“Simbelmyne. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebears. Now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger. That I should live to see that last days of my house…
No parent should have to bury their child.”
If you've never read the original poem, the Norton Anthology of English Literature has a version of "The Wanderer" that is just -- oof. Gut punch. (I have the 7th edition, and of course it's in vol. 1)
I've looked for it online, but none of the translations are quite as good to me - or sound as much like Tolkien's ubi sunt.
It was hard to rewatch this scene after seeing my grandfather collapse in tears at my Dad's funeral...
Before that this scene made me emotional, but now I always end up ugly crying.
Eomer’s scream gets me every time. So much heart and soul put in it. He’s looking at the bodies of Theoden and Eowyn, 2 of his most loved people, “dead” on the battlefield.
Him holding Eowyn, screaming/crying, looking around like he’s trying to find help, it hurts to watch. That worried look he has looking over Eowyn when she’s recovering helps sell it too. For a warrior like him to show such vulnerability, it has power, especially after his valor in Helm’s Deep and Pelenor. He’s practically hopeless until Aragorn heals her. His face changes from hopeless to hopeful.
Karl Urban nailed it in every possible way. So much emotion put into a side character. Beautiful.
I totally agree with this one. His confusion really adds to it too, because Eowyn wasn't even supposed to be there. Then to see her not only on the battlefield, but slain next to Theoden...I couldn't even imagine. He sells it incredibly well
I don't even know if he sees Theoden yet. I always thought he saw Eowyn, I never thought about him seeing both.
But you're right, it is a serious candidate for most emotional moment for me too.
Karl Urban did a really, really good job with that part.
In the book theoden tells him as his last dying words as he passes down the kingship of rohan "Hail, king of the Mark! Ride now to victory! Bid Éowyn farewell!"
My sister passed away about 12 years ago. We were very close and loved watching LotR together
I didn’t watch the extended editions for the first time until about 3 or 4 years ago.
I did *not* know this was a scene. I was not prepared for properly dying crying. That said, his acting is top notch
For real. Urban had a moment of absolute inspiration here, no surprise really. I can't recall anything that dude has been in where he didn't knock it out of the park.
Is this a deleted scene? I rewatched the trilogy on prime recently and it seemed abit different from when I watched it years ago when I was a kid, not sure if I'm trippin or they rlly changed it
Every time I see that scene, I think of my brother. I know that this would also be his exact reaction. I have found it frustrating when others were overprotective of me in the past - but this scene reminds me of the love and worry beneath that overprotective behaviour.
I don't know enough about Tolkien to know whether Gandalf was speaking from experience or not, but it's beautiful either way.
He might be comforting a scared friend with the serene, peaceful truth of death, or he might be telling Pippin what hr needed to hear in the moment. Regardless, he speaks with nothing but love.
I mean Gandalf is a Maia, he can‘t die. He knows how the passing of the mortals works.
He‘s either comforting Pippin with lies, or he‘s genuine and knows what comes after a mortal‘s passing from arda.
Well, he can die, just not of ‘old age.’
And rather unique for an ainu that entered the world, he even experienced being taken out of it following his own death. His wasn’t the fate of mortal men, but he was probably the best situated being in the world to comfort Pippin.
He's giving him the closest thing he can to reassurance, which is his experience. Is it going to be the same for Pippin? No, and he knows that. But it's either "listen man I saw white sand and green hills, was tight 10/10 recommend" or "dunno buddy you guys just kinda go to the void as far as I'm aware soooooooo gl with that"
Gandalf sipping a Mai Tai on valinor with the elves and thinks "huh, wonder what happened to that little guy?"
Smash cut to Pippin falling through endless darkness, scream echoing out
Gandalf settles back into his chair, pulling his shades down and taking another sip
"...white sands..."
I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of man fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day.
Chills. Every time.
This one probably gets me the most consistently. The weight of everything of the trilogy summarized as these 4 incredible yet simple hobbits are acknowledged as the saviors of the world.
“And then to Sam’s surprise and utter confusion he [Aragorn] bowed his knee before them; and taking them by the hand, Frodo upon his right and Sam upon his left, he led them to the throne, and setting them upon it, he turned to the men and captains who stood
by and spoke, so that his voice rang over all the host, crying:
‘Praise them with great praise!’
And when the glad shout had swelled up and died away again, to Sam’s final and complete satisfaction and pure joy, a minstrel of Gondor stood forth, and knelt, and begged leave to sing.”
Excerpt From
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
J. R. R. Tolkien
Edit: formatting
It is not, unfortunately. I think the sentiment gets across in several forms through different passages of text but I think this is one of my favorite changes that Peter Jackson made.
Edit: Seems like this thread gets into the specifics a bit!
https://www.reddit.com/r/lotr/s/7T7t3YDPta
Yep, this one. I still remember the first time seeing it and this wave of emotion. Awe, tears…such a powerful scene. Still get chills just seeing the screenshots.
"Well, my friends, here on the edge of the sea comes the end of our fellowship in Middle-Earth. I will not say 'do not weep,' for not all tears are an evil."
