This is why I kind of struggled with season one of Power of the Rings after finding out that Hellbrand was actually Sauron, just doesn’t feel right but he’s deceiving everyone which is amazing and I totally understand now. Especially with Annatar! Season 2 is amazing so far!
@@nickyprime7668Bro you can’t seriously like Rings of Power. And season two is even worse than the first. You should’ve been gatekept harder outta the fandom ong. I would slap you if I could for even bringing that up in a LOTR video
Imagine the herculean RESTRAINT it took for Jackson and the editors to decide against putting this scene into the movie. Every movie has to have that final showdown with the bad guy, it's such an important part of our modern storytelling framework. But they didn't because they understood what was really important and what Sauron's physical form would take away from it. That restraint, that integrity to say 'no' might be the very quality that makes these movies stand apart from all the rest as a true masterpiece.
@@ThisHandleSystemCanGetNicked That's the whole point of destroying the ring--to prevent his return. Having Aragorn square off in a duel with Sauron in physical form cheapens those stakes and, more importantly, it diminishes the value of the story's subtext. The subtext is that Frodo and Sam, two little hobbits of no esteemed station or abilities, are the most important characters in the entire world in this moment. Aragorn, who would be a great king and warrior, is not here to fight the main villain as they are. His only desire was to give them a fighting chance with his life if necessary. It is a moment of role reversal, and intentionally defies the folktale trope. This is the way power is unmade, not with a cliché swordfight with the bad guy but through humanity, brotherhood and humility.
@@michaelweir9666 I agree, I also think that to give Sauron a physical form diminishes his threat and his presence. It is much more interesting if he is this vague spirit and something which you don't fully understand.
This is my favorite scene. Last time Aragon saw frodo was at the end of the fellowship of the ring, saying to him' i would of followed you to the gates of mordor'...and here he is, keeping his promise
I've always loved how the Hobbits were the ones who had the most courage to charge first after Aragorn in this scene. There's something so brave and epic about that.
And it’s always funny when the Men run past them. If the film had a lighter tone, I think it would’ve been funny to have a shot of them being swallowed up by the group, and them getting all annoyed.
When Aragorn turns and says "for Frodo" the first ones running toward the battle are Merry and Pippin. I just love that. Two little hobbits who would likely have never left the Shire, are willing to put their lives on the line because they love their friend.
YES! It’s my favorite shot in any film! For twenty years, whenever I see it tell someone how much I love it. What a journey for those two - from nights at the The Green Dragon and stealing vegetables to charging into battle (and as far as they know: their deaths). In the books, they go on to lead the Battle of the Shire and when their lives are finally over, they are laid to rest on either side of Aragorn. The films may not include that, but it includes that shot of them running into battle and that’s pretty damn close!
Not only that, but they were the first to charge in after Aragorn, not Gandalf, not Gimli or Legolas, nobody. They charged in because the love they had for their friend, and the bravery and courage they had gained along the way.
Drives me to tears every time, I bet they were scared shitless too compared to the other experienced warriors, yet they were right there, in the front, running towards what looked like their death. Real love and Friendship there
@@leone.6190 Dude come on, it makes sense in the context of that scene and especially relatable in modern times. Not everything is historically accurate
Many pre-modern rulers went in the battlefield. They at the least gave commands, and at the most actually got their sword bloody by fighting personally, that's pre-1700s. After 1700s the exceptions are Charles XII, Frederick, Napoleon, and a few others I don't remember.
As an eighteen year old, I watched all three in the theater as they were each released… thank God for that. Never again will there be a movie franchise that excites us that way. It’s all over.
This scene was removed for 3 reasons: The scene itself strayed too far from Tolkien's text. Showing Sauron in physical form contradicted what was established in the movies, where it was mentioned that he could not take physical form unless he obtained the One Ring again. Sauron and Aragorn's fight played down Frodo's mission, since according to what was filmed, during the fight, Aragorn managed to stab Sauron with Elendil's sword at the same time that the ring melted in the lava, which implied that both Aragorn and Frodo defeated Sauron. P.D: I already know that in the books Sauron has a physical body, but he remains locked in his Tower because he is weak for not having the ring. But in the movies, Saruman makes it clear that he has no physical form and Gandalf implies that he needs the One Ring to restore his physical form along with all his power. That's why I say that this scene would not have been consistent with the continuity of the movies.
I know. But it's the movie. The movie doesn't even have to match the book by 50%. This scene was epic and very disturbing. It also shows Sauron like a character more than any other scene.
@Acceleration Quanta the letter only establishes the mechanism by which Sauron retakes physical form, not when or if in the book he takes it. What chapter is that quotation in. I would like to check on that, but quite clearly Sauron makes no physical appearance at the end of a Tolkien’s story-much less one of combat. The description of Sauron’s recognition of the imperilment of the Ring is artfully completely of the mind.
Sauron had regained physical form in the lord of the rings, he was much weaker without the one ring but it wasn't required for him to have physical form. The reason he never makes a physical appearance in the books is because thats not really his style he's the "dark lord on his dark throne". His identity as the necromancer in the hobbit was an example of him being very much in physical form.
It’s incredible that I’m both sad and glad this was cut, while it’s awesome, it makes Sauron feel a bit too much like a cliche fantasy villain rather than a terrifying legendary ghoulish presence.
His pressence was menacing, but seeing him in action would have been cool too. Pretty sure PJ said he didn't want the focus to detract from the hobbits, cause it would make Aragorn seem like the main character lol.
@@kassaken6521 I thought I wanted to see it, but when I heard his reasoning for cutting it cos it distracted from Frodo and the Ring, I tend to agree with him and think it was for the best
@@kassaken6521 wich in a way he is, imagine going for a imensurable fight knowing youll lose and getting out alive true main charachter there, if he had a camera he would be unstopable
Agreed. Just watched the original trilogy this weekend, and it has held up amazingly well. I guess when you use CGI when you need to and make an actual effort on makeup, costume and sets, it withstands time better than CGI that looks more and more obvious as technology advances.
Even with slight flaws for nowadays standards this movies are majestic and they have a soul, the „you bow to no one“ scene is so pure, nowadays movie makers seem to care more for the woke parts and „diversity“ than for feelings and emotions. I believe that the best movies are already done and the best songs already sung
My favorite line was where Aragon was crowned king... And looks at the four Hobbits when they bowed their heads to him and he says "my friends, you bow to no one" and Aragon proceeds to bow before them. Still get chills to this day. What an epic, epic trilogy.
Right after that, when everyone is kneeling and only the four hobbits are standing, I always want Pippin to say “So that’s what the tops of their heads look like!”
Aragons speech gives me chills every time. He expects to die here, he has no idea how close Frodo is to destroying the ring but this battle is his last hope for all mankind. He is staring down insurmountable odds and near certain death yet gives a speech powerful enough to get each and every man to make that charge. Awesome in the truest sense of the word. Edit: in the extended cut the mouth of Sauron shows him Frodos mithril shirt amongst other possessions so he was holding onto the only the slightest hope
I’m throwing a spanner in the works here lol. Aragorn’s speech was up there and amazing but Theoden’s speech before the ride was the best piece of cinema I’ve ever seen lol 👍🏻
Listen, the entire time I watched Aragons speech, I was waiting for him to say "They may take our lives but they'll never take our freedom ". I loved the movie but the speech was so cheesy lol
Also, people always downplay how awesome the next scene is, when they charge at the armies of Mordor. The king is the first one to do so, and it looks like he was ready to go alone if need be. He goes and doesn't look back, like he's expecting those to be his final moments. Then, the first ones to follow his charge are Merry and Pippin, who are supposed to be hopeless in battle, but they go nonetheless. I feel like most people don't appreciate this scene as much as it deserves. It's masterfully done. But yeah, Theoden's speech is the GOAT.
@@959tolis626 the way they filmed that scene can’t be ignored either because it made you feel like all hope had gone and if your going to die you may as well die fighting!! 100% agree with you.
I could tell that they came out 20 years ago and only because they were shot on glorious 35mm on film, rather than digital that most films use and look artificial!
Imagine having a leader so fearless, so inspiring, so loyal, and so humble he leads the last army alive in a desperate attempt to give one of the smallest creatures on the planet a chance to destroy evil once and for all. Plan is basically suicide to begin with and you'll be facing every force of hell conceivable. "For Frodo".....brings tears to my eyes every time.
And I love when he says, "for Frodo", because it's almost like Sauron tried to tempt him one last time and Aragorn turns and reminds everyone exactly why they're there in the first place - to give Frodo his chance. It's just perfect.
Aragon may believe that Frodo has already been slain by Sauron. There is another deleted scene where a Sauron lieutenant, The Mouth of Sauron, shows Aragon and Gandalf some items that were taken from Frodo in the Tower on the Fronteir, insinuating that he is dead. So this may be a call to avenge Frodo
❤❤️YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FEAR DEATH IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, AND TRUST IN HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART, BECAUSE HE ATONED FOR YOU FOR ALL YOUR INSULTS, THAT YOU WOULD OBTAIN PEACE WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, AND GO TO HEAVEN BY HIS GRACE!😊
There actually is one! One that not only facerd danger, but actually died painfully to destroy evil, and give us all small and feeble creatures a chance to live in hope, true hope. Know who im talking about? Aragorn is actually based on him!
Cutting this was the right decision. Tolkien’s focus on the book here wasn’t on Aragorn, and although Sauron had by this time regained physical form in the books, the movie already specifically said that he cannot do it yet. Much of the point of destroying the ring in the movie is to prevent just that. Thus, including this would have broken lore, changed the focus and theme, contradicted their own movie script, and left a gaping plot hole. The final cut is no less epic and doesn’t leave such contradictions.
Yes all true glad they didn't do it. Did add more weight to the for frodo line tho since they weren't sure if he was alive and aragorn would've known he was sacrificing himself knowing he'd not be able to defeat sauron himself. Granted the whole battle of the morannen itself was a sacrifice but u know thought it was kinda cool.
"I bid you stand men of the West!" No battle cry, no hurra, just silence, and the sound of swords coming out. It just magnificent. They are all dead and they can feel it, but they are going to stand with their King.
In the movies, Aragorn was doubting his strength, his destiny, his willpower to succeed and be a king as the old ones were. Tall, bright, full of life and passion for their culture, friends and their kingdom. "For Frodo" always gives me chills as in this moment, he overcomes his fear and doubts, rises to great power and to be an inspirational king! In this moment all the bad feelings, the fears go away and he is willing to sacrifice it for the greater good. Viggo Mortensen was nothing but perfect to fit Aragorn in the movies. Perfect three movies!
@@Henbot Yes, but Wiggo Mortensen is just the actor doing Peter Jackson's scenes. I suspect Peter Jackson thought that he should do another King-Kong. So then Aragorn became a sissy.
Gandalf's wave will always be one of the greatest subtleties in these movies. Not only does he show Aragorn Frodo's Mithril, but uses the hand that he wears Narya on. Narya, the ring which inspires others. Such a great moment.
Wow, I never noticed that! I didn't really have pause and capture ideas when I was younger. I always thought that Gandalf was helping to instill some sort of mental fortitude with a spell to combat the voice of Sauron's influence. Now that I see there were ACTUAL things he lifted up, not even using magic, this makes that two second appearance act even more epic!
That English legit messed up my brain. Can you fix it because I don't understand what you said in the first sentence. " Gandslfs wave" what wave? There's no wave. Wave is in the ocean. Don't you mean veil? But then again, veil has nothing to do with this. Where do you see him putting up his hands, encouraging others? I've seen this movie 3000 times, watch it at least 3x a year ( extended only) but don't remember a moment gandalf doing anything of the sort.
I’m glad they edited. The implicit Sauron made his presence more powerful, in my opinion. The eye exploding was very emotional, because it was as if they were fighting a very high and almost invisible evil force. Sauron exploding in the beginning of the movie and the elven hair flying is one of my favorite scenes all the time.
@@Turagrong there was s time where he had a body. In reality sauron is supposed to be INSIDE the eye tower, casting his will (the eye) over the people of the middle earth. He probably has a palantiri stone
@@Turagrong In the books he does actually have a physical form. He's present to scare the absolute sh*t out of Gollum when he's tortured. But it doesn't make any sense whatsoever that he would stroll out onto the battlefield; he's a deceiver and a puppet-master, hugely diminished in power without the Ring.
In the last few horrific years I watch this trilogy for my own courage, it works, the ordinary acts off everday courage of us all DO make a difference. Bless us all everyday folk
I really like that they chose not to have Sauron gain physical form during the ROTK movie. It makes him feel more like a mysterious, omnipotent and overwhelming presence. They gave us just enough scenes to grasp what he would look like in the movies w/ FotR and I think that was the perfect amount
I also liked the idead that he is not powerful enough to be physically present without the ring, just a magic force. He has to command his creatures to do the job for him. If he would be present and and defeat aragorn, it is questionable why he needs the ring. Then the ring would just be like a horcrux for him.
Also, the scene would detract from Frodo and Sam being the ones that destroyed Sauron. In the drawn scene, they seem to show Aragon throwing a sword into Sauron's chest, and then Sauron exploding.
actually that could been another lead of history where frudo lost the ring while ago and fellowship didn't realize it so when door opens and turns out sauron is there and now fellowsihp doing their last stand and most likely dying
I make an effort to watch the trilogy once a year and not bored yet. It is more than a film, so much spiritual representation and interpretation. Great story, great score, great cinematography, great dialogue, great acting. LOTR is the greatest.
I've really begun to understand why so many movies just seem to be absolute crap, because some of the very first movies I was really introduced to and definitely the first movies I loved were LOTR. So my whole life I've just compared everything to this, and nothings come close.
For both Tolkein and Lewis, these stories are about how evil cannot stand if people choose to stand against it. No matter the odds. Evil can only flourish if good people choose to do nothing about it.
@@hoodatdondar2664 yes but the best way to do that is by first accepting that you are probably not going to return. It has been proven numerous times in history that fearless men always beat fearful men this is called morale.
@@stynershiner1854 He explicitly mentioned the story, lore, and writing as well, which were all created by JRR Tolkien in the 1950s. Who's the moron now?
