Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For though from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar. - Crossing the Bar
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
All is not black. Frodo lies asleep in bed amidst white light. Dead, or much like when he awoke from his foolishness following Weathertop and flight to the Ford, in the House of Elrond back in Rivendell. If you listen, you can hear the chirp of birds and the trickle of waters - the fountain in Minas Tirith perhaps? The voice of Ulmo? Frodo slowly awakens, and it’s clever that we first see a hand with all digits present and whole. Was it all a bad dream? But shortly thereafter the bandaged finger on the other hand (the left hand of the darned, I’ll note) confirms that it was all real. Mount Doom, Gollum, the Ring and then the Eagles.
You can see Frodo wondering where he’s at, and who this White Wizard is standing at the foot of his bed. It is Gandalf, more like the one that we left long ago in the Shire - the kindly wizard that smiles with his face, returned new from his death in Moria (and the miles between). The laughter begins, and that’s when the scene gets off track.
Gandalf is laughing, Frodo starts laughing, and then Merry and Pippin enter and they laugh and jump for joy at the sight of their healed cousin. Both jump upon the bed, and that’s weird - not for any implied message
thing - but as it looks immature and just why would you jump upon the bed of someone that may still be somewhat ill? Pip and Merry take a step backwards on the maturity escalator here for me as, maybe due to my upbringing (no, they weren’t wolves), I’m just not big on such over-the-top displays of happiness, especially from the 20+ crowd. But that’s me.
Gimli enters, and behind the more sensibly restrained Dwarf struts the
perfect one, Legolas. Aragorn walks next - all the while Pippin and Merry tussle with Frodo, who’s trying to see everyone. It’s like being at a wedding where the bride and groom are traversing the room trying to meet and greet all of the guests and you have some clod continually trying to dance with the bride or groom. Anyway…
So, while four adults look upon the risen Frodo, the other two continue to hug him and bounce him off of the bed. My kids would be expected to behave better (and they would). What was PJ thinking here? Sure, the cast gets to gather together again after their ordeal (and this is assuming that the scene was even filmed in sequence, which it most likely wasn’t), and maybe the four are in one part of the scene and the hobbits another (or some CG trick), but come on, sync up the action/atmosphere already as we have just too weird a scene.
Finally, last but not least, an adult hobbit enters - Sam. He and Frodo exchange looks like “we did it…there and back again,” and to me it’s much better than the two bouncy huggy puppies.
Fade to black. Is the movie over again?
We fly to the top of Minas Tirith (healed of all stains of war) to join in the coronation of King Elessar. Many many people attend. At the Citadel we see the Gondorian honor guard flanking the new King (plus a troop between the ‘in’ crowd and the common rabble. By the by, is this all that still live? It not, would not the city be filled with revelers and banners and flowers etc?). Gandalf places the crown upon Aragorn’s head, and I assume that Gimli gave the crown to Gandalf, or at least held the pillow upon which it set. Maybe Gimli had fetched the crown last worn by Eärnur as the Dwarf has much experience with old bones and dead kings.
Gimli’s dwarven jaw drops about the same distance as the crown as Gandalf lowers it to Aragorn’s brow, and I’m not sure why. Never see a Human with a crown before? Not sure why Gimli was given the honor of attending the King, and, come to think of it, why Gandalf either, except that he looked the most noble of the bunch. Is Aragorn’s back towards us for those who haven’t yet caught on that he it the returned king? Maybe a last surprise by PJ?
Gandalf announces and blesses the new King. I like the smiles between the actors, as they seem genuine. Aragorn, all decked out in kingly fashion, sighs then turns to face his people. The sigh is a nice touch as it seems, at least to me, that Aragorn isn’t happy with all of the pomp and circumstance - hopefully this means that Aragorn doesn’t become known as ‘the Arrogant.’ The people cheer! Huzzah!
