DID YOU KNOW THAT THE CHARGE THAT LOOKS LIKE A ARROW CHARGE THAT WAS INVENTED BY THE CRUSADERS TOO BREAKUP ARMY VERY VERY AFFECTIVE MOVE WORKED FOR THE CRUSADERS JUST SAYING
“Old fool!" he said. "Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!" And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade. Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the city, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of war nor of wizardry, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of 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.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King Awesome stuff.
Yeah, I mean for such a fan I am of the professor P.J had to make some change to give some drama. I'm not saying that the professo's writing is wrong or bore just for the big screen you have to make some adjustments @@GreyhawkTheAngry
@hatta-elgonzalez1153 Even the Professor admitted as much, and provided notes for what adjustments to make for a screen adaptation. Peter Jackson actually FOLLOWED a goodly number of them. :3
And significantly smaller than the charge of the winged hussars irl. The Rohirrim numbered 6000, while the charge of the winged hussars numbered 18'000. They rode in to completely turn the tide of the siege of Vienna. It is highly likey that J.R.R. Tolkien had this fight on his mind when he wrote this in the book. Now take a second in your mind to triple the force you see here and imagine what that looked like
Goosebumps? Tears more like. Easily the one of the most uplifting and moving scenes in the trilogy (Boromir’s death and Sam carrying Frodo being my main contenders).
@@TheCraftyNinjaSculptsif this gave you goosebumps, listen to the Horn of Helm Hammerhand in a theater. You can feel that sound in your bones, it’s so deep.
The theatre exploded when the riders appeared! The audience was going bat-sh*t crazy during the speech and charge. I was 31 years old and literally awestruck in these films. Not a small thing with the amount of bangers being released in those days. I saw Fellowship I think 11x, TT x7, and ROTK at least 5x in the theatre. Changed my life really.
One thing a lot of people missed during this entire scene is when they arrived to the battlefield, you can see they're visibly distraught by the size of the orc army and Theoden knew that. It's a Kings job to rally his army and make them believe they can overcome anything in front of them.
I agree with what you first said, but I differ on that very last bit. Theoden was not trying to make them believe they could overcome this. Earlier in the movie, he made no effort to sugarcoat it when he said that they could not win against the enemy, but that they would ride out and meet them nonetheless. You’re right in that they appear disheartened, and you’re right that he’s giving them a speech to bolster them up. But he’s not saying they can overcome. He’s telling them that they are going to die, but that it is their duty to do so. They’re there to sacrifice themselves to protect Minas Tirith, and, by extension, the people of Middle Earth. They are riding forth to the world’s ending. They arrived afraid to die. Theoden lead them all as they chanted “DEATH” before charging towards it.
@@Jordanmode It's as Elrond said to Aragorn earlier: "You ride to war but not to victory." He likely told Theoden the same thing and to hold out as much as he can until Aragorn arrives with the army of the dead. Therefore, Theoden's speech is summed up as, "We're gonna go out in the biggest blaze of glory if that is our fate."
They also kept the line from the book "take your company right, after you pass the wall" - as a nod (or an accidental blip) to the book as there was a circular wall around the Pelennor Fields the Rohirrim had to get through.
I remember watching this in the theaters. It was the greatest in-theatre experience in my life, and always will be. I was on my feet, and I yelled, cried, and laughed. Shivers even today!
What most people do not know, unless they have read the appendices in Return of the King, is that Theoden was actually born in Gondor because his father, Thengel, had lived there for a time and married a woman from the Gondor province of Lossarnach, she was distantly related to the Prince of Dol Amroth, the highest ranking noble after the Steward. Thengel moved his family back to Rohan to take up the throne and Theoden became his heir.
I like that the front rank of the riders was all made up of people who had read and loved the books, so they'd know the significance of what they were filming.
That was always my favorite pre-battle speech. No "We can do it!" or "This is important!" Just "Let's go cause as much death and die because it's the end of the world and fuck it."
Make it even better when you realise that Morgoth gave humans fear of mortality so them chanting deaath is basically giving one of the strongest being in lotr lore the middle finger
"I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company, I shall not now feel ashamed" - Théoden, son of Thengel, Lord of the Mark, King of Rohan. RIP Bernard Hill
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Spear shall be shaken, shield shall be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now, ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending! Death! Death! Death! Forth Eorlingas!
@@frantnegh7583 Tolkien drew inspiration from the norse Poetic Edda when writing it... specifically the verses about Ragnarok. He even paraphrase quoted it. ("Spears will be shaken, shields will be splintered, a sword day, a red day!") Aragon paraphrased other verses of the same part of the Edda at the Black Gate. ("An hour of wolves and shattered shields")
Not to undercut how awesome this scene is, but one of my favorite ways to rewatch Rings is with the actor commentary on the extended edition. During this scene, Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Dominic Monaghan (Merry) have the following exchange... "How many horses were on set for this, Dom?" "I spoke to Pete and he wasn't able to give me an exact number, but at any given time it was at least eleven." (Billy laughs, sees the first few get hit by arrows) "Oop, seven now." (Both laugh)
I've read somewhere they had about 500 horses to film this scene. And the riders were mostly women with beards attached, because they were lighter than men. So in fact they had a small Amazon army there.
People forget that a Calvary horse could weight as much as 1,000 to 1,200 pounds and reach speeds of 25 mph. That many horses would shake the very ground. Infantry stands very little chance.
Disciplined troops with proper equipment is a very different story. Cavalry against undisciplined troops that falter and scatter, or have thin ranks, will easily get mowed down. Sure, a 500kg horse, with a rider, going at 40kph is a very hard thing to stop, but if it colides with a spear braced against the ground, it will stop real quick, and then cause a pile up from anything following. That said, I do love this scene.
Fun Fact: This was based on a real life event, and while this scene is depicting around 5,000 cavalry, the 1683 Siege of Vienna saw 18,000 cavalry charge at the Ottoman army to relieve the besieged city, can you imagine seeing 18000 Horses charging, truly insane
But at that moment there was a flash, as if lightning had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, it's topmost tower like a glittering needle: and then as the darkness closed again there came rolling over the fields a great boom. At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before: Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! With that he siezed a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains. Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! Suddenly the King cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner bkew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and the darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City. -Return of the King
This passage in specific always brings tears to my eyes. I don't know why, but every time I read it, whether in comments or on the page, it never fails to make me emotional. One of the best bits of storytelling that I have ever read.