I always loved how Aragorn stayed true to his word. In the Fellowship he tells Frodo "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." Then proceeds to charge for Frodo, all while giving him the chance to destroy the ring.
I mean to be fair he didn't really have much choice with how close the ring was to souron now the world literally relyed on Aragon and the others to district souron or else evil would have won it would have taken no time for one of the fell beasts and a witch king to fly up the mountain land right in front of the entrance kick Sam in the head sending him flying off the mountain while just casually taking the ring from frodo like it was nothing If souron had see the hobbits it would have been game over for everyone real fast with no B's let's stop and have a half an hour dialog before I kill you like most films do
I think he did choose to fight for Frodo because he wanted to encourage the ppls Will to fight once more... and even more so because he knew that Pippin and Merry would charge forward with him first. Well... maybe more like he wanted that to happen so ppl would see how the 2 small Hobbits charge into the Fight first. Everyone else was just behind them of corse and even over took them. But the Initial Thought was to Spread the Spark of Hope to everyone. This is what i feel like was his Intenion behind it. Maybe he also did feel like he (and Sam) still alive at that Point. Its a strong Moment either Way.
All while not even knowing if his sacrifice would be in vain or not. He had no idea where Frodo was at this point the movie. The hobbits could’ve already been dead.
That little island of Aragorn's remaining forces gets me every time. You see them marching for the Black Gate and think that they still have a massive army, then suddenly the camera goes to a wide angle and they are nothing compared to the entire host of Mordor.
No, they knew they were marching to their death... It was just a diversion after all... And by "they", I mean the remaining members of the Fellowship, no idea if the foot-folk knew what was going on...
Also notice how, when the ring is destroyed and the corrupted land of Mordor is collapsing, more of the host survive and flee than were left of Aragorns army... Why do we not see the aftermath or hear mention of that?
@@Kholdaimon Yeah they knew. In the books they first lay claim to Minas Morgul before going north. Where Aragorn tells those that dared not go to the Black Gate to hold Cair Andros for as long as they could
Fun fact: the elvish/sindarin choir in the background after „for Frodo“ is literally the translation of the oath aragorn took in Rivendell when he kneeled before Frodo. "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will, you have my sword"
I always liked how Gandalf waves his hand, with Frodo's armour, to break any spell whilst Aragorn just smiles as if to say do not worry, there is no spell to break.....
2001, 2002, 2003 The week before Christmas all of my cousins and I were at the movies watching this trilogy. The best Christmas tradition ever. Time for a rewatch this coming holiday! And reread of the books.
I always wondered how much the regular soldiers really knew about Frodo and his quest, or even about the Ring itself. Presumably they knew very little, cause it was a secret mission, and when Sauron suddenly died and all the orcs ran away, they believe the Frodo story cause it was the only possible explanation to what happened. However in this scene, Aragorn stabs Sauron shortly before the Ring is destroyed, which makes the Frodo story more unbelievable since the regular folk would have been happier to believe that it was Aragorn the one who killed Sauron. Such ambiguity would take a lot of credit away from Frodo and it would have made the scene where everyone bows to the hobbits feel incredibly forced by the people.
I know right they watch as the orcs all just give up randomly and the tower just falls down on its own like wait what we were making our last stand and wait we just won?!?!?
@@Solo_terryaki Not to mention the little bastard actually wanted to betray everyone Technically, they owe the victory over Sauron to Smeagle (by accident) Because Frodo would have let them all die to keep his ring
I think I'd be happy with it dine as an alternate ending done for a special release where they take some of the scenes but not the whole thing. I definitely think there's something potential as we never see Saurons other form in the trilogy - The initial ghostly illusion is brilliant and depicts how devious and canning their adversary is. So having Aragon somewhat bewitched then intermittent overlays while he is fighting the Troll which at times He believes is Sauron could work in the context of the 3 movies (we've already seen one King under a potent spell). This wouldn't detract from the destruction of the ring nor lessen Frodo / Sams story arc but furrher illustrate what his friends, who have for all intents and purposes gone on a suicide mission, would battle to the end, including Aragon to potentially give two pure souls Sauron completely under estimated a chance to destroy evil. So Rather than it being a cleche 1 on 1 boss fight it's simply a hallucination / side affect of that initial attempt by Sauron to corrupt Aragon and He is still technically in the tower as it collapses, thus making the panic shown by the eye when it falls every bit as potent.
Plus, the fact that within this context, Legolas's look of desperation to save him makes more sense here because Aragorn is getting his ass beat by Sauron himself.
These films came out while I was in college. I was excited for them, being an avid Tolkien reader since the age of 13. But I was young, and proud, and I found fault with every little thing, and dismissed them for a time. Obviously, nothing can replace just reading the works. But now that the magnitude of my folly has been revealed to me, I can say that these films were a labor of love, and they are a treasure.
Viewed in a vacuum purely as films telling a story in their own right the three theatrical cuts are one of the greatest achievements in the history of the medium and imo they will be timeless and continue to captivate as long as people still watch movies.
@@dkp2112 it's going to be good. . .I promise. Didn't you know they're having the first female dwarf on screen? Oh and she's black! It has to be good, no amount of terrible writing/acting or editing can stop the purity of representation!
For what it's worth Pretty much *anyone* who read the books first, would dislike the movies. You just cant fit in all the important information in 3 hours. It only natural. And you can apply that to any book/movie genre - same thing.
PJ definitely made the right call here. Sauron had no reason to go down and risk having his physical form destroyed again. The only reason he went and fought during the last siege of Mordor is because he was on the brink of defeat (and he also had the ring, therefore was more powerful)
I honestly think this scene would fit better for a Video Game of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy rather than a Movie that's supposed to be more faithful to the events of the books.
It's the way he turns around, eyes filled with emotion, and he almost whispers "For Frodo" to the fellowship, the ones who know who Frodo is, and the way the sound of the battle silence as he utters the line and then the music plays and he runs toward the enemy. It's beautiful.
He already had the ghosts longer in the movies than in the books. They left after taking out the corsairs. It was the men of the north that helped at Gondor.
I love the meaning of this scene, Sauron first speaks Aragorn's name, trying to fight him mentally so that Aragorn falls over his malice, Gandalf realizes this and waves his hand in front of Aragorn to wake him from his trance, Sauron then realizing that he couldn't do it the same with aragorn what he did with isildur (destroy willpower), sauron first appears in an almost blinding beam of bright light, showing his true form (Mairon) to show that he is a divine being, then later he shows his current form (Sauron) In full armor, to eliminate his last enemy.
I am 61 and a huge fan (though not fanatic) of the LOTR books. And as a child, I almost LIVED for movies! So, when I heard they were FINALLY making a movie, I was both apprehensive and hopeful. I remember a very, very rough trailer released in early 2001 and I was aghast. My small hope was diminished. THEN I saw Fellowship. OMG! I could not believe all of what I saw! The prologue was brilliant! Then the whole Mines of Moria (go back and see how many SETS were utilized! We didn't just get a "taste" of Moria, we got the WHOLE Moira and more!) Then that Balrog nearly made me lose it with the heat haze coming out of its mouth! (plus the build up to it... Jackson really knew how to do it). Then finally, with ROTK, we get the huge payoff. I am lucky if I can tear up once in a movie every five years or so. In ROTK I think I teared up around 6 times! The death of Theoden, Faramir going to battle with Pippin singing and Denethor having tomato dripping out of his mouth, the "Remember the Shire" speech, "For Frodo", "You bow to no one" and the final scene of Frodo kissing Sam's forehead! And then that beautiful, heartfelt and oh so hitting the nail on the head song "Into the West" by Annie Lennox!! I can start to tear up just THINKING about all of it. The emotional drainage from that movie(s) is just staggering....!!!
In my twenties and agree completely - the emotional resonance of this trilogy is staggering. I remember being excited for Fellowship but falling asleep partway through, and waking up to the absolute fiery monstrosity fighting Gandalf on the bridge - it was incredible! I’ve since rewatched all of the films many, many times, so nothing has been missed from the first viewing in theatres, and it’s by far a total monument of filmmaking, casting, acting, and overall execution - so many brilliant performances, even from the smallest of parts and creatures. I’m so glad Tolkien’s work has reached so far and touched so many - these are a remarkable achievement of literature and cinema both.
I am in my twenties and saw the trilogy in theaters as a child. I loved them but often wonder what it would be like to see these movies for the first time as an adult, old enough to appreciate HOW faithful they were to the source material and how much of a masterpiece it was in every way. Thank you for sharing!
@@offtankgaming1310 What has astounded me (and I think Tolkien's ghost/spirit/presence must have been guiding them all) is all the way this COULD have failed! You are SOOO right about the execution!! It was apparent when you watch them over again how much Jackson and company (and if you are real geeky like me, listen to the commentaries.... Fran and Phillipa were the ones to really nail a lot of this stuff down!) were able to get the stuff for the fans in there as well as typical movie buffs! Script? Actors and acting? Cinematograhy? Music? (Shore's score is perhaps one of the greatest ever!) Costumes. Sound. Editing. CGI and regular propts. Its ALL there. As I said in the beginning, there were a thousand ways to fail and perhaps only a couple to win. And they freaking hit the ball not only out of the park, but out of the country! New Line, the scrappy studio, made a HUGE bet. And it paid off!! If I was on a desert island with a working dvd player and tv and could only watch one thing, it would be that trilogy!
@@johngreener9784 if you really 61 you quite cool man. Haven't met someone your age that is such a fan on LoTR. How would you say are the books for someone that has only seen the films? I just bought the trilogy but haven't started reading it yet. I hear the books are very in depth, sometimes too in depth than necessary. What's your opinion?
@@crymeariver69riseandshine HI and thanks! Well, when I was 18 and newly enlisted in the Air Force, I was very fortunate. I was linguist who studied Russian at DLI in Monterey, CA. So nearly all of my classmates were above average intelligence. I think even a couple would be classified as "genius" (not me though!) And fairly nerdy. Nearly everyone would walk around with books on Philosophy, Spiritualism, Greek Mythology. You get the idea. One of the things EVERYONE told me was to read LOTR! So I did. BUT, I was young and impatient. I really skimmed a lot of the exposition. And it just was ho hum for me. HOWEVER - around 3 years later I REREAD it ., THen it was like OH, OK I think I get it know! But it was really the THIRD read another 3 years later that nearly broke me. I had really, really gottern into it. I read all of the appendixes, the whole kit and kaboodle. It ripped my guts out. I was actually depressed for like a couple of weeks after. I had finally gotten what so many had told me over the years. So, to answer your question, the DO have a LOT of exposition in them. You have to put your mind into a spot where you can really read it slowly (at your own pace of course) and really try to let your own mind build the world! My experience with LOTR has been really long and almost exhausting! And my friends who are my age still binge on the movies like once a year around Christmas! I bought an 85" tv and the 4K dvds JUST for LOTR!!! LOL! Hope that helps a bit. I know it was long, but LOTR is LONG!!!
They don’t make movies like this anymore, sauron was hardly seen throughout the movie but you can feel his presence throughout the films and it made you feel hate for him but admire as well
The humankind don't create that often such a masterpiece. I guess we have to wait another century before, we create such an amazing Universe like the one To lien created.
Jackson was the right person to do these films. He loved books and lore of Tolkiens world. There was no way he would have put that scene into the films it wasn’t in the books. He was always going to stay true to that instead of having the Hollywood ending of the last bad guy fight. He knew it would also detract from Sam and Frodo’s part in winning. Scenes like “ my friends you bow for no one “ wouldn’t have the same impact .( thank goodness he saw the project through at 100 %. ROTR is the timeless epic film of all time in no small part because of so many things especially Jackson’s vision and dedication and the cast to name a few .
"There was no way he would have put that scene into the films it wasn’t in the books." Well...I am very glad he didn't, but the fact that he not only story-boarded it but filmed it seems to say it was the plan to include it, or at least that doing so was very much in consideration. On the one hand, for the most part I would agree that PJ & co.'s love of Tolkien's books and world did restrain the number and types of liberties they took in the LOTR movies. But then...they unfortunately made the much smaller and simpler Hobbit into a huge trilogy in which they took far greater liberties, IMO to the great decrement of the results.
@@jimsibley1651 "There was no way he would have put that scene into the films it wasn’t in the books." Ironic, considering what he did with characters liek Elrond, Isildur Denethor or Faramir. PJ's LotR was the best adaptation we could ever hope for, but to pretend it's faithful to the books is disingenuous. It makes sweeping changes to the characters and lore, like every other step. #Isildur did nothing wrong.
@@jimsibley1651 I believe this was done to appease studio execs. Sauron isn't imposing enough in these cuts, his frame is too small, he's not tall enough, and there's barely any weight behind his strikes against Aragorn. It was poorly choreographed and it honestly looks comical. Directors sometimes need to show rather than tell producers that something won't work for a film.
I would’ve really loved to see this. But as everyone else is saying, having that unseen enemy is truly impactful. Similar to how scary movies are always scariest at the beginning because once the mister or spirit or whatever is actualized it immediately becomes less scary
I’m glad that Sauron wasn’t in the battle scene but also eternally grateful that we have this shot seeing the 2 legends fight each other, the sheer tower that is Sauron and how terrifying he looks!
Peter Jackson said he changed Sauron for the troll because that way we are still invested about Frodo hiding from Sauron and his mental duel with Sauron before he destroys the ring
I agree with the sentiment, but I think the Troll was kind of a lame replacement. The Mouth of Sauron would have been perfect as he represents Sauron on the battle field.
@@sm4carnageihope Does Eowyn kill the Witch king in the books also? Cause I would have loved Aragorn to fight him 1v1 and kill him in front of the black gate with Anduril which also has magic in it so he can kill Nazgul with it
The peak of the filming industry! An absolute marriage of masterful skills and craftsmanship. Every level of the production of this film is top notch. It doesn't get any better than this.
The chills get worse with time with the nostalgia. Plus, possibly, as you get more life experience more things become more personally relevant. Like I watched the Pixar movie "Up" after my grandparents died and found it especially sad.
@@aryasayne absolutely - life gets more bittersweet as we get older, and these sorts of things hit on a different level when we come back and watch them again. Sorry to hear about your grandparents 😢
3:18 I love during the swell of dramatic music just watching Sauron and Aragorn chilling by the catering table during their break and practicing their fight 🤣
One of the most important factors to consider when filming a battle scene are the stakes at hand. And it was Frodo. Frodo was our stake. Frodo was the very reason why this scene was so good to watch.
