LotR1-FotR-Seq13

[alatar]

You cannot step into the same river twice. - Heraclitus

We get a click glimpse of where the Silverlode joins the Anduin, then more close and wide shots of the river and surrounding greenery. Great scenery shots, and I appreciate that, in PJ's movie, we're not always on a set or in a CG world. Note that that’s not the actors in the wide shots, but you probably already guessed that. Having done some canoeing and whitewater myself, I would enjoy such a trip.

Except when pursued by orcs.

The music and current pick up, and our brief floating moment has passed. There are quick shots of the boats and the orcs, seemingly racing, and even the camera is moving more quickly. Legolas’s keen sight (or sense) picks up something, and he and an orc share a moment. Boromir and Aragorn begin to feel the pursuit, and they hasten with their paddles.

Did you notice that the leader orc (Lurtz?) has a small mouth? How does such a predatory creature eat? It just doesn’t look right on such massive creature. Anyway…

At night, the boats are beached and the eight floaters make camp.

Boromir watched the creature Gollum drift by on a log. Aragorn lets us know that Gollum has been pursuing them since Moria – but then again, who hasn’t? But that's just a little tease, as we never get to see Gollum in this film. Boromir worries about this new threat. Sam is concerned about Frodo, who hasn’t eaten much lately. Upset stomach due to the boating, or a major decision involving the fate of the world – and more importantly Sam – festering in the belly?

Leaving Sam, who by love and oath swears to take care of him, would make anyone ill at ease.

Boromir steps up to bat for Minas Tirith, and you hear the darkness winning in his voice. Striking out fresh from Minas Tirith is a really weak argument, especially with Aragorn. Hadn’t they been in the presence of the Wise and Wonderful, yet none of these beings could provide more than a few parting gifts? What aid could Denethor provide that Elrond or Galadriel could not, except for a recipe for Roast Faramir ? Boromir notes that Aragorn trusted the elves yet not his own kin. Hmmm…and just what wonderful examples of the race have we seen? Isildur? Aragorn? And now, lastly, Boromir? Do I need to list out each man's stellar points?

I like when Boromir grabs Aragorn and throws his life back in his face. Some leader who shirks his duty and has lain hidden in the shadows. Think about PJ’s Aragorn – I assume that he was sent to Bree by Gandalf, though this wasn’t stated. As tour guide, he gets the Hobbits from Bree to Rivendell, but besides fighting off the Nazgul, what else has he done? Aragorn joins the Fellowship, but so did Pip, so what does that get you?

After the real leader, Gandalf, dies in Moria, Aragorn returns to his role as tour guide, but again I see no leader of men. So Boromir’s derision is well-founded, and I can understand that, lacking any better ideas, that Boromir thinks that the Ring should stop off at the White City – it’s been everywhere else.

Surely these and other thought scream inside Boromir’s head as he travels down the Anduin to the doom that awaits him. More great scenery, then the Argonath. Somewhat impressive, but not exactly what I had expected. And didn’t the two statures bear different weapons than were depicted? And I would have liked Aragorn becoming more kingly…or whatever than to have the focus on bigatures or CG statures. We get the movie poster shot while Aragorn quotes the text. Is this his epiphany moment? Do these statures turn him to the kingship path?

Boromir’s smile shows that he’s coming home. Merry’s smile’s from Disneyland.

The shots fore and aft of the elven boats establish where we are, relative to the Rauros falls and Argonath well. The boats touch the western shore, and things go ill from there. Boromir, before even leaving his boat, has some type of attack, and as we flip back and forth from him and Frodo, I’m guessing that the attack has something to do with the Ring.

Boromir is being tortured.

Aragorn states that the troop will cross the lake at nightfall. Interesting that a lake with a river attached to both ends is considered a lake. Mordor will be entered from the north. Does Aragorn mean to take them to the Black Gate? Gimli gives Aragorn - and us - the lowdown on what the travel will be like. Rocks, fens, - it won't be a walk in the Shire, to be sure. Gimli sure knows his way around the east side of the river. What a well-traveled dwarf! Wasn't Gimli the one who had suggested Moria?

Leader Aragorn mocks the stout dwarf while Legolas gives us the west side story. Aragorn won't listen to the spider sense of his one real friend and worshiper on this journey. I picked the road and we're sticking to it!

