[SamwiseGamgee]

All three films I find are littered with possible tear jerking moments, and often it can depend on what you are feeling before going to the cinema or watching the dvd as to what you find emotional. I was never moved to tears by TTT in the cinema, for example, but now I can't help but cry. When Theoden is outside Edoras, saying how no father should have to live to see his son die is incredibly powerful. Gandalf and Eomer's charge to Helm's Deep, the death of Haldir and Sam's speech are all such moments. As an aside, it's not so painfully beautiful, but the very real and personal aspect of the people of Rohan being attacked by Saruman's forces was incredibly powerful, and I feel it gave the Battle of Helm's Deep a real desperate air and humanity which perhaps the Battle of Pelennor Fields lacked.<BR>FOTR is littered with painfully beautiful moments. In particular just after Gandalf passes to shadow Legolas's facial expression is sublime. He looks as though he cannot find the oxygen in the air which he needs to live. When Gimli crumples down it is telling also-this dwarf, so hardy and resilient who convinced Gandalf to go by Moria (or at least convinced Frodo to decide that way) just falls. Why should he continue? I feel that part of the film was one of the most important to get right. For the hobbits it is like they have just lost a grandfather: wise, loving and caring. Gimli must surely in some way blame himself. Legolas has lost a wise peer, one of the ancient istari, wise beyond reckoning. Boromir has grown up in Minas Tirith, where Gandalf has been seen in the streets, giving his father council, now Mithrandir is gone. He tries to push his sorrow onto the hobbits 'Give them a moment, for pity's sake!', but it is he who wants a moment also. Aragorn, though, was probably the most important to get right. While the loss of Gandalf must clearly affect him, he must now lead the Fellowship. They cannot tarry, and he must ensure this. All this conveyed in one minute long scene.<BR>Also great in FOTR was Boromir's sacrifice. Having read the books I was always very critical of Boromir, but since seeing the film I have been able to view the Son of Gondor in a different light. He is an example of how no matter how great a man, The One Ring will have its perverse way. The breaking of the Fellowship is great too. 'No, Sam, I'm going to Mordor alone!' 'Course you are, and I'm coming with you!' Also, 'I don't suppose we'll ever see them again, Sam.' 'We may yet, Mr Frodo, we may yet.' Just so typically beautiful and optimistic from Sam.<BR>ROTK is perhaps the most emotional film. I cried like a baby in the cinema, I have never been so moved in my life by any kind of media. Right at the beginning we find an example of this painful beauty and Sam's optimism when he says he has rationed the lembas and that there will be enough. When Frodo asks what for Sam looks suprisedly at his Mr Frodo and answers, matter of factly: 'For the way back, Mr Frodo.' Wonderful. There's so much. The Ride of the Rohirrim. My favourite passage from the book, and beautifully adapted for screen. Faramir and Denethor, from the realisation that his father wishes he had died right through to the end of Pip's song is great. As is when Merry and Pippin have to say goodbye at Edoras. Gandalf and Pippin's talk, though I found the one when the Silent watchers awoke more powerful. The entire dialogue between Sam and Frodo was wonderful from Sam's 'Do you remember...?' right until the end of the movie. The look at the Grey Havens, 'I'm glad you're with me, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things.' a direct quote, and really benefits from it. 'My friends, you bow for no man.' a wonderful show of respect, very powerful. And, of course, the last line. If you've read the book I think this probably means even more to you. So simple, so powerful and a tearjerker, for sure as my old gaffer used to say. 'Well, I'm back.'