The War of the Last Alliance: Season 5 - Part 2 - The Finale | On Adapting a Second Age TV Show

The ultimate showdown. The finale. The end of all things.

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Many thanks to my friend Jack who added the music & sound effects.

Art Credits:

0:00 - The Battle of Dagorlad
14:21 - Durin's Last Stand
20:36 - Galadriel's role in the War
25:49 - From Sauron's Perspective
28:03 - Galadriel VS Sauron
32:21 - The Siege of Barad-dûr
40:36 - The ultimate showdown
50:10 - The final episode
57:30 - After the War
1:05:02 - Thranduil & the Wood-elves
1:07:31 - Galadriel's character arc
1:11:26 - The rise of Gondor
1:19:21 - Isildur's Bane
1:26:02 - The Gladden Fields
1:37:44 - Three great themes!
1:50:05 - The final scene
1:55:12 - Epilogue
1:59:26 - Creative end credits

[danit.]

The bitter taste of RoP got washed away. I absolutely loved your dedication to what would have been in Tolkiens best interest, yet what would have also made a conclusive and breathtaking storyline. Well done. Thank you for your hard work, Dave.

[evelynrosewindsor]

When Gandalf took his leave from Círdan and began his journey East, I heard the Shire theme playing in my head and I broke down crying. Rainbow Dave, this whole series has been absolutely spectacular in every way. I only wished to see it on the telly before I die.

[joakim_g]

I seriously would've LOVED to see Ian McKellen doing a brief cameo as Gandalf in that short ending scene with Cirdan! Just Cirdan speaking and welcoming Gandalf, and handing him Narya. Then Gandalf looks at Cirdan with his friendly wise eyes, a little smile and a nod before moving along.

[SashaBaych]

I think it says a lot about storyteller's talent when just a VO over a slideshow can touch you to tears. Thank you.

[eulhmodel]

Out of everything Tolkien related that I've experienced this has to top the list .Truly an incredible series

[johns]

Sauron killing Gil-Galad with the heat of his hand alone is one of the most awesome and heartbreaking parts of this whole age. Imagine how hard those two must have had to fight to take him down, and Sauron was unarmed the entire time! This showdown is second only to Fingolfin and Morgoth.

[mottwoman]

I really love how this highlights the real Isildur. So much of him is lost in the PJ adaptation. Things have to move quickly in movies, I get that. Folks who have only seen the movies will never see this of him. And I don’t think RoP will give this wonderful side of his story. This was so sad, and so lovely. Incredibly brave people in these stories.

[Alberto-wumj]

Your zeal and love for these stories is evident not only in the details you pay attention to, but even the tone of your voice. It makes the story even better.

[kenparsons]

That was wonderful, Dave… epic in fact. One thing it shows is that Tolkien’s work is so vast, deep and nuanced that you can make a 12 hour video presentation of the Second Age, the age he wrote by far the least about, and still there is so much more material to work with… in the Second Age alone! The Third Age is well covered, but the First Age and all that is preceding it is a huge world itself. Great job with this!

[MrARock]

Thank you for the staggeringly well put together adaptation! It's been a wild ride!

[haleyschreiter]

My heart is warmed by your wholesome, holistic understanding of Tolkien's themes, characters, and world. Thank you for all the time, thought, and care that has obviously gone into this series! I wish you were the one with hundreds of millions of dollars to adapt the legendary Second Age 😃

[faruqbranham]

This series has been the best Christmas present ever. Thank you so much.

[spacecat_scribbles]

I'm seriously obsessed with this series. You've created such a beautiful cinematic experience here across these five videos that I almost feel like I *am* watching a true Second Age TV show. You've made me cry, cheer, and almost jump up and down and for that, sir, I salute you.

also, I'm sorry but "sinister as balls" as a description of the One Ring is hilarious and so accurate and I burst out laughing

[solotraveler]

This is utterly brilliant. If I had the money, I'd bankroll a project that turned your videos into a proper Tolkien-based show.

[nachocolorado]

We may never get a TV series as absolutely incredible as this one, but just being able to listen to it has felt like a gift from Ilúvatar himself.
I'm extremely excited for the future of middle earth adaptations in 25 years, once it becomes public domain.

Thank you for crafting such an emotional story, and taking us in this journey❤️

[JAB]

The way you described Isildur's death... It really felt more impactful than what Peter Jackson has done by just making him a throwaway character that dies

[adamcook]

I have no idea how this series passed me by a year ago but I'd like to say thankyou for this I thoroughly enjoyed it. From one Tolkien head to another, the professor would be proud of this :)

[AlejandroBetancourtweb]

What a journey! What a great universe to portray. Only a true steward of Tolkien's mythology could have come up with this impressive work of art and respect. Thank you so much RD for this awesome theatrical insight into middle earth. You sir, have shown the very highest qualities.
Stay groovy!

[olafgurke]

This was such an amazing tale from start to finish. Your love, care, knowledge and understanding of the lore and work of Tolkien was palpable in every instance of this series. In a perfect world, you would have been the showrunner with Peter Jackson as the director.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication, and sharing your passion with us.

[Sock-Monster-Simian]

This was a phenomenal series, and I have recommended it to so many people.
I really love the imagery of these two amazing figures giving up their lives to incapacitate Sauron enough for the ring to be rent from his hand. Beautiful as always.