The Lord of the Rings trilogy is considered a classic of the fantasy genre. Rightly so, given that the very world it is based upon was also the foundation for just about every fantasy concept out there, whether it be a direct emulation or an attempt to deviate from it. As such, there are several scenes in the movie that are now considered classic and timeless examples of cinematic storytelling. Everyone has their favorites, though, and there is no such thing as a wrong answer when it comes to preferred scenes.
Yet, there are also the scenes that define what it is to be in a fantasy movie. Many of which can be found in this trilogy. Selecting those scenes can be a difficult thing. Honoring one scene may exclude another, but it does nothing to diminish how influential each of those unnamed scenes was in contributing to the overall experience of the movies. These scenes, however, truly did change the fantasy genre for the better.
Hiding from the Ringwraith Changed the Feeling of the Story
Though this scene only takes a few seconds, it is perhaps the most pivotal in making viewers and the hobbits understand that the days of a carefree life are behind them. Before the ringwraith appeared in Hobbit lands, the notion of Sauron and his servants was a faraway concept. Frodo knew of them, was nervous about them surely, but this is the first time he and his companions are in proximity to true evil and danger. What makes this scene even more terrifying is that even though Frodo is the main protagonist, everyone also knows that if he is detected here, he will die.
What the ringwraith’s introduction does is successfully create a tense atmosphere, forcing audiences to hold their breath along with Frodo until the creature is gone. Yet, even though its presence vanishes from sight not long after, there is no sense of relief or safety, just an uncontrollable rush to get away. What this moment symbolized was the end of Frodo’s normal life. There are dark things in the world, and this quest will bring him face to face with the worst of them.
Gollum Talking to Himself Revealed His Personal Tragedy
Gollum’s existence in the story is meant to represent the dangers of the One Ring’s temptation. By interacting with him, Frodo is getting a potential look at his own future if he gives in to the evil the ring exudes. Yet, as detestable and repulsive as Gollum is, Frodo found it in himself to pity the deformed creature. It may not have been a sentiment shared by other characters and even some audience members, but that was before getting a better look into the tortured psyche of Gollum in this essential scene.
Gollum was originally a hobbit named Smeagol, who killed his own brother to keep the ring all to himself.
As Gollum is leading the hobbits into Mordor through a secret passageway, he has a conversation with “himself,” which is really just a manifestation of the One Ring’s hold over him. This dark reflection in the water speaks with a different tone. More controlling and ruthless, ready and eager to take the ring back for themselves. It drives home the tragedy of how Gollum’s body, mind, and actions truly aren’t his own. He has been broken by the ring in a thousand different ways, and looking at how it controls him even now, even when he has some compassion for Frodo, reveals the depths one can fall into when they surrender to evil.
The Council of Elrond Set the Stage for the Story
There are few scenes as important to the entire premise of the story as this one. Not only does it bring together the main characters and set the stakes, but it also provides essential worldbuilding for the audience. In this scene, they get to see just how deep the divisions among the races of Arda run. Everyone present is shown this existential threat to their existence, proof that another great war for the future of their world is at hand, and yet the immediate reaction is to bicker over who would carry the ring to its destruction. Everyone brings up past feuds and old resentments, proving that not everyone fighting is prepared to resist the temptations of the ring.
Then, in comes Frodo, who selflessly volunteers to make the journey himself, proving that he was the only one capable of doing so. It led to the iconic moment where his hobbit friends agreed to join him, as well as the best that humans, elves, and dwarves had to offer in the form of Boromir, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. It is an inspiring moment. For the first time in centuries, all the races of Middle-earth agree to work together to fight for the future.
Frodo’s Departure to Valinor Broke Everyone’s Hearts
One thing that The Lord of the Rings does very well is establish how war has consequences. Those who go off to fight for an extended period of time cannot come back the same person they once were. Such was the case with Frodo. By the time the story concludes, Frodo has suffered injuries that leave him with permanent pain, loss of friends, and his soul has been wounded by the proximity to the One Ring. Frodo is a war veteran, but one in dire need of help so that he can live the rest of his life in peace.