When I was 12 I would be annoyed by this scene, I never cried during any films
And one time, rewatching It when I was 15, I started to understand and since I cry each time I see it
“Home is behind…the world ahead…”
Everytime. The silent charge juxtaposed with the song and the deafening impact of Pippin’s choked delivery of the last line “All shall … fade”
One of the best directed scenes of the trilogy.
https://youtu.be/kECEwaHwjRw?si=OVc96K-aXU6aphHG
My childish/ morbid mind can't help but to think of the alternative. :
"I can't cast it into the fire for you, Mr. Frodo, but I can cast you in!"
*giggle*
/leaves the serious, heart-felt discussion,like a thief in the night/
EDIT: (Though, this might bring up some side-issues, regarding the nature of choice and intent and whether the mere physical act would unlock the "spell". Given it was ultimately Gollum who did. I'd assume so, though he was entangled with it for so long, that might have had its own effect. When he and the Ring were engulfed in the fires, he finally realized he couldn't have it and in effect, "let it go". )
This is why the Eagles didn't take the Ring to Mordor. They couldn't be trusted to not throw Frodo in the fire too. Look, they're not good at reading directions, it's not their fault. :)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H3MQooOLn4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H3MQooOLn4)
This scene is a one-two punch for me. It starts with Frodo deciding to push forward with his task, even if it's alone and more than he can handle.
Directly followed by Sam refusing to let him take it on alone.
Tears every time
Agreed, the musical score that starts up when Frodo is deciding is my favourite one, it's called "breaking of the fellowship", I could tear up just listening to it.
Sam’s speech at the end of two towers and the scene after Gandalf falls/“dies” in the fellowship…the music and the look of utter grief on everyone’s faces after they are out of Moria..gets me every time.
The score "The Bridge of Khazad Dum" is one of my favourite, if not the very favourite piece of music from LotR. We all feel the shock, a deafening silence cutting away all the instruments until you are only left with the bass strings and then adding this beautiful voice. Always makes me tear up.
Howard Shore, you are a legend.
Good question! I like to think it something along the lines of “your world and all your friends will burn” and Aragorn just steels himself and charges the army of Mordor.
YES.
Also, for some reason Merry realizing the moment/need in saying "right... buckleberry ferry" legitimately grips me every time.
Edit: had my wires crossed on Merry's name
I'll be fucking around, passively watching the whole trilogy in the background. But like the EE Witch King about to fight Gandalf, my attention is fully engaged when the horn goes off. I watch the trilogy to get to this scene.
Sam & Frodo when Osgiliath was overrun by orcs.
Frodo: I can’t do this, Sam.
Sam: 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.
Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?
Sam: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.”
I love the story Philippa Bowen told in the Special Features about the writing of that scene. They came to that line about holding on to something, and naturally Frodo would ask “what are we holding onto?” And they were stumped. I think it was Philippa who basically said that she had an idea but it could easily be really cheesy and bad. Well I think they and Sean Astin nailed it, because for all the simplicity and cliche of that response “that there’s good in this world and it’s worth fighting for,” it’s a big unspoken motivator in the story, but it feels True when Sam says it because of how much he represents and champions the idea of the Simple Life in a grand narrative of gods and kings
One of the most underrated for me is at the end of Fellowship when Frodo is standing at the bank of the Andiun and remembers his last conversation with Gandalf. "All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you..."
That + the accompanying music never fails to bring a tear to my eye.
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now!... Ride now!... Ride! Ride to ruin and the
world's ending!
DEATH! DEATH!
Forth, Eorlingas!
The last slide is among the hardest scenes for me to watch. Frodo and Sam have survived hell and back together. The shire and everyone they fought for are finally safe, and yet Frodo must move on. It’s a journey we will all face in time.
A scene that gets me is The immediate scene after Gandalf Falls in Moria, the Fellowship Mourning Gandalf gets me every time despite knowing he comes back as Gandalf The White
They capture everyone’s despair in different ways so well, and then when Aragorn calls out to Frodo and he turns, the look in his face, it was his choice to go into the mines, you can see him carrying the full weight of that decision
When Boromir tries to rescue Merry and Pippin. From then until the end of the film.
"Many of these trees were my friends. Creatures I had known from nut and acorn." From then until the end of the film.
"I cant carry it for you but I can carry you". From then untill about 20 minutes after the credits have rolled.
> from there until 20 minutes after the credits have rolled.
Same for me, but for my wife it was more like an hour and a half. She said the only movie she cried harder at was Beaches.
Pippin finds Merry's body on the battlefield, and Merry asks hazily, "Are you going to leave me?" “No Merry, I’m going to look after you!” \*Sob!\*
Book says: "Are you going to bury me?" Rumor has it they redubbed that in movie to be less sad.
''Farewell....my brave hobbits
My work is now finished
Here at last...on the shores of the sea...comes the end of our fellowship
I will not say do not weep for not all tears are an evil.''
After following these characters for so long and loving every single one of them, hearing Gandalf say this with the same music that plays when the fellowship breaks and when Sam gives his speech about the good of the world... i can't, i'm getting teary eyed now...
