Audience Reactions?

[lhunbelethiel]

Hey friends,<P>I was wondering how the audiences have reacted to the Two Towers when you have gone to see it? The first time I went, the place was packed, but people were soooo quiet. They only 'OOhed" and Ahhhed" when Theoden turned back to his old self and when Legolas side mounted the horse. They didn't even react when the movie ended. No cheering or anything! Same thing the 2nd time. What's up with that? I was soooo excited and ready to bond with my fellow Tolkien fans but no one seemed to give a darn. Is it because people didn't like it much? Or do people get embarassed to show any emotion these days??? <P>Hope your audiences were better! Tell me about it! <p>[ December 27, 2002: Message edited by: Lhunbelethiel ]

[burrahobbit]

There weren't many people when I went to see it, maybe only a dozen. They were basically quiet throughout, but some of the ones that stayed during the credits started talking then. As far as I could tell everyone was talking in the lobby, but most everyone was gone by the time I got to the lobby and finished peeing.

[Gryphon Hall]

Here's something I hope would cheer you up :<P>The advanced screening for TTT was shown on December 19, 21, and 22. As originally scheduled, only one showing per day. The first day was packed. The second day, 21, they had to show it thrice because the third floor of the mall where it was being shown (the first showing was made elsewhere) was literally bursting with people begging to see it. The third and last day of the advanced screening was just the same.<P>I watched during the 2nd day, but before that, I had been reading the reviews on the Downs and I must admit I was afraid that TTT was not as good as it was hyped up to be. I am SOOO glad people can be wrong, even Downers. The audience, nay, congregation watching the movie hung onto every scene (except for the occassional geek who thought it was cool to give running commentaries ).<P>There were tears in everyone's eyes (even that of the geeks) for the emotional moments, and genuine cheers during the battle with the wargs, and later in Helm's Deep.<P>Later, people lingered in the theatre and outside the lobby (where a crowd was still gathered waiting to see the movie), talking excitedly about TTT.<P>Alas! The thing that really ruined it for me was when everyone hooted at the emotional scenes between Frodo and Sam at the end. I know <I>some</I> people want to give it some <I>other</I> meaning, but GIVE ME A BREAK! Frodo and Sam just don't have that kind of relationship! It's just Father and son, people!

[Morquesse]

The first time I went, everyone was very cheery, because they laughed at eveything funny , and at poor Gollum. And when Brego woke up Aragorn everyone went "Egh!" . And of course, eveybody cheered at the end.<BR>The second time was close to the same, perhaps just a bit more quite.<BR>See ya,<BR>~M

[Taure Leafsilver]

Everyone in my crowd sobbed most the movie. Exept the two people I was with and they laghed at me! Of course laughing at Gollum and Gimli. What I thought was kinda cool was that they giggled admireringly at Sam's "will we be put in tales" conversation. Cried at his first speech, and were silent for the rest. (thank goodness)

[My Cat Sasha]

All I really noticed (I wasn't really paying attention to the audience) was that they laughed at the funny parts. I love it when Gollum and Sam are argueing about fish and chips! <P>What kind of annoyed me were a few of the parts with Gimli. Yeah, they were funny, but for the entire movie he was WAAAAAAAY out of character. In the books he's not dumb and the whole part about him being a girl was appauling! It was funny, but it was so inaccurate that I found it annoying.

[Gorwingel]

The first time I saw it, they cheered when Gandalf came back, when Gollum had his converstation, when Gandalf came down the hill, Legolas sheild surfs, and at the end of the movie<P>The second time, they only cheered a little when Gandalf saves the day, and I tried to get people to start clapping at the end

[Sauron the deciever]

Hello!<BR>absolutely nothing out of the ordinary when i saw it...there was a bit of laughter during the gollum scenes, and the Gimli jokes!

[Iargwath]

Well i was really happy with the auidience for this movie. They were great. But one lady went for popcorn during the Helms Deep scene! I found that incredible. Anyways...the audience loved the gimli jokes, and they also found gollum's little interludes with Sam funny. Some girls behind me suprisingly cheered when Orlando Bloom did that whole 'skater elf' stunt That was funny.<BR>The end of the movie was slightly disappointing b/c nobody cheered. It was the opposite. Everybody moaned and groaned. I found that annoying since they knew it would have no end after all. Besides that, the auidience was fine...<p>[ December 28, 2002: Message edited by: Iargwath ]

[Faye Took]

The first time I went to go see it was on the 18th at around 4 o'clock and man, it was packed. When "The Lord of the Rings" logo popped up on the movie, everyone started cheering and clapping (I did so as well). Everyone laughed at the Gollum part too. At the end everyone clapped and cheered as well. I was glad to see so many fans.

[doug*platypus]

The first time I went was to the first session that my hometown cinema played. It was packed of course, even a week later it was still difficult to get tickets for some sessions. It was the most animated movie crowd I've ever had the pleasure of being part of. The first time I've been in a movie where people have applauded at the end. Which is weird really, because it was only Palmerston North not Wellington, and none of the stars were there. Still, it was the first session and I'm sure that being kiwis many of the people there were extras, or wardrobe people or something.<P>There was hearty, raucous laughter at all of the possibly funny parts, infectious laughter that somehow made me not hate Gimli the Comedy Dwarf (possibly because he's still a cool character, not like JarJar or Chris Rock). There were murmurs of approval and awe when Legolas swung up onto his horse. And even though I was 40 minutes late to work, I didn't get any hassles from it. What a great day that was! What a movie...<P>btw, the second time I saw the movie my cousin next to me cracked up when he saw Craig Parker (Haldir) turn up in his screaming queen armour. I had to join in.

[Dark Shadow]

Well the first time I went was the first showing at our cinema, and people were pretty un reactive.... although maybe I just can't remember.<P>I went again yesterday, and every time a Legolas-Gimli joke came up, the whole cinema burst out laughing. I was like.. it's funny, but not <I>that</I> funny... but oh well. At least it got a reaction. Also, someone kept kicking my seat, but I don't think that had anything to do with the movie....

[Taure Leafsilver]

weirdest thing, during the movie I broke out in fever started feeling like I had the flu, but afterwards I was fine! ???

