“The soul is born old but grows young. That is the comedy of life. And the body is born young and grows old. That is life’s tragedy.”
~Oscar Wilde
When the otherworldly chimes of my cell phone alarm woke me this Tuesday morning, I did not leap out of bed waving Anduril over my head.
I groaned.
I moaned.
And I stumbled out of bed with thoughts of dread about the long day ahead of me. This was Fellowship of the Ring day, and I was not excited. That was my age showing. After a work day filled with meetings I arrived home with 4 hours to spare before film time. I pulled up my computer, looked at a few Lord of the Rings related images in contemplation of this post, and felt my young soul grow a bit younger. The excitement of the evening ahead literally came upon me in a matter of seconds–it washed completely over me and I realized that I just could not wait any longer and that I had to get to the theater.
I arrived with 3 hours to spare, walked right into the theater (bless AMC for leaving that theater open all day and allowing fans to arrive and go straight in), and had my pick of any seat in the place.
I was the only one there. For approximately two hours. And it was lovely! I grabbed a soda and some peanut M&M’s, settled down with a book, and read in complete and total silence for two hours. I was relaxed and primed for a night of magic.
This three night event is happening in part to celebrate the release of the Extended Editions on Blu-ray to allow the fans to see these longer versions the way they should be seen: on the big screen. With 30 minutes before show time the lights lowered and LOTR trivia played across the screen. Then the big event began with a newly taped introduction by the still thin Peter Jackson. I’ve got to hand it to the guy. He lost a tremendous amount of weight after Return of the King and he has kept it off for several years now, and he just looks so much healthier. There was nothing revelatory about it, but it was still a very nice gesture. He spoke a little about the improbable course of fate that led to him and his team being able to make these films and he thanked fans for coming out to see the show in the theater rather than just staying home to watch it on Blu-ray. Then the screen went black and Galadriel’s voice rose in pure surround sound…”the world has changed…”
I went into tonight’s showing wondering what would stand out for me, wondering where my focus would be. The extended edition of The Fellowship of the Ring came out in 2002 and by my rough calculations I have probably seen the entire thing about 20 times. You can double that if you count the number of times I have watched the two disks of extras which cover a great deal of the material in the films. Needless to say, I know these movies very well. Rather than writing a review of a film that so many of us have seen at least once, if not many times, I thought I would just share some random thoughts from tonight’s event.
–I love the sound of the Elvish language.
Whether it is Galadriel’s voice over during the prologue or Arwen and Aragorn speaking to each other, I just love the way the words seem to melt off the tongue in smooth, silky, almost seductive tones. Tolkien certainly isn’t the only person to have ever made up a language, but I’m not sure I have heard any invented tongue that sounds so beautiful and so authentic.
–Howard Shore is brilliant.
Nearly 10 years after its original release, Howard Shore’s score is as breathtaking and fresh today as it was the first time I heard it. Having watched the various behind-the-scenes moments featuring Howard Shore dozens of times I found myself quite naturally noticing the musical cues throughout the film, hearing very clearly when certain character themes were introduced and recognizing the subtle changes in those themes during significant moments in the film. I will be hearing this music in my head all week and I cannot think of anything more wonderful.
–Sean Astin really did have to exercise some faith in Peter Jackson
At least twice in the last year or so I have listened to Sean Astin reading an abridged version of his experiences on the LOTR set. One of the things he talks extensively about was wanting to ensure that Sam as a character was not a buffoon, was not a laughing stock, but was instead a fully realized character. Merry and Pippen are the more comedic characters, especially during The Fellowship of the Ring, and Sam is largely portrayed as a more simple, laid back character who could easily be seen as a country bumpkin. Sean shares that Peter Jackson had a heart-to-heart with him, asking Sean to trust him. His screen time would be very limited in Fellowship and yet over the course of the trilogy the character would develop the kind of gravitas that would satisfy Sean Astin as an actor as well as the fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece. And that is exactly what happens. But in the meantime, Sam doesn’t have much screen time and when he does a lot of it is played for laughs. Looking over the three films I am perhaps most impressed with the character arc of Samwise Gamgee. The circumstances in which he finds himself bring out the latent good and heroic qualities that have always been there inside this “simple” lover of the land.
