Part 1: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pMp1itKXkp7chI0.html Big thanks to MUBI for sponsoring this video, be sure to check out their awesome streaming service at; mubi.com/likestoriesofold

“I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil.”

I always felt like the conflict in LOTR was more genuine than any other movie conflict I have ever seen. It felt as if the struggle these people had was real and important and true. Now after this video I understand why. God I love it.

I love Jackson's adaptation of the books just as much as the books themselves. A favorite scene of mine is Gandalf talking with Pippin about how "there never was much hope-only a fool's hope". This, coming on the back of someone who has repeatedly been very critical of Pippin, always calling him "fool of a Took", serves to redeem Pippin as Gandalf is acknowledging that his own foolish hope is the only thing they have left.

When you realize the parallel between Frodo saving Sam in the river and Sam saving Frodo in Mt. Doom

"We are lifted out of ourselves to see ourselves wholly." Damn, dude.

Boi got me inspired as fuuck Bout to go build a orphanage or something

Its only appropriate that Tolkien would favor applicability and the reader's free will over the writer's allegorical domination. Even as a writer, he is determined to preserve the flame imperishable. Awesome work!

Boromir, the man who rose up, again and again, until his death. He was not destined to be the leader of Gondor, and surely I do not think many people would aspire to be like Boromir. But in the end, , I think every person, looking back at the life they lived, would be overjoyed to even come close to living as Boromir did. The embodiment of human honour and strength. Talking about means vs ends (choices vs illuvator): Illuvator's hand can be seen by the (soft) magic present in Tolkien's work. In this case the magic of words. In Book 4 he essentially cursed Gollum that, were he ever to get the Ring for himself, he would ensure he Gollum falls in the fires of Mount Doom himself.

There is a rather interesting correlation between magical power and strength when it comes to the wizards and other magical beings in the Tolkien universe. Each character has an insane amount of power they can delve into, as Aragorn makes clear when he tells the hobbits "he is greater than you know; he can only show you his toys as a rule". Yet the more one uses their magic, relying upon it, the weaker they become. Morgoth and Saruman are two characters who decided to delve into the powers they had. Morgoth used more and more magic in the creation of orcs and other foul creatures. The more and the greater the magic he used, the weaker he became to the point that Ungoliant could trap him when he refused to surrender to her the Silmarils and he had to be rescued by his balrogs. Saruman decided to delve into his magic and tried to become a rival of Sauron's. His white was broken and he became many colors, and was supplanted by Gandalf after his resurrection. Gandalf never losses strength because he very rarely uses his power. He remains strong and becomes stronger through the forbearance of his power, only using it at great need. Even when trapped in a tree surrounded by wolves and goblins he only uses a very minor trick to protect himself and Thorin's company.

"To show us what drives us through hardship and suffering. And that is the believe that: No matter how bad things get, there is no darkness greater than the light: There is always hope." This has been the core of lotr for me from the first time i read the books and watched the films. This has driven me to keep going and might have saved my life.

It is reported that a wise person once said "Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends.". Many of us, even those in pursuit of these teachings, often forget those words. No greater Love hath man.

What a trilogy... No but seriously... WHAT A TRILOGY !!!!

I'm a 30 year old man and I cried through this whole thing. Well done.

Damn it, you made me cry again :')

When the seas and mountains fall And we come to end of days In the dark I hear a call Calling me there I will go there And back again

Peter Jackson should include this stunningly insightful work as an Appendice in his Lord of the Rings Trilogy DVDs. Bravo! Masterful! Wonderful! I thought that I understood the Lord of the Rings. I was wrong. Thank you.

Beautifully done, your editting which blended with the visuals and music and the depth you took to explore the mythology which is applicable to our lives. Thank you so much, works like this deserve praise.

What you just said is just one more reason why The Lord of the Rings is among the greatest stories of all time. I regularly watch the whole trilogy on a yearly basis, and it is still great enough to make it into my top ten films of all time at number TWO. I love it just as I did when I was twelve, for the spectacle of the locations and battle scenes, as well as the tender and emotional moments that define the film. I did not think of any of the "moral victory" ideas until your videos, and that is among the many things you mentioned that I feel HAVE to be discussed more often, not just in the ​context of Lord of the Rings. You just earned yourself a subscriber. Keep up the great work.

