The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

""We have not the Ring. … Without it we cannot by force defeat his force. But we must at all costs keep his Eye from his true peril. We cannot achieve victory by arms, but by arms we can give the Ring-bearer his only chance, frail though it be. … We must push Sauron to his last throw. We must call out his hidden strength, so that he shall empty his land. We must march out to meet him at once. We must make ourselves the bait, though his jaws should close on us. … We must walk open-eyed into that trap, with courage, but small hope for ourselves.""

- Gandalf

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is a 2003 epic fantasy adventure film directed by Peter Jackson, based on the third volume of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. It was preceded by The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers, and it is the final installment in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and was produced by Barrie M. Osborne, Jackson, and Fran Walsh, and written by Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Jackson. In this final film of the series, the former Fellowship members prepare for the final battle. While Frodo and Sam approach Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, they follow Gollum, unaware of the path he is leading them to. The film features an ensemble cast including Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Bernard Hill, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Karl Urban, John Noble, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm, and Sean Bean.

It premiered on 1 December 2003 at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington and was theatrically released on 17 December 2003 in the United States and on 18 December 2003 in New Zealand and it received critical acclaim from critics, audiences, and fans of the novel, who considered it to be a landmark in filmmaking and the fantasy film genre, with praise for the visual effects, performances, action sequences, direction, screenplay, musical score, costume design, and emotional depth and It is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made. Return of the King is one of the highest grossing films in cinema history. The film won 11 Academy Awards at the 2004 Oscar ceremony including Best Picture, sharing the world record for most academy awards received with Ben-Hur (1959) and Titanic (1997), and also was the first fantasy film to win Best Picture. The film won all 11 Oscars for which it was nominated (which included the award for Best Picture (marking the first time a fantasy film had ever won the honor) as well as Best Director) during the 76th Academy Awards in 2004.

Plot
The film begins with a flashback sequence where we discover how the character Gollum (Sméagol) first came across the One Ring. The two hobbits, Sméagol and his cousin, Déagol, are fishing in the lake, and while Déagol was catching a big fish and he the fish dragged himself into the lake and he discovers the One Ring in the river, and he goes back into the ground and Sméagol goes over to him and sees him. Sméagol's mind is suddenly ensnared by the Ring, and he attempts to take the ring from Déagol by violently choked him to death, and he looks at the rings, calling the ring "Precious" or his "Birthday Present", and he put it on his finger. Unfortunately, not long afterward, he was quickly corrupted further by the ring and he was banished by the community, and the ring first began to possess him. He takes a fish and he eats it, and he looks even weaker during the last several days, and he finds a new home in the Misty Mountains over the next four hundred years.

The film cuts back not long after the battle of Osgiliath, Frodo and Sam wake up, revealing that they're now very close to secret path of Mordor with Mount Doom in view. Gollum is still leading them and Sam continues to have bad feelings about where Gollum will lead them to. Frodo, however, has full trust in the creature. Meanwhile, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, King Théoden, Gamling, and Eomer they arrive at a ruined Isengard, (in the extended cut, they confront a traitorous Wizard, Saruman, standing atop of his tower. Saruman says to King Théoden that they could be allies once more, but Théoden explains that they shall both have peace when Rohan avenges all the people killed at the Westfold and Helm's Deep by executing Saruman on a gibbet. Saruman mentions to Gandalf that Frodo is heading towards immediate doom and that Aragorn will never be crowned King of Gondor. Saruman insults the Men of Rohan and claims that Gríma will never be free and slaps him to the floor. In his anger, Wormtongue attacks Saruman, fatally stabbing him in the back. Legolas quickly fires an arrow into Gríma, killing him, but he is too late to save Saruman, who plummets from Orthanc's top and is impaled on a watermill.) The group rides to Edoras, where King Théoden has prepared a large banquet to 'hail the victorious dead' of the Battle of the Hornburg. There Éowyn (Miranda Otto) shows affection for Aragorn which Théoden notices; he tells her that he is happy for her, Aragorn being an honorable man and the architect of the victory at Helm's Deep. That night, there is a post-battle party in the Golden hall at Edoras, where King Théoden is given the Cup of Kings by his niece, Éowyn, and addresses the people of Rohan, including Aragorn, of the men who died defending the gates of Helm’s Deep and saving their country. Then, there is a huge feast where Éomer volunteers Gimli and Legolas into a drinking competition - eventually, Legolas wins after Gimli passes out. Leaving Rivendell on her way to the Undying Lands, Arwen (Liv Tyler) has a vision of Eldarion (Sadwyn Brophy), the son she will have with Aragorn. She realises that her father lied to her when he said she and Aragorn had no future together.

