Theoden's army charges through a huge orc army while Minas Tirith lays besieged. Full HD 1080p. This is from the extended edition. (subtitles available)
IKR? I dunno why people get so angry when they are told that Endgame Portals scene is the closest thing to this masterpiece in terms of epicness, music, sense of heroism and thirst of war, geez we should acknowledge it :c
Tacticalsquad 5 I personally love the Endgame scene because it’s beings from all over the universe coming together to take out the biggest villain they have faced. I love this scene because I’m just a sucker for epic charges into battle. Also, I’ve never seen a single army literally trample over an opposing army. This is just my preference, but I prefer charge scenes where both armies clash with each other, like GOT’s Battle of the Bastards, The Lion the With and the Wardrobe, and ultimately, Endgame. I love both scenes, but I would prefer Endgame’s one. I had literal chills during that while the Rohirrim charge didn’t give me chills. Like I’ve said, personal preference.
Alexander G.M. Endgame didn’t really have the same feeling of epicness Tbh Also, the music in Lotr is far better than any soundtrack in avengers or in the mcu. With all respect, but ride of rohirrim scene is better than endgame as a movie itself. I did love endgame tho.
"Form ranks you maggots! Pikes in front, archers behind" There was more strategy in this one command than the entire plan for the Battle of Winterfell.
The entire setup of the Battle of Winterfell was so backwards I’m surprised a group of guys from the battle of Agincourt or Hastings didn’t come back to life and take D&Ds heads for their lack of knowledge
@@somebody700 if they had the Dothraki somehow try to attack the undead flanks (which seems impossible considering they were a literal wall of bodies when attacking the unsullied) that would have made more sense. The Unsullied, well you really can’t do much with spearman other than what they did do. However, my BIGGEST gripe is the catapults, you must be special to put the outside the damn walls. The archers were good on the wall. As an overall battle it could have been much better
“Courage Merry, courage for our friends.” I love that line so much. It’s simple but holds so much meaning up to this point in the trilogy. What do they have left BUT the courage they keep for those they love? And standing certain death right in the face, this is a line that holds so much power.
Part of LOTR tolkien style. Even little folk or what you'd call a regular person. Is capable of facing great odds with honor, integrity, and strength...that was what the Hobbits represented, normal people in extraordinary experiences.
@@michaelmcmurphy3397 great lines about that are of course; Gandalf "my dear Frodo, Hobbits really are amazing creatures. You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month and yet even after a hundred years they can still surprise you." Balin "it never ceases to amaze me, the courage of Hobbits."
Tell the truth. This wasn't in your recommended. You searched this, and so did I. Feel proud, and enjoy your second breakfast, because 20 years later, it’s still, the greatest cinematic scene of all time.
Became increasingly rare. To my knowledge Willem II of the Netherlands fighting hand to hand at Quartre-Bras (the battle that enabled Waterloo to take place) was the last warrior-king.
The Ride of the Rohirrim is so emotional because it's such a meaningful culmination of so many character's arcs: Merry, who feared being left behind arrives, Eowyn who had despaired has found purpose, Eomer who had been fighting Orcs against orders now doing so in the biggest battle of their time, Theoden who once cowered away from death now charging into death without fear, Gandalf's gamble that stopping to save Rohan first from Saruman would enable them to come to the aid of Gondor in time, and Pippin risking himself to get the signal out starting the whole thing. The music with the fully matured and powerful King of the Golden Hall theme ties it back together.
What i love about the Ride of Rohirim in the 3rd movie compared to the 2nd at Helms deep was that at Helms deep it was more portrayed that the help of Gandaulf and the Light that saved the day whereas in the 3rd film Gandaulf has been beaten and it was humanity who needed to step up and save the day. It abandons all mysticysism and Wizardy thats theoughout the film to show the audience that its the sheer will of men that makes the most diffference in this world.
@adolfryan1930 it's also just added storyline that peter Jackson decided to make up instead of sticking to the original story, so it has little/ nothing to do with the culmination of story development and more just cause peter couldn't be fkd adding the proper content, also did you forget that it was the undead ghosts that ended up saving everyones ass or what?😂
@@cooncheez5547 How about just letting people enjoy things? Peter Jackson's script deviated from the books in some places, but the movies were still amazing, even if they were different
Suddenly at winterfell the night king is about to kill bran, the walls are shattered, and suddenly a horn sounds in the distance. Theoden has joined the game.
Well only a complete moron would have the dothraki charge like that, so either every battle planner in winterfell is an idiot, or the screenwriters abadoned logic for a cool scene, I wonder which it is
That little detail of King Theoden outpacing the whole cavalry charge at 5:19 keeping with the details written by Tolkien himself in the book is one of the many reasons this film, and the trilogy as a whole, could be considered a triumph of cinema staying faithful to the source material whilst simultaneously delivering an iconic scene worth watching again and again.
It wasn’t really that faithful to the source material though. It was probably more faithful than most adaptations, but it did change a fair bit. I think the worst offender was actually the rest of this battle. What was a fairly normal but epic battle in the books gets turned into an action sequence of Legolas stunts and a giant army of unkillable ghost soldiers.
What makes this scene so epic is that King Théoden didn't just bring an army of men. He also brought the dawn. They charge the forces of darkness with the Sun rising behind them.
@@bhoxified8932This line and its magnificent delivery ignited something so existential it has literally brought me to tears. I mean, he’s giving orders to his leads and like a true King injects such poignant inspiration afterwards. I mean WOW: “Forth, and fear no darkness!” After hearing that, how could you not carry out what was just told to you. When you are in the presence of true leadership there is not even a desire to second-guess. His lines throughout all of this scene is the greatest embodiment of leadership I’ve seen displayed, and I will take that command to heart for the rest of my life when I befall darker times. Thanks King Bernard Hill/Theoden, Tolkien, Peter Jackson, and all that made this possible.
Because so much of this isn't CG they made more than 6000 suits of armour and more than 10,000 swords. They put so so so much effort in all the props and it just works beautifully.
It is December 27, 2023 and I have rewatched the entire trilogy and came here to see others reaction even after 20 years. And nothing has changed just like how I was standing in awe when King Théoden gave the speech just like the first time i watched it .
The World of Men is tiny, insignificant. Tolkein often reflects upon this in our grand cities, cultures, we are dwarfed by the magnitude of the world we foster. But Man is not meant to marvel at The World. Man is not meant to be encumbered by long life. Man embraces what he can obtain on this meagre rock; and so fortuitously found company with the Halfling, who will give aplenty.
Lore-wise, chanting "death" had a double meaning. Yes, they were charging towards certain death. But also in the Tolkien universe, death is actually a good thing. You go to a place of eternal happiness and bliss and even the elves don't know what happens to you. Morgoth and Sauron both worked to corrupt death's meaning however and make men fear it. This is actually how Sauron destroyed Numenor, making men fear death. So when Theodan and company chant "DEATH!" at the top of their lungs, they're actually defying Sauron/Morgoth and demonstrating faith to Eä. So it is a war chant, but it's also supposed to be symbolic of mankind's defiance of evil.
The book version of this pointing out how Theoden rode so hard and with so much fury that no one could catch him is epic. A king being the first into battle is about as badass as it gets
6:07 I came here just to see this man and this man alone ride into battle. And I am fully convinced that this man is the sole reason the battle was one. Rip you magnificent bastard 🙏
I recon if he were on foot he'd go the exact same speed keeping up with the rest of the lads...with his sword in one hand and his Cock in the other...Glorious basterd...
@Human Cancerbag funny enough, this old ass movie still has better scenes than Got lol. I never got on the hype train for that show, because I was spoiled by This beauty of a trilogy ;)
@Human Cancerbag Preach. The whining in the comments is just off the charts. Game of thrones is awesome and I loved the battle of Winterfell. This is just meh. I fell asleep seeing lotr movies.Who even wants to watch a damn movie more than 3 hours
@vaderglenn It's basically The LotR's fault that I'm unable to enjoy GoT. The show just feels like a longer, less epic version of these movies. That's at least how I feel.
"morally grey" and darker storytelling has its place, but part of what makes Lord of the Rings so great are moments like these, where mankind finds what it takes to be great in the face of hopelessness and ruin.
It's a balance which has swung out of whack. Too much moral grey area and deconstruction is depressing, there's only so many things you can shoot holes in and drag down before you are left with nothing. People are crying out for something positive to be inspired by, it seems so rare today. I get my fix by watching Lotr.
You know, something I really do love about this scene (and the later ones with the elephants) is that they touch on something about pre-modern warfare that isn't made explicit. The importance of morale -- on both sides no less! It starts with Gondorian soldiers visibly wilting under the pressure with the Nazgul above, trolls smashing them out of the way, their neighbors getting slaughtered etc after already suffering the sight of their former comrades' decapitated heads raining down on them. Then when the Rohirrim arrive, Eowyn and Merry struggling to master their fear at how big the Witch King's army is; Theoden's keenly understanding he needs to lead by example to get his men to commit to the charge; the orcs losing their nerve at the sight of cavalry approaching with their armor shining in the sun, standing meters tall screaming "DEATH" at them etc.
Recently rewatched the whole series and I must say, Theoden just has been given all the best lines. My favorite character by far scriptwise, makes me cry every time
Theoden absolutely has the hardest lines of any character in any of Jackson’s movies. Bernard Hill should’ve retired after this, because there’s no way he could ever reach for a loftier goal.
Fun fact the writer solved that by saying the past ancestors rose the king to inhuman abilities, like shouting loud enough that even gondor could hear him
Actually I am pretty sure that's precisely what the experience of a cavalryman in the back would have been. Getting your orders to your troops was always a tricky part of battle. Led to a lot of spectacular failures.
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy achieved the highest standard for filmography, special effects, and dialogue. It hasn’t been surpassed , nor over taken after all these years.
This is such a powerful, heartfelt, inspiring scene. It’s enough to make a grown man cry. I physically cannot get through this without chills or sobbing or both. Incredible. Easily the most epic scene in all of cinema. A scene like this could never ever be replicated. Not in our dark times. Peter Jackson did gods work in making such a perfect film trilogy and movies nowadays could never be as good as this film trilogy.
I encourage you to read Throne of Glass if you’re a reader. Make it to Kingdom of Ash. It’s the only series that has ever made me feel like this again.
Whenever I talk about this scene I bring up how unnerving this would be SPECIFICALLY for the orc army. A force that has met no challenge because of fear. A force that strategizes around striking crippling fear in the hearts of its enemies, and the riders of Rohan stand unafraid.
@@patrickhughes9304 That's the problem with the orc's strategy, a cornered animal is the most fearsome beast, you take down your enemy with a swift move and don't let them regroup in a corner with no scape, if there's no other option then your men will always march foward.
@@patrickhughes9304 remember that in the lore orcs are supposed to be bread without the emotion of fear but the Riders of Rohan we're still able to strike it into their putrid Blackhearts with their righteous Fury
This scene is a cultural touchstone, the absolute pinnacle of raw emotion, artistry, and narrative power. It leaves an indelible mark on the soul. The air itself seems charged with electricity, and every second feels like a countdown to death. Into this heavy tension rides King Théoden, his face heavy with the burdens of leadership and the weight of impending doom. With him, 6,000 Rohirrim, their efforts a physical manifestation of their courage and their love for their land. As Théoden's voice cuts through the air, transforming fear into a fiery resolve, you feel it in your bones. It's not just a speech; it's a war cry, a lament, and a eulogy all in one. And then, as the music swells, a symphony of trumpets and strings that seems to carry the very cries of the Rohirrim, they charge. It's a moment that evokes emotions so potent they feel like they're carved into your very being.
I doubt Tokin would have really appreciated this scene, he was not really a fan of "heroic war" from his experience with World War 1, and it was a very traumatic experience for him.
@@USERZ123XD I respectfully disagree, I am of the belief that Tolkien himself would likely have appreciated Jackson's cinematic interpretation of this scene. Firstly, while Tolkien's works were deeply rooted in his written words, he was not dismissive of adaptations or visual representations of his work. In fact, he was open to the idea of film adaptations, provided they were done with respect for the source material. Peter Jackson's film series, although not without some creative liberties, largely stayed faithful to the spirit and themes of Tolkien's writings (unlike Amazon's RoP). The portrayal of the Rohirrim's heroic charge in the films captures the essence of Tolkien's epic storytelling and his admiration for heroic deeds. Additionally, Tolkien was a philologist and a scholar of ancient languages and mythologies. He had a keen appreciation for visual art, and he himself created illustrations for his works. The cinematic depiction of the Rohirrim's charge, with its grandeur and epic scale, is absolutely in harmony with Tolkien's appreciation for artistic and visual representation. It brings to life the imagery and emotion that he sought to convey in his writing. Furthermore, Tolkien was known for his love of storytelling and the power of narrative. Jackson's portrayal of the Rohirrim's charge effectively demonstrates one of the strengths in storytelling using cinematic medium. It serves as a powerful and evocative representation of heroism, sacrifice, and the triumph of good over evil, which were central themes in Tolkien's own work.
@@gicousinjoe6199 Tokin would be fine with the visual spectacle of LOTR films, but I definitely feel he wouldn't appreciate how some of these specials are framed, something more like all quiet in the Western front(2022) would be much more appreciated by Tokin with his view towards war, what peter jackson did here is run contrary to what tokin believe, a big epic battle of "glory and honor", Tokin liked the story to focus on the little guys, the small scale of things, this is why he made the Hobbits, the weakest of all characters the central protagonists of the LORT story. he didn't make Aragon the MC he didn't write an epic assault by the armies of Middle Earth against Mordor in the final epic battle, instead, he chose the climax of the story to be Frodo throwing the ring into the volcano.
@@USERZ123XD Respectfully, I wish to respond by clarifying a few points regarding my opinion re: J.R.R. Tolkien's views and his approach to storytelling. Firstly, let’s try to spell Tolkien's name correctly. It's not 'Tokin.' I know spelling mistakes are easy to make, and they don't diminish the value of your opinion, but such a simple mistake, made repeatedly, can undermine the credibility of your argument, by raising questions regarding your familiarity with the subject-matter. Secondly, while it's true that Tolkien emphasized the importance of smaller, everyday characters like Hobbits and their world/life in his works, it is a misinterpretation to claim that he exclusively focused on small-scale stories. Tolkien's legendarium is vast and encompasses both the grand and the intimate. He created a world with a rich history that includes epic battles and heroic deeds. The presence of these grand events does not negate his appreciation for the smaller folk. Tolkien clearly believed in a holistic narrative that explored various aspects of his fictional world, from the ordinary to the epic. While you are correct in that Tolkien chose Frodo's journey to Mount Doom as the climax of the story, it does not diminish the significance of the larger battles and heroic deeds that occur throughout the narrative. Tolkien's storytelling was layered, with multiple plotlines and character arcs. The climax with Frodo and the Ring is the culmination of positive deeds and sacrifices, large and small. This climax doesn't negate the importance of heroic struggles and epic conflicts in the overall narrative that Tolkien purposefully depicted. Lastly, regarding Tolkien's view of war, it's worth noting that his perspective was nuanced. While he experienced the horrors of World War I, he also recognized the historical significance of battles and the valor of soldiers, and the necessity of good's triumph over evil. His works reflect this complexity, as they explore both the destructive power of war and the heroism that can emerge from it. The Battle of Helm's Deep and the charge of the Rohirrim in 'The Lord of the Rings' are examples of Tolkien's portrayal of epic battles within a broader context of sacrifice and courage. That is why I have no doubt he would have enjoyed Jackson’s scene immensely.
@@animeman8203 I missed cinema releases for all three LOTR. But I saw the 1st Hobbit film in the cinema, also my 1st 3D exp. The film was good, but I didn't really like the 3D aspect. I thought it kind of got in the way of the film, if that makes sense, so the rest I just watched normally!
I was 11 years old seeing this opening weekend in the cold December of 2003. The theater was packed and we were at the third bottom center row at the top of the theater. This scene is one of the top 5 greatest moments I ever experienced in the cinema. The sound was like an earthquake that next door auditoriums could feel the vibration. The audience was in awe and cheered louder than a game at the superbowl. That was the moment my balls dropped and I saw the power and strength of what real men (and women) could do. It was that awesome! I remember one person shouted when it cut back to Denathor "THAT WAS SO FUCKIN COOL!"
This is by far the best scene of the Trilogy for me. Theoden is so well written in the movies that this scene means everything. In exemple, Helm's Deeps is great but the Gandalf's coming with defying gravity charge and the sun, and killing an enormous army feels epic but not connected. Here you have Gandalf starting to believe he failed, Theoden witnessing he is gonna send his men and women and halfmen to death upon an army 10x bigger than his. He gives the exact book speach that is the perfect to have at this instant because "Men didnt failed". They will die for their convictions and honor. The music is a masterpiece, the charge is one of the best in history for a movie shot around 2000-2003, the fear in the Mordor army eyes, the brutality of the horses smashing their bodies, the sacrifice for the greater good. EVERYTHING is here. This is the definition of courage, loyalty and be true to yourself.
If you really want to sob, do Theoden “how did it come to this?” Then Gandalf rescuing the retreating forces from Osgiliath, then Helm’s Deep Forth Eorlingas, then Theoden on the symbeline on the graves, then Minas Tirith Rohirrim, and then finish with Gandalf's advice to Frodo in Moria. It’s made me, a grown ass man, weep.
But when you consider Return of the King's cinema run in 2003, there really was no better film to watch on the big screen. For the sheer magnitude of an epic fantastical adventure, and the amalgamation of feelings it presented to the audience, Return of the King is disputably the greatest cinematic experience ever created. No matter how hyperbolic that may sound, it feels very true.
I don't deny any of that but what I'm saying is, it'll still be as good for people in the future, just like today we can still appreciate masterpieces like Citizen Kane or Mozart's music.
Never forget that in the books, Theoden blew his horn so hard that it "burst asunder". This guy was so badass and hyped up that he shattered a war horn by blowing too hard. What a legend
@John Smith given that your ex had such a talent I'm sure you had a good reason for demoting her to ex.... "I need a girlfriend you're it until you're dead or till I find somebody better"
Now silently the host of Rohan moved forward into the field of Gondor, pouring in slowly but steadily.... After a while the king led his men away somewhat eastward, to come between the fires of the siege and the outer fields. Still they were unchallenged, and still Théoden gave no signal.... A smell of burning was in the air and a very shadow of death. The horses were uneasy. But the king sat upon Snowmane, motionless, gazing upon the agony of Minas Tirith, as if stricken suddenly by anguish, or by dread. He seemed to shrink down, cowed by age. Merry himself felt as if a great weight of horror and doubt had settled on him.... They were too late! Too late was worse than never!.... Then suddenly Merry felt it at last, beyond doubt: a change. Wind was in his face! Light was glimmering.... But at that same moment there was a flash, as if lightning had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, its topmost tower like a glittering needle: and then as the darkness closed again there came rolling over the fields a great boom. At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before: Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains. Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and the darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.
I loved the dedication Rohan had to protect the realm of men. The unbreakable spirit of the Rohhirrim just hits so deep every time they came to action in this movie. 4 times they take enemy head on. 1- Helps Deep, 2-Breaking Seige of Gondor, 3-Taking on Haradrim Warriors and their massive elephants. 4- Final attack on Black Gate. Forth Eorlingas!
Arise, arise, Riders of Theoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! The other part of the speech is from when Eomer discovers his sister, gravely wounded on the field. He goes back into the battle shouting: ‘Death!Ride, ride to ruin and the world’s ending!’