I feel the lack of good content like yours in this platform. I decided to watch the movies once more because of this review and I had the most emotional run of those movies in a way I haven´t felt before, thank you

My goodness, this was beautiful. This is the sort of thing that makes me doubtful whether I'm studying the right thing because I can find such endless fascination with things like this - story and mythology, and even history and philosophy.. It's the greatest pain for us humans that we can never study all of that to the extent that we desire, at least that's what it feels like in moments like these... What I'm saying is, I really don't wanna do my physics homework :D

Damn man, you're videos are enough to make me wish I was a religous man, and if you knew me that's a hell of a thing. Keep on making these and I'll keep watching.

Whelp, looks like I'll be rereading LoTR and the tales from the Silmarillion again and rewatching this astounding two parter again and again.

Yet another powerful video, and further proof that Tolkien was one of the greatest authors who ever lived

You are a treasure. Thank you for this masterwork. You have understood the point of Tolkien's view on good and evil. The same thing I myself recognized when I was introduced to Tolkien. Those two are quite distinct in his Middle-earth, yes, but that doesn't mean that his characters are black and white; quite on the contrary, there is a constant battle of his characters with their flame imperishable, whether to chose good, evil or some middle ground. His clear view of good and evil is so obvious and distinct perhaps because he himself possessed quite good and well defined moral compass. Ultimately, if we take into account Eru Illuvatar, and his allowance of both evil and good as essential part of the music of Ainur and of his thought than we come to conclusion that Tolkien's world and his cosmogony is not constructed relying purely on Christian theology but also on some other philosophical teachings, primarily of the East, and even some Zoroastrian ideas and concepts of good and evil... In Zoroastrian theology, Ahura Mazda, supreme god, also intervene by sending his emissaries and guides (similar example is Nordic mythology)... some sort of wizards and wise man to help humanity in material world which is so deeply sink into dualism that will fade when final spiritual battle is won within oneself. In that way every single individual retains free will to go on either side. One thing we do not agree, EVIL in Tolkien's world is not destroyed by accident but by evil itself and by products of that evil, that is a full circle, an ouroboros or RING if you will (rings of power and ring of Barahir). Tolkien was very keen on those symbols obviously, and for a REASON... :) The last chapter of your video, mythology of hope is a pure bliss. You managed to tackle the essence so well, Tolkien successfully overrides and eliminates all the different religions/factions, for they don't matter, they are not what God is, but still maintains the idea of God and his essence manifested in love, compassion and unity of all creation. Once again, thank you for you are the best content creator on KZfaq in my modest opinion.

“The victory isn’t everlasting, no victory over evil is.” Tolkien knew this as he began to write The New Shadow.

I didn't think I could enjoy Tolkien's work more than I already do. It truly is a mythology. I understand that now. Thank you.

I will always keep this trilogy in my heart and my life. I will show these movies to my kids and cherish every memory I have of watching them with my parents or by myself

"I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!" still brings me to tears just by thinking about it. Never give into the dark, and there will always be hand to carry you when your legs can't go no further

Something very refreshing and believable about your optimistic and hopeful worldview in a time when all everybody can think of is nihilism and pessimism. EDIT: My question because the reply may seem out of context : How did u transition from Gandalf saying that it was Frodo's fate to find the ring to saying that all creatures of middle earth have free will?

"The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth comes again."- Robert Jordan

The Rich Tapestry of history & meaning behind J.R.R. Tolkien’s story is so vast you can hear it’s echoes in the events of the tale & feel the vibration of those resounding echoes in your bones. The goosebumps rising on your skin in response to the fundamental Solace that comes through the Moral Victory. “What are we willing to sacrifice for Victory?” Nay, “For what values are we willing to suffer defeat?”

