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The Fellowship of the Ring is ten years old

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Pau

Member
Best quote in the whole trilogy:
Gandalf said:
Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.

Oh wow. I was ten years old when this came out - and at first I really didn't want to see it because of something stupid like a person I wasn't fond of being obsessed with the books. My sister even watched it before me, although she didn't know it was a trilogy and was super pissed that it ended the way it did. Ten years later and we're both huge Tolkien fans. We refuse to be spoiled on anything concerning The Hobbit. We've managed to even miss what actors have been casted. Can't wait.

What I love is the sense of melancholy that runs throughout the films (especially in the EE's) that really make you feel as if this age of the world is coming to an end. In FotR:EE when Sam spots the Elves leaving for the White Shores..magical.
Yes, very much this. And it's never really explicit or part of the main storyline (besides Arwen's side plot, which I find even more terribly melancholy in the book's appendix.) Like the Fellowship coming across The Gates of Argonath - small details like these that speak of an age that has come and gone and remind us how this one will too be but ruins in the end. It always rather sad that despite everything that's going on with Sauron and everything that the Fellowship accomplishes, there really was nothing they could do to stop the world from changing in that manner. I know many people see these books and movies as just sword and sorcery fantasies, but I think Tolkien really nailed his theme. This isn't a movie about the swords or the magic or the different fantasy species. It's about friendship and death, plain and simple.
 

Hawkian

The Cryptarch's Bane
I didn't care at all for the ghost army or for what they were about.

It was much much much more impactful and heart wrenching when in the two towers the elves came to help defend the castle. I mean shit it is getting me a little teared up just thinking about that part. It was so perfect and fit well.

Totally ironic, because that shit does NOT happen in the book and Haldir fucking DIES in that scene in the movie!

This scene was the biggest reason I saw the film multiple times. When the Ent (can't remember his name) first sees the trees all cut down, and the camera pans, with the music. My God, that scene is great.
Those parts culminate in the Last March of the Ents, which is the best part of the three films.
Hell yes comrades.
 
Since I rate the trilogy as a singular movie. And therefore the greatest movie ever made, I can pretty much say these films were life altering.

I wouldn't be where I am if not for LOTR
 

jaxword

Member
I was 10 years old when I first saw this...blew my little kid mind. Pity I couldn't get into the books the same way, they were just too dry.
 

apana

Member
Edmond Dantès;33116909 said:
nFi3P.jpg


This scene always gets me.


"I would have would have followed you, my brother... my captain... my king.

Be at peace, Son of Gondor."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcHhlcxUkP4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38_K6ckeRcY&feature=related

This version of Boromir is also cool.
 

FL4TW4V3

Member
I remember all the hype building in the internet for about 2 years before the movie hit the theaters. I was serving in the army at that time, with no Internet access, so I would go into those lousy Internet caffes to download (56k mind you) and watch the latest developer diary video. I was really excited for the look of the movie as it looked like it nailed what I had imagined while reading the books. In the end the trilogy of movies didn't dissapointed me at all. Still some of my favorite films.
 
Watched it a few months back for the first time since release. Some of the CG scenes didn't hold up too well.

How is it on Blue Ray?
 

AcciDante

Member
10 years, man. My Dad, my sister, and myself took work/school off on opening day of each movie and saw the first showing. I was in middle school then...
 
Caught parts of the EEs as they aired on Encore this past weekend. Sat down and watched Fellowship EE tonight. Still so amazing after all these years, Gandalf's encounter with the Balrog still sends shivers up my spine to this day. Especially when you know what he is referencing, an angel versus a demon more or less.

I still remember catching this with my mom at noon the day it came out back in 2001. I was 17 at the time. It was the first movie on the big screen that truly ignited my love of film making and real cinema in general, not just Star Wars and summer blockbusters. It was also the first movie where I remember just being enthralled in the world that was on the screen and not wanting to leave when it was over. Time seemed to flow differently during those 3 hours. The world seemed different after seeing the film. It is just a testament to how if the right movie comes along at the right time in your life it can truly affect you, and Fellowship and the subsequent sequels did just that.

So many quotes from that movie have really had an impact on my life and my circumstances health-wise.

"All you have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to you."

Gandalf's speech on death simply being another part of the journey and to not fear it

But, my favorite and the one that still gets me to this day, "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you."
 

Ushojax

Should probably not trust the 7-11 security cameras quite so much
The best of the three. You couldn't pay me to sit through the other two again but this one is just better paced, relies less on naff CGI and has Sean Bean.
 

BorkBork

The Legend of BorkBork: BorkBorkity Borking
Favorite movie of all time.