Watching thousands of riders shout "Death" in defiance of Death itself, knowing they are likely riding to their doom, is likely the greatest show of elan ever written and filmed. Goosebumps after seeing it hundreds of times.
Theoden had a great character arc. From a weakened and spellbound ruler to the very image of the kings of old leading his Rohirrim into battle. Tolkien wrote: "With that he seized a great horn from Guthlaf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains." "Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Eomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first eored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Theoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Orome the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. his golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.”
@@dodovolcanosomething something Swedish Pagans. Preempting that one mf, I KNOW they’re Norwegian not Swedish. The joke still works, since both are Scandinavian/Viking.
@@dodovolcano Yeah, I read about that. Interesting. However it's similar but still different. Chanting about the place you believe to/wish to go after you die is not the same as invoking actual death as an entity. Both is powerful though.
And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.
The enemy host had almost 50k troops. Theoden only brought 7k horse. The movie doesn't really remind you of that except when it was discussed back in the camp. Theoden's speech was to give his men courage...because they were all going to die...and they knew it. The men could see the numbers they faced and that it would be impossible to defeat the enemy host with their own numbers. But they had a duty to do. They were all going to die and take out as many enemy before they fell in battle. If they could take out enough enemies, then the city could defend against the depleted numbers of the enemy. So with no hope of surviving the fight, the Rohirrim were going to ride down and face death anyway. For a lot of men, that's an epic way to die. Surrounded by warriors you respect while trying to save friends all while doing your duty.
And in the book it was even better. Seeing the Rohirrim break the lines of the orcs, Gondor's cavalry came charging out of the city to join their allies, led by Prince Imrahil, brother-in-law of Denethor. Imrahil was an honorable man more like Aragorn, and later he, Aragorn, and Eomer meet after the battle. Their skill with weapons was so great that none of them took a wound in the huge conflict.
@@rikk319 Peter did dumb down the Gondians. I laughably enjoy how the lego game for lotr did a better portrayal for Gondor, they came out of the fortress and fought in the open
What I love about this scene is even the strongest warriors they have feel fear when they see the army… it makes you feel it as well then the king becomes a true leader and inspires them and you have gone from fearing for them to cheering them on. Perfect bit of cinema
I love this scene so much. There were 16 reactions in this video alone and in every one of them I got excited, cried like a baby, and shouted the chant. This scene and the one in the Two Towers when Gandalf arrive just in time at Helms Deep are so epic, and so beautiful, I react like I though I'm watching them for the first time every time. It never gets old to me. Rohan is one of my favorite places and its theme music always makes me smile and feel joyful cause it's so beautiful, epic, and majestic, very Kingly, and it fits it so well. Howard Shore did an amazing job creating the soundtrack, and Rohan is my favorite, all of them are beautiful and epic, but there is something special about Rohan's theme. Maybe it's because of this scene, that it played when he charged at the enemy as he literally is coming to help you. I think hearing Rohan's theme reminds me of this incredible scene. Also just hearing it when you first get to Rohan which is an incredible town on a hill, and if I'm correct that is a hill that in real life shepherds use. They build the set on top of it but only on the agreement to take it down and leave it the same afterwards.
A King encouraging his men & fighting in the forefront. A true leader. Theoden was one of my favourite characters. A man past his prime, no Superman like Aragorn or Legolas, but with heart, courage, leadership, love for his people he did a great contribution to the victory of men. It took none less than the Witch-King, the most powerful of the Nazgul, to take him down. R.I.P. Bernhard Hill, and thank you, you gave an outstanding performance.
its nice to see a new generation watching and appreciating this movie for the first time. I remember watching the trilogy in the cinema when it came out 21 years ago... until like 3:30am. Back then when there were still movies worth watching in the cinema.
I was lucky enough to see this scene on the big screen the first, 2nd, 3rd and 4th time....I was 19 years old and I had no idea I was watching probably the greatest battle scene in the history of cinema. Absolutely epic. Chills. Tears. Goosebumps. The whole nine.
Some excerpts from the book: 《Ever since the middle night the great assault had gone on. The drums rolled. To the north and to the south company upon company of the enemy pressed to the walls. There came great beasts, like moving houses in the red and fitful light, the _mûmakil_ of the Harad dragging through the lanes amid the fires huge towers and engines. Yet their Captain cared not greatly what they did or how many might be slain: their purpose was only to test the strength of the defence and to keep the men of Gondor busy in many places. It was against the Gate that he would throw his heaviest weight. Very strong it might be, wrought of steel and iron, and guarded with towers and bastions of indomitable stone, yet it was the key, the weakest point in all that high and impenetrable wall. The drums rolled louder. Fires leaped up. Great engines crawled across the field; and in the midst was a huge ram, great as a forest-tree a hundred feet in length, swinging on mighty chains. Long had it been forging in the dark smithies of Mordor, and its hideous head, founded of black steel, was shaped in the likeness of a ravening wolf; on it spells of ruin lay. Grond they named it, in memory of the Hammer of the Underworld of old. Great beasts drew it, orcs surrounded it, and behind walked mountain-trolls to wield it. But about the Gate resistance still was stout, and there the knights of Dol Amroth and the hardiest of the garrison stood at bay. Shot and dart fell thick; siege-towers crashed or blazed suddenly like torches. All before the walls on either side of the Gate the ground was choked with wreck and with bodies of the slain; yet still driven as by a madness more and more came up. Grond crawled on. Upon its housing no fire would catch; and though now and again some great beast that hauled it would go mad and spread stamping ruin among the orcs innumerable that guarded it, their bodies were cast aside from its path and others took their place. Grond crawled on. The drums rolled wildly. Over the hills of slain a hideous shape appeared: a horseman, tall, hooded, cloaked in black. Slowly, trampling the fallen, he rode forth, heeding no longer any dart. He halted and held up a long pale sword. And as he did so a great fear fell on all, defender and foe alike; and the hands of men drooped to their sides, and no bow sang. For a moment all was still. The drums rolled and rattled. With a vast rush Grond was hurled forward by huge hands. It reached the Gate. It swung. A deep boom rumbled through the City like thunder running in the clouds. But the doors of iron and posts of steel withstood the stroke. Then the Black Captain rose in his stirrups and cried aloud in a dreadful voice, speaking in some forgotten tongue words of power and terror to rend both heart and stone. Thrice he cried. Thrice the great ram boomed. And suddenly upon the last stroke the Gate of Gondor broke. As if stricken by some blasting spell it burst asunder: there was a flash of searing lightning, and the doors tumbled in riven fragments to the ground. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face. All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínen. ‘You cannot enter here,’ said Gandalf, and the huge shadow halted. ‘Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your Master. Go!’ The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter. ‘Old fool!’ he said. ‘Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!’ And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade. Gandalf did not move. And in 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 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. [...] Now silently the host of Rohan moved forward into the field of Gondor, pouring in slowly but steadily, like the rising tide through breaches in a dike that men have thought secure. But the mind and will of the Black Captain were bent wholly on the falling city, and as yet no tidings came to him warning that his designs held any flaw. After a while the king led his men away somewhat eastward, to come between the fires of the siege and the outer fields. Still they were unchallenged, and still Théoden gave no signal. At last he halted once again. The City was now nearer. A smell of burning was in the air and a very shadow of death. The horses were uneasy. But the king sat upon Snowmane, motionless, gazing upon the agony of Minas Tirith, as if stricken suddenly by anguish, or by dread. He seemed to shrink down, cowed by age. Merry himself felt as if a great weight of horror and doubt had settled on him. His heart beat slowly. Time seemed poised in uncertainty. They were too late! Too late was worse than never! Perhaps Théoden would quail, bow his old head, turn, slink away to hide in the hills. Then suddenly Merry felt it at last, beyond doubt: a change. Wind was in his face! Light was glimmering. Far, far away, in the South the clouds could be dimly seen as remote grey shapes, rolling up, drifting: morning lay beyond them. But at that same moment there was a flash, as if lightning had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, its topmost tower like a glittering needle; and then as the darkness closed again there came rolling over the fields a great _boom._ At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before: _Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!_ _Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!_ _spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,_ _a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!_ _Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!_ With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains. _Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!_ Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first _éored_ roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City. [...] Over the field rang his clear voice calling: ‘Death! Ride, ride to ruin and the world’s ending!’ [...] _Death_ they cried with one voice loud and terrible.》 - The Return of the King, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
@@globus9710 You commented this twice on two different posts. Do you really hate the idea that he may have been inspired by a real life event even if he didnt say it outright? The similarities between The Battle of Vienna what takes place in the book is clear as day. Not to mention he stated he took inspiration from history when writing many other parts of the book.
I‘ll never forget seeing this in the cinema on premiere night… when they shouted „Death“ the third time half of the audience shouted too 🤩 that was the most epic moment ever!
Imagine shooting this scene, you’re told what it represents, you feel your spear being struck by the sword m you’d remember that ride for the rest of your life. Apparently they got every person who could ride a horse in New Zealand for the shot.
What many people who may have just watched the series once but never looked into any of the lore is that Gandalf was actually a ring bearer himself. He wears the elven ring Narya which has the power to inspire courage to fight against evil. It's one of the reasons all those soldiers were able to return to their posts even after the arrival of the 9.
One of the greatest scenes in cinema history. The scene is so great because with the music, the tone, and once the realization of whats about to happen sets in it gives such an overwhelming feeling of hope for victory over the orcs. 20 years I've been watching this scene, and I still get chills every single time.
I love that the Orcish lines broke BEFORE the riders reached them. It was the fear of the ferocity of man that won the battle, not their ability to fight, or their numbers. The sheer determination in the face of certain defeat won the day
One of the greatest scenes in film history! RIP Bernard Hill. From Yosser Hughes to Captain E J Smith to King Theoden and many more! An amazing career.
I finally saw this in theaters back in the summer & man what a good experience it was a childhood dream of mine come true. I'll never forget it!!! Rest in power Bernard Hill. A true sire.
"Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Eomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first eored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Theoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Orome the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. his golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.” 😭😭
In the book, Theoden looked from the hill and for a brief moment he thought of giving up seeing the vast forces and the city burning. A flash of sunlight and wind from the West shook him out of it and decided then to fight, come death or victory.
This in the cinema with sound on full blast was INSANE..I remember to this day the crowd went nuts and half of the dudes jumping up screaming "FCK YEAH" full blast. We had never seen anything like this before
I remember watching Endgame and when Cap said "Avengers!!!!! Assemble" and they all rushed, the first thing I thought was, almost as good as Ride of the Rohirim.
"[...]They were too late! Too late was worse than never!.... Then suddenly Merry felt it at last, beyond doubt: a change. Wind was in his face! Light was glimmering.... But at that same moment there was a flash, as if lightning had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, its topmost tower like a glittering needle: and then as the darkness closed again there came rolling over the fields a great boom. At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before"
The fact the scene gives Rohan a opportunity to ride away but ride to a certain death and inviting it by yelling its name 😢 I cry at this scene every-time just for the humanity alone and the self sacrifice
You just have to read it too. "Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them."
I was surprised when I realize a lot of people don't know Théoden and the Rohirrim are screaming "Death!", that detailed certainly makes this scene more dramatic and epic.
All-time favorite quote from the books about this scene that is depicted in the movies is a brief bit that Tolkien says "Singing as the slew" so imagine this charge and then the entire battle these crazy horsemen are singing as they kill... 😮🙌🏻😳
I remember reading somewhere that medievalists have reckoned that during a European heavy cavalry charge, the horse would kill 10-16 people for every one that the rider killed. Heavy cavalry horses were trained to bite at enemy faces as well as kick and ride them down.
This is one of, if not the most epic heavy cavalry charges in cinematic history. I remember seeing this in the theater and everyone was getting hyped up by the king. Please show their reactions to "I am NO man!!" That is another of the most epic moments in the film.
This is one of the scenes that - to this day - gives me courage to do the right thing in a conflicting situation in my day-to-day life.. That's how inspiring and aspirational the virtues are in Tolkien's work..
“At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before: Arise, arise, Riders of Theoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! With that he seized a great horn from Guthlaf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains. Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Eomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first eored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Theoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Orome the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. his golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.”
"Suddenly, the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be over taken. Fey he seemed, or the battle fury of his fathers ran like new fire within his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a God of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shown like an image of the sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath overtook them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.”
The battlecry of death, shows they had no expectation of living through this. Their lives forfeit, they had nothing to lose. An enemy committed to death, will fight until death.
