Lotr will never be topped

Howard Shore's musical score is a main character of the films, and has since become inextricably linked with Tolkien's world in my mind.

LotR is perfection itself. Perfection is ever-lasting.

I think what most people gloss over is that Peter Jackson as a director had focused pretty much entirely on horror films and/or character driven stories up until he ended up directing lotr, and it really shows especially in fellowship. You see all his strengths in the first film especially, Peter Jackson turned a fantastical adventure into a very grounded thriller with most of the focus being on the powerlessness and lack of agency in the individual, perfectly capturing the theme of the trilogy and the one ring itself and what it represents. There’s a real triumph felt seeing these characters, pulled by forces beyond their control, come together to overcome what feels like a predetermined doom.

I love that 20+ years later whenever I’m trying to think of who my favorite villain, favorite protagonist, or what my favorite scene is, in a movie, I have to first think: other than the lord of the rings.

20 years later and The Lord of the Rings still remains absolute. The 2000’s were best times for skilled movie creation. From Pirates of the Caribbean to Harry Potter. Even Gladiator to Troy. Though nothing will beat Peter Jacksons sheer dedication to his craft and commitment in telling JRR Tolkiens tales.

The Witcher series is a testament on "I am more important than the source material" from a director. Jackson, like you said, didn't want to crowbar his own politics and views into Lotr and just his love for the world Tolkien made. While the director and most of the crew (Cavill excluded) didn't even like the books or its author.

I'm both glad and amazed that they greenlighted and filmed all three together.

Howard Shore's score is so damn good that I literally can't read the books now without hearing it in my head for certain paragraphs

Practical effects!! The orcs were stunt men in prosthetics, Viggo is on record as saying they scared him when filming, because they looked like they wanted to kill him. You don't get the genuine reactions when orcs are in green body suits to be CGI'd in later. And things like the orcs banging spears before the fight of helms deep came about because the stunt men were bored between takes, so they were singing and dancing. One of them started banging their spear to the rhythm which producers saw and turned into the orcs banging them when they show up. Everything being CGI and green screens loses that organic realistic feeling

"Lighting in a bottle" - exactly.

it was more than just the crew, the whole of NZ got behind it in anyway we could.

Went to see the trilogy in theaters. The room was packed.

I saw Extended LOTR in the cinema last weekend as well. Twenty years after the first time I watched those movies, over 12h in the cinema and hell, I wasn't bored for a single moment. It doesn't matter I know most of the lines by heart. Those movies sure kept the ring, they have not aged despite the tech progress we've had since then. Also I noticed one more thing - 20 years of exposure to memes and jokes concerning those movies or using scenes from them does not affect me when I watch LoTR. Yes, I may smile here and there when I remember a meme, but that's all. All of that doesn't ruin the experience of watching. Not to mention that the screenings were fully booked

I love how you spent more time discussing Howard Shore’s contribution to these films! I think the music makes up 50% of the entire LOTR experience. Though I can’t watch the movies as much as I want, the music is something I can bring with me all the time. Just listening to the complete score makes you re-live the experience, the emotions and all. It’s really just a bonus that the music and the visuals are inseparable. I can’t watch an LOTR footage with someone else’s music and vice versa. Truly a lightning a bottle!

It's so true what you said about sincerity. I remember watching all the MCU-movies and really enjoying them at first, but as they went on, I began to feel the lack of sincerity more and more. Instead of cashing in on how invested fans were in the characters by following up with great stories, Marvel instead just made me feel stupid for caring about the world and the characters by constantly making fun of and ridiculing everything. It really ruined the whole saga for me, and wasted what I considered a huge potential for excellent storytelling.

They really are just THAT good. Chokes you up thinking about the care that went into them not knowing whether or not they would turn out good or people would even like them. But here we are, over 20 years later reminding ourselves. These movies are some of the best cinema ever created, they will always be remembered.

I agree with all of this except one thing..... this generations Lord of the Rings isn't Dune.... it's still The Lord of the Rings.

I took off of work for the opening day of each of the movies so I could see the first showing at 1100am, they are still the best action movies ever made in my opinion.

