LOTR-FOTR - NOW DISCUSSING Chapter 28: Gilraen's Memorial*

The births are pretty disturbing. A little nod to Jackson's background in horror, I think.

 

I love everything about this scene. The Isengard theme is awesome (love playing what I can by ear on the piano), and the first shot sells the whole scene. More Gandalf is cool, and Lurtz is a badass villain. I like how Saruman holds backs the orcs from saving the other orc dude from Lurtz so that the first thing he does in life is to kill. Not that I felt sorry for the orc, though.

 

best thing about this chapter is the birth of The Moth Theme


although, sadly, it got a lame official title in the meantime... something with Nature... meh

 

The moth cue is subtly beautiful and works in the latter scene in ROTK.

 

Is the Moth Theme the same music that is playing during the marching of the Ents and the ride of the Rohirrim?

 

It plays when the Ents storm Isengard, and again when the eagles arrive.

 

And the Charge of the Rohirrim (actually, before the actual charge) and when they leave Edoras

 

It's practically blaring during the non-moth scenes. But it still has that feel of Rohan since the once beauty of Fangorn and Isengard are both in the Kingdom of Rohan

 

Thank you for all your participation in CBC (Chapter by Chapter). LOTR-FOTR Chapter 21: Flight to the Ford DISCUSSION will be made available 2:45 PM EST. Although the discussion timeframe has passed, you may still discuss this chapter at your convienience. However, we will be moving on to the next chapter.

-Moleman1138

 

Due to the success of the PT and CT CBC discussions, I would like to discuss LOTR: FOTR (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ? Extended Edition) chapter by chapter on the DVD. There are 46 chapters to discuss over the next eight months, excluding Chapter 47: Credits and Chapter 48: Official Fan Club Credits*

Each discussion will last 5 days. At the end of 5 days, the following chapter will be posted.

Chapter 21: Flight to the Ford**
DISCUSSION: August 4, 2006 ? August 8, 2006
DVD TIME INDEX: 77:39 ? 84:04

Synopsis:
Frodo is lying in the grass. Sam says that Mr. Bilbo?s trolls are overhead. Strider says that Frodo is passing into shadow and needs attention. He wants Sam to find the Athelas plant. Sam doesn?t understand. Strider calls it by its other name, Kingsfoil. Sam knows that and goes looking for the weed. Aragorn goes out and tries to cut a plant. A blade is put up against his neck. It is Arwen. Frodo sees her in a distance. Light shines around her. The hobbits wonder who she is, then realize that she?s an elf. Strider says for Arwen to watch the hobbits as he goes to Rivendell. Arwen says that she is the fastest rider. She takes Frodo on horseback and they ride into the plains. The next morning, Arwen confronts some Nazgul, trying to avoid them at every turn. They come to ford. For a second, the Nazgul are hesitant to cross, but they do. Arwen calls upon the spirit of the elves, who flood the ford. Frodo is fading. Arwen is ready to sacrifice what grace has been bestowed on her for Frodo?s sake. END OF CHAPTER

Opinion:
In the books this is the end of Book One. It is ultimately a cliffhanger because Frodo is passing into shadow. This is the first of many times where Frodo is near death. Of course he cheats it for the story to go on, but still it is still a powerful scene that complements those similar to this down the road.

The Extended Edition addition here is the acknowledgement of Mr. Bilbo?s trolls from The Hobbit. It?s great to have that in there because fans of that book will really keen to it. Honestly I thought the trolls were closer to Bree or the Old Forest, but this is good. I like the recurring theme that nature is a transcendental sub-savior. The Kingsfoil is supposed to help Frodo and this is later brought back in the Houses of Healing, though never mentioned.

The introduction of Arwen is pretty much her best moments in the entire trilogy. After this I can?t stand her character since she?s replaced by Eowyn who is way better than she is. This is where Arwen really kicks butt, but in the actual book, the character to does all of her deeds in Flight to the Ford is Glorfindel. I can understand from Jackson?s POV that Arwen needed a larger role and it works only here.

The actual flight is pretty cool. I love when the tree scratches her and when they get to the ford, it?s just great cinema here. Liv pulls off the ?If you want him come and claim him really well? and the Nazgul charge is chilling. Love the CG water horses and flooding of the ford. Great chapter.