[Lhunbelethiel]

woohoo! Thanks guys! I KNEW there were some people out there who had better experiences than I did!! I don't know what the deal is with folks around here (SF Bay Area)-- they're either really quiet or really obnoxious at movies. Hmmmm. I noticed with the Fellowship, by the 4th month of its release, only the die hards were watching it and they were pretty responsive to it, because by then, we knew it so well. <P>I'm glad you all had fun seeing it! Too bad we can't all rent a big theatre and see it together as a big gang of BarrowDowners! <P>(btw, I wore my BarrowDowns shirt and One Ring each time I have seen it and the only reason people look at me is not because I think they recognize the logo, but because there's a big freakin' sword on the front and back heh heh...)<P>Sorry you got a fever during your showing, Taure!!! maybe it was.... Frodo Fever! :0

[The Silver-shod Muse]

I was a little disappointed in the audience. I went opening day, and the entire theatre was dead silent the entire time. After it ended, everyone just shuffled out without a word. I couldn't tell if they were all so amazed that they couldn't speak, or just disgusted.

[Ainahithiel of Mirkwood]

'tis a sad world you live in... When I first went to it, I was dressed up as a woodland elf, compleate with ears, green eyes, and of course, my ever ready cape. Everybody kind of stared at me when I went in, and my friend, who dresssed up a ring wraith as well. We were in th 8 pm showing and we had a bunch of teenagers, like seniors in the theater, complete with my brother, and his friend Ffej.(don't ask) Everybody clapped and cheered when it started, and at the end... the world was silent. They laughed at Gollum, and at Treebeard when he said some of his lines. And they oohed at Legolas. but that is it... <P>I saw more enthusiasim at "Attack of the Clones"!!!!!

[Magician of Nathar]

Well when I went to see it the cinema was not packed but there were still many people. There were nothing except lagheters from the audience when Gimli the comical relief is at work and when Smeagol busts out the line, "But master is my friend!" Lol! That was funny. It's like Lord of the Rings goes Disney!!!!!

[Lhunbelethiel]

Oooh, I wanted to dress up for TTT but I chickened out.... Maybe for ROTK... but I have to figure out what I want to be... hobbit, elf, ent??? <p>[ December 30, 2002: Message edited by: Lhunbelethiel ]

[Lady_Báin]

i and some friends dressed up (a wringwraith four elves and a 5 feet 11 inches hobbit ) i was also a bit disapointedat the audience they laughed at all the wrong times (in my opinion) and there were waaaaaaaaaay too many families (i mean there were annoying little kids saying "i'm bored... i wanna go home... i need to pee..." and so forth and he was kicking my chair!:mad i mean it's a premeire for goodness sakes leave it to the die hards!!! i saw it on the 18th and the 26th but the audience did applaud at the end. <P> WHEN DID ANYONE SAY GIMLI WAS A GIRL?!?!?!?! i think maybe you misunderstood the joke

[the real nazgul]

well when i saw tfotr, when someone chops an orcs head off, all the audience started to cheer!

[PeregrinTook]

Everybody laughed and cheered at all the right moments! It was perfect! I was kinda embarrased though... Remember the part when the camera is showing all the noble Men and Elves standing on the battlements of Helm's Deep, and then they show Gimli but all you really see is the top inch of his helmet? I burst out laughing at that precise moment. Fine so far huh? NOT! Everyone else was quiet! Oh, sorry, just until I laughed! Then Everyone <I>else</I> laughed. I made a point of waiting until everyone else started laughing to laugh again during the rest of the movie...

[the real findorfin]

I went to see it today with friends and booked it quite early but still ended up with awful seats. Second row to the left, argh!!! We moved into the middle but got chucked back down there before it started, damn!<P>The audience laughed and stuff but nothing like fans would do, sigh! I don't think I even know many true fans, all of two maybe.

[VanimaEdhel]

The first time I saw it, the audience cheered <I>quite</I> loudly anytime anything happened that was interesting, whether it was good for evil people or good for benevolent people.<P>The second time, the kid behind me was sick, so all that happened was that he kept snorting and coughing. No other noise at all. It was almost like everyone was comatose. Well, it <I>was</I> 11:00 a.m., but still...

[The Silver-shod Muse]

Ugh - comatose. How dreadful.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> I made a point of waiting until everyone else started laughing to laugh again during the rest of the movie... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I went with a friend that reacted <I>late</I> to everything, and I don't mean just a little late. Ex:<BR>Legolas: "Shall I describe it to you, or should I get you a box?"<BR>Gimli: *Grins, laughs*<P>Audience laughs, scene changes<P>Camera pans around the walls of Helm's Deep, the orcs are clanking their way up the valley, we see the awed and terrified faces of the defenders... and she laughs. Exasperating.

[VanimaEdhel]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Camera pans around the walls of Helm's Deep, the orcs are clanking their way up the valley, we see the awed and terrified faces of the defenders... and she laughs. Exasperating. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Maybe she was mentally in a different time zone or something...or maybe it took a while for the vision to register in her brain...get the idea I'm trying to defend her?<P>Well, I'm seeing The Two Towers again tomorrow and I'll report back on the audience then.<P>EDIT: Oooo...post #1700...<p>[ December 31, 2002: Message edited by: VanimaEdhel ]

[Ainahithiel of Mirkwood]

I went to see "Two Towers" for the 6th time, and I'm the first person to come, cause I wanted a front row seat(which I have failed to get for the past five times! ) So I get there, and the guy at the popcorn machine says "you've seen this at least 3 times" and I hold up 5 fingers, then add one for this time. he just shakes his head and says "isn't that a bit much?" <P>"no way man!" I reply, then ask for my usual medium mountain dew "it's 3.25, but I bet you know that already." (actually I didn't, becuase I never by drinks, to cut down on spending) so he gives me the drink and says<BR>"you've probably read the book more though" I say 24, cause I have read the "Two Towers" about that much. but then I relize, oh... he meant the full thing... heh heh. he says<BR>"that's a little to much for me." I just smiled and walk to get a straw. and then to the theather, he stops me by saying "dude! that's the one ring around your neck!" and then the four other employees come and check the ring, and the guy says "i'm savin up for the solid gold one. then I'm gonna buy the even star for my girlfriend" I just smile and nod. then....<P>"hey if you come back one more time, I'll let you in for free" <P>so, that's kinda os but still isn't that so cool??<P>and so I go into the theather and sit down. and only FIVE OTHER PEOPLE(not including the theater workers) come in. I mean, it's been a few weeks and it was a thursday at 8 but still!!!! <P>okay, going to read Return of the king again.<P>sorry to disturb you....

