The Return of the King Extended Edition Movie Script Index
The Return of the King
released 17th December 2003
Synopsis
Return of the King opens with a
flashback to the days when Gollum was Smeagol, and he is out fishing on the lake
with his cousin Deagol. Deagol is dragged overboard by a large fish he has
hooked, and whilst under water, sees something gleaming in the water. When he
surfaces he sees it is a ring. Smeagol senses that this is a special ring, and
asks for it as his birthday present. Deagol senses its pull and refuses, in the
ensuing fight, Smeagol murders Deagol. We are then shown shots of the gradual
decline of Smeagol as he is ostricised by his community and forced to live alone
in the caves. The Ring brings to him "unnatural long life" and his appearance
changes as does his behaviour. He talks to himself as a split personality,
being both Smeagol and Gollum.
We are then taken to the present day, and see Gollum urging Sam and Frodo to
hurry, as he hears the forces of Sauron gathering towards the Black Gate.
Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Theoden and Eomer advance to
Isengard where Treebeard is guarding Saruman in his tower. The surroundings are
flooded and Merry and Pippin are perched upon a wall enjoying the contents of
Saruman's larder. It is here that Pippin discovers the Palantir of Saruman and
Gandalf takes it from him for safe keeping.
The movie then cuts to the Golden Halls of Edoras where a feast of celebration
for the victory of the Battle of Helms Deep is taking place. Later that night,
Pippin feels the pull of the Palantir, and takes it from Gandalf in his sleep,
and looking into it, reveals himself to Sauron. Sauron beleives that Pippin is
the one who holds his Ring. With this in mind, Gandalf sees no other choice but
to take Pippin with him as he rides to Gondor to waken Denethor (steward of
Gondor) to the desperate trouble that he is in.
Meanwhile, we see the Lady Arwen riding to the Grey Havens to take the last ship
to Valinor as she leaves Middle Earth. On her journey she has a vision of her
son with Aragorn, and abandons her journey and returns to Rivendell to plead
with Elrond, her father, to remake the sword that cut the Ring from Saurons hand
and to give it back to its rightful heir Aragorn in his time of need.
Once at Minas Tirith, the white city of Gondor, Denethor decries Gandalf,
claiming he knows all. He asks of the death of his son Boromir, and confessing
that Boromir died saving him, Pippin pledges his allegiance to Gondor.
At this time Frodo, Sam and Gollum reach Minas Morgul, the home of the Witch
King, the most deadly servant of Sauron, the one that no man can kill. At the
base of its entrance are the long steps to Shelobs Lair, which the hobbits take,
not knowing the fate that awaits them.
The next day, Pippin is seen lighting the beacon of Gondor, awakening Rohan to
the call of Gondor as Faramir and his men try to stop the orcs taking over the
river city of Gondor, Osgiliath. Theoden on seeing the beacons lit rouses his
people to goto Gondor's aid and tells them to all meet at Dunharrow.
Faramir and his men are defeated and return to Minas Tirith, where he reveals to
Gandalf that he met Frodo two days ago and told him of where they were headed.
Denethor meanwhile is disgusted at his son's retreat from Osgiliath and orders
him to return to take back the city.
On the Stairs Gollum convinces Frodo that Sam wants to take the Ring from him,
and in an ensuing conflict, Frodo orders Sam to return home, and goes alone with
Gollum into the cave.
Back at Dunharrow Theoden is dismayed at the few numbers of men who have arrived
to fight in battle. That evening Elrond arrives to give Aragorn the reforged
sword, Andruil, and advises him to gather extra forces by calling on the Dead
who live under the mountain. They have an oath to fulfil to the heir of Isildur
and with Andruil he hopes they will follow him to Minas Tirith, aid them in
battle, and hence be freed of their oath, and be left in peace.
The next day the forces gathered at Dunharrow leave for Minas Tirth, together
with Eowyn in disguise as a man, carrying before her Merry. At the same time
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli enter the paths of the dead, where Aragorn asks the
dead to follow him.
Faramir returns to Minas Tirith as the only survivor, badly wounded. Denethor
on seeing his son, abandons his post and bids his men do the same. But Gandalf
stands in his stead, and orders the men to defend their city against the great
forces of orcs and men of Sauron who have come to attack.
Frodo enters the cave alone, Gollum has abandoned him. He wanders through the
caves, and is chased by Shelob a giant spider and narrowly escapes her and her
webs, to be caught then by Gollum who tries to strangle him, but Frodo throws
off. Exhausted he falls to the floor, to see a vision of Galadriel reminding
him of his task. He stumbles onwards.