It's not even close to certain death. Without the elephants showing up later on it would have been a decisive, crushing and overwhelming victory. The battle of Vienna has showed how effective an unexpected mass cavalry charge is against infantry focussed on besieging and attacking a walled city. Even if outnumbered greatly you can still score a decisive victory.
Fun fact: Théodin and the Rohirrim were actually based on a real person/people. During the Later Western Roman Empire the Romans and the Goths were mortal enemies, and after Alaric sacked Rome the Goths founded their own kingdom in southern France, still considered a part of the Roman Empire by the Romans themselves. In particular, the Visigothic king Theodoric I and the Roman General Flavius Aetius were mortal enemies, having fought several wars with each other. However, in the mid 5th century Attila's Hun army invaded northern France, directly attacking Rome and threatening the Goths. Answering a call from Aetius himself, Theodoric marched the Gothic armies out to join the Romans where they were able to meet the Huns sieging modern day Orléans. The armies chased the Huns to the Catalaunian Plains and the joined Romano-Gothic Alliance met the Huns (along with their allies the Ostrogoths, a brother culture to the Visigoths) in battle. As Attila attacked Aetius' center forces, Theodoric led a massive charge from the right wing into the Hun's flanks, devastating them at the cost of Theodoric's own life - allegedly he took a spear to the chest. With the Gothic sacrifice having bought them the time to manuever and reorganize, Aetius' lines became inpenetrable, and Theodoric's son Thorismund - who led the left wing - repositioned his forces to a hill on the Hun's side. Thorismund led a Gothic charge much like his father to avenge the old king's death, fully routing the Huns in the process. For the first time in history the Huns had been completely defeated in battle and were forced to retreat. Attila attempted to invade Italy, but was met on the road by Pope Leo the Great. After a single conversation with Leo, after being convinced by either bribes, heavenly visions or the Pope's mere warning, Attila marched his armies out of the Empire and never returned. He died not long after of a nosebleed and the Hunnic state collapsed. Oh and even better, Roman and European records count 50,000 Romans fighting alongside 100,000 Visigoths against almost 1,000,000 Huns, Ostrogoths and other barbarian tribes during the Catalaunian Plains
@@joshuagreenslade3445 Rohan itself was based on Mercia - middle England - where Tolkien spent most of his life, and many of their customs and gear are Anglo-Saxon and Viking-inspired. But, they are still mostly based on the Goths, and their involvement in the battle and Théodin specifically based on what I said. :|
battle of the bastards was good action hell yeah. but the plotline, any reader of the book was disgusted by the writing, the writing of season 6 was drivel from hollywood. LOTR written decades ago, Sansa riding in like gandalf at fucking battle of helms deep. its too easy to guess what happens next, such shit, (talking about game of thrones season 6*)
The one and only time you’ll see such fear in the Orcs. Truly shows how amazing this was. They knew Rohan was knowingly riding to their likely death, but it didn’t stop them. The most amazing speech and charge I’ve ever seen
@@JW-jd6sn i can understand that but people didn’t literally go insane. Best movie scene for me since ever, but I won’t buy hypnotism. I won’t abandon reason.
I have a nephew named "Will." He joined the army but was discharged after his first battle because every time they'd say, "fire at will" everyone would shoot at him.
"Forth, and fear no darkness!" Even with Sauron's massive army in front of them, the words of Theoden King still inspire bravery and hope. A simple statement, but the delivery is perfect.
My Grandpa Lewellyn was a professional historian, a Tolkien & C.S. Lewis aficionado, and a lover of classical fantasy & mythology. He was so in love with the idea of the Hero's Quest that he bought an NES just so he could live out that fantasy in the original Legend of Zelda game, and later the SNES for the sequel (yeah, my grandpa owned a Nintendo before the Wii, aka before it was cool). He bonded with my mom after his wife, my grandma, died, by reading the Thor comic books together, with her adoring all the action & beefcake illustrations and him complaining about the mythological inaccuracies. The last movie he saw was The Fellowship of the Ring, which we watched in the theater together as a family. After it was over, one or all of us asked him what he thought of it, and he gave it the best praise an OG Tolkien lover could give: "It was alright."
Bernard Hill is quite an underrated actor, he's only been in a handful of films (all of which have been successful) but i dont know of any further projects he's been involved with after LotR. Seems like he's dropped off the map.
The most profound part is them not shouting death to the enemy, they're shouting death to themselves. They believed that they will lose, the world will end, they will all die. Speech to a glorious death, not to victory Probably why they won, ironically
Believing in inevitable death is indeed a very powerful motivator. It's why the Americans had a lot of trouble fighting Japanese in WW2 - they welcomed an honorable death by taking the enemy down with them
To an extent yes,but in the Silmarillion it is said that Eru's gift to men was death,and the people of Rohan believed in Eru and the Valar and the stories of old,so they are welcoming their "gift"
I still recall seeing this in theaters on premiere night with friends I met randomly and we just grouped up and sat together. When Theoden was screaming : AAARGH!!! and the Rohirrims responded, everyone in the theater yelled AAARGH!!! with them. I haven't felt that level of energy from a movie since tbh.
This single clip is 100x better than the catastrophe that Amazon has made or will continue to make. This scene captures the essence of Tolkien's legendraium.
i dont really care for the use of cg in the hobbit. but i think its unecessary to use it on creatures with human appearance. they arent spiders or two story high mumakil,they are disfigured humanoid soldiers,so just use costumes. really sad how people are starting o complain about cg these days. i remeber in the lotr extras it was portrayed as really awesome how they used cg. they were really proud that they were so good they could put cgi uruk hai right in front of the camera without problems. but cgi has worn off on people. its a creative tool,cgi artists are artists too. they should get more respect. but cg should always be used appropiately.
I’ll be the first to admit that I was mentally exhausted by the time Theoden and the Rohirrim arrived. But my heart soared as they charged and the Rohan theme blared through the speakers of the theater. I was on the edge of my seat and grinning. It was like a deflated balloon being pumped with air.
One of the details I love is how they show the fear in Eowen’s eyes and how she’s trying to cope with it while looking at the horde of orcs. But even though she and Merry are scared, they still ride forth into the face of death and show courage, because courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s pushing through the fear to conquer the challenge
I’m so glad to see GoT the show getting hate now. I’m a big fan of the books for a long time and I’m so disappointed they decided to continue with the show instead of finishing the damn books first. Looks like it bit them in the ass and I couldn’t be happier.
I don't even know why Avengers and Got are even in the discussion here. GOT shouldn't even be compared. It's a show and its qualities during the early seasons actually rival Lotr imo (tho in completely different ways, of course). As for the avengers, c'mon. A cheesy CGI fest, with little to no substance to it's actual writing. These movies will not be talked about in the decades to come. LOTR will always remain among the classics and the best of what the filmindustry has to offer.
the contrast between 0:35 with orcs purging the city, killing civilians etc against chilling music, and then the horn blaring and the rohirrim arriving when the world of Men is in its most desperate hour - unbelievable work from Jackson and team to translate the work of Tolkein
18 years since this came out and still, there hasnt been a scene or movie that comes close to the epic grandeur of this movie. Truly one of if not the greatest movie ever made
The goat trilogy easy.. all three movies are up there in the greatest of all time list too. Jackson and the cast and new line all owe major thanks for delivering these movies. Truly great.
Bro, I would kill to see a reaction of the people in theatres back in 2003 when they witnessed this moment for the first time.. it must have been insane
Check your local theaters, this year is de 20th anniversary for Fellowship of the Ring and here in Mexico they are putting all three movies back to the theaters just for a couple days
Fuuun fact: for the filming of this, Peter Jackson offered people who had a horse and could ride to play a part in this scene as one of the army. thats probably also why they were so enthusiastic
A lot of them carry so much guilt for not being able to save their country sooner. In a way, saving Gondor is redemption for Theoden, Eomer, and Rohan's captains for not being able to prevent all the damage Saruman had done.
+The Arab Scientific todays war cant be compared with the past most of the times u dont see you enemy you dont know what is killing you you just take the smell of blood in the air mixed with explosives dust dirt and metal the smell of burned human flesh it is way more horrible and disgusting in modern war. In this middle age wars u die by force which u could compete to u have kind of an usefull armor u dont smell and witness burned and exploded corpses of your comrades
Orc leader: Oh yeah we have like 3 million orcs what could go wrong Rohirrim: *show up* Orc leader: Okay, the risk we took was calculated, but man, are we bad at math.
One of the reasons this scene works so well is the use of leitmotif. When we first heard Shore's "Rohan" theme in The Two Towers, it was a heartbroken lament for lost glory in a country that had lost its way and was effectively leaderless. Here the theme returns, but it has been repurposed as an anthem of rediscovered strength, pride, duty and confidence. This is about a people remembering who they once were and doing what they do best, and the score supports the moment magnificently.
@@minizimi3790 Was watching Fellowship tonight with the wife. I noticed that there is a somber, but hopeful version of the Gondor theme played when Boromir speaks of the white city. It's so good.
@@mandalorian1994 I get chills every damn time. Nothing can top it, and partly I think it is because from their perspective, it's hopeless but that doesn't mean they give up. They know that Frodo and Sam need every minute of distraction they can give them.
5:59 this part is the moment the orc leader realized he miss calculated the situation. He thought that by killing a few of them they would panic and start to retreat or trample over each other trying to escape like every other human force he had fought, but he had only fought Gondor not Rohan and it’s rider. The riders who saw the abyss at Helms Deep against the Uruks and survived not by cowering behind their walls, but by riding out to face it as men of Rohan. So when his archers fail to scatter them and they continue to ride he realizes they aren’t afraid. Rohan saw the abyss and laughed at it now it laughs at Sauron’s forces.