To this day, “For Frodo” is the best battle cry ever. And it’s practically whispered. In that moment, Aragorn becomes King. It’s Viggo Mortenson at his transformartive best.
@@impractically728 what do you mean?! Everything Legolas did are taken straight form the pages! Including that kick-ass move he did when he slides down the ramp with a shield into the enemies!
Ngl, if they had just done that one cut at 1:57 of Sauron temporarily appearing to Aragorn as almost an apparition, I would have no problem with that having been added. Pretty fucking cool.
That charge from Aragorn works so well especially in the extended cut, where there's a lot more tension between him and Sauron, and Sauron getting any opportunity to tempt Aragorn with his fears and doubts. In a way, that's one good thing about removing his physical form from this battle. If he was there, him appearing would come across more as just a villain taunting Aragorn, which while still cool just sorta makes Sauron out to be like a generic fantasy "final boss" type character. But hearing Sauron's voice to Aragorn really feels more like an unseen devilish presence; Aragorn's final test against temptation. Like, you can even see it in Gandalf's eye when Aragorn takes a few steps forward, worried that Aragorn has finally fallen to Sauron's dark will, only for him to turn around and say "For Frodo." Before making the charge. And then just seeing the two little hobbits go bravely charging in right behind him...just icing on the cake. I love this scene. And while it's a shame we never got to see an awesome fight between Aragorn and Sauron, I'm glad they cut this bit out, as I feel it made it all the more powerful.
When Aragorn's will is faltering, you see Gandalf wave his hand as if to pull the curtain of doubt back so that Aragorn's faith in his friends pushes through. It's such a subtle thing and I love it.
@@BasePuma4007 im pretty sure Saruman & Gandalf appear as old men because that is how the people of middle-earth would be most receptive to them(wise old men vibes and stuff). Their true forms are probably just as majestic as Sauron's(maybe not Saruman idk if his may have been corrupted or something from becoming evil)
I'm glad they didn't include this in the movie, but I must admit, that Aragorn's teary "for Frodo" takes on a different emotional meaning for me when you know he is about to run toward and fight and most likely die at the hands of the literal manifestation of evil. Him running toward a "faceless" army, knowing he is going to die while Sauron taunts him from his tower also hits hard, but it is different. For the overall movie experience, they made the right choice to not have the stereotypical hero fight the big baddy at the end. But had the movie been more about Aragorn, than about everybody such as Jackson and his crew prioritized, then this scene and the subsequent fight with Sauron would have been absolutely necessary for Aragorn's character arc. Utterly wild how barely 2 seconds of screentime can recontextualize everything completely.
22 years later, Sauron's armor is still so detailed intense and creates a dialogue for how much of a menace he was as being the self-proclaimed Lord Of The Rings.
@@secretname2670 I really dont think that rings of power is that bad. Definitely not as good as the original movies but it's good and mainly lore friendly
@@matthewmoloney1076 Female beauty Shelob. Black dwarves and elves. Galadriel being so brutish and at the same time impotent compared to lore. Hobbits being retarded instead of easygoing. The examples go on.
@@matthewmoloney1076 Personally, I like the series a lot, but I wouldn't call it lore friendly at all. Two major things that they've gotten wrong are that Galadriel is supposed to have already met and married Celeborn and Durin IV isn't the son of Durin III
I really liked the idea of putting the vision of Sauron before Aragorn charges. Like a premonition, an omen of what would come, or a final way to persuade Aragon to betray his friends. And Gandalf saw it, watching Aragon's reaction. Once he said calmly "For Frodo", Gandalf was sure he resisted. No need for the showdown
@@Morgyborgyblobdepends. It should have been the whole fellowship fighting him to just keep the weakened sauron individually at a standstill, while the whole orc army was descending on them
"But Sauron was not of mortal flesh, and though he was robbed now of that shape in which had wrought so great an evil, so that he could never again appear fair to the eyes of Men, yet his spirit arose out of the deep and passed as a shadow and a black wind over the sea, and came back to Middle-earth and to Mordor that was his home. There he took up again his great Ring in Barad-dur, and dwelt there, dark and silent, until he wrought himself a new guise, an image of malice and hatred made visible; and the Eye of Sauron the Terrible few could endure." --- (afte the fall of Numenor) J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion
@@rockyp32 Sauron is not Satan within the Tolkien legendarium. That would be Melkor, aka Morgoth. Melkor was the first born and most powerful of the Ainur (arc angels) and the most like Eru (God) in his independent desire to create and an interest in all things (unlike the other Ainur who had narrow interests like the sky, sea, wildlife, etc). This made him frustrated because although he had the will to create only Eru has the ability so rather he chose to corrupt and twist creation to impose his own order attracting multiple Maiar (lesser angels) to his cause and creating all of the monsters and orcs. Sauron was one such Maiar who was given some power by Melkor and later focused his power with the One Ring. Melkor was eventually defeated by the Ainur who came to save the elves from him and banished him to the timeless void. He is prophesied to return for the last battle at the end of time. Tldr: Sauron is not Satan, he’s a demon ruling in Satan’s place because Satan was defeated long ago
Unbelievable how the shots on the set look so silly with what looks like Spirit Halloween costumes, and then somehow when it translates to the screen it's just magic.
Yes, that's the power of cinematic immersion... and it's really hard to keep up for 78 hours of total runtime or however long this trilogy is ;) but they did it.
Yea, that's why I hate all this 4k shit it breaks the spell of escapism that movies and TV are meant to have, it's like being on the set watching it being made rather than enjoying the escapism
I know. Especially considering that Aragorn is basically telling his men that their job is to die with him to give Frodo an open door to Mt. Doom. This was a suicide mission.
Jackson may have done too many changes to the original story, and he got heat for that, but we are all grateful that he chose not to change it further where it was easier to do it. Besides, many of the changes he did weren't so bad and translated better in a film format with limited time. Books, just like tv series, do have a lot of fillers that take away from the main story. Jackson managed to condense that story well and keep it true to the books.
I also feel like the changes made sense in terms of telling a story for the movie. As cool as seeing certain scenes and characters would have been cool to see, the flow of the movie always felt right with what scenes they decided to show. And it was obvious to anyone the sheer amount of effort that went into the sets, the costumes, the acting, and special effects.
Reducing the convoluted cast of the books was the right decision, especially cutting the characters who were mainly cameos from other Tolkien stories like Glorfindel or didn't really feed into the main story like Tom Bombadil. Other than that I maybe missed the barrow-wights (and therefore the rather important origin of Merry's barrow-blade) and that scene where the Rohirrim overtake the Uruks, besiege and then and slay them all (that was drastically cut short in the movie). And as for Arwen: we got Liv Tyler for that, I have no objections whatsoever!
@@davideberhardt6150 Jackson condensing a bit was fine. It was the character changes that literally pissed me off...Emo Aragorn, babyish failure Frodo, overly human and weak Gandalf (WTF! He's a flipping angel!), wavering Theoden, weak Faramir... I could go on and on about the character changes but I'd just get ticked off enough to have chest pains lol.
@@davideberhardt6150 removing Tom B was the right call. In the book it's more like an experiment in writing. Even him trying on the ring just makes no sense
Sam's speech at the end of the two towers is amazing. When Frodo wakes after Gandalf saves him and Sam he may have thought he was dead because he thought Gandalf died in Moria when Sam walks in after the rest of the fellowship hits real deep every time. However when Frodo sails off to the undying lands and leaves Sam it kills me every time
I never got why frodo is allowed to go there anyway. He failed. He was corrupted by the ring and didn't destroyed it. Gollum accidentally did by fighting frodo. Sam is the only one that decided actively against the ring (he only had it a few hours I know... But still)
It was not all about destroying, he carried that burden all the way, had some hard time ofc. Frodo was the ring bearer. But even for a short time, Sam also carried the ring, thats why Sam also gone to undying lands after his wife passed away.
@@SchillerDDEven Sam wouldn’t have been able to resist the ring. Frodo’s mercy towards Gollum is what secured the ring’s destruction. It’s true, Frodo succumbed to the ring’s power at the very last second, which was bound to happen because he’s not meant to be a super powerful person. He was literally dying and losing his mind during the final moments at Mount Doom. Even Tolkien stated that no one would’ve been able to willingly destroy the ring, especially standing at the edge of the volcano, where Sauron’s corruption and malice are the strongest. Frodo was granted this honor because, despite everything, he became a ring bearer, took the ring farthest than anyone else, and saved Middle-earth. I understand that many people feel mixed emotions when it comes to the idea of the protagonist “failing” their destiny, but I think that the message Tolkien wanted to convey is more complex and meaningful than the typical narrative of the hero we are more accustomed to.
@@Allure1337 I'm a great fan of this trilogy. But I don't have time to see not even one movie cause each one is 4 hours. When I start the movie I must watch all of it and not continue another day from the 1st hour. That's why I forgot 😂👍
I'll say this: Yes, I agree that this deviates way too far from the books and that cutting it was the right decision. But the whole concept is very interesting, esspecially the last part: Aragorn stabs Sauron, establishing him as the better swordsman. Sauron cannot die as long as the ring survives, so continues, throws Aragorn to the ground and is about to kill him. That reaffirms that he is almost inconquerable and cannot be overcome by anyone alone. Then the Ring drops into Mount Doom and Sauron explodes with Anduril in his chest, making it look like somewhat of a team effort, giving Aragorn a great moment (which is fair, the whole thing is called "The Return of the King") without taking *anything* away from the roles Frodo, Sam and Gollum played in the destruction of the ring and Sauron. It would also be a great callback to two scenes in fellowship: 1. Arwen prophesying that Aragorn will face the same evil as Isildur, but - unlike his ancestor - defeating it. 2. Galadriel (in the extended edition) claiming that Aragorn has the potential to rise above all his forebearers since Elendil. Sauron dying with Aragorn's blade in his chest would be kind of poetic. Moreover a Numenorian actually being a threat to Sauron in combat isn't that far-fetched. In the books Elendil isn't swatted away by Sauron like a fly, he and Gil-Galad actually throw him down in a team effort - dying in the process, yes, but giving Isildur the opportunity to cut the ring from Sauron's hand. Moreover Sauron was once defeated by Ar-Pharazôn's forces. It is never stated that the Numenorian king defeated Sauron in single combat, but it at least shows that Numenorians did have the power to defeat and capture Sauron.
While that would have been really poetic, Aragorn had already faced that evil. He is the only human EVER to resist the Ring of Power, without outside help. He then willingly lets it leave his grasp, and go "beyond our reach". The Galadriel prophecy is in relation to that temptation, not what many assume is the "Take the Throne Back" thing...in fact Aragorn in the books isn't really the given Heir of Gondor like he is portrayed in the films. It literally takes him summoning the army of the dead, saving the city, calling Rohan, defeating Umbar's Fleet, returning the Sword of Elendil to Minas Tirith, and finding a sapling of the White Tree...and even THEN he isn't made king until he uses his healing abilities to remove the curse of the Black Breath. Ehhh, it is kinda unclear how a 1v1 with a Numenorian would go down against Sauron. While I don't think the film depiction of Sauron causing 5+ people to go flying with a single swing is accurate, I don't think Aragorn (someone with diminished blood) would last as long as Elendil (someone who was born on Numanor) Also remember that the "Alliance of Elves and Men" lasted 7 years... Sauron at the time wasn't at full strength either, and still managed to kill Elendil (Most powerful human alive) and Gil-Galad (One of the most powerful Elves in middle-earth) alone. It is HIGHLY implied that Sauron allowed himself to be captured by Ar-Pharazon to allow him direct access to Numanor and corrupt from the inside out. And it was likely more of a "Oh crap a big ass army is on my doorstep, and my orcs haven't respawned yet...shit..." (But yes, you are correct)
@@darthrange1 yeah but last alliance Sauron had the ring of power did he not? Either way I agree with both of you, this scene while cool wouldn't have fit. Not sure the troll was a good replacement but I guess it fits that last minute save by the ring being destroyed so 🤷♂️
Was arwen prophesying that only in the movies? Because if so i guess it would make sense they were originally going to go this direction.... im glad they didnt though
Correct me if I'm misremembering - it's been a while since I've read The Silmarillion - but doesn't Sauron 'let' himself be captured as a means of gaining more power and influence over the Numenorians? I think the main problem with a fight between Aragorn and Sauron, relative to the original narrative, is that Sauron is a coward. He doesn't put himself in danger unless he has no choice. At the siege of Barad-Dur in the 2nd Age, Sauron emerges because he has no choice. And he is "killed" for his trouble! At the battle of the Black Gate, its a minor host of men versus Sauron's full force of orcs in a desperate last stand for Frodo and Sam to sneak by unmolested. Of course Sauron probably thinks Aragorn has the ring, but he can just have his minions kill him and bring him the ring. Which is more to Sauron's character. Aragorn fighting Sauron is more convenient in film where such themes would be more commonplace (antagonist vs protagonist). So I understand why they considered doing so at the end of the film. But ultimately, it would betray the book's purpose of Aragorn and his armies task - to let Frodo and Sam save the day.
@@darthrange1 maybe because Sauron at this time even thou he was finally able to achieve physical form again he was still significantly weaker than he was back then?
The ride of the Rohirrim was a highlight, but what keeps these films thematically bound to the narrative of the books is the treatment of the hobbits; first to follow Aragorn to fire and death and reinforcing the bravery, foolishness and strength of spirit that we've come to appreciate in Frodo and Sam. Then the final scene at Minas Tirith where the King and company bows is incredible both in gesture and significance. Jackson created an incredible legacy with these films regardless of the story he couldn't fit in. Every choice he made feels justified in the whole.
I would change only one thing in movies: in Siege of Minas Tirith, when Aragorn come by ships, it would be cool if there was change to resemble books - big army from Gondor fiefdoms, not army of dead.