Sam meanwhile, cannot leave Frodo, and returns to the cave to see Shelob sting
Frodo and spin a tight web around his lifeless body. He stabs her with Frodo's
sword sting, and eventually wounds her so badly, she retreats back into her
cave. Seeing Frodo lifeless, he panics and takes the Ring from him, assuming he
alone will have to finish this journey. Hearing orc footsteps he hides, and
overhears them say that Frodo is not dead, but sleeping. Dismayed, he follows
them to the Tower of Cirith Ungol where Frodo is taken to the topmost room.
The Rohirrim arrive in time to aid the defences of Minas Tirith and join the
battle. At this time Denethor is preparing a funeral pyre for himself and his
son. Pippin alerts Gandalf to this, and between them they rescue Faramir from
the fire, but Denethor is caught alight, and dives to his death from the top of
the cliff.
Meanwhile Mumakil (giant elephant type creatures) arrive in the battle and the
Rohirrim fight to kill them. The Mumakil are backed up by the Nazgul on their
fell beasts, the Witch King amongst them. He attacks Theoden knocking him from
his horse. On seeing this Eowyn rushes towards them and cuts off the head of
the Witch Kings beast. Laughing the Witch King reminds her that no man can kill
him, and attacks her. Merry jumps up and stabs him in the leg, distracting him.
Eowyn removes her helmet to reveal she is "no man" and kills the Witch King. Theoden
dies.
Aragorn in the meantime has arrived on the Black Ships with Legolas and Gimli,
and the army of the Dead. Soon the battle is over, as the Dead defeat Sauron's
forces. Aragorn releases them from their oath.
Sam fights the orcs remaining in Cirith Ungol, and releases Frodo, returning the
Ring to him.
Aragorn encourages those left to attack the Black Gate to divert Sauron's
attention from Frodo and his move into Mordor, as they still beleive he is
alive.
On the slopes of Mount Doom, Frodo is worn down by the weight and pull of the
One Ring. Sauron's eye is scouring Mordor looking for him when Aragorn and the
remaining soldiers arrive at the Black Gate. His eye is drawn to them.
Sam carries Frodo up the Mount as he is no longer able to carry himself.
Suddenly they are attacked by Gollum. Frodo escapes and with new strength runs
into Mount Doom.
Aragorn and his army fight in vain hope against the vast forces of Sauron.
Once in the Mount, Sam urges Frodo to drop the Ring into the fires, but Frodo
cannot, and claims it as his own, and puts it on. Gollum rushes in and tries to
wrestle the Ring from him, finally biting it from his finger. Frodo battles to
reclaim it, and in the ensuing struggle, Gollum falls into the fires, still
clutching the Ring and dragging Frodo with him. Sam drags Frodo to safety and
they run out of the Mount as it explodes behind them. At the same time, the eye
of Sauron collapses, and a great chasm appears in the ground of Mordor, taking
with it its buildings and those forces of Sauron unable to escape.
Frodo and Sam are rescued from Mount Doom by Gandalf and the Eagles and taken to
Minas Tirith were they are reunited with their friends. Aragorn is crowned as
King Elessar of Gondor, and Elrond brings Arwen to him.
After the ceremonies, the hobbits return to the Shire, where Sam weds Rosie
Cotton. However Frodo finds that he is having difficulty settling back into
life in the Shire. Gandalf arrives one evening, with Bilbo taking him to the
Grey Havens to sail to Valinor with the elves. The four hobbits accompany them.
At the Grey Havens, Elrond, Galadriel and Celeborn wait. They say their
farewells and Bilbo boards the ship with them. Gandalf turns to the hobbits and
tells them that he is going on the ship too, his task has ended, then turns to
Frodo and says "it is time". The hobbits cannot beleive that Frodo is leaving,
and tearfully say goodbye.
Returning to the Shire, the last scene is of Sam and Rosie and their two
children going into their home.
contributed by Elril Galia
   
Facts
In 2004 the movie won 11 Academy Awards out of 11 nominations,
equalling the records previously set by "Titanic" and "Ben Hur", it also became
the first movie to be nominated in 11 categories and to WIN ALL ELEVEN!. The winning
categories were for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screen Play,
Best Original Song, Best Original Score, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, Best
Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Sound, and Best Visual Effects.
It is listed as the seventh highest grossing film during its theatrical run, with
takings of $376.959 USA dollars from world-wide theatrical box office
receipts (movie ticket sales).
(Source:
http://movieweb.com/movies/box_office/alltime.php December 2004).
