our beautiful countryside, or the extras, or the crew and how much we all just pitched in to create this thing but it would literally take hours. Loved this piece drinker! Thanks!

[@jallakka7149]

Fantastic! What a great job you all did.

[@SugaryPhoenixxx]

Thank you for your contribution to these wonderful movies. It means a lot to me, these films are so special to my heart.

[@isphus]

Do it. Make a video with some of the stories, doesn't have to be hours long. Then do more when we keep pestering you for it.

[@doomsdaybooty1072]

It's so bloody awesome all you kiwis crushed it soooo hard. My friends, you bow to no one.

[@raedwulf61]

We thank you for your service.

[@joshmciver4847]

I can never be said enough how much of absolute manly man Viggo was on and off the set. Went fishing between takes, wore his sword and costume into town, deflected a knife thrown at his face... The list is endless, and he just... Did it.

[@KangwithoutaKangdom]

Even a little girl watching this, he started rustling Jimmies I didn't know I had yet🤣

[@pierluigidipietro8097]

A real knife, you know. There was an error in the set, and the knife was headed to his face, thrown at full force. The blade struck the knife so hard that the sparkles are real. That was the sign that some superior power was watching over the movie and the actors. Or that Viggo was really Aragorn in another universe. The actor interpreting the Uruk-Hai almost passed away knowing what peril was just avoided.

[@TrueFork]

It's probably thanks to his familiarizing with the sword so much that he survived

[@taylormoore4189]

Don't forget Sean Bean climbing up a mountain in costume to get to the filming location because he didn't want to take the helicopter again

[@codyvandal2860]

He also speaks like 7 languages

[@noahschnee3788]

Perfect story, acting, production, etc…probably the most well executed movie adaptation ever.

[@user-yl1xy5eg7b]

Best of all? They didn't include the ghastly songs and poems that so ruined the BBC's excellent radio production, years before it.

[@strategery101]

We have to give Tolkein a ton of credit for his incredible story and rich history and depth of character. As well as Peter Jackson for his amazing direction and NONE of the garbage "meta" "jokes" like the MsheU

[@flyboy6392]

@@strategery101 also Sir Christopher Lee and Sir Ian McKellen were hitting with the "This is what the book says"

[@strategery101]

@@flyboy6392 Absolutely. They personally loved this story as well. And you can tell from their passion in the acting. Christopher Lee has said how he first read the books in the 50s and fell in love with them

[@washingtonradio]

@@flyboy6392 I think Peter Jackson loved Tolkein so having others on set with the same love of the material was probably something special. I get the feeling the love of Tolkein meant they were trying to stay as close to Tolkein as they could.

[@luisabolado]

“hollywood used to depict heroic actions, now they can only see heroic identities” perfect quote, what an accurate, to the point description of the (sad) world we live in today. brava👏👏

[@olkid]

The feelings of love, warmth and sheer wonder that these films evoke in me will never be beaten. Masterpieces.

[@strategery101]

The last TRUE classics to be made. 20 years later not even close to being equaled

[@hatchhermit77]

All these years later and they still invoke those feelings in me. Few things do anymore.

[@paulprovenzano3755]

This story lived in my heart for almost half a century before it saw the theaters (discounting the bakshi horror). I didn’t think any movies could live up to that kind of expectation, but this one did.

[@skeletorlikespotatoes7846]

Not true. It absolutely can be beaten. Unless people simply refuse to admit the truth.

[@LawfulBased]

This makes me so sad. 😟 What golden times these were. How could our timeline go so wrong? I miss the happyness I felt back then.

[@TheKokendope]

I was 11 when the fellowship of the ring came out. My dad surprised me and pulled me out of school early to go see it with a coworker/friend of his. He told me at the time I had a dentist appointment he was taking me to. It seemed weird but I believed it, right up to the point where we were walking into the movie theater lobby. I thought there was a tiny little dentist office in there somewhere. My dad has never done anything like that before or since, it's something I would have expected of my mom maybe. And then we walked into the actual theater. I'll never ever forget it. People dressed up in costume as wizards hobbits and elves, cheering when the opening sequence started, people literally crying at the end. Man what a memory that was, one of the best I have of my whole life. Needless to say I've been an enormous LOTR nerd ever since. Youre right Drinker, that was it. Movies will never again come close to that level of epic

[@miltonhayek2494]

That's an awesome story. I might do that with my own kids sometime. Thanks.

[@fuzzysleeves6886]

Sounds like a good father. Gave you something more valuable for your life than that day of school would have My dad once had my principal pull me out of class so he could ask me over the phone if I wanted Mercenaries World in Flames for the PS2. I did.

[@You-vv1xv]

Man I wish I had that typa experience, I guess my generation has godzilla minus one though which ain’t so bad

[@MasonBryant]

I find it strange how people were dressing up as characters of the lord of the rings before they even saw the Jackson films. 🤔

[@dandimerman]

thanks for sharing! 😃

[@christopherfleming7505]

I watched the trilogy recently with my 15-year-old daughter, who has grown up on Marvel superhero movies. She was totally blown away by LOTR. She literally said: "why don't they make films like this anymore?" She never complained about a lack of "strong female characters". From the minute Eowyn came on screen she was in love with the character, and cheered when she killed the witch king of Angmar.

[@lemon__j]

That's great to hear.

[@rabronin]

Well to answer her question, you can just say, "Because there's no talent left in hollywood."

[@stephenmontague6930]

I keep ruminating on when to watch the trilogy with my daughters - the oldest is 8 years old now, hard to say when it's time. I also wonder when I might read the stories with her. Reading the Hobbit should be alright anytime, I guess, if she's patient. I wonder - will the beauty here be recognized by future generations? I'm happy to say, at least for now, that my eldest daughter loves Calvin & Hobbes (recently introduced), so she's off to a good start.

[@gladiatorscoops4907]

I have a 3 year old and 1 year old daughters and I cant wait to watch the extended trilogy with them when they are older. We will make a weekend of it, order pizza, get the missis to stay at her parents and introduce them to the greatest movie trilogy of all time.

[@JT-mt6ku]

It’s shockingly my wife’s favorite series outside of Harry Potter, we watch the extended trilogy twice a year

[@nikolaostheocharis]

The intro of The Fellowship of the Ring still is the best opening sequence in any film ever created...

[@iorethofgondor]

yes. Darkness and Elvish ...

[@ethenallen1388]

Part of the reason Tolkien's story worked was because it's themes are timeless: finding strength in unexpected places, men who are not afraid to cry over the death of a friend, people with old quarrels learning that they have things in common, and the price of war no matter how necessary it is.

[@katashley1031]

It's the classic hero's journey, used since the beginning of recorded history to inspire and uplift.

[@RedQueenCreative_Roxie]

THIS

[@chazzitz-wh4ly]

I watched the extended versions, and the scene with Theoden crying after burying his son, you just felt that anguish of a father. It reminds me that war may have a lot of unknown names and faces, but those who died we loved by someone and they lost that person.

[@deangelisdata]

You forgot the most important part, and that is Sean Bean is still Sharpe...

[@aidanjanemcintosh6919]

and that whether a single goblin or one giant feckin elephant are both still only count as one

[@someguysname7121]

"Since it is so likely that (children) will meet cruel enemies, let them at least have heard of brave knights and heroic courage. Otherwise you are making their destiny not brighter but darker." - CS Lewis

[@fyrchmyrddin1937]

The "Everyone's so blandly agreeable, so non-confrontational and careful not to say anything offensive" at 6:20 is entirely by design. The "Communist" East (China & Russia/USSR) embarked on the "puzzyfication" of the Progressive West starting before WW2, and we've seen it come to fruition with modern "woke" culture.

[@Krysnha]

Already is dark, i was watching a report, yesterday in modernity with Paul jhosef watson, that in western countrys young adults are nervous even ordering food, they cant face even a remotee challenge, and feel threaten by everithing, and worst, now, thanks to the constant feminism things, only one in three men are having sex, and majority of men no longer even desire any kind of relashionship, is the end, a cicle will start and there is nothing to stop it, is mouse utopia

[@inendlesspain4724]

This might explain why zoomers are such a mess.

[@SatishALaudea]

those cruel enemies are now hiding under rainbow flag

[@rogthepirate4593]

That is a beautiful quote, and one I never knew of before now. And it's very, very true.