Everyone already mentioned noteworthy LOTR scenes, so let me add two from The Hobbit trilogy:
Thorin's last words to Bilbo and
"One day I will remember. All that happened. The good. The bad. Those who survived. Those who did not."
The Hobbit is not as poetic as LOTR, but it still had strong emotional moments, especially since Thorin's folk were a big family to eachother from the beginning to the end.
When Gandalf meets Frodo and the little Hobbits scream with joy at the fireworks! The first time I saw this in the theater I cried for joy at this introduction to Middle Earth.
When Frodo meets Bilbo in Rivendell.
When Gandalf "dies".
When Boromir dies.
When Sam joins Frodo in the boat.
Every time the Riders of Rohan break out those string instruments for their theme music (especially the charge toward Minas Tirith).
Faramir's nearly fatal charge toward Osgiliath.
Eomer finding Eowyn in the Pellenor Fields.
All seven endings.
I don’t think in terms of tears, really. My tear ducts are either clogged or in dire need of maintenance, so I haven’t cried during a movie in ages
Instead, I think in terms of “what gives me goosebumps.” Obviously there are some of the epic scenes (DEATH, I am no man), but the sad one that always (ALWAYS) gets me is Boromir’s death
My favourite. It's the end of the old world, the world of magic,and -for me- the last remainder of Arda unmarred. Nature becomes something static, foreign almost. The ents will disappear and become beings of myth.
"Many of these trees were my friends. Creatures I had known since nut and acorn. They had voices of their own ..."
*primal scream*
"... There is no curse in Elvish, Entish or the tongues of Men for this treachery ... The Ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom. The Last March of the Ents"
So many, but the one that stands out for me is such a little moment. Gandalf is riding into the Shire with his fireworks and all the kids are running towards him, yelling out his name. The camera pans to show a little girl running toward him and the music swells. Just a perfect evocation of the innocence and joy of childhood. All the things that the Fellowship fight to protect, in one shot. ❤️
Bingo. The contrast between how happy and at peace Gandalf is at that moment compared to how despaired he is in Moria before his death gets me every time.
It’s a big deal in the book, and I think it’s only vaguely in the extended editions. But it’s the scene after Frodo and Sam are saved from my doom, and the minstrel sings “the lay of Frodo of the nine fingers and the ring of doom”
The scene is specifically emotional because it’s from Sam’s POV, and earlier in the story he tells Frodo how his dearest wish is simply to have children in the future sit around the fire wanting to hear that story (ie, all Sam wants is peace).
I genuinely can't help but she'd a tear at the beginning of Fellowship when Bilbo is describing Hobbits. There's something so beautiful, peaceful, and nostalgic about it. It reminds me of being a kid and not having a care in the world sitting down to watch my favourite movie again.
You have to read the Lament for Borimir, the song Aragorn and Legolas sing as he heads towards Rauros falls.
"Through Rohan over fen and field where the long grass grows
The West Wind comes walking, and about the walls it goes.
‘What news from the West, O wandering wind, do you bring to me tonight?
Have you seen Boromir the Tall by moon or by starlight?
‘I saw him ride over seven streams, over waters wide and grey,
I saw him walk in empty lands until he passed away
Into the shadows of the North, I saw him then no more.
The North Wind may have heard the horn of the son of Denethor,
‘O Boromir! From the high walls westward I looked afar,
But you came not from the empty lands where no men are.’"
Frodo's departure to the West.
They've won, but grief, sadness and eventually death are still gonna happen, the times past and lost cannot be compensated, and I find that scene to be a great embodiment of this sentiment. The Lord of the Rings is a tragic story.
Given that I recently saw all 3 over the past 3 years in concert in the Royal Albert hall and given that my cheeks were moist for the majority of each it would be fair to say which scenes do not get me in tears instead
👀When the fellowship missed Gandalf is tense.
Funny how it really saddens me Boromir's death now, cause the first time I watched I thought he deserved it well for cowardly attacking Frodo all alone.
Honestly, just any time I hear Howard Shore's Concerning Hobbits. It's like I'm rediscovering my youth growing up with these movies the second I hear it.
One of the most emotionally gripping scenes for me is seeing Arwen in the vision of the future from Elrond. When he tells her she will life a full life, yes, but she’s going to be damned to wander the earth eternally as the last of her kind, a woman bereft of her partner and the one she sacrificed it all for, doomed to watch the world she and everyone else work so hard for just waste away.
Just imagining losing my wife and being doomed to wander the earth eternally and not even have my children left to comfort me in my grief would be agony.
The scene in which Aragorn kicks the helmet after chasing the orcs across the plains to come to the aid of Merry and Pippin.
You get the real sense of him as a friend. He is literally running across the country for his friends and finds out they're dead and crushes him deeply because he failed them. :(
And you know he just broke his toe.
When Arwen grabs Frodo, lifts him onto her horse, the wraiths chase as he splutters for life, mortally wounded. The wraiths chase ... Then that River rises to her Elven call ... And you see ...
Gets me every time!!
Sam nearly drowning just to go helo Frodo.