I would make a few small changes. First I would slightly change the balrog to look more humanoid and less bestial. I love that scene the most but I wouldn't hate a change of that style. Secondly I would change Theoden and make him more book-like. Lastly I think that they should have perhaps had Sauron finally appear at some point after the final battle had started - instead of him appearing right before it starts. Give us a minute to question if he truly has a physical form with which to fight with. Perhaps the men of the Wes are+ holding their own for a few minutes and then Sauron appears to basically break their morale and 1v1 Aragorn until the ring is destroyed. I think it would make for a double climax and it would draw out the final battle climax a bit more too. I actually think leaving out the Scouring of the Shire added a bit of "we really saved the world from darkness" type of feel because the Shite seemingly remains untouched by any semblance of change upon their return. I know this is not book accurate at all but in movie form it really sold me.
Man, as epic as this is, if your heart doesn't want to leap out of your throat when Merry and Pippin are the first to follow Aragorn in the charge, you're dead inside; talk about a moment of powerful, complete love. Lots of Logos in this series.
I would have liked if they incorporated the fact that both Merry and Pippin were a head taller (drinking all of that Ent Draught), buffed up, and battle hardened. Those two were beast mode at this point.
What an amazingly subtle detail that at 1:58, you very briefly see Sauron's former more angelic glorious form, as he was when he was still a complete maiar spirit, then he turns into his more terrible malicious armoured form, the only form he can still hold after the drowning of Numenor
This moment, when Aragorn is about to charge to certain death and say so calmly "for Frodo": is the single most awesome, orgasmic, badass, scene in the history of cinema.
This is really cool but ultimately, I think Peter Jackson and team made the right decision to stay more true to the books and cut the scene. However… the mere fact that this exists on any level and was actually filmed should warrant a production completion at this point as a treat for all the fans who’ve remained loyal to these films for the past 20 years. How cool would it be to have it added to a future Blu-ray release as a special feature with the option to watch the film with or without the Sauron alt ending just for the fun of it.
I think the word you were looking for is ‘dumb’. This looks dumb and is a reminder of how lucky we were that Jackson listened to people who kept him from his worst impulses…you know the ones on full display in the Hobbit movies.
@@Steppeponytail the word I was looking for was the one I wrote. We all know they made the right choice in cutting it from the final product. As a production side note it’s just fun to see that they played with an alternate options and part of me likes the idea of seeing it fully fleshed out regardless of how dumb it is.
I think out of all these fantasy type / supernatural things with a great evil enemy, LOTR did Sauron the best, wish they put this scene in there instead of a cave troll or at least had it in the extended dvd
@@stancurry6265The reason they didn’t is because it wouldn’t have done the story justice and would have caused lots of contradictions, not to mention being a disservice to Frodo’s quest to destroy the One Ring
@@tonyusa5509 Tolkien stated that Sauron was "the most terrible of the servants of Morgoth" in Silmarillion. So Gothmog, Glaurung and all other servants of the first dark lord were less-terrifying and less powerful than Sauron
Actor to family "Hey I got a small important role on the Lord of the Rings Movie" Family: "YAAAY, who you gonna be?" Actor: "SAURON" *some time later* Movie director "Yeah... about that... "
No Hollywood movie on this level was every made before or since. This movie exist for one reason, because of one man. He too was a simple man. He poured his whole life into his story. He reworked it over and over. Each effort purified it till it became the quintessential tale of all great tales. He worked his entire liife up to the dying day. Such are perfectionists who are consumed by a great dream. This is our version of King Arthur, Robin Hood, Jesus and Moses, all contributed along wih countless other characters. Thank you for humanity Master JRR Tolkien. 💫
That musical score with the deep vocalizations when they charge at the forces of Mordor is extraordinary. It's like, even though they all thought it was virtually hopeless, there was such a righteousness and goodness in what they were doing, Eru was not going to let them down. Like a sign from God.
The biggest reason for the theatrical cut is that Sauron would have had to obtain the ring to regain physical form. Keeping him without physical form is the most logical thing.
Actually the biggest one is that it takes away Frodo’s journey in the first place. In other words, it would’ve ruined it by having it completely disregarded & have Aragorn as the actual hero.
Out of universe P. Jackson said that he chose to not include this fight with Sauron because it would've taken away from the real fight, that being Frodo and Sam's journey. In universe you are totally right, Sauron would need his ring to be able to regain physical form (thus the reason he lost his physical form at the battle of the last alliance in the first place). I stand corrected: I didn't catch/remember Sauron having a physical form in the books, my bad.
This would be THE reason Peter Jackson should have used. If would have made no sense for Sauron to have physical form without the ring. I guess he’s lucky he cut this scene for other reasons.
Funny little detail about that one Nazgûl that died due to one of the lava bombs impacting his war mount: If Shadows of Mordor/War were canon to the two movie trilogies then that specific Nazgûl would’ve been Talian who would finally found his peace after many decades of fighting the war against Sauron.
I think the look on Aragorn's face when he says "For Frodo" says, he thinks they will lose their lives here in this battle, but as long as it gives Frodo enough time to destroy the ring then it's ok, it is worth giving one's life for.
Actually the look on his face and the smile to Gandalf is because Sauron calling to him,luring him to go to his side terrifies Gandalf and for a moment when Aragorn pauses, he's afraid he will join Sauron thus showing him the Mithril vest to bring him back and remind him of their mission. I tear up always in this part.
With the extended cut, it's quite likely he believed frodo was dead and that Sauron had the ring and "for Frodo" was more like he was saying they were all about to charge to their deaths in honor of Frodos bravery and sacrifice, even if it all failed
“For Frodo” one of the absolute best Lines I’ve ever heard in a movie-add his little smirk like he picturing him -and I STILL get choked up. Masterpiece
I can’t unsee Sauron on set acting like a normal dude. The Dark Lord did a great job playing an actor
Sala Baker
Voldemort didn't play in this...
This is why I kind of struggled with season one of Power of the Rings after finding out that Hellbrand was actually Sauron, just doesn’t feel right but he’s deceiving everyone which is amazing and I totally understand now. Especially with Annatar! Season 2 is amazing so far!
@@nickyprime7668Bro you can’t seriously like Rings of Power. And season two is even worse than the first. You should’ve been gatekept harder outta the fandom ong. I would slap you if I could for even bringing that up in a LOTR video
@@painhurtssometimes2185 calm down, it ain't that deep you weirdo
Imagine the herculean RESTRAINT it took for Jackson and the editors to decide against putting this scene into the movie. Every movie has to have that final showdown with the bad guy, it's such an important part of our modern storytelling framework. But they didn't because they understood what was really important and what Sauron's physical form would take away from it. That restraint, that integrity to say 'no' might be the very quality that makes these movies stand apart from all the rest as a true masterpiece.
@@ThisHandleSystemCanGetNicked That's the whole point of destroying the ring--to prevent his return. Having Aragorn square off in a duel with Sauron in physical form cheapens those stakes and, more importantly, it diminishes the value of the story's subtext.
The subtext is that Frodo and Sam, two little hobbits of no esteemed station or abilities, are the most important characters in the entire world in this moment. Aragorn, who would be a great king and warrior, is not here to fight the main villain as they are. His only desire was to give them a fighting chance with his life if necessary. It is a moment of role reversal, and intentionally defies the folktale trope.
This is the way power is unmade, not with a cliché swordfight with the bad guy but through humanity, brotherhood and humility.
@@michaelweir9666 I agree, I also think that to give Sauron a physical form diminishes his threat and his presence. It is much more interesting if he is this vague spirit and something which you don't fully understand.
@@ThisHandleSystemCanGetNicked Are you daft? Go watch Marvel movies - I think they're more suited to you.
Well said this would have dampened the moment
@@Andjac2010 I dunno. Having that physical presence (body) and actually being able to kick your ass wouldn't have diminished him IMO.
This is my favorite scene. Last time Aragon saw frodo was at the end of the fellowship of the ring, saying to him' i would of followed you to the gates of mordor'...and here he is, keeping his promise
❤❤ Wow I never noticed that.
Would have.
"Would of" doesn't make any sense.
He also promised the white city would not fall and the world of men was not over, as Boromir was dying.
He equally kept that promise 🙂
Jerk alert @@VikingKong.
Uff!! Gracias!! Datazo ♥
The fact that these films exist is a miracle
Yeah. No LGBT or BLM propaganda. This movie is a black sheep nowadays
Well, that explains why that final troll was such a fierce opponent of Aragorn. It was originally supposed to be Sauron.
makes total sense though. in moria it took aragorn, legolas, gimli, gandalf and 2 hobbits to take down an unarmoured troll in a fairly long fight.
@@leonidasbrixbrotz1271was going to say the same
@@leonidasbrixbrotz1271 And that was a cave troll, which is quite smaller than the trolls from Mordor (whatever they're called).
@@Boris_V Olog-hai
@@Boris_VActually I did learn that Olog-hai are smaller… doesn’t exactly matter though when they’re covered head-to-toe in steel
Viggo is such a fantastic Aragorn.
The casting for the trilogy was truly superb.
Bean would have been better. Much better.
The casting for these movies is everything that Amazon's Rings of Power is not.
@@nagoranerides3150 I doubt Rowan Atkinson will agree that Mr. Bean is suited for the role of Aragorn
@@johnmcgill3603 :D
Heard Nicolas Cage was asked to do the role
I've always loved how the Hobbits were the ones who had the most courage to charge first after Aragorn in this scene. There's something so brave and epic about that.
You like hairy boys,yes?
And it’s always funny when the Men run past them. If the film had a lighter tone, I think it would’ve been funny to have a shot of them being swallowed up by the group, and them getting all annoyed.
I always thought the Frodo was a bitch.
Tough li’l ankle biters
Because they were one of the few that knew Frodo :)
I'm glad this was cut. Sauron is more menacing as a flaming eye.
No he wasn’t lol. He was impotent and weak
@@wa-bu3kemeanwhile rings of power sauron
@@wa-bu3ke idk seems like it was pretty effective considering how beloved the movies are
@@ey3z4ya In an alternate reality where they used it, they would be believe twice as much.
@@ey3z4ya it would be beloved twice as much if they did it
It has been 20 years since the film debuted and Aragorn's speech still gives me chills. What a trilogy!
Wow dude, makin me feel old over here.
Some movies are timeless
More than the speech itself, the soft "For Frodo" gets me every time. Such a powerful scene!
Aragorns speech gives my chills, Theodins speech brings me damn close to tears.
I see in your eye the same fear that would take the heart of me
When Aragorn turns and says "for Frodo" the first ones running toward the battle are Merry and Pippin. I just love that. Two little hobbits who would likely have never left the Shire, are willing to put their lives on the line because they love their friend.
And to think they never would have joined the adventure if they weren’t stealing vegetables from an angry farmer
Only "Wakanda forever" plays in my stupid head every time that scene comes.
YES! It’s my favorite shot in any film! For twenty years, whenever I see it tell someone how much I love it. What a journey for those two - from nights at the The Green Dragon and stealing vegetables to charging into battle (and as far as they know: their deaths).
In the books, they go on to lead the Battle of the Shire and when their lives are finally over, they are laid to rest on either side of Aragorn. The films may not include that, but it includes that shot of them running into battle and that’s pretty damn close!
Not only that, but they were the first to charge in after Aragorn, not Gandalf, not Gimli or Legolas, nobody. They charged in because the love they had for their friend, and the bravery and courage they had gained along the way.
Drives me to tears every time, I bet they were scared shitless too compared to the other experienced warriors, yet they were right there, in the front, running towards what looked like their death. Real love and Friendship there
Achilles : “Imagine a king who fights his own battles. Wouldn't that be a sight?”
Aragorn: “For Frodo!”
That line didn't make much sense to begin with. Many kings fought their own battles and some fell on the battlefield.
@@leone.6190 My thoughts exactly.
@@leone.6190 Dude come on, it makes sense in the context of that scene and especially relatable in modern times. Not everything is historically accurate
Many pre-modern rulers went in the battlefield. They at the least gave commands, and at the most actually got their sword bloody by fighting personally, that's pre-1700s. After 1700s the exceptions are Charles XII, Frederick, Napoleon, and a few others I don't remember.
@@leone.6190 Indeed. And its a quote from troy.
As an eighteen year old, I watched all three in the theater as they were each released… thank God for that. Never again will there be a movie franchise that excites us that way. It’s all over.
Okay.
Dune.
I am sorry to hear that. Fortunately not all of us have succumbed to pessimism yet.
Speak for yourself.
If Dunes got released together they were a nice experience but the hiatus makes it hard to watch , im waiting for all of them to be released
This scene was removed for 3 reasons:
The scene itself strayed too far from Tolkien's text.
Showing Sauron in physical form contradicted what was established in the movies, where it was mentioned that he could not take physical form unless he obtained the One Ring again.
Sauron and Aragorn's fight played down Frodo's mission, since according to what was filmed, during the fight, Aragorn managed to stab Sauron with Elendil's sword at the same time that the ring melted in the lava, which implied that both Aragorn and Frodo defeated Sauron.
P.D: I already know that in the books Sauron has a physical body, but he remains locked in his Tower because he is weak for not having the ring. But in the movies, Saruman makes it clear that he has no physical form and Gandalf implies that he needs the One Ring to restore his physical form along with all his power. That's why I say that this scene would not have been consistent with the continuity of the movies.
I know. But it's the movie. The movie doesn't even have to match the book by 50%. This scene was epic and very disturbing. It also shows Sauron like a character more than any other scene.
@Acceleration Quanta I don't recall reading that in the book. Are you just trolling?
@Acceleration Quanta the letter only establishes the mechanism by which Sauron retakes physical form, not when or if in the book he takes it. What chapter is that quotation in. I would like to check on that, but quite clearly Sauron makes no physical appearance at the end of a Tolkien’s story-much less one of combat. The description of Sauron’s recognition of the imperilment of the Ring is artfully completely of the mind.
Sauron had regained physical form in the lord of the rings, he was much weaker without the one ring but it wasn't required for him to have physical form. The reason he never makes a physical appearance in the books is because thats not really his style he's the "dark lord on his dark throne". His identity as the necromancer in the hobbit was an example of him being very much in physical form.
@@davidc.2878 he makes no physical appearance but he had physical form, he even had it in the hobbit when he was "the necromancer"
It’s incredible that I’m both sad and glad this was cut, while it’s awesome, it makes Sauron feel a bit too much like a cliche fantasy villain rather than a terrifying legendary ghoulish presence.
