LotR1-FotR-Seq10

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The longest journey begins with the first step.

Elrond sends the Fellowship of the Ring (catchy, that) on their journey with more words. Love that PJ included those from the books. “No oath or bond…” Initially, I wasn’t thrilled when Gimli’s rebuttal of the ‘no oath-taking’ wasn’t included, but more clear thought knows that we needn’t have an argument/discussion to slow the scene down.

Get out of Rivendell already!

I like how Elrond blesses the group. Nice touch, and I actually warm to Elrond a bit.

Now everyone is waiting for Frodo to start the journey. Why? Isn’t this Frodo Baggage? Sure, PJ was thinking, “we need more Elijah,” but to me it’s a bit inconsistent and heavy-handed. Yes, Frodo leads and yes, Frodo needs guidance. But after lying prone at Weathertop, offering no resistance, and being carried by Arwen to the Ford, Frodo isn’t really the leader-type.

An aside: a tuxedo rental company has a billboard stating their business. When enough suits are rented/dollars are spent, the company helps out by providing some of the traditional rentals for free. So the billboard reads, “Free Ringbearer!” I saw it and thought, “how nice,” and wouldn’t that be convenient if I were going on a journey to destroy the One Ring. No fee for the tux, and so I’d get one.

It’s kind of like Frodo here. He’s ‘free’ and is only here to carry the Ring. Others will be doing all of the paying…

Aragorn glances back at Arwen and her elvish backdrop. Arwen doesn’t look as angelic here, and the other elves look snooty. Viggo gives her that nod/salute thing, and I just think that it’s great as it’s pretty subtle.

Arwen’s response to Aragorn’s departure could have been a bit more demonstrative. I’m not saying that she should be on the ground, crying and smashing her fist into Arda, but a little more than a dip of the head was warranted.

Now Howard Shore kicks in as we see the Fellowship walk various paths. And here comes the ‘hero shot’ - the one were we see all Nine Walkers in their primped-up best. The shot intrigues me, as I know that not all of the actors are the right size, and as we don’t see any obvious CG, I think that some trick is played with the camera and surroundings. Except that everyone appears to be walking on a Paris catwalk, I like the shot.

And note that the wide shot just before the hero’s strut is not the same type of landscape as in the shot (no rocks), but seemingly is sync’ed up afterwards.

40 days? And I thought that everyone zipped around Middle Earth in a day or two.

It’s just as I feared. Gandalf the Black has arisen! Okay, G, I know that Saruman thumped you about the head a bit, but to take the One Ring through the Gap? Not very smart, that. Maybe you’re just looking to refill your tobacco pouch from the stores at Orthanc, perhaps? Saruman was right - that hobbit weed is affecting your judgment.

I really like the camp scene. We have no exact book reference, but PJ creates one that shows us the Nine interacting with each other. Sam cooks for Frodo, who sits idly by. Boromir teaches Merry and Pippin the fine art of sword fighting, which must have been too much trouble for Aragorn. This little snippet shows Boromir in a friendly likeable light, and Aragorn seems more standoffish and moody.

Gimli, our proud dwarf, suggests that the Fellowship cross the Misty Mountains via the Mines of Moria, and Gandalf the Black is against it. Did I hear that right? Is there a possibility that the actors read the wrong lines from the cue cards?

G: We should get out of sight for a while. Why don’t we go through the Mines?
G: The Mines? There’s like no way I'm going through there unless Leader Frodo makes us!

Hmmm.

By the by, PJ states that the camp scene sight looked interesting, with the odd rock formations and all, and so chose to use the location in the movie. Good choice - different, yet real world and not CG.

Legolas’ spider sense tingles and he starts scanning the horizon. A dark wisp of a cloud is seen, and as we know, black clouds bode no one well.

But back to the sword practice: Boromir stops as he is concerned that he may have inadvertently hurt one of the hobbits, and they seize the moment to attack him. Very cool scene. Boromir cares, is friendly, the hobbits and he mix it up a bit (like brothers) and we learn that not all hobbits are helpless.

Daddy Aragorn steps in to break up the boys’ fun. Bam! He gets upended. And there are those apples!