Favorite scene: Council of Elrond. Frodo says in a small voice, "I will take it." And Gandalf hears it, closes his eyes, and turns to look at him.
 

jaxword

Member
One thing that bothered me is that while Jackson is very good at directing big, wide open scenes and huge backgrounds and beauty, he's absolutely abysmal at comedy and has some really lame choices for "cool" moments. It's like it's all or nothing; either it's something incredible or it's a complete miss.

For example, Gimli's reduction to a Jar Jar Binks was sort of annoying.

Legolas' snowboarding shield was just embarrassing.

I also found, despite knowing what would happen due to the books, that there were plot points that were far underexplained. I.e. how Gandalf goes from falling into a gigantic underground ocean...then, chronologically, appears next on a snowy peak, then dies, then reappears in the forest. I KNOW the official explanation, but little to none of that was shown on-screen. My friends who didn't read the book had no idea that Gandalf ran up a gigantic endless staircase out of Moria to the peaks only to be revived by God.

I also thought the actual ring itself didn't get much exploring beyond "It turns you invisible." I know the books suggest that, over time, the wielder of the ring could eventually learn how to control Sauron's hoards, but that's never, ever said in the movies.
 

hiro4

Member
10 years already.
Gonna watch the whole trilogy next year again before I'm going to see the Hobbit.

I can still remember watching the Teaser trailer more then 10 years ago.
It was just the ring tumbling towards the Eye of Sauron.
My heart skipped a beat then.

I think I watched the teaser at IGN then :D
 
I can't believe it's been nearly 10 years. My brother and my father are both huge LOTR fans so I attended each movie opening weekend with them. I don't harbor the same love and adoration but the films really are something else. I still can't believe how fucking beautiful Rivendell is and the special effects all hold up so well. I'll have to watch my pop's extended cut Blu-rays soon. Maybe someday I'll actually read the novels.
 

Escape Goat

Member
One thing that bothered me is that while Jackson is very good at directing big, wide open scenes and huge backgrounds and beauty, he's absolutely abysmal at comedy and has some really lame choices for "cool" moments. It's like it's all or nothing; either it's something incredible or it's a complete miss.

For example, Gimli's reduction to a Jar Jar Binks was sort of annoying.

Legolas' snowboarding shield was just embarrassing.

I also found, despite knowing what would happen due to the books, that there were plot points that were far underexplained. I.e. how Gandalf goes from falling into a gigantic underground ocean...then, chronologically, appears next on a snowy peak, then dies, then reappears in the forest. I KNOW the official explanation, but little to none of that was shown on-screen. My friends who didn't read the book had no idea that Gandalf ran up a gigantic endless staircase out of Moria to the peaks only to be revived by God.

I also thought the actual ring itself didn't get much exploring beyond "It turns you invisible." I know the books suggest that, over time, the wielder of the ring could eventually learn how to control Sauron's hoards, but that's never, ever said in the movies.

Or how about the eagles? Unless you read the books you're probably wondering why they didn't stage some kind of plan with the eagles flying them there or at least most of the way to begin with.
 

jaxword

Member
Or how about the eagles? Unless you read the books you're probably wondering why they didn't stage some kind of plan with the eagles flying them there or at least most of the way to begin with.

Yeah, that's a big one too. They should've at least had ONE line saying "The Eagles...are far too proud and wild to deal with men." or something similar to explain that hole. Everyone came out of ROTK asking that one.
 

vivin

Member
to put it simply, without this film, I wouldnt be doing what I am doing today. It was a life changing event for me
 

Ogni-XR21

Member
I love these movies but one thing that will always bother me when watching them is that hobbits don't feel small. Yes there are several shots that show how big (or small) they are compared to regular sized folk.

I know it's stupid and it's probably just me knowing that the actors are normal sized but I often find myself thinking stuff like "in comparison to this tree that hobbit looks like a normal sized human".
 

Kunohara

Member
Best scene by far in the three films, is near the end of the whole thing:

"No my friends, you bow to no one".

Now that is fucking respect if I've ever seen it.
 
Same here. The Deus Ex Machina ending to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields nearly ruined the whole thing for me. Thankfully the movies were good enough to overcome this terrible, horrible decision.

For those that don't know, in the books the invincible ghost army existed, but they only helped capture the ships (they owed the king one service, and that's what he needed done). Aragorn had the Rangers/Dunedain with him. They sailed in on the ships and together the Dunedain, Rohan, and Gondor won the battle.

The whole point of this subplot was to establish that the time of the elves was over and that men were strong. United men were supposed to win. The Deus Ex Machina victory ruins this whole subplot.

Yeah i just don't understand why they went in that direction. When i first saw the movie i assumed that was what happened in the book and so they had to show it that way. When i found out that it was changed just for the movie i was pretty damn surprised.
 