She returns to Rivendell and convinces Elrond (Hugo Weaving) that having forsaken the life of the Eldar, she cannot leave Aragorn now. She tells her father that as foretold, the time to reforge Narsil has come. Narsil, the sword of Elendil, is the birthright of the true heir of Isildur, the man who used the sword to cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand. They arrive at Minas Tirith, City of Kings, that was built out of the rock of Mindolluin. There Pippin recognises the White Tree as they go to find the Steward Denethor (John Noble). They approach him as he mourns over Boromir (Sean Bean), his son. Pippin swears loyalty to him in recompense for Boromir's sacrifice. Denethor seems to be caught up in his grief and has not taken measures to fortify the city against the threat of Sauron. Elsewhere, near the Mountain of Shadow, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum arrive at Minas Morgul. Wary of the enemy, they locate the Winding Stair (leading to the pass of Cirith Ungol) that lies hidden in the cliffs surrounding the accursed city. Just at that moment, the doors of the city open and the Witch-king of Angmar, leader of the Nazgûl, dispatches his immense Orc army from his lair, heralding the start of the war. The Morgul army crosses Anduin at Osgiliath in makeshift boats and engages the Gondorian contingent (lead by Boromir's brother Faramir (David Wenham)) in battle. The orcs prove too strong and drive the Gondorians out of Osgiliath; Faramir and his few surviving men retreat to Minas Tirith, pursued by the Nazgûl. Gandalf, riding out to meet the retreating men, wards them off, saving Faramir. Upon his arrival, Faramir (who met Frodo, Sam, and Gollum in Ithilien just before they headed for the mountain pass into Mordor) tells Gandalf of the dangerous route Gollum is taking Frodo and Sam on, convincing Gandalf of Gollum's treachery. The hobbits, lead by Gollum, are struggling to climb the extremely steep stairs. Gollum reaches out and empathises with Frodo, saying that he understands his pain.

Meanwhile, at the pass of Cirith Ungol, Frodo and Sam were sleep on a ledge suspended hundreds of feet above Minas Morgul. In secret, Gollum gets up to his tricks and drops the Hobbit's Elven bread down the cliff. Awakening, Sam discovers what has happened and instantly blames Gollum. Once Frodo awakens, Gollum goes to try and stir the events. He continues to play with Frodo's mind until it is too late, and when Sam suddenly asks Frodo if he can carry the Ring, only wanting to help, Frodo’s mind goes against him. He suddenly pushes Sam away in anger and Gollum grins, his plan is working. After trying to convince Frodo that it is Gollum's fault, Sam is horrified when Frodo falls for the ploy and tells Sam to leave. Sam does so, saddened and reluctant. Frodo continues to climb with Gollum behind him. Meanwhile, Faramir's cavalry marches proudly out of Minas Tirith as Gandalf tries to convince Faramir that his father is quite mad, but still loves him. Meanwhile, in the city of Minas Tirith, Faramir's detachment charges out onto the open plains, heading towards Osgiliath as the thousand of Orcs which have overtaken the city watch, preparing their black bows, while Osgiliath, Faramir holds his sword out to the enemy, but the Orcs there draw their bows and prepare to fire, and Pippin sings: ""Home is behind, the world ahead and there are many paths to tread, through shadow to the edge of night, until the stars are all alight... ... Mist and shadow cloud and shade, all shall fade, all shall fade.""

