One or two scenes that I don’t think have come up yet are:
Minas Tirith when Faramir and his knights are riding down to the city gate and their path is being strewn with flowers by the crowd; I particularly like the bit where a woman hands a flower to one of the riders. There is a sense that noone expects to see any of them again.
Frodo offering the ring to the winged Nazgul on top of the ruins of Osgiliath. It’s not so much the fact that he does it, it’s more the imagery with the Italianate ruins. It’s like a Renaissance painting with Frodo appearing very Christ- like whether intentional or not.
I think this was an intelligent film decision. Glorfindel does not appear again, whereas Arwen can usefully expand her role.
That was me!
I have the theme music on CD, and ‘In Dreams’ is a ‘tear-bringer’ just by itself. When you add it to the emotion-charged scenes at Amon Hen…
Yes, that also makes us realise that hobbits may be small but they’re gutsy and can make a difference.
Agreed. And I think Tolkien must have felt strongly about such compassion.
Ok, I don’t want to be a killjoy because I loved these movies, but can I just mention the two scenes I DIDN’T like - both involve Legolas and too much CGI:
Surfing on the shield down the stairs whilst firing arrows.
Jumping all over the elephant, or oliphant(?).
These two moments just really annoy me and seem to have been transposed from some action / kung-fu movie.
The scene of Frodo saving Sam by pulling him up out of the water by the hand is later mirrored very well by Sam saving Frodo by pulling him up off the cliff. Very well done, indeed.
A little throwaway scene of Gandalf sitting dejectedly by himself down a little alley in Minas Tirith, while Faramir rides to his suicide charge.
Grima’s tear of astonishment at the sight of the vast Uruk-hai army created by Saruman.
The emergence of the Fellowship out of Moria, sans Gandalf. The contrast between the dark fiery interior of the mines and bleached-out look of the mountainside is jolting; as is the switch between the shouting and roaring within to the pure choir-boy singing outside. What a masterful scene change!
Yes, one gets the feeling that PJ threw those in to appeal to an action audience, just in case the movies would otherwise be unpopular. I cringe a little at both scenes. As well, I get annoyed at Gimli being used as nothing but comic relief. But in the overall scheme of things, those points are easy to overlook.
Speaking of the emergence from Moria, I really liked Boromir’s, “Give them a moment, for pity’s sake!” as Aragorn urges them onward. I also like Legolas’ distant look during that scene, as if he’s inwardly thinking, “What the hell just happened here?!”
YES! Legolas’ look really conveyed his Elvishness: mortality being elusive and confusing. He had a similar expression when he comes upon Boromir and Aragorn as Boromir is dying.
Other favorite moments:
In LotR, every single flash of Sauron’s eye.
The excellent casting of Isildur. He really looked related to Aragorn.
The line delivery by Boromir in Moria “They have a cave troll”. Sounded like someone has a case of the Mondays.
Gandalf’s beahvior once the Balrog shows up in Moria. It’s pitch perfect. A bit of fear, anger, impatience, and hidden power.
The Argonath took my breath away. I think it would be really cool to build something similar in our world. But who would we pick? Hmm…
The flashback to Gandalf’s battle with the Balrog in the TT always makes me cry. The shot of them plummeting into the lake with just the choral voices singing - simply astounding.
Gandalf’s return is also an excellent scene (grumble)even though the stupid commercials and trailers ruined the surprise(/grumble). Aragorn’s astounded response “But you fell…” gets me every time.
Arwen seeing Aragorn’s death.
Theoden kicks ass in every single scene. His cure, his speech at his son’s grave, the “Where is the rider…” speech, riding forth from Helm’s Deep. Sigh… Just love his character and the actor.
The “Homicide Life on the Streets” moment between Smeagol and Gollum. The split personality scene which to me felt like an interrogation between each personality.
RotK, the lighting of the beacons.
Faramir’s ride to his doom
Merry & Pippin’s goodbye after the palantir debacle
Even though it’s a bit cheesy and Xena, “I am no man!”
I just can’t wait for EE. They’re doing to have the Healing House scene and more palantir action! I hope they have a couple scenes explaining Denethor’s behavior because without the palantir explanation, he just looks like a batshit crazy asshole and Sauron is more neutered as a villain.
I think you’re giving Orlando Bloom more credit as an actor than I would.
I think Legolas’ elvishness is conveyed through the stunts (that some have derided, with some justification). Single-handedly taking down the mumak; surfing on the shield; mounting the galloping horse; tightrope-walking on the troll’s chain; walking on top of the snow. He can do Neat Stuff, 'cuz he’s an elf. Very cool.
