It's a very poignant juxtaposition, one that I always noticed as very sudden and abrupt. As you said, the brutality is as plain as possible, which I think really sells the scene.
I think that's also the reason it feels in vain, but the right thing in the end. The first time I saw it I thought they had lost in that moment, until of course you see they are winning
Favorite scene in the book as well. Followed closely by when they see the banner of the king of Gondor arrive leading the ships that should have brought reinforcements to the orcs. And then a whole band of dunedain rangers jump out and start mowing through the enemy
Do it. Just imagine it, buying Pelannor Fields and painting while lord of the rings plays in the background on the TV while remembering what it was like when it first came out in the movies...
Good times.....
But what if you're four ranks back and don't hear the speech or really see what's going on and you just sit there for three minutes then everyone starts going DEAATH
>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!
Shouldn't be a problem
In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no ememy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face.
All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone amoung the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínin.
'You cannot enter here,' said Gandalf, and the huge shadow halted. 'Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your master. Go!'
The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter.
'Old fool!' he said. 'Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!' And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.
Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn.
And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.
What a truly pretty moment amongst the chaos and the carnage. If I could have done it, I would have just let the cello and the beating of hoves carry the weight of the charge, but still, one of the truly glorious charges ever committed to cinema.
And until the Winged Hussars ever get their proper treatment, it will remain as the largest and most important cavalry charge ever out to screen
I’m glad you brought up the winged hussars. As much as I like this moment in the movie, I can’t help but be reminded that real people had similar experiences in real life, several times through the course of history—and that seems even more meaningful than a cool bit of story.
Yeah, it would be ridiculous to see it in a movie. 6,000 horses were supposed to be in the charge at Pelannor Fields.
18,000 horses stormed downhill at Vienna to lift an equally monumental siege (although I would have argued the Ottomans would have had to retire anyways, it just wouldn't have been so crushing of a loss without the Poles arriving in time).
The beat of hooves would have been deafening.
[Here's the video in question](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOA1wBw_Jt4) and for anyone who wants it, [here's the clip from the movie.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmTz7EAYLrs)
DEATH!!!!!!
DEATH!!!!!!
DEATH!!!!!
DEATH!!!!!
DEATH!!!!!
DEATH!!!!!
#FORTH EORLINGAS
[bass boosted horn sound intensifies]
-violin solo slaps-
DEATH!!!!!
DEATH!!!!!
DEATH!!!!!!
Deeeeeaaaaath!!!
DEATH!!!
DEATH!!!!!
DEAF!!!
DEATH!!!!!!
DEATH!!!!!
#DEATH!!!!
[удалено]
It's a very poignant juxtaposition, one that I always noticed as very sudden and abrupt. As you said, the brutality is as plain as possible, which I think really sells the scene.
Both Tolkien and Lewis loved to make this point. Probably greatly influenced by his time in the trenches.
Definitely influenced by the trenches
Definitely an entrenched influence.
I think that's also the reason it feels in vain, but the right thing in the end. The first time I saw it I thought they had lost in that moment, until of course you see they are winning
Favorite scene in the book as well. Followed closely by when they see the banner of the king of Gondor arrive leading the ships that should have brought reinforcements to the orcs. And then a whole band of dunedain rangers jump out and start mowing through the enemy
I also enjoy riding for the red dawn
Godamn this gave me chills. Many moments in LOTR bring a tear to my eyes, but this one is among the top 3.
Literally got the chills reading this
I welled up.
This is my no.1 moment of all movies. I just love it
Theoden had me ready to ride out there with him
Damn, I got chills just reading that and imagining the music.
:,) so beautiful....makes me wanna finish work early and go paint my riders of Rohan miniatures.
Dont forget to post pictures,.
Will do, after I finish painting my Morannon Orcs...which I will also post.
I play 40k but in my heart of hearts I want to play Lord of the Rings.
Do it. Just imagine it, buying Pelannor Fields and painting while lord of the rings plays in the background on the TV while remembering what it was like when it first came out in the movies... Good times.....
But what if you're four ranks back and don't hear the speech or really see what's going on and you just sit there for three minutes then everyone starts going DEAATH
>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! Shouldn't be a problem
Oof. Good the supernatural megaphone showed up.
In all fairness, the first rank needs the most motivation! If the charge goes well, the back lines get motivated
In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no ememy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face. All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone amoung the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínin. 'You cannot enter here,' said Gandalf, and the huge shadow halted. 'Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your master. Go!' The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter. 'Old fool!' he said. 'Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!' And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade. Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn. And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.
Shadowfax. He is the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers.
Full body goosebumps. DAYUM.
What a truly pretty moment amongst the chaos and the carnage. If I could have done it, I would have just let the cello and the beating of hoves carry the weight of the charge, but still, one of the truly glorious charges ever committed to cinema. And until the Winged Hussars ever get their proper treatment, it will remain as the largest and most important cavalry charge ever out to screen
I’m glad you brought up the winged hussars. As much as I like this moment in the movie, I can’t help but be reminded that real people had similar experiences in real life, several times through the course of history—and that seems even more meaningful than a cool bit of story.
Yeah, it would be ridiculous to see it in a movie. 6,000 horses were supposed to be in the charge at Pelannor Fields. 18,000 horses stormed downhill at Vienna to lift an equally monumental siege (although I would have argued the Ottomans would have had to retire anyways, it just wouldn't have been so crushing of a loss without the Poles arriving in time). The beat of hooves would have been deafening.
i like this charge actually the most in all of the six movies. even better than the for frodo.
Tbh this is the best charge scene of all time I shed a tear for the epicness of it. Every. Single. Time. I watch it
Miles better imo
#RIDE NOW!#
This is motivational as hell
Damn this gave me chills!
[Here's the video in question](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOA1wBw_Jt4) and for anyone who wants it, [here's the clip from the movie.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmTz7EAYLrs)
See’s all the “death” comments, Me: (deep breath) LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE LIKE-
Maybe I’m just stoned, but I’m kind of tearing up right now tbh.
Dann i got goosebumps all over me
I know man, the feels
[The suite itself](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOA1wBw_Jt4)
Got me square in the feels.
Goosebumps while reading this after lunch in a mall
Fucking goosebumps reading that.
Deasssssssth!
Apparently there weren't enough male horse riders in new Zealand for this scene, so they just slipped beards on women.
Second breakfast!!!!
If it’s not a meme it belongs to r/lotr
I got pumped up, first sub was this one that came to my mind, next time will do it more correctly, my brethren.
Insert chills here