I remember when The Return of The King was released and watched whole trilogy in the theatre with my family and friends. It finished at 6 in the morning. Ahhh one of my fond memories being excited about Lord of The Rings and sharing that time with the ones I love.

I watched the extended edition at the cinema last week, and apart from being blown away again, I was also just angry that The Rings of Garbage is being made. You are so right about respect for the books. ROP only respects the chance to make money, and it's so clear.

Commenting for the algorithm. This video is too good to have anything less than 100k views!

Excellent video, you really nailed just why the trilogy came together so well! Moreover, to add to your point of sincerity, the trilogy was a beacon of hopefulness and virtues of courage, honesty and friendship in an increasingly uncertain time. And while our own world has become more divided and volatile, this story’s themes and morals are all the more pertinent.

Now I want to watch it again. I wish I didn’t have to go to work tomorrow.

This was such a beautiful retrospect of a phenomenal series. Well done. Gonna go watch the trilogy again

First read the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) in 1965 when I was 13, and re-read the books many times. When I was young there were sections which I would skip, as they seemed to slow the story too much. Later on some of those chapters became cherished favorites. As it was with the books, so it has become with these fine films. After the surprise and delight of the first viewing, there are rewards to be had in savoring newly noticed details of the rich production. Much could be said about Professor Tolkien’s writing methodology. What is now regarded as Professor Tolkien’s pioneering method of fictional world building was criticized as cumbersome departures from the proper way to structure novels. It might be that some of deep, detailed, often stoically restrained but ever present emotion in the story stems the long dark period during which Professor Tolkien worked on the story. Led by the director Peter Jackson, the actors and the behind-the-scenes contributors worked incredibly hard, striving successfully to bring the rich detail of Middle Earth and of Tolkien’s epic story to our screens

I have listened to the score of these movies every day since I first saw them in 2005. I've watched the movies 3 times a year ever since. I'm pursuing a career in filmmaking myself, and these movies are ALWAYS a reminder for me what true passion is. These movies were pure lightning in a bottle, and I really believe that they never will me topped. I'm so greatful that these movies exist, and I will cherish them forever.

Excellent video! I have been complaining about the scarcity of truly epic movies. The Lord of the Rings certainly has epic proportions along with sincerity. Thanks for this video!

Damn, i just found your channel yesterday and looked if you had done a video on my favorite movie series ever. The lotr. Was sad that you hadn’t. Then I wake up to this !! Beautiful video. Thank you ❤

Sincerity, one of the reasons Top Gun Maverick did so well. And it's so evident with the prelim video that played before the movie in theaters in which Tom Cruise mentioned they put their heart and souls into it

It’s so good. Loved this commentary

You had me at ‘Sincerity’.

I also saw the recent re-release of the LOTR. It was THE BEST 11 hours spent in a theater for me this year! EPIC!! ❤❤❤❤

Great video, I agree LOTR will never be topped because it is a once in a life time coming together of the right people, the right time and truly epic levels of love for the source material (a truly great source material also helped of course) . The New Zealand scenery is also an important cast member.

I am watching the extended edition trilogy again. I watch it many times each year because everything else is just watered down gruel. And i used to love Star Wars. I was there in 1977 in the theater when Star Wars was released. Star Wars is dead to me now. I don't even feel bad about it anymore. Long live LOTR! Oh, if you haven yet, listen to Andy Serkis narrate the LOTR books on Audible. You won't regret it!

I feel like many things you watch as a kid don't hold up when you rewatch them as an adult. They are often nowhere near as good as you remembered or, at best, just as good. However, with LOTR, the older I get, the better it gets. The more I understand and can relate to the characters, the themes, and the love and effort put into every frame. Then you look at what's being produced today and realize that it could only have been made exactly when it was and I'm so grateful for that.

Well made video you've earned yourself a subscriber

This video is amazing, you need more views man

Thanks for creating this video essay. It is always to hear the reflections from a fellow LOTR fan.

Well done and well said. Thank you saying some of the things I've been thinking for some time, albeit much more concisely, smarter and well thought out.