Кино![The Lord of the Rings (2003) - Haradrims vs Rohan army (The Mumakil) [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Jl8TiA3RwIY/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Lord of the Rings (2003) - Haradrims vs Rohan army (The Mumakil) [4K]](/img/tr.png)
Just a reminder that the ride of the rohirrim was so epic that even the Witch King didnt want to miss it
Straight facts hes like ph shit imma miss it
@@Vergil_6 don't say ph, you remind me of that thing T_T
"hey man, Gandalf, time out dude, time out, I gotta see this, man, this is gonna be good"
Brilliant comment
True, he let Gandalf go just to watch it 😂
Endgame: The portals scene is the best charge scene in cinema
Return of the King: Hold my second breakfast
imo ROTK is still number 1 but damm Endgame was hella epic 2
As soon as I saw the portals the first thing that came to mind was this scene.
IKR? I dunno why people get so angry when they are told that Endgame Portals scene is the closest thing to this masterpiece in terms of epicness, music, sense of heroism and thirst of war, geez we should acknowledge it :c
Tacticalsquad 5 I personally love the Endgame scene because it’s beings from all over the universe coming together to take out the biggest villain they have faced.
I love this scene because I’m just a sucker for epic charges into battle. Also, I’ve never seen a single army literally trample over an opposing army.
This is just my preference, but I prefer charge scenes where both armies clash with each other, like GOT’s Battle of the Bastards, The Lion the With and the Wardrobe, and ultimately, Endgame.
I love both scenes, but I would prefer Endgame’s one. I had literal chills during that while the Rohirrim charge didn’t give me chills. Like I’ve said, personal preference.
Alexander G.M. Endgame didn’t really have the same feeling of epicness Tbh
Also, the music in Lotr is far better than any soundtrack in avengers or in the mcu.
With all respect, but ride of rohirrim scene is better than endgame as a movie itself.
I did love endgame tho.
The most epic scene in cinema no doubt. The avengers can't touch it.
Thor's arrival to Wakanda gets a little bit close .. Endgame was trash ..
In other word .. totally agree :)
Way better than Avengers. This happened in Real life.
Like the Hundred Years War, Napoloenic War, Crimean War
But came close nonetheless
The avengers? No marvel film can even scratch the balls of lord of the rings
@@Snowman79 Gandalf returning is better
No fucking chance that anything in the Rings of Power will ever amount to a scene as stunning and powerful as this.
No kidding my friend
Cinema alone will never match this.
Absolutely legendary
I am here to tell you that indeed you are right. Trash show.
Welcome to modern cinema, with ten times the boudget, infinitely better technology, and worse movies every year
No movie or show could ever match this. So what chance does a show like TROP have?
"Form ranks you maggots! Pikes in front, archers behind"
There was more strategy in this one command than the entire plan for the Battle of Winterfell.
Particularly considering that Orcs aren’t exactly the most disciplined of fighters.
The entire setup of the Battle of Winterfell was so backwards I’m surprised a group of guys from the battle of Agincourt or Hastings didn’t come back to life and take D&Ds heads for their lack of knowledge
@@somebody700 if they had the Dothraki somehow try to attack the undead flanks (which seems impossible considering they were a literal wall of bodies when attacking the unsullied) that would have made more sense. The Unsullied, well you really can’t do much with spearman other than what they did do. However, my BIGGEST gripe is the catapults, you must be special to put the outside the damn walls. The archers were good on the wall. As an overall battle it could have been much better
@@somebody700 wasn’t the final season
@@somebody700 that was in season 7 no?
Admit it this speech make you feel patriotic toward a county that even dont exist
Yep
That is so accurate
Since it's based on segments of the Anglo Saxon peom the Wanderer, you could say it would make An English person proud.
Yes
With a speech like that, you'd be hard pressed not to follow a king like that: a true leader, one who runs out ahead for the rest to come after.
“Courage Merry, courage for our friends.”
I love that line so much. It’s simple but holds so much meaning up to this point in the trilogy. What do they have left BUT the courage they keep for those they love? And standing certain death right in the face, this is a line that holds so much power.
Courage that even if they die they die knowing they will give their friends and loved ones a chance to live
Part of LOTR tolkien style. Even little folk or what you'd call a regular person. Is capable of facing great odds with honor, integrity, and strength...that was what the Hobbits represented, normal people in extraordinary experiences.
@@michaelmcmurphy3397 great lines about that are of course; Gandalf "my dear Frodo, Hobbits really are amazing creatures. You can learn all that there is to know about their ways in a month and yet even after a hundred years they can still surprise you." Balin "it never ceases to amaze me, the courage of Hobbits."
I love it too. Its like she knows they're both scared but they have to be brave regardless because the ones they love are in trouble.
Makes me tear up every damn time
6:08 bro was ready to solo Sauron himself
Hahahaha 😂😂😂
Nice. And yet.... "...they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was upon them...."
His whole life lead up to that moment.
Least enthusiastic Rohirrim rider (He has to get in line if Sauron shows up)
Bro at 5:56 is named Will.
LOTR2: What about a great Rohirrim entrance?
Rest of movies: You already had it...
LOTR3: We had one yes, what about a second great Rohirrim entrance?
I understood that reference.
@@mohamedayoubneggaz1581 And I understood your reference.
Fits right in with a second breakfast
@@Coorniable and I am ironman
This is the best comment I've seen 😂
Tell the truth.
This wasn't in your recommended.
You searched this, and so did I.
Feel proud, and enjoy your second breakfast, because 20 years later, it’s still, the greatest cinematic scene of all time.
Smart one.
I actually have two breakfasts for real.
What about elevenses?
@@satiroglu44 How bout luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? You know about those don't you?
@@omegamysterio3701 Still working on them mate. Afternoon tea or supper once in a day. Having em' together, overload alerts my system lol.
Imagine a King who fights his own battle... Wouldn't that be a sight?
- Achilles
plenty of kings did though
Constantine XI Palaiologos died fighting during the fall of Constantinopolis.
Became increasingly rare. To my knowledge Willem II of the Netherlands fighting hand to hand at Quartre-Bras (the battle that enabled Waterloo to take place) was the last warrior-king.
Look no further mate... heh heh.
@@nvelsen1975 There were definitely ones after him such as Albert I.
The Ride of the Rohirrim is so emotional because it's such a meaningful culmination of so many character's arcs: Merry, who feared being left behind arrives, Eowyn who had despaired has found purpose, Eomer who had been fighting Orcs against orders now doing so in the biggest battle of their time, Theoden who once cowered away from death now charging into death without fear, Gandalf's gamble that stopping to save Rohan first from Saruman would enable them to come to the aid of Gondor in time, and Pippin risking himself to get the signal out starting the whole thing. The music with the fully matured and powerful King of the Golden Hall theme ties it back together.
What i love about the Ride of Rohirim in the 3rd movie compared to the 2nd at Helms deep was that at Helms deep it was more portrayed that the help of Gandaulf and the Light that saved the day whereas in the 3rd film Gandaulf has been beaten and it was humanity who needed to step up and save the day. It abandons all mysticysism and Wizardy thats theoughout the film to show the audience that its the sheer will of men that makes the most diffference in this world.
@adolfryan1930 it's also just added storyline that peter Jackson decided to make up instead of sticking to the original story, so it has little/ nothing to do with the culmination of story development and more just cause peter couldn't be fkd adding the proper content, also did you forget that it was the undead ghosts that ended up saving everyones ass or what?😂
@@cooncheez5547 How about just letting people enjoy things? Peter Jackson's script deviated from the books in some places, but the movies were still amazing, even if they were different
At least the Rohirrim didn't get pointlessly slaughtered
Unlike the dothraki when they charged.
Because rohirrim didnt ride pointlessly
Suddenly at winterfell the night king is about to kill bran, the walls are shattered, and suddenly a horn sounds in the distance. Theoden has joined the game.
How to use a cavalry charge
GOT:...
Peter Jackson: watch closely, scrub.
They actually broke ranks! Hahaha
Well only a complete moron would have the dothraki charge like that, so either every battle planner in winterfell is an idiot, or the screenwriters abadoned logic for a cool scene, I wonder which it is
The orcs' faces when they realized the army wasn't stopping is always priceless.
Ik right
It was at that moment, they knew, THEY FUCKED UP!
@@gorillone86 yeh, die horses, oh shit..
@@gorillone86 love
*suprised pikachu face
That little detail of King Theoden outpacing the whole cavalry charge at 5:19 keeping with the details written by Tolkien himself in the book is one of the many reasons this film, and the trilogy as a whole, could be considered a triumph of cinema staying faithful to the source material whilst simultaneously delivering an iconic scene worth watching again and again.
It wasn’t really that faithful to the source material though. It was probably more faithful than most adaptations, but it did change a fair bit. I think the worst offender was actually the rest of this battle. What was a fairly normal but epic battle in the books gets turned into an action sequence of Legolas stunts and a giant army of unkillable ghost soldiers.
Like Oromë of old. THEODEN KING
What makes this scene so epic is that King Théoden didn't just bring an army of men. He also brought the dawn. They charge the forces of darkness with the Sun rising behind them.
Forth, and fear no darkness!
@@bhoxified8932 that short sentece makes the speech fr me. There is a turning in the cadence that breaks me deep down inside!
@@josemanuelcaballero1162 sets my soul on fire too bro!
@@bhoxified8932This line and its magnificent delivery ignited something so existential it has literally brought me to tears. I mean, he’s giving orders to his leads and like a true King injects such poignant inspiration afterwards. I mean WOW: “Forth, and fear no darkness!” After hearing that, how could you not carry out what was just told to you. When you are in the presence of true leadership there is not even a desire to second-guess. His lines throughout all of this scene is the greatest embodiment of leadership I’ve seen displayed, and I will take that command to heart for the rest of my life when I befall darker times. Thanks King Bernard Hill/Theoden, Tolkien, Peter Jackson, and all that made this possible.
Which is important, because Orcs, unlike Uruk-hai, are unable to "walk under the sun", so they NEED the shadow of Mordor to go around and fight.