[dunedain_aragorn]

Lotsa people cried when aragorn fell off, and laughed, and people were making out during the arwen+aragorn scenes!

[Laialthriel]

Ainahithiel: you've seen it six times?? I'm jealous! I've tried and tried and tried but I just can't seem to get there for my <I>second</I> time!! Grrrr...<P>As for my theater experience: It was very cool. We had a pretty darn good audience. Being it was opening day, and we were at an AMC theater, it's understandable. There was scattered applause when the beginning title came up, no irritating people sitting behind or in front of me (thank you Lord!), and everyone laughed in the appropriate places. And thankfully, no one made any noises in the Frodo and Sam scenes. If they had, I would have gotten angry. <BR>Of course everyone oohed and ahhed when Legolas swung up on Arod, surfed on the shield, and uh....pretty much every other time he came on-screen. <BR>There were gasps of surprise and sorrow when Haldir was killed, and looking around you could see the pity everyone felt for Gollum/Smeagol. <BR>When the ending credits came on the screen, there was a moment of silence (I'm pretty sure an awed and stunned silence) then everyone applauded. <BR>All in all it was an awesome experience. I loved the movie and was pleased to find out there were many more like me in the crowd as well. Though I didn't see any Elves, Hobbits or Ents sitting in the seats, sadly. <P>God with you,<P> Laialthriel<p>[ January 03, 2003: Message edited by: Laialthriel ]

[thalioniathiel]

interesting thread!<BR>the first time I went to see it on the 18th, the AMC had 2 11am showings and I guess I was in the second theater to fill up. it was about 3/4 full. that audience was quite responsive. a few people cheered when Ian McKellen's voice came on during a preview of X2. then a preview of the movie Orlando Bloom will be in...the audience cheered when his name showed up. <BR>I'm not one to cheer or exclaim even when I'm excited, but I couldn't help letting out a whoop when Legolas did his skateboard move and also when he swung onto the horse. there was quite a bit of laughter at various funny parts, especially during some of Gollum's lines. at the end, there was a lot of applause. <P>the second time I went to see it, there wasn't as much response, except from one little old lady sitting in front of me. apparently she was totally unfamiliar with the story and hadn't seen the previews, because certain things came as a total surprise to her, like Treebeard opening his eyes or Gandalf returning, and she would gasp and clap. it got kind of annoying, although I was glad she was enjoying the movie so much. she clapped at almost every little thing, such as Gandalf telling off Wormtongue and Theoden throwing Wormtongue out.

[Sapphire_Flame]

My audience was *very* enthusiastic! Everyone cheered when the movie started, and when it ended, and whenever Legolas did something cool (i.e. shield surfing at Helm's Deep ). I, myself, cheered along with everyone else, as well as going "AWWWWWW!" just about every time Merry and Pip were on screen (not near enought though! ). At the end, I cheered, but then I started yelling at the screen and telling them to play the *real* end and show Shelob. That was my only problem. My friend had an interesting perspective, though; he was getting mad at everyone for laughing at Gollum, and needed some serious self-control so he wouldn't get up and start yelling at people. I know he wouldn't, 'cause he's got to be the quietest guy on the planet, but the thought is funny.<P>That was just the first time I saw it too! I've seen it five times already (one more viewing is planned for this Saturday!). The first time I went and the second probably had the best audiences, but the fourth and fifth times I went were my favorites. My friend and I had jokes running through the whole movie, so she and I were sitting there sniggering (quietly) through the whole thing. And we have new jokes everytime we go! <P>And, PeregrinTook, I too have plans to see RotK on opening day!!!!! LotR fans unite!!!! <p>[ January 07, 2003: Message edited by: Sapphire_Flame ]

[Thingol1000]

Upon rlease, very enthusiastic. Later veiwings (two weeks after release date) much more subdued.

[Arien]

I went to see it 4 days after it was realeased, the Cinema was packed. And at the end everyone stood up and applauded...<P>Then I went to see it again on the 28th of December and it was like any other film.....<P>Then I went to see it again on the 30th and when I came out there was a line going out of The Cinema and around the corner, and they were queing up for TTT so it must of been good!

[Gryphon Hall]

You guys are just soooo lucky you have all the opportunities to watch TTT all those many times.<P>Where I live, we are having a film festival, so no films except local films allowed since Christmas until January 11. <P>I really want to see it again, especially after watching the extended DVD of FotR.

[Balin999]

The first time I went to the cinema the audience was really quiet, though they laughed especially about Gimli (they obviously liked the scene when he can't see over the wall in Helm's Deep), which was a bit disturbing for me, but we have discussed that already.<BR>Something that really annoyed me was that everyone laughed at Gollum. I nearly cried everytime I saw him. Usually I don't cry at the cinema, but this time it was different, I felt so sorry for the poor creature. P.J and especially Serkis have done excellent work! I guess the people that haven't read the books couldn't understand Gollum and didn't know Gimli, so they can be forgiven.<BR>The second time was horrible. In our row there were 7 or 8 kids that were running around all the time. I wished for Gimli's axe everytime one of them passed me by. <BR>All in all the audience was ok, though they didn't understand everything as it was meant to be understood.

[Sirithheruwen]

Well, the first time I went(0n the first day) the place was full of people wearing elf clothes and "Save the Ents" t-shirts, and "I Love Legolas" t-shirts. Everyone clapped and laughed at all the right parts. <P>On the other hand, when I went the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th times a few months later, people didn't laugh at all. No reaction whatsoever! That's a real pain, so me and my friends just laughed really really loud at all the funny parts to make a point! <p>[ July 30, 2003: Message edited by: Sirithheruwen ]

[BethoHOG]

The first time I saw it was on the 18th, at 12:01 a.m. Obviously, almost everyone who were there were die-hard fans. <P>As soon as the movie started (after all those previews), everyone started cheering and clapping, until one guy from the audience yelled, "OKAY! QUIET PEOPLE!" Haha.<P>They cheered and clapped when Gandalf battled the Balrog as they fell. They screamed in delight when Legolas side mounted the horse and when he surfed down the stairs.<P>They clapped for a lot of other things that I can no longer remember. <P>Oh, and of course, everyone clapped, cheered and hooted and even gave a standing ovation when the movie ended!<P>It's very fun and a great experience watching it on the very first showing where you don't have to hide your emotion and can cheer freely among other fans.

