[Essex]

The (in)famous bedroom scene......You won't be surprised to hear that I have no problems with this scene. I think PJ has said somewhere that his characters deserve this 'ending' - we've been with them for nigh on 11 hours now and they have been through a lot. Some people may see this as corny, but hey, come on - Frodo (and Sam) have saved Middle-earth - frodo's seen a great friend who he knew was dead come back to life - his cousins bound in and are overjoyed to see him - who wouldn't do exactly the same in merry or pippin's place? laughing and joking and comparing war wounds with Frodo now that the ME is 'free' and saved from Sauron? they are entitled to their 'immaturity' here - joy can overcome our maturity and turn us into kids now and then. I cried like a baby when Aragorn and co bowed to the hobbits because of my joy - it doesn't make me 'less mature' - but I admit I did cover my face in the cinema when I was balling my eyes out trying to be more adult LOL!

Finally, last but not least, an adult hobbit enters - Sam. He and Frodo exchange looks like “we did it…there and back again

It's amazing, throughout this trilogy, what PJ can get his actors to convey with just a look. This one surpases most of them. You can read SO much into this look - love, completion, and a sense of the two hobbits being 'equal' in stature - though Sam would never accept this of course.

Fade to black. Is the movie over again?

I really don't give a monkey about whether none book readers thought the film was over or not. Too bad. Should have read the book first you phillistines!

Gandalf places the crown upon Aragorn’s head, and I assume that Gimli gave the crown to Gandalf, or at least held the pillow upon which it set.

Couldn't have book Frodo do this as Aragorn needs to bow to all of the hobbits as our climax to this scene.

“My friends…you bow to no one.”

My favourite part of the Trilogy. I still well up when I watch it now. Sacriligeous I know, but this works even better in the film as it does in the book where Aragorn kneels to Sam and Merry in the Field of Cormallen.

The hobbits return to the Shire, and now it is they that are looked upon as foreign and strange. Back at the Green Dragon there’s time for one last mug of ale (1420?) before even these companions part ways. Merry, Pippin, Sam and Frodo exchange looks as if to say, “Well, we’re back, no one cares and seemingly we’re about to start falling back to sleep.”

Very clever use of the pumpkin to show that these 4 little hobbits (well 2 of them not so small now!) who are 'amongst the Great' are just bog standard normal peopl in the eyes of the Hobbitons. It shows their great modesty and maturity that they don't go jumping up exclaiming to the crowds what they've done and how great they are. the look on their faces (again great direction from PJ) says it all.........


Frodo's narration in Bag End

(sigh) - this is wonderful, but so melancholy. It makes me sad every time I listen. Just so masterfully put together.

Sam enters just as Frodo feels again the Witch-King’s blade, from that night back on Weathertop now four years hence.

I think it's mainly shown as 4 years in the movie so Sean Astin could have his daughter in the following scenes as Rosie?


Grey Havens

I was cried out at this moment from the last 15 minutes or so, so this doesn't have the impact the Book has on me every time I read it. There's a few chapters between the events of the last 15 mins in the book of course (scouring, saruman etc)

I'm not sure whether it works or not, not having Frodo crying as he gets ready to say goodbye to his friends for the last time.

Frodo takes the last ship with Gandalf. It’s then that his face shows emotion - a brightening, like the pain has already started to heal.

A marvelous book end to the first smile when we see Frodo under the tree and jump up as Gandalf comes ambling by at the start of the Trilogy. I love the little nod to his compatriots as well - well done lads - you've done a great job!

Finally, and this goes against my main stance for the past 17 months on these discussion boards, but I've got to start at some point(!) - I'll end with a couple of down points for now!

I was dissapointed that we had no extra scenes all the way from Gollum's attack on the slopes of Mount Doom to the end of the movie - REALLY dissapointed.

And was also sad in both versions, that we don't have the follow on scenes for the rest of the fellowship - when I read these scenes in the tale of the years they still make me shed a tear.

I know we need to finish of with 'I'm Back' - but you never know - in the next version (HD hopefully) of the film PJ might add something in - I know he filmed some stuff concerning the later events.

Anyway, 'tis done. Well done to Alatar and all the posters on these threads. Now what can we think to discuss next?





PS - added my thanks to the Feedback and suggestions board - maybe others would like to follow.