The sprawling epic of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy has cemented its place in cinematic history, not just for its grand spectacle but for the character development and subtle storytelling woven throughout. These movies, far from being a one-time viewing experience, demand repeated immersion. Tewatching uncovers some The Lord of the Rings harsh realities, but mostly a renewed appreciation. From the quiet resolve of a hobbit taking his first steps beyond the Shire to the thunderous charge at the Black Gate, every single moment holds profound significance.
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It’s in the delicate nuances of character interactions, the unspoken emotions etched on weathered faces, and the subtle shifts in Howard Shore’s masterful The Lord of the Rings soundtrack that the true magic of the movies lies. The Peter Jackson trilogy includes a lot of moments that illuminate the core themes of courage, loyalty, and the enduring power of hope. The best scenes in The Lord of the Rings reward us with discoveries and renewed emotional connections with each journey back to Middle-earth.
You are watching: You Can’t Watch The Lord Of The Rings Movies Just Once, And These 10 Scenes Prove It
1
Sam Leaving The Shire With Frodo
On a seemingly unremarkable field outside the Shire, one hobbit reaches a personal threshold that perfectly sums up Sam in The Lord of the Rings. Each step forward takes Sam further from his familiar life than ever before. The field becomes a symbol of his departure from comfort, yet he bravely continues, following Frodo into the unknown. He says to Frodo, “This is it… If I take one more step, it’ll be the farthest away from home I’ve ever been.”
Knowing how all the hobbits grow throughout the series and the peace Samwise Gamgee finds in the Shire at the end of The Return of the King, the beginning of his journey in The Fellowship of the Ring is particularly touching to rewatch. It is also moving to revisit in a circular context, considering Frodo and Sam start and end their quest walking together, from the fresh greens of the Shire to the ash and dirt of Mount Doom.
2
Legolas Learning About Mortality
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A big part of Legolas’ arc in The Lord of the Rings movies is his evolving understanding of mortality. In the cinematic portrayal of Legolas’ character traits, he has not witnessed death and doesn’t understand it. This positions him as a being of almost naive immortality, a stark contrast to the grim realities of Middle-earth. This is shattered with Gandalf’s assumed fall in Moria. His reaction to Gandalf’s death, urging his companions that they “cannot linger”, may initially come across as cold and typically Elven. On a rewatch, his shock and struggle to process the event are clear.
Later in The Fellowship of the Ring, when Boromir dies, Legolas’ facial expression shows a slight confusion bordering on curiosity when watching Aragorn’s farewell to his fellow warrior. This shows Legolas being exposed to more death that hits close to home as he learns how other species show their emotions when faced with loss.
There is a significant shift from his initially bewildered reaction to finality…
This continues to evolve throughout the series. In The Two Towers, there is a significant shift from his initially bewildered reaction to finality upon Aragorn’s supposed death. He refuses to accept what has happened, saying “you lie,” and he shows far more signs of grief in this scene, holding the Evenstar necklace and staring at Théodon in horror as he instructs to “leave the dead” before the Wolves of Isengard return, echoing Legolas’ urgency for the group to move along in Fellowship. This significant change in how he reacts to mortality is satisfying and moving to rewatch.
3
Merry Stabbing The Witch King
Merry’s desperate stab at the mysterious Witch-king of Angmar, a moment of startling bravery in the face of overwhelming terror, is profoundly satisfying to rewatch. It encapsulates the core theme of courage found in the most unlikely of places. Merry, a hobbit of no great martial prowess, acts not from strength or skill but from sheer loyalty and a desperate desire to protect Éowyn. His act of defiance, a small blade against an ancient evil, disrupts the established power dynamic, proving that even the smallest being can strike a decisive blow against darkness.
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The scene resonates because it’s a testament to the power of heart over might, a reminder that courage isn’t about size or ability but about the willingness to act in the face of insurmountable odds. We see the very real terror in Merry’s face, but his hand still moves, and the blade still finds its mark. It’s a visceral representation of the underdog triumphing, not through superior force but through unwavering determination, and it sets the stage for Éowyn’s own pivotal strike.