His pressence was menacing, but seeing him in action would have been cool too. Pretty sure PJ said he didn't want the focus to detract from the hobbits, cause it would make Aragorn seem like the main character lol.
Next time Sauron should be a legendary ghoulish Princess from Druidia ✋ 👐
@@kassaken6521 I thought I wanted to see it, but when I heard his reasoning for cutting it cos it distracted from Frodo and the Ring, I tend to agree with him and think it was for the best
Sauron was a spirit that assumed the form of an elf.
When I saw the movies for the first time I did not expect this hunkering being.
@@kassaken6521 wich in a way he is, imagine going for a imensurable fight knowing youll lose and getting out alive true main charachter there, if he had a camera he would be unstopable
I still love how you could see Saurons fair form for just a moment. The form he used to decieve many of a people into trusting him.
Stupid sexy Sauron!
You mean Annatar.
@@Randomdude89640that’s the name of his fair form
@@RangerHouston Mairon is the original one and i suppose it comes with a fair form.
Problem is that Sauron fair form was obliterated when Eru Illuvatar kick his ass when He destroyed Numenor.
The shot where you see Sauron's original form for just a second as he turns to face Aragorn is so incredibly cool
I am still speechless when I think about the fact that this is 20 years old. It still looks great.
More than that! Most of the trilogy was shot between 1999 and 2000, I think.
Agreed. Just watched the original trilogy this weekend, and it has held up amazingly well. I guess when you use CGI when you need to and make an actual effort on makeup, costume and sets, it withstands time better than CGI that looks more and more obvious as technology advances.
"Thank you, prime ministre, for making me feel so old..." THE QUEEN, Elizabeth
Even with slight flaws for nowadays standards this movies are majestic and they have a soul, the „you bow to no one“ scene is so pure, nowadays movie makers seem to care more for the woke parts and „diversity“ than for feelings and emotions. I believe that the best movies are already done and the best songs already sung
Greatness has nothing to do with time, the Iliad will be great always for instance.
My favorite line was where Aragon was crowned king... And looks at the four Hobbits when they bowed their heads to him and he says "my friends, you bow to no one" and Aragon proceeds to bow before them.
Still get chills to this day. What an epic, epic trilogy.
Right after that, when everyone is kneeling and only the four hobbits are standing, I always want Pippin to say “So that’s what the tops of their heads look like!”
@@jlmww LOL
always brings tears to my eyes
Yep. That scene gives me chills. Perfection
Hell yes! My feelings exactly!!
Aragons speech gives me chills every time. He expects to die here, he has no idea how close Frodo is to destroying the ring but this battle is his last hope for all mankind. He is staring down insurmountable odds and near certain death yet gives a speech powerful enough to get each and every man to make that charge. Awesome in the truest sense of the word.
Edit: in the extended cut the mouth of Sauron shows him Frodos mithril shirt amongst other possessions so he was holding onto the only the slightest hope
I’m throwing a spanner in the works here lol. Aragorn’s speech was up there and amazing but Theoden’s speech before the ride was the best piece of cinema I’ve ever seen lol 👍🏻
@@elliottwilford6457 I agree theodens is the most moving
Listen, the entire time I watched Aragons speech, I was waiting for him to say "They may take our lives but they'll never take our freedom ". I loved the movie but the speech was so cheesy lol
Also, people always downplay how awesome the next scene is, when they charge at the armies of Mordor. The king is the first one to do so, and it looks like he was ready to go alone if need be. He goes and doesn't look back, like he's expecting those to be his final moments. Then, the first ones to follow his charge are Merry and Pippin, who are supposed to be hopeless in battle, but they go nonetheless. I feel like most people don't appreciate this scene as much as it deserves. It's masterfully done. But yeah, Theoden's speech is the GOAT.
@@959tolis626 the way they filmed that scene can’t be ignored either because it made you feel like all hope had gone and if your going to die you may as well die fighting!! 100% agree with you.
If you told 11-year-old me that all these scenes would be at my fingertips in 20ish years, I would be like dang nice.
I could tell that they came out 20 years ago and only because they were shot on glorious 35mm on film, rather than digital that most films use and look artificial!
Imagine having a leader so fearless, so inspiring, so loyal, and so humble he leads the last army alive in a desperate attempt to give one of the smallest creatures on the planet a chance to destroy evil once and for all. Plan is basically suicide to begin with and you'll be facing every force of hell conceivable.
"For Frodo".....brings tears to my eyes every time.
And I love when he says, "for Frodo", because it's almost like Sauron tried to tempt him one last time and Aragorn turns and reminds everyone exactly why they're there in the first place - to give Frodo his chance. It's just perfect.
To add further depth to the situation, he wasn't entirely sure Frodo was actually alive.
Aragon may believe that Frodo has already been slain by Sauron. There is another deleted scene where a Sauron lieutenant, The Mouth of Sauron, shows Aragon and Gandalf some items that were taken from Frodo in the Tower on the Fronteir, insinuating that he is dead. So this may be a call to avenge Frodo
❤❤️YOU DO NOT HAVE TO FEAR DEATH IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, AND TRUST IN HIM WITH ALL YOUR HEART, BECAUSE HE ATONED FOR YOU FOR ALL YOUR INSULTS, THAT YOU WOULD OBTAIN PEACE WITH ALMIGHTY GOD, AND GO TO HEAVEN BY HIS GRACE!😊
There actually is one! One that not only facerd danger, but actually died painfully to destroy evil, and give us all small and feeble creatures a chance to live in hope, true hope. Know who im talking about? Aragorn is actually based on him!
Cutting this was the right decision. Tolkien’s focus on the book here wasn’t on Aragorn, and although Sauron had by this time regained physical form in the books, the movie already specifically said that he cannot do it yet. Much of the point of destroying the ring in the movie is to prevent just that. Thus, including this would have broken lore, changed the focus and theme, contradicted their own movie script, and left a gaping plot hole. The final cut is no less epic and doesn’t leave such contradictions.
Yes all true glad they didn't do it. Did add more weight to the for frodo line tho since they weren't sure if he was alive and aragorn would've known he was sacrificing himself knowing he'd not be able to defeat sauron himself. Granted the whole battle of the morannen itself was a sacrifice but u know thought it was kinda cool.
plus for a moment you see Saurons old form here which he had lost since the Fall of Numenor. I agree I am glad they didn't go for it.
what? youre comment makes no sense,he already took physical form yet he couldnt? if he couldnt then he didnt take physical form.
counter point
...it looks cool...
@@Marcustheseer He did in the books. He couldn't in the third movie because the prior movies had already established that he couldn't.
"I bid you stand men of the West!"
No battle cry, no hurra, just silence, and the sound of swords coming out. It just magnificent. They are all dead and they can feel it, but they are going to stand with their King.
1:58 is so chilling. The way the face of Sauron is just briefly visible, before it fades is so terrifying.
Quien era Sauron? 😮
I wonder if Sauron even remembered his own real face.
In the movies, Aragorn was doubting his strength, his destiny, his willpower to succeed and be a king as the old ones were.
Tall, bright, full of life and passion for their culture, friends and their kingdom.
"For Frodo" always gives me chills as in this moment, he overcomes his fear and doubts, rises to great power and to be an inspirational king!
In this moment all the bad feelings, the fears go away and he is willing to sacrifice it for the greater good.
Viggo Mortensen was nothing but perfect to fit Aragorn in the movies.
Perfect three movies!
The film-Aragorn is a sissy! Peter Jackson should be fined $1000000 for such a blasfemous malinterpretation of Tolkien's books.
He was second choice though and the first choice actor got totally screwed over
@@Henbot Yes, but Wiggo Mortensen is just the actor doing Peter Jackson's scenes. I suspect Peter Jackson thought that he should do another King-Kong. So then Aragorn became a sissy.
Aragorn should have been a black woman. Then it would be perfection.
@@klavier285 You're right of course.
Gandalf's wave will always be one of the greatest subtleties in these movies. Not only does he show Aragorn Frodo's Mithril, but uses the hand that he wears Narya on. Narya, the ring which inspires others. Such a great moment.
Wow, I never noticed that! I didn't really have pause and capture ideas when I was younger. I always thought that Gandalf was helping to instill some sort of mental fortitude with a spell to combat the voice of Sauron's influence. Now that I see there were ACTUAL things he lifted up, not even using magic, this makes that two second appearance act even more epic!
That English legit messed up my brain. Can you fix it because I don't understand what you said in the first sentence. " Gandslfs wave" what wave? There's no wave. Wave is in the ocean. Don't you mean veil? But then again, veil has nothing to do with this. Where do you see him putting up his hands, encouraging others? I've seen this movie 3000 times, watch it at least 3x a year ( extended only) but don't remember a moment gandalf doing anything of the sort.
@@CaptainPupu 2:15
@@CaptainPupu Are you not a native English speaker? Watch the clip at the time stamp provided.
@@CaptainPupu in this video particularly at 2:14. Damn bro you seem legit mad af right now. Lmao its okay if you didn't notice it calm down.
I’m glad they edited. The implicit Sauron made his presence more powerful, in my opinion. The eye exploding was very emotional, because it was as if they were fighting a very high and almost invisible evil force. Sauron exploding in the beginning of the movie and the elven hair flying is one of my favorite scenes all the time.
Agreed.
Also... is he supposed to have a body?
@@Turagrong tbh I always thought he couldn´t physically appear again without the ring
@@Turagrong there was s time where he had a body. In reality sauron is supposed to be INSIDE the eye tower, casting his will (the eye) over the people of the middle earth. He probably has a palantiri stone
@@sacarymoviesamu He definitely has at least one. It's pretty explicitly shown in this movie.
@@Turagrong In the books he does actually have a physical form. He's present to scare the absolute sh*t out of Gollum when he's tortured. But it doesn't make any sense whatsoever that he would stroll out onto the battlefield; he's a deceiver and a puppet-master, hugely diminished in power without the Ring.
In the last few horrific years I watch this trilogy for my own courage, it works, the ordinary acts off everday courage of us all DO make a difference. Bless us all everyday folk
I’m not alone then. Keep praying.
Peace be with us
I really like that they chose not to have Sauron gain physical form during the ROTK movie. It makes him feel more like a mysterious, omnipotent and overwhelming presence. They gave us just enough scenes to grasp what he would look like in the movies w/ FotR and I think that was the perfect amount
I also liked the idead that he is not powerful enough to be physically present without the ring, just a magic force. He has to command his creatures to do the job for him. If he would be present and and defeat aragorn, it is questionable why he needs the ring. Then the ring would just be like a horcrux for him.
Also, the scene would detract from Frodo and Sam being the ones that destroyed Sauron. In the drawn scene, they seem to show Aragon throwing a sword into Sauron's chest, and then Sauron exploding.
actually that could been another lead of history where frudo lost the ring while ago and fellowship didn't realize it so when door opens and turns out sauron is there and now fellowsihp doing their last stand and most likely dying
He never appeared in the book. They stuck to the storyline.
@@dog-thebackwardgod he did have a physical form he used in the book but he never left his tower golem talks of him torturing him in barad dur
I make an effort to watch the trilogy once a year and not bored yet. It is more than a film, so much spiritual representation and interpretation. Great story, great score, great cinematography, great dialogue, great acting. LOTR is the greatest.
It's like watching a beautiful painting
finally someone with same intention to watch lord of the rings... watching lotr is like spritual journey
My family watches the LOTR trilogy along with the Hobbit Tri every year. Harry Potter every other year lol
The Trilogy still stands as one of the greatest cinematic classics of modern time in my book.
I've really begun to understand why so many movies just seem to be absolute crap,
because some of the very first movies I was really introduced to and definitely the first movies I loved were LOTR. So my whole life I've just compared everything to this, and nothings come close.
For both Tolkein and Lewis, these stories are about how evil cannot stand if people choose to stand against it. No matter the odds. Evil can only flourish if good people choose to do nothing about it.
Very well stated, and very true!
Which is true in the real world as well sadly, because most people fear death too much to sacrifice themselves for a positive change in the world
@@Monyato Also, not organised enough.
You don’t die for your cause, you make the enemy die for his.
Much better, all around.
@@hoodatdondar2664 yes but the best way to do that is by first accepting that you are probably not going to return. It has been proven numerous times in history that fearless men always beat fearful men this is called morale.
The danger there is when the evil manipulates two good groups to fight each other, each thinking the other evil.
This trilogy was in the 2000s era. Let that sink in, the cgi, story, lore, writing, acting, soundtrack...
Well Technically story and lore came out in 1954 by the author
The story, lore, and writing predate everything else by 50 years. Nice try, bud.
@@blam320 He's talking about the movie, you absolutely dingus. Since when was the cgi from the 40s?
@@stynershiner1854 He explicitly mentioned the story, lore, and writing as well, which were all created by JRR Tolkien in the 1950s. Who's the moron now?
To be honest, soundtracks were also very good in the 1600's you know...
I always loved how Aragorn stayed true to his word. In the Fellowship he tells Frodo "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." Then proceeds to charge for Frodo, all while giving him the chance to destroy the ring.
I mean to be fair he didn't really have much choice with how close the ring was to souron now the world literally relyed on Aragon and the others to district souron or else evil would have won it would have taken no time for one of the fell beasts and a witch king to fly up the mountain land right in front of the entrance kick Sam in the head sending him flying off the mountain while just casually taking the ring from frodo like it was nothing
If souron had see the hobbits it would have been game over for everyone real fast with no B's let's stop and have a half an hour dialog before I kill you like most films do
At this point in the movie didn't they think Frodo was dead because of the mouth of Sauron?
I think he did choose to fight for Frodo because he wanted to encourage the ppls Will to fight once more... and even more so because he knew that Pippin and Merry would charge forward with him first. Well... maybe more like he wanted that to happen so ppl would see how the 2 small Hobbits charge into the Fight first. Everyone else was just behind them of corse and even over took them. But the Initial Thought was to Spread the Spark of Hope to everyone.
This is what i feel like was his Intenion behind it. Maybe he also did feel like he (and Sam) still alive at that Point. Its a strong Moment either Way.
