Lord of the Rings: Why It Remains Undefeated

where I discuss why Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings Trilogy is still undefeated 20+ years after its release! the extended editions specifically, of course.

The Lord of the Rings, starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Sean Bean, Liv Tyler, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Andy Serkis, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Bernard Hill (the GOAT), Miranda Otto, Karl Urban, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, John Noble.

Thank you for watching. Peace and love!

boil 'em, mash 'em, use 'em to play doom!

[thecozykinoshow]

CLARIFICATION: when I accuse capitalism of being a big reason behind the failure of modern Star Wars, I am of course not implying that other studios and franchises do not also care greatly about revenue, nor am I trying to make some political statement. however, you have to admit there is a HUGE difference between the strategies employed by modern Disney, with their endless conveyor belt of rushed, low-quality CONTENT and who are not even TRYING to hide their greed these days... and the people behind the original LOTR trilogy who, yes, cared about money, but who also clearly wanted to make something good. but apologies, I don't really convey this well in the video lmaoo.

[robertmarginean]

Howard Shore's score is so damn good that I literally can't read the books now without hearing it in my head for certain paragraphs

[Mini_Hayley]

I love that 20+ years later whenever I’m trying to think of who my favorite villain, favorite protagonist, or what my favorite scene is, in a movie, I have to first think: other than the lord of the rings.

[vandalayindustries]

Howard Shore's musical score is a main character of the films, and has since become inextricably linked with Tolkien's world in my mind.

[nicholasczech]

20 years later and The Lord of the Rings still remains absolute. The 2000’s were best times for skilled movie creation. From Pirates of the Caribbean to Harry Potter. Even Gladiator to Troy. Though nothing will beat Peter Jacksons sheer dedication to his craft and commitment in telling JRR Tolkiens tales.

[ocie]

I'm both glad and amazed that they greenlighted and filmed all three together.

[t.b.cont.]

I think what most people gloss over is that Peter Jackson as a director had focused pretty much entirely on horror films and/or character driven stories up until he ended up directing lotr, and it really shows especially in fellowship. You see all his strengths in the first film especially, Peter Jackson turned a fantastical adventure into a very grounded thriller with most of the focus being on the powerlessness and lack of agency in the individual, perfectly capturing the theme of the trilogy and the one ring itself and what it represents. There’s a real triumph felt seeing these characters, pulled by forces beyond their control, come together to overcome what feels like a predetermined doom.

[jaysinjaymesbrown]

I agree with all of this except one this generations Lord of the Rings isn't Dune.... it's still The Lord of the Rings.

[Freefall]

Practical effects!! The orcs were stunt men in prosthetics, Viggo is on record as saying they scared him when filming, because they looked like they wanted to kill him. You don't get the genuine reactions when orcs are in green body suits to be CGI'd in later.


And things like the orcs banging spears before the fight of helms deep came about because the stunt men were bored between takes, so they were singing and dancing. One of them started banging their spear to the rhythm which producers saw and turned into the orcs banging them when they show up.

Everything being CGI and green screens loses that organic realistic feeling

[VikingerOnYT]

LotR is perfection itself. Perfection is ever-lasting.

[HalfEatenMedia]

If you’re ever sad, think of this. Humans have existed for of 300, 000 years. Just be thankful you were here to experience these movies. That is an encouraging thought.

[zpe]

it was more than just the crew, the whole of NZ got behind it in anyway we could.

[celebrianceleborniel]

I saw Extended LOTR in the cinema last weekend as well. Twenty years after the first time I watched those movies, over 12h in the cinema and hell, I wasn't bored for a single moment. It doesn't matter I know most of the lines by heart. Those movies sure kept the ring, they have not aged despite the tech progress we've had since then.
Also I noticed one more thing - 20 years of exposure to memes and jokes concerning those movies or using scenes from them does not affect me when I watch LoTR. Yes, I may smile here and there when I remember a meme, but that's all. All of that doesn't ruin the experience of watching.
Not to mention that the screenings were fully booked <3

[arkturuskalem]

I remember seeing an interview where Bernard Hill said that the armour he wore even had the proper pattern engraved on the leather INSIDE IT, saying "I know no one will ever see that but it makes me feel like a king when I put it on, but yeah" he trails off.
I think that's what made Lord of the Rings so great, was the goddamned stars aligned for them, the perfect time, perfect place, perfect people, who all shared a vision and brought a hundred and ten percent to their work, but weren't blinded by their goals.

[sektrif]

The Witcher series is a testament on "I am more important than the source material" from a director. Jackson, like you said, didn't want to crowbar his own politics and views into Lotr and just his love for the world Tolkien made.
While the director and most of the crew (Cavill excluded) didn't even like the books or its author.

[TheLeftCulprit]

They really are just THAT good. Chokes you up thinking about the care that went into them not knowing whether or not they would turn out good or people would even like them. But here we are, over 20 years later reminding ourselves. These movies are some of the best cinema ever created, they will always be remembered.

[NeilPoulter]

"Lighting in a bottle" — exactly.

[tinkler]

I remember when The Return of The King was released and watched whole trilogy in the theatre with my family and friends. It finished at 6 in the morning. Ahhh one of my fond memories being excited about Lord of The Rings and sharing that time with the ones I love.

[tiamzy]

I love how you spent more time discussing Howard Shore’s contribution to these films! I think the music makes up 50% of the entire LOTR experience. Though I can’t watch the movies as much as I want, the music is something I can bring with me all the time. Just listening to the complete score makes you re-live the experience, the emotions and all. It’s really just a bonus that the music and the visuals are inseparable. I can’t watch an LOTR footage with someone else’s music and vice versa. Truly a lightning a bottle!

[bearwolfable]

I feel like many things you watch as a kid don't hold up when you rewatch them as an adult. They are often nowhere near as good as you remembered or, at best, just as good. However, with LOTR, the older I get, the better it gets. The more I understand and can relate to the characters, the themes, and the love and effort put into every frame. Then you look at what's being produced today and realize that it could only have been made exactly when it was and I'm so grateful for that.