# Lord of the Rings films - your favourite moments... (Spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 7, 2004, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533 "2004-11-07T21:23:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Katisha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bcef8e/32.png) [@Katisha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Katisha)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/21 "2004-11-08T01:42:26Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Did you think the moment in Rivendell when Bilbo suddenly snarls at the sight of the Ring was as good? I actually thought the moment in Bag End where Bilbo’s fingering the Ring and muttering “My own…my precious” was far scarier than that one. Ian Holm is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![emekthian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecae2f/32.png) [@emekthian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emekthian)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/22 "2004-11-08T03:20:56Z")
-When Frodo finally succumbs to temptation and puts on the ring in the Cracks of Doom (also my favorite part of the book) -The lighting of the torches -Gandalf leading the Rohirrim down the cliff at Helm’s Deep. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/23 "2004-11-08T03:25:35Z")
Gandalf’s talk with Frodo in the mines of Moria about life and death. Ian McKellan just made those words come all alive. Theoden’s speech to the Rohirrim before the charge, working in Tolkien’s poetry: “. . . a sure day, a red day, ere the sun rises!” Strider’s first appearance, with just his eyes lit from the spark in his pipe. Pippin and Gandalf on a balcony in Minas Tirith, discussing war, and watching the beacon from Minas Morgul. Every single second of the Minas Morgul scene, especially when the beacon “ignited” and sucked the sound out of the air for a moment. Ents striding down out of the forest toward Isengard, with that lovely, sad war theme playing. ---
**Author:** ![rolandgunslinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cdc98d/32.png) [@rolandgunslinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rolandgunslinger)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/24 "2004-11-08T03:38:56Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > “Do not mistake me for some mere conjuror of tricks!” > > That’s the scene - heck, that’s the _line_ - where its made clear that Gandalf is absolutely not to be fucked with. And they did it with nothing but superb acting, some dramatic lighting, and a nice camera angle. Loved it. Count me in as someone who loves that scene. When he raises his voice and the room darkens… BILBO BAGGINS!. :eek: Then in a second he shows how tender he can be by embracing his little friend with a gentle hug. ---
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/25 "2004-11-08T05:11:49Z")
> [@Katisha](#): > > I actually thought the moment in Bag End where Bilbo’s fingering the Ring and muttering “My own…my precious” was far scarier than that one. Ian Holm is awesome. Gandalf : I think you should leave the ring behind, Bilbo. Is that so hard? Bilbo : Well, no…and yes. And also: Pity? It was pity that stayed Bilbo’s hand. Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. Anyways, you need people of intelligence on this sort of…mission…quest…thing. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/26 "2004-11-08T06:32:49Z")
My favorite scene in all 3 films is when Aragorn falls off a cliff and gets knocked unconscious, and all the fangeeks in the audience start murmuring until the murmur crescendoes to an unquenchable roar of, “ **THAT** wasn’t in the book!!” _Snif_ Gets me every time! ---
**Author:** ![Marlitharn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@Marlitharn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marlitharn)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/27 "2004-11-08T09:41:02Z")
Aragorn speaking to Frodo towards the end of Fellowship: “I would have gone with you to the end. To the very fires of Mordor.” Always makes me tear up. Aragorn in RotK, when he’s trying to eat Eowyn’s horrible cooking and telling her he’s actually 85 (? Been a while since I’ve seen it or read the book) years old. It just added that extra dimension to the character, driving home that he’s not just another warrior like Boromir or Theoden; he’s something more, something nobler. Gimli at Helm’s Deep: “What’s going on? What’s happening?” Legolas: “Would you like me to describe it to you? Or shall I get you a box?” ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Mapp](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miss_mapp/32/369_2.png) [@Miss\_Mapp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Mapp)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/28 "2004-11-08T11:04:20Z")