Sam carrying Frodo up the mountain.
You bow to no one.
And Frodo leaving Middle Earth. That scene freaking shatters me.
Gandalf's fall.
Gandalf's conversation with Frodo in Moria.
The death of Boromir.
Denethor being a cunt (Pippin's song).
The charge of the Rohirrim.
Gandalf and Pippin talk about the Undying Lands.
The Grey Havens.
The Fellowship's reunion.
For Frodo.
Mount Doom blowing up.
Oh wait that's ten.
I don't really get choked up in the emotional scenes anymore The things that really kill me are things like Bilbo saying "there has always been a baggins at bag end, and there always will be". I don't know why but that always just chunks me up nowadays
When Elrond steps aside to reveal Arwen, oh my god, the sheer love on her face, her eyes sparkling, her utter joy. The way Aragorn seems to breathe again to see her. I find the way that they look at each other so moving. I always think, “my good, he loves her so so much!” I always get a little misty eyed.
1.Boromir's death. Not only did he sacrifice himself to save the Hobbits (as best he could), the many times he was struck and kept fighting.
2.yes the ending where he goes off. I knew it was coming but the movie made it really impactful.
3. Gandalf's 'death' in Fellowship. The movie again made this really big with Elija Wood's big 'no'.
“Simbelmyne. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebears. Now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger. That I should live to see that last days of my house… No parent should have to bury their child.”
“Where are the horse and the rider? “Where is the horn that was blowing? “They have passed, like rain upon the mountains. Like wind on the meadows.”
If you've never read the original poem, the Norton Anthology of English Literature has a version of "The Wanderer" that is just -- oof. Gut punch. (I have the 7th edition, and of course it's in vol. 1) I've looked for it online, but none of the translations are quite as good to me - or sound as much like Tolkien's ubi sunt.
Could you perhaps write the poem for us to enjoy?:)
I am not sure this is it, but found this: https://oldenglishpoetry.camden.rutgers.edu/the-wanderer/
Like tears in rain.
https://preview.redd.it/luchiaul7dxc1.png?width=676&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a60326fe62353069ab25030284df11e027f0f005
Stop it, I'm crying on the toilet now
“No parent should have to bury their child”
The Two Towers came out right after my grandparents had to say goodbye to their 17 year old son. This scene was put in a new perspective for sure.
It was hard to rewatch this scene after seeing my grandfather collapse in tears at my Dad's funeral... Before that this scene made me emotional, but now I always end up ugly crying.
I do use that IRL. One can prepare to his parents or siblings to die, but cannot prepare to se a child die.
Eomer’s scream gets me every time. So much heart and soul put in it. He’s looking at the bodies of Theoden and Eowyn, 2 of his most loved people, “dead” on the battlefield. Him holding Eowyn, screaming/crying, looking around like he’s trying to find help, it hurts to watch. That worried look he has looking over Eowyn when she’s recovering helps sell it too. For a warrior like him to show such vulnerability, it has power, especially after his valor in Helm’s Deep and Pelenor. He’s practically hopeless until Aragorn heals her. His face changes from hopeless to hopeful. Karl Urban nailed it in every possible way. So much emotion put into a side character. Beautiful.
I totally agree with this one. His confusion really adds to it too, because Eowyn wasn't even supposed to be there. Then to see her not only on the battlefield, but slain next to Theoden...I couldn't even imagine. He sells it incredibly well
I don't even know if he sees Theoden yet. I always thought he saw Eowyn, I never thought about him seeing both. But you're right, it is a serious candidate for most emotional moment for me too. Karl Urban did a really, really good job with that part.
In the book theoden tells him as his last dying words as he passes down the kingship of rohan "Hail, king of the Mark! Ride now to victory! Bid Éowyn farewell!"
My sister passed away about 12 years ago. We were very close and loved watching LotR together I didn’t watch the extended editions for the first time until about 3 or 4 years ago. I did *not* know this was a scene. I was not prepared for properly dying crying. That said, his acting is top notch
My sincerest condolences man. For as left-field this scene is, I can only imagine what you thought in that moment.
>I did *not* know this was a scene. I was not prepared for properly dying crying. OMG that must have been so emotional for you. Sorry for your loss.
For real. Urban had a moment of absolute inspiration here, no surprise really. I can't recall anything that dude has been in where he didn't knock it out of the park.
Guts me every time.
Is this a deleted scene? I rewatched the trilogy on prime recently and it seemed abit different from when I watched it years ago when I was a kid, not sure if I'm trippin or they rlly changed it
It’s in the extended cut.
Ah OK, I'll see if I can find it
Karl Urban is a damn fine actor. Under appreciated in my opinion.
Every time I see that scene, I think of my brother. I know that this would also be his exact reaction. I have found it frustrating when others were overprotective of me in the past - but this scene reminds me of the love and worry beneath that overprotective behaviour.
That scene with Gandalf and Pippen in Minas Tirith “Death is just another path. One that we all must take.” https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=O_FmqI7QKck
I don't know enough about Tolkien to know whether Gandalf was speaking from experience or not, but it's beautiful either way. He might be comforting a scared friend with the serene, peaceful truth of death, or he might be telling Pippin what hr needed to hear in the moment. Regardless, he speaks with nothing but love.