Where's Frodo gone?

And Boromir is gone too, and he left his shield behind. Achilles exposes his heel. Trouble will come of this.

Frodo aimlessly explores the ruins on the hillside, pausing in the gaze of a once great statue. Boromir reminds Frodo that the wilderness isn't a safe place, and that only he can prevent forest fires or something. Frodo, spellbound or knowing what is to come, doesn't respond to Boromir, who actually seems concerned. Boromir starts again to press his case, and the movement of the two - Frodo retreating while Boromir approaches - underscores the dialogue. The battle's already begun, and we only wait for the gloves to come off.

Boromir asks not to be a Ring Lord but to save his people, who all will surely die short of some miracle such as the Ring. The madness grows in Boromir as he continues to barter for the Ring. Each moment, each breath ups the ante until he completely loses control.

The gloves are off. Frodo is tackled and Boromir tries to wrest the Ring from his neck. Then Frodo disappears and, before leaving, gives Boromir one last parting shot. The madness continues. The curses begin, then, tripping, struck down by his own curse as it were, Boromir regains himself.

An addict without the fix. Like a werewolf the morning after the full moon, Boromir realizes what he's done and is sick with it. Afraid, too, as he knows that the Ring addiction is still within, and he begs forgiveness. But as someone in this forum noted, forgiveness must be followed with some kind of sacrifice, and the usual would be to spill blood.

And that will happen.

Meanwhile, in the blurry wind machine, Frodo climbs the hill to sit atop Amon Hen. The way he sits in the chair/throne makes it appear that he's trying to find some quiet place, somewhere out of the wind. Then he spots the T-Rex (Roar!) Eye-Spotlight that is Sauron. The Eye is very close, and I can't help but remember the Far Side comic that simply stated that "Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear."

Luckily - there's that hand of fate again - Frodo trips backwards off a ledge while removing the Ring. Thud. He's back in our world, and the Eye is gone for now. But it's been noted that the Orc that you hear is worse than the Eye that you fear, and Frodo better listen sharp.

There's a foot! Is it Lurtz', like we saw previously? Aragorn arrives and starts asking questions rather gruffly. Frodo runs from this man too - big man with sword asks about the Ring = run! But Aragorn tries to placate the frightened hobbit, and then realizes the real issue. You can see it on Viggo's face where he thinks, "Hmm, didn't see it like that."

I like Aragorn/Viggo here, as noted by another member, he has to portray some emotions just with his face. Aragorn sees the Ring and is troubled. It calls to him too, and it's then that Aragorn knows the temptation of Isildur. Frodo's opened hand may indicate that he might offer the Ring to Aragorn. The Ring's siren song sings of a kingship (and the bonus of an elven wife...).

Then he closes Frodo's hands (and we get a shot of the Ring of Barahir), and tells Frodo that he would have gone with him, but knows now that he cannot. Though not like the book, PJ did well here. I can feel for Aragorn and Frodo as their fellowship starts to break.

Frodo is leaving the Fellowship to protect those that he loves.

Note that I actually like (now) PJ’s changes to the breaking of the Fellowship. Instead of just running off, Frodo lets the rest of the FotR know why he has to do it alone, in order to save them from Boromir’s fate. They, in turn, understand that though they may help his escape, that they cannot go with him. I’m cool with the changes. And that’s all I got to say about that.

Back to the action.

Warning! Very clever of PJ to use the glow of Sting to start the action. It is a little interesting that not only did Sting indicate the proximity of orcs, but it also notes from which direction that they would approach. Cool that.

Now, just a quick note before the chopping starts. My friend, a stranger to the books, wanted to know why Aragorn could take on 100+ orcs and not be immediately overwhelmed. He thought that it was a little ridiculous. My counter was that the orcs were hatched, not born and breed, and so had little to no sword/fighting training or experience. Was that why PJ birth them such? On the other side, Aragorn has been fighting orcs and other dark siders for countless years. Plus his sword is cooler.

As this is an action movie and he is the hero, Aragorn has at least a five-to-one advantage.

