The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Director:

Peter Jackson

Writers (WGA):

J.R.R. Tolkien (novel)
Fran Walsh (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

17 December 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Tagline:

This Christmas the journey ends.

Plot:

The former Fellowship of the Ring prepare for the final battle for Middle Earth, while Frodo & Sam approach Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring.

Plot Keywords:

Ring | Battle | King | Middle Earth | Suspicion

Awards:

Won 11 Oscars. Another 106 wins & 68 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Sun. Dec. 6

1:45 PM

TNT

Cast

Noel Appleby	...	Everard Proudfoot
Alexandra Astin	...	Elanor Gamgee
Sean Astin	...	Sam
David Aston	...	Gondorian Soldier 3
John Bach	...	Madril
Sean Bean	...	Boromir
Cate Blanchett	...	Galadriel
Orlando Bloom	...	Legolas
Billy Boyd	...	Pippin
Sadwyn Brophy	...	Eldarion
Alistair Browning	...	Damrod
Marton Csokas	...	Celeborn
Richard Edge	...	Gondorian Soldier 1
Jason Fitch	...	Uruk 2
Bernard Hill	...	Theoden

Also Known As:

Der Herr der Ringe - Die Rückkehr des Königs (Germany)
The Return of the King (USA) (short title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and frightening images. (also extended edition)

Runtime:

201 min | 251 min (extended edition)

Country:

USA | New Zealand | Germany

Language:

English | Quenya | Old English | Sindarin

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES | Dolby Digital EX | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:14A (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Ontario) | Malaysia:U | USA:PG-13 (certificate #40415) | Hungary:14 | Sweden:11 | South Korea:12 | Brazil:12 | New Zealand:M | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:G (Quebec) | Denmark:11 | Finland:K-11/9 (re-rating) | Finland:K-15 (original rating) | France:U | Germany:12 | Germany:16 (special extended edition) | Hong Kong:IIB | Iceland:12 | Ireland:12 | Israel:PG | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:12 | Netherlands:16 (special extended version) | Norway:11 (extended version) | Peru:14 | Philippines:PG-13 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | UK:12A (original rating) | UK:12 (video rating) (2004) | Greece:K-13

Filming Locations:

Camperdown Studios, Camperdown Road, Miramar, Wellington, New Zealand

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

A normal major motion picture averages about 200 effects shots. This film had 1488.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Arwen is reading the book after she sees the vision, there is a picture on the right-hand page. When she drops the book there is no picture there.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Deagol: Smeagol, I've got one! I've got a fish, Smeag. Smeagol!
Smeagol: Pull it in. Go on. Go on. Go on. Pull it in.

Movie Connections:

References Braindead (1992)

Soundtrack:

The Green Dragon

The first great cinematic masterpiece of the twenty-first century.

I am, I admit, an unlikely convert to the religion of Tolkienism. I have never read the books, having, I thought, been put off them for life by the sort of obsessive freaks who read them when I was at school. (One classmate, then aged about sixteen, told me with great pride that he had read the whole of 'The Lord of the Rings' at least fifty times). I also have never been a great admirer of the 'sword and sorcery' school of fantasy writing or film-making; indeed, some of this genre (mostly those starring the current governor of California) struck me as being among the worst films ever made. I was, however, persuaded to see the first in the trilogy, 'The Fellowship of the Ring', by its overwhelmingly positive reception from the critics, and was quickly won over by the scope of Peter Jackson's vision. I had been expecting some twee tale of elves, gnomes and fairies; what I experienced was a genuine epic (in the true sense of that overused word). Ever since December 2001, I have been waiting for parts two and three of the trilogy to be released. Neither has disappointed me. The story of 'The Lord of the Rings' is too complex to be told in a review such as this. Suffice it to say that it revolves around a magic ring which will give its possessor immense power. The power-hungry Dark Lord Sauron (a figure who is never actually seen on screen) desires to obtain the ring in order to dominate Middle Earth. His enemies, led by the wizard Gandalf, are seeking to destroy the ring, which can only be used for evil purposes, not for good. At the beginning of the final part of the trilogy, Sauron's forces are massing for an attack on the kingdom of Gondor. The film relates the story of the conflict which follows, and this leads to some of the most spectacular battle sequences I have seen, even more impressive than those in 'The Two Towers'. Inevitably, the film makes much use of computer-generated effects, but unlike many films dominated by special effects, plot and character are not neglected. The acting is uniformly good, and in some cases outstanding. Special mentions must also go to the camera-work, which made the best possible use of the magnificent New Zealand scenery, and to Howard Shore's memorable musical score. So, looking forward to the Oscar ceremony, I have no doubt that this should be the best film and that Peter Jackson, who has amply fulfilled the promise shown in the excellent 'Heavenly Creatures', should be best director. Best Actor? I would find it difficult to decide between the competing claims of Sir Ian McKellen, who brings wisdom, kindliness and the required touch of steel to his portrait of Gandalf, and of Elijah Wood, who plays the brave and resourceful hobbit Frodo to whom falls the dangerous task of ensuring the ring's destruction. Best Supporting Actor? My own nomination would be for Sean Astin, as Frodo's loyal companion Sam, but several others might have claims, notably Viggo Mortensen or Bernard Hill. Is this the best movie ever made, as some of its admirers have claimed? Possibly not- that is, after all, a very large claim to make. I have no doubt, however, that the trilogy as a whole is the first great cinematic masterpiece of the twenty-first century. It has certainly inspired me to start reading Tolkien's original novels. 10/10.