This is really good analysis and it is well-expressed. Plus, the editing is top-notch. I think Western culture needs to recover the essential principles and virtues at play in LOTR, e.g. personal responsibility, personal sacrifice. When some of the strongest societal voices now tell us that we are entitled victims, we need a counter-voice to remind us we are accountable for our actions and have a personal responsibility to improve the world we know rather than gripe about it.

Love these! It is interesting how different aspects of God are presented in Tolkien’s and his friend Lewis’s fantasy works. Whereas Elu Illuvitar represents the sovereign aspects of God(Him working in the distance), Aslan represents His direct work in history.

It’s pretty incredible that videos like this have (a) been created (thank you) and (b) so easily accessible, and completely free. Madness.

LSOO: This is the most fantastic overview of The Lord Of The Rings I have ever seen. Every word was a light bulb in my head. I watched the trilogy over the last 2 weeks and I couldn't help but find myself in tears multiple times throughout each film. Then I watch your videos and again, tears. Much love for taking time to delivery such beautiful words about this wonderful myth. Thank you, Oaksey :)

You help shape the real power and need of mythic structures. Tolkien marvelously shared the most salient points of Christianity without being tied to the obvious Christian tropes. These two videos could be the foundation of living faithfully through the LOTR.

You sir are a gentleman and a scholar.

This brought me to tears, especially the cuts between Sam saving Frodo on Mount Doom and Frodo saving Sam on the Anduin, combined with that music and those beautiful words.

Unbelievable video - thank you so much for this. I've been stuck in nihilism and hopelessness for a while now, and searching for a way out. The details, the writing, the incredible analysis of Tolkien's beliefs and LOTR's theme - this has given me hope to live again

I was going to make a " My Precious " joke because I like this videos. But I am going to let someone else more creative do it.

I've loved this trilogy with my whole heart since I first watched it at age 9, 15 years ago. I've never been able to put into words why I love it so much as beautifully as you just did.This is truly one of the most touching videos I've ever seen. Thank you so much.

Started the simerilian recently, thought game of thrones was a better version of LOTR. Coming back to realize Tolkien was expressing a celestial philosophy greater than any fiction. Appreciate the video.

This is, very easily, one of, if not, the very best video essays I have ever had the privelage of watching. I have spent hundreds of hours watching material like this, but your content stands above the others as a beacon of light, hope and truth, not just for for this medium of communication but for mankind across the world. Thank you. You've made my day.

This was amazing, LSOO. Thank you for your faithfulness to Tolkien's intentions and the heart of his writing. Kreeft is a powerhouse interpreter for his works. This made me appreciate how the essence of Christian faith shines so bright here that it is no wonder Tolkien did without allegory. He had no need. Spoke to my soul so much that I was intermittently in tears

Well this was fortunate. Just finished watching part1 and was wondering when will part2 come out. BAM! Its just went live :-D

Almost had me in tears. The story is just so profound. It hits me at such a spiritual level.

Great analysis as always. The film doesn't mention that Gandalf secretly wore Narya, one of the three elven rings, which had the power to galvanise hearts and banish despair.

Your point regarding The Lord of the Rings being a story about returning the evil that doesn’t belong in the world to its origin is just completely amazing, that is just one of those massive details about the story that pushes it away from generic fantasy or fiction which often simply emphasizes blatant violence or stereotypical heroism in young heroes.

That was amazing! It was so beautiful I cried.

I’ve always loved how eagles are at the tipping point for the battles, and St. John’s symbol is the eagle.

It's going to take a forklift to get my jaw off of the floor after this viewing your LotR work. Well done.

I'm too busy humming along to the music to listen to what you're saying, I guess I need to watch it again

Your analysis of Boromir's character arc had me in tears. This is my new favorite youtube channel You've earned yourself a sub, good sir

So ready for this! Your videos are amazing!! 👌🏼🙌🏼

This literally made me cry. Thank you.

Last 5/10 mins your voice tone + the music + the topic treated.... I cried my ass out

This has got to be one of the most brilliant video essays you have ever published -- if not one of the most brilliant video essays I've ever watched. Thank you for contributing so much with what you've created.