> [@Second Star to the Right](#): > > -When Frodo is stumbling around Shelob’s tunnel, the look on his face when he starts to realize he’s in deep shit. Yes! For me, it’s after he shouts out “Smeagol!” two or three times, realizes that he’s done a very stupid thing in trusting Gollum, and then whimpers, “Sam…” A few more I forget last night: The temptation of Aragorn near the end of Fellowship: Frodo holds out the Ring to him; Aragorn kneels and, for a moment, we have a wonderful image of this great big Man hand hovering over this tiny hobbit hand as the Ring whispers to him… by name. Then he closes Frodo’s hand and pushes it away from him, refusing to be drawn in. Merry and Pippin being eaten by a tree in Fangorn. (I don’t mind most of the Tom Bombadil sequence being cut from the movie, but I always liked the Old Man Willow bit, so this was a good way to re-include that.) Brego the Wonder Horse coming to find Aragorn. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 11:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/29 "2004-11-08T11:26:52Z")
> [@Orual](#): > > **Fellowship:** > > - \*\*Elrond’s “they’re coming out of the woodwork” look \*\* when Merry and Pippin insist on joining the Fellowship, and Gandalf’s answering “hey, I don’t know how they ended up here either” look. > > - The shot of the halls of Dwarrowdelf > > -“YOU … SHALL NOT… PASS!!!” > > - The battle of Amon Hen > > **Two Towers:** > > - **Veiled Arwen bowing her head at Aragorn’s tomb**. I love this shot. I covet it. I wish I could find a poster of it. > > - Treebeard squishing the orc underfoot. > > - Legolas: “You’re late… you look terrible.” > > - **Elves coming in to Helms Deep** (I know they weren’t supposed to be there, but they looked awesome!) > > - The Horn of Helm > > **Return of the King:** > > - Theoden hitting his sword against the Riders’ spears, and the whole ride of the Rohirrim at the Battle of Pelennor. > > - Another non-canonical moment: Gandalf smacking Denethor upside the head with his staff (I’ve _always_ wanted to smack Denethor upside the head1) > > - Pippin’s singing with Faramir’s doomed charge > > - “My friends, you bow to no one.” > There are many more, but I should leave some for the other posters no doubt. As before, you show fine selection - the ones I highlighted particularly resonate with me! ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/30 "2004-11-08T11:30:03Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > That was good, I’ll agree, but I thought that **the Hobbit children enthralled with Bilbo’s tale of the trolls** was even better. The looks on their faces! > > Also at the party, Rosie dancing and smiling at Sam, until he finally gets up the gumption to get out on the floor with her. > > Another one, with a completely different tone, I thought that the Ring chanting in the background at the Council of Elrond was a nice touch… Ash naz gimbatul… Ash naz gimbatul… Ash naz gimbatul… > > Really, I think that the movies were defined by their level of detail. Even the little things: In the book that Frodo is reading at the beginning, when Gandalf comes past down the road, it’s written in Elvish script. That kind of attention to detail, applied consistently to everything in the movie, was really what made it great. You’ve persuaded me - your hobbit children shot is the best! And the level of detail came from an incredible amount of preparation, staff numbers and enthusiasm. The extended DVD’s show how e.g. WETA workshop treated the film practically as a quest. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/31 "2004-11-08T11:31:46Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#): > > Gandalf cave-diving with the Balrog really rocked! Especially the scene of them pitching into the large underground cavern with the lake in it. Yes, what a fine way to start the second film… ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/32 "2004-11-08T11:34:10Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > Gimli watching Legolas take out the oliphaunt and its crew, and shouting “That only counts as one!” > > **Merry and Pippin in the Prancing Pony: "It comes in pints!?"** > > **Legolas’ statement about the wonders of _lembas_, and the Hobbits’ reaction.** > > Merry and Eowyn versus the Witch-King. > > At the Battle of Helm’s Deep, the Orcs were armed with pikes, and prepared for a cavalry charge. Gandalf saved the lives of a **lot** of Rohirrim. Those two highlighted moments really brought out the character of hobbits. And you’re completely right about Gandalf’s light. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/33 "2004-11-08T11:36:49Z")