[@rolytnz]

Like about 10,000 other New Zealanders, I worked on these movie and was lucky enough to be in front of the camera, as a "scale double". I am in the credits :) While my work was only in a few scenes and brief, the experience was amazing and you could see that everyone had a real drive to deliver the perfect product for the guy at the top, Peter Jackson. He had high expectations of everyone and they delivered because 1) they got paid well and treated well for their time, skills, and merit; 2) he was an excpetional leader and managed people really well; a true example of how CEOs' should run their companies and treat people to get the most out of them. Of everyone, he led by example and probably worked the hardest and put the most hours every day. He staked his reputation and the outcome on that trilogy and it paid off making him a worldwide name. 12/10 would work for him again. *Mr. Drinker*, you need to review some of PJ's earlier movies: "Bad Taste" and "Meet The Feebles" were the first two, "The Frightners" is awesome, and was the movie that established Weta Digital. "Braindead" is just OTT and so funny.

[@elLooto]

_Meet the Feebles_ may just be my favorite Jackson film. "I got one leg missing... how do I get around?"

[@nikolausfiscaletti7893]

You don’t know how jealous I am that you got that experience haha

[@Tom-qp6oh]

Thank you for your service!!! Everyone loves Kiwis for this and for FOTC!

[@jacoblarson8113]

Super cool brother :)

[@paulloughlin3732]

What an amazing experience.

[@14habibs]

As a child of the 70s and 80s, how blessed I am to be able to say I was there for the Star Wars OT and also for the LotR trilogy! It truly was a time and while it doesn’t feel all that long ago, it’s a damn sad truth these movies couldn’t be made now.

[@LordTzeentch]

Aragorn is THE icon on how a man should be. Caring enough to put others before himself, but Headstrong enough to get the job done above all else. Brave enough to lead and take on odds that don’t favour him, but vulnerable enough that he will openly shed a tear for those he loves. Showing empathy for those that would be seen as lesser than him, whilst putting those feelings aside for himself to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of the group. Reserved enough to wait until it’s the ideal time to act, but also heroic to the point he will just throw himself in harms way if it meant that someone under his protection is safe. Best human character in all of fantasy fiction. Viggo IS Aragorn.

[@MiddleEarthGirl75]

💯

[@JoFa876]

He even made sure he KNEW how to use a sword, for the part. Viggo is the GOAT.

[@jonathansoko1085]

Aragorn is black now, and im so happy for it. They fixed the problematic books with that, and in rings of power. ROP literally fixed the racist trash from the books

[@jcrossover600]

Nobody is falling for that bait lil man

[@Leeham03]

Please, no one bother replying to the melt above us. He definitely lacks the brain cells required for a proper discussion

[@siheath3648]

My father used to read Lord of the rings to me as a child, then as an adult I took him to the movie theatre to watch the trilogy. To see his face light up watching them, to hear him talk about it like he was a child again is a memory I will always cherish.

[@wcw2793]

Same! It was a really magical moment getting to see those films in theaters with my dad. It's still a good time when we sit down to watch the Extended Editions during Christmas time.

[@bpmcmanson8701]

Same, though because we knew the books, certain things in the movie were sad to see changed, the one that really got us was Isealdor's sword, in the books Arogorn reforges and renames it himself in the first book when he first sees it in Rivendell but in the movies the elves reforge it for him and he doesn't get it till towards the end of the 3rd movie. In the books that sword scared the orcs so bad that in the second book during the battle of helms deep, just pulling the sword out scared a whole battalion of orcs away from the battle

[@djvranish]

How old were you when he read them to you? Was it too young or? I have kids and want to read it to them someday.

[@wcw2793]

@@djvranish my dad read The Hobbit to me when I was 5 or 6.

[@Gus-il4bx]

@@wcw2793 My family does the same too. Every Christmas we Watch the Extended edition's on Blu-Ray. Good thing for the holidays considering each movie is around 3 and a half hours long. lol 🙂

[@MegaInferGoku19617]

"We were not interested in putting our message into it. We were focused on putting Tolkien's message into it."-Peter Jackson Very wise words my friend.

[@filippians413]

Based.

[@LionTamerAV23]

Amen! Can we get that playing on a loop?

[@Unpainted_Huffhines]

And "Rings of Power" was made with the _exact polar opposite_ of that spirit.

[@SenorSalubrious]

Shame he went against his own word and rewrite Return of The King

[@reek4062]

Movie apologism in a nutshell. PJ literally had Aragorn decapitate a diplomatic messenger during parley.

[@CarrionCrow993]

Im a nineties child but somehow missed out on TLOTR until this week. (I was a Harry Potter addict, and my copy of Lord of the Rings had tiny fuzzy print so i never read it).I set 4 hours a night aside and dived into the extended edition boxset. I was braced for a pleasant but played-out trilogy (because i will have inevitably seen copies of the themes and ideas in other films and books) but oh my goodness i didnt expect it to be so thickly plotted, well acted, and well shot. Really enjoyed it, and will probably watch the Fellowship again tonight. The Tolkien fandom has definitely gained another member.

[@wolfdreams1545]

"Hollywood used to depict heroic actions, now they can only see heroic identities." - Drinker, 2023 Hit the nail right on the head with that one, mate.

[@RobbieStacks90]

Steven Seagal is far and away the greatest action movie star in history. There will never be another actor who effortlessly portrays the tough guy while introducing the world to a wide range of Oriental fighting styles.

[@JonahsWail]

I don’t know if “heroic” identities is quite the right word though

[@arekpetrosian4965]

@@RobbieStacks90 I'm not sure if you're high, delusional or trolling. I'm going to go with trolling.

[@TheNightman.]

@@RobbieStacks90 definitely trolling, fail trolling at that

[@beanshady]

​@@arekpetrosian4965He's trolling or there's no hope for humanity lol

[@14ccr]

Honestly, the greatest trilogy of all time. I’ll never budge on that.

[@darkmistico]

Yeah... Fuck the star wars trilogy.... Tolkien is tha best of the best

[@Sandlund93]

@@darkmistico Star Wars is not even 2nd. That would be The Dark Knight. And The Godfather is on par with Star Wars, even if the 3rd part sucks. On the other hand, Star Wars is the franchise I love the most. But that's also thanks to the prequels and games like Jedi Outcast. It's the entirety of Anakin's story and Sheev's rise that makes it great, not just the OT.

[@jw3807]

No need to budge sir. You are absolutely correct in your assessment!

[@zalfir]

*pushes up glasses* *breathes in* THE BOOKS WERE BETTER

[@darkmistico]

@@Sandlund93 the star wars game Knights of the old republic when it came out.. it blew my mind.... imagine playing that fucking Masters of Teräs Käsi the shitty fighting game and then they give u a masterpiece like KOTOR

[@royw-g3120]

Also the risky but genius decision to film all three at once. This helped continuity, the teamwork in front and behind camera, and above all kept costs down as actors could not bump up their fees for the "sequels". This meant every cent of the budget went up on screen and there was no decline in quality across the three.

[@reek4062]

Too bad little effort was put in the script.

[@Dan_Dos_]

If I recall correctly they filmed only Two Towers and Return of the King back to back...

[@rossburney8713]

​@@Dan_Dos_ all three filmed at the same time

[@hariman7727]

@@reek4062 Well you're a wet blanket. Shoo. Shoo. Begone! Let people enjoy something beautiful without you spilling mud around it!

[@sjdrifter72]

@@reek4062 Wrong trilogy, bud. This isn't about the mediocre Hobbit films but is about the multi Oscar winning LOTR trilogy.

[@Boreale88107]

I was born in the late 80's and read the books when I was 12. I will always remember how these movies so deeply resonated with me when they came out. They still are, and always will be. Just listening to Howard Shore's music makes me emotional. The year FOTR came out, a few days before Christmas I discovered the DVD extended version with the commentaries (the green box) that my parents hid in a cupboard for me. I was in awe. I couldn't resist and watched it in secret before putting it back in place, to open it officially under the tree a few days after. When Return of King came out, we went to the premiere with a group of friends from school. We were so hyped and were not disappointed. Such a glorious time... the apex indeed.

[@NateTheScot]

There will NEVER again be a cinematic trilogy as truly epic as the LotR trilogy... and i feel so sorry for anyone who never got to see these masterpieces at the cinema at the time. They were just something else. The extended editions added an extra level to the already fantastic movies. Thank you Peter Jackson, and thank you J R R Tolkien!

[@ricardofilho2626]

I feel like, if there's something that can maybe hold a candle to LotR, it'll be the Dune adaptation by Villeneuve

[@KevinOnEarth_]

Well, they did show each film in theaters again the past couple of years for the 20th anniversary, so hopefully they got to.

[@charlesevanshughes3638]

@@ricardofilho2626Dune is great, but it’s also a cynical and deconstructionist story. Unlike Lord of the Rings, there isn’t heroism, friendship, or honor; Paul becomes a despot little different than the man who overthrew.

