I’m pretty much in agreement… and the cartoon versions are simply a bit of lovely nostalgia… my kids were in grade school when I heard them singing while on our swing-set, “Where there’s a whip, there’s a way!” AND “Frodo of the Nine Fingers - and the ring of DOOOOM!” In their little kid fake baritone voices! Good memories!
Weird little ear-worms for sure! My 40-somethings of mine can still belt them out! Hope your little Hobbits will also sing them as well as the much more elegant ones from the LOTR movies!🥰
When I sat down to write this article, my ranking started like this: 1) Fellowship 2) Two Towers 3) ROTK. But while writing it I changed my mind! So I agree with you: depending on the day, I'll rank TTT second or ROTK second haha. And thank you!
I'm with you on The Fellowship of the Ring being the best of the trilogy. It sets up so much for the remaining movies and yet tells such a good story on its own.
The bit where the hobbits hide and then run from the Black Riders is one of the most atmospheric episodes committed to film. I love the Prancing Pony scenes too. And Weathertop chills me rigid - so much hassle for a bacon sarnie
So glad to hear it! Yes, they're interesting and all have something of value that they get "right." I alluded to it in the article, but to truly love them you may need the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia. Perhaps not though! They're definitely worth seeing for fans of the other movies and the books
I have never been much of a movie person. I did see the animated Hobbit. My kids memorized the entire double LP album from the records. I was glad to see the Peter Jackson trilogy of LOTR, extended version. Would not rate any of the other six.
I can't say I have any real criticism of your list. RB Hobbit as #5 is about right--very high on the nostalgia list, especially the songs, which still live rent-free in my head after all these decades!
"Screenwriter Philippa Boyens is quoted as saying that having Faramir resist the temptation of the Ring would have 'stripped the Ring of all its power,' but they had no problem inventing a scene for Fellowship where Aragorn refuses Frodo’s free offer of the Ring to him, so I don’t really buy it." Honestly, a scene like that is almost exactly how I picture Faramir's temptation in the books. Because he WAS tempted; when Sam blurts out that Frodo has the Ring, Faramir's eyes sparkle and his voice deepens, he does a funny laugh, and Frodo and Sam go for their swords. The difference, however, is that Faramir is a man of quality, who also remembered what he had sworn to Frodo earlier about not picking up a nameless Maguffin even if he just found it lying on the road; his momentary desire for the Ring is checked by his honor, duty, and sorrow that his brother fell (since at this point neither Frodo nor Faramir know that Boromir had redeemed himself).
In conclusion: Faramir WAS tempted, but it played out probably closer to how Aragorn was tempted at the end of Fellowship (the movie). Peter Jackson took what was in the book and...kind of went overboard with it 🤣 He somewhat mitigated the damage in the Extended Edition by pinning the blame on Denethor, but even then it doesn't quite work, because it ends up giving Faramir feelings of inadequacy and emotional insecurity (same, brother) that he blessedly doesn't have in the books.
You are absolutely correct that Fellowship is number one! I think I might rank Battle of the Five Armies higher than The Desolation of Smaug just because of the atrocious melted gold scene.
I recently watched the animated Hobbit with two of my grandkids. Still love it so much. It really does an impressive job of compressing the story into a weird little animated film that just works. My favorite thing about it is how completely unhinged Gollum is. 😂
That melted gold scene is so fun and cool, but I’m probably the only one here who thinks that 😂 mainly I just think it’s a great payoff for the end of the film. When Smaug bursts out of the gold and takes off for Lake Town?? Come on, it’s one of his best moments!
Well, firstly let me say that absolutely The Fellowship is number one. I also have a soft spot for the Bakshi animated movie as I grew up with it and thought John Hurt was an excellent voice for Aragorn. The theme tune may actually be the best of any of the movies as well 🤔
However, and this is where you might start shouting, I am not a huge fan of ROTK finding it way too long and the battles flat (Ride of the Rohirrim aside). In fact, I prefer Desolation of Smaug to it which, looking at your ranking, may sound like madness but I really enjoy the stuff with Beorn, Mirkwood, Thranduil and Bilbo’s scene with Smaug. I watched both recently and came to the same conclusion so there may be something seriously wrong with me 😁
Good article. I only got into LOTR this past autumn, first through the books then the movies. What are your opinions on Jackson omitting the Scouring of the Shire and the last battle in Return of the King? The ending of that book sealed the deal for me and while the movie’s ending is still beautiful, I was a little disappointed.
As you might know, I am a big defender of The Hobbit films and so would likely rank them higher. Anyway, just want to say that the extended cut of BOTFA indeed shows the titular battle in all of its glory. In fact, the bts materials make it clear that the extended cut is the one Jackson would have preferred in theaters but they were simply not given enough time to finish it and so had to chop off huge chunks of the fight including big moments for all the members of the company if memory serves correctly. Heck, even the extended cut had to be shortened, possibly due to Warner cutting Jackson's post budget for the video release.