Fun facts
Viggo Mortensen estimates that, during the course of filming the entire
trilogy and including all takes, he killed every stuntman on the production at
least fifty times.
Broke the international box office record for an opening weekend, bringing in
nearly $250 million.
The live-action Rohan army is made up of several hundred New Zealander
extras, who responded to an open casting call for anyone who could ride a horse.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy became the most nominated film series in
Academy Award history with 30 nominations, surpassing both the Godfather trilogy
(28) and the Star Wars franchise (21).
To get enough extras for the Battle of the Pelennor fields, a few hundred
members of the New Zealand army were brought in. They apparently were so
enthusiastic during the battle scenes that they kept breaking the wooden swords
and spears they were given.
Like Billy Boyd earlier in the film, Viggo Mortensen also composed the tune
and sung the part to the song Aragorn sings at his coronation. The translation
of the Elvish words runs "Out of the Great Sea to Middle Earth I am come. In
this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world." This is,
according to the lore of Middle Earth, the same verse Elendil sung when he first
arrived in Middle Earth from Númenor.
Dominic Monaghan 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?"
Trailer
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The Two Towers
released 18th December 2002
Synopsis
The Two Towers
opens with a shot of the Misty Mountains and zooms back to a flashback of
Gandalf commanding the Balrog, and his ultimate fall into the chasm of Moria. We
now follow Gandalf on his fall with the Balrog, fighting all the way.
Frodo suddenly wakes in the rocks of Emyn Muil, startled. Sam and Frodo try to
pace their way out the rocks, but continue to get lost. Exhausted they fall
asleep, and whilst they sleep a creature creeps up on them, its Gollum (Andy
Serkis)! As he pounces, Frodo and Sam awaken and struggle with him, finally
tying him with a rope. Gollum protests, and they release him on the
understanding that he guide them to the Black Gates of Mordor.
We flip now to Pippin and Merry being carried by the uruks towards Isengard.
They are exhausted but whilst they run, Pippin manages to drop his elven leaf
brooch on the ground.
We now see Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli following the tracks of the Uruks and
Saruman informing the Wildmen that the men of Rohan have taken their lands, and
they must seek revenge.
At Edoras, Eomer (Karl Urban) is seen riding with the Rohirrim into the city
with the son of Theoden, Theodred who is dying. Eomer confronts Theoden (Bernard
Hill), who is old and weak and frail (under the power of Saruman) and his
adviser Grima (Brad Dourif) informing him that the orcs of Saruman did this and
asks for assistance. Grima accuses him of lying and banishes him from the
kingdom of Rohan.
Meanwhile the Uruk-hai carrying the hobbits stop overnight on the edges of
Fangorn. During the night, Eomer and the rohirrim attack and kill them all,
Merry and Pippin escape into the forest.
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli see Eomer and the horsemen ride by, and ask after the
hobbits and uruks. Eomer tells them that they were all killed in the night, and
gives them two horses to travel to the fire burning their bodies. Aragorn tracks
the hobbits movements and they follow them into the forest.
Merry and Pip run trying to escape an orc still chasing them, and are picked up
by Treebeard, an ent, a tree-shepherd, who beleives them to be "little orcs" and
takes them to the white wizard.
Gollum meanwhile has led Frodo and Sam to the Dead Marshes and shows them a path
through, that only he knows as a short cut to the Black Gates. The marshes are
full of the dead soldiers from earlier battles and Frodo falls into one, to be
rescued by Gollum. They quickly hide as a nazgul flies over on his fell beast.
Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli continue to follow the trail of the hobbits, and
Legolas senses the white wizard approaching. The wizard reveals himself to them
and it is Gandalf now returned as Gandalf the White. He explained to them that
he defeated the Balrog and was returned to Middle Earth to fulfil his task. He
instructs them that they must ride to Edoras, and calls for the Lord of all
horses, Shadowfax
Treebeard is now walking looking after the hobbits through Fangorn
Frodo, Sam and Gollum arrive at the Black Gates. Sam falls and is nearly seen by
the Easterlings arriving to assist Sauron's armies. Gollum persuades them that
to enter Mordor via the Black Gates would be very dangerous, and that he knows a
secret way into Mordor.
Eowyn (Miranda Otto) is weaping over the dead body of Theodred. Grima finds her
there and reveals his love for her. Gandalf and the others arive and enter the
Golden Halls of Edoras, and see the frail mind and body of Theoden. Gandalf
commands Saruman to leave his body and release Theoden. Saruman laughs as he
thinks that Gandalf is but a grey wizard. Gandalf throws off his cape and
reveals his white clothes and releases Theoden from his spell. Theoden recovers
and banishes Grima from his kingdom.