[@z9Vxk]

Return of the king at the movies dude..... wow

[@ricardofilho2626]

@@charlesevanshughes3638 sure, you're totally correct. I'm talking more about scale and epicness and respect for the source material, as well as great craftsmanship and an unique vision by it's director. I think Dune stands to the sci-fi genre as Lord of the Rings stands to the medieval fantasy genre and I'm so happy with what Villeneuve has done. He has a lot of love for practical effects and his adaptation feels very grounded. Like I said, it's the only thing I think can maaaaaybe hold a candle to LotR, which is in itself a towering achievement

[@ChrisS-vt8bw]

Orlando Bloom blogged some of his behind the scenes. It was amazing the respect and dedication he had for his role. He bonded with the horse prior to shooting and was sad when his bow broke because it had been with him through all the filming. It wasn't just Bloom, it was practically everyone on set from actors to set designers. People put their heart and soul into this film which is why it's still iconic.

[@katashley1031]

So true! And they lived together in a small town for 18 months, on the other side of the world, so the bonding which took place was real.

[@thisismyyoutubecommentacco6302]

Not to mention that hilarious "They're taking the hobbits to Isengard" song and subsequent meme lol.

[@chazzitz-wh4ly]

You can just feel the heart and soul poured into the movies. Watching all the extras and behind the scenes stuff just further emphasizes how absolutely committed the whole crew was to portraying Tolkien’s vision as best they can. It wasn’t about them, it was about Tolkien.

[@Jayskiallthewayski]

Especially cause he didn't get a lot of dough for it

[@marcusa.ragnos1041]

It was the trickle-down effect from great leadership: PJ, Phillipa Boyens, and Fran Walsh. They cared deeply, they hired others who cared that deeply, and they led everyone else to care that deeply.

[@stephenlanuto5993]

Viggo Mortensen actually deflected a dagger with his sword because the guy accidentally let go of the dagger. Viggo took his swordplay that seriously... he's a damned legend

[@taloscal]

yeah the Lurtz actors Makeup made it so he couldn't see properly, think he was supposed to throw the dagger to the side or at a tree and instead launched it right at Viggo by mistake.

[@Blisterdude123]

The guy nearly concussed himself doing headbutts with the Maori stuntmen after they did a Haka for him out of respect, purely because he didn't want to disrespect them.

[@cmln2413]

The prop dagger? How brave No Daisy Red Ryders allowed on set!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5jNgZRrf9CYmaM

[@stephenlanuto5993]

@@cmln2413 bravery was never the point, the point was that he had the wherewithal to accurately swat it away, he could have been injured even if it was a prop. ....Helen Keller is face-palming hard right now. Good job.

[@homeonegreen9]

​@@cmln2413A prop made of metal, it might not be sharp but still equals a rock being thrown at you.

[@sakadula]

The depth of your discernment and the eloquence of your delivery are a Gift. We all felt "IT" when we read the great epics, and thrilled at their faithful cinematic representation. You help us understand what we felt, and teach us how to say it.

[@NavyMMPHMA]

When you spoke about the men being believable, I was reminded of the story about Christopher Lee being directed by Peter J. on his acting while being stabbed. Lee responded "Have you any idea what kind of noise happens when somebody’s stabbed in the back? Because I do." People who live an actual life bring something special to their roles.

[@grot7x603]

Christopher Lee was the link between Tolkien's old world and the present day. The knowledge and experience of older generations is priceless.

[@katyamileya7194]

Remember Galadriel (the real one)'s scene in Fellowship of the Ring where Frodo offers her the Ring? We see her power where the Ring combined with her innate strength could make her a Dark Queen who could overthrow Sauron, her vulnerability where her temptation for the Ring could destroy all that she and her allies have been working for millennia to preserve, and the final triumph of good over evil within herself where she "passes the test" and declines the Ring. In literally ONE MINUTE we see Galadriel have more of a character arc in that short "Fellowship of the Ring" scene than in hours of screen time from "The Rings of Power."

[@aliasalias510]

Usually, with things like that I say something like "Yeah, thats a little stretched - its not that bad". But it literally is like that xD Zero Character development in one whole season haha.

[@michiveritas1420]

Spot on! 😉🙂

[@JayBigDadyCy]

Totally agree. I have to admit that as someone who is sober for a long time, that short scene always reminds me strongly of how difficult it is to refuse something so tempting. A weird analogy for most, probably, but that's how I feel about it.

[@michiveritas1420]

@@JayBigDadyCy Not at all, mate... I can totally understand where you're coming from/what you mean - the strength of that temptation, that people with no understanding couldn't possibly comprehend, which is so all-encompassing/overpowering😉🙂

[@Lemaus433]

Superb analysis and well written. When I have a cognitive thought like that I can never seem to put those thoughts into words without writing a novel. GGs

[@SomeYouTubeTraveler]

My late grandpa was one of the old-school Tolkien fans, an avid reader with basically a whole library in his basement, and he _never_ watched movies. Hated them with a passion. But we did manage to drag him out of his study to watch these 3 movies in theaters before he passed away. He complained the whole time after each one was over, telling us all about how much they left out or changed or whatever... but still, to our surprise, he came back each year to watch the next. These films truly are the peak of all cinema. The undefeated greatest movies of all time. And personally, I'm glad they were something my old Middle-Earth-lovin' movie-hatin' grandpa was satisfied to see in their entirety. Also, he died before The Hobbit came out, so I'm glad for his sake he dodged that bullet!

[@AlchemistOfNirnroot]

What an awesome guy :D

[@LizardSkin]

The hobbit is a great watch these days… the standard has fallen so far the hobbit is pretty much a masterpiece.

[@AlchemistOfNirnroot]

@@LizardSkin nah, The Hobbit is still a travesty.

[@jez76]

I don’t think he’d approved of 48fps and a story once fitted in a pamphlet stretched into an 18 hour movie.

[@SomeYouTubeTraveler]

@@LizardSkin Ouch... so true it hurts. Kinda like looking back on the Star Wars Prequel trilogy in the light of the Sequels, except they actually had some great things about them

[@TheEternallyAggrieved1999]

“Evil cannot create anything new, but can only corrupt and ruin what good forces have invented or made.” ~Tolkien

[@CustomStoryGatherers]

not to forget to add that Christopher Lee personally met Tolkien and WASNT afraid to voice his concerns and grievances with director's decisions in the film. We almost had an Aragorn vs Sauron showdown, luckily this got scrapped after protests.

[@jackdimambro484]

Glad to see this comment- so many interviews where he talks about how had to 'educate' Jackson throughout the process. I particularly love the iconic one about the sound someone makes when they're stabbed....since he'd done it himself😂 what a man

[@emirlsanchos6302]

I remember a post-wrap interview with him after Return Of The King was finished where he expressed dismay at learning his character's death scene was cut from the theatrical version. Despite the extended editions, Christopher figured it wasn't the same if it wasn't witnessed on the big screen.

[@Ariana321]

Christopher Lee was also meant to be playing Gandalf rather than Saruman, at least according to *Tolkien himself.* Though, it still worked out in the end.

[@TheCreamRisesToTheTop]

@@jackdimambro484he hadn’t been stabbed himself, he did the stabbing. He was the real life inspiration for James Bond, which his nephew wrote.

[@jackdimambro484]

@@TheCreamRisesToTheTop shit yeah you're actually totally right, my bad

[@cfban]

I remember the silence in the theater when king Theoden gave his speech. It was packed, but you could hear a pin drop. I was ten years old at the time, clutching the armrests of my seat. Then they started shouting "Death! Death!", and couldn't help but whisper in a low voice along with them "Death! Death!". Then the charge began and the music changed, and there were violins. And in that moment I got tears in my eyes; not tears of sadness, but of awe at the heroism on display. I wanted to be there, to be a Rohirrim charging into battle, following the king. I read the books soon after watching the last film. To this day they are my favorite books, and my favorite movies. Edit: it looks like this comment resonated with many of you. Thank you everyone! I'm happy to see that my experience was shared by so many of you.

[@Noobmaster-xp7rb]

You sure write like you have read those books. You write well. God bless

[@adamjenkins7653]

And Tolkien considered that his weakest scene. Hail the professor! Long may his works be remembered.

[@cfban]

@@adamjenkins7653 a brilliant man cannot be right about everything, can he? I'll take the modest popularity of this comment as an opportunity to invite everyone to read the rest of his work. Poems, short stories, and of course The Silmarillion. It's a treasure trove of beauty. Tolkien was a genuinely good man, and through fantasy he conveyed truth about the world in a more meaningful way that our modern obsession with "realism" could ever dream about. When I read Tolkien, I thought that I was a big fan of the fantasy genre. After reading other authors, I realize that I actually dislike fantasy as a genre. But I like Tolkien. Because it's not just fantasy, but a higher rendition of reality. Tolkien uses knights, dragons and dark lords to speak clearly of truth that is often muddied in our complicated lives. It's not just fantasy books, but actual wisdom like is found in the stories of old. Perhaps that is how fantasy ought to be, after all.