- Peregrin Took

At Osgilliath, the Orcs are commanded by Gothmog to fire a huge volley of arrows upon the advancing Horsemen. Letting their bows lose, the Orcs rein arrows upon Faramir's cavalry, massacring them. As a result, the entire army of Orcs begins to go on a big battle against the city of Minas Tirith, and Faramir's attack had failed. Meanwhile, in Dunharrow, the Rohirrim gather outside a huge cliff face, preparing their men and weaponry for war. King Théoden asks his men on the reinforcements, but is told that several alliances have not yet come. Soon after, now on top of a large camp site on the side of a huge cliff, King Théoden and Aragorn go to view the army, and Théoden says that there are six thousand men ready, but Aragorn says that is not enough to break the lines of Mordor. The next day, Théoden rides off to war with six thousand riders, unaware that the three companions, Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli move slowly down the silent road that leads to the Paths of the dead. Legolas tells them of the curse Isildur laid upon them for not arriving at the battle of the Last Alliance - never to rest until they have fulfilled their pledge to allegiance to Gondor. Aragorn, however, says that he does not fear death and he enters the Dead Mountain, Legolas behind him and Gimli soon to follow. At Dunharrow, the Rohirrim climb up onto their horses and prepare to ride for Minas Tirith. King Théoden and Éomer prepare the army and Théoden says that it is a long road ahead and both man and beast must reach the end with the strength to fight. The companions reaches the lair of the King of the Dead and find the legendary ghost army that dwells in the immense caves. Aragorn, unafraid, confronts them directly, saying that he can fulfill their oath, but the King of the Dead says none but the King of Gondor may command him. Aragorn the shows him Andúril, and as the King of the Dead attacks, Aragorn parries his strike. The King of the Dead snarls "That line was broken!"; in response, Aragorn seizes him, holds Anduril to the King's throat and replied that the blade (and the royal bloodline it represents) has been remade, and then pushes him back. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are driven from the caves by the cascade of skulls and barely escape. As they exit the caves, they arrive at the Anduin River and see an armada of Black Ships, piloted by the Corsair army. As they watch the ships leave a burning village, Aragorn falls to his knees, believing all hope for Gondor to be lost and that they have failed. Then, the King of the Dead suddenly appears from inside the mountain and agrees to join Aragorn in battle.

Back at Minas Tirith, a hundred thousand troops of Orcs launch its assault using troll-driven siege towers and huge catapults. Faramir is dragged back by his horse in a death-like coma, and down on the fields, the Orcs prepare their catapults, while Gothmog observes the army by riding through their lines on a Warg. Denethor is heartbroken to find his only surviving son seemingly killed, while a soldier tells him that they were outnumbered: none survived. Denethor says that the Stewardship of the city has ended. Denethor then goes to view the huge army of Mordor outside the city, as they commence the assault upon his walls. Down on the field, Gothmog evilly laughs as troops unleash numerous boulders upon Minas Tirith, shattering many of its buildings whilst the Gondorian soldiers just stand and watch. Away in Cirith Ungol, Meanwhile, Gollum leads Frodo towards Shelob's lair in the catacombs near Cirith Ungol. Gollum says that Frodo must enter the tunnel and that there is no other way, either he goes in or goes back. Frodo says that he can't go back. Then, Frodo cautiously enters the caves, which are filled with sticky webs and the remains of dead Orcs and other creatures. In the darkness, Frodo is abandoned by Gollum. Meanwhile, as Frodo makes his way towards the Tower of Cirith Ungol, Shelob sneakily stings Frodo and wraps him in webbing. Gollum betrays Frodo to the giant spider-creature Shelob, but Sam returns to fight him off. Sam believes Frodo is dead, but when Orcs from the Tower of Cirith Ungol come and investigate, Sam overhears that Frodo has only been paralyzed by Shelob's stinger.