4
Sam Carries Frodo to Mount Doom
That moment in The Return of the King, when Samwise Gamgee, battered and exhausted, declares, “I can’t carry it for you, but I can carry you!” is a wonderful piece of emotional storytelling. It’s a scene that consistently elicits tears, a testament to Sean Astin’s powerful performance and the profound depth of the characters’ bond. The sheer vulnerability of Frodo, coupled with Sam’s unwavering loyalty and love, creates a moment of raw, human connection that resonates deeply. Samwise carrying Frodo is a symbolic representation of carrying emotional weight, of supporting a friend through unimaginable suffering.
The scene perfectly captures the essence of true friendship and the strength found in selfless devotion, making it an enduring and deeply moving moment to rewatch. It is undoubtedly one of the best Sam Gangee quotes in The Lord of the Rings. The emotional impact is emphasized by the excellent soundtrack by Howard Shore, giving the audience a renewed sense of hope after Frodo has confessed to Sam that he does not remember the sensory details of living in the Shire anymore.
5
The Elves Show Up At Helm’s Deep
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The Elves showing up at The Lord of the Rings’ Helm’s Deep is an example of Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Phillipa Boyens, and other key writers on The Lord of the Rings using their creative license wisely. It is one of the best changes made from book to screen. In the scene, Legolas is the first to notice “that is no Orc horn”, and Helm’s Deep opens its gates to Haldir and his troops. Behind-the-scenes interviews about The Two Towers reveal that this moment provoked cheers from the most ardent Tolkien fans in test screenings.
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Haldir tells Théodon, “An alliance once existed between Elves and Men” as a message from Elrond, showing the Elves want to honor that alliance one last time before they leave Middle-earth. The details of the Battle of Helm’s Deep in general make The Two Towers incredible to rewatch, including the warm colors of the Elves’ armor, showing that the Elves are in the Autumn of their age. Having the Elves honor their allegiance, even if it’s not book-accurate, captures the spirit of hope desperately needed at this point in the trilogy; Haldir’s sacrifice in battle emphasizes its weight.
6
The Mines Of Moria
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The Mines of Moria are the source of several of the greatest scenes in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The chase scene with the fellowship fleeing the Orcs, leading up to Gandalf’s confrontation with the Balrog, is particularly chock-full of details that are great to rewatch. The whole sequence is so satisfying – Legolas fires an arrow directly between the eyes of an Orc, and the camera follows the arrow as it hits home. Directly after the shot is a heartwarming moment, with Boromir tucking Merry and Pippin under each arm for a big jump.
Gimli’s iconic line, “Nobody tosses a Dwarf,” is also in the sequence. Aragorn’s tactical mind also shines in the scene, with his approach to using their weight on the severed stairs to get him and Frodo across in an edge-of-your-seat moment. Gandalf’s unforgettable stand-off with the Balrog is the cherry on the cake of one of the best chapters of the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is rewatchable for the camaraderie in this formative stage of the fellowship, and seeing all these great characters working together is sorely missed later in the franchise.
7
Faramir Showing His Quality
The rewatchable moments in The Lord of the Rings aren’t always grandiose. Some of the subtler moments in character interactions also make the trilogy rewarding to rewatch. One such moment is when Samwise echoes the language of Faramir and his overbearing father Denethor to acknowledge his honorable character. When Faramir accepts that his life is forfeit in setting Sam and Frodo free in The Two Towers, Sam says, “You have shown your quality, sir.” Faramir responds by admiring the Shire for valuing its gardeners so highly, showing a mutual respect for both of their understated qualities in the shadow of others.
It’s this quiet strength, this shared understanding of true quality, that makes the scene so rewarding upon rewatch…
This moment is poignant because it highlights the shared traits of both characters: a deep sense of integrity and an understanding of true heroism. Neither seeks glory or recognition, yet both display extraordinary bravery in the face of adversity. It’s a moment of mutual respect that transcends social hierarchies and expectations, a quiet testament to the enduring power of kindness and integrity. It’s this quiet strength, this shared understanding of true quality, that makes the scene so rewarding upon rewatch, revealing the depth of character that lies beneath the surface of the epic narrative.
