Return of the King

[Dis]

damn work. I'll have to wait a few more days before I can see this movie.

[MrBaggins]

Originally posted by DanS
The "entreact" is simply "intermission" in English. I don't think any American theaters have an intermission for ROTK.

Well, the IMAX version might, considering that theres a 2hr limit on reels.

[ajbera]

Took the day off from work (from a new job, no less) to see it, and it was well worth the wait (and I'm certain the Extended Edition DVD will also be well worth the wait). A few criticisms - some parts felt dragged out, others felt rushed or not fleshed out sufficiently, but since I consider the EE DVDs to be the definitive version (Jackson's opinions notwithstanding), I'm sure any flow/characterization issues will be smoothed out with their release.

I also regret not seeing Saruman's fate (will be in the EE) or the Scouring of the Shire (one of my fave parts of the books), but I understand Jackson's reasons behind each decision. He did a more than admirable job with a daunting challenge, and I'm a much happier person for having the privelege of seeing his vision brought to the screen.

<Possible Spoilers>

Two moments that brought a lump to my throat:

1) The gathering of the Rohirrim on the edge of Pellenor Field, Theoden's speech, and the charge...

2) Pippin singing that mournful Shire song to Denethor as the Steward stuffs his face, intercut with Faramir and the Gondorians riding to retake Osgiliath... so beautiful and sad I almost wept.

Wonderful, spectacular, superb... hyperbole fails miserably to express my joy. Go see this film.

[hexagonian]

Originally posted by ajbera
2) Pippin singing that mournful Shire song to Denethor as the Steward stuffs his face, intercut with Faramir and the Gondorians riding to retake Osgiliath... so beautiful and sad I almost wept.

AGREED!!!...it was the best emotional sequence in the movie - and next to the fall of Gandalf in Moria, the best from all three of the movies.

Best understated visual
The lighting of all the watchtowers. Beautiful cinematography...

[East Street Trader]

It is indeed superb.

A contender with few others for the finest film ever made, I should say.

I do not think I have ever gone straight back to see a film a second time when it first appears. But I certainly will with this one.

I have no fault to find with it. And several things - the young actor's performance as Frodo among them - are at the topmost peak of excellence.

In the book the characters are always subservient to the plot - not quite two dimentional but close to it. Not so in the film. No one could fail to be moved by Theoden's death and by the parting of Sam and Frodo.

I am full of admiration for the director and for the skills of those involved in wardrobe, casting, location and so on.

They must be proud indeed of what they have made.

[Carolus Rex]

Originally posted by hexagonian

the fall of Gandalf in Moria

That's indeed a great emotional moment that isn't overly sentimental...

Carolus

[Theben]

Originally posted by Carolus Rex
Heh, heh! Well, seems the thought never crossed your mind that I could be female?

Still, GhengisFarb's comment isn't exactly reassuring, is it?

Carolus

R you a female?

Two moments that brought a lump to my throat:

1) The gathering of the Rohirrim on the edge of Pellenor Field, Theoden's speech, and the charge...

That irritated me a little, b/c that was Eomer's speech when he came across the 'corpse' of Eowyn.

2) Pippin singing that mournful Shire song to Denethor as the Steward stuffs his face, intercut with Faramir and the Gondorians riding to retake Osgiliath... so beautiful and sad I almost wept.

I also think they should've mentioned Denethor's madness was due to his having a palantir...I'm pretty sure that will be in the EV.

The main thing that bothered me was Frodo never losing that worried look he carried thruout all 3 films. I thought at least he would've had 2 times that his will shown through: after wrestling with Gollum, and when he is at the Crack of Doom.

Ah, well. Still a great film.

[Arrian]

That irritated me a little, b/c that was Eomer's speech when he came across the 'corpse' of Eowyn.

Heh, you purist you. At least Eowyn's fight with the Witchking was done right. That was solid.

I agree about the charge of the Rohirrim. Lump in throat + shivers. Awesome.

-Arrian

[Arrian]

My favorite line:

"We cannot defeat Mordor through force of arms."
"No, we cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless."

-Arrian

[Carolus Rex]

Originally posted by Arrian

Heh, you purist you. At least Eowyn's fight with the Witchking was done right. That was solid.

I don't remember exactly why right now, but some Swedish journal mentioned it wasn't exactly as in the book...

BTW, apparently there's a major mistake in the Swedish translation of the books concerning that part (I've only read them in English; just started reading them in Swedish).

The translator confuses the pronomina "he"/"she" and "his"/"her" so that it's actually Merry (IIRC) who ends up killing the Nazgül king...

Something for Theban to ponder during the holidays (in addition to whether I'm male or female)!

I'm going home tomorrow; in a couple of days I'll see the movie! Who-ho!!!

Merry Christmas everyone,

Carolus

[Arrian]

Merry is involved, in both the movie and the book. Same way, too. The battle between Eowyn & Merry and the Witchking is damn near exactly the same in the movie as it is in the book. I think Eowyn's line(s) might be slightly changed, but that's it.

-Arrian

[Theben]

Originally posted by Arrian
Heh, you purist you. At least Eowyn's fight with the Witchking was done right. That was solid.

Maybe I am too purist. But I let a lot of other things slide.

And yes the fight was solid, right down to where her shield is smashed and arm paralyzed (and broken!). Too bad that didn't last longer!

And I would think that someone with the moniker 'Rex' wouldn't be a woman.

[Theben]

Originally posted by Arrian
Merry is involved, in both the movie and the book. Same way, too. The battle between Eowyn & Merry and the Witchking is damn near exactly the same in the movie as it is in the book. I think Eowyn's line(s) might be slightly changed, but that's it.

-Arrian

She doesn't say, "I am a woman." That, IIRC, is the only difference.

[Arrian]

Yeah, the missing "Halls of Healing" is one of the main reasons I think the movie felt rushed. It went from Pelennor fields to the Black Gate in what felt like a blink of an eye.

To be fair, I'm somewhat of a purist myself, just maybe less so that you. You remind me a bit of my friend Tom, with whom I will be seeing RotK again tomorrow.

EDIT: crosspost. I think he also cut out a line from the book:

"You stand between me and my kinsman. Do what you will, but I will hinder you if I may."

IIRC, that was replaced by something like "leave him alone." Whatever.

-Arrian

[Theben]

And When The Witch-King says, "Do not get between a Nazgul and its prey," they left out where it says, "or else we'll carry you to Minas Morgul and give you a wedgie," or something.