So, at the end of Return of the King, Frodo agrees to travel to Valinor with Gandalf. The hope is that once there, he can begin healing all his injuries from his time as the One Ring’s carrier. It means leaving everything and everyone he has ever known behind, but it is time that he focused on himself instead of on what everyone else needed. It is this moment that truly brings the Fellowship of the Ring to an end, since they will not be together again for some time. It broke the hearts of his fellowship members and those of fans.
Shelob’s Lair Terrified Everyone
There are a lot of scary scenes in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, from finding out what became of Balin to seeing what Grima Wormtongue’s manipulations have done to Theoden. Shelob’s lair blows them all out of the water, however. It takes a special kind of evil for even the orcs serving Sauron to steer clear of it, and Gollum deliberately led the hobbits there, knowing Shelob never lets anyone pass through her home alive.
Watching Frodo stumble his way through the web-coated caverns, desperately searching for a way out as it becomes more and more apparent how many people have died here, is a masterclass in building tension without ever showing the actual monster. It didn’t take a huge guess to figure out what was waiting in this cave; it was just a matter of executing its arrival. Seeing Shelob paralyze and then web Frodo up probably instilled a number of fans with arachnophobia from that day forward.
The Destruction of the One Ring
The One Ring’s destruction was not the result of some epic battle between good and evil, but a bloody fight between two people who had been corrupted by the ring. On the cusp of finally getting rid of it and ending Sauron for good, Frodo finally succumbed, almost running off with the ring and denying Middle-earth the chance to be free of the Dark Lord. Fortunately for everyone else, Gollum appeared to try to get the ring back the old-fashioned way: by beating up Frodo to get it.
Their struggle on the edge of Mount Doom’s fires caused Gollum to descend into the inferno with the ring. The haunting image of him still staring at the ring with desire in his eyes rather than acknowledging the agony of burning to death has stayed with fans for years. Yet, in this moment, there is a profound sense of catharsis. After three movies, the One Ring, the source of all their troubles, is finally destroyed, setting off a chain reaction that results in the destruction of Sauron and his forces forever.
The Ride of the Rohirrim Is the Series’ Best Action Sequence
Few moments in the trilogy measure up to Theoden speaking to the Rohirrim before charging into battle. The speech he gave not only inspired them to charge into what many of them knew would be a bloodbath, but one that needed to happen for the future of all Middle-earth to not fall under Sauron’s rule. Watching as the men chanted “death” to get themselves ready for what would come next was hard to watch, but also incredibly inspiring. There was glory in battle, to be sure, but there was also a nobility in the sacrifice they were making in the moment.
Not everyone was going to survive. Countless lives would be lost, but they made that choice so others would not have to. It brings to mind how Gandalf said that the world would need to be placed in the hands of men, with the elves and dwarves unable to do so this time around. Though Elrond seemed skeptical, in this moment, Theoden and the Rohirrim proved Gandalf correct. Men did have the strength of character needed to overcome Sauron and his darkness.
Gandalf Fighting the Balrog
Of course, this scene would be at the top of the list. How could it not be? The Balrogs are among the most feared and powerful creatures in the world of Middle-earth. These things served Morgoth, the original dark lord who eclipses Sauron in terms of power. To fight one is to invite death, no matter how powerful the challenger is. The proof of this is found in Gandalf’s confrontation with Durin’s Bane. Knowing that his companions would not be able to escape it, he stood in its path on the bridge overlooking a dark, seemingly endless abyss below. After uttering the now-famous “You shall not pass” line, Gandalf managed to hurl the Balrog into the darkness. Only to end up being dragged down with it.
The balrogs were once Maiar before being corrupted by Morgoth to act as his elite guard.
It’s an epic moment, but never forget that it is indeed a sacrifice. Gandalf spent the next few days fighting the Balrog in the darkness, witnessing horrors that even he was afraid to speak of in the light of day. Destroying the Balrog took everything he had, and Gandalf did, in fact, die after, only to be resurrected as Gandalf the White by the will of Eru Iluvatar, the creator god of Middle-earth. Great power requires great sacrifice, and a great scene requires greater emotional value.
- First Film
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The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring
- Latest Film
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The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
- Latest TV Show
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The Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power
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