During the assault of Minas Tirith, the assault was later interrupted by the Rohirrim, led by King Théoden, arriving at the Pelennor Fields with a thousand of armies. The Rohirrim look onwards at the huge Orc army massing outside the city. Éowyn and Merry look at the enemy, and she tells the Hobbit that courage is needed if they are to save their friends. In the Orc lines, Gothmog realizes the risks to his army and has the pikemen go to the Front lines, with archers behind them. As this happens, King Théoden doesn't take the Orcs as a threat and rides past his huge army of Men of Rohan, giving his final commands. He says that spears shall be shaken, shields splintered, for this is a sword day and a red day - "Ere the Sun Rises!". As both armies prepare for the conflict, The men all yell their war cry "Death!" and Théoden leads the charge. The six thousand Rohirrim all charge down the field into the Orcs with great effect, However their joy is cut short by the arrival of the forces of Harad and the immense elephants, the Mûmakil. The Witch-king descends on Théoden, killing Snowmane his horse and fatally wounding the King. Seemingly in the nick of time, In the South of Minas Tirith, the Black Fleet arrives up the river. The Orcs gather outside the ships, expecting reinforcements. However, instead, Aragorn leaps off the ships, followed by Legolas and Gimli. Gimli says that there is plenty for the both of them and let the best Dwarf win. Then, the huge Army of the Dead charges out onto the battlefield, slaying the Orcs, Aragorn leading the charge with Legolas and Gimli behind him. Aragorn and their ghost army, killing many orcs. Also, Gimli and Legolas continue their competition in battle and engage the Orcs, cutting them down one by one. During the battle, Gothmog gets up, furious for revenge and limps towards Eowyn with an axe for support. Eowyn sees him and tries to crawl away and also tries to lift the sword of the unconscious Merry but it slips from her grip. Gothmog picks up a mace and prepares to finish off Eowyn. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli were running through the crowd and see Gothmog. Aragorn didn't know that he is saving someone's life and chops the right arm of Gothmog off while Gimli slices his stomach with his axe and Aragorn stabs him in the back which kills him. As the remaining Orcs are slaughtered by the ghosts, Legolas tries to show Gimli that he can gain a higher score with the killing and he skillfully manages to kill one of the crazed Mûmakil and its riders.

Meanwhile, Sam eventually rescues Frodo from Cirith Ungol, which is mostly empty following a fight between the two factions of the Tower's Orc garrison over Frodo's valuable mithril shirt. They disguised as Orcs, make their way into the land of shadow: Mordor. Finally, the hobbits have made it. Moving into the land, they are found by a large detachment of Orcs, and are forced by their captain to march with the Orcs as towards the Black Gate. Then, an inspection of the Mordor army is called and a large, bulgy Orc with no nose inspects the Orcs. Realizing that they might be found, Sam starts a fight with Frodo and, in the ensuing chaos, they escape onto the Plains of Gorgoroth as the Orcs continue their march to the Black Gate. They begin the long trek across Mordor to Mount Doom. Gandalf realizes that ten thousand Orcs stand between Cirith Ungol and Mount Doom, which will prevent Frodo from reaching his destination. Aragorn proposes they lead the remaining soldiers to the Black Gate to draw the Orcs away from Frodo's path, as well as distract the Eye of Sauron. On Mount Doom, Frodo collapses and Sam comforts him, reminding him of The Shire and the strawberries that will be growing there in the spring and the birds that nest in the trees. Frodo, however, says that he can't taste food or see the light - he is naked in the dark, no light or comfort between him and darkness. Sam, however, says that they shall be rid of it - once and for all Then, Sam declares that he can't carry the Ring for Frodo, but he can carry him. with a final burst of strength, he lifts Frodo upon his back and moves him painfully up to Mount Doom. At Morannon Aragorn walks slowly to the orcs army, looking back at their army, giving them his line: "For Fordo", and he charges at the orcs, along with his army, and the battle of the Morannon begins as the battle rages on at the gates, Gimli fights hard against the forces of Sauron and Legolas too fights off many attackers.