Olorin

Member
I remember watching this very first trailer over and over again because it was so good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UDTbQrOGa0

Got to see all 3 movies in advance viewings because I was part of the crew of the largest Dutch Tolkien website back then. Unfortunately, even though there are many good parts in all the movies, the huge amount of changes and additions just annoyed me so much that I've never been able to truly enjoy the movies. Still got the extended editions though, and even organized a massive marathon with all 3 cartoons, all 3 extended editions and 2 porn movies.
 

Mr. Sam

Member
I should probably pick up the extended edition of these movies. Actually, maybe not. I consider The Fellowship of the Ring to be far and away the best film of the trilogy (seriously - by a long shot) and it's the theatrical cut that I have the most affinity with.

Oh, and a movie on Blu-ray Disc spread over two discs? TWO DISCS!? What is this, 2001!? Get out of here with that garbage!
 

GaimeGuy

Volunteer Deputy Campaign Director, Obama for America '16
One thing that bothered me is that while Jackson is very good at directing big, wide open scenes and huge backgrounds and beauty, he's absolutely abysmal at comedy and has some really lame choices for "cool" moments. It's like it's all or nothing; either it's something incredible or it's a complete miss.

For example, Gimli's reduction to a Jar Jar Binks was sort of annoying.

Legolas' snowboarding shield was just embarrassing.

I also found, despite knowing what would happen due to the books, that there were plot points that were far underexplained. I.e. how Gandalf goes from falling into a gigantic underground ocean...then, chronologically, appears next on a snowy peak, then dies, then reappears in the forest. I KNOW the official explanation, but little to none of that was shown on-screen. My friends who didn't read the book had no idea that Gandalf ran up a gigantic endless staircase out of Moria to the peaks only to be revived by God.

I also thought the actual ring itself didn't get much exploring beyond "It turns you invisible." I know the books suggest that, over time, the wielder of the ring could eventually learn how to control Sauron's hoards, but that's never, ever said in the movies.

I think Jackson deliberately omitted as much stuff as possible about deities just to keep it as religion-neutral. You know how nuts get up in arms about these kinds of things.
 
I should probably pick up the extended edition of these movies. Actually, maybe not. I consider The Fellowship of the Ring to be far and away the best film of the trilogy (seriously - by a long shot) and it's the theatrical cut that I have the most affinity with.

Oh, and a movie on Blu-ray Disc spread over two discs? TWO DISCS!? What is this, 2001!? Get out of here with that garbage!

There are some parts of the extended edition which i really liked (Faramir and Boromir being fleshed out a little more was nice and added more weight and context to certain parts of the movies). Some things though were unneccesary and i can see why they were cut.
 

LCfiner

Member
I should probably pick up the extended edition of these movies. Actually, maybe not. I consider The Fellowship of the Ring to be far and away the best film of the trilogy (seriously - by a long shot) and it's the theatrical cut that I have the most affinity with.

Oh, and a movie on Blu-ray Disc spread over two discs? TWO DISCS!? What is this, 2001!? Get out of here with that garbage!

FWIW. I think the extended cut of fellowship is the best of the three longass versions.
 

GaimeGuy

Volunteer Deputy Campaign Director, Obama for America '16
And people complain about Return of the Jedi's ending!
I know the hobbits are supposed to have heightened emotional capabilities compared to man, elves, and dwarves, but a lot of those scenes attempting to depict it just came off as awkward on film. The bed scene most of all. Eespecially with the rest of the fellowship joining in on the action.
 

GCX

Member
FWIW. I think the extended cut of fellowship is the best of the three longass versions.
The Two Towers EE is definitely the best since it improves the movie in every single way. The pacing is much better compared to the theatrical cut and many of the added scenes are pretty important (like the Boromir/Faramir one).
 

yacobod

Banned
way better than the 2 movies that followed it. the only one that i actually enjoy on rewatches, the other 2 are tiresome.
 
These three movies are the pinnacle of fantasy movies. Nothing comes close to capturing the best elements of fantasy and I don't think that anything ever will.

I also absolutely loved the ringwraiths/nazgul in the movie. Their design as enemies was perfect. Dark, intimidating, and yet not particularly superfluous. It's still hard to believe it's been ten years. I remember seeing it with my dad in middle school.
 

Nymeria88

Member
When I got the extended cut I watched it, then every special feature, including all the commentaries. Every last one. This occurred for all three movies. The year 2001 was the year I feel in love with fantasy books and movies. This movie is a big part of that.

I actually just rewatched Fellowship and Two Towers, I need to finish Return of the King.
 
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