After two amazing films already behind him, the world waited with baited breath for this the conclusion to the breath-taking tale that Jackson had brought to life. After the beautiful first film and the dark and brooding second, it would take quite an effort to top what had gone before. But somehow he managed to deliver the goods and The Return of the King is a majestic finale to the series. It would be very easy when making a film of this magnitude to fall into cliché and pompousness when dealing with the characters. However whilst the action and the landscapes are out of this world, the script, direction and acting retains a restrained believability that contrasts well with the larger than life surroundings. The characters portrayed here are not super heroes, just ordinary folk rising to the challenges set before them in these troubled times, and Jackson portrays them as such.
Before I pile into the review proper, the usual disclaimers. This film is the last of three, in a series that form one continuous story, much like the book, and therefore is not designed to be viewed without having first seen the previous films. Similarly this review relies on having read the previous two reviews, which can be found at
The film opens in the aftermath of two battles.
Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas and Gandalf are with Theoden of Rohan, fresh from their victory against Saruman's army at helms deep. They are soon reunited with Merry and Pippin amongst the smoking ruins Isengard where the ambitions of the renegade wizard have been extinguished once and for all. Theoden is reluctant to send his army to the aid of the neighbouring kingdom of Gondor, after all, where were they when he needed them. Tradition dictates that if Gondor lights its signal beacons as a distress signal, he must respond and so Gandalf and Pippin head off to Gondor to try and unite the two kingdoms so they can take the field as a united force against Sauron's dark design. Sam, Gollum and the ever deteriating Frodo are nearing Mordor, where they intend to enter by a secret path that will lead them nearer towards their goal of destroying the ring.
Eomer: Now is the hour! Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken, now fulfil them all, to lord and land!
With the beacons lit through trickery Theoden musters his army to head south but the night before departure Aragon is told that his destiny lies in another direction and so he leaves camp with Gimli and Legolas to raise more forces. But uniting the forces is not the only challenge before Gandalf in the southern city of Minas Tirith. Denethor, the Steward of the city is reluctant to commit his forces to battle, blames Gandalf for the death of his eldest son and knows that the time is coming when he will have to stand down as guardian of the city when the rightful king returns. I won't say any more about him as that will take some of the viewing pleasure out of the film. As Sauron's forces in a stunning and long battle scene besiege Minas Tirith, away to the west Sam is facing tests to his own courage and loyalty. Frodo in his weakened state, and under the influence of Gollum sends Sam home, though Sam finally turns back to save his friend from the dangers that Gollum is leading him on too. The second half off the film is set around the defence of the city of Minas Tirith and a final battle against the forces of evil on the Pelennor Fields. I will leave the details deliberately vague, if not absent, as it is not my intention to ruin the end of movie.
Frodo: I need you on my side. Sam: I'm on your side Mr Frodo. Frodo: I know you are Sam.
The battle scenes are amazing and we are treated to every cinematic trick in the book, as well as a few created especially for this film. A sea of dark warriors besieging a white city may not seem anything special, but add to this trolls using siege engines, massive elephants, heroic cavalry charges, undead kings on dragon like beasts, an army of ghosts, and special effects that are out of this world. Amongst it all, the human element keeps it all tethered to reality. As Gandalf and Pippin wait for the coming battle there are some quite tender interactions as Gandalf assures him that death in this world is not the end but the beginning of another journey to a wonderful place. Minas Tirith itself is an amazing backdrop to many of the scenes. Looking like a renaissance Italian city built out of white stone, it is a contrast to the lands the story has passed through so far, namely Rohan and the Shire, the deep forests and rolling hills to the north.
Pippin: It's so quiet. Gandalf: It's the deep breath before the plunge. Pippin: I don't want to be in a battle. But waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse.
As we finally learn about Aragorn's past we see that he has a destiny to fulfil, as Elrond tells him "Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be." Almost saying stop being the boy and become the man, put away childish things, a situation that we have all been in, albeit on a much smaller scale. In fact in this film everyone is forced to grow into a different more serious, more courageous person, whether on the battlefield in full view or in the dark places finding the will power not to give up in the face of adversity.
Gimli: Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?
What makes this film and the previous two work is the believability of the world that it is set in. Even alien, fantasy lands would function to a logic and balance of its own, and the fact that Middle Earth works well on screen is a tribute as much to the look that Jackson gave to the place as to Tolkien's extensive written creations upon which they are founded. It is a world and story of both epic proportions and of fragile human emotion, of massive heroic battles and of individual internal struggles. It is a fine balance between despair and hope, glory and failure, achievement and loss. In short it is a film, and this is also true of the previous two films, that contains everything an epic tale should and more. Sorry if I have kept the details of the film deliberately brief but its better to watch the film with out to much prior knowledge. Imagine watching the sixth sense if you already knew Bruce Willis was a dead guy….opps.
Action/Adventure - Director: Peter Jackson - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring:Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis
Production Year: 2002 - Action/Adventure - Director: Vincenzo Natali - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring:Lucy Liu, David Hewlett, Anne Marie Scheffler, Joseph Scoren, Matthew Sharp, Jeremy Northam
Production Year: 1964 - Action/Adventure - Director: Cyril Endfield - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring:Stanley Baker, Jack Hawkins, Ulla Jacobsson, James Booth, Michael Caine, Nigel Green
I'm not sure that advertising your other reviews in a review is really allowed by Ciao's guidance. No matter - the remainder is detailed enough and well-written. Alboy
Coloneljohn 28.08.2005 15:31
Well stated. For some reason I still have not seen this final film. Something that I must sort out and soon. John
Librelola 23.08.2005 20:49
I enjoyed reading this review as I still have not seen the three movies. I have not read the books either. This was a good introduction. I would rather see the movies first, then read the books, there is less chance that I will be disappointed.
The remnants of the Fellowship marshal their forces as Hobbits Sam (Astin) and Frodo ... more
(Wood) are led by Gollum to Mount Doom in the hope of destroying the One Ring forever... Peter Jackson's epic fantasy adventure the closing part of the Lord Of The R...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
The final battle for Middle-earth begins. Frodo and Sam, led by Gollum, continue their ... more
dangerous mission toward the fires of Mount Doom in order to destroy the One Ring. Aragorn struggles to fulfill his legacy as he leads his outnumbered followers agai...
Aug 22nd, 2005
exceptional by (3%):
very helpful by (95%):
helpful by (3%):