–I love Liv Tyler as Arwen.
There are two very distinct and vocal camps when it comes to Liv Tyler and I am firmly in the camp that cannot imagine anyone else in the role. I have read many of the arguments against Liv and while I truly respect those opinions, they are not ones that I share. And I am okay if you are in that other camp, really! The role of women in J.R.R. Tolkien’s work is minimal in the first place. This is especially true when it comes to the character of Arwen. I think Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Phillipa Boyens did a great job of working her into the storyline to a larger degree without wildly trampling on the spirit of what Tolkien wrote. It was apparent to me as I watched her for the first time on the big screen since Return of the King in 2003, that she is what I want Arwen to be. She is ethereal and beautifully Elvish and yet she shows glimpses of spirit and fight, particularly in the scene in which she rides with Frodo to Rivendell. I was impressed all over again with the way in which she was filmed, the sound editing they did with her voice to give it depth and a haunting quality, the way Howard Shore’s music aurally wraps itself around Liv Tyler when she is onscreen. Wonderful!
–The importance of fellowship
As I have grown older I have become more and more aware of how important it is in my life to have good strong relationship with other men. Of how satisfying those relationships can be. And so I am acutely aware of moments in film, television or in novels where male characters bond and can express their importance to one another. I like it when that happens, and the entire Lord of the Rings film trilogy is full of those moments. It probably wouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that my favorite character is Aragorn. When he first arrives on screen we are given the message that this man is a loner, that he has been traveling through the wilds by himself. Soon after that he is thrust into the role of protector and begins a journey on the road to becoming a friend to many of the other characters. I like that. I can identify with the loner mentality as I have moments when I am like that myself and yet I find it engaging to me as a viewer to see Aragorn reengage in society by becoming a member of this fellowship.
And last but not least:
–My two favorite Fellowship of the Ring scenes are so much cooler on the big screen.
There are two scenes in the Mines of Moria that rivet me to the screen every time. The first is when Gandalf says, “Let me risk a little more light” and the scene opens up on the HUGE and seemingly endless columns carved out of stone. The music swells and Gandalf proclaims, “Behold! The great realm of the dwarven city of Dwarrowdelf.” I feel my heart rise every time I see that scene. It is just a small moment but it takes me back to childhood daydreams of caverns and lost worlds underground. The second is the Balrog scene. There is that first moment of silence followed by a sound like concrete blocks being dragged across a cement slab and then we see the light working its way towards them. After some heroics to get to the Bridge of Khazad-dum we see the Balrog leap from the chasm and give that flame-filled bellow. I LOVE that! Though the entire scene with this creature is incredibly brief, the mere idea of its existence makes my imagination run wild.
I won’t say that we weren’t tired near the end. It was fantastic to see this on a large movie theater screen and the sound was incredible. It makes me long for the day when I can invest in a large television, blu-ray and surround sound. But even with all the excitement both Mary and I were really worn out by the end. We decided we need to go to bed extra early for a couple of nights leading up to next week’s showing of The Two Towers.
If you can find your way to an AMC Theater showing either of the next two films over the course of the next two Tuesdays, I cannot recommend it highly enough. I’m half asleep but already giddy about the next film.
Ooooh, first time I’ve visited since you changed your layout. Very nice!
I so would have liked to go see these in the theaters again and extended versions at that, but, alas, the moula doesn’t match the wish. 🙂 These are among my most favorite movies. And I’m team Liv as Arwen too. I thought she was great.
Michelle: Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I’m enjoying the new look and functionality of the site.
I hear you about the money. I had to make some other adjustments in the budget to work these films in, that is for sure.