Aragorn salutes, supposedly his sword, and then the games begin. Sit back, as for the next few minutes, we get a lot of hack and slash. It’s cool. While Aragorn starts chopping away at the orcs, Sam continues his search for his master.

Lurtz interjects with a subtle reminder about the mission’s real goal: Find and capture Halflings!

“Elendil” cries Aragorn as he jumps atop more orcs. Gimli and Legolas show up, and we’re treated to even more martial artistry. Legolas shoots the orcs with arrows, and it was nice to see Gimli throw an axe – just for something different. Legolas shoots two Uruks with one arrow, and as that’s not enough for moreMoreMORE PJ, Legolas next stabs an orc with an arrow. That reminds me of the scene in that esteemed classic, “Hot Shots: Part Deux” where Charlie Sheen, doing the usual Rambo thing, simply grabs a handful of bullets and throws them at the enemy, and these are just as effective as when shot from a gun.

The Uruks pursue Frodo down the hill. Aragorn flanks them and buys Frodo some time. Frodo hides, and luckily enough, right across the way is Merry and Pippin, who are also hiding. The two ask cousin Frodo to join them, and get an answer that they did not expect. Pip doesn’t accept Frodo’s decision, and so he jumps from hiding. The Uruks, in sync, home in on this suddenly appearing prize. Merry, thinking of Frodo and not himself, unlike Pip, decides to distract the orcs to permit Frodo to escape. Frodo heads down towards the boats while Pip and Merry run from the crowd of orcs. More orcs appear in front of them, still more following, and so Merry and Pip are in a bad way. Boromir returns to redeem himself, and we finally get to see him in action (can’t remember much from the Mazarbul fight). As Boromir fights the orcs, Merry and Pippin chip in as best they can. At least they aren’t helpless and awaiting ‘saving’. Meanwhile, while Aragorn slow dances with an Uruk, Legolas litters the hillside with the arrow-slain. Note that the arrows are CG, and Orlando Bloom simply had to supply the arm/hand motion.

The Steward’s son’s horn! Boromir is in trouble.

Not only does the horn of Gondor alert the members of the fellowship that Boromir is in need, it also seems to be some sort of attractant for the Uruks as well. The overhead shot of the downhill race is a nice break from the usual eye-level shots. All of the members of the fellowship, sans Frodo and Sam, are dispatching orcs as fast as they come, yet there seems to be no end to them. Merry and Pippin slay the goliaths with well-thrown rocks, and that’s a little over the top.

Lurtz, taking his good ole time, finally arrives. Interesting head and ‘doo.

The arrow that hits Boromir thuds with pain. Ouch! He falters in sight of a statue, and surely someone can attribute some meaning to the figure in the background. A priest, perhaps?

But Boromir’s not done yet. Another arrow pierces his chest while he continues to defend the two hobbits. Kneeing, Boromir looks on at Merry and Pippin, then continues the fight.

I shed my blood, every drop of my life, yet its spilling will not be cheap.

The third arrow arrives and pushes Boromir backwards. The musical score, coupled with the acting of Sean Bean, make for a difficult scene to view. Boromir, again on his knees, may not rise again. Merry and pippin, witness to the sacrifice, attempt to help defend Boromir, drawing their swords. The Uruks grab them up like small dolls and begin to retreat, their primary mission accomplished. Boromir is all but ignored, and maybe that hurts him too. Can help arrive in time to save the Steward’s son?

William ‘Lurtz’ Tell, however, decides that there’s a few minutes available for a little sport on this trip.

Boromir, though not too defiant, does not whimper or cry. Luckily, Lurtz’ arrow goes wide as Aragorn takes him down. A fight ensues, and Viggo states that Lawrence Makoare, the stunt person playing Lurtz, was not able to see well and so did not always pull his punches. Viggo may have retaliated in kind. It’s a visceral fight, with knives and swords and kicks and punches, and looks real as if you were fighting thus, you would use whatever you could to finish the job. But in the end, the better swordsman wins, and in true Númenórean fashion, takes a head. At least Aragorn looks like he just fought a bunch of orcs and isn’t all pristine and primped.