I started watching your videos when I came across your one on Interstellar. Since then, I have been continually inspired to push myself and my creative writing further, in the hope that I'll continue the cycle of inspiration. You keep pulling out these golden thoughts, sometimes giving me entirely new perspective, sometimes giving me the phrase that was just on the tip of my tongue. For LOTR, I thought I had got the gist of it, but you showed me that I could push myself to go deeper. And not just deeper in LOTR, further than I've ever dreamed in the stories I've authored. So thank you for the inspiration. You're doing a great work here.

I cried for the entire duration of the video. So beautiful and intense.

So, after your excellent Tarkovsky work I chose this as my second viewing. Take this the right way: I could hug you, sir. When I saw your Kreeft quotes I knew I was in good hands. I was tearing up during some of your work here (just like the films themselves). You have a God-given talent for editing, story, and music editing. Keep your flame glowing brightly. So good.

Cryin' and cryin'... This was a beautiful experience! Again Thank y.

I've been waiting very patiently for this!!

Absolutely stellar work. While I was aware of these elements of Tolkien’s work, being a fan for most of my life, I have never heard them so eloquently put into words.

this channel is a gift, keep doing what you are doing!

I meditate for about now, 10 years, sometimes 3 hs per day... i found that, as the mind adquires a calmer and calmer constant state, more obvious and brillant it gets the fact that everything is talking about everything, this movies, even the music, ive always felt that they talks us about higher truths, so direct, so obvious that mayority embrace unknownly... the videos of this channel are jewels for me, to meditate and dig in me an life even more... thank for this channel, i love movies that dig so deep like this, you have a new follower! love to all from Argentina, sorry my english

the editing on this video series was beautiful, and the music and picture perfectly matched the mood and the message being conveyed

Watched this three times in a row. Excellent video. Almost had tears in my eyes by the end of it.

I watched this video and Part 1 and I believe you have made the best video essays/commentaries I've ever seen. You open our minds to new ideas and create such an impactful message that I never would have realized was an underlying theme of the Lord of the Rings. I also love the music in the background! This was in the first video as well, but I love the detail of how when you talk about a certain series of events or characters, their corresponding "theme song" plays. It is such a joy to watch your videos!

Please don't stop making these. Wonderful and moving

This is just beautiful. I'm crying. Thank you for putting my heart to words for me.

I love everything about this--its analysis is thought-provoking, its editing is excellently smooth--but perhaps most of all, I love that you consistently include CC/subtitles for your videos! There's some great film analysis channels out there that fail to do this, and I love that I can count on this one to not only put out awesome videos, but ones I can also follow along with better! Thanks for your work pal :)

Truly enlightening. Your videos are always so well researched and thought out. And this two parter series was my favorite. Keep up the good work. Your insight, knowledge and creativity can inspire, and create meaningful thoughts and discussions... I know they do for me

you are truly one of a kind. pls never stop making videos

This is the most inspiring and uplifting thing I’ve seen on KZfaq, no, the Internet, in a great while. Sincerely, thank you.

Once again, you make me cry. Thoughtful, insightful, and heartfelt dialogue.

I only discovered this channel a few days ago, but I already love the way you analyze different concepts.

These two productions were amazing, inspiring even. Thank you for opening my eyes further to the depths of Tolkien's story, and a reminder of the great story it reflects.

Am I the only one who cries watching your movies? They are so touching and inspiring. You bring us hope! Thank you so much! 🙏🏻 I always end up saying “there I am” in the end of your movies. Many thanks from Brazil.

Unbelievable discussion on the essential meaning of the work, I finally understand why it appealed to me so much as a kid. Thank you for taking the time to translate the symbolic into the semantic so that we all may recognise the great power and truth that resides in such stories.

This is the greatest thing on KZfaq. I literally got chills watching this.

I was looking for a video like this. Thank you. Truly moving

Its interesting that I am subscribed to you and yet youtube will barely ever recommend your videos on my homepage, but I always think of your videos and the amount of thoughtfulness and powerful words you use that bring me back to search you again and again to find a new video I haven't watched yet on your page. You inspire me, make me cry, and give me hope. I don't know who you are, but thank you. You are doing a great thing with these videos.

This video is art . You really brought my favorite movie into my current stage in life . Thank you for this ❤️

very well put... there is hope in my heart, while there are people like you on this earth

your videos are the absolute treasure that youtube has to offer...pure gold

Thank you for sharing your knowledge of Tolkein. It is easy to be swept away with the visuals of the movies, the physical battles and over look the deeper meaning.

Ever since watching and reading Lotr, hope has always been my favorite word and a thing that keeps me going. Now that the word is explained even more in this video, I can't help but appreciate the movies even more. A mythology of hope was such a beautiful ending and closure of a beautiful series. I'll be sure to also check out the books that you mentioned for these videos. Thank you as always!

You've managed to grow my love for Tolkien and Lord of the Rings and for that, I thank you.

Thank you good sir. Sincerely, from the bottom of my heart, thank you. Watching this two part series has been amazing for me. You not only brought back some of my childhood to me but you have also helped hope spring back into my life where once it was withering away into nothing. You’ve done an amazing job on these two videos and I’m looking forward to watching many more. Subscribing for sure.

These themes are bang on, I picked up on some of them but not to this comprehensive depth. Tolkiens world is so reflective of the spiritual reality that we live in. The stuff around eru illuvatar, the ainur, angelic realms, guardian angels, the archetype role of Gandalf as a helping hand. The balancing of the karmic wheel ultimately towards the greater good, the synchronistic nature of the universe, following your gut and your heart path. Ahhh just so muchis there! Much love for your video and how you put it together. I knew there was more to Tolkiens universe and i was piercing the veil and this really supports and tears down the remaining veil. Thank you very much. Great content!

I just wanted to express my appreciation for this amazing channel! It's been a beautiful discovery and I am so impressed with the skillful execution of each and every video! You have a real gift; the videos are enlightening and always touch my soul! Huge gratitude- keep up the good work my friend!

These LOTR Video essays have made my day. Thank you so much for putting the time and effort into making these very insightful experiences.

Holy shit man, this video and Part 1 are the most beautiful videos I've ever seen. They made me tear up

I had found a "myth" some time ago. Long story short, I was completely heartbroken. Even had some kind of shock or panic attacks because of this and was certain I was cursed to ever find love. Then, there was a storm. That night I talked with the girl I was previously dating about how I felt regret for cheating on her, she briefly responded I should go out for a walk the next day if the storm had calmed down, since she knew I would regularly go to the nearby fortress to surround myself with nature. "Trees don't mind sadness.", she told me. The storm had laid down the next day. I went out with one of my cameras to record the aftermath in the communal gardens behind my apartment on my way to the fortress. There, I found my favourite tree, damaged by the storm. It had broken right down the middle around two meters from the ground. Its top half was still resting on the part that was firmly rooted in the ground next to the canal that surrounded the fortress where its crown was drowning. I could see its core, firing orange like my hair. On the exposed core there were reflections of water dancing, I could not help but identify myself with this tree. This tree was me. It was a perfect expression of how broken I felt at that moment, it brought me to tears even before I thought about pressing the shutter. It's one of those rare moments where reality simply bulldozes over you and presents itself with poetry.

Amazing. I always loved lord of the rings, it's just an amazingly deep story in every aspect. I also think it's fascinating when you think about all these ideias guiding Tolkien in his life specially at his darkest time during WWI and at the Somme. I have to say as a catholic that was away from the church for some time and recently came back: I really like the idea of all kinds of people being able to still learn so much from centuries of theology and moral philosophy that tolkien put into his works, consciously and unconsciously.

This was an absolutely brilliant analysis and commentary. This story is a bottomless source of beauty and in this video you have revealed much of the beauty i had not seen or appreciated yet. Thank You.

So beautifully put. Thank you. The movies and the books got me through some tough times in my teens and twenties. Lord of the Rings is us. Sharing this with everyone!

These provound quotes about the greatest mythology of our time are so well pulled together, and the themes are much to think about. I need to re view this several times and think on all of these. As we are in our own dark hours in a divided and entranced country, crucial to focus on the imperishabe flame and hope.

Brought tears to my eyes. Very well done sir!