Return of the King

I went to see “Return of the King” this weekend, feeling a strange kind of almost numbness about the affair. I have been looking forward to this movie for a long time, but there’s nothing like mega-hype to cause me to be cautious. And, indeed, the actual movie left me feeling oddly untouched – totally unlike my reaction to “Fellowship,” which left me uplifted, astounded, moved, and almost dizzy. With RotK, it’s creeping up on me gradually.

What struck me the most powerfully, and what continues to move me, is the power of the love and friendship between the characters. Time and again these people find themselves in impossible situations, facing insane odds, and yet they march forward – or hurl themselves forward – to what should be certain doom. Not because Sauron must be defeated (although that’s certainly part of it) – but to defend, or to champion, or to accompany someone they love.

During the climax of the 1998 movie version of “The Man in the Iron Mask,” the musketeers, knowing they are outnumbered, with no means of escape, charge straight into the guns of their enemies. The young captain facing them watches with undisguised admiration and whispers, “Magnificent valor!” That line kept echoing in my memory as I watched RotK.

( My favorite moment (mild spoiler) )

I have loved Aragorn from the first, but as far as I’m concerned, “The Return of the King” belongs to Sam (and to Sean Astin). He proves that he truly is “Samwise the Brave,” the most unlikely of heroes, but one whose courage and determination are second to none. His great heart and unwavering loyalty are the core of the movie.

I’m going to go back and see it again on Christmas Day.

LOTR Meme

Thanks to thomryng


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