[peonydeepdelver]

Well my audience was really emotional. They laughed at Gollum, Gimli, and Pippin! And the third time I went this baby was crying almost the whole time! Seriously, who brings a baby to an 8 PM 3 hour movie? Some people...<BR>But one of the times I went this 15 year old kid (I'm guessing) with a backwards cap was like "Wooo! Go Gimli!" Whenever Gimli pulled a neat move in Helm's Deep. There's a Gimli fan for ya! But I was the only one in the theater that didn't laugh at Gollum's schizo scenes, because I knew what he had been through and if you really think about it, it wasn't funny.<BR>Oh yeah, and people laughed when Grishnakh pulled Merry off of Treebeard (before he woke up)! It wasn't even funny! But then again, you're listening to a Merry fan... and there's almost as many of those as there are Gimli fans...

[Daisy Brambleburr]

I have the most infuriating friends/relatives to go to the movies with. <BR>My friends are either Legolas maniacs or Gollum maniacs. They think he is cute and 'aww' at every scene. And my Legolas-friend only watched the movies because Orlando is in them. She sits there going 'mmmm' or 'he is so fittt' every time he is on screen.<BR> My brother never watched FotR but he came to see TTT with me for some reason that only God truly knows. Probably to annoy me with his stupid questions. You know the sort, 'I thought he died!', 'Why did he just *fall* in the water?' 'Why are there two Gollums'?<BR>Is it any wonder I go to the cinema on my own now? <BR>I suppose that wasn't really about complete audience reactions, just particular *sections* of the audience. I get really paranoid that my companions are annoying people with their constant chatting so I just sit there stressing about that. <BR>As for costumes, I've never worn them to see lotR, just my trusty 'Frodo Lives' cap. <BR>

[Sauron 666]

The only thing that really upset me with people's reactions were two incidences:<P>After the 2nd time i saw FOTR in the theatre these dumbass highschool aged turds were like 'what?' 'thats the end?' 'you the book is like a thousand pages' basically they had no idea what a great epic piece of art this was based on and were expecting some piece of crap like the fast and the furious or something. <P>after i saw TTT the 1st time (the day it came out!) these stupid preteen girls starting 'oouing' or whatever you call it when Vigg's name popped up on the screen during the credits. ***? I can't stand idioits like this, they should all be shot!

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Well, I like it when people stay quiet during the film itself, but afterwards it would be lovely if people clapped or cheered. For example, behind my friend Elen and I when we went to see TTT were a bunch of annoying kids. Who would not shut up throughout the movie, and I had to yell "Aww!" at the Brego part to make them be quiet. When people talk through the movie it ticks me off, but if they laugh or cry or cheer, it's okay. But only once or twice.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

When I went to see the film for the 5th time, the very last day they showed it, the audience consisted out of 10 people.<BR>Real die hards, which was nice!<BR>But after 45 minutes, the power went off!!<BR>That was horrible, can you imagine that??? Everybody was shocked, and the people from the movie theater said it was a major power breakdown in the city, and it wasn't likely that they could restart the movie... <BR>So, everybody left(with a free drink...), but me and my friend stayed there, waiting and hoping...<BR>And then after about 40 minutes, the film started again!!! <P>For the rest of the movie we were alone, and we cheered, and cried and laughed, it was wonderful

[Ophelia]

Well actually when I went for the first time there were not many people there . And it really is so that people are afraid to express their feelings these days for a "stupid fantasy film" . But sience I have got not much shame , I just did not care of what the other's say about my reactions . But another thing is that it is quite hard to impress me with a film . But anyways the crowd did some of "aaaaaahh...." and "ooooah" but they were not in to it . <BR>The second time I went to see TTT all the cinema was filled with 2 6th or 5th grade classes and if you had just heard how they screamed when the lights went off and waht really buged me off was when on the screen showed a sentence "Turn off your mobile phones" they all started to call one another or play melodies of their mobiles . Fortunatly it all stoped when the film started . And then I was suposed to listen to their stupid and silly replys about the movie (like - "Hay , that's me!" when there was the scene with Galadriel) and , what's worse , to their teacher's yelling that was louder than the kids all together . Well I did not keep my mouth shut and gasped or "accidentaly" said some sarcastic back replys too loud . I had quite a fun but otherwise no Tolkien fan's visited the movies atleast while I was there . <BR>But the president of our country is a Tolkien fan and she went to TTT but she had to go home because all the places were allready taken

[The Only Real Estel]

I'm pretty sure other people have probably already reported this, but here goes anyway: Both the 1st & 2nd times I saw FotR in the theater (I can't remember all the other times), the ENTIRE audience erupted in cheers & clapping when Aragorn cut off Lurtz's head near the end of FotR, effectively ending the one-on-one encounter! That was sooo cool (the cheering at least)

[The Saucepan Man]

It is of course a serious crime in the UK (well the south east anyway), punishable by "funny looks" and tut-tutting, to cheer, cry or indeed express any such emotion while in the company of a group of complete strangers.<P>So the only reaction expressed by the audience during any of my viewings of the LotR films has been the occasional ripple of understated laughter.<P>Which is, of course, the way it should be.

[Shy Hobbit]

I came onto the fandom scene a little late, by the time I had made up my mind to go see TTT by myself, it was gone And only the beginning of February, too! So I didn't get to see it till the end of April when I convinced my mom to drive 50 miles to the last theater showing it. The place was empty While I enjoy seeing other people's reactions at movies, I'm glad I got to see it without annoying kids behind me. <P>My first viewing of PoC was a different story, but we won't go into that <p>[ July 31, 2003: Message edited by: Shy Hobbit ]

[peonydeepdelver]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> The second time I went to see TTT all the cinema was filled with 2 6th or 5th grade classes and if you had just heard how they screamed when the lights went off and waht really buged me off was when on the screen showed a sentence "Turn off your mobile phones" they all started to call one another or play melodies of their mobiles . <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Since when do kids younger than me get cell phones???

