March 5, 2004

Re: the Great Bits
Eonwe

Brett C. got me all excited to mention a couple other favorite lines/moments from RotK, almost all of which come from Theoden and Eowyn.

At Dunharrow, Theoden says to Eowyn "You will live to see these days renewed." I really like that.

When he recognizes her on the battlefield, Theoden says, "Eowyn, I know your face." A nice echo of what he says in TTT after having been freed of Saruman's influence. The beginning and end of his healing.

I agree with everything Brett C. said about Theoden's speech. I would just add that the point at which I start to get excited comes slightly earlier, as the Riders slowly appear on the ridge with the sunlight behind them and the horns blowing. Wow! And I totally lose it when they show the close up of Eowyn's face as she yells. It's the point where her resolve and excitement overcome her fears. As Brett C. said, you just have to love her at that moment.

Minas Tirith. The far shots, the near shots, the streets, the Citadel, everything. Even if they hadn't made a movie, just putting that miniature on film is a great gift to fans of the books.

The song Aragorn sings during his coronation. He turns to the crowd, and there's a beautiful, nearly-still shot with only confetti moving. It's the kind of shot I know I'll still love and get excited about after 15 viewings (based on my experience with the first two films).

Eonwe

p.s. I really think Fran and Phillipa can write good Tolkien dialogue, but I would bar Phillipa from having any input on plot decisions or 'character arcs'. Yuck.