I do like how you write your feelings about the movie… I don’t even have to see it to remember so many scenes.. and of course “You Shall Not Pass!” is one of the great ones! It saddened me when New Zealand had the earthquakes..all I could see was that beautiful country being torn away. (though of course it wasn’t) Peter Jackson will forever be in my heart for making these movies. Making them come alive. And for having the love to follow his heart while doing it!
Deslily: Yes, the quake back in February was worse, killing about 150 I believe. It is scary that they had another in the same place just a few months later but thankfully it wasn’t a bad one. Hopefully that will be it.
I thought of you a couple of times last night during Gandalf moments. 🙂
I agree about PJ, and I hope that we all feel the same way about the two Hobbit films. I hope lightning strikes twice and that same magic is there for these movies.
Hi Carl. I am extremely jealous that you saw this last night. I toyed with the idea. One minute I wanted to go, the next I told myself that it would not be a good idea. It would be a late night and I would have work the next day. For some reason I listened to reason. Now I regret that. I’m so glad that you had a great time.
TBM: Reason should be silenced at all costs!!! 😉 I understand where you are coming from, I am exhausted today but it is a good exhaustion. I’m thinking I may need to take the Wednesday after Return of the King off. That is a really long one!
glad you had such a good time!
I, too, enjoy how Peter Jackson handled Sam’s storyline, and Astin was perfect in the role. It is like in the books how Sam seems to be more of a supporting character at the beginning but by stories end he is truly one of the heroes. He is easily one of Natalya’s favorite characters to follow in the books and films.
You are right, that Balrog scene is so very impressive on the big screen, as is the grandeur of those caverns. those are reasons enough for films such as these to revisit the theater upon occasion.
Will have to check my schedule for the next two parts.
L: I too though Astin ended up being perfectly cast. While Lord of the Rings, especially the film, is cast in large part as Frodo’s story, in some ways I think it is also largely Sam’s story as he ends up being the true hero of the whole journey. It is very interesting to watch the various paths that different characters take when reading the books or watching the films multiple times.
Hope you can manage to go. I’m hoping to get some other friends to join me for The Two Towers this coming Tuesday.
An excellent post conveying your thoughts and emotional reactions to the experience of going to the film and becoming immersed in it. I certainly would have gone (I think this is my favorite of the three books and films) if it had been showing in Portland, OR. I agree with you about the Elven language as created by Tolkein, so mellifluous.
I’ll be taking out the DVD of the Shore music a good friend sent me (!) and watching it in lieu of seeing the films, not much of a substitute, but a nice experience in and of itself.
Looking forward to another post after the next showing! Was there anything said in the intro about The Hobbit?
RkR: No, he didn’t really say anything about The Hobbit at all. It will be interesting to see in the next two introductions if he reveals anything about how that process is going. I’m sorry this wasn’t playing in OR.
“Mellifluous”! Good word!
I want those full score versions of all three films so badly, but they are still very expensive. I need to save back some of my spending money (quit buying so many books!) so that I can pick them up. I also want to pick up the new book/cd that came out not too terribly long ago.
I was looking forward to reading your review and you didn’t disappoint 🙂 I didn’t get tickets for these showings, since I had seen the extended movies at a local cinema a couple years ago…but I did think about it!
If I had seen them once in the theater (these versions) I probably would not have went to see them this time. Probably. 🙂 As it stands I am excited about the opportunity to see the others and am already planning my snack and arrival strategy for next week!
sooo jealous. and annoyed as there is not a single AMC theater in the enire state of TN!
Melanie: I was actually surprised by how many states there were that AMC hadn’t taken over. It seems odd that they wouldn’t have a theater in every decent sized market in every state. After all, folks everywhere like to watch movies. Very strange.
My guess is that some local AMC chains weren’t willing to give up the three days for what they considered to be a chancy proposal compared to showing the new films they already had lined up and contracted to show.
RkR: I can certainly understand why some AMC theaters wouldn’t show it, but what I understand less is how some states don’t even have the chain there. My befuddlement isn’t because I think AMC is wonderful so much as the surprise that the company hasn’t just went in and tried to dominate every single state market.