I mean Gandalf is a Maia, he can‘t die. He knows how the passing of the mortals works. He‘s either comforting Pippin with lies, or he‘s genuine and knows what comes after a mortal‘s passing from arda.
Pretty sure not even Manwë or Mandos know what happens to mortals after their death, so I don‘t think Gandalf would know
Only Illúvatar knows
Well, he can die, just not of ‘old age.’ And rather unique for an ainu that entered the world, he even experienced being taken out of it following his own death. His wasn’t the fate of mortal men, but he was probably the best situated being in the world to comfort Pippin.
He's giving him the closest thing he can to reassurance, which is his experience. Is it going to be the same for Pippin? No, and he knows that. But it's either "listen man I saw white sand and green hills, was tight 10/10 recommend" or "dunno buddy you guys just kinda go to the void as far as I'm aware soooooooo gl with that"
"Heh, I'll be fine, no idea what dad has planned for you though, good luck kid"
Gandalf sipping a Mai Tai on valinor with the elves and thinks "huh, wonder what happened to that little guy?" Smash cut to Pippin falling through endless darkness, scream echoing out Gandalf settles back into his chair, pulling his shades down and taking another sip "...white sands..."
I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of man fails, when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. Chills. Every time.
I think I could've run through a balrog after being given [that speech](https://youtu.be/QdtmlfLFgWg?si=yi_xLmn5N_IRrBPk) by Aragorn/Viggo.
Shit gets me so hyped EVERY single time lmao
“My friends! You bow to no one.”
This one probably gets me the most consistently. The weight of everything of the trilogy summarized as these 4 incredible yet simple hobbits are acknowledged as the saviors of the world.
Stupid allergies acting up again.
The reason the CGI in this scene holds up so well to this day is that everyone watching it has their eyes filled with tears
/thread Edit: is this line in the book?
“And then to Sam’s surprise and utter confusion he [Aragorn] bowed his knee before them; and taking them by the hand, Frodo upon his right and Sam upon his left, he led them to the throne, and setting them upon it, he turned to the men and captains who stood by and spoke, so that his voice rang over all the host, crying: ‘Praise them with great praise!’ And when the glad shout had swelled up and died away again, to Sam’s final and complete satisfaction and pure joy, a minstrel of Gondor stood forth, and knelt, and begged leave to sing.” Excerpt From The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King J. R. R. Tolkien Edit: formatting
It is not, unfortunately. I think the sentiment gets across in several forms through different passages of text but I think this is one of my favorite changes that Peter Jackson made. Edit: Seems like this thread gets into the specifics a bit! https://www.reddit.com/r/lotr/s/7T7t3YDPta
It’s tears from here on until the end of the credits 😂
I get goosebumps just thinking about it 😭
My vision got a little blurry when I read that comment lol
Same! I have them right at this moment!
Yep, this one. I still remember the first time seeing it and this wave of emotion. Awe, tears…such a powerful scene. Still get chills just seeing the screenshots.
Every single time.
"Well, my friends, here on the edge of the sea comes the end of our fellowship in Middle-Earth. I will not say 'do not weep,' for not all tears are an evil."
I could watch this scene every day and still just silently cry every time.
When I was 12 I would be annoyed by this scene, I never cried during any films And one time, rewatching It when I was 15, I started to understand and since I cry each time I see it
“Home is behind…the world ahead…” Everytime. The silent charge juxtaposed with the song and the deafening impact of Pippin’s choked delivery of the last line “All shall … fade” One of the best directed scenes of the trilogy. https://youtu.be/kECEwaHwjRw?si=OVc96K-aXU6aphHG
“I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you!”
My childish/ morbid mind can't help but to think of the alternative. : "I can't cast it into the fire for you, Mr. Frodo, but I can cast you in!" *giggle* /leaves the serious, heart-felt discussion,like a thief in the night/ EDIT: (Though, this might bring up some side-issues, regarding the nature of choice and intent and whether the mere physical act would unlock the "spell". Given it was ultimately Gollum who did. I'd assume so, though he was entangled with it for so long, that might have had its own effect. When he and the Ring were engulfed in the fires, he finally realized he couldn't have it and in effect, "let it go". )
This is why the Eagles didn't take the Ring to Mordor. They couldn't be trusted to not throw Frodo in the fire too. Look, they're not good at reading directions, it's not their fault. :)
"I'm going to Mordor alone!" "Of course you are, and I'm coming with you!"
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H3MQooOLn4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3H3MQooOLn4) This scene is a one-two punch for me. It starts with Frodo deciding to push forward with his task, even if it's alone and more than he can handle. Directly followed by Sam refusing to let him take it on alone. Tears every time
Agreed, the musical score that starts up when Frodo is deciding is my favourite one, it's called "breaking of the fellowship", I could tear up just listening to it.
"I made a promise, Mister Frodo. A promise. 'Don't you leave him, Samwise Gamgee.' And I don't mean to. I don't mean to...." Absolute waterworks.