[@Shoot4Nothing]

@@cfban Yeah, that's a good point. Tolkien was trying to write a Myth for Britain much like King Arthur, iirc. He wasn't doing D&D.

[@Beregond1861]

I tell people that Tolkien's trilogy of LOTR books are my 67th, 68th and 69th favorite books after the Bible. I sometimes wish I was old enough to have seen the films in theaters, but I was like 2 or 3 when Fellowship dropped lol.

[@TheGeneralGrievous19]

In my opinion The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy is undoubtedly the best movie trilogy ever created. It is a masterpiece. Everything about them is so well done - the story, the characters, the pacing & the direction, the special effects, the music, the atmosphere, the costumes & scenography. No other movies gave me so much emotions as well, I teared up during every single one of them and I don't often cry at movies. Thank You J.R.R. Tolkien, and thank You Peter Jackson and all of those who worked on the LotR trilogy. 💚

[@daisysunshine1324]

I cried at the end of the trilogy. I was simply sad that the films were done.

[@The1stDukeDroklar]

I agree 100%. I cannot think of another trilogy of movies that even comes close.

[@OffendEveryoneImmediately]

It’s a shame that The hobbit trilogy didn’t live up to the greatness of LOTR. It had the potential to be the second greatest thing. It should’ve been. The book is actually great, and I promise you that your imagination does a better job at bringing that story to life than the movies.

[@Traumatree]

@@OffendEveryoneImmediatelyI disagree here. The Hobbit movies are as awesome as LotR, except there are no dumb moments in it.

[@grimnar6725]

I like the hobbit. But I didn't when they were released. In retrospect I was being unfair to them because nothing could compare to the LOTR trilogy which came before it. And it still doesn't. But it's better than I gave it credit for at the time.

[@Fanta4Four]

Bro, I literally got goosebumps while listening to you. Nailed it! Thank you!

[@thanosandnobill3789]

To the creators of Lord of the Rings Trilogy... My friends, you bow to no one!

[@johnwerkheiser5555]

Apropos

[@michaelleitner1245]

Perfect comment!!!

[@DaDude2011]

Peter Jackson’s crew and Weta Workshop. Absolutely legendary, all star combination of a team that can not be beat.

[@Unicornpirate]

Jackson also made The Hobbit trilogy. So yeah...

[@cmln2413]

Yet bend over for every $

[@LesWhinen]

Another thing to keep in mind about Fellowship of the Ring, especially if you're American, is that it was the first movie people actually went to see after 9/11. The country was still in shock, and I remember how excited young people were at the time and how the movie raised people's morale. Certainly that the story is a moral tale had something to do with it as well. For me, I had just joined the Navy aviation pipeline, and even though it's a fantasy story, it managed to give pathos to the many hardships we knew the coming conflict had in store for us. It meant a lot. I remember 9/11, obviously, but like you, I also remember walking out of the theater with my brother and some friends and feeling something like I did before the two towers fell.

[@TheGeoDaddy]

“Lord of the Rings” premiered in December 2001 - and all I could think about was my co-worker/friend who went on and in about How Peter Jackson was gonna “DO THIS RIGHT!” He perished in the rumble of the North Tower and never had a chance to see the FANTASTIC result…. Perhaps? If there is a Heaven and some dramatic Justice in this Universe….

[@Ditronus.]

Raised morale? The movie's ending is probably the saddest I've ever seen haha.

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

@@Ditronus. Yes... but we all knew there was much more to come, and the day would eventually become brighter.

[@jeremyvettech5562]

Damn I had forgotten about that

[@GrimTheDestroyer]

So that's why the second movie is called the two towers

[@standoughope]

It blows me away how well LotR aged... just the opening sequence _still_ gives me goosebumps, especially when Galadriel says "The world is changed; I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, I can smell it in the air.". I usually watch it every year to remind myself of a time when blokes could make a film that moved me emotionally.

[@frankspeakmore7104]

That opening sequence set the scene so well and the film that followed was and is the best out of the three.

[@alberteinstein5421]

Gave me goosebumps just reading the beginning of the quote :D

[@jonathansoko1085]

Rings of power blows ALL of that away. Im so happy we have it, ROP will be hailed from hundreds of years and noone will ever talk about the racist jackson films

[@Mr.Honest247]

@@frankspeakmore7104Nah FOTR or ROTK was the best. Hard to choose though. TTT was also excellent no doubt.

[@Mr.Honest247]

@@jonathansoko1085Crack is bad for you obviously by the nonsense you typed.

[@DanRonin05]

“I would have followed you my brother, my captain, my king”. Makes me well up every time.

[@phoenixdzk]

"I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you". Greatest line of all time and the best words you can give a friend when they hit rock bottom

[@spiffygonzales5160]

"But you've left out one of the chief characters. Samwise the brave! I want to hear more about Sam.... ...frodo would never have gotten far without Sam.." :)

[@miguelluna5650]

That line taught me a valuable lesson, instead of wanting to have a friend like Samwise Gamgee; I should strive to BE a friend like Samwise. 😌

[@junglemoose2164]

Probably the stupidest moment in film history. Jackson is a poor director. That scene was dripping with overwrought melodrama unfit for even the cheapest soap opera. But PJ is incapable of anything remotely resembling subtlety.

[@gregshock]

@@junglemoose2164: Please! Peter Jackson accomplished more with these three movies than the vast majority of film makers will or have accomplished in their entire lives. He’s a genius.

[@GreenClassified]

Dammit, goosebumps.

[@0That_Guy0]

The "Behind the Scenes" material for these movies are almost as amazing to watch as the movies themselves. I am blown away by the dedication, the talent and the love they put behind every detail that went into this trilogy!

[@reek4062]

A lot of effort went into the score, the sets, costumes, visuals and the acting and performances. Unfortunately, little effort went into the most important thing of them all: the script.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

The chainmail guy alone was worth watching the behind the scenes. The fact he sat at a table for hour upon hour to hand make everything is unreal.

[@patrickd2360]

Christopher Lee's beautiful and heartfelt speech to the cast and crew after they had finished making these incredible films always sticks with me. He was the voice of the fans, who actually knew Tolkien

[@Seronns]

linky??? never heard it!!

[@Fedaygin]

@@Seronns Same.. Gotta have it ^^

[@skrappothemonster1436]

LINK, NOW

[@Fliegenpilzkonsument]

I'd love to hear that too

[@LeeBrasher]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zmm8mJ1pia-fb9k

[@cherihoward9864]

My teenage children and I watched all of these when they came out. Every year we looked forward to seeing them. December, we all chipped in to buy tickets. There was always 5-6 of us.

[@alexfunke214]

I spent Xx years on LOTR and in over fifty years behind the camera, it was the most magical work I have ever done. Thanks for your elegant commentary on it!

[@HammersChatForum]

And thank you for filming my favourite movies Alex. I watch them repeatedly with my daughter. Have a great Christmas

[@rockiesbouldering]

You are a goddam genius Alex!

[@traiviator]

Thanks for your work, Alex!

[@panpiper]

Thank you for the gift you've given the world.

[@alexfunke214]

@classifiedtopsecret4664 And thank you , My Director, for the chance to be part of that amazing world!💙

[@TheGeneralGrievous19]

"The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it." And thus greatest movie trilogy of all time begins....

[@Jacob011]

Those words had me hooked from the very start in ways I could never have understood as a young 12 year old sitting in a cinema, after having stood for 2 hours in a que to get the ticket and then wait for another week before I could sit my butt in front of the big screen. Ah, those were the times!

[@thecoach3577]

Eowyn’s iconic “I am no man” moment is one of the most hype moments in cinema in my opinion. And it’s mysteriously not cringey or annoying. I wonder why 🤔

[@roukerasati9611]

One of the things has to be- from the time we first saw her, she's not some obnoxious chick. She's an underdog, and someone who her brother and uncle both warned her "Don't go joining us out on the battlefield. This stuff is dangerous. Live in case we don't for the sake of the people." When facing the Witch King, she wasn't acting holier then thou. No. She was *terrified* you could see it in her face, her eyes. This is someone we can support because she's just a normal woman.

[@peterk2735]

@@roukerasati9611 Not only that, she brings Merry along with her. Two characters, who have no right to be in the battle in the first place, Theoden explicitly forbids them from riding with him. But in the end, they are the ones who defend his broken body from the Witch King and bring down one of the most terrifying villains in the story.

[@eldorama]

I think that line epitomized the prophesy that “no man can kill” that Ring Wraith until she revealed “I am no man!” Dead. Loved that scene.

[@hrthrhs]

Agree with what's being said here. Her character earned the audience's respect through how she was written to how she was acted. Furthermore, the rest of the trilogy didn't try to push a pro-female message, so a little bit of that "you go girl" in and overall brilliant trilogy didn't annoy anyone.

[@XiyuYang]

She was a strong female character, not a female strong character.

[@lauralouiseticehurst9381]

I commented a while ago, and reading all these comments again, makes me realise. We cannot, absolutely, must not lose cinema. Or the power of cinema! We mustn't become so reliable on streaming services to watch movies. There's nothing like going to see a film on the big screen, the raw emotions, the love when you discover a new movie or franchise. Cinema contributes to our love of movies and escapism. Please let's all continue to support local cinema!

[@ingafane8978]

I am a black woman and was introduced to LOTR by my dad. I have said for many years those are some of the best movies of all TIME period…I love them and understand the meaning of it all and the lack of diversity in the movie was never an issue or a topic until recently. I have not even bothered watching the new show and don’t really plan on it.

[@AerisShenlin]

thanks for saying it out loud. I couldn't agree more x

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

The hijacking of legitimate historical grievance by the modern wokist cult is one of the worst crimes ever committed against African Americans I hope people can shake off the mind virus before it's too late 🙏🏻❤

[@cvn6555]

The new show is interesting as a stand alone production. I watched it and was entertained. I had to make myself believe that it was completely unconnected from LOTR, though, and still got annoyed at too much modern messaging.

[@RobertR3750]

So glad you understand!

[@ir9567]

WE don't care. It's NOTHING to do with US. It's about pushing a certain political agenda that keeps us all poor and miserable, ONE govt with ALL the power and an exclusive bunch of people hogging all the money right at the Top.

[@carnavalesenpanama]

I was 20 years old when I watched the first movie. I went to see it alone because a friend told me that it was a good movie. I didn't know anything about it, no trailer, no Tolkien reference, nothing. I remember I was alone in the movie theater because it was like 3pm and then I was in shock: I fell in love from the beginning. I love every single minute of it. I never felt this way before in my life in a movie theater. It changed my life since then. When I saw the Balrog scene I remember I cried in that moment. I didn't believe what I was watching, it was so good and full of magic. It was a magical moment. I never felt this way again watching a movie, even when there are plenty other new movies that are good too, but never like LOTR. We are so lucky that we experienced that 20 years ago.

[@pamthompson5999]

Similar experience with me, except I went with a group of friends who had all read the books. I didn't know a thing about it. I didn't even know it was a trilogy until the movie ended and they explained that we'd see pt 2 in a year.

[@circleofrage]

Hear! Hear!

[@YZJY]

I only knew the name and some friends had said it was a good book. But the moment I heard the prologue narration by Galadriel.. Wow.. I knew it was going to be something special. ... and in the blink of an eye I was in Middle Earth and time seemed to fly. Suddenly the movie ended and I had not realized how much time had passed. I was hooked and eagerly with great anticipation went to the next films. I got the special extended editions on DVD and they were beyond amazing. Sadly with the mind diesease infecting Hollywood and entertainment today. This kind of experience and real true-to-the-source adaptation will not happen again.

[@Vicus_of_Utrecht]

I knew. Group went to the first one with a packed theater. Once credits hit, whole place stood and clapped. I have never before or since experienced that.

[@Izzyknight15]

There was a film reviewer who told the story of how an elderly guy in front of him was in tears at the scene of Rohan’s arrival at Minas Tirith. The reviewer leant over and asked why he was crying. The guy smiled and said ‘I’m crying because I will never get to see this for the first time again’

[@artolan_illusive]

It's important to note that women in the Trilogy were also depicted well. Galadriel and Eowyn were basically what a strong female character should be. Galadriel depicted with a radiating authority and power while also being a wise, feminine and maternal figure. Eowyn was this counter to novadays marysue. She was able to find courage and strength to fight and protect her loved ones even if anyone told her to stay back at home. Basically she was that "strong female that won't accept men who tell her what to do" but done right and in a believable way without loosing virtues like self sacrifice or care.

[@artolan_illusive]

@@Agxigpk-nj7lx I belive this is a part of the inevitablitity of death of men in Tolkien's work. I have seen an analyses of the entire Rohirrim arc and there it was described that they were not fearless in their charge into mordor's army but rather they showed no fear in facing death, their ultimate purpose given by Eru. So the trope of death in battle is more about accepting mortality not a glorious death.

[@NoCoastRaps]

I agree with your take so not to take away from it, I do truly believe that if this movies drop today - that yes people would complain about diversity etc but just as many men would complain that Eowyn is a forced character because she is brave and fights.

[@asvarien]

@@NoCoastRaps The best thing about how Eowyn is potrayed is that she's a competant, trained warrior but she's not a super hero that slays 10ft orcs by the dozen. She defeats one of the most powerful beings in Middle Earth, but she does it through courage and skill and with help from Merry.

[@sigmacademy]

@@NoCoastRaps Except Eowyn, just like her father, realizes that they both, along with their fellow Rohirrim, faced almost certain death after their charge, as seen in how both her and her father's faces drop as soon as they see their enemy's size. That means that they BOTH saw that the possibility of failure always existed even if they fought the hardest they have ever had. "Many men would complain that Eowyn is a forced character because she is brave and fights" is an oversimplification, because a) it's not that guys have an issue that a female character can fight (only that she's usually the ONLY one that can and so much better than any male character on screen (even when vastly better trained characters are on screen) in ways that are completely unbelievable), b) it's not the "bravery" that men have an issue with, but the nasty pettiness such a "role model" usually has to EVERY SINGLE MALE on screen (and how it's somehow something to aspire to).

[@sigmacademy]

" Basically she was that "strong female that won't accept men who tell her what to do" but done right". Well, actually no. She wanted to be part of the fight against the ultimate evil threatening the world, and like any child, ignored the wise counsel of her parent (he wanted her to stay out of the fight so that his bloodline of kings and queens could continue - it would have made no sense to have EVERY single member of their household die in the same battle, and leave the succession of a new Rohirrim leader open to capture (like what you saw with Wormtongue). ) Also, Eowyn's presence on the battlefield was by pure accident, and one has to ask how exactly a prophecy about the death of the Witch-King played into her decision - it would have meant that it was Destiny that she would have been on the battlefield (so how much of it was actually her own will playing into the decision), surrounded by men who would have bene UNABLE to kill the Witch-King due to his specific magical protection. Had the Witch-King been alive for longer in the battle, Aragon would have lost the battle, because when the Army of the Dead retreated, their duty done, Aragon wouldn't have had any soldiers left, and it might even have been very possible that Aragon or Gandalf himself might have been mortally wounded, if not dead.

[@sswift11]

I will say 90s gave us some of the most original epic movies ever. Fight club. Apollo 13. Braveheart. Private Ryan. Seven. Toy Story. Usual suspects. Titanic. T2. Rocketeer. Speed. Jurassic park. Hocus Pocus. Forrest Gump. Just to name a few. 👍🏻

[@Carlo-zk2cy]

Sam’s speech when Frodo was about to give up is a masterpiece itself.

[@NeilTo30]

Which one? Lol I feel like each film had an epic Samwise speech

[@Yuh_mama]

@@NeilTo30Twin Towers for me.

[@nate4732]

​@NeilTo30 the one that goes "PO-TA-TOES!"

[@TheCivildecay]

LOTR is full of epic speeches, from "not all that wander are lost", to "I can't carry the ring for you, but I can carry you!", or " End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take."

[@przemek3251]

@@TheCivildecay Totally agree, I would add my personal favourite and meaningful: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." It's just so f***** inspiring

[@arturleperoke3205]

Bless you Drinker and don‘t you ever dare to stop raising your voice against this cynical and hypocritical world we live in now

[@Beregond1861]

May his voice and beautiful common sense be forever engrained in the _national nerd anthem_ which constantly plays in all of our hearts and minds!

[@thelaughingrouge]

Vigo basically was Aragorn, and not in an obnoxious method acting way. He embodied the character, lived in his shoes and had respect for the material, and it resulted in an amazing performance. We almost never get that anymore.

[@wplains]

Always thought he was wrong for the role. Aragorn in the books was a big man with a commanding build and voice. Mortensen’s voice is whispery and weak and he’s not exactly a commanding figure. You could tell how he struggled in his supposedly inspiring talk to the troops before the battle. I always thought the role would have been much better played with an actor like Liam Neeson.