Sam and Frodo are now being close to the door to the Crack of Doom, but Gollum suddenly came out of nowhere and attacks them, showing that Gollum refuses to let the hobbits destroying the one ring, and he attempts to choke Frodo to death, but he was saved by Sam by hitting Gollum with the rock, and stabbing him with his sword, he lets Frodo free as he rushes to the Crack of Doom as the battle of Morannon continues to rage on, while the Great Eagles arrive to attack and stop the Fell beasts. Sam later arrives at Crack of Doom, while Frodo is sill standing on the edge of the bridge overlooking a huge pool of lava below. Sam pleads with him to drop the Ring in the fire and destroy it; however, Frodo pauses for several seconds at the power of the Ring taunts at his heart. Turning to face Sam, Frodo declares that the Ring is his and he pulls it of its chain, taking it towards his finger. Eventually, as Sam looks on, Frodo places it upon his finger, disappearing, screaming Sam in horror. The act alerts Sauron, who sends the Ringwraiths racing towards Mount Doom. Gollum comes back and attacks the two hobbits again, knocking Sam unconscious with a rock, and sees that Frodo has disappeared. However, this won't stop him, as Gollum quickly determines Frodo's location and leaps upon him, trying to get the Ring back with all his strength. Sam tries to reach Frodo, but is still barely conscious, and Gollum angrily bites off Frodo's finger, causing the Hobbit to both re-appear and drop to the ground in pain as Gollum takes the Ring. As Gollum rejoices at finally having reclaimed his Precious, Frodo, still under the sway of the Ring's attraction, charges at Gollum. After a brief struggle, they both fall over the edge of the precipice. Gollum falls into the fire with the Ring, while Frodo barely hangs on with his strength failing. Sam rescues Frodo as the One Ring sinks into the boiling lava and melts, destroying it forever and Sauron's Eye screams as his essence fades and all of the chaos erupts on the forces of Mordor, Sauron's tower of Barad-Dûr, built with the power of the Ring, collapses and then explodes and the Eye of Sauron dies. Then, after several moments of amazement to the men at the Black Gates, the Eye of Sauron explodes and disperses, taking the tower with it. Sauron is finally defeated, his spirit of malice fleeing as the Black Gate and Mordor are both shaken apart. Frodo's friends react with joy to his success, but their happiness turns to grief as they see Mount Doom erupting into a huge ball of fire and realize that Frodo and Sam might be doomed. Sam and a wounded Frodo both run away from Mount Doom as the bridge collapses and they become stranded when the entire top of Mount Doom is blown off in a large eruption, and they were surrounded by lava, and Frodo, expresses his joy that the Ring is gone along with the Quest being done. They voice their regrets at not being able to see the Shire again amidst the torrents of lava and the destruction of Barad-dur.

Later, the unconscious Frodo and Sam are rescued by three Eagles, Gwaihir, Landroval, and Meneldor, Gandalf riding on Gwaihir. They swoop away and Frodo just awakens to see the sight of him being taken by the large eagle. The next morning, Frodo awakens in the Houses of Healing and is overjoyed to see Gandalf, whom he had thought dead. They laugh in delight. In Minas Tirith, Aragorn is crowned King of the West, heralding the new age of peace, and marries Arwen. Here is when everybody kneels down in homage to the little hobbits. The four Hobbits return to the Shire, where Sam marries Rosie Cotton (Sarah McLeod). Frodo, having finished writing his entry in the Red Book of Westmarch, is still suffering from the effects of the wounds he received from the Ringwraiths at Weathertop and from Shelob. Realizing that he will never have peace in Middle Earth, he decides to go with Gandalf, Bilbo, Elrond, and Galadriel to the Grey Havens and sail to Valinor, the Undying Lands, where the last Elven ship is waiting to depart Middle-earth. There, they find Elrond, Galadriel, and Celeborn also waiting to board the ship. The Hobbits are surprised to learn that Gandalf will sail with Bilbo and the others, and even more shocked that Frodo is also sailing. Frodo gives the Red Book to Sam and bids a sad farewell to his three friends—Sam last, and kisses his forehead. Then he boards the ship to sail into the Undying Lands west of the Sea, turning back to give his friends one last smile. Then the last ship to leave Middle Earth sets off, pulling slowly away from the shore and passing along the Straight Road into the Uttermost West. Pippin and Merry take their leave and Sam is left staring into the golden sunset.

Sam, later returns to the Shire, where he is greeted by his wife Rosie, and his children. Surrounded by his family and with the rest of his life ahead of him, and he goes inside and shuts the house door as the film ends with the screen fades to black with a "The End" on the black screen as it fades to black.

