The Lord of the Rings - The Two Towers

2002

Director: Peter Jackson

Distributor: New Line Cinema

Key Elements: Story – Characters – Lines – Message – Symbolism – Visuals – Music

My Review:

A continuation of the Trilogy, this movie seems to be a favorite for most.

In it, we are introduced to Gollum, horribly transformed by the ring – a reminder to us all of how sin destroys.

My favorite scene with Gollum is when he argues with himself, trying to banish his darker impulses. Though comedic, it’s hauntingly true to the sort of inner tension we all deal with as we try to rid our lives of sin.

We are also introduced to the Ents. Their fight against the abuse and waste of the forrest makes a statement about the need for good stewardship of our environment.

And I love the symbolism of Gandolf’s part in this movie. First, he returns from death as Gandalf the White – an obvious symbol of Jesus’ resurrection. He then leads the armies of Rohan into victory against the orcs by riding in on a white horse with imagery that could have been taken right out of Revelation.

But the best part may be Samwise's inspiring speech at the end.

Again, gorgeous visuals.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• Nothing dampens your spirits, does it, Sam?
• You were not so very different from a Hobbit once, were you? …Smeagol.
• Leave now and never come back!
• Gandalf? Yes... that was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Gray. That was my name… I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now - at the turn of the tide.
• Be silent. Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I did not pass through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm.
• Your fingers would remember their old strength better... if they grasped your sword.
• Look to my coming on the first light of the fifth day, at dawn look to the east.
• …there may come a time for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to…?
• Then I shall die as one of them!
• Show them no mercy... for you shall receive none!
• Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them.
  - For death and glory.
  For Rohan. For your people.
  - The Horn of Helm Hammerhand will sound in the deep, one last time! …Fell deeds awake... Now for Wrath... Now for Ruin... and the Red Dawn... Forth, Eorlingas!
• The fate of the world will now be decided.
• I think we might have made a mistake leaving the Shire, Pippin.
• I know. It's all wrong. By rights we shouldn't even be here. But we are. It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it's only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn't. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something… That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo... and it's worth fighting for.
  I think at last we understand one another, Frodo Baggins.
• I wonder if we'll ever be put into songs or tales. …I wonder if people will ever say, 'Let's hear about Frodo and the Ring.' And they'll say 'Yes, that's one of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn't he, Dad?' 'Yes, my boy, the most famousest of hobbits. And that's saying a lot.'
  - You've left out one of the chief characters - Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam.
  …Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam. Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn't make fun; I was being serious.
  - So was I.
  …Samwise the Brave...

Stills: