2001
Director: Peter Jackson
Distributor: New Line Cinema
Key Elements: Story – Characters – Lines – Message – Symbolism – Visuals – Music
My Review:
It was about time someone turned Tolkien’s books into movies – and, to my relief, they did an excellent job. Middle Earth feels real as we watch the story unfold.
It’s a hard thing to tell a fantasy story that will appeal to broad audiences of both children and adults, men and women. I think this one does the job. It is both dark and beautiful. Terrifying and affirming. Entertaining and meaningful.
The trilogy altogether is full of symbolism for the spiritual journey – reminiscent of Pilgrim’s Progress.
The ring represents sin - how even though it destroys us, we grasp onto it. And like with the ring, our only hope for salvation is for sin to be destroyed.
I also like that evil is acknowledged as an abomination, not a force in its own right. Tolkien writes how the orcs and other dark creatures were really good creatures gone bad.
And the Fellowship is an illustration of how we cannot make our spiritual journeys alone. We need friends who support us and offer their own unique strengths, as well as more experienced mentors like Gandalf.
We also need places of rest like Rivendell and Lothlorien. Places for our souls to be renourished and strengthened.
The gospel is excellently illustrated in Gandalf’s standoff with the Balrog. Ganalf sacrifices himself to ensure his companions go on to live. In the same way, Jesus faced sin and death to ensure we would live.
Of course, few movies are as visually stunning as this one – gorgeous scenery throughout.
Trailer:
Quotes:
- The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.
- It abandoned Gollum. But then something happened that the Ring did not intend. It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable. A hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, of the Shire. For the time will soon come when hobbits will shape the fortunes of all...
- It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.
- "One Ring to Rule Them All. One Ring to Find Them. One Ring to Bring Them All and In The Darkness Bind Them."
- It comes in pints?
- …that is no trinket you carry …I can avoid being seen if I wish, but to disappear entirely, that is a rare gift.
- Into the wild.
- I will take the Ring to Mordor!
- I think there's more to this hobbit than meets the eye.
- If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword...
- ...and you have my bow...
- ...and my axe.
- You carry the fate of us all, little one. - Why do you fear the past? You are Isildur's heir, not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate.
- Pity? It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many.
- All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.
- The Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little, and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true.
- You shall not pass! I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, Flame of Udun! Go back to the shadow. You shall not pass!
- Fly, you fools.
- The hearts of Men are easily corrupted…
- Go back, Sam. I'm going to Mordor alone.
- Of course you are. And I'm coming with you.I made a promise, Mr. Frodo. A promise. "Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee." And I don't mean to. I don't mean to.
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