The Extended Edition of Peter Jackson’s film trilogy is superior to the theatrical release and contains, collectively, almost two hours of significant additional scenes. I recently re-watched them and, once again, was struck by how timeless Tolkien’s epic is and how well the movie embodies those elements.
In its eleven hours, there are many memorable scenes. My five favorites in descending order are:
- FIVE: Elrond’s council and the Fellowship of the Ring. The entry to Rivendell is, itself, breath-taking. Found midway through the first film, Elrond’s council pulls together several critical story elements. The races of Middle Earth are gathered — men, elves, dwarves and hobbits — and the history of the Ring is finally unpacked. But Sauron’s presence reaches even to that sacred place, bending wills and stirring dissension. Amidst the squabble, Frodo arises, small and insignificant amongst these mighty warriors, but resolved to assume the quest. It’s a great moment, as is the ensuing selection of the Fellowship.
- FOUR: The Stairs of Cirith Ungol. Perhaps the most frightening scene in the trilogy. Gollum leads Sam and Frodo to the teetering stone stairwell and they prepare to ascend. Ahead, the spires of the Morgul Vale are framed in pekid neon. A Black Rider rises upon a Nazgul whose sonic cry pierces Frodo and he staggers
madly toward it. Gollum and Sam snatch him back as the gates open and an army of Orcs march out to pounding drums, a demented replica of the Wizard of Oz. The Nazgul whirls overhead as they drag Frodo into hiding. I was pinned to my seat when I first saw this.
- THREE: Shelob’s Lair. This scene closed the second book, but its placement in The Return of the King feels pretty natural. Shelob, like Smaug and the Balrog, are the most memorable of Middle Earth’s monsters (not sure if Ents are monsters), and they each play an important role. So her re-creation for the film was important. Perhaps the single best part of this sequence is when, after his apparent escape, Shelob quietly descends behind Frodo and stings him. Very creepy. Not to be overlooked, however, is Sam’s heroic battle with the creature, wherein we begin to see the courage and resolve Tolkien etched the humble gardener with.
- TWO: The Mines of Moria and Gandalf’s battle with the Balrog. Some LotR fans think the prologue to the second film, in which we follow the wizard as he plummets with the beast in battle, tops the first encounter. I think this scene in The Fellowship of the Rings is better for a couple of reasons. One is the backdrop of the Mines themselves, an eerie, desolate subterranean world wherein we begin to see the rich history of Middle Earth and its occupants. Secondly, is the dramatic confrontation. Once they awaken the Balrog, there is a tense build-up as the fiery demon marches through immense caverns and cathedrals seeking its prey. Gandalf hurries them onward before finally turning to confront the Balrog in one of cinema’s most epic standoffs. Gandalf’s descent into the smoldering underworld recalls Christ’s sacrificial death and descent into Hell.
- ONE: Eowyn slays the Witch-King. It could be argued that the Siege of Gondor and the Pelennor Fields contain some of the most cinematic elements of the trilogy. In this particular scene, King Theoden is rallying troops when the Nazgul descends and flings horse and rider to the ground. Pinned under his slain steed, the creature approaches to dine on the King’s flesh as Eowyn, reckless and bold, bounds between them. She decapitates the beast, inciting the fury of the Witch-King. He rises over her, pummels her with his mace, and draws her forward preparing to end her life. “You fool! No man can slay the Lord of the Nazgul! Die now!” To which she responds by removing her helmet and says, “I am no man!” before slaying the wraith. Her parting words to the fallen King are poignant, as he has risen from the darkness of Wormtongue’s deception, only to lead his troops and die nobly in battle.
Some other memorable scenes: Pippin singing his lament to Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, as the troops are slaughtered in Osgiliath. The freeing of Theoden from Wormtongue’s spell. Frodo being stabbed by the Nazgul on Weathertop. Aragorn summoning the Army of the Dead. And Theoden’s speech to his troops on the Fields of Pelennor:
Arise! Arise riders of Théoden!
Spears shall be shaken!
Shields shall be splintered!
A sword day, a red day,
ere the sun rises!
Ride now! Ride now! Ride!
Ride for ruin and the world’s ending!
Death! Death! Death!
Forth Eorlingas!
No, I didn’t forget the Grey Havens. I thought the scene was a bit sappy and overly drawn. But either way, the Lord of the Rings trilogy gives us lots of great scenes to choose from.
Tags: The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Best scenes in the Lord of the Rings trilogy
All of these scenes get me, too.
The first sight of the Argonath in the first film is pretty impressive, as well.
The end of the first movie, where Sam chases after Frodo into the river, risking his life to accompany him. Amazing. And, though the movies never make it known, as we readers know, hobbits don’t like the water.
“I made a promise, Mr. Frodo. A promise. And I intend to keep it.”
Or something like that, only better…
Chokes me up every time.
Yes, the Breaking of the Fellowship contains many great scenes. Aragorn and Frodo’s farewell, and Aragorn’s exchange with the dying Borimir is poignant. Frodo’s decision to go the quest alone and Sam’s decision to remain with him, despite the personal risk, is a foreshadowing of the costs they both will endure. The scenes, though without resolve, leave us perfectly poised to begin Part Two.
What about the 15 endings of Return of the King?
Kidding. I love the Balrog/Gandalf/Mines sequence in the first film. That might be my favorite. Another scene I thought was cool (and it might be an odd choice) is the scene in ROTK where Gandalf has Pippin light the beacons that signal the need for aid to Rohan. I think it’s the majestic musical score and photography that stirs me.
Yes, Mark, the lighting of the beacons is fantastic! In fact, I had it on my list for a while, but felt it was just too short and insignificant in light of the other scenes. And you’re right, Shore’s score excels there. Great choice.
Yes, those are all great scenes. In the first movie, I am always moved by the scene after the fellowship comes out of Moria, without Gandalf. Their grief is so vivid there and the music is perfect.
There’s a scene in the Two Towers (I think) where Gollum is arguing with himself and the Smeagol part tells the Gollum part to go away and never come back. It’s a pretty vivid illustration of the war within Gollum/Smeagol. Andy Serkis did such a great job bringing Gollum to life.
I like the scenes of conversion mostly–some you elude to, but one that initiates this is in the mines of Moria when each Hobbit is converted to a warrior. The scene is harkened back to when the hobbits return to the Shire as veterans return from a war experience–surrounded by a society that has continued as it was at the cost of so much sacrifice that only those who shared it with you could ever understand. And here another conversion takes place–Samwise finally asks Miss Cotton to become his bride! Other conversions: Borimir's confession of Aragorn being "MY King!" And perhaps cinema's purest love scene of Arwen and Aragorn standing close exchanging softened voices…and Arwen's Evenstar heart.
personally, I love these movies and books to death, they are so very beautiful in a way words can’t describe. My number one overall favorite scene, is the battle at helm’s Deep. The battle is completely lost, Isengard is ready to destroy Rohan once and for all. But Aragorn convinces Theoden to ride out of the castle with him, to fight to the death and die with honor. When they do so, you see Gandalf the the banished Rohirrim charge down the hill near Helm’s Deep to save the king and his friends. The music during the scene is my favorite of the entire series. Just very inspiring
Black Riders and the Nazgul are the same thing. The creatures that they ride are called Fell Beasts.