The children arrive from the Westfold were the Wildmen burned their town. They
tell of the terror that Saruman has unleashed. Theoden decides that they must
evacuate and make for their stronghold in the mountains, Helms Deep. Gandalf
leaves to find Eomer and the Rohirrim (horsemen)
Grima has now arrived at Isengard and tells of Theoden's plans. Saruman sends
out orcs and wargs to attack them on their journey.
Sam, Frodo and Gollum continue on their journey and see the troops amassing for
Sauron. Suddenly these evil men are attacked by hidden archers. Gollum skulks
away, but Frodo and Sam are taken captive by the archers, Faramir (son of
Denethor, (David Wenham)) and the soldiers of Gondor.
Aragorn remembers Arwen, and her leaving for Valinor and their last meeting.
Suddenly they are attacked by the warg riders. Eowyn takes the rohan people on a
safe route to Helms Deep, whilst the men fight. Aragorn becomes trapped on a
warg during the fight and is dragged over a cliff and disappeared presumed dead.
Grima tells Saruman of the weakness in the Deeping wall at Helms deep, a small
drainage tunnel. Saruman sends out his tens of thousands Uruks to attack Helms
Deep
Arwen in a vision revives Aragorn, who is laid in a river, and the horse Brego
carries him to Helms Deep.
Faramir questions Frodo and Sam about Boromir and their journey. He captures
Gollum and discovers the Ring. He decides to take them all to Minas Tirith to
make use of their new found weapon.
Aragorn sees the army of Uruks and rides quickly to Helms Deep to warn them.
The ents are gathering to decide if they will goto war
All men and boys are armed for battle at Helms Deep. They are suprised by the
arrival of an army of elves, lead by Haldir (Craig Parker) sent by Elrond to aid
them. The uruks arrive and the battle begins.
The ents decide not to goto war, that it is not their battle
The uruks blow up the Deeping Wall and the army of Rohan is overtaken. They pull
back to the Keep
Treebeard decides to take the hobbits to the edge of the forest so that they can
make their way home. Pippin persuades him to take them past the edge of the
forest near to Isengard
Frodo, Sam, Gollum and Faramir arrive at Osgiliath, the Gondor city by the
river, and see it under attack
Treebeard sees the edge of the forest, the destruction of it, that Saruman has
done, and calls for the ents to goto war on Isengard
The nazgul arrive at Osgiliath and nearly take Frodo.
Aragorn persuades Theoden to make one last stand against the Uruks and ride out
on horseback against them. As they ride out, they see Gandalf and Eomer arrive
with the Rohirrim. They attack and the uruks flee into Fangorn and are caught by
the trees.
The ents can be seen throwing rocks and destroying the mines surrounding
Isengard. They pull down the dam and water rushes and floods Isengard.
Faramir realises that he must let Frodo continue on his journey and releases
them.
The film ends with Gollum leading them away, and plotting to let "her" kill them
so he can take the Ring for himself "once they are dead"
contributed by Elril Galia
    
Pictures copyright of the respective owners
Facts
In 2003 the movie won 2 Academy Awards out of 6 nominations. The winning
categories were for Sound Editing, Visual Effects. The nominated categories were
Best Picture, Art Direction, Sound, Film Editing,
It is listed as the eleventh highest grossing film during its theatrical run, with
takings of $340,655,000 USA dollars from world-wide theatrical box office
receipts (movie ticket sales).
(Source:
http://movieweb.com/movies/box_office/alltime.php December2004).
Fun facts
During the battle of Helm's Deep, the first man to
throw a spear at the oncoming orcs is none other than the director of the film,
Peter Jackson.
When arriving upon the set to film the scene in which Andy Serkis (Gollum)
has to catch a fish, they discovered that it had snowed overnight. Peter Jackson
had the snow cleared on the set (which included defrosting the river as well as
the land surrounding it) by 1:00 PM.
Viggo Mortensen broke two toes while kicking the steel helmet by the orc
pyre, and that take is the one that actually appears in the movie
Viggo Mortensen's son, Henry Mortensen appears as an extra in some of the
Helm's Deep sequences
The first sequel to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture when
the original film did not win the award itself, and the third sequel to be
nominated for Best Picture.
During one take while filming the scene when Aragorn is floating down the
river, Viggo Mortensen was dragged under water for many seconds. He managed to
kick himself back up off a rock, perhaps saving his life. A safety team then
rescued him and took him to shore
Trailer
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