Aragorn makes a speech, and it’s very nice and inclusive. Gimli is amazed by the flowering of the White Tree (I guess), and we see Éowyn and Faramir happy and together. Aragorn begins chanting, and it’s either elvish or Lakota, which Viggo sung so well in Hidalgo. Anyway, as he sings, we see the usual fantasy scenery - knights, princes and princesses and fluttery in the air (i.e. the end scene of Legend [1985]).
That guy - is his name Éomer or something? - also nods to the new King. Note that Gimli walks to the right side of Aragorn whereas King Éomer gets merely a row side standing place (“Thanks for all of the horses and help, now go fetch me an ale.”). Aragorn greets Legolas more informally, like he would have greeted Éomer had these two become brothers like in that textual telling, but… His cousin gives him the ‘over the shoulder’ nod, meaning, I guess, “Guess what other elf is here?!?” Elrond is there, but this isn’t what gets Aragorn’s blood rushing…it’s that woman behind curtain #2. It’s Arwen, alive, whether cold, warm, immortal or mortal, it doesn’t matter as she’s here! Remember, Aragorn may not have been certain that Arwen survived, so…Anyway, Liv looks great and splendidly elven. Elrond, quiet for once, seems a little sad as his daughter leaves and goes to cleave to her beau. Arwen seems almost tearful, perhaps overjoyed that she and Aragorn will finally be together. It’s been a long road since that bridge scene in the Fellowship of the Ring (Okay, there were the bedroom flashbacks, and I noted concerns about those
here.). Aragorn takes that standard that she bears and quickly hands it off, wanting both hands free. Arwen bows, which is odd even to Aragorn, and then BAM! They kiss heartily. Ouch on the armor, but when you’re in love, you tend to be blinded to such things. The kiss, lasting quite long and not ‘formal’ in any way, brings a smile even to Dad.
Now both King and Queen continue the procession. Way way way in the back of the crowd stand the hobbits, and maybe due to the previous scene it was for everyone’s safety (“Can’t have that Pip jumping all over the newly crowned King this near a precipic”), but more possibly so that we could get to them last, those that were first in this long tale. The four hobbits bow to Aragorn, and he protests with, “My friends…you bow to no one.” Excellent! Viggo delivers the line perfectly, and you cannot but help being caught up in the emotion. Here is this new King, the hero of the story (plus the love interest),
and he bows to them. Sure, we can
argue that Merry and Pippin should catch a knee as well, but…
I like the look of Sam, who seems to be thinking, “Am I doing this right? Should I say something? Do I have spinach in my teeth?” The camera zooms in to the one person who made it all happen (with Sam’s help of course) - Frodo. It’s sad as we’ve been watching Elijah for three years now, and soon there’s to be no more.
Wonderfully we fly back to the Shire via the Map View of Middle Earth, which works so well. By flying over the locations that were a part of this incredible journey, we’re reminded of just how much we’ve watched and how much the characters have been through.
Frodo narrates this part, and I can make an argument for or against using either Elijah or Cate Blanchett. The hobbits return to the Shire, and now it is
they that are looked upon as foreign and strange. Back at the Green Dragon there’s time for one last mug of ale (1420?) before even these companions part ways. Merry, Pippin, Sam and Frodo exchange looks as if to say, “Well, we’re back, no one cares and seemingly we’re about to start falling back to sleep.” They salute, mug fashion, and then Sam catches Rosie’s eyes, who looks back meaningfully at him as well. Sam screws himself up and goes to see her. What he does that merits the expressions of his companions is a mystery, but we see just thereafter that he and Rosie get married. Sam’s wish comes true.
Isn’t there something about Sean Astin’s wife being none too happy about the wedding kiss, or was it Sean?
Pip, of course, catches the bouquet, and there’s a laugh at that, but not, of course, from me. Sam now is truly happy, and you can see that Frodo is pleased that his friend and servant has begun this new life with Rosie.