[@cuzzdog]

I am one critic who still felt LOrRs could have been much better than Peter Jackson's world. I still think real dwarves should have been used to really express the physical struggle of Dwarves and Hobbits at a level the miniaturized actors could never show. Some of the script changes were also a disappointment…and the music soundtrack wrecked many scenes, which should have been just scenes of silence. Many of the battle scenes were excellent, but the movie should have gone darker and scarier than it did, instead of placating to young children. I also would have liked the cinematography to be more Harry Potterish…more fantastical. LOTr was the greatest fantasy book of all times and with any decent attempt...could not fail…and could only be great. Then the question would become "How great will the movie be in comparison to the book?" And in my opinion, the movie was 70% to the book's greatness level.

[@TecknoNinja]

@@wplains He also kicked a helmet so hard that he broke some bones but played it out like he was angry and frustrated that he lost sight of the hobbits, The man has some amazing talent and there no actor better for the role then Vigro.

[@wplains]

@@TecknoNinja Sorry I don’t agree. But you’re welcome to your opinion, of course.

[@tohaason]

@@wplains I truly shudder at the thought of Liam Neeson as Aragorn. I loved the books and knew them well, and for me Mortenson was perfect in the role. A type like Neeson could never have been the king the trilogy needed.

[@goldengriffon]

Cutting off the video the split-instant before Frodo's iconic nod is pure perfection.

[@romalestat]

"Hollywood used to depict heroic actions. Now they can only see heroic identities" earned you a subscriber, good sir.

[@josepoika5388]

❤️YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FEAR DEATH IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, AND TRUST IN HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART, BECAUSE HE ATONED FOR YOU FOR ALL YOUR INSULTS, THAT YOU WOULD OBTAIN PEACE WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, AND GO TO HEAVEN BY HIS GRACE!🎉

[@kevincarrillo6432]

@@josepoika5388amen❤

[@bub6871]

​@@josepoika5388tolkien was a devout catholic and the christian influence in lotr is obvious snd beautiful.

[@dominate4891]

Very well said

[@Silvyu4]

​@@josepoika5388Ohh, F off with your beliefs. Stop making this about religion when it shouldn't be.

[@codygriffin8256]

I saw this film in theaters. All three of em. They still hit every emotional beat 20 years later. In fact the older I get the MORE they affect me. It's such a wonderful, beautiful, heroic, and epic story. I'm thankful to have experienced it.

[@rastax123]

Theoden's speech will always light something up in me. Cant Control myself in that scene

[@cfban]

Same thing with me, and same with the books. I read the books soon after finishing the third movie. When I was a kid, thought that it was just a heroic story about kings, wizards and knights. My favorite story ever, but just a story. Now as an adult I understand that Tolkien said much more about the nature of good and evil than meets the eye. He teaches us that the world is fallen and broken, but it's still worth fighting for. And that it is the small, everyday heroic actions of the little people that keep evil at bay. It's the father waking up early to go to work for his children, it's the good neighbor, the honest cop, the hard working nurse at the hospital. We are all hobbits in the face of Sauron. And hobbits might be weak, but they're not powerless. You can clearly see that the man lived through two world wars. He fought in one, and his sons in the other. He witnessed unspeakable horrors and lost many friends. And yet he still found beauty in the world, and love in his family, and he was a good man until his final days.

[@CramcrumBrewbringer]

I was too young to see them when they came out but I resonate with them all the same!

[@CramcrumBrewbringer]

@@rastax123It will always make me cry

[@mr.sinjin-smyth]

Undeniably one of the most memorable and enduring movie trilogies of all time. All 3 are easily among the best movies ever.

[@yautjayarrington1732]

Instant classics.

[@strategery101]

LOTR and the ORIGINAL star wars trilogy were the best of all trilogies

[@mark140363]

@@strategery101 Have you not seen the Godfather? 😯

[@TommyPrime4]

Planet of the apes is great as well

[@mtmurime9907]

Hands down your best video ever. Will also stand the test of time. Thanks for that Tribute to Lord of the Rings. It evokes the same thing all great stories evoke. That longing, that ache that takes us home.

[@Fezz0Blade]

The “we will never have this feeling again” truly resonated with me. Every time I rewatch the trilogy I’m left with the melancholic feeling; we will never experience something as epic as this again

[@Limousine08]

A hero will come..BELIEVE THAT

[@OffendEveryoneImmediately]

I’m afraid we won’t experience a lot of things again. The good times are gone. If movies are bad that’s because the world is doing even worse.

[@metalsadman]

@@OffendEveryoneImmediately there's still hope, I've seen a lot of push back to this woke/PC culture lately, why did we even got into this point is just stupid in itselft, but yeah, people should fight against it.

[@IAMDEMIURGE]

Watch anime dude it has lots of these moments

[@dmy_tro]

There was marvel hype around the Infinity War. And both the story and the event were awesome.

[@Metal-Gear-Moogle]

I feel sorry for the kids who grew up missing these films in theaters. Such an unforgettable experience. At the battle of Helm's deep, i remember the crowd being dead silent, waiting for the battle to begin

[@Alvilos]

I was 9 in the cinema watching this with my family. I still remember the fact that i missed the wall exploding because my childhood bladder was full of soft drink and i had to go pee. I was devestated with myself and still am haha

[@slicedtopieces]

I was too young. 😢 I have brief memories of my parents organising a babysitter for my brother and I while they did their movie date nights to watch these absolute pinnacles of storytelling. The LotR film trilogy are without a doubt my most favourite films of all time. They're exactly how stories should be without a hint of cynicism, propaganda, artist self-insertion, and plain old technical mediocrity that plagues basically all mainstream stories now.

[@hulkfan97]

My dad took me to go see Return of the King in theaters. I was 6 when it came out I was too young appreciste and understand what was happening in the movie plus I didn't see the first 2 prior.

[@chazzitz-wh4ly]

I saw all three in theaters and I was so wrapped into the film, I was just as tense and breathless as the army at Helm’s Deep waiting for the first move.

[@tommyblackwell3760]

Release night, Orlando Florida....I was third in line when tix went on sale a couple of weeks prior (I lived over beachside) for the release. It was glorious, director's cut of Fellowship and Two Towers followed by Return of the King with intermissions between (thank God!). 12 hours of cinematic bliss. Watched them again over the last 3 Sundays with the family. :)

[@linjicakonikon7666]

I read the Lord of the Rings while backpacking on three succesive trips to the Wind River Range in Wyoming in the early 70s. Hiking with heavy loads and fighting mosquitoes and flies while reading about the Fellowship experiencing the same helped me immerse into the books. After finishing the Trilogy and the various appendices I wept. The book was closed and I'd never read that story for the first time again. Then three decades later the Movie Trilogy arrived and brought me back to Middle Earth with fresh eyes. I cried again out of joy as I watched Theoden lead his brave riders like a tidal wave of Righteous into the armies of Mordor. Every character in the Fellowship had a redemptive story. Each rose above the terror and doubt and dread and raised their swords and charged forth in spite of the odds. I want to think that my daily choices are preparing me for my own great battle and that I will not shrink from the Enemy but will raise my own sword and go meet my destiny.

[@skrappothemonster1436]

Inspiring...

[@badradness3570]

I know those feels

[@trevorking2820]

Well said

[@LucasSantos-wp7ji]

Holy shit, that was beautiful

[@gregbarnes1580]

I could not think of a better way to read those books. You’re a lucky man.

[@SeanLives]

I was 6 when I saw Fellowship in the cinema, It shaped everything about what I enjoy in life, I cant imagine having my childhood without LOTR

[@iAkis4]

When J. R. R. Tolkien sold the movie rights for "Lord of the Rings," he did so forbidding Disney from ever being involved. He said, "As long as it was possible to veto anything from or influenced by the Disney studios..."

[@Feesh322]

This trilogy is a miracle. Hardcore Tolkien fans can nitpick the films to death but the confluence of factors that lined up perfectly for these films to happen is staggering.

[@arturleperoke3205]

I consider myself a hard-core LoTR-book-fan, but I would rather punch some nit-picker in his face than listen to him ripping apart this master-piece-without-an-equal of a movie

[@Stevie-L-n8g]

For anal retentives who are literarily defunct. They cannot read anymore.

[@mikearchibald744]

@@arturleperoke3205 Yeah, you look REAL scary.

[@D3voidofsoul]

Yup, I have run into a few that try to pick apart these movies and they suck. You cannot turn the book's into movies with some changes, you just do not have the time unfortunately. I think Peter Jackson did an amazing job and making the best movies you can while still retaining the spirit of what Tolkien created. I don't care what his estate says, especially since they seem ok with the Rings of Power that basically rapes Tolkien lore.