I’m not certain there was any real risk involved in showing these movies. They are largely being shown at AMC theaters that have multiple screens and I cannot imagine Tuesday nights draw a very big crowd to the theater. I imagine whatever they might make off of these one-night events (after costs are factored in) is just bonus, because anyone coming to see a different movie that Tuesday night is still able to do just that. I know in my theater they showed it on one of the bigger screens, which means that some other first run film, for that one night, was shown on only 4 screens instead of 5 or something silly like that.
I’m so jealous. We don’t have any showings here, at least, not that I’ve heard of. Would love to see them up on the big screen again.
Fence: I hadn’t looked to see if this was an international event or not. Wish you could see them that way again.
Your post for some odd reason reminded me that we sat next to a guy from South Carolina who does business in Missouri and he was watching the film with us while his wife and kids were watching it in SC. They started an hour before we did so it was fun because they texted him about the movie starting, etc.
Your comments make sense, Carl. For whatever reason the film isn’t here, though AMC is.
I’m sure you are right as well, some theater owners probably said “no thanks” I can’t imagine that even if what they make is all extra that it is enough of a draw since it is just one night. Of course the tickets were like double the regular price. LOL!
Hello, Carl,
I met with Kerry in Chicago this weekend and we talked about all our blog people — “You do read Carl, don’t you?” Well, I never had, so I decided a visit was in order! I love what I see and while I confess I haven’t embraced the Lord of the Rings so much as you, after reading this post, I feel like I should give them another look!
Hi Jeanie! That was immensely sweet of Kerry to mention me. I’m sorry you had to pop in during my geek-out on the LOTR films! I appreciate the visit and hope you pop round again.
I’m so jealous. I really wanted to do this and it didn’t work out. The movies are so wonderful and I always notice new things when I re-watch them. My husband and I re-watched the entire extended edition movies over Fourth of July weekend last year. I was a blast.
Melissa: We do that on occasion as well. A couple of years ago on my birthday we watched all 3 extended versions back to back. That was a loooong day. We love the films, but our bodies just don’t cooperate with sitting still and staying awake like they used to. 🙂
We really need to find some inexpensive copies of those complete Howard Shore LOTR soundtracks.
I’m so glad you’re getting to see these films on the big screen again my friend.
Yes we do!!! Or maybe Howard can just bring the orchestra by for an evening and play some selections for us or something.
I enjoyed reading your post. I’m not the fan of the movies that you are, but I appreciated your thoughts.
I think this sort of special event may be one thing that will save local theatres. Home theatres are so good now, and most movies are frankly so bad, that there is little reason to bother paying for tickets and popcorn if you can avoid it. But special events like this one, may be worth it.
Thanks! I think it is a really creative idea that theaters are doing these sort of events, showing operas and musicals and concerts and other sorts of events on the big screen. It really is the next best thing to being there. I’d like to see Broadway get more involved and show more musicals. Not everyone can afford to go to NYC and pay the ticket price to see this sort of thing.
I’m not sure that movies are any worse than ever, there has always been garbage. What is unfortunate is that the cost put into making some of the garbage is so much more than it used to be and we the consumer end up paying the cost for that. There are a few gems that come out every year, the trick is figuring out which those will be. Super 8 has been one for me this year.
I’m looking forward to the day when I have a home theater system that will at least give me pause before I consider going to the cinema. 🙂
I got to see the extended Fellowship and Two Towers just before the midnight release of the Return of the King. It was an amazing experience seeing the movies back-to-back. We arrived early and some folks were playing cards in the aisles before the movie started. All fans, waiting and chatting. The Return of the King started rolling at midnight… it was an amazing evening.
Wow, I bet that was a truly memorable event. I’m happy you got to see it that way. After a week of not thinking too terribly much about it, I woke up this morning with music from the films playing in my head. Even in my sleep state I’m excited about tonight’s showing of The Two Towers!!! 🙂