Lord of the Rings: Pikes in front, archers behind.
Game of Thrones: Catapults in front, infantry behind.
Catapults in front, infantry behind and wall behind
Even Orcs know basic tactics.
That is.......sad to think about.
Even Orcs are smarter my god
Most of those orcs is 'Gundabad Orc' and Uruk-Hai tho. And sure they know about strategy and tactics.
This was filmed almost 20 years ago. Just let that sink in.
And its still the greatest movie ever
CGI is somehow getting worse now lol
Because so much of this isn't CG they made more than 6000 suits of armour and more than 10,000 swords. They put so so so much effort in all the props and it just works beautifully.
It makes me cry to know that my favorite movie is almost 20 years old, and still stood the test of time!
Hmmm im old :D
It’s April 16, 2023, and this is still the best ever. Years of never failing to giving us goosebumps.
Absolute Masterpiece
It is December 27, 2023 and I have rewatched the entire trilogy and came here to see others reaction even after 20 years. And nothing has changed just like how I was standing in awe when King Théoden gave the speech just like the first time i watched it .
The World of Men is tiny, insignificant. Tolkein often reflects upon this in our grand cities, cultures, we are dwarfed by the magnitude of the world we foster. But Man is not meant to marvel at The World. Man is not meant to be encumbered by long life. Man embraces what he can obtain on this meagre rock; and so fortuitously found company with the Halfling, who will give aplenty.
Shout out to the orchestra for continuing to play in the middle of a dangerous battle without fleeing.
Dont forget about the camera man charging with the riders
Is it fine if I can put a million laughing emojis?
Reminds me of Titanic.
@@danielshaw4783 It's the same orchestra. They are TRULY dedicated to their craft.
Screaming "DEATH" three times before charging an army that size does not get any more badass.
i think ur wrong.. That makes them fight without the fear of death anymore
Sir. We are surrounded and outnumbered.
Well that's a pity. For them.
actually they were screaming death during the entire charge.
What about screaming it four times though?
Conquer your Fear,and I promise you you'll conquere Death.
Lore-wise, chanting "death" had a double meaning. Yes, they were charging towards certain death. But also in the Tolkien universe, death is actually a good thing. You go to a place of eternal happiness and bliss and even the elves don't know what happens to you. Morgoth and Sauron both worked to corrupt death's meaning however and make men fear it. This is actually how Sauron destroyed Numenor, making men fear death. So when Theodan and company chant "DEATH!" at the top of their lungs, they're actually defying Sauron/Morgoth and demonstrating faith to Eä. So it is a war chant, but it's also supposed to be symbolic of mankind's defiance of evil.
Dude i love you so fucking much for this comment
I got chills reading this comment. You a writer or something?
Thanks for the insight, that just added so much more depth into what was already a really meaningful scene.
DEAAAAAAAAAAAAAATH!!!!!!
In the Tolkien universe, Death was referred to as the “Gift of Men”, and seen as a blessing by the elves and the higher beings, not a curse.
The book version of this pointing out how Theoden rode so hard and with so much fury that no one could catch him is epic. A king being the first into battle is about as badass as it gets
At 5:17 there is a moment where we see that scene the kings horse just takes off in a second an is a head of the calvary
6:07
I came here just to see this man and this man alone ride into battle. And I am fully convinced that this man is the sole reason the battle was one.
Rip you magnificent bastard 🙏
I recon if he were on foot he'd go the exact same speed keeping up with the rest of the lads...with his sword in one hand and his Cock in the other...Glorious basterd...
Isn't that Gamling? Then he survived the battle and more!
Bro needs a FASTER HORSE
" The world of men will fall. "
*Rohan horn*
Instant goosebumps
The World of Men arrives to make the Witchking of Angmar eat those fell words.
Gandalf’s facial expression when the horn blew says it all.
Not without a fight
“The world of men will fall”
The world of men about to not fall:
Rohan: Hold my horn.
This was a battle.
Winterfell was a joke
@Human Cancerbag even the orcs here have better strategy than those winterfell slugs, form ranks maggots
You mean you didn't like the awesome cinematography of a black screen with some flecks on it?
@Human Cancerbag funny enough, this old ass movie still has better scenes than Got lol. I never got on the hype train for that show, because I was spoiled by This beauty of a trilogy ;)
@Human Cancerbag Preach. The whining in the comments is just off the charts. Game of thrones is awesome and I loved the battle of Winterfell. This is just meh. I fell asleep seeing lotr movies.Who even wants to watch a damn movie more than 3 hours
@vaderglenn It's basically The LotR's fault that I'm unable to enjoy GoT. The show just feels like a longer, less epic version of these movies. That's at least how I feel.
This movie came out when I was in the 3rd grade, watched the whole trilogy in theaters…
This trilogy was wayyyy ahead of its time. Shit will never age
"morally grey" and darker storytelling has its place, but part of what makes Lord of the Rings so great are moments like these, where mankind finds what it takes to be great in the face of hopelessness and ruin.
It's a balance which has swung out of whack. Too much moral grey area and deconstruction is depressing, there's only so many things you can shoot holes in and drag down before you are left with nothing. People are crying out for something positive to be inspired by, it seems so rare today. I get my fix by watching Lotr.
"Imagine a king who fights his own battles."
"Wouldn't that be a sight"
...and it was.
Agamemnon hates this trick
Better than that.. A King with a pair to ride in the front line next to you, a simple soldier.
@@sirzechsazazel1150 I knew that was coming
The man wants to die.. 😐
Dothraki: "Wish we had a director like you"
Well to be fair, the Dothraki were never supposed to be as disciplined and trained as the Rohirrim.
Light cavalry aren't heavy cavalry.
Cascade Lord of the rings has the heaviest horse charge in history
Itachi21x tell that the heavy European infantry that slaughtered by the mongol light cavalry
@@scottwhitley3392 Dothraki are less armored and diverse than Mongol formations were.
You know, something I really do love about this scene (and the later ones with the elephants) is that they touch on something about pre-modern warfare that isn't made explicit. The importance of morale -- on both sides no less! It starts with Gondorian soldiers visibly wilting under the pressure with the Nazgul above, trolls smashing them out of the way, their neighbors getting slaughtered etc after already suffering the sight of their former comrades' decapitated heads raining down on them. Then when the Rohirrim arrive, Eowyn and Merry struggling to master their fear at how big the Witch King's army is; Theoden's keenly understanding he needs to lead by example to get his men to commit to the charge; the orcs losing their nerve at the sight of cavalry approaching with their armor shining in the sun, standing meters tall screaming "DEATH" at them etc.
100% right.
Recently rewatched the whole series and I must say, Theoden just has been given all the best lines. My favorite character by far scriptwise, makes me cry every time
Theoden absolutely has the hardest lines of any character in any of Jackson’s movies. Bernard Hill should’ve retired after this, because there’s no way he could ever reach for a loftier goal.
“You have failed. The world of men will fall.”
- horn of Rohan sounds-
Just perfect.
And a woman comes to save them.
I loved that Ian McKellan chose to portray despair. Even the great Mithrandir had a momentary lapse of confidence and hope.
@@kbanghart There are times when men should just move out of the way and let the women deal with it. Eomer could never.
@@roddo1955
Lol stfu
Hope had never been expressed by such warm sound.
I just imagine some dude in the back like “wtf did the king say? What’s going on I can’t see anything....oh shit we’re moving”
The epicness has magnified his voice so everyone of the rohirim could hear him.
You are naughty~~~
Fun fact the writer solved that by saying the past ancestors rose the king to inhuman abilities, like shouting loud enough that even gondor could hear him
Actually I am pretty sure that's precisely what the experience of a cavalryman in the back would have been.
Getting your orders to your troops was always a tricky part of battle. Led to a lot of spectacular failures.
Thats why they use horns
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy achieved the highest standard for filmography, special effects, and dialogue. It hasn’t been surpassed , nor over taken after all these years.
This is such a powerful, heartfelt, inspiring scene. It’s enough to make a grown man cry. I physically cannot get through this without chills or sobbing or both. Incredible. Easily the most epic scene in all of cinema. A scene like this could never ever be replicated. Not in our dark times. Peter Jackson did gods work in making such a perfect film trilogy and movies nowadays could never be as good as this film trilogy.
Agreed. This timeless and epic even nearly 20 years later.
I encourage you to read Throne of Glass if you’re a reader. Make it to Kingdom of Ash. It’s the only series that has ever made me feel like this again.
No force is scarier than one that has already resolved itself for death
Whenever I talk about this scene I bring up how unnerving this would be SPECIFICALLY for the orc army. A force that has met no challenge because of fear. A force that strategizes around striking crippling fear in the hearts of its enemies, and the riders of Rohan stand unafraid.
@@patrickhughes9304 Bravery is not the absence of fear, it's doing what you need to do in spite of it so don't call Rohan unafraid.
@@patrickhughes9304 That's the problem with the orc's strategy, a cornered animal is the most fearsome beast, you take down your enemy with a swift move and don't let them regroup in a corner with no scape, if there's no other option then your men will always march foward.
@@patrickhughes9304 remember that in the lore orcs are supposed to be bread without the emotion of fear but the Riders of Rohan we're still able to strike it into their putrid Blackhearts with their righteous Fury
@@jaredflynn3750 the lore was always unclear about that. After all orcs had a large fear of their masters.
Almost forgot to watch this today
😍😍
How dare you....
Its our duty.
Shame on you
I did not
You fool!
This has to be one of the most powerful and moving scenes ever to be created. Brings tears every time.
This scene is a cultural touchstone, the absolute pinnacle of raw emotion, artistry, and narrative power. It leaves an indelible mark on the soul. The air itself seems charged with electricity, and every second feels like a countdown to death. Into this heavy tension rides King Théoden, his face heavy with the burdens of leadership and the weight of impending doom. With him, 6,000 Rohirrim, their efforts a physical manifestation of their courage and their love for their land.