Re: the molten gold thing. I actually think that was kinda cool but it was never well explained on the screen. The dwarves try to drown Smaug in it, essentially using his own greed against him. I strongly suspect it was inspired by the climax of Alien 3. Even got a gif to prove it.
I haven’t seen most of the animated movies, so I can’t really say whether I fully agree with your list. Technically I agree on the placement of the live action hobbit films, though I’ve always enjoyed them for what they are. The amazing cast pretty much carries them though. And I think the first few minutes of BOTFA is very exciting, even moving—but I’m also a sucker for a Dad-and-kid-peril-and-miraculous-rescue-against-all-odds kind of thing. Interesting you disagree about the scene!
I was happy to see where Rohirrim placed on this list, because I want to be able to look forward to seeing it rather than dreading that it’ll be terrible! So thanks for that.
When it comes to the LOTR trilogy, it’s always a toss up between Two Towers and ROTK for me. You literally can’t beat the downhill charge of Gandalf and the Rohirrim when all hope is lost! And Theoden’s speeches! But the beacon lighting scene alone shoots ROTK wayyy up there in my opinion. If I had to choose only one of them to be able to watch for the rest of my life, it would probably have to be ROTK because I need the closure. But I would greatly miss the Two Towers.
The Fellowship has the most nostalgia for me, but it’s also the saddest ending so I can’t watch it by itself 😂 Thank goodness these weird hypotheticals don’t ever actually come true, so I can just watch them all on a constant cycle!
Haven’t seen any of the HOBBIT films, barely remember the animated stuff, but absolutely agree FELLOWSHIP is tops in the Jackson trilogy. It sets everything up. Everything after, while well done overall, is just follow through.
Honestly if the last scene ever filmed was Frodo and Sam looking towards distant Mordor and nothing else was made, it would still be a great film.
I’m pretty much in agreement… and the cartoon versions are simply a bit of lovely nostalgia… my kids were in grade school when I heard them singing while on our swing-set, “Where there’s a whip, there’s a way!” AND “Frodo of the Nine Fingers - and the ring of DOOOOM!” In their little kid fake baritone voices! Good memories!
What a sweet memory! Some of those songs are real earworms
Weird little ear-worms for sure! My 40-somethings of mine can still belt them out! Hope your little Hobbits will also sing them as well as the much more elegant ones from the LOTR movies!🥰
I liked the two towers over the return of the king. Great list though!!
When I sat down to write this article, my ranking started like this: 1) Fellowship 2) Two Towers 3) ROTK. But while writing it I changed my mind! So I agree with you: depending on the day, I'll rank TTT second or ROTK second haha. And thank you!
Same here, I'd put Two Towers ahead of ROTK, and some days I'll put ROTK above The Fellowship, but today is not that day
I'm with you on The Fellowship of the Ring being the best of the trilogy. It sets up so much for the remaining movies and yet tells such a good story on its own.
From the opening moments until the credits roll it's just fantastic through and through!
The bit where the hobbits hide and then run from the Black Riders is one of the most atmospheric episodes committed to film. I love the Prancing Pony scenes too. And Weathertop chills me rigid - so much hassle for a bacon sarnie
I thought this would be a humor article, but it's very thought out!
Gotta keep readers on their toes haha. Thank you!
Loved reading this! I've only heard of the cartoon versions, so I suppose I need to check them out!
So glad to hear it! Yes, they're interesting and all have something of value that they get "right." I alluded to it in the article, but to truly love them you may need the rose-colored glasses of nostalgia. Perhaps not though! They're definitely worth seeing for fans of the other movies and the books
I have never been much of a movie person. I did see the animated Hobbit. My kids memorized the entire double LP album from the records. I was glad to see the Peter Jackson trilogy of LOTR, extended version. Would not rate any of the other six.
I love The Two Towers best, but I think it's because of the Ents.
Ahh I love the Ents as well!
I can't say I have any real criticism of your list. RB Hobbit as #5 is about right--very high on the nostalgia list, especially the songs, which still live rent-free in my head after all these decades!
haha, after writing this article I had several of them running through my head for the rest of the day!
"Screenwriter Philippa Boyens is quoted as saying that having Faramir resist the temptation of the Ring would have 'stripped the Ring of all its power,' but they had no problem inventing a scene for Fellowship where Aragorn refuses Frodo’s free offer of the Ring to him, so I don’t really buy it." Honestly, a scene like that is almost exactly how I picture Faramir's temptation in the books. Because he WAS tempted; when Sam blurts out that Frodo has the Ring, Faramir's eyes sparkle and his voice deepens, he does a funny laugh, and Frodo and Sam go for their swords. The difference, however, is that Faramir is a man of quality, who also remembered what he had sworn to Frodo earlier about not picking up a nameless Maguffin even if he just found it lying on the road; his momentary desire for the Ring is checked by his honor, duty, and sorrow that his brother fell (since at this point neither Frodo nor Faramir know that Boromir had redeemed himself).
