One for the film lovers! Which scenes (or bits of scenes) are your favourite? And why? Is it the music, the script, the costumes...?

Never mind that the scenes were not in the book - this thread is purely about the films.

Please do not make comparisons between film and book.

I'd rather leave out RotK until the EEDVD is out.

OK....

TTT - Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbit


Frodo and Sam bump into Faramir and Frodo says anyone who opposes the enemy should not hinder them. Faramir walks over to the body of the Southron killed in the ambush, looks down at him and says...



I'm glad this speech was included, and glad it was given to Faramir. To me, this says a lot about Faramir's character. He is not just a warrior, he considers consequences and circumstances. There is something noble about the way he speaks of his enemy. An understanding?

And the hobbits tackle him and Aragorn? Nice one.

Is anyone going to mention the elves at Helms Deep?

The elves were there for a WOW factor and it worked. Their formation was striking and they looked so...... elvish.

Boromir's death is a good one. Boromir redeemed. His words to Aragorn are quite moving. It is beautifully shot as well with the trees and the light and shadows.

I loved how in the beginning, how frodo runs to meet gandalf and they stand there looking at each other.

The very Beginning, of the Fellowship - the prologue! That blew me away... The forging of the Rings and the Massive Battle @ Dagorlad, did justice to the utter scale of the War and who was involved, and also gave a hint at what may be around the corner in the later battles - Helm's Deep, Pelennor Fields, Battle outside the Black Gate (no Mouth of Sauron... *sniff* sorry, forgot about not comparing book n film)

For me, that what got me all excited about seeing the movies... "Sauron pinging Elves & Men about like mosquitoes".

My favourite character in the film and book was Gollum, and virtually all the scenes where he was present made me wanna laugh, cry and grin evily. Superb for a CGI!

Right there with ya on that one Vee!



Nice point Amarie, I agree!



Yes I agree Vee! Boromir’s death is definitely a great scene, and also an area where I think PJ, and Co. succeeded (one of the few places) in deviating from Tolkien’s original story. Please note that I’m not deliberately trying to make a comparison between the books, and the films, but this specific scene is one I’ve wanted to point out for a while.

As we all know, in the books, Tolkien does not go into specific narrative detail on Boromir’s death, but rather leaves that part of the story to the reader’s own imagination. I thought it was a brilliant move on PJ’s part to show his interpretation of what actually happened with this event (and nothing wrong with the change, because Tolkien didn’t set this in stone), and it worked out perfectly, and powerfully for the film. We always spend so much time bashing PJ and Co. (myself included) for all of the unnecessary changes in the films, that in all fairness, we should at least also point out some places where there were some changes made that really worked, and again, the death of Boromir scene is definitely one of them.

Oh boy, there are soooo many scenes that I like in the movies (even though I’m a book purist at heart) that I almost don’t know where to begin. Logically I’ll guess I’ll start with the SEE of FOTR. For all the newbies that don’t know me, being essentially a book purist, I don’t even acknowledge the existence of the theatrical cuts of the films. If it weren’t for the SEE DVD’s, I would probably not like these films very much (although I do like the theatrical cut of ROTK), but I do feel that the SEE DVD’s offer the book fans soooo much more (since nearly everything they add back in is all stuff straight from the books), the positives definitely outweigh the negatives (and believe me, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this, and breaking it down), and the SEE’s do deliver justice to Tolkien’s original story IMHO.

Anyway, I basically like just about everything in the SEE of FOTR, but I’ll start with the Prologue for now. For me, since The Silmarillion is my favorite book of all time, the Prologue scene is one of the greatest scenes in the entire trilogy, and probably my personal favorite since that’s probably as close as I’ll ever get to seeing anything from The Simarillion on the big screen. The Prologue scene is worth its weight in gold IMHO, and easily atones for at least 5 PJ and Co. bo-bo’s.

