Can I go back and change my confirmation name?!!!! Wow St. Tolkein would be so awesome. I have always been a huge fan of his works.
They're so busy canonising Vatican II popes these days, they seem to forget about lay people. There should be a cause for Chesterton and Belloc, perhaps there is.
Chesterton used to have a cause but it was shut-down over accusations of anti-semitism (!) or seemingly he wasn't "heroic" enough. but at least they tried to start the cause.
A quick recap of why I love Lord of the Rings... I have to say that I'm not a fan of sci-fi movies, nor am I too interested in that category, except for those that are more famous or a sounding name that you look up because it's "trendy". However, The Lord of the Rings is something entirely different, a masterpiece of cinematic art on so many levels that it is difficult to summarize without writing a huge novel about it. In the end, I can only attribute my genius to the legendary J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson, who brilliantly transferred it to the big screen. From the outside, on the most basic "primitive" level, for the largest number of viewers, they are the choice of entertainment. A film that follows from beginning to end the dramatic action of the fight between good and evil, unusual characters such as elves, dwarves, wizards, hobbits, orcs and many others who in themselves arouse interest and lead the audience to the world of imagination and dreams, the nature scenes are fantastic, beautiful where you stay without days and really the shooting locations in New Zealand are something that gives the film a special flavor, then there are the tense battles where practically in every conflict we meet some of the new characters (uruk-hai, goblins, trolls, wargs, mumakil...) from one side or the other (elves, ents, Gandalf's eagles,...). In every scene, we are left without one of the main characters (Boromir, Faramir, Gandalf the Grey, Aragon when he falls from the cliff, which leaves an additional emotional mark on every viewer and heightens the tension. However, the film is much deeper and conveys the entire story of Tolkien's life, his thoughts, beliefs and experiences on which he not only bases the characters, but also the set of people's behavior, their passions, ideals and downfalls. Literally every character can be analyzed where we see their strengths and weaknesses which reflect on the entire plot and take it in an unknown direction. A story about the struggle for power and authority where we see betrayal from those who should protect justice and peace (Saruman the wizard) because they are cowards who follow the path of easier resistance in order to keep their own life, but actually lead it to ruin. A story of immature boys and the smallest of hobbits who take on burdens that adults cannot carry while grown men show themselves to be weaklings and run away from their responsibility as steward of Gondor. We have an incredible example of sacrifice for the common good and sacrifice for friendship in characters such as Sam or Gandalf, who are rewarded and transformed through this sacrifice. Their noble heart elevates them to a new level where they gain the necessary strength to overcome challenges and carry others on those burdens they carry themselves. Then there is Smeagol/Gollum as a character whose power and desire for the ring has distorted the human appearance, a view of what wealth does to a man when it becomes the purpose of his ideas, worship and the ultimate meaning of existence. That scene when he sinks with the ring is a representation of his downfall where he sinks with it or rather under it into eternal ruin. His spirit is restless, wanders the caves and is in a constant battle with himself... Hobbits, as I have already said, are the smallest and weakest in stature, but they are carried by great desire, heart and perseverance. Every time they encounter an obstacle, they don't give up, they go head-to-head against the wall and continue despite all their flaws. Tolkien, who was a great and loyal believer, actually turns them into a kind of (David vs. Goliath), where the smallest bring victory just as David did, and the scene at the end when Aragon, as the crowned king, tells them that they are nobody is symbolic. they don't bow and he kneels before them to bow to them... Aragon who knows the value of his own origin, but does not wait for fate to write his own story, but accepts every challenge that stands in his way. He goes into the depths of darkness to bring back the light, he goes to those who betrayed all honesty, honor and morality when they were supposed to serve his ancestors so that he can now redeem their betrayal and bring a new victory, and to them freedom from their own actions. A king who primarily wants to serve, and only then be the one who demands others to serve him. The film is full of indelible dialogues and scenes that leave a deep impression on the viewers. Let's say in the Two Towers we have the anticipation of a fight between the people and the Uruk-hai army of 10,000 of them, the darkness, the darkness, the rain add to the drama of the beautiful scene, from a distance you can see the army approaching with torches with the aim of destroying everything in front of them. We watch the dialogues of frightened people, boys who have swords bigger than themselves, the cries of mothers and children, and then there is that silence where only their footsteps are heard. When you look at that scene, you can't help but feel a fear that springs from people's eyes, a kind of discomfort that is felt in every war when you are separated by a moment from death and a moment from life. Unforgettable dialogues between Gandalf and Pippen or let's say Frodo and Sam when in the midst of battle surrounded by defeat we have a