An excellent video and very well said.

i was lucky to watch these movies in the cinema when they first came out - was an amazing experience! the energy in the room was ... well i have no words

Love your videos man

Comments on this LOTR thread are so wholesome ❤

I enjoyed this. Thanks!

Great vid nice work

There was one of these Extended showing back to back to back about a decade ago in Seattle WA. It has intermissions for pissing and buying more food and drink. Long experience. Yet no one left early.

The amount of ppl who STILL rewatch these movies annually (myself included) is all the proof you need that these movies are so extremely exceptional

I recently rewatched The Hobbit extended version 3D trilogy at home and, for all it's warts, it absolutely blows away 99% of everything that has come after.

It's undefeated because whether it's the costumes, the acting and the cast, the landscape scenes, the practical effects, the dialogue, the writing of the script or its pacing, the character development and arcs, the over all moral messaging, the score, the production, or staying true to the source material it does absolutely incredible on every single front. Top notch on everything, even the special effects is okay for today and was top of the line when it was released. Movies can have issues trying to get even one of these elements right, let alone hitting it out of the park on absolutely every single one. This is why it's undefeated, there are a few than can compete, but comparing it to others measuring up against all elements, LOTR always comes out on top.

Excellent review, I agree on everything you said.

These stories mean so much to me, and these movies do as well. Where can I find these theater 4k releases? On the Hobbit subject. The Hobbit M4 Book Edit, also known as “The Hobbit Extended Edition”, is the only version one needs to see. One movie, much closer to the book. I encourage all to try it out.

Every time I see the Majesty that is Peter Jacksons Lotr I get misty eyed knowing that cinema has never ben the same since these movies. The trash they shovel out these days can't even compare. I have several copies of the same trilogy. The non extended, the digital, The Blu-ray extend, and now the 4k version. If Peter Jackson said hey I found an extra 30 mins of film I want to put in physical form and release, I would buy it in a heart beat. I am going to start a yearly tradition of watching these movies on new years, to never forget what real movies look like and not except the garbage movies now as the status quo and the new normal.

Brilliant! New subber.

The reason why Lord of the Rings is not only undefeated but is frankly the GOAT is simple. Peter Jackson sold us why 20+ years ago. He didn't want to stick any of his own themes or messaging in it. Instead he simply wanted to tell us a good story.

Could not agree more. You perfectly summed up why this trilogy is hands down, in my opinion, the greatesy film trilogy that has ever been made and probably ever will be made. And it's funny that you mention Dune being this generation's equivalent of the LotR films, because I was thinking exactly that a couple days ago. We're on the same wavelength. 😂

13:00 Howard Shore's soundtrack is canonical for me. It's Lord of the Rings as much as the books. I consider games or new adaptations inconceivable without at least mentioning these songs.

I watched all three extended editions in the cinema, back to back nearly twenty years ago (or when ever they were released). So yes, they did it before.

I watched the three extended movies for the ...5th time? just last week, on Max though, because I have a toddler hence it's kind of hard to get away for 12+ hours to go the cinema😂. But I was lucky enough to be a teenager when these movies came out, so I saw every one in the theater at their releases. Even after watching each of them several times (and reading the books as well) this last time I still got so much out of them. I think that, in itself, makes them masterpieces: when you can come back again and again to a movie and still get new insights, emotions, and joy.

They’re reshowing The Trilogy because they’re starving & desperately trying to fill seats & Hollywood isn’t producing anything to help with that, so showing older films that people actually want to see is definitely a move they should make.

My main gripe is around here they only had 1 showing of each of the films, which sold out in no time.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was made at the perfect time between technology and artists being good enough while not trying to get their political messages in their art. That's why it was fairly (but not absolutely) faithful to the source material and was respectful to Tolkien and his fans. It was also done perfectly in movie format with great musics, costumes and cinematography. If they tried to remake it today, I would have zero faith in the project. I don't think anything will top the Lord of the Rings Trilogy in cinema. Ever.

Can't agree more about Dune. I called my brother after watching Dune 2 and told him to watch it as it would be our generation's LoTR.