Once in my life, I was on the edge of a rioting crowd, and a line of police horses advanced at a trot to break up the centre of the chaos. It worked; the line of horsemen was terrifying and appeared unstoppable, really something to see, and that was maybe 20 mounted police. In this film, this scene is as inspirational as all hell.
EOM reacts is right. Thaeodens speach does get you hyped. Bernard Hill (God bless his soul), gave a magnificent and powerfully emotionl speach, so much so, that it made everyone in the cinema, myself included, want to suit up, grab a sword and fight to the death in the battle for him. The cinema was so charged it was no longer a film. It was an experience everyone was in ❤
Gods, I LOVE this! One of my favourite scenes of all time. I want so badly to be an Eorlinga when I watch this. Though I’d probably die immediately as I can’t ride a horse 😁
"Eorlingas" means "Sons of Eorl"--the founder of Rohan and their first king. When Theoden says "Forth Eorlingas!", he's basically saying, "Let's go, my brothers!"
This is the the Largest Cavalry charge in Cinematic history. Between 150 and 200 horses and riders were used for this Scene, the rest were Digitally added in post production!!! No Horses were injured!!!!!
What no one ever seems to notice is the Kingly stoacisim of Theaoden. He see's the gigantic Orc army when he arrives, and for a split second his face shows fear. A look of "What on earth have I got my people into". After all he is only human. Then his Kingly honour and love to protect not just his lands, but all lands of family and friends takes over, and you see his face almost snarl as if to say "Come on then, lets get this going, for i am going to kill as many of you as i can" His speach ecoes this bravery and says to his men in basic modern terms that "We go to our deaths, so do not be afraid. Make it the most glorious death, for in our deaths their will be victory for all of mankind" It "SCREAMS" bravery, honour, loyalty, love, as well as vengence, anger, and hope. All wrapped up in one "EPIC SPEACH" and facial expression. Legendary script and acting ❤
Makes it even crazier when you realise that Morgoth gave humans fear of mortality. Thus them chanting death is like giving the middle finger to one of the most powerful beings in lotr lore
0:03 EOM Reacts www.youtube.com/@EOMReacts
1:08 Addie Counts www.youtube.com/@AddieCounts
2:24 Reelin' with Asia and BJ www.youtube.com/@ReelinwithAsiaandBJ1
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7:22 Spartan & Pudgey www.youtube.com/@SpartanandPudgey
8:48 Rob Squad Movie Reactions www.youtube.com/@robsquadmoviereactions
10:12 Magic Magy www.youtube.com/@MagicMagy
11:37 Liala Naema www.youtube.com/@LialaNaema
13:03 The Perfect Mix www.youtube.com/@theperfectmixx
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so it's just a series of clips pinched off other channels and stitched together? Pfft lame AF
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE CHARGE THAT LOOKS LIKE A ARROW CHARGE THAT WAS INVENTED BY THE CRUSADERS TOO BREAKUP ARMY VERY VERY AFFECTIVE MOVE WORKED FOR THE CRUSADERS JUST SAYING
“Old fool!" he said. "Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!" And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.
Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the city, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of war nor of wizardry, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of 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.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Return of the King
Awesome stuff.
Nothing compares to his writing
And make a note: _The_ _Witchking_ _did_ *not* _break_ _Gandalf's_ _Staff_ _anywhere_ in the original writing.
Yeah, I mean for such a fan I am of the professor P.J had to make some change to give some drama. I'm not saying that the professo's writing is wrong or bore just for the big screen you have to make some adjustments @@GreyhawkTheAngry
@hatta-elgonzalez1153
Even the Professor admitted as much, and provided notes for what adjustments to make for a screen adaptation.
Peter Jackson actually FOLLOWED a goodly number of them. :3
@@GreyhawkTheAngry that why you just nobody in comment section in yt , hate film this much why watch
The greatest, most glorious and epic scene in cinema history!!! RIP Bernard Hill, Theoden King of Rohan ❤
That's how a real King leads!👑⚔
And significantly smaller than the charge of the winged hussars irl. The Rohirrim numbered 6000, while the charge of the winged hussars numbered 18'000. They rode in to completely turn the tide of the siege of Vienna. It is highly likey that J.R.R. Tolkien had this fight on his mind when he wrote this in the book. Now take a second in your mind to triple the force you see here and imagine what that looked like
If you think that, then you need to watch more movies.
May his spirit find its way to the halls of his fathers.
i hope they scattered simbelmyne flowers on his grave
If this scene doesn't give you goosebumps are you even alive?
The horns alone give me goosebumps!
Goosebumps? Tears more like. Easily the one of the most uplifting and moving scenes in the trilogy (Boromir’s death and Sam carrying Frodo being my main contenders).
@@myspiderungoliant agreed
@@TheCraftyNinjaSculptsif this gave you goosebumps, listen to the Horn of Helm Hammerhand in a theater. You can feel that sound in your bones, it’s so deep.
Goosebumps and tears
The theatre exploded when the riders appeared! The audience was going bat-sh*t crazy during the speech and charge. I was 31 years old and literally awestruck in these films. Not a small thing with the amount of bangers being released in those days.
I saw Fellowship I think 11x, TT x7, and ROTK at least 5x in the theatre. Changed my life really.
I was 10 at the time Fellowship released and it had the same effect. Forever my favorite film trilogy.
The greatest cavalry charge in cinema history
Not just cavalry ride, greatest reinforcements coming in to save someone
@@JamailvanWestering I hate when shows or movies have cavalry show up like this because it will never be even near as good as this so why even try?
@@kgk6863 I don’t hate it, all I ask is passion and ingenuity.
It is based on a real cavalry charge of polish hussars charging ottoman invaders of Vienna 400 years ago
@@pinkfloydhomer 3000 winged hussars and 18000 other horseback cavalry. That’s 21000 horseback cavalry led by the King of Poland.
It doesn't matter how many times ive seen this amazing trilogy... this scene still makes cry, gives me goosebumps and makes me feel brave
Me too.
This is me everytime.
well said
This scene makes me want a sword,shield and a fast,fresh horse to RIDE into battle for a just and righteous cause. LOL.
love it. the king goes first. that white horse . how can u not follow him, after that speech?
One thing a lot of people missed during this entire scene is when they arrived to the battlefield, you can see they're visibly distraught by the size of the orc army and Theoden knew that. It's a Kings job to rally his army and make them believe they can overcome anything in front of them.
