Title: Lord Of The Rings - The Return Of The King (12)
Year: 2004
Running Time: 192 minutes
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Elijah Wood (Frodo), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), John Rhys-Davis (Gimli), Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), Andy Serkis (Gollum)
Notes: Won numerous awards including some for the series, won eleven Oscars, won five BAFTAs, nominated for six BAFTAs
Rating: 9
Thoughts: The series comes to a climax as the heroes attack the evil forces, and Frodo continues his quest.
As with the other two in the series, the whole thing looks amazing with huge scenes and sweeping sets. The actors continue to deliver and the story has a pace-driven narrative.
It's an adaptation so there were some things that couldn't be avoided, and they let the film down. Firstly, the Oathbreakers who join the battle at Pelennor Fields, overwhelm everything easily. Surely they should have recruited them earlier?
I know it's part of the story but it makes the whole battle a bit pointless. But you have to applaud so much else.
Theoden's whole involvement in that battle. The maniacal actions of Denethor as he tries to cremate his still-living son and then leaps from the heights in flames.
Secondly, some of the Frodo journey is torturous. That's perhaps the point but by the end, I don't really care if Gollum bites off his whole arm, or if Frodo falls into the volcano.
But none of that compares with the sickly sweet closing scene. They could have ended with the triumphant crowning ceremony but no, we have to sit through a lengthy farewell scene that seems to be more for the actors and crew.
It's a disappointingly wet end to the whole thing. A further alternative would be to bring in the ending from the book when the hobbits get home to find the Shire half-destroyed and have to tackle a disguised Saruman.
That all said this is still a tremendous film to close a superb series. It's long, but so is the story, and the great far outweighs any niggles.