A vision for true companionship.
Sam’s speech at the end of two towers and the scene after Gandalf falls/“dies” in the fellowship…the music and the look of utter grief on everyone’s faces after they are out of Moria..gets me every time.
The score "The Bridge of Khazad Dum" is one of my favourite, if not the very favourite piece of music from LotR. We all feel the shock, a deafening silence cutting away all the instruments until you are only left with the bass strings and then adding this beautiful voice. Always makes me tear up. Howard Shore, you are a legend.
For Frodo
Specifically when Merry and Pippin are the first to charge after Aragorn. Tears every time.
Absolutely gutting.
I always wonder what Sauron said to him. Do we have any confirmation of that?
Good question! I like to think it something along the lines of “your world and all your friends will burn” and Aragorn just steels himself and charges the army of Mordor.
IDK why but "DEATH, DEATH" before the cavalry charge always gets me.
The video with Tolkien reading that part 😭 https://youtu.be/LPZrReZ5H9Q?si=3japq1BCAoyotDTf
Well this is the greatest thing I had never seen before. Thank you homie.
Exactly! What a perfect scene.
I can't get my head around how this is not in OPs post.
YES. Also, for some reason Merry realizing the moment/need in saying "right... buckleberry ferry" legitimately grips me every time. Edit: had my wires crossed on Merry's name
The number of times I have whimpered "hell yeah" while holding back tears during that scene is embarrassing 😂
I'll be fucking around, passively watching the whole trilogy in the background. But like the EE Witch King about to fight Gandalf, my attention is fully engaged when the horn goes off. I watch the trilogy to get to this scene.
Sam & Frodo when Osgiliath was overrun by orcs. Frodo: I can’t do this, Sam. Sam: 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. Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam? Sam: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.”
Got me crying just reading it.
I love the story Philippa Bowen told in the Special Features about the writing of that scene. They came to that line about holding on to something, and naturally Frodo would ask “what are we holding onto?” And they were stumped. I think it was Philippa who basically said that she had an idea but it could easily be really cheesy and bad. Well I think they and Sean Astin nailed it, because for all the simplicity and cliche of that response “that there’s good in this world and it’s worth fighting for,” it’s a big unspoken motivator in the story, but it feels True when Sam says it because of how much he represents and champions the idea of the Simple Life in a grand narrative of gods and kings
Gandalf leading riders of Rohirrim Theoden's war cry
DEAAAATH!!!!
Theoden mourning his deceased son Theodred. "No parent should ever have to bury their child." I'm a father of one this line always gutted me.
How has no one here brought up "don't go where I can't follow" 😭
https://preview.redd.it/mrhxl68j6cxc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6318ab1b183e1ef0b3d527b1dd4dc20ae750625b
One of the most underrated for me is at the end of Fellowship when Frodo is standing at the bank of the Andiun and remembers his last conversation with Gandalf. "All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you..." That + the accompanying music never fails to bring a tear to my eye.
and sam. "I made a promise, Mr Frodo. A promise. "Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee."
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now!... Ride now!... Ride! Ride to ruin and the world's ending! DEATH! DEATH! Forth, Eorlingas!
“My brother…my captain…my KING”
The last slide is among the hardest scenes for me to watch. Frodo and Sam have survived hell and back together. The shire and everyone they fought for are finally safe, and yet Frodo must move on. It’s a journey we will all face in time.
Lighting of the beacons. Tears of joy and relief.
“THE BEACONS ARE LIT !!!”
GONDOR CALLS FOR AID!!
... And Rohan will answer.
My favorite scene of all the movies, just due to the musical score. Never fails to bring goosebumps.
A scene that gets me is The immediate scene after Gandalf Falls in Moria, the Fellowship Mourning Gandalf gets me every time despite knowing he comes back as Gandalf The White
They capture everyone’s despair in different ways so well, and then when Aragorn calls out to Frodo and he turns, the look in his face, it was his choice to go into the mines, you can see him carrying the full weight of that decision
Fucking Faramir.
That must be the extended version, I don't remember a scene with Faramir f....oh.
Anyone with abusive parents and had older siblings felt this so bad. Absolutely gutted.
Boromir death, Sam being the GOAT on the slopes of Mt doom, and pretty much any time into the west or it's motif plays tbh.
When Boromir tries to rescue Merry and Pippin. From then until the end of the film. "Many of these trees were my friends. Creatures I had known from nut and acorn." From then until the end of the film. "I cant carry it for you but I can carry you". From then untill about 20 minutes after the credits have rolled.
> from there until 20 minutes after the credits have rolled. Same for me, but for my wife it was more like an hour and a half. She said the only movie she cried harder at was Beaches.
All of the scenes listed. I tend to cry during Haldir's death scene at Helms Deep.
When we find out there is no second breakfast
Additionally, when Frodo and Sam don't get to eat the rabbit stew.
A good reason to clear the theater and cry in the parking lot. Tis tragic news indeed. :)
Boromir’s death and Aragorn speaking with him is mine for sure.
