There’s no question that the Lord of the Rings movies are remembered as one of the best fantasy sagas in the history of film, with the passion behind Amazon's new series, The Rings of Power, showing just how lasting that impression of excellence is.
The outstanding creative work that went into every stage of the trilogy's production has helped each part to not only stand up against much more modern films but it's also allowed some scenes to get even better over time.
Gandalf Fights The Balrog In The Fellowship Of The Ring
Gandalf is one of the most powerful beings in Middle-earth, but it's a tough fight for him when the Fellowship encounters the Balrog, Durin's Bane, in the Mines of Moria. Though Gandalf manages to beat the monster and sends it tumbling into the depths of the mountain, the Balrog drags him down with it.
Gandalf's battle cry of "You shall not pass!" and his final words before falling, “Fly, you fools!”, make this one of the trilogy’s most powerful scenes.
Boromir’s Death In The Fellowship Of The Rings
Actor Sean Bean became famous for dying in an unusually high number of the movies that he appeared in, and it has to be said that his battle with the Uruk-hai in an effort to save Merry and Pippin stands out as the absolute best, even after so many years. The fact that Boromir gives his life in order to atone for attempting to take the Ring from Frodo makes it very a very powerful scene.
Even more extraordinary is his farewell to Aragorn, which is an emotionally intimate moment between two male characters that is, even now, still very rare to see in movies of this kind.
The Ents’ March On Isengard In The Two Towers
There are many fantastic creatures that inhabit Middle-Earth, and some of the best are the Ents. Their march on Isengard is a scene that still has the power to move a large audience even though so many other CGI spectacles have graced the big screen since.
It’s still stirring to see these creatures march into battle against a powerful wizard, even though they have no guarantee of victory or survival.
Sam’s Speech In The Two Towers
While a big chunk of The Two Towers' most memorable moments come from the battle at Helm’s Deep, there’s a particular scene with Sam that continues to wow fans and gain resonance as the years go by. The tear-jerking sees Sam explain to Frodo why brave and selfless heroes in stories are so important.
It’s one of the most inspirational moments in the entire trilogy, and one that viewers can always return to when times are difficult. Sam mentions during his rousing speech that people can be too young to fully understand the meaning of great moments of courage like this when they first encounter them. So, as viewers age and see just how right Sam is, the scene only becomes more and more powerful.
Gandalf Explains Death To Pippin In The Return Of The King
The best battle scenes from The Lord of the Rings often get the most attention, but the trilogy also had its fair share of tender moments, such as when Gandalf tells Pippin that death is just another journey, rather than something to be feared.
It’s one of those moments that was profoundly moving at the time, but hasn't dulled over the years one bit. It demonstrates how skilled Ian McKellen was at capturing the fundamental warmth and goodness in Gandalf’s heart.
Gollum’s Internal Debate With Himself In The Two Towers
Andy Serkis’ performance as Gollum is, without a doubt, one of the best motion-capture performances ever seen in a movie, and Gollum is also a fascinating character in his own right.
Given how many advancements have been made in computer effects in such a relatively short period of time, it would be easy for this scene to feel old-fashioned. However, Serkis’ ability to capture the two sides of Gollum's personality helps it to stand the test of time.
Aragorn’s Speech To The Soldiers Before The Battle Of The Black Gate In The Return Of The King
The rousing speech before the final battle has been a staple of the movie epic for a long time, and Aragorn delivers what is debatably the best of all time. He leads the remaining soldiers of Gondor and Rohan to fight against Mordor, even though they all know that they are likely to die in the attempt.
The theme of good vs. evil is one that has an enduring appeal and this scene just gets better over time because so many other movies attempt to copy its energy but always come up short.
Aragorn Bowing To The Hobbits In The Return Of The King
One of the most memorable moments in The Return of the King occurs when Aragorn, the recently crowned King of Gondor, bows to the Hobbits.
It continues to get better with each passing year as the idea that even the smallest people can become heroes and save the world creates a feeling that people need to hold onto more and more tightly as hardship continually finds its way into everyday life.
The Departure From The Grey Havens In The Return Of The King
The ending of the trilogy can be rough for fans of the movies as it has to tie up the loose ends of the epic story and its many characters. It's not just the end of the Fellowship's quest, but rather an entire age of Middle-Earth, with the Elves, Gandalf, Bilbo, and Frodo all departing for the last time. Though the audience doesn't want to see them go, it's clear that this ending is inevitable and, in the end, natural.
It’s a scene that becomes ever more resonant as the years go by, especially since those who watched it in theaters recognize that they, like Bilbo, are growing older.
Sam Coming Home In The Return Of The King
As important as the final goodbye scene is, The Return of the King still has one more tear-jerking moment left to finish the film as Sam returns to his family and closes the door, quite literally, on the story.
As fans go through the movies over and over again, appreciating smaller and smaller details and really living in the trilogy's construction of Middle-Earth, they come to know each character and performance better and better. Sam's final glance into the distance seems more nuanced after time passes and the viewer comes to understand Sam's state of mind more intimately.