I agree with what you first said, but I differ on that very last bit. Theoden was not trying to make them believe they could overcome this. Earlier in the movie, he made no effort to sugarcoat it when he said that they could not win against the enemy, but that they would ride out and meet them nonetheless.
You’re right in that they appear disheartened, and you’re right that he’s giving them a speech to bolster them up. But he’s not saying they can overcome. He’s telling them that they are going to die, but that it is their duty to do so. They’re there to sacrifice themselves to protect Minas Tirith, and, by extension, the people of Middle Earth. They are riding forth to the world’s ending. They arrived afraid to die. Theoden lead them all as they chanted “DEATH” before charging towards it.
@@Jordanmode
It's as Elrond said to Aragorn earlier: "You ride to war but not to victory." He likely told Theoden the same thing and to hold out as much as he can until Aragorn arrives with the army of the dead. Therefore, Theoden's speech is summed up as, "We're gonna go out in the biggest blaze of glory if that is our fate."
It's a quick line that Theoden shouts to one of his commanders but "Forth! And Fear No Darkness" always sticks with me.
My favorite line from Theoden.
They also kept the line from the book "take your company right, after you pass the wall" - as a nod (or an accidental blip) to the book as there was a circular wall around the Pelennor Fields the Rohirrim had to get through.
Same..so much so that I got it inked on my right inner biceps in elvish. Greatest scene in movie history for me.
@@NathanS__ for me it's the thrice chanted "DEATH!" 🙌🏻
I remember watching this in the theaters. It was the greatest in-theatre experience in my life, and always will be. I was on my feet, and I yelled, cried, and laughed. Shivers even today!
RIP Bernard Hill, one of the best to ever do it! The world is a darker place without him.
He made a great Theoden
He goes to the place of his forebears with a greater honor than most mortals. He rests with no shame and all the glory of the King of Rohan
What most people do not know, unless they have read the appendices in Return of the King, is that Theoden was actually born in Gondor because his father, Thengel, had lived there for a time and married a woman from the Gondor province of Lossarnach, she was distantly related to the Prince of Dol Amroth, the highest ranking noble after the Steward. Thengel moved his family back to Rohan to take up the throne and Theoden became his heir.
I like that the front rank of the riders was all made up of people who had read and loved the books, so they'd know the significance of what they were filming.
That was always my favorite pre-battle speech. No "We can do it!" or "This is important!"
Just "Let's go cause as much death and die because it's the end of the world and fuck it."
Well, shit, I'll fight for that.
Abso-fuckin-lutely
It's the base level of bravery that humanity displays both in fiction and IRL and Tolkien writes it so beautifully ❤
Make it even better when you realise that Morgoth gave humans fear of mortality so them chanting deaath is basically giving one of the strongest being in lotr lore the middle finger
I can't imagine anything more terrifying than watching a whole line of cavalry charging right at you, screaming for death.
I can! Some of these reactors lmao
"I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company, I shall not now feel ashamed" - Théoden, son of Thengel, Lord of the Mark, King of Rohan.
RIP Bernard Hill
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Spear shall be shaken, shield shall be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now, ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending!
Death! Death! Death!
Forth Eorlingas!
DEATH
It's short but for me it's the best speech ever
@@frantnegh7583 Tolkien drew inspiration from the norse Poetic Edda when writing it... specifically the verses about Ragnarok. He even paraphrase quoted it. ("Spears will be shaken, shields will be splintered, a sword day, a red day!")
Aragon paraphrased other verses of the same part of the Edda at the Black Gate. ("An hour of wolves and shattered shields")
@@GuukanKitsune thanks, Tolkien the 🐐
"a sword day, a red day / ere the sun rises" This is Anglo-Saxon alliterative verse, with the S-R / S-R repetition. Tolkien knew his poetry.
Not to undercut how awesome this scene is, but one of my favorite ways to rewatch Rings is with the actor commentary on the extended edition. During this scene, Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Dominic Monaghan (Merry) have the following exchange...
"How many horses were on set for this, Dom?"
"I spoke to Pete and he wasn't able to give me an exact number, but at any given time it was at least eleven."
(Billy laughs, sees the first few get hit by arrows) "Oop, seven now."
(Both laugh)
They really were perfect casting. They just exude the impish sibling energy that make Merry & Pippin such a joy to watch!
I've read somewhere they had about 500 horses to film this scene. And the riders were mostly women with beards attached, because they were lighter than men. So in fact they had a small Amazon army there.
People forget that a Calvary horse could weight as much as 1,000 to 1,200 pounds and reach speeds of 25 mph. That many horses would shake the very ground. Infantry stands very little chance.
_Very_ little, if any
Disciplined troops with proper equipment is a very different story. Cavalry against undisciplined troops that falter and scatter, or have thin ranks, will easily get mowed down.
Sure, a 500kg horse, with a rider, going at 40kph is a very hard thing to stop, but if it colides with a spear braced against the ground, it will stop real quick, and then cause a pile up from anything following.
That said, I do love this scene.
They filmed that scene with like 200 Riders in real and the ground shaked during the ride
Well yes -- unless you're a bunch of Scots led by Robert the Bruce, but that's a different kind of infantry 😉
@@sorenschroder4002and most of those riders were women as there were more women available than men in New Zealand
Fun Fact: This was based on a real life event, and while this scene is depicting around 5,000 cavalry, the 1683 Siege of Vienna saw 18,000 cavalry charge at the Ottoman army to relieve the besieged city, can you imagine seeing 18000 Horses charging, truly insane
The Winged Hussars
Charging down the mountain side!!!
coming down they turned the tide!
The ground must have felt like an earthquake.
THEN THE ROHIRRIM ARRIVED
But at that moment there was a flash, as if lightning had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, it's topmost tower like a glittering needle: and then as the darkness closed again there came rolling over the fields a great boom.
At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before: Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! With that he siezed a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains. Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! Suddenly the King cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner bkew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and the darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City. -Return of the King
It is such an epic moment. I also love how you can see Théoden and snowmane in the wide shot, outpacing the charge at it's very tip.
CS Lewis (of the Narnia books) said that passage was as good as anything in Homer.
This passage in specific always brings tears to my eyes. I don't know why, but every time I read it, whether in comments or on the page, it never fails to make me emotional. One of the best bits of storytelling that I have ever read.
Still chills. I've seen this scene a million times, and it still gives me crazy chills
Watching thousands of riders shout "Death" in defiance of Death itself, knowing they are likely riding to their doom, is likely the greatest show of elan ever written and filmed. Goosebumps after seeing it hundreds of times.
