RotK again

[altariel]

I went to see it again last night with glitterboy1, trixieleitz, and Trixie's BoT.



It's not like I'm unfamiliar with the plot of The Lord of the Rings. But I was so absorbed by the seige of Gondor and the burning of Minas Tirith that when the horns of the Rohirrim sounded, I realized I had forgotten that they were going to arrive. That was a bit mind-blowing.


...[I]n that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of the death was coming with the dawn.

And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.


I blub at this bit in the book, and I blubbed last night too.

Comments

[glitterboy1.livejournal.com]

I blubbed last night too

Me too. I was surprised to find myself blubbing at battle scenes, but that wasn't the only one.

Actually, the whole film was a bit mind-blowing.

[manna]

And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.

Sometimes I want to take passages like that, inscribe them on baseballs bats, and use them to beat people who say JRRT can't write. I've gone all shivery.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It makes me shiver too. Pass me one of those bats when they're ready.

[kathyh]

I've only seen the film once so far (damn Christmas for getting in the way of multiple viewings) but when I heard the horns it was an "Oh my God!" moment and my eyes filled with tears. That whole section took my breath away completely. I always cry at that bit in the book too and was rather pleased to discover from his letters that Tolkien cried when he wrote it.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

And would cry on rereading it, I believe, too. That whole section was a marvel - Theoden's speech, riding up and down and the sword against the spears, the chant of 'Death!' - oh, I'm going all shivery again!

[kendokamel.livejournal.com]

I was thrilled once again to see that which I have read many times since I was a kid acted out before my eyes...

...but next time I will be SURE to sit in the back... as the only seats available for us were in the very front row, and some of the battle scenes were nothing but blurs of colours and pixels. (The bottom of the screen was above my eye level!)

But the line of Rohirrim from one end of the screen to the other was mighty impressive from my POV.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

It's stood up to three viewings for me so far, and I can easily imagine going a few times more. Definitely sit nearer the back if you can next time! Some things are meant to be seen as whole pictures rather than only looking at one bit of the screen at a time! And it can't be good for your neck!

[matildabj.livejournal.com]

My third viewing happens tomorrow night. I'm *so* over-excited about this film. Thanks for the reminder of Tolkein's prose; I think the film really captures the spirit of it.

The lighting of the beacons sequence, and Gandalf saying "Hope is kindled" had me jumping up and down in my seat... heck, don't get me started...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, the beacons! Enjoy your third viewing!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

There are so many magnificent scenes in that film: Minas Tirith, the beacons, the battles, the Gates of Mordor, and so many moving ones: Theoden's rallying speech, Aragorn's, Gandalf's description of death or rather the next life (which I also believe in), Sam and Frodo talking of the Shire.

So much was also exactly as I, a very visual person, imagined it. A testament not just to Jackson but to Tolkien as well for describing it so well that almost everyone would have the same vision.

I don't often see films again quickly, but I shall have to go again too during the holidays.

[espresso-addict.livejournal.com]

That, or the beacons, was my favourite scene in the whole film; can't pick which...

[altariel.livejournal.com]

The beacons were extraordinary. Wonderful.

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Yes, there are some really crappy jobs! Osgiliath sewer maintenance. Mumak stablehand. The poor sod who washes Denethor's table linen. I think I feel sorriest for the Gate Trolls too, though.

Did you hear the bit on the commentaries for FotR with PJ talking about the Moria Troll? He has a backstory worked out about him - how he's a nice hard-working lad that's fallen in with bad company, and they don't treat him well. Mama Troll has a glass of milk ready for him when he comes home - although he doesn't come home after meeting the Fellowship :-(

[altariel.livejournal.com]

Enjoy it again when you see it again. It really has stood up to the three viewings I've had (so far!).