#04 - THE LORD OF THE RINGS
Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow. How did it come to this?
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King
2001, 2002, 2003
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Karl Urban... phew!
Yes, this counts as one entry because, essentially, they are one long 11-hour film. They were intended to be grouped together, both as books and as films, so, based on that particular intent, they take up one slot on my list. So there.
I consider myself fortunate that I was of fangirl age when Lord of the Rings came out. I consider myself fortunate that I was present and aware for the excitement and the thrill and the magic.
The epic to end all epics, the unfilmable book put to film, these three movies are mind-boggling.
In winter 2001, I had never read any of The Lord of the Rings books. I had started The Hobbit two or three times, but never succeeded in finishing it. I saw the ads on TV for the movie coming out, and my then-boyfriend (now-husband) and I went out together to see The Fellowship of the Ring, knowing basically nothing about Tolkien or his worlds. We sat down in the theater, the lights dimmed, and then it happened.
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.
I was hooked.
I still remember sitting in the theater, watching The Prologue for the very first time, my jaw almost on the floor, in complete rapture, thrilled to the core with what had just unfolded in about seven minutes of film.
Peter Jackson and cohorts have said, in the special features on the DVDs, that The Prologue needed to explain the backstory and the power of The One Ring, Middle Earth, and Sauron to the uninitiated, and just what a difficult time they had with it. In the end, however, they created an astonishing sequence that explains everything you need to know in order to enjoy the rest of the 11+ hours of the story. It sets the tone for the entire set of films - dangerous, dark, thrilling, and mystical. How amazing is that?
These films are consistently the most exciting movies I've ever seen. Generally, "epic movies" are not my cup of tea. I consider most of them to be overblown and overlong, but these are different. Jackson imbues these films with true emotion, which makes the danger that threatens Middle Earth truly perilous. By starting out in the idyllic Shire, we understand just how much Frodo (Wood) has to lose, just how much everyone has to lose. Jackson wisely cuts between breathtaking battle sequences and the emotional core of the story, Frodo's journey (both literal and symbolic) into the heart of Evil to destroy The One Ring.
Frodo's journey throughout the three films is amazing, and I don't think Elijah Wood's performance is given its due. Frodo's story is ultimately tragic. Rewatching the opening of The Fellowship of the Ring while remembering the very ending of The Return of the King, it breaks my heart to realize that Frodo truly never returns to the Shire. His journey is the heart of the films, the core that binds everything else together. Can one person, one being, give everything of him or herself in order to serve the better good? Can one person give up everything and still avoid temptation along the way? Is it fair to ask such a sacrifice? Is it right to demand it of someone? I know I was bawling my eyes out at the end of The Return of the King - still do - and let me tell you, I wasn't crying over the amazing special effects or the groundbreaking battle shots. I was sobbing because I was moved, truly emotionally affected, by what I had seen. That is what sets these three films apart from other action-adventure epics. They have a heart, and it drives everything else.
Jackson wisely paces the films rather slowly. He builds a backstory before throwing us into the fray of the battle. By taking time to develop, to explain, we the audience are allowed a chance to fully comprehend what hangs in the balance. Had we simply seen a series of action setpieces, it would have been entertaining, but there would have been no significance to them. Jackson realized that Tolkien's text was sacred, and cutting too much would undermine the story.
There aren't enough superlatives for these films. I have talked about Frodo and his journey, but the story of Aragorn (Mortensen) leading the free people of Middle Earth in a last stand against the powers of evil is just as amazing. Less interesting emotionally, perhaps, but it provides the films all of their major action setpieces. These are just thrillingly mindblowing. My favorite, NO DOUBT, is the stunning Helm's Deep sequence. Jackson devotes a considerable amount of time to the build up of the battle, underlining and reinforcing the notion that the people of Rohan are outclassed and wildly outnumbered by the Uruk-Hai who lay siege all night to the fortress.
All of the little touches in the films, the excruciating attention to detail, add up to a highly polished final product. These movies are slick and gorgeous, making you believe you are witnessing the conflict of another world. You are there alongside every character. The visuals in the film, from the special effects to the miniature shots to the costumes and props are stunning, simply stunning. The films are alternately gorgeous and hideous, depending on the scenes.
My favorite supporting character is undoubtedly Faramir. His story, especially in the third film, touched me. I wept for him, desperately trying to prove himself in the eyes of his father. Plus, David Wenham is a foxy beast.
In 2003, I was fortunate enough to attend "Trilogy Tuesday." Along with the release of the third and final film in the series, New Line Cinema organized a special one-day movie event: all three films, back-to-back-to-back, in a theater, culminating in the release of The Return of the King. Only 100 theaters in the US were holding it, and lo and behold, our city was one of them. I was there with bells on.
Trilogy Tuesday has yet to be eclipsed by anything as far as theatrical experiences go. I cannot begin to describe how captivating and how amazing it was to see all three films in a row in a theater. It was an EVENT! I cannot imagine any one movie-going experience being more enthralling than that one.