 

For those who are just joining us or would like to review past discussions:

Chapter 1: Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All?**
Chapter 2: Concerning Hobbits*
Chapter 3: The Shire**
Chapter 4: Very Old Friends**
Chapter 5: A Long-expected Party**
Chapter 6: Farewell, Dear Bilbo
Chapter 7: Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe
Chapter 8: The Account of Isildur
Chapter 9: At the Green Dragon*
Chapter 10: The Shadow of the Past
Chapter 11: The Passing of the Elves*
Chapter 12: Saruman the White
Chapter 13: A Short Cut to Mushrooms
Chapter 14: Buckleberry Ferry
Chapter 15: At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
Chapter 16: The Nazgul**
Chapter 17: The Midgewater Marshes*
Chapter 18: The Spoiling of Isengard
Chapter 19: A Knife in the Dark
Chapter 20: The Caverns of Isengard
Chapter 21: Flight to the Ford**

Don't forget we are still discussing ROTS and HP-TSS in the PT forum and SFF Film and Television forum

 

I agree that it's a great introduction for Arwen, even though poor Glorfindel was axed because of it - but then again, why have an otherwise unimportant character save the hero?
The flight is wonderful (esp. since at this point there haven't been dozens of helicopter shots yet ) and a good amount of tension before the quieter Rivendell sequence.

And again, one of my favorite pieces of LotR music.


On a side note, I really like Arwen's sword.

 

I believe it would have been OK to introduce Glorfindel in this scene. As far as the movie goes I mean why would Elrond send his daughter out into the wilderness to bring back Frodo. With Elrond's gift of foresight he knew that the Nazgul were out there. Why not send one of his bodyguards so to speak to bring back the Hobbits. In the scenes to come they could just have had Glorfindel follow Elrond around, showing that he was a soldier of some kind.

Even though I like the introduction of Arwen in that scene, it would have been OK if it was someone else.

On a side note. Was the Witch-King present up on the watch tower the scene before? I don't remember the book saying he was. Its been a while since I read the book.

Jag29

 

In the third movie, Gandalf says he was the one who stabbed Frodo at Weathertop. Not entirely sure if it was in the book, but since all 9 were looking for the Ring, why not have him be there?

 

Glorfindel would've been a one-trick pony if used here. Anyways I think Elrond with his foresight knew Arwen's capabilities and it shouldn't been a problem since the power of the elves at the ford would've protected her and Frodo.

 

Lovely head-nod to the Trolls.

Arwen is great here. I think this was a wise move of Jackson to replace Glorfindel with Arwen. In the books, where dozens of characters rotate in and out, never (or briefly) to be seen again, it's alright for Glorfindel to step in here. But a movie is more limited. Same goes for Arwen in general: in the books, she can afford to be kept to the sidelines and be a meaningful and important character - but for the films, which don't have the time and ability for all the subtleties of a novel, we need to see her more active.

The scene itself was also well done IMHO. I love how Arwen and Strider are right down to business planning, while the Hobbits are left in the dark - it really shows how well they know each other from the start. Also like Arwen's "I do not fear them" - there's something ethereal and haunting in it.

And I lurve the camera shots and music of the flight itself. There's something about the aerial shot of the riders behind Arwen that I love.

 

This scene was ruined by Jackson's move to incorporate Arwen as a "warrior princess" type of figure. I'm fine with Arwen replacing Glorfindel, that was actually a great move. I think it was a horrible decision to have her escort Frodo to the Ford, however. This is probably my number one annoyance with FOTR, if there are any others. In the books, Frodo's (not Arwen's) flight to the Ford was a scene of character development on the part of Frodo. It showed a bit of his continual progression from a hobbit of the Shire to a hero of Middle-Earth. In the film, this is basically reduced entirely. I mean, from a film's standpoint ONLY, the scene works really well, but just knowing the books makes me not a big fan of this scene. IMO of course. FOTR is my favorite piece of the trilogy in both book and film forms, but if one scene wasn't given justice from the book, the Flight to the Ford is it. The music and camera choreography is lovely, though. I guess I like everything about the scene except Arwen's involvement.

 

good chapter. i like the nazgul chasing Arwen and when they get washed away. good CGI effects

 

Reason I was asking because since no man can kill the Witch-King, why would he take off and not fight Aragorn on Weathertop? Sauron wanted the ring and I don't understand the reasoning of the Nazgul leaving in such a hurry because of one man.