All while not even knowing if his sacrifice would be in vain or not. He had no idea where Frodo was at this point the movie. The hobbits could’ve already been dead.
That little island of Aragorn's remaining forces gets me every time. You see them marching for the Black Gate and think that they still have a massive army, then suddenly the camera goes to a wide angle and they are nothing compared to the entire host of Mordor.
People in Middle Earth always seem their strongest when they're at their most dimunitive.
Darkest before dawn.
The heroes always overcome the odds.
That’s what makes great stories.
No, they knew they were marching to their death... It was just a diversion after all... And by "they", I mean the remaining members of the Fellowship, no idea if the foot-folk knew what was going on...
Also notice how, when the ring is destroyed and the corrupted land of Mordor is collapsing, more of the host survive and flee than were left of Aragorns army...
Why do we not see the aftermath or hear mention of that?
@@Kholdaimon Yeah they knew. In the books they first lay claim to Minas Morgul before going north. Where Aragorn tells those that dared not go to the Black Gate to hold Cair Andros for as long as they could
Fun fact: the elvish/sindarin choir in the background after „for Frodo“ is literally the translation of the oath aragorn took in Rivendell when he kneeled before Frodo. "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will, you have my sword"
Also what he says to him at Amon Hen/Argonath. “I would have gone with you to the end, into the very fires of Mordor”
Wow
And my bow
And my ass.
1:58 the image of elf Sauron
*angelic Sauron/Mairon
Annatar, the Lord of Gifts
@@detectiveluck2899no, that’s Mairon, Sauron’s original form
I always liked how Gandalf waves his hand, with Frodo's armour, to break any spell whilst Aragorn just smiles as if to say do not worry, there is no spell to break.....
I thought he was wielding Narya. Helps to resist domination.
2001, 2002, 2003 The week before Christmas all of my cousins and I were at the movies watching this trilogy. The best Christmas tradition ever. Time for a rewatch this coming holiday! And reread of the books.
Hey same here! I was always looking forward to the holidays, best years of cinema in my life
Yes. Exactly this. These films made the build up to Christmas during those years something amazingly special.
It's like it was yesterday
@Bezalel Jaeger 308 They are lucky to have you as a parent. I hope to love it.
@@KhanyoMjamba Your so right, it feels like the moment just passed. Great times.
I always wondered how much the regular soldiers really knew about Frodo and his quest, or even about the Ring itself. Presumably they knew very little, cause it was a secret mission, and when Sauron suddenly died and all the orcs ran away, they believe the Frodo story cause it was the only possible explanation to what happened.
However in this scene, Aragorn stabs Sauron shortly before the Ring is destroyed, which makes the Frodo story more unbelievable since the regular folk would have been happier to believe that it was Aragorn the one who killed Sauron. Such ambiguity would take a lot of credit away from Frodo and it would have made the scene where everyone bows to the hobbits feel incredibly forced by the people.
Excellent point
I know right they watch as the orcs all just give up randomly and the tower just falls down on its own like wait what we were making our last stand and wait we just won?!?!?
This is sad to say but frodo can't get credit for destroying, only for getting the it there to its destination
@@Solo_terryaki
Not to mention the little bastard actually wanted to betray everyone
Technically, they owe the victory over Sauron to Smeagle (by accident)
Because Frodo would have let them all die to keep his ring
@@Nightdare I mean, you're not technically wrong, but geez
I think I'd be happy with it dine as an alternate ending done for a special release where they take some of the scenes but not the whole thing.
I definitely think there's something potential as we never see Saurons other form in the trilogy - The initial ghostly illusion is brilliant and depicts how devious and canning their adversary is. So having Aragon somewhat bewitched then intermittent overlays while he is fighting the Troll which at times He believes is Sauron could work in the context of the 3 movies (we've already seen one King under a potent spell).
This wouldn't detract from the destruction of the ring nor lessen Frodo / Sams story arc but furrher illustrate what his friends, who have for all intents and purposes gone on a suicide mission, would battle to the end, including Aragon to potentially give two pure souls Sauron completely under estimated a chance to destroy evil.
So Rather than it being a cleche 1 on 1 boss fight it's simply a hallucination / side affect of that initial attempt by Sauron to corrupt Aragon and He is still technically in the tower as it collapses, thus making the panic shown by the eye when it falls every bit as potent.
Seeing Legolas call for Aragorn and try to get to his friend is incredibly touching
Plus, the fact that within this context, Legolas's look of desperation to save him makes more sense here because Aragorn is getting his ass beat by Sauron himself.
Yes, Legolas has such intense attraction to other males. He literally drooled over the gorgeous Prince Imrahil...
@@cerberus6654 Your LGBT agenda has no power here! Go back to the shadow!! YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!
1:59 was Sauron an elf before or?
@@kodesh1674 it shows an elf here but sauron had many forms depending on who he was dealing with etc.
These films came out while I was in college. I was excited for them, being an avid Tolkien reader since the age of 13. But I was young, and proud, and I found fault with every little thing, and dismissed them for a time. Obviously, nothing can replace just reading the works. But now that the magnitude of my folly has been revealed to me, I can say that these films were a labor of love, and they are a treasure.
As my grandma said it’s just a movie enjoy it for what it is or keep your mouth shut!
Viewed in a vacuum purely as films telling a story in their own right the three theatrical cuts are one of the greatest achievements in the history of the medium and imo they will be timeless and continue to captivate as long as people still watch movies.
Keep your disdain for the Amazon series because they really are throwing the book away and making up their own crap
@@dkp2112 it's going to be good. . .I promise. Didn't you know they're having the first female dwarf on screen? Oh and she's black! It has to be good, no amount of terrible writing/acting or editing can stop the purity of representation!
For what it's worth
Pretty much *anyone* who read the books first, would dislike the movies. You just cant fit in all the important information in 3 hours. It only natural. And you can apply that to any book/movie genre - same thing.
PJ definitely made the right call here. Sauron had no reason to go down and risk having his physical form destroyed again. The only reason he went and fought during the last siege of Mordor is because he was on the brink of defeat (and he also had the ring, therefore was more powerful)
Yep. By all rights Mordor would/should have won this battle if not for the destruction of the ring.
No need for Sauron to get his hands dirty.
Still it was awesome scene
He could have simply gone down there for revenge.
I think Sauron could have appeared for a moment before trudging back off, leaving his armies to do the work.
I honestly think this scene would fit better for a Video Game of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy rather than a Movie that's supposed to be more faithful to the events of the books.
Wow 🤯! It took 21 years to see this footage I never knew it existed 😦…thank you posting 🙏🏻
The fact Sauron caused what was essentially a world war, without even having to be in his physical form makes him more terrifying.
Imagine Morgoth..
He had a physical form in the books though.
@@Simpie32 I know I'm talking about how terrifying and other worldly he'd be in comparison to sauron
@@ChefKeyBrien its same person
@@MikhailTlif Morgoth and Sauron are not the same person
"For Frodo"
Got major chills there. Holy moly.
I see that line still stands strong to this day...
Such a simple line, no shouting, no "CHARGE!"... for those soldiers he just charged in, fearless, its such an pdd chocie and yet such a good one
It's the way he turns around, eyes filled with emotion, and he almost whispers "For Frodo" to the fellowship, the ones who know who Frodo is, and the way the sound of the battle silence as he utters the line and then the music plays and he runs toward the enemy. It's beautiful.
What he actually sees in their eyes is the question, "Damn dude couldn't we keep that ghost army a little longer?"
Sauron would’ve tempted them
@@apoocumber4164 wha? How? He doesn't have the One Ring!
@@hypermaeonyx4969 the one ring was made after sauron took cerimbors ring in battle
He already had the ghosts longer in the movies than in the books. They left after taking out the corsairs. It was the men of the north that helped at Gondor.
Bro that's just some videogame bullshit. It's not canon (though neither is this movie 😎)
I love the meaning of this scene, Sauron first speaks Aragorn's name, trying to fight him mentally so that Aragorn falls over his malice, Gandalf realizes this and waves his hand in front of Aragorn to wake him from his trance, Sauron then realizing that he couldn't do it the same with aragorn what he did with isildur (destroy willpower), sauron first appears in an almost blinding beam of bright light, showing his true form (Mairon) to show that he is a divine being, then later he shows his current form (Sauron) In full armor, to eliminate his last enemy.
I am 61 and a huge fan (though not fanatic) of the LOTR books. And as a child, I almost LIVED for movies! So, when I heard they were FINALLY making a movie, I was both apprehensive and hopeful. I remember a very, very rough trailer released in early 2001 and I was aghast. My small hope was diminished. THEN I saw Fellowship. OMG! I could not believe all of what I saw! The prologue was brilliant! Then the whole Mines of Moria (go back and see how many SETS were utilized! We didn't just get a "taste" of Moria, we got the WHOLE Moira and more!) Then that Balrog nearly made me lose it with the heat haze coming out of its mouth! (plus the build up to it... Jackson really knew how to do it). Then finally, with ROTK, we get the huge payoff. I am lucky if I can tear up once in a movie every five years or so. In ROTK I think I teared up around 6 times! The death of Theoden, Faramir going to battle with Pippin singing and Denethor having tomato dripping out of his mouth, the "Remember the Shire" speech, "For Frodo", "You bow to no one" and the final scene of Frodo kissing Sam's forehead! And then that beautiful, heartfelt and oh so hitting the nail on the head song "Into the West" by Annie Lennox!! I can start to tear up just THINKING about all of it. The emotional drainage from that movie(s) is just staggering....!!!
In my twenties and agree completely - the emotional resonance of this trilogy is staggering. I remember being excited for Fellowship but falling asleep partway through, and waking up to the absolute fiery monstrosity fighting Gandalf on the bridge - it was incredible! I’ve since rewatched all of the films many, many times, so nothing has been missed from the first viewing in theatres, and it’s by far a total monument of filmmaking, casting, acting, and overall execution - so many brilliant performances, even from the smallest of parts and creatures. I’m so glad Tolkien’s work has reached so far and touched so many - these are a remarkable achievement of literature and cinema both.
I am in my twenties and saw the trilogy in theaters as a child. I loved them but often wonder what it would be like to see these movies for the first time as an adult, old enough to appreciate HOW faithful they were to the source material and how much of a masterpiece it was in every way. Thank you for sharing!
@@offtankgaming1310 What has astounded me (and I think Tolkien's ghost/spirit/presence must have been guiding them all) is all the way this COULD have failed! You are SOOO right about the execution!! It was apparent when you watch them over again how much Jackson and company (and if you are real geeky like me, listen to the commentaries.... Fran and Phillipa were the ones to really nail a lot of this stuff down!) were able to get the stuff for the fans in there as well as typical movie buffs! Script? Actors and acting? Cinematograhy? Music? (Shore's score is perhaps one of the greatest ever!) Costumes. Sound. Editing. CGI and regular propts. Its ALL there. As I said in the beginning, there were a thousand ways to fail and perhaps only a couple to win. And they freaking hit the ball not only out of the park, but out of the country! New Line, the scrappy studio, made a HUGE bet. And it paid off!! If I was on a desert island with a working dvd player and tv and could only watch one thing, it would be that trilogy!
@@johngreener9784 if you really 61 you quite cool man. Haven't met someone your age that is such a fan on LoTR. How would you say are the books for someone that has only seen the films? I just bought the trilogy but haven't started reading it yet. I hear the books are very in depth, sometimes too in depth than necessary. What's your opinion?
@@crymeariver69riseandshine HI and thanks! Well, when I was 18 and newly enlisted in the Air Force, I was very fortunate. I was linguist who studied Russian at DLI in Monterey, CA. So nearly all of my classmates were above average intelligence. I think even a couple would be classified as "genius" (not me though!) And fairly nerdy. Nearly everyone would walk around with books on Philosophy, Spiritualism, Greek Mythology. You get the idea. One of the things EVERYONE told me was to read LOTR! So I did. BUT, I was young and impatient. I really skimmed a lot of the exposition. And it just was ho hum for me. HOWEVER - around 3 years later I REREAD it ., THen it was like OH, OK I think I get it know! But it was really the THIRD read another 3 years later that nearly broke me. I had really, really gottern into it. I read all of the appendixes, the whole kit and kaboodle. It ripped my guts out. I was actually depressed for like a couple of weeks after. I had finally gotten what so many had told me over the years. So, to answer your question, the DO have a LOT of exposition in them. You have to put your mind into a spot where you can really read it slowly (at your own pace of course) and really try to let your own mind build the world! My experience with LOTR has been really long and almost exhausting! And my friends who are my age still binge on the movies like once a year around Christmas! I bought an 85" tv and the 4K dvds JUST for LOTR!!! LOL! Hope that helps a bit. I know it was long, but LOTR is LONG!!!
They don’t make movies like this anymore, sauron was hardly seen throughout the movie but you can feel his presence throughout the films and it made you feel hate for him but admire as well
The humankind don't create that often such a masterpiece.
I guess we have to wait another century before, we create such an amazing Universe like the one To lien created.
Back when directors actually had a shred of care for source material.
I never hated Sauron, this movie didn't invoke any feelings in me besides homophobia. I did pity Gollum
Its all green screen nonsense these days
@@ahmorgan Wait what?! Why are you homophobic?!
Jackson was the right person to do these films. He loved books and lore of Tolkiens world. There was no way he would have put that scene into the films it wasn’t in the books. He was always going to stay true to that instead of having the Hollywood ending of the last bad guy fight. He knew it would also detract from Sam and Frodo’s part in winning. Scenes like “ my friends you bow for no one “ wouldn’t have the same impact .( thank goodness he saw the project through at 100 %.
ROTR is the timeless epic film of all time in no small part because of so many things especially Jackson’s vision and dedication and the cast to name a few .
"There was no way he would have put that scene into the films it wasn’t in the books." Well...I am very glad he didn't, but the fact that he not only story-boarded it but filmed it seems to say it was the plan to include it, or at least that doing so was very much in consideration. On the one hand, for the most part I would agree that PJ & co.'s love of Tolkien's books and world did restrain the number and types of liberties they took in the LOTR movies. But then...they unfortunately made the much smaller and simpler Hobbit into a huge trilogy in which they took far greater liberties, IMO to the great decrement of the results.