Why Its the King of the Trilogy

 * 1) It is the culmination of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and it is also the satisfying conclusion of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the film, stays exactly faithful of the novel about the final confrontation between the forces of good and evil fighting for control of the future of Middle-earth. In addition, Return of the King is widely considered to be the epic film of all Middle-Earth films.
 * 2) *In addition, it is also a satisfying conclusion of the Middle Earth saga, as it stays true to the source material of the book, and its themes.
 * 3) The film has lots of exciting and satisfying action sequences, such as the attack of Minas Thirith, the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, and even the final battle between the good, and the evil near the Eye of Sauron at the Battle of the Morannon.
 * 4) *It is noted that the two battles of Pelennor Fields and the Morannon are the most epic battles in the saga, Frodo succumbs to the Ring in front of Sam and claims it as his own, putting it on his finger, Gollum attacking Sam and Frodo to reclaim the ring is also deserves a special mention to the franchise.
 * 5) *The scene where Sam manages to fend him off, and Frodo enters the volcano. As he stands on the ledge over the volcanic lava, he succumbs to the Ring in front of Sam and claims it as his own, putting it on his finger. Gollum finds the invisible Frodo and attacks him, biting his finger off to reclaim the Ring and falls into the lava, leaving the ring sinks into the lava, destroying the Eye of Sauron explodes, Mount Doom erupts and Mordor crumbles.
 * 6) The visual designs, cinematography, lighting, and integration of digital and practical effects are well made, especially the time the film was made, especially with effects of the orcs, the city of Minas Thirith, Mount Doom, etc..
 * 7) The pacing of the film is very good, even though the film is pretty long, the film still has several normal, and fast pace in some great moments throughout the film.
 * 8) Besides the battle scenes, and epic moments, there are some very chilling, thrilling, and creepy moments throughout the movie, such as Aragorn and their group at the Army of the Dead's lair scene, Frodo getting caught by a spider, rescuing Frodo at the Tower of Cirith Ungol, and Frodo turns on Sam, claiming that the ring is his before he disappears.
 * 9) The performances, and as well as their characters, are really excellent, especially for Viggo Mortensen, Miranda Otto, Orlando Bloom, and Bernard Hill. In addition, the costume design of the characters are well done, making it really beautiful and realistic, and it still stays very faithful to the source material of the same name.
 * 10) Peter Jackson, once again who worked very hard in the making, and directing the entire trilogy of The Lord of the Rings is very astonishing, and he still delivers an excellent direction for that time.
 * 11) Excellent characterization for each Middle Earth character, and even this film, like Aragorn, which he now has even more great character development, which he became the most powerful hero in the history of The Lord of the Rings, while Gollum, who went from a ally of Frodo, and Sam into an evil, physical, chilling character which he attempts to bring his ring back from Frodo and Sam near the end of the film.
 * 12) The story is well done, and it is a great and compelling story that follows the source material really well.
 * 13) Well-made emotional and intense moments, such as the opening flashback scene where Sméagol is ostracized from his community and driven away. Suffering terribly from loneliness and shame, Sméagol takes solace in his love for the Ring, which slowly tortures his mind. He takes solitary refuge in caves beneath the mountains, where under the influence of the Ring he lives to a very great age. He dwindles into a hunched, furtive, slinking creature known by the unpleasant noise he makes in his throat "Gollum."
 * 14) Much like the two installments, the film has several amazing, and memorable quotes, for example:
 * 15) *My friends, You bow to no one.
 * 16) *I am no man.
 * 17) *For Frodo!
 * 18) The film gives excellent morals that are filled with the truth.
 * 19) Amazing soundtrack that was composed by Howard Shore, and it is one the best parts throughout the film. In addition, it has amazing music before the battle of Osgiliath is "Into the West" which was performed by Annie Lennox.
 * 20) The final scenes and the ending of the film (despite being too long) are extremely perfect, satisfying, and emotional, as Aragorn is crowned King of Gondor and takes Arwen as his queen, Frodo saying goodbye to his friends as he departs Middle-earth for the Undying Lands with his uncle Bilbo, Gandalf, and the Elves, while he leaves Sam the Red Book of Westmarch, which details their adventures.
 * 21) In addition, it is a very excellent send-off to Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and The Middle Earth films (if not counting The Hobbit trilogy), as it concludes everything from their character arcs with fitting resolutions.

Bad Qualties

 * 1) There are a few moments from the novel that were not presented in the theatrical cut, such as the meeting of Mouth of Sauron before the Battle of the Morannon. Thankfully, the extended version solved and adding things that were cut from the theatrical version.
 * 2) Because of its age, a few visual effects and its CGI effects moments, while there are good, are sometimes a bit washed out and a little bit bland at times, although the visual effects are still pretty good during the modern era.
 * 3) The film can feel pretty long at times to some viewers, mainly due to the fact that the film's runtime being 200 minutes long, even in the extended cut, which is 263 minutes long.
 * 4) *Not helping the fact the film's epilogue is 23 minutes long, splitting the whole ending with over five ending sequences with five fade-outs before the actual ending in the last 23 minutes of the entire film.
 * 5) The scene where The Army of the Dead arrives and ended the Battle of the Pelennor Fields is very anti-cinematic in epic battle standards.
 * 6) There are a few moments that are way too violent for a PG-13 rating, such as Sméagol choking Déagol, catapults firing decapitated human heads, Gollum biting Frodo's finger, even in the extended cut.
 * 7) It is never clear how Gollum came back to Frodo and Sam when they were getting very close to Mount Doom. It is also never clear how he climbed back to the edge of the cliff where he falls down after a small fight with Frodo.
 * 8) In the extended cut, the scene where Saruman getting killed by Gríma Wormtongue by slitting his throat with a dagger is not very good, and it can be disappointing to some viewers.

Box Office
Return of the King grossed over $377,027,325 in the United States and Canada and $763,654,686 in other countries for a worldwide total of $1,140,682,011. Worldwide, it is the 24th highest-grossing film of all time when not adjusted for inflation, the highest-grossing film of 2003, the second highest-grossing film of the 2000s, the highest-grossing installment in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the highest-grossing film ever to be released by New Line Cinema, until it was surpassed by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 in 2011. It was the second film in history to earn over $1 billion, making it the second highest-grossing film at the time. Box Office Mojo estimates that the film had sold over 61 million tickets in the US in its initial theatrical run.

Crticial Response
Return of the King was released on December 17 and 18 2003 in the United States and New Zealand and it received critical acclaim from critics, audiences, and fans alike, much like the two predecessors. The film currently holds a 93% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 275 reviews, with an average rating of 8.70/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Visually breathtaking and emotionally powerful, The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King is a moving and satisfying conclusion to a great trilogy." On Metacritic, it holds a 94/100 based on 41 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare average grade of "A+" on an A+ to F scale.

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film three and a half stars out of four, saying that it is "such a crowning achievement, such a visionary use of all the tools of special effects, such a pure spectacle, that it can be enjoyed even by those who have not seen the first two films." Alan Morrison of Empire gave the film a perfect score of five stars. In his review, he called the film "the resounding climax to a landmark in cinema history" and praised how Peter Jackson had "kept the momentum of the series rolling on and on though the traditionally 'difficult' middle part and 'weak' finale, delivering a climax to the story that's neater and more affecting than what Tolkien managed on the printed page". Morrison also mentioned how fans of the films "who have walked beside these heroes every step of the way on such a long journey deserve the emotional pay-off as well as the action peaks, and they will be genuinely touched as the final credits roll." In February 2004, a few months following release, the film was voted eighth on Empire's 100 Greatest Movies of All Time, compiled from readers' top ten lists. This forced the magazine to abandon its policy of only allowing films being older than a year to be eligible.

Trvia

 * Lord of the Rings: Return of the King was the only fantasy movie to ever win Best Picture at the Academy Awards until in 2018, when Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water won the award.
 * For Bernard Hill, this is the third movie in as many decades in which he has appeared that also won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director. The others were Gandhi (1982) and Titanic (1997).
 * It was the first fantasy film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. It also was the last movie for 14 years to win the Academy Award for Best Picture without being chosen as one of the top ten films of the year by the National Board of Review, until the release of The Shape of Water (2017) in 2017.
 * On Elijah Wood's final day of filming. All of the actors went through tearful goodbyes when they finished, but Elijah's was the most tearful. Peter Jackson kept doing take after take of Frodo saying "There's room for a little more," clearly not wanting the experience to end. When he finally called cut and print, the room erupted with applause, and Jackson broke down crying, hugging Elijah and thanking him repeatedly at the culmination of their epic film journey together.

Trailers
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Reviews
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