As Théoden's voice cuts through the air, transforming fear into a fiery resolve, you feel it in your bones. It's not just a speech; it's a war cry, a lament, and a eulogy all in one. And then, as the music swells, a symphony of trumpets and strings that seems to carry the very cries of the Rohirrim, they charge. It's a moment that evokes emotions so potent they feel like they're carved into your very being.
The cavalry charge of an entire people, there to deny the orcish apocalypse now, and for ever.
I doubt Tokin would have really appreciated this scene, he was not really a fan of "heroic war" from his experience with World War 1, and it was a very traumatic experience for him.
@@USERZ123XD I respectfully disagree, I am of the belief that Tolkien himself would likely have appreciated Jackson's cinematic interpretation of this scene.
Firstly, while Tolkien's works were deeply rooted in his written words, he was not dismissive of adaptations or visual representations of his work. In fact, he was open to the idea of film adaptations, provided they were done with respect for the source material. Peter Jackson's film series, although not without some creative liberties, largely stayed faithful to the spirit and themes of Tolkien's writings (unlike Amazon's RoP). The portrayal of the Rohirrim's heroic charge in the films captures the essence of Tolkien's epic storytelling and his admiration for heroic deeds.
Additionally, Tolkien was a philologist and a scholar of ancient languages and mythologies. He had a keen appreciation for visual art, and he himself created illustrations for his works. The cinematic depiction of the Rohirrim's charge, with its grandeur and epic scale, is absolutely in harmony with Tolkien's appreciation for artistic and visual representation. It brings to life the imagery and emotion that he sought to convey in his writing.
Furthermore, Tolkien was known for his love of storytelling and the power of narrative. Jackson's portrayal of the Rohirrim's charge effectively demonstrates one of the strengths in storytelling using cinematic medium. It serves as a powerful and evocative representation of heroism, sacrifice, and the triumph of good over evil, which were central themes in Tolkien's own work.
@@gicousinjoe6199 Tokin would be fine with the visual spectacle of LOTR films, but I definitely feel he wouldn't appreciate how some of these specials are framed, something more like all quiet in the Western front(2022) would be much more appreciated by Tokin with his view towards war, what peter jackson did here is run contrary to what tokin believe, a big epic battle of "glory and honor", Tokin liked the story to focus on the little guys, the small scale of things, this is why he made the Hobbits, the weakest of all characters the central protagonists of the LORT story. he didn't make Aragon the MC he didn't write an epic assault by the armies of Middle Earth against Mordor in the final epic battle, instead, he chose the climax of the story to be Frodo throwing the ring into the volcano.
@@USERZ123XD Respectfully, I wish to respond by clarifying a few points regarding my opinion re: J.R.R. Tolkien's views and his approach to storytelling.
Firstly, let’s try to spell Tolkien's name correctly. It's not 'Tokin.' I know spelling mistakes are easy to make, and they don't diminish the value of your opinion, but such a simple mistake, made repeatedly, can undermine the credibility of your argument, by raising questions regarding your familiarity with the subject-matter.
Secondly, while it's true that Tolkien emphasized the importance of smaller, everyday characters like Hobbits and their world/life in his works, it is a misinterpretation to claim that he exclusively focused on small-scale stories. Tolkien's legendarium is vast and encompasses both the grand and the intimate. He created a world with a rich history that includes epic battles and heroic deeds. The presence of these grand events does not negate his appreciation for the smaller folk. Tolkien clearly believed in a holistic narrative that explored various aspects of his fictional world, from the ordinary to the epic.
While you are correct in that Tolkien chose Frodo's journey to Mount Doom as the climax of the story, it does not diminish the significance of the larger battles and heroic deeds that occur throughout the narrative. Tolkien's storytelling was layered, with multiple plotlines and character arcs. The climax with Frodo and the Ring is the culmination of positive deeds and sacrifices, large and small. This climax doesn't negate the importance of heroic struggles and epic conflicts in the overall narrative that Tolkien purposefully depicted.
Lastly, regarding Tolkien's view of war, it's worth noting that his perspective was nuanced. While he experienced the horrors of World War I, he also recognized the historical significance of battles and the valor of soldiers, and the necessity of good's triumph over evil. His works reflect this complexity, as they explore both the destructive power of war and the heroism that can emerge from it. The Battle of Helm's Deep and the charge of the Rohirrim in 'The Lord of the Rings' are examples of Tolkien's portrayal of epic battles within a broader context of sacrifice and courage. That is why I have no doubt he would have enjoyed Jackson’s scene immensely.
Seeing a king lead his army mustve been a great morale boost and a nice buff +10% melee damage
Try 100% lol
+20 damage
Also plus 30% haste
If you played Battle for middlearth 2, it actually gave the Rohirrim 90% Damage reduction. Lol
+15% trample damage
I envy people who can still see this movie for the first time
give me amnesia, or give me death. I can never see it again "for the first time" :(
That's why I've been watching '1st time react videos'. Whoah that's epic!! You're still in the 1st film, just you wait!! :D
I was one of them. As a kid I saw this in theaters.
@@animeman8203 I missed cinema releases for all three LOTR. But I saw the 1st Hobbit film in the cinema, also my 1st 3D exp. The film was good, but I didn't really like the 3D aspect. I thought it kind of got in the way of the film, if that makes sense, so the rest I just watched normally!
I was 11 years old seeing this opening weekend in the cold December of 2003. The theater was packed and we were at the third bottom center row at the top of the theater. This scene is one of the top 5 greatest moments I ever experienced in the cinema. The sound was like an earthquake that next door auditoriums could feel the vibration. The audience was in awe and cheered louder than a game at the superbowl. That was the moment my balls dropped and I saw the power and strength of what real men (and women) could do. It was that awesome! I remember one person shouted when it cut back to Denathor "THAT WAS SO FUCKIN COOL!"
2024. Still gives me goosebumps. Every. Single. Time. Watching.
This is by far the best scene of the Trilogy for me. Theoden is so well written in the movies that this scene means everything. In exemple, Helm's Deeps is great but the Gandalf's coming with defying gravity charge and the sun, and killing an enormous army feels epic but not connected. Here you have Gandalf starting to believe he failed, Theoden witnessing he is gonna send his men and women and halfmen to death upon an army 10x bigger than his. He gives the exact book speach that is the perfect to have at this instant because "Men didnt failed". They will die for their convictions and honor. The music is a masterpiece, the charge is one of the best in history for a movie shot around 2000-2003, the fear in the Mordor army eyes, the brutality of the horses smashing their bodies, the sacrifice for the greater good. EVERYTHING is here. This is the definition of courage, loyalty and be true to yourself.
This scene literally brings tears to my eyes.
Same!!!! Every time!
I start crying here and don't stop until it's over. Every time.
Every goddamn time I hear that violin
If you really want to sob, do Theoden “how did it come to this?” Then Gandalf rescuing the retreating forces from Osgiliath, then Helm’s Deep Forth Eorlingas, then Theoden on the symbeline on the graves, then Minas Tirith Rohirrim, and then finish with Gandalf's advice to Frodo in Moria. It’s made me, a grown ass man, weep.
Yes, Tirion Fordring is a skilled paladin my friend
Thirteen years later and I still get goosebumps at Theoden's speech.
Same here.
Dylan L true
Dylan L me too.
Dylan L saw this movie three times when it was in theaters.
DEATH!!!!!!!!!!!
This six and a half minutes scene better than entire first 4 episodes of Rings of Power. Infact, better than many of things i've ever watched.
The prologue of RoP is great tho
And better than anything Game of Thrones could produce
6:08 is my FAVORITE part.
Just the sheer tenacity of a soldier riding towards the battle of a lifetime.
Every man has a medieval dream. Nothing in sci-fi or modern warfare would make your blood boil like this, not even close.
it makes you angry? which is what boiling blood implies
@@jordanlimantara1814 The term can also be used to describe an intense passion.
Absolutely brother
I think your wrong
@@jasonskeans3327 I think you are a liberal
Born too late to explore the earth and too early to explore the galaxy but just the right time to see this masterpiece.
Haha well put my man
Well said
I mean.... I appreciate your intention and all... but people from the future will get to see this masterpiece AND explore the galaxy.
But when you consider Return of the King's cinema run in 2003, there really was no better film to watch on the big screen. For the sheer magnitude of an epic fantastical adventure, and the amalgamation of feelings it presented to the audience, Return of the King is disputably the greatest cinematic experience ever created. No matter how hyperbolic that may sound, it feels very true.
I don't deny any of that but what I'm saying is, it'll still be as good for people in the future, just like today we can still appreciate masterpieces like Citizen Kane or Mozart's music.
Riding a horse at an enemy line with an axe in your hand screaming DEATH! is one of the most incredible things a human could ever do
I was not prepared for this scene when I first saw it in theaters. It was sooo epic
D&D: Game of Thrones will have battle scenes that surpass anything that has come before.
LOTR: Exists.
GoT: Battle of Winterfell will be the best battle
LoTR: I’m about to end this man’s whole career
D&D: We kinda forgot how cavalry works
LOTR ended their career 16 years prior 😂
LOTR: Hold my ale
@@logi4840 Read what you just typed. Slowly. Letter by letter.
"Imagine a king, leading his own men. Wouldn't that be a sight"
Achilles
"Imagine a king who fights his own battles" is the line I think
King Richard the lion heart and Saladin.
Almost all of them did up to the 16th century (or around so)
@@lupinthethird7059 not really
@@lupinthethird7059 Many did sure, but not nearly all.
As we welcome 2024 in a few days, this scene will always be engrave in my heart. LOTR never disappoints
one of the best filmed scenes in cinematic history. I get gossbumps and my eyes are wide open every time i see it.
This is the only scene, out of the thousands of films I've seen, to make me shed some manly tears.
WeimTime I'm right with you there, bud.