@@jimsibley1651 "There was no way he would have put that scene into the films it wasn’t in the books."
Ironic, considering what he did with characters liek Elrond, Isildur Denethor or Faramir. PJ's LotR was the best adaptation we could ever hope for, but to pretend it's faithful to the books is disingenuous. It makes sweeping changes to the characters and lore, like every other step.
#Isildur did nothing wrong.
the elves never came to helms deep for aide.. that was a creative liberty.
@@jimsibley1651 I believe this was done to appease studio execs. Sauron isn't imposing enough in these cuts, his frame is too small, he's not tall enough, and there's barely any weight behind his strikes against Aragorn. It was poorly choreographed and it honestly looks comical. Directors sometimes need to show rather than tell producers that something won't work for a film.
I would’ve really loved to see this. But as everyone else is saying, having that unseen enemy is truly impactful. Similar to how scary movies are always scariest at the beginning because once the mister or spirit or whatever is actualized it immediately becomes less scary
Thank God this stayed unreleased. The mystery of Sauron's existing self was the very core of that trilogy.
until now. MYSTERY DESTROYED!
I’m glad that Sauron wasn’t in the battle scene but also eternally grateful that we have this shot seeing the 2 legends fight each other, the sheer tower that is Sauron and how terrifying he looks!
Peter Jackson said he changed Sauron for the troll because that way we are still invested about Frodo hiding from Sauron and his mental duel with Sauron before he destroys the ring
I agree with the sentiment, but I think the Troll was kind of a lame replacement. The Mouth of Sauron would have been perfect as he represents Sauron on the battle field.
@@sm4carnageihope Does Eowyn kill the Witch king in the books also? Cause I would have loved Aragorn to fight him 1v1 and kill him in front of the black gate with Anduril which also has magic in it so he can kill Nazgul with it
@@Johnny.1994 Yes she does
@@Johnny.1994 yes, she does.
If you change that to aragorn the prophecy "no man can kill him" wouldnt work anymore, right?
@@seimen4348 That's why I asked it 😂 I haven't read the books only have seen lore videos on TH-cam
The peak of the filming industry! An absolute marriage of masterful skills and craftsmanship. Every level of the production of this film is top notch. It doesn't get any better than this.
Aragorn’s speech still gives me chills. After 20 years.
The chills get worse with time with the nostalgia. Plus, possibly, as you get more life experience more things become more personally relevant. Like I watched the Pixar movie "Up" after my grandparents died and found it especially sad.
@@aryasayne absolutely - life gets more bittersweet as we get older, and these sorts of things hit on a different level when we come back and watch them again. Sorry to hear about your grandparents 😢
I believe you might have covid-19. It was a meh speech!
20 years ,dear God does life go fast.
@@chrismantonuk aw thanks. It was over ten years ago but just an example.
The score of of these movies has always been incredible to me.
It's perfect.
Howard Shore….a Canadian 🇨🇦👍
Anything Howard Shore does is amazing. Even the theme for Rings of Power is great! The show, not so much, but that opening track is 🔥
3:18 I love during the swell of dramatic music just watching Sauron and Aragorn chilling by the catering table during their break and practicing their fight 🤣
Part of the movie, things get complicated in fight scenes
One of the most important factors to consider when filming a battle scene are the stakes at hand.
And it was Frodo. Frodo was our stake. Frodo was the very reason why this scene was so good to watch.
To this day, “For Frodo” is the best battle cry ever. And it’s practically whispered. In that moment, Aragorn becomes King. It’s Viggo Mortenson at his transformartive best.
Got me blubbering like a baby still lol
And Sam's the one who did all the heavy lifting
It was the original “AVENGERS!!!!…. assemble” whisper
Everytime constipation kicks in when I'm on the toilet "For Frodo..."
@@ILoveallthegirls1 😀
I love the puzzled look on Legolas' face when Sauron appears: "Well, that's not in the books, is it?"
😂😂😂
The same can be said for Legolas (The Hobbit movies)
@@impractically728 what do you mean?! Everything Legolas did are taken straight form the pages! Including that kick-ass move he did when he slides down the ramp with a shield into the enemies!
🤣
Neither was the flaming eyeball.
A day may come when the complete and full version of this scene is released, but it is not this day.
I always get chills when Aragorn says for frodo
Ngl, if they had just done that one cut at 1:57 of Sauron temporarily appearing to Aragorn as almost an apparition, I would have no problem with that having been added. Pretty fucking cool.
I agree, if they did that and had him appear in his fair form without armour for a brief second that would have been really cool .
That charge from Aragorn works so well especially in the extended cut, where there's a lot more tension between him and Sauron, and Sauron getting any opportunity to tempt Aragorn with his fears and doubts.
In a way, that's one good thing about removing his physical form from this battle. If he was there, him appearing would come across more as just a villain taunting Aragorn, which while still cool just sorta makes Sauron out to be like a generic fantasy "final boss" type character. But hearing Sauron's voice to Aragorn really feels more like an unseen devilish presence; Aragorn's final test against temptation.
Like, you can even see it in Gandalf's eye when Aragorn takes a few steps forward, worried that Aragorn has finally fallen to Sauron's dark will, only for him to turn around and say "For Frodo." Before making the charge.
And then just seeing the two little hobbits go bravely charging in right behind him...just icing on the cake.
I love this scene. And while it's a shame we never got to see an awesome fight between Aragorn and Sauron, I'm glad they cut this bit out, as I feel it made it all the more powerful.
NO YOU'RE WRONG WE SHOUD HAVE SEEN THAT FIGHTING NO MATTER HOW IT WILL BE
@@nildesperandum2034 Sure, everyone who worked on the films was wrong. We should have gotten the video game final boss fight.
When Aragorn's will is faltering, you see Gandalf wave his hand as if to pull the curtain of doubt back so that Aragorn's faith in his friends pushes through. It's such a subtle thing and I love it.
@@nildesperandum2034 Dude...........chill.
I like Gollum
A glimpse of Sauron's fair form is majestic. He shows them that he comes from a divine race.
Didn’t he lose the ability to assume a fair form when his physical form was destroyed on Numenor?
Yes but I think the glimpse is like a spiritual form probably more of a metaphor to when he could assume a fair form
Meh, it's the same devine race as Saruman and Gandalf.
@@Lorrdd perhaps he grown into a degree that he would be able to take it as a spiritual form for a few momments
@@BasePuma4007 im pretty sure Saruman & Gandalf appear as old men because that is how the people of middle-earth would be most receptive to them(wise old men vibes and stuff). Their true forms are probably just as majestic as Sauron's(maybe not Saruman idk if his may have been corrupted or something from becoming evil)
I'm glad they didn't include this in the movie, but I must admit, that Aragorn's teary "for Frodo" takes on a different emotional meaning for me when you know he is about to run toward and fight and most likely die at the hands of the literal manifestation of evil.
Him running toward a "faceless" army, knowing he is going to die while Sauron taunts him from his tower also hits hard, but it is different.
For the overall movie experience, they made the right choice to not have the stereotypical hero fight the big baddy at the end.
But had the movie been more about Aragorn, than about everybody such as Jackson and his crew prioritized, then this scene and the subsequent fight with Sauron would have been absolutely necessary for Aragorn's character arc.
Utterly wild how barely 2 seconds of screentime can recontextualize everything completely.
22 years later, Sauron's armor is still so detailed intense and creates a dialogue for how much of a menace
he was as being the self-proclaimed Lord Of The Rings.
Weta Workshop's finest
And now we get Lawd of da Rangs adaptations ready to trample it all.
@@secretname2670 I really dont think that rings of power is that bad. Definitely not as good as the original movies but it's good and mainly lore friendly
@@matthewmoloney1076 Female beauty Shelob. Black dwarves and elves. Galadriel being so brutish and at the same time impotent compared to lore. Hobbits being retarded instead of easygoing. The examples go on.
@@matthewmoloney1076 Personally, I like the series a lot, but I wouldn't call it lore friendly at all. Two major things that they've gotten wrong are that Galadriel is supposed to have already met and married Celeborn and Durin IV isn't the son of Durin III
I really liked the idea of putting the vision of Sauron before Aragorn charges. Like a premonition, an omen of what would come, or a final way to persuade Aragon to betray his friends. And Gandalf saw it, watching Aragon's reaction. Once he said calmly "For Frodo", Gandalf was sure he resisted. No need for the showdown
Having him appear briefly like that would have been cool.
That would've been sick as hell
Vision, very cool. Physical fighting? Lame.
@@Morgyborgyblobdepends. It should have been the whole fellowship fighting him to just keep the weakened sauron individually at a standstill, while the whole orc army was descending on them
Remember Gandalf gently waving frodos mithril shirt infront of Aragon to remind him of why he is there.
"But Sauron was not of mortal flesh, and though he was robbed now of that shape in which had wrought so great an evil, so that he could never again appear fair to the eyes of Men, yet his spirit arose out of the deep and passed as a shadow and a black wind over the sea, and came back to Middle-earth and to Mordor that was his home. There he took up again his great Ring in Barad-dur, and dwelt there, dark and silent, until he wrought himself a new guise, an image of malice and hatred made visible; and the Eye of Sauron the Terrible few could endure."
--- (afte the fall of Numenor) J.R.R. Tolkien, The Silmarillion
shut up. why do you think it wasn't added..
Guess that’s why the choose not to include it either the extended edit or normal movie
And this sounds stupid af
Satan aka Lucifer
@@rockyp32 Sauron is not Satan within the Tolkien legendarium. That would be Melkor, aka Morgoth. Melkor was the first born and most powerful of the Ainur (arc angels) and the most like Eru (God) in his independent desire to create and an interest in all things (unlike the other Ainur who had narrow interests like the sky, sea, wildlife, etc). This made him frustrated because although he had the will to create only Eru has the ability so rather he chose to corrupt and twist creation to impose his own order attracting multiple Maiar (lesser angels) to his cause and creating all of the monsters and orcs. Sauron was one such Maiar who was given some power by Melkor and later focused his power with the One Ring. Melkor was eventually defeated by the Ainur who came to save the elves from him and banished him to the timeless void. He is prophesied to return for the last battle at the end of time.
Tldr: Sauron is not Satan, he’s a demon ruling in Satan’s place because Satan was defeated long ago
It didn't make sense to belittle Sauron like this.Good choice to edit this.
Whenever I watch anything from the LotR trilogy, I cannot help but think, ‘what a f*cking masterpiece’. It is so ridiculously supreme.
Unbelievable how the shots on the set look so silly with what looks like Spirit Halloween costumes, and then somehow when it translates to the screen it's just magic.
Number one reason The Hobbit failed in my mind in Theatres. Double framerate suddenly revealed all the same trickery. In 24fps it's much better
Yes, that's the power of cinematic immersion... and it's really hard to keep up for 78 hours of total runtime or however long this trilogy is ;) but they did it.
Yea, that's why I hate all this 4k shit it breaks the spell of escapism that movies and TV are meant to have, it's like being on the set watching it being made rather than enjoying the escapism
Post-production is a marvel to cherish, lad!
@@jaymcd8577 bingo man.
This speech has always, and will always give me chills
What speech?
I know. Especially considering that Aragorn is basically telling his men that their job is to die with him to give Frodo an open door to Mt. Doom. This was a suicide mission.
I mean, have you seen braveheart?
@@matthewcasagrande231 I can't watch it do to its massive historical inaccuracies.
@@matthewcasagrande231 I have, but I've had "stand men of the west" memorized since I was 12 so ya know
If you pause just after Aragorn looks at Sauron as he fully materialises, you can briefly see his Maiar form.
Jackson may have done too many changes to the original story, and he got heat for that, but we are all grateful that he chose not to change it further where it was easier to do it. Besides, many of the changes he did weren't so bad and translated better in a film format with limited time. Books, just like tv series, do have a lot of fillers that take away from the main story. Jackson managed to condense that story well and keep it true to the books.
I also feel like the changes made sense in terms of telling a story for the movie.
As cool as seeing certain scenes and characters would have been cool to see, the flow of the movie always felt right with what scenes they decided to show. And it was obvious to anyone the sheer amount of effort that went into the sets, the costumes, the acting, and special effects.
Reducing the convoluted cast of the books was the right decision, especially cutting the characters who were mainly cameos from other Tolkien stories like Glorfindel or didn't really feed into the main story like Tom Bombadil. Other than that I maybe missed the barrow-wights (and therefore the rather important origin of Merry's barrow-blade) and that scene where the Rohirrim overtake the Uruks, besiege and then and slay them all (that was drastically cut short in the movie). And as for Arwen: we got Liv Tyler for that, I have no objections whatsoever!
@@davideberhardt6150 Jackson condensing a bit was fine. It was the character changes that literally pissed me off...Emo Aragorn, babyish failure Frodo, overly human and weak Gandalf (WTF! He's a flipping angel!), wavering Theoden, weak Faramir... I could go on and on about the character changes but I'd just get ticked off enough to have chest pains lol.
Would have likes the barrow wights
@@davideberhardt6150 removing Tom B was the right call. In the book it's more like an experiment in writing. Even him trying on the ring just makes no sense
Sam's speech at the end of the two towers is amazing. When Frodo wakes after Gandalf saves him and Sam he may have thought he was dead because he thought Gandalf died in Moria when Sam walks in after the rest of the fellowship hits real deep every time. However when Frodo sails off to the undying lands and leaves Sam it kills me every time
I never got why frodo is allowed to go there anyway. He failed. He was corrupted by the ring and didn't destroyed it. Gollum accidentally did by fighting frodo. Sam is the only one that decided actively against the ring (he only had it a few hours I know... But still)
It was not all about destroying, he carried that burden all the way, had some hard time ofc. Frodo was the ring bearer. But even for a short time, Sam also carried the ring, thats why Sam also gone to undying lands after his wife passed away.
I was 11, and i cried at the end.
@@SchillerDDEven Sam wouldn’t have been able to resist the ring. Frodo’s mercy towards Gollum is what secured the ring’s destruction. It’s true, Frodo succumbed to the ring’s power at the very last second, which was bound to happen because he’s not meant to be a super powerful person. He was literally dying and losing his mind during the final moments at Mount Doom. Even Tolkien stated that no one would’ve been able to willingly destroy the ring, especially standing at the edge of the volcano, where Sauron’s corruption and malice are the strongest.