I mean geez, we get to see Galadriel, Cirdan, and Gil-galad get their rings, and then we get to see The Battle of the Dagorlad, which is just simply amazing with Gil-galad, Elendil, Isildur, and Elrond. As if that wasn’t enough, then we get to see Isildur keep the One Ring, and for those of you who haven’t seen the SEE of FOTR, Isildur’s death scene at the Gladden Fields is greatly extended, and what we’re actually seeing there is something that is described by Tolkien in Unfinished Tales. You can say what you want about PJ, but in the Prologue alone he gives all of the hardcore book fans two solid treats from the Sil. and UT, and that earns big points from me! More to come later’

I am starting to appreciate the Prologue more thanks to you guys!

I agree with the battle scenes being very well done. When I think of how those scenes were achieved, the effort and skill put into them by actors, artists, craftsmen etc.... well, take my hat off to them.

Favourite battle scene? For me it has be Helm's Deep - the rain, the dark, the urak-hai, the chanting, the elves, the whole dang thing!

And don't forget the uruk-hai's stomping. That part reminded me of the native warriors beating their short spears upon their shields in Zulu.

Apparently it all started off ad-lib but looked good enough to be added in. Some of the elven scenes on the wall had to be cut though, because although the Uruk's could get away with it, it didn't look too good when some of the elven stunt men forgot they were being filmed and started giving them the finger back.

I've just seen the SEE of FotR, so let me complete it first:

FotR SEE:

-Gandalf's Black Speach scene at the Counsil of Elrond (great one!!!);
-Gandalf's words to Frodo before they go into Moria;
-Lothlorien! (everything about it!!!)

My favourite scene of FOTR is the opening scene of the movie when Gandalf enters the Shire, because it is quite similar to the book at that point and hope for a good movie is still fresh at that point.

My favourite scene from TTT? Probably the Helm's Deep battle scenes. Not like the book at all, but it was the climax of the movie, orc hunting to the fullest. And it delivered some fast paced action.

Sorry for comparing with the books, but i think anyone who has read the books before the movies, does this (consciously or subconsciously). At least, that's what my psychiatrist told me.

The only scene that springs to mind at this moment is of the Hobbits in their journey to or from weathertop. One of them gets thrown an apple, because he is hungry. Aragorn says that he already has had breakfast but the hobbit names a whole bunch of meals they have. I can't remember the exact wordings, but I found it quite amusing, and it shows the eating habbits of hobbits.

FOTR:
Gandalf fighting the Balrog
Frodo on the slopes grieving for Gandalf
Frodo hoisting Sam back in the both, where Sam tells him that he promised Gandalf not to leave Frodo.

TT
Eowyn standing on the steps of Meduseld (combined with the music... it gives me the shivers)
Faramir and the Forbidden Pool
Helms Deep (especially when it starts to rain)
Sam pleading to Frodo not to give in (in Osgiliath)

ROTK
The scene at Dunharrow between Theoden and Eowyn (I would have you smile again, not grieve for those whose time has come)
Faramir charging and riding for Osigiliath in combination with Pippin's song
The charge of the Rohirrim
Eowyn saying goodbye to Theoden
Eomer finding Eowyn

Besides agreeing with all of the examples given so far, there are many other scenes that also stick out in my mind as being memorable:

When Gandalf holds his staff aloft in the mines of Moria, and the group looks up at awe at the immensity of the place. The carved pillars and ceiling that seems to reach up forever.

In a similar vein, another great moment is when the party is canoeing down the river and first glimpse the Argonath (sp?), with the carved figures on either side of the river. I thought that was another sense of the grandeur of Middle Earth.

I also liked the light effect when the pillar of light/fire shot forth from Mordor as the Witch King arose from his city. The nazgul landing on the tower (and shrieking) on the outskirts of the dark city as the forces of Mordor began their march, while Sam and Frodo and Gollum hid behind the rocks nearby. I think it gave the viewers a sense of the peril that they were in the midst of, and how everything was only a razor's-edge from being found out and becoming a complete disaster.

And finally, the look of absolute joy on the faces of the hobbits as they realize the ring has been destroyed and they are chanting "Frodo", only to turn to shocked grief as they watch the mountainside explode and realize Frodo and Sam were there and likely didn't make it out alive.

I'd like to add some special vivid touches that aren't the big power scenes.