[The Only Real Estel]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Since when do kids younger than me get cell phones???<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Ouch! That's got to hurt. That's also got to be REALLY annoying, luckily I've never had to suffer through that kind of stuff. <BR>P.S. I have a cell phone & I'm 15, hopefully for you that's older than you (but I doubt it, taking into consideration the average age of posters on this site!)<BR> <p>[ August 02, 2003: Message edited by: The Only Real Estel ]

[Annúntindomeiel]

I got to see the movie at midnight so we had a great audience that was really into the movie. But at the part when Aragorn flies over the cliff I gasped really loud and the people around me started laughing. I was kinda embarassed but it was really funny.

[arianrod]

Each time I've gone to see it, the theater's always been absolutely silent during Sam's monologue at the end. You could hear a pin drop in there.<BR> <BR>The night I went to see it when it just came out, there was a really good fan someone around me who's obviously read the books but hasn't been keeping up with the spoilers online. When the Elves started marching in to Helm's Deep, I could hear her start muttering under her breath. When Theoden said "How is this possible?" (about the arrival of the Elves), she shouted "That's what I want to know!" lol it was great...<p>[ August 06, 2003: Message edited by: arianrod ]

[StarJewel]

I went to see TTT twice, once with my parents(first time) and second with my friend. The first time, the theater was strangely deserted, with only a few rabid fans like me around. On the second round, however, it was packed! The audience was really quiet, except for the parts where Legolas jumped onto the horse and where he shield surfed (OK, so I'm a rabid Orli fan, too, I admit it. ). The only real noise maker was that shrieking 3 year old behind me. He didnt shut up for the whole movie .

[Beren87]

I went to TTT 9 times in total, I think, and the audience reactions were quite varied. <P>At 2am showings, they were understandably quiet, as everyone was noticably nearly-passed out from exhaustion.<P>At the Midnight showing, there was a lot of excitement, and people were cheering, laughing, yelling, all of the fun stuff.<P>At other showings, it was generally quiet. I get the feeling a lot of the people were just concentrating on following the complex story line (if you've only seen half, or none of FotR, I assume it's got to be rather difficult to follow).<P>Now, I also have a copy of the film from China, that was recorded inside the theatre. It's subtitled in Mandarin, but all of the character still speak English. It's really amusing to watch, because there's just nearly constant laughter for no real reason. Most of the movie isn't even funny, and yet the entire audience is laughing. It's like they're all in vibrating chairs or something.

[Airerûthiel]

Maybe British people are more restrained...certainly northerners are (no offence to any fellow northerners reading this!). My sister and I went to see it when I visited her in London at Christmas, and we only got a few newbies asking about what happened in Fellowship.<P>But back up north I went to see the film with my friends, and it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop (hooray for stupid clichés!). If anyone even tried to talk, virtually the whole cinema turned round and went, "SSSHH!" I wanted to laugh a couple of times, I admit that freely...<P>Edit: Oh yes, in London there were a couple of people who laughed at some of the scenes, like when Aragorn and Legolas were miles ahead of Gimli as they ran across the plains, and during the scene between Legolas and Gimli at Helm's Deep (including "Two!" "I'm on seventeen", "You could have picked a better spot!" "Shall I explain it to you, or would you like me to find you a box?" and "Don't tell the elf")<p>[ August 08, 2003: Message edited by: Airerûthiel ]

[peonydeepdelver]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> P.S. I have a cell phone & I'm 15, hopefully for you that's older than you (but I doubt it, taking into consideration the average age of posters on this site!) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Actually I'm 14 and a half, and most of the kids I know have cell phones. My parents just won't let me. Oh well.<P><BR>When we held our own 10 PM showing outside at the cabins I go to, my friend's cousin and I cheered whenever Pippin and Merry came on (those are our fave characters), and my friend gave a commentary the whole time, including Frodo having contractions on Weathertop, Sam being the farthest from home he's ever been ("What, have you been counting the steps you take your whole life?!"), and the weird eye-roll thing Gandalf does near the end of the Council of Elrond when Merry and Pippin come out. But she's seen the movie as many times as me, and read the books, so it was funny. My other friend at the lake (who had only seen the movie one other time) has turned into a rabid Orli fan. Oh joy.

[Mariska Greenleaf]

I would like to know what the audience was like when you went to see ROTK.<BR>I expected a LOT of people and audience reactions when I went to see the trilogy, but alas: the theatre was only half full, and the audience was super quiet.<BR>Can you believe that? There was only a little laugh now and then , but that was all.<BR>It was even that bad, that when I gave a small reaction like : "oh" immediately all the heads around me turned to me with a disturbed look in their eyes.<P>I know that the belgian people are thought off as boring, and I would of course be the first to argue about that, but I'm afraid,considering the audience Tuesday, it could be true...<P>One more thing, maybe it was a coincidence, but 90% of the people there were guys...<P> <P>Oh, and one more thing. I saw the film at 11pm the 16th! Isn't that strange, I thought that they had to wait untill the 17th...but you don't hear me complaining about that<BR> <p>[ 10:51 AM December 18, 2003: Message edited by: Mariska Greenleaf ]

[Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1]

Really???<BR>All the viewings were FULLY BOOKED apart from 2:45pm...(I saw 3:15).<BR>Amazing...people gasped, laughed at Gimli, cheered at Leggy's Oliphaunt stunt, cheered at Eowyn when she said she was a woman...man, what an experience. Except someone I know was giggling at every Sam and Frodo scene...

[mark12_30]

Tuesday at Midnight (okay, Wed.12:05 am While we were waiting, it was on the quiet side, and a couple of groups of people startd this chant:<P>"I say Baggins, you say Frodo. <BR>Baggins!" <BR>"Frodo!" <BR>"Baggins!" <BR>"Frodo!"<BR>"I say Mordor, You say Oh No.<BR>Mordor!" <BR>"Oh No!" <BR>"Mordor!" <BR>"Oh No!"<P>Then they cheered. All eight of them.<P>I was too busy laughing to join in. But I must say it loosened up the theater pretty well. After that, there was cheering, and applause and reactions, and it was fairly lively. <P>Wednesday at 6:15... was a dead-boring audience. I was the only one even trying to clap or cheer. I definitely laughed louder than anybody else.