8
The Charge For Frodo At The Black Gate
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Aragorn’s charge at the Black Gate is such a pivotal scene in The Return of the King and one of the things that makes the final movie of the trilogy well worth a rewatch. Visually, it is spectacular in the way it juxtaposes light and dark with the troops on either side, the Eye of Sauron and Mount Doom looming behind the enemy. Grey clouds darken their side of the gate while the heroes are bathed in sunshine. When the Eye whispers Aragorn’s name, it seems to freeze time in Aragorn’s crucial decision to fight darkness and not repeat history.
As he turns, this action alongside the eerie soundtrack is reminiscent of the moment of Isildur’s betrayal previously shown in Elrond’s flashbacks, but then Aragorn, with tears in his eyes, whispers, “for Frodo”. The ensuing charge, led first by Aragorn, then by Merry and Pippin before the rest follow, is such a rewarding moment when rewatching the movie. The significance of Merry and Pippin being the first to follow Aragorn cannot be overstated, the sheer audacity of their small figures leading the charge. They embody the very essence of hope in the face of despair.
9
“You Bow To No One”
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Another brilliant moment between Aragorn and the hobbits that is rewarding to rewatch is once the whole conflict is over in The Return of the King. Aragorn showing his true respect for the hobbits is one of the most emotional moments in cinema. It is an especially satisfying emotional payoff on a rewatch because of the way Aragorn acknowledges true bravery. Indeed, Pippin’s courage toppled Isengard, Merry helped to defeat the Witch-king, Frodo sacrificed his spirit to carry the ring to Mordor, and Sam was perhaps the bravest of all.
The emotional connection built through years of character development is tangible in the scene. The hobbits come to show their respect to Aragorn and Arwen, but Aragorn insists, “you bow to no one”, leading the crowd to bow at their feet. At this moment, Aragorn acknowledges that the humble hobbit has saved Middle-earth. The transition of the soundtrack to the poignant strings of the Shire’s theme emphasizes the poignancy of this interaction, making it yet another tear-jerker of the franchise.
10
Théoden Answering Gondor’s Call For Aid
A highly rewatchable moment in The Lord of the Rings comes after Pippin triumphantly lights Gondor’s beacon in The Return of the King. Aragorn stumbles into the hall and breathlessly announces to Thédon, “Gondor calls for aid.” Rohan’s King is speechless and open-mouthed at first. Several seconds of silence follow as each character in the scene looks at Théodon, waiting for his decision. His final response, “And Rohan will answer,” does not get any less exciting on rewatches of The Lord of the Rings.
The triumphant horns of the soundtrack that follow are a promise of heroism to come and one of the greatest moments of hope in the movie. Part of what makes it so enjoyable on a rewatch is appreciating Howard Shore’s soundtrack. From the buildup as each beacon is lit, to a shift in pace dedicated to Aragorn’s run up the stairs, to the dramatic pause before Théodon’s answer, Shore’s incredible skill shines particularly brightly in this part of The Lord of the Rings films.
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia franchise consisting of several movies and a TV show released by Amazon titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The franchise is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book series that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
Movie(s)
The Lord of the Rings (1978), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Created by
J.R.R. Tolkien
First Film
The Lord of the Rings (1978)
Cast
Norman Bird, Anthony Daniels, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Ian Holm, Andy Serkis, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Morfydd Clark, Mike Wood, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Charlie Vickers, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Sara Zwangobani, Daniel Weyman, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Lenny Henry, Brian Cox, Shaun Dooley, Miranda Otto, Bilal Hasna, Benjamin Wainwright, Luke Pasqualino, Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt
TV Show(s)
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Character(s)
Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Legolas, Boromir, Sauron, Gollum, Samwise Gamgee, Pippin Took, Celeborn, Aragorn, Galadriel, Bilbo Baggins, Saruman, Aldor, Wormtongue, Thorin Oakenshield, Balin Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Nori, Dori, Ori, Tauriel, King Thranduil, Smaug, Radagast, Arondir, Nori Brandyfoot, Poppy Proudfellow, Marigold Brandyfoot, Queen Regent Míriel, Sadoc Burrows
Video Game(s)
The Lord of the Rings Online (dupe), Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, The Lord Of The Rings: Gollum, The Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria
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Category: Entertainment