It's just that good

A masterpiece is and will be forever a masterpiece!

So a month ago I purchased tickets for all 3 films sat,sun,Mon and was so excited. We go to the theater in Toronto in 4DX and of course the theater had no air conditioning. I watched fellowship in humid heat. Next day go back and it was not fixed. So got refunds for next 2 movies. Seriously sucked. 😢

LOTR is everything the Rings of Power and the Hobbit isn’t. I’m so pleased they had the freedom to make this film and stay sincere to the books in most part. I don’t think it will ever be surpassed. Is it true that all the actors who were part of the fellowship had similar tattoos to mark their membership of the group.

Well done sir I feel the same way

It's simple as to why. CARE was embedded into everything. PLANNING. New tools. Intelligent directors, casts, and crews. I mean, say what you "believe" or desire about Peter Jackson, Fran, and the rest of NLC, but they bloody well knew what they were doing. Storytelling was KEY. Getting the right actors was paramount (and they did that). Howard Shore's music wasn't just some slipshod filler tones and chords, son. The costuming was brilliant, the props were off the charts, and the FORCED PERSPECTIVE SITUATIONS AND SHOTS were absolutely amazing. Who else would do all of that? No one.

Then there is Shogun 2024 - essentially a 10 hour movie in 10 parts :)

Simply Epic

It IS just that good. Well said!

Dune rivaling Rings? That's a hot take. The rest I can get behind.

Sorry to break it to you. Such epic movies come only once a generation. It was the original Star Wars trilogy for one generation and the Lord of the Rings trilogy for the next. The Generation after that got Dune. We will have to wait an entire generation for the next truly great movies, that their makers work their asses off for.

Reason why i hate amazon

good vid

Nailed it

I think it's easy to forget, or if you're young enough, not be aware that at any given time in film history, 90% of everything is crap. Even years like 1982, which saw the release of many extraordinary films, like Blade Runner, The Thing, Star Trek 2, among others, had more than its fair share of stinkers. It's just how it's always been. The reason it seems like films were better in the past is that the stinkers are quickly forgotten. 1982 also gave us Grease 2, Zapped starring Scott Baio, The Sword and the Sorcerer, and just a plethora of true turds that are now lost to history. (I remember seeing the preview for Evilspeak, and thinking it might be worth checking out. If I ever do, I'll get back to you about it.) But that's every year. There will never be a time where movies are suddenly all, or even mostly winners. That's an absurd fantasy. We're lucky we get gems like Lord of the Rings at all. It was a miracle that film even happened, and even more so that everyone brought their A+ game. Speaking of LotR, that Theoden scene you pointed it truly is a master class. It could have so easily turned into cheese, just but cutting in the wrong place. The camera holds on the grandiose shot of Theoden staring at his sword almost too long, like Celine Dion holding a note forever because she thinks more is more. But just as it starts to lose its impact, Theoden's eyes leave the sword and find Grima, and this segues the story into the next scene. Masterful filmmaking.

Thanks

I'm not too worried about the future of cinema, there have been ebbs and flows in movie quality since the beginning. My father always told me how many movies were garbage in the 70's, until Star Wars came out and changed the whole game. The night will pass.

Thanks for this. Saw in theaters again as well. LOTR is the whole reason I signed up for Fathom Events notifications and got lucky on a whim to look at the next month on their site. Surprised me. One of the few films I care to see on the big screen, though I get more into emotions at home with less distraction. Top Gun Maverick - great film and sequel. The only film I've seen where feeling it made a difference. Also made for the big screen. One of the few decent ones in recent memory. Original Dune and miniseries Children of Dune are way better. Modern version is names who can't act and special effects. I'll take Orlando Bloom over Jason Momoa or just about any of the names.

Lotr is the greatest tale ever told

Tolkiens greatest student Christopher Lee said PJ's changes were for the best

The thing about timeless masterpieces is that they make it easy to see that most average things are just average. The extra-ordinary will always put the ordinary to shame. I wish everything that came out of hollywood could be great but I know that it won't.