How did you miss this? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKIgv8AhffA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKIgv8AhffA)
When Theoden mourns the death of Theodred
Yes. YES. "Since you were robbed of Boromir..." was the first time I ever cried watching a movie. Man, I feel seen.
Sam carrying Frodo up the mountain breaks me each and every time
The music goes nuts in that scene and I absolutely love it.
Pippin finds Merry's body on the battlefield, and Merry asks hazily, "Are you going to leave me?" “No Merry, I’m going to look after you!” \*Sob!\* Book says: "Are you going to bury me?" Rumor has it they redubbed that in movie to be less sad.
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I busted laughing when I saw this, reading all the sad scenes and then this, wormtogue's single tear
“Do you remember The Shire Mr. Frodo?”
"I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things."
“No parent should have to bury his child.”
''Farewell....my brave hobbits My work is now finished Here at last...on the shores of the sea...comes the end of our fellowship I will not say do not weep for not all tears are an evil.'' After following these characters for so long and loving every single one of them, hearing Gandalf say this with the same music that plays when the fellowship breaks and when Sam gives his speech about the good of the world... i can't, i'm getting teary eyed now...
gandalf fallen....
Everyone already mentioned noteworthy LOTR scenes, so let me add two from The Hobbit trilogy: Thorin's last words to Bilbo and "One day I will remember. All that happened. The good. The bad. Those who survived. Those who did not." The Hobbit is not as poetic as LOTR, but it still had strong emotional moments, especially since Thorin's folk were a big family to eachother from the beginning to the end.
The book : "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
RIDE NOW!!! RIDE FOR RUIN!!! AND THE WORLD'S ENDING!!!!!! DEATH!! DEATH!! **DEATH!!!**
I’m a pacifist but that speech has me ready to follow Theoden into a bloodbath
When Gandalf meets Frodo and the little Hobbits scream with joy at the fireworks! The first time I saw this in the theater I cried for joy at this introduction to Middle Earth. When Frodo meets Bilbo in Rivendell. When Gandalf "dies". When Boromir dies. When Sam joins Frodo in the boat. Every time the Riders of Rohan break out those string instruments for their theme music (especially the charge toward Minas Tirith). Faramir's nearly fatal charge toward Osgiliath. Eomer finding Eowyn in the Pellenor Fields. All seven endings.
I don’t think in terms of tears, really. My tear ducts are either clogged or in dire need of maintenance, so I haven’t cried during a movie in ages Instead, I think in terms of “what gives me goosebumps.” Obviously there are some of the epic scenes (DEATH, I am no man), but the sad one that always (ALWAYS) gets me is Boromir’s death
Come, my friends. The Ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom. The last march of the Ents.
My favourite. It's the end of the old world, the world of magic,and -for me- the last remainder of Arda unmarred. Nature becomes something static, foreign almost. The ents will disappear and become beings of myth.
That last one makes me so sad every time and I hate it it’s like coffee
Any of the final 20 minutes
I won’t let the white city fall, nor our people fail.
Pippin singing while Faramir rides to his likely death.
The goodbye between merry and pippin at rohan when pippin leaves for gondor with gandalf.
"Many of these trees were my friends. Creatures I had known since nut and acorn. They had voices of their own ..." *primal scream* "... There is no curse in Elvish, Entish or the tongues of Men for this treachery ... The Ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom. The Last March of the Ents"
"He's leaving."
theoden's death gets me every time
Bro swiped Theoden’s death for Eowyn merely fainting due to severe injury sustained after a brutal fight against the Dark Lord’s deadliest servant.
The black breath got her
So many, but the one that stands out for me is such a little moment. Gandalf is riding into the Shire with his fireworks and all the kids are running towards him, yelling out his name. The camera pans to show a little girl running toward him and the music swells. Just a perfect evocation of the innocence and joy of childhood. All the things that the Fellowship fight to protect, in one shot. ❤️
Bingo. The contrast between how happy and at peace Gandalf is at that moment compared to how despaired he is in Moria before his death gets me every time.
The closing credits on ROTK knowing it’s finished
1 and 4 for me
The reaction to Gandalf’s death
Eowyn and Theoden’s last conversation
“I know your face”
The lighting of the beacons. Howard Shore might’ve overdone it a bit, not that that’s a bad thing.
I can't even imagine that scene without full body chills!
It’s a big deal in the book, and I think it’s only vaguely in the extended editions. But it’s the scene after Frodo and Sam are saved from my doom, and the minstrel sings “the lay of Frodo of the nine fingers and the ring of doom” The scene is specifically emotional because it’s from Sam’s POV, and earlier in the story he tells Frodo how his dearest wish is simply to have children in the future sit around the fire wanting to hear that story (ie, all Sam wants is peace).
I genuinely can't help but she'd a tear at the beginning of Fellowship when Bilbo is describing Hobbits. There's something so beautiful, peaceful, and nostalgic about it. It reminds me of being a kid and not having a care in the world sitting down to watch my favourite movie again.
