Director: Peter Jackson

Screenwriter(s): Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Peter Jackson

Based on: “The Return of the King” by J.R.R. Tolkien

Cast: Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys-Davies, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Liv Tyler, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Andy Serkis, Sean Bean, David Wenham, Miranda Otto, Karl Urban, John Noble, Bernard Hill

Plot: Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) must travel to Mordor to destroy the evil ring. Meanwhile, Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), and the rest of the Fellowship help ensure Middle Earth’s freedom by fighting against Sauron and his army.

Mini Review: While the title suggests that the focus lies with Aragorn and his rightful place on the throne of Gondor, our eyes (unlike Sauron’s) remain fixed on the relationship between Frodo and Sam while it faces its greatest test with throwing the ring “into the fiery chasm from whence it came.” Having strategically balanced the focus on each character in our fellowship throughout the franchise, Screenwriters Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh, and Peter Jackson have prepared us for a proper final chapter in “Return of the King”. It is a heartwarming, fantastical epic centered around fighting against internal struggles and evil as well as fighting for love and for friendship. Jim’s Rating: 9.5/10

Random Trivia: Dominic Monaghan (Merry) was allergic to the elven cloaks the Fellowship wore. Before scenes were shot, Peter Jackson used to joke around and say, “Are we ready to go? Does Dom have his cape on?”

A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men…

Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) breaks his toes during filming and this turns into an emotional and excellent performance. Orlando Bloom (Legolas) breaks his ribs on set and, naturally, his castmates are eager to show their support.

Oscar-Winning Factors: Set Design, Cinematography, Acting, Music 

Set Design

Cinematography

Acting

Elrond (Hugo Weaving) instructs a reluctant Aragorn on how to summon more men against Sauron’s army and reminds him where his identity lies with a weapon from his ancestors.

Gollum convinces Smeagol to try to lead Frodo and Sam to their death so that he (they) can keep the ring.

Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn discuss how to distract Sauron and his army of orcs to help Frodo and Sam successfully drop the ring into Mount Doom.

Sam fights off a giant spider in an effort to save his friend, Frodo, from being her prey. (At this moment, Sam may not be of many words but it is one that makes us root for him…possibly more than we do Frodo.)

Music

“Into the West”, Performed by Annie Lennox

“Edge of Night”, Performed by Billy Boyd

“The Battle of the Pelennor Fields”, Composed by Howard Shore

Nominations & Wins:

• Achievement in Production Design (W) – Grant Major, Dan Hennah, and Alan Lee
• Achievement in Costume Design (W) – Ngila Dickson and Richard Taylor
• Achievement in Directing (W) – Peter Jackson
• Achievement in Film Editing (W) – Jamie Selkirk
• Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling (W) – Richard Taylor and Peter King
• Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Score (W) – Howard Shore
• Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song (W) – “Into the West” (Music and Lyrics by Fran Walsh and Howard Shore, Performed by Annie Lennox)
• Achievement in Sound Mixing (W)
• Achievement in Visual Effects (W)
• Adapted Screenplay (W)

Sources: IMDb, The Oscars,