If I remember correctly, the apples appeared when Merry/Pippin stole the dragon firework, when they tried to stop for a second breakfast, now when they topple the King, and later when they find some flotsam at Isengard. Just what is it with this two and this fruit?

PJ - what message can I not hear? It’s like cinematographical crop circles.

But anyway, that dark cloud is getting closer. Boromir, unlike Gimli, detects a threat. Legolas’ eyes see the crebain from Dunland. Hide!

Most predatory birds would have already seen the Fellowship along with the apple skins stuck in their teeth. The group scampers for cover just as the digital birds fly by. Whoa now. Suddenly Gandalf the Black reconsiders the Gap Theory, and I guess that the birds delivered some message to him from his Boss, and so he decides that all should now attempt the pass of Caradhras. And that looks like it’s going to be some fun.

We next see a wide shot of some excellent scenery. Snow as far as one can see on mountaintops, and Shore’s score is just so fitting. This is the real deal folks. But PJ has to interject.

Frodo Baggage takes a tumble, and the Ring leaves its bearer. How convenient. I assume that we are to assume that it was the Ring’s doing, as it left Gollum too. Now, this scene is not found in the books, but is interesting and well shot, visually.

Boromir retrieves the Ring, and stares at it dangling from its chain. His words show you that he is caught in the Ring’s web, and it is calling to him. Aragorn shakes him, keeping him from acting upon his desire. He actually gives the One Ring of Power back to Frodo, who appears to be a whiny sobbing child. Boromir's heart still resists.

Luckily for “leader” Frodo that Daddy Aragorn was there. Say something! Master Baggage…Boromir adds to Frodo’s diminution by rubbing his head. Here kid, here’s your Ring back, so stop yer crying.

The shot of Aragorn’s hand on his unnamed sword shows you that at least someone is taking Boromir and the Ring seriously.

While our Fellowship continues up the mountain, Saruman gets a birdgram. We see more of his work; metal, fire and wheels. He, speaking fluent crebain, learns of Gandalf’s new course and knows that if that fails, that Saruman will have effective steered the Ring into the hands of another Maia and orc group. Smart work that, He-who-is-both-wise-AND-powerful.

We return to our trip over the mountain. Gandalf leads the way, using his ‘icebreaker’ staff to carve a path. It’s a poor road, even without all of the blowing snow and ill feelings of a wizard, as it seems to slant off to the precipice. Legolas walks on seemingly unaffected by snow, and PJ makes sure to add that this otter swims like an otter should. Aragorn and Boromir have more hobbit baggage, and they are really enjoying themselves. Having carried three children at once, I feel for these two men.

But what’s that? More Legolas tinglings, and we find out that someone is chanting away in the blizzard. That’s Saruman, and unless this is a coincidence, seemingly he can create weather at a distance. Wow! He is powerful. Too bad he couldn’t have snowed or rained on Sauron’s parade, or even when attacked by large trees, but anyway…

Gandalf the Black attempts another assassination. Big snow covered cliff above. To yell or not to yell? Incoming!!!

Is Aragorn yelling at or to Gandalf when he says something like “…tried to bring down the mountain!” Either way, Aragorn wants to turn back, but Gandalf the Black isn’t done scheming yet. Is it true that Gandalf tells Saruman to ‘sleep?” Isn’t that how the Borgified Captain Picard wiped out the Borg ship that threatened Earth?

We see that, indeed, Saruman is creating bad weather with words. And then our duel comes to a head with the lightning strike. Was it a counter to Gandalf’s spell, or did Saruman plan to strike the mountain anyway?

Incoming!!!

Surely the Fellowship is no more.

Surprise! Orlando sprouts up through real snow. His fellow actors had the joy of working with the synthetic kind, which seemingly worked itself inside costumes and crannies and just was a bunch of fun. More of the Fellowship emerges, and Boromir states the obvious. Aragorn now counters Gandalf the Black’s original road. Gimli gives us option #3.

At the mention of the Mines Gandalf has a flashback via Saruman. We know what awaits him there too. Gandalf now gets back to being himself and lets the Ringbearer decide the next course. Lead, Frodo, lead.

He chooses the path, and Gandalf ominously states, “So be it.” The die is cast.

What are these Mines that even Gandalf fears to tread and that Saruman seems so happy to trap our troop in? That would be for next week.