spark of hope about the meaning of existence, the life that continues beyond this and the meaning of why they do this in faith for good despite all the odds that are against them... Music is another masterful part of the film series. Dramatic, emotional, combative and inspiring where in combination with the already mentioned scenes and characters, it additionally enhances every event and takes it to some new dimensions. In other words, The Lord of the Rings is a story about hope for a better tomorrow, about the victory of good over evil against all odds, about the little ones who bear the greatest burden and receive the greatest merit, about peace, justice, honesty, sacrifice, betrayal, greed, power and the desire for power ...How every good thing is worth it, that they never give up and that those who are most persistent and most sincere always reach their goal, and those who are led by power and greed always end up under the burden of what their heart longed for. All of this is integrated into a fantastic world of strange characters, unforgettable battles and even more beautiful stories with top music. This is only a brief one, because a lot more could be written about this, but a masterpiece that grows in importance year by year and every time you look at it, you see something new. PS: Also, as soon as I found out that Tolkien was a devout Catholic, I immediately noticed a lot of symbolism and connections between the Bible and the book/film... Let's say "the return of the king", Aragon comes from a lost line just like Jesus who came from the line of King David... Only the king could give "dismissal" to the ghost soldiers who betrayed his ancestors, and later, after fulfilling the promise, they received forgiveness and found peace... The very departure of Frodo, Gandalf to the promised land of the Elves... Plus a sea of others, not to mention the characteristics of individual characters, their strengths and weaknesses. Greed, the desire for power, and yet on the other hand incredible sacrifice, humility, courage and perseverance are shown very well... In the end, that clash between David and Goliath, the biggest burden in the form of the ring was carried by the smallest hobbits... That ring, which is a symbol of power, but also of corruption, could only be worn by someone who was as pure of heart as Frodo and bring it to the final victory(As Jesus, as the purest being (God incarnated in man), bore the burden of sin to defeat evil). . A very complex book, Tolkien was a genius in every respect and the book is actually a deep depiction of human relationships, behavior and desires wrapped in the world of science fiction.
Totally agree. The books are a masterpiece of Catholic imagination. Good and evil---weakness and strength--betrayal and heroism. Galadriel is so clearly the Virgin Mary. Lamas bread is the Holy Eucharist. The Ring of Power is Satan's temptations to Christ for power and sensuality and acclaim. Powerful!!!!
The scene which I never fail to appreciate is Sam's faithfulness in carrying Frodo up Mount Doom (taking up the Cross). The whole series is a masterpiece to which I return just about every year!
Yes I am still noticing a lot of new and very clear symbolism when I watch the movies from time to time ... btw not only Galadriel, but also Varda (one of the most 3 poverfull beings ever created by Iluvatar, resembles Mary very much. https://lotr.fandom.com/wiki/Varda Varda was the most beautiful of all the Valar, and her beauty was said to be beyond the description of Men and Elves, for her face radiated the light of Eru Ilúvatar. Unsurprisingly, the province over which she ruled was light, to the extent where it was said that "in light is her power and her joy".[1] Even before Melkor first began to create his discord, Varda knew his mind well, and rejected him because of it, and was always his enemy from that moment on. As a result of this, Melkor also hated Varda the most out of the Valar, and feared her more than all others whom Eru had created. Varda came to Arda with her husband, Manwë, and the other Valar in the beginning of days. She aided Manwë in the rule of Arda and the watching of Middle-earth. She made the stars, filled the Lamps of the Valar with light, collected the dew of the Two Trees in her Wells, fashioned the newer stars and constellations in preparation for the Awakening of the Elves, hallowed the Silmarils, established the courses of the Moon and Sun, and set the Star of Eärendil in the sky. Because of her creation of the stars, the Elves of Middle-earth revere and love her the most out of the Valar. They even gave her the name of "Elbereth", invoke her in times where they require aid, and sing her praises whenever the stars rise. It was also said that when Manwë sits beside her upon their throne on Taniquetil, she was able to hear more clearly than any other ears, the prayers and laments of those in need from the furthest east even unto the west. At times, she would answer the prayers of not only Elves, but also those of other races. For example, during the War of the Ring, she aided Sam through the Phial of Galadriel (which contained the Light of Eärendil) during his struggle against Shelob.
Orangina, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your recap and why you love Lord of the Rings…..jt was so descriptive and I knew about everything you wrote. But you wrote it so eloquently that it could be a professional review! Loved it! I love watching LOTR and never tire of it. Classic in every sense of the word…like The Holy Spirit inspired Tolkien while he wrote it. Thank you for sharing!
BTW, the new "rings of power" series is beyond bad I only watched funny abridged reviews of it that poke fun at it. for example Sauron becomes evil just because Galadriel doesnt want to be his girlfriend
