THANK YOU guys for 30k+ views!! Means a ton that you guys are enjoying this.

Might be the greatest soundtrack in film history.

You just hear lord of the rings music and you are there in middle earth. I honestly think Lord of the rings wouldn't be as good as it is if not for the music. Specially the Rohirrim charge music just gives you goosebumps.

Alternative Title: „How to have goosebumps for almost an hour straight.“

Man, that "You bow to no-one"-scene always makes me tear up so hard. So powerful with the music, Aragorn's delivery and all the stunned faces of the hobbits

This just makes me want to watch the trilogy again. The music is so powerful.

Not enough videos can be made about this. I think that Lord of the Rings is positively the best musical work ever written.

And to think I already had a great appreciation for Howard Shore...

i hear the fellowship theme, and two seconds later i'm packing my bags, and telling my family i'm moving to new zealand

When the soundtrack is so epic it needs separate documentaries of how it was made...

Aside from the pronunciations, this was a fantastic video that clearly highlights why the Lord of the Rings trilogy has one of the greatest soundtracks in movie history.

'the true power of a film score, not just accompanying it, but enhancing it' exactly what Howard Shore has done.

I don't know how the Amazon series could ever live up to these films. This was lightning in a bottle, as Lindsay Ellis puts it, and can never be recreated. Nothing will ever capture the magic that these films have.

I doubt if human race will see and hear anything like this. Ever. Thank you PJ, HS and everyone 😍

I can hear howard shore talk about Tolkien's work all day

Still my favorite sound track and trilogy to this day. Howard Shore is a genius.

When Gandalf dies, the music fucks me up so goddamn hard, if I didn't actively stop it while watching, I would break down completely, so fucking beautiful, specifically the Annie Lennox version which is what I think was in the theatrical release

A couple of years ago my Girlfriend and I went on holiday to NZ. We drove around the beautiful South Island blasting all three soundtracks in the car. Great trip.

Normally, a great movie soundtrack has one or two main themes that you remember and hum years later. With Lord of the Rings, I can think of 10. The one movie soundtrack to rule them all.

The lothlorien theme in Helms Deep is still one of my favorites

Man, the Dwarrowdelf Theme is super underrated. It is only played once in the entire trilogy, but it is absolutely beautiful and I'm sure everyone would love it if it was used more often. I'd say it is my favourite theme of all the themes, and that is saying a lot, as I love all of the Lord of The Rigns music. 13:28

It's quite an achievement for the late 90s for a soundtrack to be recorded in London and the director be able to hear it live in New Zealand. It's something we don't think twice about these days.

Never will I ever, in this lifetime, enjoy a movie franchise and a soundtrack more. This is a promise. This series not only holds such immense nostalgia for me, but its nostalgia that carried over into my adult life, meaning its still fantastic to watch/listen. Unlike say, oh I dont know, the Ewok movie from the 80's. 😂

Eru Ilúvatar is pleased with Howard shore's music, of course Melkor is jealous. So many chills were felt this day!

The lord of the rings is the greatest trilogy of movies of all time every single part of the movies is a masterpiece thanks Peter thank you Tolkien

The amount of gratitude and love I have for Howard Shore for gifting us this masterpiece is impossible to express.

Best, BEST FREAKING SOUNDTRACK OF ALL TIME! To hell with Star Wars!! This music couldnt be a more perfect fit for Middle Earth if 1000 Howard Shores put it together.

I’m rarely ever scared by movies but the music is lord of the rings is so intimidating that I legit felt my stomach drop while mordor’s armies were walking by. It’s all this cute shire music and low pitched Isengard theme and then boom *SARON THEME!!!!!!!*.

I just wish Tolkien was alive to see the LOTR trylogy and listen to this masterpiece. I'm sure he would at least enjoy it.

An excellent movie is one capable of telling the story without any music at all. An excellent score tells the story without the images. Combined... brilliance. I don't 'think we'll see anything like this anytime soon. Hopefully, it inspires future Peters and Howards to pick up that torch and run with it.

Every single theme is a classic. Truly the one soundtrack to rule them all.

Omg this theme is my favorite! **plays next theme** OMG! I forgot about this one, this one is my absolute fav!! **plays next theme** OMG!!