Theoden had a great character arc. From a weakened and spellbound ruler to the very image of the kings of old leading his Rohirrim into battle.
Tolkien wrote: "With that he seized a great horn from Guthlaf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains."
"Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Eomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first eored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Theoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Orome the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. his golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.”
This scene will always be goosebump epic
Théoden and his men using the word "death" as a battlecry is something that was actually done by germanic/norse armies 1000+ years ago.
Still done nowadays. Norwegians were chanting "til Valhall" in Afghanistan.
@@dodovolcanosomething something Swedish Pagans.
Preempting that one mf, I KNOW they’re Norwegian not Swedish. The joke still works, since both are Scandinavian/Viking.
@@dodovolcano Yeah, I read about that. Interesting. However it's similar but still different. Chanting about the place you believe to/wish to go after you die is not the same as invoking actual death as an entity. Both is powerful though.
And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.
@@dodovolcano lol that is some crazy larping
The enemy host had almost 50k troops. Theoden only brought 7k horse. The movie doesn't really remind you of that except when it was discussed back in the camp. Theoden's speech was to give his men courage...because they were all going to die...and they knew it. The men could see the numbers they faced and that it would be impossible to defeat the enemy host with their own numbers. But they had a duty to do. They were all going to die and take out as many enemy before they fell in battle. If they could take out enough enemies, then the city could defend against the depleted numbers of the enemy. So with no hope of surviving the fight, the Rohirrim were going to ride down and face death anyway.
For a lot of men, that's an epic way to die. Surrounded by warriors you respect while trying to save friends all while doing your duty.
And in the book it was even better. Seeing the Rohirrim break the lines of the orcs, Gondor's cavalry came charging out of the city to join their allies, led by Prince Imrahil, brother-in-law of Denethor. Imrahil was an honorable man more like Aragorn, and later he, Aragorn, and Eomer meet after the battle. Their skill with weapons was so great that none of them took a wound in the huge conflict.
@@rikk319
Peter did dumb down the Gondians. I laughably enjoy how the lego game for lotr did a better portrayal for Gondor, they came out of the fortress and fought in the open
The greatest trilogy ever.
What I would pay to be able to see this for the first time again.
I watched this scene hundreds of times, and I get goosebumps every time!
What I love about this scene is even the strongest warriors they have feel fear when they see the army… it makes you feel it as well then the king becomes a true leader and inspires them and you have gone from fearing for them to cheering them on. Perfect bit of cinema
I love this scene so much. There were 16 reactions in this video alone and in every one of them I got excited, cried like a baby, and shouted the chant. This scene and the one in the Two Towers when Gandalf arrive just in time at Helms Deep are so epic, and so beautiful, I react like I though I'm watching them for the first time every time. It never gets old to me. Rohan is one of my favorite places and its theme music always makes me smile and feel joyful cause it's so beautiful, epic, and majestic, very Kingly, and it fits it so well. Howard Shore did an amazing job creating the soundtrack, and Rohan is my favorite, all of them are beautiful and epic, but there is something special about Rohan's theme. Maybe it's because of this scene, that it played when he charged at the enemy as he literally is coming to help you. I think hearing Rohan's theme reminds me of this incredible scene. Also just hearing it when you first get to Rohan which is an incredible town on a hill, and if I'm correct that is a hill that in real life shepherds use. They build the set on top of it but only on the agreement to take it down and leave it the same afterwards.
A King encouraging his men & fighting in the forefront. A true leader.
Theoden was one of my favourite characters. A man past his prime, no Superman like Aragorn or Legolas, but with heart, courage, leadership, love for his people he did a great contribution to the victory of men. It took none less than the Witch-King, the most powerful of the Nazgul, to take him down.
R.I.P. Bernhard Hill, and thank you, you gave an outstanding performance.
I've been watching this movie for 20 years, and I still shake inside when they all shout "Death!"
its nice to see a new generation watching and appreciating this movie for the first time. I remember watching the trilogy in the cinema when it came out 21 years ago... until like 3:30am. Back then when there were still movies worth watching in the cinema.
"Fire at will!!"
"Which one's Will??"
“ALL OF THEM!!!”
Will: "Yo guys what did I do!!!???"
“Good morning class, today we’re gonna finger paint.”
Kid named Paint: 😮
@@phillipfry9765 Poor Paint.
I was lucky enough to see this scene on the big screen the first, 2nd, 3rd and 4th time....I was 19 years old and I had no idea I was watching probably the greatest battle scene in the history of cinema. Absolutely epic. Chills. Tears. Goosebumps. The whole nine.
Some excerpts from the book:
《Ever since the middle night the great assault had gone on. The drums rolled. To the north and to the south company upon company of the enemy pressed to the walls. There came great beasts, like moving houses in the red and fitful light, the _mûmakil_ of the Harad dragging through the lanes amid the fires huge towers and engines. Yet their Captain cared not greatly what they did or how many might be slain: their purpose was only to test the strength of the defence and to keep the men of Gondor busy in many places. It was against the Gate that he would throw his heaviest weight. Very strong it might be, wrought of steel and iron, and guarded with towers and bastions of indomitable stone, yet it was the key, the weakest point in all that high and impenetrable wall.
The drums rolled louder. Fires leaped up. Great engines crawled across the field; and in the midst was a huge ram, great as a forest-tree a hundred feet in length, swinging on mighty chains. Long had it been forging in the dark smithies of Mordor, and its hideous head, founded of black steel, was shaped in the likeness of a ravening wolf; on it spells of ruin lay. Grond they named it, in memory of the Hammer of the Underworld of old. Great beasts drew it, orcs surrounded it, and behind walked mountain-trolls to wield it.
But about the Gate resistance still was stout, and there the knights of Dol Amroth and the hardiest of the garrison stood at bay. Shot and dart fell thick; siege-towers crashed or blazed suddenly like torches. All before the walls on either side of the Gate the ground was choked with wreck and with bodies of the slain; yet still driven as by a madness more and more came up.
Grond crawled on. Upon its housing no fire would catch; and though now and again some great beast that hauled it would go mad and spread stamping ruin among the orcs innumerable that guarded it, their bodies were cast aside from its path and others took their place.