He rushes to Boromir, who now lies prone on the ground. Boromir still tries to help, giving Aragorn what information that he can. The Steward’s son asks of Frodo, which is a tip off as to which “little ones” were carried away. Boromir also confesses his sin, asks forgiveness and begins to despair. Aragorn tries to give him hope, promises to defend the White City and actually admits that he’s a human.

Boromir’s last words are touching, and you can see the effect that they have on Aragorn. Great scene, and I commend the actors along with everyone else. Heartfelt, informative, plot-driving, shot well – very good.

Aragorn, upset over his new brother’s death, salutes him and kisses his brow. Touching, and I’m glad as it was shown thus as a counter to the usual stuff in action flicks. Aragorn and Boromir can kill hundreds of orcs and other baddies, yet still remain real men with feelings and tears. No stupid one-liner jokes. You see and feel the loss.

Not exactly sure why Aragorn felt nothing for Gandalf, but…

Frodo, standing on the shore of the Anduin, continues to ‘screw himself up’ to the task. Sam, not finding Frodo, searches anxiously for his master. The Ring lays open upon Frodo’s palm, and again the visualization shows the indecision. Claim the quest or leave it? The words of Gandalf, spoken in Moria, come rushing back. Tears flow from Frodo’s eyes, and here I don’t see him as whiny but just wishing that the cup would pass from him.

He clasps the Ring, and so the decision has been made - to strike out towards Mount Doom alone. He’s hurried, and I think that that shows he wants to get away before doubts return. Sam finally finds his master and pursues him even into the water.

Love will out.

Sam drowns, sees a light and then is rescued by Frodo. The dripping Sam states that he made a promise, and that it is important that he keep it. Frodo’s tears of both joy and pain are seen. Joy for the companionship and love, pain for the tortuous road which Sam will walk with him. Two more ‘brothers’ hug, and it is acts such as this which will ultimately defeat the enemy.

Boromir is laid to rest in a boat, and his body will be committed to the falls of Rauros. The swords of his vanquished foes were omitted from the boat, but that would have just cluttered things up. Legolas means to catch up with Frodo and Sam, but Aragorn stops him. Frodo is on his own, for everyone’s good. Gimli starts whining about the needless effort, but Aragorn says that as long as some of them stay true to each other, well, that’s close enough for a win.

He decides that they will hunt the Uruks that took Merry and Pippin, knowing that Frodo and Sam will have to complete the real quest by themselves. They get ready for the journey, leaving all that can be spared behind, and I think that this means things like good taste, meaningful and thoughtful scenes for Gimli, Legolas’s second and third dimensions, etc.

They start the chase with, “Let us hunt some Orc.” I just don’t like the way that Aragorn says the word ‘orc’ and this dislike will reoccur when his intonation gets a bit nasally. I assume that Legolas and Gimli are happy now that the Three have a purpose and goal - no more foundering on the waters of Anduin, hoping that something will help them decide to turn either East or West (not that that really ever came up). They run off, and the next time that we see them, they’ll still be running. Too bad that that’s the only continuity with the first film…

Frodo and Sam overlook the Emyn Muil - a harsh place - but at least they will have each other to share the journey. Sam’s optimism buoys Frodo’s melancholy, and so they start off towards Mordor.

I love Enya’s “May it be,” as it is both full of hope and sadness, a fitting ending to this film.

At this point in the theater my wife started asking, “What happens next? What do you mean that I have to wait a whole year for part two?!?”

Thanks to all, and see you in the TTT SbS.

[Boromir88]

But as someone in this forum noted, forgiveness must be followed with some kind of sacrifice, and the usual would be to spill blood.

I think that was me. Boromir's death seems to mimic the Anglo-Saxon Laws of Compensation.

This is mainly going to seem like a regurgitation of what you have said alatar, because these scenes were done absolutely wonderfully by Jackson and crew. It made a nice wrap up to the Fellowship and brought a good movie to a close while setting up for the next movie.

I'm going to start down the Anduin. I love these camera shots a lot of them are high angle shots looking down as if they're being watched. Then once the Orcs are on their trail the music picks up, there's several quick shots of the Fellowship nervously looking around. A big change from the beginning when they first depart from Lorien, a slow, somber move down the River as it seems the Fellowship is having trouble leaving Lorien. They're just kind of slowly floating down the river remembering their gifts and their stay in Lorien. But, as time progresses the Uruk-hai are on their tails and everything picks up. The Chase begins! I love these scenes down the Anduin. Not much action, but the mood changes from a slow, somberness, to quicken up and pick up the pace.