[@mikearchibald744]

@@D3voidofsoul Tolkien never wrote ANY stories that had Galadriel or Celebrimbor in it. In point of fact you CAN adapt the story, because it reads as almost LITERALLY a script with a storyboard described. Jackson just chose not to. Faramir is a different character completely and anybody whose read the book knows there are entire scenes of dialogue that were removed. And the studio that made this claimed that they made NO money, so they didn't pay a dime in royatlies to EITHER the Tolkien estate OR Jackson, who both had to sue them to get a nickel. Then they went on to make gambling machines out of their characters, so the estate had to sue them again and finally gave the green light for Rings of Power, figureing the company couldn't 'rape' the source material -beause there was none. And certainly not nearly as much as they had done to The Hobbit. They were well made movies there's no doubt in that, but now people are just online using them as a springboard to bitch about Rings of Power. Which is ironic because the creators of Rings of Power said they were SPECIFICALLY using the Lord of the Rings as a model- both for visuals, and for dumbing down the literary merits for a grade school audience. So most people either hate rings of power because they've now grown up, or else they just have a mysogynistic axe to grind. Even the ANIMATED movie stands out for the fact that its as singular as the books. Happily, or hopefully, the world won't end soon and given the capabilities there WILL be another version of Lord of the Rings which will be much closer to the original, if not based on it directly. In the nineties there were all kinds of scripts done FOR FREE by fans that were ranked as for how close they were to the original. Anyway, nuff said.

[@SusieQ3]

"They've never held anything more dangerous than a pair of safety scissors, and they probably needed therapy afterwards" 😂😂😂 Perfect assessment.

[@gagalover2k10]

No but seriously…look at them - I’m genuinely not being mean however they actually look like they might burst into tears and break down at any second, even though they look happy, there’s something off about it, like it’s way too forced and you can tell they genuinely hate the characters they’re supposed to be portraying and would rather talk about the diversity angle. The whole thing is just so…strange.

[@kitalalaris]

@@gagalover2k10 I get the impression they all had helicopter parents purposely scaring them into believing everything they might experience will definitely kill them in the most literal sense and have artificially induced anxiety disorders as a result. Also reminds me of this comic writer Marvel hired for no good reason, Mariko Tamaki. She thinks without a shred of irony that humans are blank slates and that you just "imitate or act out what you think a personality looks like." It's one of these two things, and I'm honestly not sure which is the more disturbing thought.

[@SparkleKnits]

Two Towers and Return of the King released around my birthday and my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I went to see them together. Over 20 years later, one of our favorite things to do together is rewatch these masterpieces. I still have my original special edition DVDs and watching the hours of behind the scenes mini documentaries is sometimes even more fun than watching the movies themselves. You’re absolutely right, Drinker-there will never be another LotR “moment”, and I’m so thrilled that I was there to experience it in real time. ❤

[@Zebiekistis]

The greatest behind-the-scenes fact I know is that Vigo actually deflected that knife throw from Lurtz in Fellowship. The stunt man misjudged the distance and actually threw a real knife at the actors face, who, in turn, deflected it with a real sword. Or when Bernard Hill does his Riders of Rohan speech to the 200something riders that were actually there, the man bellowed so loud and got everyone pumped up so much that they actually thought they were charging down the plains... and the director let them do it. :)

[@savioblanc]

Another interesting fact - many of the horse riders were women and many had beards stuck on them by the props department 😄

[@olafgurke4699]

@@savioblanc Yeah. They couldn't find enough male statists who could ride, so they casted a lot of women as well.

[@jin6000]

@@savioblancimagine the outrage today😂

[@mohammadnaghizade3544]

​@@olafgurke4699filming location was near a horse riding club so they got a lot of them on them scene. Most of whom were women

[@tohaason]

*Viggo* though.. pronounced quite differently fro "Vigo" (which is not his name) And he was also an excellent rider already, yet another good reason to select him for the role.

[@NickNapoli]

Still the greatest trilogy ever made. Thank you Peter Jackson.

[@ElValuador]

I’ll take the original Star Wars trilogy but it’s definitely a close second.

[@jeremiahbristow7609]

Sorry for replying, but it won't let me leave comments normally. Anyway. Batman: The Animated Series with Kevin Conroy was the 90s kids childhood.

[@SptmbrsVryOwn]

Back to the future has some words with you.

[@t.s.3628]

Anyone countering this in the comments is wrong. LOTR >>>> Star Wars OT/Back to the Future/Godfather (mostly because of 3), and it isn't close.

[@dannyp9210]

The only issues I might have with PJs trilogy are: *The Witch King breaking Gandalfs staff, when in lore Gandalf the White is much stronger than the Witch King of Angmar, and then WK just buggers of instead of finishing Gandalf off *The Army of the Dead being way too OP and taking much of the tension and sacrifice of Rohan away during the siege of Gondor

[@MarcIverson]

"Hollywood used to depict heroic actions. Now they can only see heroic identities." Damn, that carries some weight.

[@prasetyodwikuncorojati2434]

the quality of the writers go downhill so drastically. Clearly most competent authors are got ridden from studio for "diversity" quota

[@Valarien777]

You always deliver with such eloquence, insight and humor Drinker, and this is one of your best videos. The Lord of the Rings is one of the greatest masterpieces of all time, and Peter Jackson's films are rare achievement and will definitely be a cherished for many generations to come. My parents read The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in the 60's and I inherited their paper back copies of the books and read them as child growing up in the 70's, and to this day they're one of my most prized possessions (I've kept it secret, kept it safe, my precious!). Nothing has affected and influenced me more than reading Tolkien's masterworks. Ever since then I've read literally everything that J.R.R. Tolkien wrote and his son Christopher Tolkien published posthumously on The Histories of Middle Earth. As a musician and composer much of my original music is inspired by Tolkien's writings. Everyone close to me has said i could/should teach courses on Tolkien's works. So when I heard they books were finally going to be made into live action films, it was all me and my best friends and fellow Tolkien geeks could talk about, and in the years preceding their release, we followed every development in the production. We wanted so badly be in the films, if only as Elven extras; one of my best friends who happened to be a successful actor even auditioned for Gollum's part, fortunately he didn't get the part ;-). Our chief fear and hope is that it would be true to Tolkien and do his masterpiece justice. And so it was with great trepidation, excitement and anticipation, that me and all of my closest friends and fellow Tolkien fans went to the opening day screening in December 2021 for the Fellowship of the Ring...and when that opening sequence with Kate Blanchett's voiceover as Galadriel came over the Last Alliance of Elves and Men and witnessing Gil-galad and Elendil in battle and Isildur cut the ring off Sauron's hand, I knew we were in for something special and an experience worthy of Tolkien's masterpiece; and the confrontation of Gandalf and the Balrog on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm was more fulfilling than we ever imagined possible. Each December, on the opening day for all three of the films, it became an annual pilgrimage and celebration, from Fellowship of the Ring, to the Two Towers and finally The Return of the King. Watching the extended editions are an annual Christmas holiday tradition among us. And despite being a self confessed Tolkien purist, and while having my many nit-picks where Jackson strayed from the books, I don't think it could have been or ever will be done better on film. The passion and love for Tolkien's great work is reflected in all the epically hard work that Peter Jackson and everyone at Weta took to make and create this once in a life time adaption of the greatest masterpiece in Western Literature shines through the films. The LOTR film trilogy is up there with the OG Star Wars trilogy as being truly one of the most iconic film works ever to be achieved in cinematic history. When the Return of the King finally won 11 academy awards and the "#1 Trilly" got the recognition it deserves, it was a joyous day in all of Tolkien fandoms. And as you said Drinker, the confluence of miracles that allowed Peter Jackson's masterpiece to come to fruition, will likely never be seen again. Cheers! 🧙‍♂🍻🌟

[@Carrott27]

You can literally feel the sincerity with which these great films were made. You can just tell in every aspect of them that love, care, respect and incredibly hard work were in abundance from cast & crew.

[@kimonkarapetsis8195]

A clear vision from Peter Jackson and Walsh inspired so many creative people to come together in a project that was beyond any ego and any box office success goal. They were all in it for the right reasons

[@Chef-vg4pu]

When I watch these movies, and I set time aside, I am literally Immersed…. I haven’t seen a movie in the last five years that completely immersing me into the story.

[@pizzasharkguy3807]

I know how much effort they put into getting the ACTUAL locations for these sets. The area that they filmed Edoras in is a secluded valley hidden in a mountainside a hour's drive from the nearest city, hobbiton is a patch of farmland deep in the new zealand countryside, they put in a HUGE amount of effort to find the perfect spots for filming.

[@bollemonster]

These are the only movies I can rewatch over and over and never get sick of. I'm honored to have grown up with them. Your comment about the actors looking like they could go into battle is so true - they don't look like actors...

[@twelvecatsinatrenchcoat]

Except Orlando Bloom, lol. Legolas is clearly an actor.

[@EvoraGT430]

The films are actually better than the books.