Grond crawled on. The drums rolled wildly. Over the hills of slain a hideous shape appeared: a horseman, tall, hooded, cloaked in black. Slowly, trampling the fallen, he rode forth, heeding no longer any dart. He halted and held up a long pale sword. And as he did so a great fear fell on all, defender and foe alike; and the hands of men drooped to their sides, and no bow sang. For a moment all was still.
The drums rolled and rattled. With a vast rush Grond was hurled forward by huge hands. It reached the Gate. It swung. A deep boom rumbled through the City like thunder running in the clouds. But the doors of iron and posts of steel withstood the stroke.
Then the Black Captain rose in his stirrups and cried aloud in a dreadful voice, speaking in some forgotten tongue words of power and terror to rend both heart and stone.
Thrice he cried. Thrice the great ram boomed. And suddenly upon the last stroke the Gate of Gondor broke. As if stricken by some blasting spell it burst asunder: there was a flash of searing lightning, and the doors tumbled in riven fragments to the ground.
In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face.
All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínen.
‘You cannot enter here,’ said Gandalf, and the huge shadow halted. ‘Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your Master. Go!’
The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter.
‘Old fool!’ he said. ‘Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!’ And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.
Gandalf did not move. And in 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 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.
[...]
Now silently the host of Rohan moved forward into the field of Gondor, pouring in slowly but steadily, like the rising tide through breaches in a dike that men have thought secure. But the mind and will of the Black Captain were bent wholly on the falling city, and as yet no tidings came to him warning that his designs held any flaw.
After a while the king led his men away somewhat eastward, to come between the fires of the siege and the outer fields. Still they were unchallenged, and still Théoden gave no signal. At last he halted once again. The City was now nearer. A smell of burning was in the air and a very shadow of death. The horses were uneasy. But the king sat upon Snowmane, motionless, gazing upon the agony of Minas Tirith, as if stricken suddenly by anguish, or by dread. He seemed to shrink down, cowed by age. Merry himself felt as if a great weight of horror and doubt had settled on him. His heart beat slowly. Time seemed poised in uncertainty. They were too late! Too late was worse than never! Perhaps Théoden would quail, bow his old head, turn, slink away to hide in the hills.
Then suddenly Merry felt it at last, beyond doubt: a change. Wind was in his face! Light was glimmering. Far, far away, in the South the clouds could be dimly seen as remote grey shapes, rolling up, drifting: morning lay beyond them.
But at that same moment there was a flash, as if lightning had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, its topmost tower like a glittering needle; and then as the darkness closed again there came rolling over the fields a great _boom._
At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before:
_Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!_
_Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!_
_spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,_
_a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!_
_Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!_
With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains.
_Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!_
Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first _éored_ roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.
[...]
Over the field rang his clear voice calling: ‘Death! Ride, ride to ruin and the world’s ending!’
[...]
_Death_ they cried with one voice loud and terrible.》
- The Return of the King, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Who else can hear Tolkien’s voice every time this scene comes up?
"Imagine a king who fights his own battles, wouldn't that be a sight"
Achilles would have fought for Theoden.
Fun fact: The Ride of the Rohirrim was influenced by a real life event. The Charge of the Winged Hassars at The Battle of Vienna.
Don’t mess with the Hussars
The Poles kicked ass in that battle.
@@rikk319 The poles always kick ass
It was not. Tolkien has never mentioned it
@@globus9710 You commented this twice on two different posts. Do you really hate the idea that he may have been inspired by a real life event even if he didnt say it outright? The similarities between The Battle of Vienna what takes place in the book is clear as day. Not to mention he stated he took inspiration from history when writing many other parts of the book.
2:00 If she hates seeing the horses go down, then she'll love it when they engaged the Haradim.😂
I‘ll never forget seeing this in the cinema on premiere night… when they shouted „Death“ the third time half of the audience shouted too 🤩 that was the most epic moment ever!
GREATEST. SCENE. IN. FILM. HOSTORY!! Not just the charge itself, but the incredible detail of THEODEN SURGING AHEAD LEADING HIS MEN!!
The movie theater shook when the horse charge happened and the horns blew. Was the coolest moment I ever saw in a theater
I was right there at the theaters! Saturday afternoon, crowded season! I can't find the words to describe those feelings properly.
Amazing film!
Imagine shooting this scene, you’re told what it represents, you feel your spear being struck by the sword m you’d remember that ride for the rest of your life. Apparently they got every person who could ride a horse in New Zealand for the shot.
I wonder what the ground felt like with all that epicness
The sound & rumble of thunder 🐎🐎🌩🌩
Well probably crazy, even though there were only 150 extra’s actually on set for those scenes
Watch the BTS, the crew had the wisdom to leave part of the charge in the extras and there should be a clip on TH-cam.
This is a scene you can watch a thousand times and it remains as epic as the first time you saw it.
What many people who may have just watched the series once but never looked into any of the lore is that Gandalf was actually a ring bearer himself. He wears the elven ring Narya which has the power to inspire courage to fight against evil. It's one of the reasons all those soldiers were able to return to their posts even after the arrival of the 9.
One of the greatest scenes in cinema history.
The scene is so great because with the music, the tone, and once the realization of whats about to happen sets in it gives such an overwhelming feeling of hope for victory over the orcs.
20 years I've been watching this scene, and I still get chills every single time.
I love that the Orcish lines broke BEFORE the riders reached them. It was the fear of the ferocity of man that won the battle, not their ability to fight, or their numbers. The sheer determination in the face of certain defeat won the day
One of the greatest scenes in film history! RIP Bernard Hill. From Yosser Hughes to Captain E J Smith to King Theoden and many more! An amazing career.
Having the orcs show fear was a tiny detail that made this scene 100x more powerful.
14:23 17:10 That horse on the far left without a rider is truly part of the Rohirrim.
watched this scene so many times! never noticed that! wow
I finally saw this in theaters back in the summer & man what a good experience it was a childhood dream of mine come true. I'll never forget it!!! Rest in power Bernard Hill. A true sire.
You know a movie is peak at top of mountain when it brings out a tear, brings out an emotion
"Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Eomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first eored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Theoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Orome the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. his golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.” 😭😭
In the book, Theoden looked from the hill and for a brief moment he thought of giving up seeing the vast forces and the city burning. A flash of sunlight and wind from the West shook him out of it and decided then to fight, come death or victory.
This in the cinema with sound on full blast was INSANE..I remember to this day the crowd went nuts and half of the dudes jumping up screaming "FCK YEAH" full blast. We had never seen anything like this before
Theoden urges them to ride to their deaths, and leads the charge himself. What an absolute legend.