> [@Dante](#): > > **In TTT, when Legolas mounts the horse as it charges towards him**. > > After the Balrog bellows at Gandalf, it snorts, and it’s nostrils flare slightly. It’s just that level of realism that’s the icing on the cake. > > There’s one shot in Gandalf’s and the Balrog’s plunge where the camera is right above them and they are spinning downward towards the water. It’s just so damn _realistic_! > > The scene where Frodo is stalked by Shelob. And it’s quiet. _Real_ quiet. Well done. They show on the extended DVD exactly how they did that. Apparently it wasn’t originally intended, but Orlando Bloom had a rib injury the day they were supposed to film some shot of him mounting. So when they were running out of time, that moment was added! ---
**Author:** ![Halfling](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9adbd/32.png) [@Halfling](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Halfling)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/34 "2004-11-08T11:55:16Z")
Hi! I’m a huge fan of the films so this thread is tailor made for me. We seem to have some agreement that FOTR is the best of the three and I would go along with that. Many of my favourite bits have already been mentioned, but I love the very brief scene in the FOTR EE where Frodo and Sam see the Wood Elves. It is short but full of sadness and regret at the Elves passing; it’s beautiful. I also love the scene between Gandalf and Pippin besieged in Minas Tirith where they discuss death using some of Tolkien’s discription from right at the end of the book. I guess it was felt that such fantastic writing had to be heard and this was an excellent way of using it. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/35 "2004-11-08T12:37:25Z")
> [@Miss Mapp](#): > > Yes! For me, it’s after he shouts out “Smeagol!” two or three times, realizes that he’s done a very stupid thing in trusting Gollum, and then whimpers, “Sam…” Smeagol! Smeagol! KHAAAAAAAN! ---
**Author:** ![Silentgoldfish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@Silentgoldfish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silentgoldfish)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/36 "2004-11-08T12:38:23Z")
That bit in ROTK when the Rohirrim have annihlated the orcs. And then the drums start and the Mumakil show up. It’s the first time since I was very small that a movie simultaneously awed me and one upped my expectations. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/37 "2004-11-08T13:47:54Z")
> [@Katisha](#): > > I actually thought the moment in Bag End where Bilbo’s fingering the Ring and muttering “My own…my precious” was far scarier than that one. Ian Holm is awesome. Yes. Sir Ian really shows how in thrall to the Ring Bilbo really is there. I would also like to second in TTT, Sam’s line, “Of course you are–and I’m coming with you!” ---
**Author:** ![Jadis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@Jadis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jadis)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/38 "2004-11-08T13:48:57Z")
I see no one has mentioned the scene in TTT where Theoden is being suited up for war, and he’s reciting the “Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that is blowing?” passage. Man, I get weepy every time. ---
**Author:** ![Priam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/77aa72/32.png) [@Priam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Priam)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/39 "2004-11-08T14:51:18Z")
I love the Rohirrim. Most especially Theoden’s speeches of doom and death. “The Horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time. Now for wrath. Now for ruin. And the red dawn!” And of course the entire Pelennor Fields charge gives me shivers every time. It’s something about the Viking dark outlook on the future welded to great courage and goodness. How many other armies could shout “Death!” as their warcry whilst fighting hugely outnumbered? ---
**Author:** ![well\_he\_s\_back](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/3ab097/32.png) [@well\_he\_s\_back](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/well_he_s_back)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533/40 "2004-11-08T15:27:42Z")
So many good moments recalled here - Is this preparing us for December 14 when the Extended Edition of ROTK comes out? (Early Christmas for me this year). I’ll second Gandalf’s talk with Frodo in the mines as well as Frodo’s giving in to the ring at the last moment. Although it differed from the book, I liked the way Frodo attacked Gollum for the ring - as if he were crazed with lust for it and wanted HIS ring back. and the way Sean Bean spoke Boromir’s lines at the council - “One does not simply walk into Mordor…” and Liv Tyler was wonderful with some of her lines; I’m thinking of when she reassures her father that she loves him also, and the line about how “there is no ship now that can bear me hence”. And that scene on the bridge was lovely. and ending with “Well I’m back”. one of the best last lines in literature. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lord-of-the-rings-films-your-favourite-moments-spoilers/273533.md?page=3)