[The Saucepan Man]

Sean Astin's performance in this film was undoubtedly an incredible tour-de-force. He has been great in both of the preceeding films, but he really turned it up a notch in this one.<P>One moment that I don't think has so far been mentioned so far is when Frodo is asking him to give the Ring back in the Tower of Cirith Ungol. Sean Astin's face, as Frodo insistently demands the return of the Ring, speaks volumes. He manages to combine being upset at Frodo's harsh tone and sense of desperation with (for me) a genuine sense of hesitation, portraying vividly the hold that the Ring takes over its bearer.<P>Tolkien's view that Sam is the true hero of the story shines out in Astin's performance.