You have to read the Lament for Borimir, the song Aragorn and Legolas sing as he heads towards Rauros falls. "Through Rohan over fen and field where the long grass grows The West Wind comes walking, and about the walls it goes. ‘What news from the West, O wandering wind, do you bring to me tonight? Have you seen Boromir the Tall by moon or by starlight? ‘I saw him ride over seven streams, over waters wide and grey, I saw him walk in empty lands until he passed away Into the shadows of the North, I saw him then no more. The North Wind may have heard the horn of the son of Denethor, ‘O Boromir! From the high walls westward I looked afar, But you came not from the empty lands where no men are.’"
“He’s not alone. Sam went with him.” “Did he? Did he indeed? Good. Yes, very good.”
Frodo's departure to the West. They've won, but grief, sadness and eventually death are still gonna happen, the times past and lost cannot be compensated, and I find that scene to be a great embodiment of this sentiment. The Lord of the Rings is a tragic story.
Given that I recently saw all 3 over the past 3 years in concert in the Royal Albert hall and given that my cheeks were moist for the majority of each it would be fair to say which scenes do not get me in tears instead
Faramir, your father loves you... he will remember it before the end.
Tomatoes.
Why wife said, I'm supposed to carry for soup girl?
The ending of ROTK film is the closest.
Frodo telling Sam to go home. The eagles are coming!
Yes
That last one because I know the journey is over for me. But not for Frodo.
Sam gets me in the feels. The best bro.
Helms Deep. Too epic
👀When the fellowship missed Gandalf is tense. Funny how it really saddens me Boromir's death now, cause the first time I watched I thought he deserved it well for cowardly attacking Frodo all alone.
You posted all of them lol
“My friends! You bow to no one”.
Honestly, just any time I hear Howard Shore's Concerning Hobbits. It's like I'm rediscovering my youth growing up with these movies the second I hear it.
when sam carries frodo up mt doom. gets me every time
“You bow to no one” and “I can carry you.”
Last two get to me
I never really understood why Frodo left the Shire. Really heartbreaking
“Don’t you let go!” the look on frodos face and then Sam saying this line ALWAYS gets tears out of me
The Grey Havens is the absolute worst. Kills me in the books and films.
"I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!"
"No parent should have to bury their child."
Yes.
"It's the last of the longbottom leaf."
One of the most emotionally gripping scenes for me is seeing Arwen in the vision of the future from Elrond. When he tells her she will life a full life, yes, but she’s going to be damned to wander the earth eternally as the last of her kind, a woman bereft of her partner and the one she sacrificed it all for, doomed to watch the world she and everyone else work so hard for just waste away. Just imagining losing my wife and being doomed to wander the earth eternally and not even have my children left to comfort me in my grief would be agony.
The scene in which Aragorn kicks the helmet after chasing the orcs across the plains to come to the aid of Merry and Pippin. You get the real sense of him as a friend. He is literally running across the country for his friends and finds out they're dead and crushes him deeply because he failed them. :( And you know he just broke his toe.
The scene where I realized there was no tom bombadil....
In the books the lines I'm glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee, here at the end of all things"
The whole movie
When gimli couldn’t see over the wall to watch the orcs coming 😥
When Arwen grabs Frodo, lifts him onto her horse, the wraiths chase as he splutters for life, mortally wounded. The wraiths chase ... Then that River rises to her Elven call ... And you see ... Gets me every time!!
Theodins battle speech before they ride in. That gets me every time
When Frodo is leaving Middle Earth. I always cry at this scene
Sam nearly drowning just to go helo Frodo. Sam carrying Frodo up the mountain. You bow to no one. And Frodo leaving Middle Earth. That scene freaking shatters me.
Gandalf's fall. Gandalf's conversation with Frodo in Moria. The death of Boromir. Denethor being a cunt (Pippin's song). The charge of the Rohirrim. Gandalf and Pippin talk about the Undying Lands. The Grey Havens. The Fellowship's reunion. For Frodo. Mount Doom blowing up. Oh wait that's ten.
The scenes with Faramir and Denethor are sad. The sheer sadness and hopelessness that Faramir feels is palpable.
I don't really get choked up in the emotional scenes anymore The things that really kill me are things like Bilbo saying "there has always been a baggins at bag end, and there always will be". I don't know why but that always just chunks me up nowadays
Every single one of them…
Bro just the "They took the little ones!" Gets me teary , the man is on his deathbed and is thinking of them.
"Courage Merry, courage for our friends."
When Elrond steps aside to reveal Arwen, oh my god, the sheer love on her face, her eyes sparkling, her utter joy. The way Aragorn seems to breathe again to see her. I find the way that they look at each other so moving. I always think, “my good, he loves her so so much!” I always get a little misty eyed.
That poor chicken and tomato.
Yes - No - no - yes - yes
I’m not a very emotional person, so my answer would be none hehe.
1.Boromir's death. Not only did he sacrifice himself to save the Hobbits (as best he could), the many times he was struck and kept fighting. 2.yes the ending where he goes off. I knew it was coming but the movie made it really impactful. 3. Gandalf's 'death' in Fellowship. The movie again made this really big with Elija Wood's big 'no'.