[Meela]

There was one row at the very back who cheered at every point. They cheered when the adverts began. They cheered when the film began. They cheered when the film started after the intermission. The whole audience clapped at the end.<P>Everyone laughed in the right places. It was very pleasant. I giggled at all the Frodo and Sam scenes (though I doubt I'm the one that Elentari knows ). I had to stuff my mouth with my sleeve at the end. It was so tacky, I just couldn't stop laughing.

[Ainaserkewen]

Our audience was awsome, just perfect. We all waited in the cold for about an hour until they let us into the theater. I tell you I've never been in a mad rush for a movie before...I have a bruise to show for it. Luckily I was at the front of the line so it wasn't terminal. We waited for so long in the theater...then finally they started the adverts. Everyone cheered but there was a fluk in the screen and it went out. I was thinking "just my luck for a power failure" but it came back on moments later, more cheering. I held the hand of my friend next to me in antisipation as it started. Finally, I would get relief and see the ending movie.<P>All through the movie, I swear I made more noise than anyone else. People did laugh in all the right places and awwwed in others. The part that was really terrible was when Sam and Frodo were on the island surrounded by lava and all of a sudden the music swells and the screen goes black. I was about ready to sever someone's head if that was the ending...so was the rest of the audience too I think. There was a huge sigh of relief when the picture started up again. That happened once more, and when the movie was finally over...there was screaming, crying, cheering, whistling(me) and just general noise.<P>I'm so glad I went with all the other freaks on opening night then wait for a quiet theater.

[Lossentilien]

uh, my audience pretty much sucked. They all came in (some late) and for some reason no one found their seats quickly, but wandered up and down the rows a few times before realising they were right in front of it. And no one dressed up, as predicted. The best i saw was a girl in unremarkable, ordinary clothes, wearing the ring round her neck. <BR>They did laugh a little, and there were a few sniffs at the end, but once the credits came up, there was a rush to get out. I'm a little odd in that I insist on watching the full credits (people put a lot of time, love and work into films, so it should be appreciated) so it really really annoyed me that they just left before the cast list was over. We couldn't even hear Annie Lennox's song over the rabble. And I swear, there must be a lot of people with bladder problems. <BR>Oh, and our showing was suddenly stopped right as Pippin was going to take the Palantir- it wasn't an intermission or anything, just technical problems- which was a nasty shock.

[Alatariel]

The audience was very into the movie when I saw it - it was a full house and people were rowdy. Unfortunatley, I was sitting next to two men who couldn't handle the fact that two male characters (i.e. Sam and Frodo or Merry and Pippin) could have a close friendship without being homosexual. They kept giggling, throwing looks at each other and making stupid comments like "here comes the kiss!" The worst part is these men were easily in their 30s - old enough that they <I>should</I> be able to handle themselves!! Why can some people not handle a close same sex friendship??<P>Other than those two childish adults, the audience was great!

[Bill the Pony]

The audience here (not a great neighborhood in Houston) was abominable. There were many asinine comments from all directions (from 25yr old and up males who should have known how to keep their machismo to themselves), a bevvy of childern babbling throughout (honestly, who takes kids to a movie like that?!), and much laughter where it did not belong. Of course, laughter for people is like barking for dogs as some person of note once said (it is a reaction not only to humour, but to fear, surprise, uncertainty, etc.), so maybe it can be excused. But a terrible audience nonetheless - every time I'd get in to the movie, something else would happen. Oh, and i musn't forget that some %$^&&*( was playing with the lights in the theater! It's very hard to focus on the film when the lights are being flicked on and off. My worst movie audience experience EVER. <BR>I think nobody there was a Tolkien fan, and frankly the movie was over their heads and far too intense for them to handle. That's the only explanation I can come up with. Products of society, one and all. If all someone's ever seen is stuff like the Fast and the Furious or Austin Powers, then ROTK would be an incredible sensory overload. I'd be barking too!<P>*Stomps hoof on ground*

[Diamond18]

Oh poor Bill. I'm sorry. Send them to HER....<P>Ahem. I went to a 7:00 showing. My audience was pretty good. It was sold out and we were almost all in our seats a half hour before the film started. 90% of us were older teenagers to young twenty-somethings, I've never been around this many people my age since going a rock concert in October! (I was homeschooled....) Anyway, so that was interesting. For the most part everyone was into the movie, riveted in silence except for laughter at the jokes and cute bits. (All Gimli's one-liners, Gandalf telling Pippin not to speak, etc.) There weren't really cheers, but some people going "yes!" when Eowyn did her whole Witch-King thing. It was deathly silent when the screen went blank, I don't think I was the only one holding my breath. People clapped at the end, but almost everyone left before the credits were over. I didn't mind—that meant I could get out of the parking lot easier when I left.<P>No one around me had any trouble with Frodo/Sam Merry/Pippin. It was wonderful.<P>At first the sound didn't work, so we missed half of the Spider-Man 2 trailer. We were all very worried.

[mallornleaf]

We had a great audience! They clapped when our huge group of twenty seven costume people walked in! During the movie we had some hearty laughs and some random applause when the ring was destroyed~~besides that we had clapping at the end<P>My only annoyance came from my mom (who sat next to me) who insisted on asking questions throughout the show~~I dont mind answering questions just save them for after the movie! she was understanding though!

[Sapphire_Flame]

I went to a 1:00 PM show. The theater was sold out, and the audience was mega cool (except for the kid behind me that kept kicking my seat). They laughed in all the right places, and they cheered and clapped a lot: When the movie started, when the Dead came out of the ships and started attacking, when Eowyn cuts off the fell beast's head, when Eowyn kills the Witch-King, and when Legolas does his little oliphaunt stunt are just a few of the times.<P>Nobody that I heard really had any problem with Frodo/Sam, Merry/Pippin. The people in the row behind my group were seemingly anti-Pippin in general though; I was very tempted to turn around and stick my sword into one of them to shut 'em up. <P>Other than that, and the fact that no one but the people in my group were dressed up, the audience was very cool.<P>Abedithon le,<P>~*~Aranel~*~

[Fíriel of Ao Tea Roa]

Nice idea, merging the TTT-reactions with ROTK.. well, here is my story:<P>As much as the audience enjoyed the singing and kicking Hobbits, we loved as much at the slightly drunk girl who walked past the screen. She stumbled spectacular dramatically, caught her balance, stumbled again, tried to fight the falling while giggling all the time.. her five minutes of fame. I hope she remembers it after all.<P>I went to another screening later and the second audience was far more emotionally strong - one could hear the whole cinema crying at times. It took most some time to realize that Frodo will leave to the Grey Havens, too, but then - no holding back there.