Let's just say this. This is the only movie or series that I have ever listened to to the soundtrack outside of the film. Over and over again. Other films have great scores too but this truly is another level.

His mastery was writing original themes without becoming too heavy

I even cry just watching a video about these movies. Damn.

Shore is such a genius it actually brings tears to my eyes.

This would be the greatest "classical" music ever composed so far in the 21st century.

There has never been a collection of music that has moved me more than this.

Can we just pause and thank this Musicians 🙌🙏......The Hobbit music just brings tears to my eyes👍

The bar will never be set higher… untouchable to this day and far beyond.

Probably the best original soundtrack of all time. Incredible, monumental work.

Amazing books and amazing movies with amazing music. Mr. Shore earned every award he got, and he got a lot.

I honestly think the adding a boy's choir was such an amazing move!!

I strongly believe that Howard Shore's Middle Earth themes are only movie soundtrack that makes me feel, that I am in the World...No Other Soundtrack does the same for me!!!

Music is such a powerful tool to help in movies

Maybe Tolkien wouldn't have loved the movies, but he sure would have loved the musics composed by Shore, they are so rich 1nd complex and beautiful 😍

The Masterpiece of film scoring

56:35 this modulation from major to minor is absolutely brilliant

It does not matter the genre, era or musical style of the soundtrack; This is without a doubt THE BEST SOUNDTRACK composed for a film's saga. At the level's magnitude of Tolkie's work in places, lenguages, races, beings, towns, circunstances etc; a scale without precedents before and after.

I think gandalfs farewell is the saddest song I've ever heard

Into the west always made me cry, after all these years i finally understood it. Thank you.

I hope Amazon hires Howard Shore to compose and orchestrate the score for the Middle Earth tv show. Well shit they got him but the show is a complete disgrace to Tolkien's work.

Although it wasn't explicitly covered in the documentary, it's interesting to note that it's a heroic version of the Grey Havens theme that plays when Sam carries Frodo on his back up the mountain. I wonder the thought process there, to use that theme instead of any other, like the Fellowship or Shire theme.

The best story, the best movies, the best movie music of all time.

I'm literally crying.Music ha s been such an integral part in the LoTR MOVIES

Just rewatched this video. So glad it exists! I can't wait to watch the movie with my kids!

A little late to this , considering it was made 3 years ago, but never too late to thank you for making this documentary! I had just found out about Doug Adams' book and was worried that I'd not be able to fully appreciate it as I don't have a strong musical background. This documentary really helped me properly appreciate the genius that is Howard Shore

There TWO things in this EPIC movie - musical part and visual part and both are complete each other perfectly, which why this movie unforgettable, gorgeous and always will be in my top best! Personally, LOR is completely correspond to Tolkien's Masterpiece!!!

By far the best theme for me is the Balrog theme, best piece ever. I often let it go loud in my car, and it just gives you huge energy boost. Thank you Howard Shore.

40:45 I've heard this performed live. Tears flowed.

Wonderful documentation. The "Lighting of the Beacons" is one of the few musical pieces that I can't listen to without getting goosebumps.

20:25 the opening of the two towers is the best opening of any film sequel.

The sound track is a master piece.

This needs to be added to the Special Features on the 20th Anniversary box set!!!! Amazing quality - another way to showcase how much passion and skill is behind this film

Every creature gets a theme, and I love it. That attention to detail is what elevates the soundtrack. Shadowfax has a gorgeous theme.

best movie saga ever

I wish to humbly request a similar breakdown of the soundtrack to How to Train Your Dragon. This documentary was fantastic, reverent, informative, nostalgic, and powerful.

The Gray Haven's theme is played twice before the final scene, the first time is in Minas Tirith during the Siege when the army of Mordor has forced the Defenders of Minas Tirith to the upper levels and Pippin and Gandalf pepare themselves for what it seems like the final stand before all is over and Pippin says: "I didn't thought it would end this way". Gandalf says the journey doesn't end with death and describes what the land of Aman the Undying Lands, where Valinor is located, described as "The rain curtains of this world parts and everything turns to silver glass. Then you'll see it, white shores and beyond a far green country under a swift sunrise." Second time it plays when Frodo is completely exhausted by the burden of the Ring and begin forget the memories of the Shire and Sam with the words "Then let's get rid of it once and for all, I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you" lifts up his master and carries him up the slope of Mount Doom.