Aragorn talking to the youth before the battle of Helm's Deep: the scene that starts, "Give me your sword..." Very strong, real and good. It might be the best scene in all the movies.

Eowyn singing at the funeral of Theodred. I've nailed PJ for a slew of bad ideas/changes, but that moment is breathtaking. (In addition to the fact that by the combination of natural virtues, acting, directing, lighting, WARDROBE and writing; Miranda Otto's Eowyn is invariably incandescent.)

Eowyn striding out to the front of Edoras and a banner blows off in the wind. The Rohirrim get the best music, too.

Escaping Moria, when Sam just plunks down sitting and crying.

When Faramir asks Sam imperiously if he is Frodo's bodyguard (?), and Sam grimly replies, "His gardener."

I don't really like the movies, love the music. Irima-Arwen
Favorite parts are:
LOTR- Arwen and Aragorn parts. Council of Elrond, It shows that Aragorn is more than a ranger. Fellowship meeting Galadriel.

TTT- The part where are sees what happens when she stays with Aragorn, it was so sad, but it is what will, not will, does happen. Not much else, i hate Eowyn, hate how she gets so many parts in the movie.

ROTK- Arwen sees her son, she decides to stay with Aragorn. Mouth of Sauron on extended dvd, Cornation of Aragorn, and Wedding. Not much else.

FOTR: The prologue was great. The part where Merry and Pippin mess with Gandalf's fireworks is hilarious and I always need to watch it a few times before my laughter subsides. I also found Gandalf's battle with the Balrog very touching. Gandalf looked like an old man in that scene, but his voice was so powerful and my heart gives a great big leap when he seems to have beaten the Balrog, and then my heart would sort of stop in mid-leap when the whip curls around Gandalf's ankle and he is oulled down. I melt at the "Fly, you fools!". And the scene right after, when the remainder of the Fellowship is outside of Moria and they're crying over Gandalf, is abosulte sorrow, coupled with the soulful music, I just fell it so strongly.

TTT: The funny scene I have to watch over and over is the "Or shall I get you a box?" part between Legolas and Gimli right before the battle of Helm's Deep. And Eowyn offering soup to Aragorn was also a funny scene, though I don't find it as funny as the Helm's Deep one. But the all-time favourite of TTT has to go to the scene where Merry and Pippin are being carried on the backs of two Uruks. Merry is forced to drink some fouls Orc-drink and Pippin expresses such concern it is almost unlike his jolly self. It is touching to see such worries cross the brow of Pippin, who is the youngest of the fellowship. And when Merry says, half consciously, "I'm fine. It was just an act." I feel that he has grown so mature. This scene really shows both Merry and Pippin as mature characters and stout friends. A must-treasure scene.

ROTK: I love the Grey Havens scene. It gives such a sense of finality and tranquility that is so hard to resist. You feel sad the movie's over, but you also feel good that Frodo will go on his journey and find peace, while the others live on in prosperity and joy. But there is still that lingering sorrow that lurks in that scene and Frodo's smile at the end, just as he turns to look at his friends one last time... oh! It is angelic to the core! Elijah Wood can be such an angel, seriously. And that smile really signified the end for me.

Now that you mention Shelob, I have to say that the expression on Sam's face when he enters with the phial and Sting is also quite memorable.

Sam's expression was at least better (imho) than Frodo's, which always looked like a manga rabbit caught in the headlights of an on-coming vehicle: two big wide open eyes staring straight ahead, while the rest of his face looked blank.

I was trying to remember the word for the above from Watership Down by Richard Adams. Can anyone remember what it was? The hypnotized rabbit stare?

Your son sounds very cute, Rho!

Grondy, I think the word is 'tharn'.. WD is a favorite book.

This is a good thread to revive. The death of Boromir is my favorite scene of the whole shebang but seeing the Witch King slaughtered by a woman is a good one too and also the incredible transformation of Theoden. I could watch that one over and over.

when Gollum is in the forbidden pool singing about fishessssssss.....

Hi everyone hope your still all festive! Pippin and Merry finding each other under the fallen Oliphant "I knew you'd find me....." makes me cry every time. Also Ent attack on Isengard.