If ever a film (or series of films) served to whisk you away, to transport you to a different time and place, these films do it, and they do it in grand fashion.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King
2001, 2002, 2003
Director: Peter Jackson
Starring: Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Karl Urban... phew!
Yes, this counts as one entry because, essentially, they are one long 11-hour film. They were intended to be grouped together, both as books and as films, so, based on that particular intent, they take up one slot on my list. So there.
I consider myself fortunate that I was of fangirl age when Lord of the Rings came out. I consider myself fortunate that I was present and aware for the excitement and the thrill and the magic.
The epic to end all epics, the unfilmable book put to film, these three movies are mind-boggling.
In winter 2001, I had never read any of The Lord of the Rings books. I had started The Hobbit two or three times, but never succeeded in finishing it. I saw the ads on TV for the movie coming out, and my then-boyfriend (now-husband) and I went out together to see The Fellowship of the Ring, knowing basically nothing about Tolkien or his worlds. We sat down in the theater, the lights dimmed, and then it happened.
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.
I was hooked.
I still remember sitting in the theater, watching The Prologue for the very first time, my jaw almost on the floor, in complete rapture, thrilled to the core with what had just unfolded in about seven minutes of film.
Peter Jackson and cohorts have said, in the special features on the DVDs, that The Prologue needed to explain the backstory and the power of The One Ring, Middle Earth, and Sauron to the uninitiated, and just what a difficult time they had with it. In the end, however, they created an astonishing sequence that explains everything you need to know in order to enjoy the rest of the 11+ hours of the story. It sets the tone for the entire set of films - dangerous, dark, thrilling, and mystical. How amazing is that?
These films are consistently the most exciting movies I've ever seen. Generally, "epic movies" are not my cup of tea. I consider most of them to be overblown and overlong, but these are different. Jackson imbues these films with true emotion, which makes the danger that threatens Middle Earth truly perilous. By starting out in the idyllic Shire, we understand just how much Frodo (Wood) has to lose, just how much everyone has to lose. Jackson wisely cuts between breathtaking battle sequences and the emotional core of the story, Frodo's journey (both literal and symbolic) into the heart of Evil to destroy The One Ring.
Frodo's journey throughout the three films is amazing, and I don't think Elijah Wood's performance is given its due. Frodo's story is ultimately tragic. Rewatching the opening of The Fellowship of the Ring while remembering the very ending of The Return of the King, it breaks my heart to realize that Frodo truly never returns to the Shire. His journey is the heart of the films, the core that binds everything else together. Can one person, one being, give everything of him or herself in order to serve the better good? Can one person give up everything and still avoid temptation along the way? Is it fair to ask such a sacrifice? Is it right to demand it of someone? I know I was bawling my eyes out at the end of The Return of the King - still do - and let me tell you, I wasn't crying over the amazing special effects or the groundbreaking battle shots. I was sobbing because I was moved, truly emotionally affected, by what I had seen. That is what sets these three films apart from other action-adventure epics. They have a heart, and it drives everything else.
Jackson wisely paces the films rather slowly. He builds a backstory before throwing us into the fray of the battle. By taking time to develop, to explain, we the audience are allowed a chance to fully comprehend what hangs in the balance. Had we simply seen a series of action setpieces, it would have been entertaining, but there would have been no significance to them. Jackson realized that Tolkien's text was sacred, and cutting too much would undermine the story.
There aren't enough superlatives for these films. I have talked about Frodo and his journey, but the story of Aragorn (Mortensen) leading the free people of Middle Earth in a last stand against the powers of evil is just as amazing. Less interesting emotionally, perhaps, but it provides the films all of their major action setpieces. These are just thrillingly mindblowing. My favorite, NO DOUBT, is the stunning Helm's Deep sequence. Jackson devotes a considerable amount of time to the build up of the battle, underlining and reinforcing the notion that the people of Rohan are outclassed and wildly outnumbered by the Uruk-Hai who lay siege all night to the fortress.
All of the little touches in the films, the excruciating attention to detail, add up to a highly polished final product. These movies are slick and gorgeous, making you believe you are witnessing the conflict of another world. You are there alongside every character. The visuals in the film, from the special effects to the miniature shots to the costumes and props are stunning, simply stunning. The films are alternately gorgeous and hideous, depending on the scenes.
My favorite supporting character is undoubtedly Faramir. His story, especially in the third film, touched me. I wept for him, desperately trying to prove himself in the eyes of his father. Plus, David Wenham is a foxy beast.
In 2003, I was fortunate enough to attend "Trilogy Tuesday." Along with the release of the third and final film in the series, New Line Cinema organized a special one-day movie event: all three films, back-to-back-to-back, in a theater, culminating in the release of The Return of the King. Only 100 theaters in the US were holding it, and lo and behold, our city was one of them. I was there with bells on.
Trilogy Tuesday has yet to be eclipsed by anything as far as theatrical experiences go. I cannot begin to describe how captivating and how amazing it was to see all three films in a row in a theater. It was an EVENT! I cannot imagine any one movie-going experience being more enthralling than that one.
If ever a film (or series of films) served to whisk you away, to transport you to a different time and place, these films do it, and they do it in grand fashion.