I love how the Extended Edition added in the little quarrel with Boromir and Aragorn. To kind of continue the discussion from last thread. Boromir is looking for a solution to save Gondor. In the books, from the beginning Boromir accepts Aragorn coming to Minas Tirith (or atleast Anduril, not so much Aragorn). Boromir shows content for having Anduril return to Gondor and perhaps serve as a weapon against Sauron. Though he's still not too thrilled about Aragorn. The movies it takes a little longer but he begins to see Aragorn as a friend, and wants him to come to Minas Tirith. Though certainly Boromir is wrong about taking the ring to Minas Tirith, very very bad move, Boromir does bring up a good point against Aragorn in that he doesn't trust his own people. I think here Boromir is trying to get Aragorn to step up and accept his "fate." This added "quarrel" only makes the last scene between the two more clear when Aragorn says:

"I will not let the White City fall, nor OUR people fail."

This is crucial as I think it's the first time Aragorn really steps out and accepts what he has to do. Before anytime Boromir says Minas Aragorn screams "No!" But, this is the first big change in Aragorn and I don't see it as Aragorn just saying it to trying to comfort Boromir and give him a happy ending, but Aragorn stepping up and making an oath (one of those important oaths Fordim did threads on a while back). Not only an oath, but an oath to a dying man promising him that he won't fail OUR people. I think it's that right there where Boromir sees Aragorn not just as his equal, but as his King. Aragorn for the first time has stepped up and accepted his path.

Now Jackson definitely adds to this final scene between Boromir and Aragorn, but I think it's a good thing. Tolkien's not as strong with it, what I mean is Boromir doesn't call Aragorn his King, and Aragorn doesn't say "our people," but when we get to the nitty-gritty the fact remains the same. Boromir bestows on Aragorn the challenge of saving his people, and Aragorn accepts this and says Minas Tirith will not fall. It still remains that Aragorn pledged to Boromir and as Faramir tells us:

"...he died well, acheiving some good thing. His face was more beautiful even than in life."

So, it still remains the same in that when we get to the bottom of it Boromir doesn't want the ring for selfish power. He wanted an answer to save his country, and he saw the Ring in that answer. When he comes to realize what he did, he now sees Aragorn as the answer and Aragorn steps out and makes one of them oaths to Boromir.

Well I'm done ranting about Boromir, some other things in this sequence.

We have a little Gimli humor in this scene, but again I'm not annoyed by it. I chuckled at the comments exchanged between Aragorn and Gimli. It was funny, but I didn't lose sight of who Gimli was, as I do once we get into TTT and ROTK.

Also, I liked how Jackson concluded the movie. "Let's hunt some orc" is rather corny, but I think it works. It closes up the story, and sets up for the next movie. The Fellowship HAS not ended, it has only begun, now they must go after and save their friends. While Frodo must set off (with of course Sam) to Mordor.

I also like the little flashback Frodo has of Gandalf. This works wonderfully. Frodo is at a cross-roads, he knows what he has to do, but he needs something to propel him to do it. Boromir gives him a good reason to, of course, but that's still not enough, and so this memory of Gandalf giving some great advice:

"So, do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All you have to decide is what to do with the time it is given to you."

There's a little hint about higher powers, and not being in control of everything, but also one is in control of what happens. Gandalf here hints at fate "but that is not for them to decide..." Frodo didn't decide to come across the Ring, Bilbo didn't decide, it happened, it was "ment to happen." But, what Frodo does have to do is HE has to make the choice about what to do with the Ring, and he alone. So, eventhough it was some sort of fate that led Frodo (and Bilbo) to the ring, ultimately they have the choice of what to do with it. Just as Isildur was faced with the choice and he decided to take it.

These are probbably my favorite scenes from this first movie (maybe even the trilogy, I'll have to think about that), as all of it was done extremely well. Acted well, directed well, played out well, the whole bag of marbles.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

There was so much I loved here but I'm not going to repeat what has already been said.