Frodo, back in Bag End, now not as well-lit as it once was, realizes that for some there is no going back home. We see Frodo continuing Bilbo’s work, and you can see Gollum’s work as well. Significantly, Frodo retitles Bilbo’s work and makes to pass on the Red Book. Sam enters just as Frodo feels again the Witch-King’s blade, from that night back on Weathertop now four years hence. At least I now understand why Frodo can be jolly in the Dragon yet not so much now. His pain has grown and he wearies of this Middle Earth.
Gandalf drives a covered wagon through the Shire, bearing Uncle Bilbo for one last journey. Frodo and the other three hobbits ride along as well. Frodo explains to the now enfeebled Bilbo that he has a ticket to ride West, courtesy of the elves. Bilbo brings up the Ring, reminding us again that the addiction still remains for these two. Bilbo falls back asleep on Frodo’s shoulder, who in turn nods off as well.
We reach the Grey Havens, and, like in Rivendell, we see elvish architecture, but also the last days of the place - in need of some heavy duty gardening and a troll-sized leaf blower. Frodo and Sam escort Bilbo, who wakes up and realizes that he’s some place new. Elrond, Celeborn and Galadriel await the old hobbit. Where’s Cirdan - is he that guy in the back, and is he standing in a hole? At least we have Cate’s voice one last time. Elrond states that the sea calls them home, but I would have thought that it was what lies beyond that calls to the elves.
Bilbo picks up and walks unaided to the boat, excited about taking one last adventure. Elrond escorts him aboard. Cate grins with some secret knowledge and gets on the last boat with that guy she’s with…er…her husband. Gandalf, again with a staff (those things must grow on trees - except near Minas Tirith) makes his goodbye speech amidst welling eyes. Frodo, it is noted, does not weep. With one last smile Gandalf joins the other ‘Three’ Ringbearers and Bilbo aboard the ship.
But before Gandalf sets a boot upon the deck, he turns and indicates that Frodo’s time has come. His three companions realize now that Frodo is leaving them, like many fair folk and things now that the Fourth Age had begun. I love hearing Tolkien’s words as Frodo explains what’s going on to Sam. He gives Sam the Red Book of Westmarch, and the tears begin to flow. Frodo hugs Merry and Pippin without words, and we don’t need any. Again note that Frodo does not weep. Has his soul been that scarred? His hugging of faithful Sam is a true tear-jerker, and the kiss on the brow to me means that Sam is now heir to all that would have been Frodo’s - except for Bag End, of course.
Frodo takes the last ship with Gandalf. It’s then that his face shows emotion - a brightening, like the pain has already started to heal. We see the elvish ship sailing West into the setting sun towards Aman.
Fade to white. Are we done yet again?
Back in the Shire, we see Sam, now whole, returning home, but not to Bag End, as Sam’s home would be filled with life whereas, in this telling of the story, Frodo’s could not, to get the point across that he was not healing and growing like the rest of the Shire. Sam’s greeted by his daughter, wife and son while Frodo’s words are heard. Sam exclaims, “I’m back,’ just as he should. His family enters their hole, the doors shuts and now we truly have arrived at the end of all things.
Frodo lives, and PJ rocks!
***
Here at the end of all things I would like to thank all of you who, over these years, have read and/or posted to each thread, and in gratitude, I’ve resolved to give each and every one of you, free of charge, the Centennial Release of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movie trilogy*. I’ve learned a lot over these 17 or so months, not only about the movies but about the Downs as well. Found that Peter Jackson created something remarkable in these three films, and though he and I may not have always agreed, I cannot but be humbled by his efforts. Truly, it’s “Wow!”
Now that the last thread is posted, I’m hoping to go back and watch the films in a less ‘piecemeal’ fashion, and visit the commentaries and appendices again as well, and so I’m sure to continue posting here, as, as you well know by now, I’m adept at the art of ‘mote quibbling.’
It’s truly been a pleasure. - alatar
*Must be present (and alive) to receive offer. 