Director – Peter Jackson – 2003 – New Zealand – Cert. 12a – 201m
*****
(NB Extended Edition, in cinemas July 2020, 252m version released on DVD 2004)
This review was originally published in What’s On In London.
A much longer review appeared in Third Way.
A pre-screening article on The Lord Of The Rings appeared in Sussed in 2001.
Peter Jackson and co-screenwriters Boyens and Walsh rise admirably to the considerable challenges posed by The Lord of the Rings’ third and last volume. Gandalf comments early on that Saruman no longer has any real power, jettisoning that evil wizard (and Christopher Lee) plus related Scouring Of The Shire plot strand to make Tolkien’s lengthy section following the Mount Doom climax more manageable
However all the book’s requisite material is here, brilliantly condensed. The Mount Doom scene itself – far too quick in Tolkien after the incredible build up preceding it – is expanded and so given the necessary dramatic weight. Liberties taken with The Paths Of The Dead likewise serve the narrative well. Jackson’s opening is as unexpected and stunning as that of The Two Towers, while his finale effectively pictures Tolkien’s closing metaphor for life after death.
Terrific performances again jostle with incredible special visual effects. Among performers familiar from past instalments, Elijah Wood as Ringbearer Frodo plumbs even greater emotional depth than previously as his relationship with Sam (Sean Astin), the CGI-rendered Gollum and the One Ring grows in complexity. Hugo Weaving seems more comfortable as Elrond. Of the remainder, John Noble stands out as Denethor, Steward of Gondor.
Giant spider Shelob proves a disappointment (no mythic verbal build-up, tunnels not dark enough), but Oliphaunt armies, siege machines and numerous battles more than compensate. The Witch-King (Nazgul leader) and the dragonlike Nazgul steeds (the best dragons ever seen in the movies) are particularly impressive and given plenty of screen time.
Film Of The Year. No competition.
UK release date 17/12/2003.
This review was originally published in What’s On In London.
A much longer review appeared in Third Way.
A pre-screening article on The Lord Of The Rings appeared in Sussed in 2001.
Trailer here: