March 4, 2004

The Really Good Bits
Brett C.

For a while now I have been saying I would post an article on the outstanding parts [for me] of ROTK. And though hereafter I may continue to grumble and complain about this and that, let it here be recorded the many parts of the final installment that I genuinely love, which bring a lump to my throat just thining about, and for which I will probably see the movie again before it concludes in cinemas.

Starting with...

Merry and Pippin's little dialogue atop the gate of Isengard as the others are approaching. Very funny - I even chuckled at Gandalf's non-literary "Hobbits!" snort.

The scene with Arwen riding through the Shire woods and seeing the vision of little Eldarion [yet another screenwriter change/addition I can appreciate - I'm really quite complex]

The lingering moment when Shelob is stalking Frodo from above - really scary, and I knew what was going to happen - excellent!

Aragorn's glimpse of the King of the Dead at the mouth of the Dimholt pass - though I didn't realise what I was seeing until the 2nd viewing. Ooooooooooo, spooky!

Sam's reluctance to yeild up the Ring to Frodo - a liberty, but justifiable in that it shows how Sam was actually tempted by the Ring [when he put it on, in the book]. It also helps the audience to understand why, if Frodo is going to pieces, why Sam just doesn't carry the thing.

Gandalf's little speech to Pippin before the doors of Denethor, as they are about to enter for the first time; who didn't laugh at that? And a nice abbreviation of the text to boot. Good job.

Faramir's broken-hearted farewell to his father before riding to Osgiliath. This scene is one of the few where I think the movie conveys the emotion of the moment better than the written text.

The lighting of the beacons - superb cinematorgraphy combined with a rousing score - ROTK could have earned a cinematography nomination just for this sequence, but I suppose it was enhanced digitally. Still, it's awesome.

The fabulous linking scene where Frodo and Sam are at Minas Morgul at the Great Signal, while Pippin and Gandalf are watching it from the walls of Minas Tirth. The is a great little way of helping the audience understand the geography of area and the interconnectedness of the different parts of the story, and the split second of silence just before the flare of Morgul lighting goes up is a masterful stroke. Also, the horn solo as we are waiting to see the Witch King emerge, and the piercing shriek, is very effective. I can listen to that part of the soundtrack over and over.

The brief [first] cuttaway to the Corsairs sailing up the cost - sometimes it's those little touches that you appreciate the most.

Aragorn's speech before the Black Gate - not as good as Theoden's, but very well written. Speaking of which...

Theoden's speech before the charge - well, hell, they were going to have to try pretty hard to botch this one up, but it was almost better than I had hoped. I still miss the Ride to Gondor line [moved to earlier] but...Oh My! From the time Theoden says "Forth now, and fear no darkness - that line is SO REAL!!! Not hammed up, but just really genuinely deliverd by a great actor. The ride along the line of spears - by this time I'm squirming with anticipation. When the charge comes, the music is breathtaking, the excitement is unbeleivable. It is an epic translation from the last 2 pages of The Ride of the Rohirrim, fully as thrilling as the text in it's own way.

Still with Theoden - the look on his face as he sees the WitchKing swooping in is classic cinema. I've seen it befoe, but rarely as well. The sudden split second realisation that your time has come, and the feeling not fear, or sadness, but disappointment; then - BAM!!! Bernard Hill could have earned a supporting actor nomination, I thought.

Eowyn's little dialogue in the tent with Merry - you get the feeling that there is real affection between them, which sets things up nicely for my last entry...

My favoutite line[s] of the whole movie goes to Miranda Otto as Eowyn, just before the charge of the Rohirrim. You can see she herself is scared, but she whispers to her Hobbit companion "Courage Merry - courage for our friends." Great work Fran, Peter and Phillipa, but then they back it up with "Whatever happens, stay with me. I'll take care of you."

The reason I put this little dialogue above all others is that you just adore Eowyn at that moment; her courage and her love for her fellows shines out, more even than her farewell to her uncle. Like Boromir's last battle in FOTR, it strikes to the core of the trilogy, about sacrificing to take care of your friends. Miranda's delivery is flawless, and I have tears welling up when I hear it. Best supporting actress to Ms. Otto, no matter what the Academy believe. Wonderful, wonderful, and again, wonderful.