In conclusion: Faramir WAS tempted, but it played out probably closer to how Aragorn was tempted at the end of Fellowship (the movie). Peter Jackson took what was in the book and...kind of went overboard with it 🤣 He somewhat mitigated the damage in the Extended Edition by pinning the blame on Denethor, but even then it doesn't quite work, because it ends up giving Faramir feelings of inadequacy and emotional insecurity (same, brother) that he blessedly doesn't have in the books.
You are absolutely correct that Fellowship is number one! I think I might rank Battle of the Five Armies higher than The Desolation of Smaug just because of the atrocious melted gold scene.
I recently watched the animated Hobbit with two of my grandkids. Still love it so much. It really does an impressive job of compressing the story into a weird little animated film that just works. My favorite thing about it is how completely unhinged Gollum is. 😂
That melted gold scene is so fun and cool, but I’m probably the only one here who thinks that 😂 mainly I just think it’s a great payoff for the end of the film. When Smaug bursts out of the gold and takes off for Lake Town?? Come on, it’s one of his best moments!
Maybe it could have been, but you and I have had that conversation enough times! LOL
Well, firstly let me say that absolutely The Fellowship is number one. I also have a soft spot for the Bakshi animated movie as I grew up with it and thought John Hurt was an excellent voice for Aragorn. The theme tune may actually be the best of any of the movies as well 🤔
However, and this is where you might start shouting, I am not a huge fan of ROTK finding it way too long and the battles flat (Ride of the Rohirrim aside). In fact, I prefer Desolation of Smaug to it which, looking at your ranking, may sound like madness but I really enjoy the stuff with Beorn, Mirkwood, Thranduil and Bilbo’s scene with Smaug. I watched both recently and came to the same conclusion so there may be something seriously wrong with me 😁
Good article. I only got into LOTR this past autumn, first through the books then the movies. What are your opinions on Jackson omitting the Scouring of the Shire and the last battle in Return of the King? The ending of that book sealed the deal for me and while the movie’s ending is still beautiful, I was a little disappointed.
As you might know, I am a big defender of The Hobbit films and so would likely rank them higher. Anyway, just want to say that the extended cut of BOTFA indeed shows the titular battle in all of its glory. In fact, the bts materials make it clear that the extended cut is the one Jackson would have preferred in theaters but they were simply not given enough time to finish it and so had to chop off huge chunks of the fight including big moments for all the members of the company if memory serves correctly. Heck, even the extended cut had to be shortened, possibly due to Warner cutting Jackson's post budget for the video release.
Re: the molten gold thing. I actually think that was kinda cool but it was never well explained on the screen. The dwarves try to drown Smaug in it, essentially using his own greed against him. I strongly suspect it was inspired by the climax of Alien 3. Even got a gif to prove it.
I haven’t seen most of the animated movies, so I can’t really say whether I fully agree with your list. Technically I agree on the placement of the live action hobbit films, though I’ve always enjoyed them for what they are. The amazing cast pretty much carries them though. And I think the first few minutes of BOTFA is very exciting, even moving—but I’m also a sucker for a Dad-and-kid-peril-and-miraculous-rescue-against-all-odds kind of thing. Interesting you disagree about the scene!
I was happy to see where Rohirrim placed on this list, because I want to be able to look forward to seeing it rather than dreading that it’ll be terrible! So thanks for that.
When it comes to the LOTR trilogy, it’s always a toss up between Two Towers and ROTK for me. You literally can’t beat the downhill charge of Gandalf and the Rohirrim when all hope is lost! And Theoden’s speeches! But the beacon lighting scene alone shoots ROTK wayyy up there in my opinion. If I had to choose only one of them to be able to watch for the rest of my life, it would probably have to be ROTK because I need the closure. But I would greatly miss the Two Towers.
The Fellowship has the most nostalgia for me, but it’s also the saddest ending so I can’t watch it by itself 😂 Thank goodness these weird hypotheticals don’t ever actually come true, so I can just watch them all on a constant cycle!
Excellent piece - very thoughtful and considered rankings.
Haven’t seen any of the HOBBIT films, barely remember the animated stuff, but absolutely agree FELLOWSHIP is tops in the Jackson trilogy. It sets everything up. Everything after, while well done overall, is just follow through.
Honestly if the last scene ever filmed was Frodo and Sam looking towards distant Mordor and nothing else was made, it would still be a great film.