About the beacon music, it was actually exact opposite of what you say, Peter asked him to go all out because the scene is reliant on the music and the music has to carry it :)

There really is nothing like it. It would be heart to tick all the boxes that LOTR ticked. Even The Hobbit couldn't replicate it.

You know that lort not just really realy hard? Its super super surprisingly terrible hard. I watched its docu.. goddamnit. Its magical

Blockbuster filmmaking feels like a lesser form of cinema these days (for the most part, cause we still have guys like Nolan and Villeneuve single-handedly raising the quality), whereas before it was almost like its own genre

Well they may have taken away the idea that Anakin was still the Chosen One all along and made Rey the Chosen One, but at least Anakin is still special in that he was the only one conceived through the force itself. MEANWHILE, IN THE ACOLYTE: "LOL! FUCK THAT SHIT! WITCHES GO BRRRR!!!"

One thing I have to say about modern cinematic entertainment is that there’s no escapism. Instead, modern directors and story writers insist on constantly reminding us of modern issues and political values. When I watch Star Wars, game of thrones, house of the dragon, I want to be transported to a completely different world. Not have our current world shoveled down my throat.

I first read the books in the 70s when I was in high school. When the movies began to come out my LOTR nerd friends and I were somewhat disappointed in all the changes but I was able to temper their feelings by pointing out that these films are bringing to people a story that they otherwise would never have known and for that I am eternally grateful. Before the movies, being a Lord of the Rings fan was a very lonely experience. Furthermore, I really appreciate what Peter Jackson was able to do. I truly enjoyed these films with just one or two scenes that really get on my nerves. The fight scene in the Chamber of Mazarbul is way over done and drawn out and looks a like a bad Marvel fight scene. Too many jokes and no adherence to the laws of physics. In the book the skirmish is brief and focuses more on their escape down a flight of stairs with Gandalf sensing something dreadful is close behind. And Faramir taking Frodo and Sam to Osgiliath before releasing them. I will skip over both of these scenes for their unnecessary padding of runtime and general silliness. (Sam's dramatic speech not withstanding) The rest of the artistic liberties I can tolerate and overall the movies are an unrivalled cinematic masterpiece

6:24 Star Wars Rebels is a Disney Star Wars product

Or, as Stephen Colbert would say, “It’s the #1 trilly!”

Anyone who hasn't seen the behind the scenes.. Go watch it and you'll know why this movie was so successful.

Hey I put those on

My friend, you bow to no one

Hopefully you wrong in the sense that I hope something is directed in the future that is better than Lord of the Rings.

Here's a truth about filmmaking, and I will stand by it. Tolkien actually had an easier job than Jackson, because he collaborated with no one. He lavished a decade of his life writing, re-writing, and "niggling," with no one to tell him "no." And please don't think I'm minimizing the work that went into creating a classic while holding down a teaching job at Oxford, his sons have gone off to war, enduring shortages of everything from meat and beer to paper, and bombs are raining down on his country. But Jackson had to rely upon everyone from producers scrounging up capital, to the wardrobe folks linking chain mail together. And if any person in the company, any link of the chain fails, if he as a director makes one wrong choice, or God forbid if the producers decide to go with an editor who'll fashion a cut designed to sell toys or whatever, then that entire chain fails. You need look no further than the Ralph Bakshi version and the Rankin Bass "Return of the King." These were cobbled together with sincerity by people who had extensive resumes, and they're almost unwatchable except in alcohol-fueled heckling parties. Film-making is always a roll of the dice. Try as you might to load those dice, we're all fortunate that Mr. Jackson has phenomenal luck.

The disrespect towards the original author is transparent. Recently it was said that "The Witcher" producer's were actively mocking the source material (both the books and games). Star Wars actors are constatly demonstrating they didnt watch the original movies. Saying stuff like "Anakin destroyed the Death Star". Then there is politics... "Now Star wars is diverse"... Like for real? Did they watch the original movies? They were diverse. They are so diverse there are non Human Races! Then you get "Rings of Power"... They really thought they could do better than Tolkien!?

wait, what? What this kid was doing in a battle? What I just watched? :D :D :D