A Reel 10: THE LORD OF THE RINGS - THE RETURN OF THE KING

“Hope is kindled.”

 

Today marks the 10^th anniversary of Peter Jackson’s THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RETURN OF THE KING.

THE RETURN OF THE KING was Peter Jackson’s grand finale to his three-film adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s famed series of books of the same name. The three films were released every December beginning in 2001, with KING being the most successful; at the time it was only the second film to gross $1 billion worldwide, and it won all eleven of the Oscars it was nominated for…and is still the only film in history to do so. The Oscar sweep was capped off with a Best Picture win, which was preceded by the Greatest Moment in Movie Geek History: Steven Spielberg announcing to the world, “it’s a clean sweep!”.

What made the film such a critical and box office success? THE RETURN OF THE KING was an epic fantasy film which was packed tight with wizards, warriors, swordplay, creepy creatures and massive battle scenes. Such a fantasy world always has appeal, but what made it work was the tremendous amount of heart Peter Jackson and his writing team managed to weave into the hugeness of the story. Of all the varying storylines KING had, the one common thread was the bond of fellowship; no matter how far apart the characters were, they still managed to be true to each other and were there for one another by way of their own deeds.

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From 2001 to 2003, this Blogger and his own Fellowship of companions got together every December to see a new LORD OF THE RINGS film. It was a special and unique time, where nothing on (middle) Earth could keep us from gathering, and it is a feat that we have never matched again. On this day ten years ago, we gathered for the very last time to visit Middle-Earth, and walking out of the theatre was an experience full of tears and joyful triumph. Today, that Fellowship is scattered; divided by time and distance, but in a way, still true to each other and keeping the Fellowship from failing. This Blogger views the three LORD OF THE RINGS films just once a year, always in December, as a way of staying true; almost an annual vigil to remember what brought us together, and what was the greatest cinematic night in this Blogger’s history.

“I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you.”