[Enorëiel]

My audience was perfect! There were about 7 screens where we went that were showing midnight showings. The people that organized it proclaimed ours the best and loudest. We clapped and cheered at all the right places. I LOVE going to movies when people do that! IT makes the movie even better! <P>No one around me had Frodo/Sam or Merry/Pippin problems but trust me, if they did I would have let them have it! It makes me so mad! Girls are allowed to be close friends, why can't guys? What I think might have shut a few people up is at 'the end of all things' when it's serious and, well, it's the end of all things; what does Sam say? "I would have married Rosie Cotton. If I had gotten the chance to marry one person, it would have been her" (or something to that affect) and then he cried. To all those stupid doubters; there you go! Evidence! Now let it be!

[Shy Hobbit]

I'm so sorry for those of you who had such rotten experiences! *hugs*<P>I went to a 10:50am showing on the 17th, I swear, BEST audience I've ever had the pleasure of sitting with. I was worried at first, the place was slowly filling (I think I was the only one who had advance tickets!) with teenagers, and maybe some first and second year college students. And kids. People were walking in with 4-8 year olds. I was bracing myself. But it was remarkably quiet! Only one cell rang in the whole duration, and laughing was only at appropriate places. Can't say I can remember cheering, but that's ok, I want to hear the movie more Someone made an "OOF!" noise when Frodo recieved his sting, but there were no insane screaming people going bonkers over Shelob. You could have heard a pin drop, except for that point when you just *knew* something was about to happen, then everyone started to squirm. <P>I think Gandalf clocking Denethor recieved the loudest reaction, you just have to put your purist aside and admit that was humorous <P>One guy was, for some reason, audibly grossed out when Pippin kissed Denethor's ring. <P>The fading-to-black sequences left me holding my breath, I would have had a fit if they ended it with Frodo and Sam lying on that boulder But I held my breath, having enough faith in PJ not to screw things up that badly. <P>A few morons left when Frodo woke up and was reunited with the Fellowship in that painfully beatiful scene.<P>All in all, it was awesome. It was obvious these people had a genuine love for the story, and many of them were saying things like "It didn't follow the book 100%, but I liked it!" as they left. Only a few people besides me stayed to the end of the credits (how can you not stay and look at the beautiful artwork?!) and no one cheered, but I was so thrilled. Never before have I been with an audience that was so well-behaved, and into the movie. <P>To any of you who were in a small theater in North Florida yesterday morning, I thank you

[Rose Cotton]

I was gifted with the most wonderful audience I have ever known!<P>I had gone to the Gathering of the Fellowship convention so for the past three days I had been surrounded by LotR fans and was all hyped up for the movie.<P>When we were waiting for the movie to start me and a girl I was sitting next to sung the song the hobbits sing in the Green Dragon in the movie. It was great with everyone clapping to the beat!<P>Then when we were watching the movie there was applause at almost every place. But it was never too much because everyone wanted to hear what was going on. It made the experiance all the more exiting. And at the end I could hear major sniffling.<P>The only thing that I got miffed at is at one of the Sam and Frodo moments the girl next to me made an inapropriate comment. But I just elbowed her and she understood.<P>I challenge everyone to slay all those who call Sam or Frodo gay after seeing this movie! Because those people oviously don't understand the hell those hobbits had to go through.<P><BR>Thank goodness for good audiences!

[faenaduial]

The audience at our 7:00 PM sold out show on the 17th was just great.<P>The fun started on line. Although no one came to this show in costume, everyone was talking about whether we had watched the first two DVD's during the week and other things we had done in anticipation of RotK. Everyone was super friendly and very excited.<P>During the movie everyone laughed and cheered in all the right places. Many of us were crying when Pippin sang.<P>And amazingly there was no one getting up and down during the film!!<P>Our best laugh came when at the end of the movie when a group of about 20 girls in the front rows all let out a huge scream when Orlando's name appeared during the credits. Immediately after that when Denethor's name appeared a guy in his 40's let out a scream in imitation of the girls. The entire theater disolved into peals of laughter!

[Gorwingel]

Yeah the audience at the 12 o'clock showing that I went to was wonderful. We even sang happy birthday to a fan whose birthday was on the 17th. They cheered at the beginning and at the end, and at a whole bunch of points in between. Some of the most notable cheers were for when Sam picks up Frodo (many of the kids there were from my high school, and some of the guys from the football team started cheering "Rudy!" at that time ), and for when Aragorn has that huge kiss with Arwen (I think it was because all the guys were jealous). They also cheered when Eowyn finished off the Witch King. It was great fun.

[Meneltarmacil]

My audience experience was pretty good. Lots of clapping/cheering at Pelennor victories, and (sorry about this, Meela) everybody clapped when Denethor got smacked by Gandalf. The only bad thing that happened was when somebody's cell phone went off while the orcs were taking Osgiliath.

[Arothir]

Everybody laughed for Gimli's that only counts as one quote. Someone called Denethor a jerk when he said he wished Faramir had died. Also they almost left when the screen went black before the end. It did that twice, one after the Ring was destroyed, and I can't remember the other time.

[Failivrin]

the first time i saw it, people just laughed.<P>the second time was BRILLIANT! when shelob put her legs out through the hole there was this big 'OOOOOOOH!' and then when she stabbed Frodo all of these people went 'AAAAAAAAAAAARGH' and a woman screamed 'OH MY GOD!' it was great

[The Saucepan Man]

My audience was suitably muted for a British audience. No cheering or clapping, just a few laughs at appropriate moments.<P>The reactions that amused me were an audible "Eeeuugh!" when we saw Shelob's dripping stinger just before it hit Frodo, and laughter when we saw Frodo bound up with her webs. He did look just a little too much like a mummified doll all neatly tied up like that. <P>I could feel the audience on the verge of laughter the second time we saw Gollum struggling with an invisible Frodo. It did look faintly ridiculous, so I for one am quite glad we had a second, more "visible", struggle between them.