[@Amanitaland]

⁠@@EvoraGT430I would disagree but I see where you coming from. The battles in the movie were better but that's not why I liked LOTR. I liked the adventure and lore and the book has more of that, especially in the Fellowship. They skipped on a lot in the movies and removed and changed character roles. For example, Arwen doesn't save Frodo in the Fellowship but the great Elven warrior Glorfindel saves him. Farmer Maggot is a good guy in the book and helps Frodo, Frodo, and Sam run into a Wight and Tom Bombadil. You can go on and on. The movies are excellent but they certainly missed many scenes and changed them. The books have more content and emphasize adventure rather combat

[@reek4062]

@@Amanitaland Most people here haven't read the book. They are merely fans of the Newline movies.

[@ronnelechavez]

Same. The Lord of the Rings is one of the main reasons why I can't appreciate movies nowadays. It set the bar too high. The only movies that I quite enjoy nowadays from Hollywood are some horror movies.

[@aidansmith2779]

my brain might slowly being losing it's attention span but it can still sit through a 4 hour lord of the rings film because of how good it is

[@firstlast9846]

I swear to god - the attention span thing has crept up on us as a society… parents don’t even watch movies anymore - they browse for a movie for ages just to go on their phones and “listen” to it.

[@TheSmuey]

18 months ago, I did a marathon, playing all three extended cuts of the movies in a single day and I had zero issues getting through that one either. Weird, because I struggle to get through a single 35 minute episode of modern tripe...

[@mattlines1296]

​@@TheSmuey i keep meaning to do this.

[@ihaveafettfetish9348]

Lots of people are being diagnosed with “ADHD” these days. I think it’s more of minds just being corrupted and distracted by cellphones, texting, social media, extreme politics, and a lot of other garbage that wasn’t around back in the 80’s and 90’s.

[@aaronhughes4700]

@@ihaveafettfetish9348absolutely true,they say history repeats itself but this is a phenomenon unseen,but the only factor also unseen is internet and phones

[@kmscott21]

I was 9 years old when my mother brought me to see Fellowship of the Ring in theaters. I had no clue what it was but the tv trailers looked so awesome. I loved star wars as a young kid and just read Harry Potter months earlier and saw the movie Sorcerer's Stone before LOTR. At the time, I was all in on Harry Potter as most kids were. But, Lord of the Rings grabbed me tight; I will never forget how cool I thought everything was. The characters, the enemy, the story. I could not understand it all as a kid but loved every bit of it. Today, the original LOTR (Extended) trilogy is the only set of films I will go back and watch every year. I cannot get enough. I will also rewatch Harry Potter and Star Wars and have a deep love for those franchises, but nothing comes close to the story of how the beings of Middle Earth overcame overwhelming odds and destroyed evil incarnate. Every time I rewatch I feel like I am watching for the first time even though I know what happens. My favorite trilogy and films by far.

[@nilocblue]

For those of you too young to have seen this in theatres, it was truly magical, nothing like them had been filmed before. I was too young for Star Wars, so these movies were my “awe inspiring” cinematic experiences.

[@mikemoody3651]

Trilogy Tuesday with good friends was amazing and one of the great days of my life.

[@frankgesuele6298]

The worst part was at the end knowing we had to wait another year😭

[@jeremiahhumphries66]

They were all I could think about when they came out.

[@magnusnaess3605]

@@frankgesuele6298 yes that was truly so

[@VMan776]

I'm in my 20's, and I finally saw all three movies for the first time within the last year after putting it off for far too long. But honestly, I'm kind of glad I waited, because my first time seeing Return of the King was watching the extended edition in theaters with some friends for its 20th anniversary. Even after two decades, the movie kept my eyes glued to the screen in anticipation. Whether you saw it in theaters then or now, the experience was something unforgettable.

[@TeamNovaRising]

For me, the LOTR trilogy will stand the test of time, even after 50 years or more. The performance, storytelling, set pieces, and lots more, are so memorable and I will recommend this to my kid once she grows up, as well as to her kids in the future

[@idontknowman399]

As will I.

[@Kadz127]

And the music, don't forget the music. It is such a masterpiece.

[@Me-uv6kc]

The books already survived 50 years before the movies were even made, what's another 50?

[@PeterNolan-009]

Yep. I will be 60 next month and the books were our favourites in school. The movies did the books justice and that is very high praise.

[@rydz656]

Too many gay vibes.

[@WillFredward7167]

This trilogy, and Two Towers in particular, saved my life twenty years after the fact. When a mental health collapse had left me broken, hopeless, and hollow, I poured my mind and heart into the Battle of Helm’s Deep. The pure, selfless heroism of the men, boys, and elves that died in that battle inspired me to the point of genuinely curing my trauma, and I’ve been happy ever since. So, if no other films can ever compare… that’s ok. These films are enough. I can go back and enjoy them at any time. And you’re right about the pathetic, shallow weakness of so many modern filmmakers. Those who are unwilling to endure struggle and hardship just can’t become the sort of people who can depict genuine heroes.

[@justanothergunnerd8128]

Great comment - glad you are still with us and posted it!! :)

[@matthewarant377]

LOTR has been there for me for all my life as well. A light when all other lights went out...

[@justkiddin1980]

Man just watched the whole extended trilogy last week!! And i thought exactly the same thing!! Your review almost brought a tear to my eye..

[@Thee_Finger]

I am now 37 years old. These movies, and the midnight showings we attended with our buddies as kids, are some of our favorite memories from that era. Pure, old fashioned fun.

[@redfallangeles-reyes9722]

Funny enough, eowyn's "im no man" scene did a better job than rings of power portraying THE MEESSSAAAGGE better in a few seconds than entire season of ROP.

[@Yj-Fj]

Whenever I hear or see hints of THE MESSSSAAAAGE I hear my toilet bowl draining shyte.

[@Old_Machine_Spirit]

@@Yj-Fj I usually just say it like an Ork from 40k would when explaining it to a friend: DA MEESSSAAAEEGE!

[@trueblue1615]

So true

[@LukS626]

A few months ago, there was a marathon of the extended edition LOTR movies in my city in Poland. It ran simultaneously in a few huge cinema rooms, each for a couple of hundred people at least. And I tell you, all of them were full to the last seat. People at every age gathered to watch The Trilogy even tho everyone there knew it by heart I'm sure. People in their 30s like me, people at my parents age, 50s and 60s but also people who were not even born where the movies came out. It's been a really profound experience to see generations connected by such a great work of art.

[@smpdevelopments]

This is the best drinker video ever made, it fills me with hope and well we all need some hope sometimes.

[@polishscribe674]

"And I'm okay with that, because this story has already been told, and it was told really well" is my favourite sentence of this video.

[@omegaminoseer4539]

It was a rare source of positivity by The Critical Drinker, especially since he seems exceedingly jaded these last few episodes.

[@reek4062]

The book told the story extremely well. The PJ movies however did not.

[@PaulV3D]

I'm patiently waiting for the 4k 25th anniversary extended editon. If it ever comes out.

[@BuckTheWombat]

Indeed, its a comforting notion :)

[@kaznika6584]

​@reek4062 I never understood this point. The books and movies are almost identical. The only real difference is a few unnecessary plot points and characters taken out.

[@MOONSPORTS]

Story time. I first watched this trilogy very recently in 2019. I was in university and had a pretty bad break up. I didn’t have a lot of friends because i was actually studying abroad in the UK. This is when i saw these 3 movies. These movies taught me the beauty and power in brotherhood comradely. My ex was vegan so the “Meat is back on the menu boys “ is still the funniest moment fit in a fantasy movie.

[@TruckerJenkins82]

You dodged a bullet there.

[@noaccount4]

*LOOKS LIKE MEAT IS BACK ON THE MENU BOYS!*

[@clearviewmoai]

Plenty of time in the gym, eating meat, and with the homies will cure a broken heart.

[@RonaldReagan84]

There are still some good men in this world, just need to find them and make friends of them, safe travels lad

[@dalewilliams2708]

Stay focused king

[@FrankJaeger803]

I'm an early 20 something, somehow I grew up having never read or watched LotR. I only watched em for the first time over this most recent summer and I was blown away by how brilliant the trilogy was. I have no nostalgia goggles or anything like that, and these movies are easily some of my favorite ever made. I think you're right, we'll never get something so special again.

[@awsome182]

Your comment made me really happy! 😊 I'm 10 years older, an early 30 something, and have watched the movies back then in cinema. So I have the "nostalgia goggles" on and am definitely biased.

[@prasetyodwikuncorojati2434]

@@awsome182 yup. This movie is so fantastic. Peak movie appearance during 2000s

[@tiwarianupam007]

I remember in 2009 I got a DVD of trilogy 4 days before my exam. Couldn't resist watching all 3 movies after playing first 15 minutes of Fellowship of the ring. Still a golden memory.