The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2003 · 201 min · Adventure, Fantasy, Action
Directed by Peter Jackson
“The eye of the enemy is moving.”
As armies mass for a final battle that will decide the fate of the world--and powerful, ancient forces of Light and Dark compete to determine the outcome--one member of the Fellowship of the Ring is revealed as the noble heir to the throne of the Kings of Men. Yet, the sole hope for triumph over evil lies with a brave hobbit, Frodo, who, accompanied by his loyal friend Sam and the hideous, wretched Gollum, ventures deep into the very dark heart of Mordor on his seemingly impossible quest to destroy the Ring of Power.
Why it's worth watching
This cinematic masterpiece beautifully concludes the epic trilogy, offering a profound exploration of hope, loyalty, and ultimate victory over darkness. It showcases the power of friendship, the weight of temptation, and the triumph of humility over pride. The breathtaking scale and deeply moving narrative make it an unforgettable experience that stirs the soul toward higher virtues.
What it praises
It praises sacrificial love, unwavering loyalty, humility, perseverance in the face of despair, and the ultimate triumph of good over seemingly insurmountable evil.
For discernment
The trilogy's finale is its most overtly hopeful and, in a real sense, its most Christian: Gandalf's counsel on death as a further shore, the return of the true king, and the 'eucatastrophe' of unlooked-for deliverance all point beyond mere heroics toward resurrection hope. Sam's carrying of Frodo remains one of film's great images of self-forgetful love. This is also the most violent installment — Shelob's stinger and Frodo's frothing paralysis, Gollum biting off Frodo's finger, and impalements in the extended cut are genuinely intense — and Denethor's despair-driven attempt to burn himself and his living son alive is a harrowing picture of hopelessness. There is no profanity, and the vices are limited to pipe-smoking and celebratory drunkenness. A deeply worthwhile, soul-lifting conclusion for mature teens and adults, with the caution weighted almost entirely toward battle intensity and disturbing imagery.
- ViolenceThe most violent film in the trilogy: Shelob's attack, Gollum biting off Frodo's finger, and (in the extended cut) a man stabbed and impaled on spikes.
- SpiritualFantasy sorcery and the ghostly Army of the Dead; wizards' powers and dark magic are woven throughout.
- NoteDenethor, mad with grief, tries to burn himself and his still-living son on a pyre — a disturbing depiction of despair.
- SubstancesA celebration shows characters drinking to the point of passing out, and pipe-smoking is common.
Cast
Elijah Wood
Frodo
Ian McKellen
Gandalf
Viggo Mortensen
Aragorn
Sean Astin
Sam
Andy Serkis
Gollum / Smeagol
Dominic Monaghan
Merry
Billy Boyd
Pippin
John Noble
Denethor
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