[Mhoram]

For FOTR my audience booed at the end..because the film caught on fire and we missed the last few minutes, lol.<P>Don't remember anything from TTT, but for ROTK a small boy said "Look out man!" when Shelob was creeping up on Frodo. Everyone laughed. And after it was over the audience gave a nice applause (pretty rare for a movie to get that i'm sure.)

[Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1]

My second viewing on Saturday was more British too... ...just a bit of chuckling, that's all. And yes, in both screenings people were holding back the laughter at Gollum's struggle. I didn't think Frodo was that <I>big</I>...I must say the first performance was much more fun, as everyone seemed to know exactly when to cheer. Nope, Meela, that wasn't you...it was someone in my form. I would've cheered when Orli's name came up, but I would've been the only one , they were mostly men. I was surprised, because it was a wednesday at 3:15pm...wouldn't they be at work?! And that first performance we got there half an hour early and we had to sit at the front because most of the seats were taken.

[Jjudvven]

Well the first time I saw it, the theatre was full. People "ooooohhhddd" and "aaaahhhd" at the right places, and many of the women folk covered their faces at the mighty Queen Shelob. It was great. Unfortunately, at the end when the screen went blank right on Mt. Doom, many of the people thought that was the end and started leaving! I was like "Get back in here you idiots, it's not over yet!" Sadly, many of them didn't feel like returning to their seats, and thus missed the magnificent ending. <P>And of course the entire theatre applauded for Gimli's "That still only counts as one" comment. :P

[Elennar Starfire]

I think most people in the theatre when I went were like me, glued to their seats, mouths hanging open in awe, tears trickling down their cheeks. Except for the fussy baby at the beginning, and a bit of sniffling, it was pretty quiet until Eowyn said "I am no man," then the whole audience started applauding. A good movie experience.

[Angadraug]

I went to the 12:05 am showing at my theater and my fans were also great. There weren't as many people dressed up as I would have liked but it worked out anyways. There were a couple kids there that were around 6 or 7, a little late for them in my opinion, but they didn't bother me. And there were also a few people there that didn't really know much of the story, just liked the movies, but they didn't bother me either. We had a lot of clapping and laughing and quite a bit of crying. I know one girl that cried when they were lighting the beakons. She cries at anything. One part that does stick out though was near the end of the movie when Frodo and Sam were on that huge rock with the lava around them and it looked like the movie was over. When the next scene came the sigh that the crowd, including myself, let out was incredible. Loudest sigh ever. Anyways it was the greatest theater experience I've ever had.

[Evisse the Blue]

My audience was suprinsingly enthusiastic (I did not expect such reactions; everybody was really hyped and excited. They clapped when the movie started, when Aragorn and Arwen kissed, at Legolas's stunt; there was also scattered but enthusiastic clapping when everyone bowed to the hobbits, and of course at the end.<BR>There was no laughter - except at humorous remarks, and no stupid remarks. I was actually on the verge of laughter at some serious scenes, but refrained myself, seeing as no one waws about to join me. <BR>The atmosphere was quite a pleasant one: the room was full, and there were even people on the stairs (myself included: serves me right to buy my ticket in the eve of the premiere). It was like watching it at home with friends. <BR>Oh - at one point, in a scene( one with Denethor and Pippin) there was an interruption, and it was cut. Everybody growled in frustration, and whistled!<BR> Yes, I was really blessed with such an audience - it could have been so much worse!

[Fosco Burrows]

I saw them in the home counties region of England and the English are very reserved so the cinema was very quiet and noone applauded or anything!<BR>A lot of people there were new to tolkien so didn't feel the emotion of the fans!

[Lalaith]

We're obviously a teensy bit more emotional here in London (although we clearly have nothing on the Yanks when it comes to audience participation...) When I went to see it on the 17th, and there were cheers and claps when the film started, and when Legolas killed the Oliphaunt.

[Carannillion]

I consider myself a dedicated fan, but one thing is certain:<P>I hate it when people talk -read: loud and continually - (or make any other noise) during a good film. ESPECIALLY whistling and crying "Oooohhhh! He is sooooo hot!" e-v-e-r-y s-i-n-g-l-e time Aragorn or Legolas appears on screen! PLEASE!! I BEG YOU!!<P>A well-deserved, heavy applause at the end of the film is nice of course, but <I>during</I> the film? No. Absolutely no.<p>[ 6:43 PM January 09, 2004: Message edited by: Carannillion ]

[Shy Hobbit]

I took my Mom and nephew out to see it again yesterday. Let me rephrase that. I took my nephew and dragged my Mom But it's all good. There were only about 20 people there altogether. An old couple was sitting a few rows behind us, and younger lady sat down in front of us, I'm thinking she was on a multiple viewing as well. She started sniffling when Theoden died, and jumped a few times during the Shelob scenes ( I love it when people jump, I find it funny, specially when I know what's coming! ) The old couple was intent on talking through most of the movie, but at least they picked the loud parts, so I couldn't hear most of what they were saying. When you see Shelob's stinger come down dribbling all over the place, the elderly woman screamed "OH, GEEZ!" I nearly giggled about that for the rest of the scene. At least until that awesome moment with Sean Astin,("Don't go where I can't follow") then I was crying. Both the elderly couple and the woman in front of us were crying by the end, which was pretty nice. But I must say, it could never compare with that first showing audience.<p>[ 8:12 PM January 09, 2004: Message edited by: Shy Hobbit ]

[zb]

I went to the first day of RotK - the 26th (Australia always gets movies late, dangnabbit!) - and waited for and hour to get good seats*, etc etc. The wait was worth it 'cos my group of 5 friends got seats all together <I>right in the middle</I>, 2nd row from the back.<P>Anyvague. The audience. It was a pretty happy audience, enthusiastic in the right way, minimal mobile-phone action, applause at the end. The best part, however, was the fully grown guy in the row in front of me who gasped loudly when Shelob re-appeared. It was great. It should have been scripted. Give the man an Oscar. Everyone laughed and cheered at him. <P>I got home and mum asked me what the movie was like, and my reply was, 'it was great! really great! This guy gasped really loudly when Shelob re-appeared, and I can't remember anything else that happened!'<P>So that's my audience story. I'm going to miss packed-out LotR opening-day cinemas *sniff*<P>*'only an hour?' you say. Hey, I live in a small city.