Jag29

 

The addition of "Bilbo's trolls" was a wonderful thing for me. I love all tie-ins to Hobbit & Silmarillion (Legolas' reference in a later chapter to "a Balrog of Morgoth", for example).

The chase was fantastic, a very dramatic moment, and the payoff with the horse-headed rush of water was very well done. An excellent chapter.

 

Like most, I loved the nod to Bilbo's trolls in the EE.

One bit I don't like is when they get across the ford and Arwen gets down off the horse and starts crying over Frodo for a few minutes and then gets back on the horse to take him to Rivendell. I mean, just, let's go, okay?

 

she had to pass her grace onto him or whatever she's saying I'm sure it was highly important tending and it was actually Glorfindel who brought Frodo from there to The House of Elrond, leaving an exhausted Arwen behind

 

Thank you for all your participation in CBC (Chapter by Chapter). LOTR-FOTR Chapter 22: Rivendell DISCUSSION will be made available 9:00 PM EST. Although the discussion timeframe has passed, you may still discuss this chapter at your convienience. However, we will be moving on to the next chapter.

-Moleman1138

 

Due to the success of the PT and CT CBC discussions, I would like to discuss LOTR: FOTR (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ? Extended Edition) chapter by chapter on the DVD. There are 46 chapters to discuss over the next eight months, excluding Chapter 47: Credits and Chapter 48: Official Fan Club Credits*

Each discussion will last 5 days. At the end of 5 days, the following chapter will be posted.

Chapter 22: Rivendell
DISCUSSION: August 14, 2006 ? August 18, 2006
DVD TIME INDEX: 84:05 ? 86:04

Synopsis:
Frodo groggily wakes up hearing the voice of Gandalf. He is glad to see him but wonder why he never fulfilled his promise to meet them at Bree. Gandalf says that he was delayed by Saruman's betrayal. Flashback to Orthanc Tower where Saruman is putting Gandalf through several tests of near death experiences. Gandalf seeing Gwahir the Windlord decides to tell Saruman that Sauron will not share power. He is the Lord of the Rings. Gandalf jumps on the eagle and flies over the Misty Mountains. Frodo looks at Gandalf concerned. END OF CHAPTER

Opinion:
Even though this chapter is called Rivendell, we don?t see an exterior shot of this city of the elves. However it is a beautiful chapter that definitely sets up a twenty minute period of catch up in terms of holding back on the action.

The opening definitely parallels the shot of Frodo in the Houses of Healing at the end of Return of the King, just in a reverse angle. Here it is so serene and heavenly that it almost seems that Frodo has died, but you know from the last chapter and healing scene that it is not. This establishes so much in so little time.

We also bring the audience back to the Gandalf and Saruman confrontation because the last time we saw Gandalf, he was at the mercy of his ex-friend and wizard Saruman the White. This totally wraps this up well for now. I like that Gandalf says Lord of the Ring, just like in every other film they say the film?s title.

Saruman also says that Gandalf has chosen death and it is a foreshadowing of what is to happen in Moria. The shots with Gwahir and over the Misty Mountains are great additions as well as the music. Great chapter.

 

For those who are just joining us or would like to review past discussions:

Chapter 1: Prologue: One Ring to Rule Them All?**
Chapter 2: Concerning Hobbits*
Chapter 3: The Shire**
Chapter 4: Very Old Friends**
Chapter 5: A Long-expected Party**
Chapter 6: Farewell, Dear Bilbo
Chapter 7: Keep It Secret, Keep It Safe
Chapter 8: The Account of Isildur
Chapter 9: At the Green Dragon*
Chapter 10: The Shadow of the Past
Chapter 11: The Passing of the Elves*
Chapter 12: Saruman the White
Chapter 13: A Short Cut to Mushrooms
Chapter 14: Buckleberry Ferry
Chapter 15: At the Sign of the Prancing Pony
Chapter 16: The Nazgul**
Chapter 17: The Midgewater Marshes*
Chapter 18: The Spoiling of Isengard
Chapter 19: A Knife in the Dark
Chapter 20: The Caverns of Isengard
Chapter 21: Flight to the Ford**
Chapter 22: Rivendell

Don't forget we are still discussing ROTS and HP-TSS in the PT forum and SFF Film and Television forum