The films were all filmed together as in one huge film, but were released 1 year apart, giving them the chance to edit and do some pick up shots in between, as needed. Even though it was so difficult that Peter Jackson later said that he would never attempt to do that again, the quality of the films remaining same, if not getting better as they progress, shows how well this worked for the end product of his efforts

A couple things to keep in mind, which are not revealed in the movies, Faramir is looked down upon by his Father because Denethor’s wife died while giving birth to Faramir. Also, Denethor has access to one of the seeing stones and through it Sauron has been presenting to him horrible visions of Denethor and the Kingdom of Gondor being defeated by him.

At 10:35 you say, "There's just something magical watching a large group of horses charging!" You're really going to enjoy ROTK.

Isn't it just the best!!!! The battle for Helmsdeep is so awesome: the ladders coming up and then the explosive moment when Legolas wasn't able the get the Uruk-Hai down. A cool detail, that is not that clear in the movie, is that the Uruk'Hai was in beserker mode, they filled there helmets with blood of the enemy and when they put it back on they become enraged.

The return of the king is actually better. You’ll enjoy it. Its a very memorable ending. You predicted what you expect about the final movie - and in the most important bit your prediction is wrong.

Glad you’re enjoying the films, they’re great, aren’t they?! My favorite part of the battle of Helms deep is at the end, when the trees kill all the remaining orcs. It seems that when Tolkien was a boy, he went to production of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. In it, three witches prophecy that Macbeth will become king and will not be attacked until Birnamwood comes to Dunsinane hill. Since trees cannot move, Macbeth wasn’t worried. In the play, the soldiers who attack tie twigs and branches to their helmets, so it looked like the wood came to the hill where Macbeth‘s castle was. Tolkien was so disappointed in that scene that when he had a chance to write his own battle sequence, he made actual trees come to the fortress, lol. It’s my favorite behind the scenes anecdote! ❤

Next The Lord Of The Ring Extended Edition Of The Return Of The King Extended Edition Next Trilogy The Hobbit Extended Edition Of The Adventures Of Bilbo Baggin: (1) An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition (2) The Desolation Of Smaug Extended Edition (3) The Battle Five Armie Extended Edition