Frodo was granted this honor because, despite everything, he became a ring bearer, took the ring farthest than anyone else, and saved Middle-earth. I understand that many people feel mixed emotions when it comes to the idea of the protagonist “failing” their destiny, but I think that the message Tolkien wanted to convey is more complex and meaningful than the typical narrative of the hero we are more accustomed to.
@@nataliesophia215 yeah I wasnt saying sam was better. Lol. I just stated that i dont get why frodo is hailed as a hero
Oh my God I got chills for 5 minutes straight. I forgot how amazing this trilogy is.
HOW DARE YOU FORGET!
Yeah, the yellow crane trucks of Mordor gets me every time.
@@Allure1337 I'm a great fan of this trilogy. But I don't have time to see not even one movie cause each one is 4 hours. When I start the movie I must watch all of it and not continue another day from the 1st hour. That's why I forgot 😂👍
@No Touchy good question !
I like this ending much more than the original.
This duel should have happened while the halflings are trying to destroy the ring.
So glad that they didn't use Sauron at the end because it didn't make sense at that point for him to be whole - he still didn't have the ring.
Sauron could take shape.
He did so as the Necromancer of Dol Guldur.
I'll say this: Yes, I agree that this deviates way too far from the books and that cutting it was the right decision. But the whole concept is very interesting, esspecially the last part: Aragorn stabs Sauron, establishing him as the better swordsman. Sauron cannot die as long as the ring survives, so continues, throws Aragorn to the ground and is about to kill him. That reaffirms that he is almost inconquerable and cannot be overcome by anyone alone. Then the Ring drops into Mount Doom and Sauron explodes with Anduril in his chest, making it look like somewhat of a team effort, giving Aragorn a great moment (which is fair, the whole thing is called "The Return of the King") without taking *anything* away from the roles Frodo, Sam and Gollum played in the destruction of the ring and Sauron.
It would also be a great callback to two scenes in fellowship: 1. Arwen prophesying that Aragorn will face the same evil as Isildur, but - unlike his ancestor - defeating it. 2. Galadriel (in the extended edition) claiming that Aragorn has the potential to rise above all his forebearers since Elendil. Sauron dying with Aragorn's blade in his chest would be kind of poetic.
Moreover a Numenorian actually being a threat to Sauron in combat isn't that far-fetched. In the books Elendil isn't swatted away by Sauron like a fly, he and Gil-Galad actually throw him down in a team effort - dying in the process, yes, but giving Isildur the opportunity to cut the ring from Sauron's hand. Moreover Sauron was once defeated by Ar-Pharazôn's forces. It is never stated that the Numenorian king defeated Sauron in single combat, but it at least shows that Numenorians did have the power to defeat and capture Sauron.
While that would have been really poetic, Aragorn had already faced that evil. He is the only human EVER to resist the Ring of Power, without outside help. He then willingly lets it leave his grasp, and go "beyond our reach".
The Galadriel prophecy is in relation to that temptation, not what many assume is the "Take the Throne Back" thing...in fact Aragorn in the books isn't really the given Heir of Gondor like he is portrayed in the films. It literally takes him summoning the army of the dead, saving the city, calling Rohan, defeating Umbar's Fleet, returning the Sword of Elendil to Minas Tirith, and finding a sapling of the White Tree...and even THEN he isn't made king until he uses his healing abilities to remove the curse of the Black Breath.
Ehhh, it is kinda unclear how a 1v1 with a Numenorian would go down against Sauron. While I don't think the film depiction of Sauron causing 5+ people to go flying with a single swing is accurate, I don't think Aragorn (someone with diminished blood) would last as long as Elendil (someone who was born on Numanor)
Also remember that the "Alliance of Elves and Men" lasted 7 years... Sauron at the time wasn't at full strength either, and still managed to kill Elendil (Most powerful human alive) and Gil-Galad (One of the most powerful Elves in middle-earth) alone.
It is HIGHLY implied that Sauron allowed himself to be captured by Ar-Pharazon to allow him direct access to Numanor and corrupt from the inside out. And it was likely more of a "Oh crap a big ass army is on my doorstep, and my orcs haven't respawned yet...shit..." (But yes, you are correct)
@@darthrange1 yeah but last alliance Sauron had the ring of power did he not? Either way I agree with both of you, this scene while cool wouldn't have fit. Not sure the troll was a good replacement but I guess it fits that last minute save by the ring being destroyed so 🤷♂️
Was arwen prophesying that only in the movies? Because if so i guess it would make sense they were originally going to go this direction.... im glad they didnt though
Correct me if I'm misremembering - it's been a while since I've read The Silmarillion - but doesn't Sauron 'let' himself be captured as a means of gaining more power and influence over the Numenorians?
I think the main problem with a fight between Aragorn and Sauron, relative to the original narrative, is that Sauron is a coward. He doesn't put himself in danger unless he has no choice. At the siege of Barad-Dur in the 2nd Age, Sauron emerges because he has no choice. And he is "killed" for his trouble!
At the battle of the Black Gate, its a minor host of men versus Sauron's full force of orcs in a desperate last stand for Frodo and Sam to sneak by unmolested. Of course Sauron probably thinks Aragorn has the ring, but he can just have his minions kill him and bring him the ring. Which is more to Sauron's character.
Aragorn fighting Sauron is more convenient in film where such themes would be more commonplace (antagonist vs protagonist). So I understand why they considered doing so at the end of the film. But ultimately, it would betray the book's purpose of Aragorn and his armies task - to let Frodo and Sam save the day.
@@darthrange1 maybe because Sauron at this time even thou he was finally able to achieve physical form again he was still significantly weaker than he was back then?
The ride of the Rohirrim was a highlight, but what keeps these films thematically bound to the narrative of the books is the treatment of the hobbits; first to follow Aragorn to fire and death and reinforcing the bravery, foolishness and strength of spirit that we've come to appreciate in Frodo and Sam. Then the final scene at Minas Tirith where the King and company bows is incredible both in gesture and significance. Jackson created an incredible legacy with these films regardless of the story he couldn't fit in. Every choice he made feels justified in the whole.
I would change only one thing in movies: in Siege of Minas Tirith, when Aragorn come by ships, it would be cool if there was change to resemble books - big army from Gondor fiefdoms, not army of dead.
Now look at what Amazon is doing with their LOTR series... What a damn travesty.
I would make a few small changes. First I would slightly change the balrog to look more humanoid and less bestial. I love that scene the most but I wouldn't hate a change of that style. Secondly I would change Theoden and make him more book-like. Lastly I think that they should have perhaps had Sauron finally appear at some point after the final battle had started - instead of him appearing right before it starts. Give us a minute to question if he truly has a physical form with which to fight with. Perhaps the men of the Wes are+ holding their own for a few minutes and then Sauron appears to basically break their morale and 1v1 Aragorn until the ring is destroyed. I think it would make for a double climax and it would draw out the final battle climax a bit more too.
I actually think leaving out the Scouring of the Shire added a bit of "we really saved the world from darkness" type of feel because the Shite seemingly remains untouched by any semblance of change upon their return. I know this is not book accurate at all but in movie form it really sold me.
@@vintagecardboardusa Uh... I forgot about Scouring of Shire - This should to be in movies too. Bombadil too.
@@Aria-un9iy "Now look "
I don't think I will.
4:35 you can see an orc running in top left of screen that joins the ranks of the allied soldiers lol.
It seems he's an gondorian now 😅😂
Hahahah how u see 😂
"Stand, Men of the West"
This line is even more important now on this planet.
The west has fallen
Man, as epic as this is, if your heart doesn't want to leap out of your throat when Merry and Pippin are the first to follow Aragorn in the charge, you're dead inside; talk about a moment of powerful, complete love. Lots of Logos in this series.
I would have liked if they incorporated the fact that both Merry and Pippin were a head taller (drinking all of that Ent Draught), buffed up, and battle hardened. Those two were beast mode at this point.
The fact it was actually Pippin that was first after Aragorn makes it even better
Yes dead inside. Just as the Rings of Power Content so far.
Yeah but in real life they would have been trampled by the horses in no time.
Lots of Pathos more like?
What an amazingly subtle detail that at 1:58, you very briefly see Sauron's former more angelic glorious form, as he was when he was still a complete maiar spirit, then he turns into his more terrible malicious armoured form, the only form he can still hold after the drowning of Numenor
This moment, when Aragorn is about to charge to certain death and say so calmly "for Frodo": is the single most awesome, orgasmic, badass, scene in the history of cinema.
Yes..its a closest thing to orgasm you can get in movie
I love that merry and pippen were the first to follow aragon
This is really cool but ultimately, I think Peter Jackson and team made the right decision to stay more true to the books and cut the scene. However… the mere fact that this exists on any level and was actually filmed should warrant a production completion at this point as a treat for all the fans who’ve remained loyal to these films for the past 20 years. How cool would it be to have it added to a future Blu-ray release as a special feature with the option to watch the film with or without the Sauron alt ending just for the fun of it.
An altrrnate ending all perfectly edited for a bluray box set...but they didnt planned ahead 20 years in the futuure
I think the word you were looking for is ‘dumb’. This looks dumb and is a reminder of how lucky we were that Jackson listened to people who kept him from his worst impulses…you know the ones on full display in the Hobbit movies.
Yes, let's milk the fans one last time.
@@Steppeponytail the word I was looking for was the one I wrote. We all know they made the right choice in cutting it from the final product. As a production side note it’s just fun to see that they played with an alternate options and part of me likes the idea of seeing it fully fleshed out regardless of how dumb it is.
@@Uouttooo oh they can milk the fans way more than that. LOTR can milk me all day IDGOF!!! Lol
I think we can all agree, Sauron is freaking terrifying. Even during a deleted scene where it’s not filmed right, he still looks creepy!
I think out of all these fantasy type / supernatural things with a great evil enemy, LOTR did Sauron the best, wish they put this scene in there instead of a cave troll or at least had it in the extended dvd
If Sauron was terrifying, imagine Melkor, Glaurung, Gothmog... 😮
@@tonyusa5509 They'll be super hot numbah 1.
@@stancurry6265The reason they didn’t is because it wouldn’t have done the story justice and would have caused lots of contradictions, not to mention being a disservice to Frodo’s quest to destroy the One Ring
@@tonyusa5509 Tolkien stated that Sauron was "the most terrible of the servants of Morgoth" in Silmarillion. So Gothmog, Glaurung and all other servants of the first dark lord were less-terrifying and less powerful than Sauron
Actor to family "Hey I got a small important role on the Lord of the Rings Movie"
Family: "YAAAY, who you gonna be?"
Actor: "SAURON"
*some time later*
Movie director "Yeah... about that... "
No Hollywood movie on this level was every made before or since. This movie exist for one reason, because of one man. He too was a simple man. He poured his whole life into his story. He reworked it over and over. Each effort purified it till it became the quintessential tale of all great tales. He worked his entire liife up to the dying day. Such are perfectionists who are consumed by a great dream.
This is our version of King Arthur, Robin Hood, Jesus and Moses, all contributed along wih countless other characters. Thank you for humanity Master JRR Tolkien. 💫
That musical score with the deep vocalizations when they charge at the forces of Mordor is extraordinary. It's like, even though they all thought it was virtually hopeless, there was such a righteousness and goodness in what they were doing, Eru was not going to let them down. Like a sign from God.
As if the heavens themselves broke with thunderous praise of their efforts. Eru himself rose from his seat and harkened all to this tale of tales!
@@robertocortez8087 all part of His Grand Design
The singer of songs is a heavy theme in LOTR and im glar the musical score reflected it.
The biggest reason for the theatrical cut is that Sauron would have had to obtain the ring to regain physical form. Keeping him without physical form is the most logical thing.
Actually the biggest one is that it takes away Frodo’s journey in the first place. In other words, it would’ve ruined it by having it completely disregarded & have Aragorn as the actual hero.
@@Commander-vf1lk But this shows aragorn loosing and its the ring destroying Sauron when it breaks.
@@quasarlgq Yes but it’s the directors themselves that actually said so. Find out yourself & you’ll see what I said is a fact.
Out of universe P. Jackson said that he chose to not include this fight with Sauron because it would've taken away from the real fight, that being Frodo and Sam's journey. In universe you are totally right, Sauron would need his ring to be able to regain physical form (thus the reason he lost his physical form at the battle of the last alliance in the first place).
I stand corrected: I didn't catch/remember Sauron having a physical form in the books, my bad.
This would be THE reason Peter Jackson should have used. If would have made no sense for Sauron to have physical form without the ring. I guess he’s lucky he cut this scene for other reasons.
3:03 i love how they used the same camera angle on sauron from the very first battle in the first movie, a little touch of continuity
Funny little detail about that one Nazgûl that died due to one of the lava bombs impacting his war mount:
If Shadows of Mordor/War were canon to the two movie trilogies then that specific Nazgûl would’ve been Talian who would finally found his peace after many decades of fighting the war against Sauron.
This Trilogy never gets old.....
could you imagine being in the back of the group of the soldiers during aragorn's awesome speech being like "wait what's he saying?"
Like the people in the back of the crowd at the Sermon on the Mount in Life of Brian 😂
I think the look on Aragorn's face when he says "For Frodo" says, he thinks they will lose their lives here in this battle, but as long as it gives Frodo enough time to destroy the ring then it's ok, it is worth giving one's life for.
that was the point. they weren't meant to win the battle, just distract Sauron and the orcs from Frodo
He say for frodo because he thinks frodo is already dead and failed his mission.
Actually the look on his face and the smile to Gandalf is because Sauron calling to him,luring him to go to his side terrifies Gandalf and for a moment when Aragorn pauses, he's afraid he will join Sauron thus showing him the Mithril vest to bring him back and remind him of their mission. I tear up always in this part.
With the extended cut, it's quite likely he believed frodo was dead and that Sauron had the ring and "for Frodo" was more like he was saying they were all about to charge to their deaths in honor of Frodos bravery and sacrifice, even if it all failed
“For Frodo” one of the absolute best Lines I’ve ever heard in a movie-add his little smirk like he picturing him -and I STILL get choked up. Masterpiece