What about the end of Gladiator
Brandon Luu wasn't really good
not even close
WeimTime agreed, even though I'm only 11 years old :3
Never forget that in the books, Theoden blew his horn so hard that it "burst asunder". This guy was so badass and hyped up that he shattered a war horn by blowing too hard. What a legend
Good point! Think that might also have been a sly call-back by Tolkien to the Song of Roland - similar stuff with a horn (tho no orcs).
I'm sure he can suck a golf-ball through a garden hose
@John Smith given that your ex had such a talent I'm sure you had a good reason for demoting her to ex....
"I need a girlfriend you're it until you're dead or till I find somebody better"
@@highlander723
Lol, nice Starship Troopers reference!
Now silently the host of Rohan moved forward into the field of Gondor, pouring in slowly but steadily....
After a while the king led his men away somewhat eastward, to come between the fires of the siege and the outer fields. Still they were unchallenged, and still Théoden gave no signal.... A smell of burning was in the air and a very shadow of death. The horses were uneasy. But the king sat upon Snowmane, motionless, gazing upon the agony of Minas Tirith, as if stricken suddenly by anguish, or by dread. He seemed to shrink down, cowed by age. Merry himself felt as if a great weight of horror and doubt had settled on him.... They were too late! Too late was worse than never!....
Then suddenly Merry felt it at last, beyond doubt: a change. Wind was in his face! Light was glimmering....
But at that same moment there was a flash, as if lightning had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, its topmost tower like a glittering needle: and then as the darkness closed again there came rolling over the fields a great boom.
At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before:
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains.
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and the darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.
This was released 20yrs ago today! I’m so glad I got to see the greatest film ever made in the cinema
I loved the dedication Rohan had to protect the realm of men. The unbreakable spirit of the Rohhirrim just hits so deep every time they came to action in this movie. 4 times they take enemy head on. 1- Helps Deep, 2-Breaking Seige of Gondor, 3-Taking on Haradrim Warriors and their massive elephants. 4- Final attack on Black Gate. Forth Eorlingas!
"Ride for ruin, and the worlds ending"
What a line, gives me goosebumps every time.
Theoden's speech stands up against any pre-battle speech ever filmed. And that touching of his sword to lances was a perfect touch.
I straight up cried watching this again
DEATH
same
Arise, arise, Riders of Theoden!
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
The other part of the speech is from when Eomer discovers his sister, gravely wounded on the field. He goes back into the battle shouting:
‘Death!Ride, ride to ruin and the world’s ending!’
What makes this scene so emotional? Duty, courage and certain death. The final push against darkness with their brave king leading the charge.
"Certainty of death, small chance of success, what are we waiting for?" - Gimli, son of Gloin
SaltyPotato lmfao
Nah, it's the score. I do love me some Howard Shore
Also the fact thats the first time the humans attack, up until this point they were always in the defense.
It's not even close to certain death. Without the elephants showing up later on it would have been a decisive, crushing and overwhelming victory. The battle of Vienna has showed how effective an unexpected mass cavalry charge is against infantry focussed on besieging and attacking a walled city. Even if outnumbered greatly you can still score a decisive victory.
now compare this epic rohirrim cavalry charge to that cavalry charge led by Galadriel in Rings of Power lol....not even close. This scene is timeless
Fun fact: Théodin and the Rohirrim were actually based on a real person/people. During the Later Western Roman Empire the Romans and the Goths were mortal enemies, and after Alaric sacked Rome the Goths founded their own kingdom in southern France, still considered a part of the Roman Empire by the Romans themselves. In particular, the Visigothic king Theodoric I and the Roman General Flavius Aetius were mortal enemies, having fought several wars with each other. However, in the mid 5th century Attila's Hun army invaded northern France, directly attacking Rome and threatening the Goths. Answering a call from Aetius himself, Theodoric marched the Gothic armies out to join the Romans where they were able to meet the Huns sieging modern day Orléans. The armies chased the Huns to the Catalaunian Plains and the joined Romano-Gothic Alliance met the Huns (along with their allies the Ostrogoths, a brother culture to the Visigoths) in battle. As Attila attacked Aetius' center forces, Theodoric led a massive charge from the right wing into the Hun's flanks, devastating them at the cost of Theodoric's own life - allegedly he took a spear to the chest. With the Gothic sacrifice having bought them the time to manuever and reorganize, Aetius' lines became inpenetrable, and Theodoric's son Thorismund - who led the left wing - repositioned his forces to a hill on the Hun's side. Thorismund led a Gothic charge much like his father to avenge the old king's death, fully routing the Huns in the process.
For the first time in history the Huns had been completely defeated in battle and were forced to retreat. Attila attempted to invade Italy, but was met on the road by Pope Leo the Great. After a single conversation with Leo, after being convinced by either bribes, heavenly visions or the Pope's mere warning, Attila marched his armies out of the Empire and never returned. He died not long after of a nosebleed and the Hunnic state collapsed.
Oh and even better, Roman and European records count 50,000 Romans fighting alongside 100,000 Visigoths against almost 1,000,000 Huns, Ostrogoths and other barbarian tribes during the Catalaunian Plains
They were actually Based on the vikings and Saxons
@@joshuagreenslade3445 Rohan itself was based on Mercia - middle England - where Tolkien spent most of his life, and many of their customs and gear are Anglo-Saxon and Viking-inspired. But, they are still mostly based on the Goths, and their involvement in the battle and Théodin specifically based on what I said. :|
@@joshuagreenslade3445 congratulations...? I dont get it.
1 million huns funny!
@@jesuschrist9513 No need to exaggerate. There is no way there were a million Huns/allies at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.
If I ever see a movie moment greater than this than I will be a happy dude. Its been 13 years and nothing has come close...
Caldor3 well to be fair most films these days are garbage
Caldor3 the second one is superior :c
Caldor3 GOT battle of bastards almost as epic as this scene is
battle of the bastards was good action hell yeah. but the plotline, any reader of the book was disgusted by the writing, the writing of season 6 was drivel from hollywood. LOTR written decades ago, Sansa riding in like gandalf at fucking battle of helms deep. its too easy to guess what happens next, such shit, (talking about game of thrones season 6*)
The Darth Vader scene in Rogue One actually comes pretty close.
EDIT: And now we have the Avengers Assemble scene from Endgame.
Me watching this with my parents: "This scene is great!"
Me watching this with my friends: "DEAAAATH! DEAAAAAAAAAAATH!!!"
Haha nicee
Dude I'm crying! It's so overwhelming
DEATH! DEATH!! DEAATHHH!!! FORTH EORLINGAS!!!!
Fucking same bro
Me and my dad finally convinced my mum to watch them with us... Wish me good luck!
The one and only time you’ll see such fear in the Orcs. Truly shows how amazing this was. They knew Rohan was knowingly riding to their likely death, but it didn’t stop them. The most amazing speech and charge I’ve ever seen
This is the greatest scene in movie history. The speech, the music, the casting. Everything is absolutely perfect
Fun fact: Bernard Hill did the speech so good that the stunt men are so hyped they "really thought they were doing it"
Oh please
@@Gnossiene369 Honestly I can see it and that's a good thing. Shows how much you're into it.
@@Gnossiene369 its in the behind footage, as ridiculous as it sounds, he got everyone pumped up.
@@Gnossiene369 ruclips.net/video/Qz-k4g87ff4/видео.html
@@JW-jd6sn i can understand that but people didn’t literally go insane. Best movie scene for me since ever, but I won’t buy hypnotism. I won’t abandon reason.
"Fire at will!" "Which one is Will?"
Will is not a person, but an expression! It is like: "Shoot whenever you want" = Fire at will.
I have a nephew named "Will." He joined the army but was discharged after his first battle because every time they'd say, "fire at will" everyone would shoot at him.
I think you may have missed the joke.
From Pirates Of The Caribbean XD
Fire? I don't see any guns? :(
"Did he mean shoot? OH FUCK" *Lance through the heart*
"Forth, and fear no darkness!"
Even with Sauron's massive army in front of them, the words of Theoden King still inspire bravery and hope. A simple statement, but the delivery is perfect.
My Grandpa Lewellyn was a professional historian, a Tolkien & C.S. Lewis aficionado, and a lover of classical fantasy & mythology. He was so in love with the idea of the Hero's Quest that he bought an NES just so he could live out that fantasy in the original Legend of Zelda game, and later the SNES for the sequel (yeah, my grandpa owned a Nintendo before the Wii, aka before it was cool).
He bonded with my mom after his wife, my grandma, died, by reading the Thor comic books together, with her adoring all the action & beefcake illustrations and him complaining about the mythological inaccuracies.
The last movie he saw was The Fellowship of the Ring, which we watched in the theater together as a family. After it was over, one or all of us asked him what he thought of it, and he gave it the best praise an OG Tolkien lover could give:
"It was alright."
Theoden is SO FUCKING GOOD. Great actor for the role.
I'll think he's the only more known actor who has been in two 11 Oscar films
+TNTnor Ben Hur and Titanic😁
Bernard Hill is his name
showing my age i remember him from the boys of the black stuff in the eighties
Bernard Hill is quite an underrated actor, he's only been in a handful of films (all of which have been successful) but i dont know of any further projects he's been involved with after LotR. Seems like he's dropped off the map.
The most profound part is them not shouting death to the enemy, they're shouting death to themselves. They believed that they will lose, the world will end, they will all die.
Speech to a glorious death, not to victory
Probably why they won, ironically
Believing in inevitable death is indeed a very powerful motivator. It's why the Americans had a lot of trouble fighting Japanese in WW2 - they welcomed an honorable death by taking the enemy down with them
Fear the man who thinks they have nothing to lose....
@@dominusetdeus060644 and the ones who have everything to loose
To an extent yes,but in the Silmarillion it is said that Eru's gift to men was death,and the people of Rohan believed in Eru and the Valar and the stories of old,so they are welcoming their "gift"
@Aero Dynamix wow, you must be fun at parties.
I still recall seeing this in theaters on premiere night with friends I met randomly and we just grouped up and sat together. When Theoden was screaming : AAARGH!!! and the Rohirrims responded, everyone in the theater yelled AAARGH!!! with them. I haven't felt that level of energy from a movie since tbh.
This single clip is 100x better than the catastrophe that Amazon has made or will continue to make.
This scene captures the essence of Tolkien's legendraium.
Form ranks maggots......trebuchets in front......spears behind.
Hey sexy!
@@ancalagon3713 r/woosh
Ancalagon He’s making fun of Game of Thrones 8x03 where they placed the trebuchets infront of the infantry.
@@iceman8031 LMAO ok
😂😂😂
Anyone else thinks that the orcs in Return of the King looked much better than those in the Hobbit?
Yeah, these orks in the original trilogy were done with prosthetics, the hobbit orks were CGI.
In the hobbit, they are gundabad orcs much bigger sized than this orcs from mordor
i dont really care for the use of cg in the hobbit.
but i think its unecessary to use it on creatures with human appearance.
they arent spiders or two story high mumakil,they are disfigured humanoid soldiers,so just use costumes.
really sad how people are starting o complain about cg these days.
i remeber in the lotr extras it was portrayed as really awesome how they used cg.
they were really proud that they were so good they could put cgi uruk hai right in front of the camera without problems.
but cgi has worn off on people.
its a creative tool,cgi artists are artists too.
they should get more respect.
but cg should always be used appropiately.
99brickstudios thought the hobbit orcs were cool in the first one but that changed after the river scene in 2 and overall shittiness that was 3
Off course. Actors over CGI garbage every freaking day
I’ll be the first to admit that I was mentally exhausted by the time Theoden and the Rohirrim arrived. But my heart soared as they charged and the Rohan theme blared through the speakers of the theater. I was on the edge of my seat and grinning.
It was like a deflated balloon being pumped with air.
One of the details I love is how they show the fear in Eowen’s eyes and how she’s trying to cope with it while looking at the horde of orcs. But even though she and Merry are scared, they still ride forth into the face of death and show courage, because courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s pushing through the fear to conquer the challenge
I adore the amount of game of thrones hate in this comment section
EDIT: "6000 likes..... less than half of what i hoped for"
Boi, just you watch any helm's deep clip
Legit, every Lord of the Rings clip you see on YT now has a ton of comments hating on the trash that was GoT Season 8.
_And I love every bit of it._
We need a middle earth tv show
@@guilledeleon3547 Isn't that exactly what Amazon is doing?
I’m so glad to see GoT the show getting hate now. I’m a big fan of the books for a long time and I’m so disappointed they decided to continue with the show instead of finishing the damn books first. Looks like it bit them in the ass and I couldn’t be happier.
Nothing will ever come close to The Lord of the Rings. Not Game of Thrones, not Avengers, nothing.
I cant argue with that, you win... Im 100% on ur side
I don't even know why Avengers and Got are even in the discussion here. GOT shouldn't even be compared. It's a show and its qualities during the early seasons actually rival Lotr imo (tho in completely different ways, of course).
As for the avengers, c'mon. A cheesy CGI fest, with little to no substance to it's actual writing. These movies will not be talked about in the decades to come. LOTR will always remain among the classics and the best of what the filmindustry has to offer.
the dark knight
GoT beauty comes from political struggles, the fighting and battles were decent but nowhere near this beauty.
u havent seen Game Of thrones
I still watch this in awe like o did when I was 10.,
This will never get old and that speech will get anybody moving
the contrast between 0:35 with orcs purging the city, killing civilians etc against chilling music, and then the horn blaring and the rohirrim arriving when the world of Men is in its most desperate hour - unbelievable work from Jackson and team to translate the work of Tolkein
18 years since this came out and still, there hasnt been a scene or movie that comes close to the epic grandeur of this movie. Truly one of if not the greatest movie ever made
Can only imagine with today’s technology the added detail. But for its time nothing has come close, not even in the slightest.
The goat trilogy easy.. all three movies are up there in the greatest of all time list too. Jackson and the cast and new line all owe major thanks for delivering these movies. Truly great.
I watch this every few months. So every few months, manly tears stream down my cheeks.
The only thing that comes close are some of the battle scenes in the show Vikings.
@@Hearshotkid_2113 no, they really don’t at all.
" Courage, Merry. Courage for our friends. "
" FORM RANKS, YOU MAGGOTS "
Perfectly describes the two sides fighting here.
Very astute observation! Wow, never thought about it that way =)
Ironically enough, the orcs lost the second they broke ranks.
@@prestonjones1653 Prolly would've been helpful if they actually had pikes and not pole weapons.
@@rhorynotmylastname7781
True. I always figured it was a weirdly-shaped landsknecht
But... They are maggots..
Easily the best cavalry charge in cinema history.
20 years later and I still get Goosebumps
Bro, I would kill to see a reaction of the people in theatres back in 2003 when they witnessed this moment for the first time.. it must have been insane
It was. I was fortunate enough to see this in the theater. Greatest movie experience of my life.
Check your local theaters, this year is de 20th anniversary for Fellowship of the Ring and here in Mexico they are putting all three movies back to the theaters just for a couple days
It was insane! It was like we were standing on that field, and we felt every second of it!
It was just released back in imax a couple months ago, I was in tears with this scene. The violin solo is everything.
It was just released back in imax a couple months ago, I was in tears with this scene. The violin solo is everything.
Fuuun fact: for the filming of this, Peter Jackson offered people who had a horse and could ride to play a part in this scene as one of the army. thats probably also why they were so enthusiastic
Makes sense... Since it takes a lot of time for a horse to trust its rider...
yes, many of the riders were woman with beards
The bearded ladies of Rohan!
He put out a casting call to anyone in NZ who had a horse. The fields were full of trailers and haystacks for days
They say its the most scene with horses in it around 250k ?
i was lucky enough to have watched these in the cinema back in the early 2000's it was something else entirely
Nothing in this world is more frightening than an army of soldiers heading face on, knowing that they will die, screaming "death"
IKR? It's part of what makes this scene so powerful
A lot of them carry so much guilt for not being able to save their country sooner. In a way, saving Gondor is redemption for Theoden, Eomer, and Rohan's captains for not being able to prevent all the damage Saruman had done.
i think heavy artillery bombardments for hours could argue with that.
I don't think Middle Earth had artillery bombardments
also, magic would be stronger tho
thought by "This world" you mean ours =)
A warrior who embraces death is one of the most terrifying things you can encounter on the battlefield, I imagine.
+The Arab Scientific or most of our SOF guys
+The Arab Scientific todays war cant be compared with the past most of the times u dont see you enemy you dont know what is killing you you just take the smell of blood in the air mixed with explosives dust dirt and metal the smell of burned human flesh it is way more horrible and disgusting in modern war. In this middle age wars u die by force which u could compete to u have kind of an usefull armor u dont smell and witness burned and exploded corpses of your comrades
+The Arab Scientific those arent warriors, just mentally ill detonators
+The Arab Scientific Every soldier is prepared for death. That is what makes a soldier - a soldier.
+The Arab Scientific Jihadists during the crusades maybe. Today's Jihadists are nothing but mentally retarded fucks.
Orc leader: Oh yeah we have like 3 million orcs what could go wrong
Rohirrim: *show up*
Orc leader: Okay, the risk we took was calculated, but man, are we bad at math.
I’ve watched this countless times, and it still gives me goosebumps. Most epic scene ever
One of the reasons this scene works so well is the use of leitmotif. When we first heard Shore's "Rohan" theme in The Two Towers, it was a heartbroken lament for lost glory in a country that had lost its way and was effectively leaderless. Here the theme returns, but it has been repurposed as an anthem of rediscovered strength, pride, duty and confidence. This is about a people remembering who they once were and doing what they do best, and the score supports the moment magnificently.
Yes! That theme playing at the charge of the Rohirrim brings tears to my eyes every time for that exact reason.
Gondor has similar changes as well during certain scenes. Incredible score.
True
@@minizimi3790 Was watching Fellowship tonight with the wife. I noticed that there is a somber, but hopeful version of the Gondor theme played when Boromir speaks of the white city. It's so good.
Music is incredibly important and many "modern" composers don't seem to realize this sadly.
If Theoden’s speech doesn’t get you pumped I don’t know what will!
Only speech better, was Aragorn’s speech at the end! “I BID YOU STAND, MEN OF THE WEST!”
DEATH!!!
@@mandalorian1994 I get chills every damn time. Nothing can top it, and partly I think it is because from their perspective, it's hopeless but that doesn't mean they give up. They know that Frodo and Sam need every minute of distraction they can give them.
Everytime when I see that scene I get pumped like shiii I wanna join get a armor car with machine gun turret let's go!!
I will follow him to the pits of hades itself
5:59 this part is the moment the orc leader realized he miss calculated the situation. He thought that by killing a few of them they would panic and start to retreat or trample over each other trying to escape like every other human force he had fought, but he had only fought Gondor not Rohan and it’s rider. The riders who saw the abyss at Helms Deep against the Uruks and survived not by cowering behind their walls, but by riding out to face it as men of Rohan. So when his archers fail to scatter them and they continue to ride he realizes they aren’t afraid. Rohan saw the abyss and laughed at it now it laughs at Sauron’s forces.
One of the best scenes in the entire film!
My oldest brother saw this in theaters the day it came out, and he told me he still hasn't heard a theater that cheered so loud.
Shit, people cheer in theaters over there?
Lucky bastard
i saw this shit in theaters also 3 times :D was my junior year. Best movies to see in theaters was lord of the rings hands down!
@@CoffeeD_1 I like silence in the theatre not some idiots wooping at every little but, fuck that.
Especially when it came to the last stand at the black gate everyone was cheering out loud it was awesome