What a thorough treat to watch this. Thank you Ashton. It's easy to overlook the depth and nuance to this work, and how it so intricately melds with the storyline, but you really brought Howard Shore's work to life with this, and I'm grateful to you for doing so.

I saw Howard perform LOTR with the Cleveland Orchestra way back when.

Wow this looks really interesting, can't wait to watch

Simply, the finest score of my lifetime! The invisible and omnipresent character in the greatest films ever made.

Howard Shore doesn’t get enough credit as one of the great film composers. Excellent work on this video,thank you

Ashton Gleckman, that's just a short massage to say one more time 'thank you' for such a detailed review of one of the most outstanding soundtrack in the music history.

The Last March of the Ents - I think is my favourite piece. Love the slow pace and slow build up mirroring Treebeard’s slow wrath building up and boiling over.

I can only say that this gentleman really understood both the book and the meaning within it. In my life i have never heard music that so truly brings out the meaning of the story itself. I can only say that this film will rdmain one of the greatest films ever made, every detail has been taken care of even down to the languages. The two men who bought this to the screen will never be forgotten, even the very start of the music perfectly with the start of the story. For both, i can only say that they have given the world a master peace in both music and story that will last forever. My only wish was that the first part had been the first film i.e.. that the Hobbit had been made first, truly making it a complete story as per the books, but i dare say that it will be being read by young and old for many many years to come, truly wonderful.

It's clear that a lot of time and effort went into this. This was fantastic Ashton, I think you produce exceptional content.

This...is a masterpiece. I have been looking for something like this for years. But to have all these themes listed out, defined, AND analyzed in such detail? Subscribed.

I'm a little sad that the other times we hear parts of the Grey Havens theme weren't mentioned. There are only two I can think of (in Minas Tirith when Gandalf and Pippin are talking about a "fair green country", and when Sam carries Frodo on Mt. Doom) but I love those little snippets and why they're there. I understand why they weren't included, though: you cant have everything, or else this would run way too long lol

this soundtrack made high school and college possible

Wait... a documentary.... on the greatest film soundtrack in history!? How have I never heard of this till now??

This was really cool though! The Easter egg with the fellowship theme having 9 moving notes to represent the nine companions flipped my lid

As a full documentary now, love it! Thanks Ashton :)

Best soundtrack to ever exist, fact

Beautiful documentary. My favourite theme is that beautiful quiet choir theme right when Gollum finally gets the ring into his possession at the end, before being attacked by a ringhungry Frodo. It's so entrancing.

This music has always been so emotional for me to listen to. Beautiful beyond words ❤️

Drinking game idea: Take a shot everytime he says "Lothorein"

Very interesting to go this deep into Shore´s systematic approach.

As much as I love Peter Jackson I don’t think this trilogy should be referred to as ‘Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings.’ It’s the result of many geniuses and experts in their own fields coming together to create a masterpiece. It shows you what can happen when talented people come together, all pulling in the same direction for the same goal. God … I love LOTR so much

The nastily theme is so epic. It’s definitely my favorite.

Not only is this the greatest music in movie history, but this is honestly the best documentary on it I’ve ever seen. Well done!

I recommend going and seeing it with a live orchestra. So intense

I`m asking for Doug Adam`s book for Christmas... ah, I love Lord of the Rings. Reminds me of family and decorating the tree.

Masterpiece. The history of music and movie will never forget these amazing soundtracks. The sound of adventure, hope, failure, despair, fear, growth, mystery, love and friendship all together. Love it forever

This documentary is a masterpiece as well. Thanks for this great work.

Incredibly well done Love the footage used, how you went into the themes and the feelings they convey Very well done I went out and bought the 3 set 14 cd complete scores after watching this Thank you

This helped me to better understand the themes and characters of both the movies and the books of the series. Thank you so much for this analysis.

Still gets all my emotions running whenever I hear Howard Shore's masterpiece 20 years later. The years, intensity, admiration, emotion, suspense, awe, and so much more is felt in I think is THE GREATEST trilogy soundtrack in film history. Thank you, Sir Peter Jackson and Howard Shore for bringing the magic of HER Tolkien to life. Timeless magic indeed.

I admire this human!

this score is a masterpiece. thank you for this documentary! i adore getting an overview over the various themes, as there are so many!