A king who fights his own battles is a sight to behold. A king who’s ready to fight and die alongside his soldiers is beyond epic.
When I saw this scene, that's when I knew they had the Oscar! Brilliantly and beautifully done!!😍❤❤
Every time I watch this scene I get emotional lmao.
perhaps that's why cavalry charges have been for hundreds of years the first choice in warfare
I will NEVER get tired of re-watching these films.
Every time I hear that speech, the horns, the song, I cry
I remember watching Endgame and when Cap said "Avengers!!!!! Assemble" and they all rushed, the first thing I thought was, almost as good as Ride of the Rohirim.
Endgame and marvel is garbage compared to this
@@pinkfloydhomerI thought the movies were great and the 10 year build up did pay off. I like them but not as much as Lord of the Rings.
"[...]They were too late! Too late was worse than never!....
Then suddenly Merry felt it at last, beyond doubt: a change. Wind was in his face! Light was glimmering....
But at that same moment there was a flash, as if lightning had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, its topmost tower like a glittering needle: and then as the darkness closed again there came rolling over the fields a great boom.
At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before"
The fact the scene gives Rohan a opportunity to ride away but ride to a certain death and inviting it by yelling its name 😢 I cry at this scene every-time just for the humanity alone and the self sacrifice
You just have to read it too.
"Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them."
Sauron: Has army of 100k+
Théoden with his 6000 Knights: How cute:
I was surprised when I realize a lot of people don't know Théoden and the Rohirrim are screaming "Death!", that detailed certainly makes this scene more dramatic and epic.
All-time favorite quote from the books about this scene that is depicted in the movies is a brief bit that Tolkien says "Singing as the slew" so imagine this charge and then the entire battle these crazy horsemen are singing as they kill... 😮🙌🏻😳
This scene reminds me that when you face unspeakable odds you just have to confront it and “fear no darkness!”. “Death” battle cry hits so hard!
@18:20 you can definitely tell the guy in the blue shirt has seen this movie before, he keeps looking over to see his friends’ reactions
Rest in Power Bernard Hill! You may lay with your fathers 😭
I remember reading somewhere that medievalists have reckoned that during a European heavy cavalry charge, the horse would kill 10-16 people for every one that the rider killed. Heavy cavalry horses were trained to bite at enemy faces as well as kick and ride them down.
Avenger Endgame: Epic charge!!!
King Theoden: Hold my beer.
This is one of, if not the most epic heavy cavalry charges in cinematic history. I remember seeing this in the theater and everyone was getting hyped up by the king.
Please show their reactions to "I am NO man!!" That is another of the most epic moments in the film.
This is one of the scenes that - to this day - gives me courage to do the right thing in a conflicting situation in my day-to-day life.. That's how inspiring and aspirational the virtues are in Tolkien's work..
I always use to think god how the ground would rumble with that many horses galloping at once. Such an epic scene
“At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before:
Arise, arise, Riders of Theoden!
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
With that he seized a great horn from Guthlaf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains.
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Eomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first eored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Theoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Orome the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. his golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.”
DEATH!!!!!🎉
One of the greatest speeches and war scenes in history. So epic. RIP Bernard Hill!!!!
"Suddenly, the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be over taken.
Fey he seemed, or the battle fury of his fathers ran like new fire within his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a God of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shown like an image of the sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed.
For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath overtook them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.”
This will always gives us courage.
When a scene makes you cry a little from how epic it is
Most epic scene in history .. every morning im going to the work with my bike .. its like .. deaaaaath
The battlecry of death, shows they had no expectation of living through this. Their lives forfeit, they had nothing to lose. An enemy committed to death, will fight until death.
Once in my life, I was on the edge of a rioting crowd, and a line of police horses advanced at a trot to break up the centre of the chaos. It worked; the line of horsemen was terrifying and appeared unstoppable, really something to see, and that was maybe 20 mounted police. In this film, this scene is as inspirational as all hell.
EOM reacts is right.
Thaeodens speach does get you hyped.
Bernard Hill (God bless his soul), gave a magnificent and powerfully emotionl speach, so much so, that it made everyone in the cinema, myself included, want to suit up, grab a sword and fight to the death in the battle for him.
The cinema was so charged it was no longer a film.
It was an experience everyone was in ❤
This is the greatest scene in cinema history... Speech, music... atmospere.... tears every fucking time.
May the memory of Theoden son of Thengel, king of Rohan, be remembered for ethernity.
FULL…….BODY …..CHILLS ……. every time I see it
Gods, I LOVE this!
One of my favourite scenes of all time.
I want so badly to be an Eorlinga when I watch this.
Though I’d probably die immediately as I can’t ride a horse 😁
"Eorlingas" means "Sons of Eorl"--the founder of Rohan and their first king. When Theoden says "Forth Eorlingas!", he's basically saying, "Let's go, my brothers!"
@@rikk319
I know.
sen this masterpiece countless of times, still gives me goosebumps without fail, no other films compare to lotr
The cgi for this trilogy still holds up to this day.
the greatest battle in the history of cinema.........
This is the the Largest Cavalry charge in Cinematic history. Between 150 and 200 horses and riders were used for this Scene, the rest were Digitally added in post production!!! No Horses were injured!!!!!
What no one ever seems to notice is the Kingly stoacisim of Theaoden.
He see's the gigantic Orc army when he arrives, and for a split second his face shows fear. A look of "What on earth have I got my people into".
After all he is only human.
Then his Kingly honour and love to protect not just his lands, but all lands of family and friends takes over, and you see his face almost snarl as if to say
"Come on then, lets get this going, for i am going to kill as many of you as i can"
His speach ecoes this bravery and says to his men in basic modern terms that "We go to our deaths, so do not be afraid. Make it the most glorious death, for in our deaths their will be victory for all of mankind"
It "SCREAMS" bravery, honour, loyalty, love, as well as vengence, anger, and hope. All wrapped up in one "EPIC SPEACH" and facial expression.
Legendary script and acting ❤
Makes it even crazier when you realise that Morgoth gave humans fear of mortality. Thus them chanting death is like giving the middle finger to one of the most powerful beings in lotr lore
The men of the West have risen against all expectation and Sauron's dark throne trembles!
For me best scene is not so much the tramplings of orcs, but the speech and the chant of death. Goosebumps.