What I can add is that I think there was too much fechtin'. I didn't like the superhero 'Gorn, Legolas and Gimli because their exploits only make the Uruks look weak. Neither am I sure about the merits of including this new character, 'Lurtz'. I would have preferred it had Ugluk been in charge and had not died. I think the beheading of Lurtz by Aragorn while Boromir was dying is inappropriate, and seems to have been included to elicit a cheer from the movie audience.

I'd rather there was no fight between Aragorn and Lurtz and, instead, Aragorn had just found Boromir as he was dying.

A small quibble, though. Loved the end of the first film.

[alatar]

I would agree with Eomer of the Rohirrim regarding this last sequence. Haven't had the time to count the fetched by Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, but the number is a bit high. At least Aragorn, after his bout with Lurtz, looks like he was in a fight (Gimli gets dirty from falling down, as we will see in TTT).

Remember that there was some concern about having a 'Lurtz,' but as this name is just an easier way to designate "the orc formerly known as Saruman's troop leader," I wasn't too put off by that. Having another Tolkien-named orc would change the story a bit, especially if this headless orc were to have some part in TTT, and surely PJ wouldn't want to tamper with the text . I think that PJ wanted to have a 'boss' for Aragorn to fight, and Lurtz the UberUruk was it.

Aragorn, as noted, even here goes with the headchopping, as we'd also seen in the Battle at Mazarbul. What's up with PJ with that? Is there no other way to vanquish a stout foe other than to 'unburden his shoulders?'

I'm surprised that no one has mentioned that Boromir's death was not in FotR, but placed there by PJ. It makes perfect sense to me, as it was a great way to end the movie and waiting over a year to find Boromir's perforated body wouldn't have the same emotional impact as seeing it here, after traveling with him for over an hour. The FotR ending allows for more possibilities for starting The Two Towers, as the Three Hunters are on the move and Frodo and Sam have started their journey to Mordor.

No thread was left untied.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Aragorn, as noted, even here goes with the headchopping, as we'd also seen in the Battle at Mazarbul. What's up with PJ with that? Is there no other way to vanquish a stout foe other than to 'unburden his shoulders?'

Perhaps he saw Highlander one too many times.

And as I have observed elsewhere, one of the more
irritating (albeit minor) changes by PJ and Co.
was their putting in "Let's hunt orcs!"
In place of

With hope or without hope we will follow the trail of our enemies. 'And woe to them, if we prove the swifter! We will make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the Three Kindreds: Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Forth the Three Hunters!

Or even just

We will make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the Three Kindreds: Elves, Dwarves, and Men. Forth the Three Hunters!

With, if necessary, followed by "Let's hunt orcs."

[Elladan and Elrohir]

This is my favorite sequence in the film by far, and one of the best in any of the movies.

Actually, I was more irritated at Aragorn taking so long to kill Lurtz than that 'Gorn, Leggy, and Gimmy killed so many Uruks. But maybe I'm in the wrong. The way I see it, the average Uruk ought to be about on the level of a sturdy man of Gondor or Rohan. Maybe a little higher. So I don't see any reason why the gruesome, uh, threesome shouldn't eat their lunch. Although, I must agree that considering how much PJ builds up the Uruks in the film, viewers may think, "Well, dude, they're falling just like the regular orcs in Moria! They're nothing special."

Boromir's death is absolutely awesome, and yes alatar, no doubt it was the right decision to put in this film. IMHO, Viggo matches Sean shot for shot acting-wise, although Sean does have the advantage of being the one who's dying. Both of them are great actors, and they play that scene magnificently. Although I do kind of get a little thrown off by the whole disappearing-and-reappearing-hand-on-Aragorn's-shoulder thing. But other than that...

Frodo and Sam's last big scene is also brilliantly scripted and acted. The Gandalf flashback (which actually isn't a flashback since Gandalf changes it to "all YOU have to decide is what to do with the time that is given YOU") is perfect, and cements my conviction that Ian McKellen should've won an Oscar for his performance.

Interesting that Edward Ross' solo "In Dreams" is included on "The Breaking of the Fellowship" track on the soundtrack, but it's not in its place in the film. Pity, because it's a great solo, putting words to the beloved Shire theme. Was this done so that Enya could get the Best Original Song Oscar?