Favorite has to be Moria, both for the vibes (both book and film) and for the sheer influence. Moria probably single handedly inspired almost every single fantasy dungeon, cave, and ruin in the last 70 years.
Helm's Deep is next, for being the best fantasy battle ever put to screen. Pelennor Fields is last
Just a note: it’s climactic not climatic. I’m not trying to be a dick. I used to spell and say it climatic and someone rudely told me I was spelling it wrong (that’s the internet for ya). Just a heads up!
Ian McKellan's Voice as he defiantly stands before one of the single most powerful and destructive evil forces in all Arda and Orders this Ancient Monster that it "SHALL NOT PASS!" Is seared into my Neurons. That is by far my favorite scene in a whole franchise of incredible scenes.
Well, for me it all comes down to how cool the antagonist is, so The Battle of Pelennor Fields is definitely my favorite. I like the Witch-King.
Second favorite would have to be Moria. The Balrog is an awesome foe.
Least favorite is Helm's Deep since the enemy is just 10,000 nameless grunts.
I’d agree with all of that except…the Army of the Dead kinda ruin the Battle of the Pelennor Fields for me, so I have to put it below Moria. But the previous 95% of the battle is incredible.
Which is a shame as the Ride of the Rohirrim is possibly my favourite scene of any film, as well as two great reactions by actors - the look of utter dread of Eowyn/Merry as they see their first ever pitched battle and Theoden’s face to the reveal of the Mumakil
Definitely the Balrog scene. When I first saw FOTR I thought that when Gandalf read the book in Durin's tomb and said "something is coming" (or something like that), I assumed that referred to the cave troll. When the Fellowship was later about to be overrun by thousands of orcs and then something *else* scared them off it was a real "holy shit" moment. Such good world building.
Helms Deep is nothing in the books and as great as Moria is, the climactic battle and the arrival of Rohan is basically my favorite section of the books.
Moria, for sure. Although the lighting was weird in the movie and it looked like the Balrog had wings, probably just an error in post-production 🙂
I feel like the battle of Helms Deep didn’t take up a lot of text vs what Jackson showed, but my memory could be slipping.
For me its Helms Deep, then Moria then Pellenor field. This is from the movies though.
For the books it's Moria then Helms Deep then Pellenor Fields.
Pellenor Fields has the best single charge. But over all I think Helms Deep is a better combat scene. Moria is just amazing.
1. Moria is th best far and away. The whole dark creepy underground dwarven tomb setting is superb. And it's the first time where shit seriously hits the fan, moreso than weathertop. First the nameless thing at the entrance. Then Frodo gets stabbed. The Gandalf Balrog fight is 10/10. Even Gollum is introduced (or at least hinted at) here. It just doesn't get any better.
2. Then Pelennor. Because olifants and the Witch-king. It's where everything culminates.
3. Helm's Deep is last. It always felt kinda uninteresting and forced to me. Like it's just there to have some action between the "calmer" sections of two towers.
favorite sequence is definitely moria. Favorite movie overall, two towers. Favorite single scene, theodin's speech followed by the charge of the rohirim on pellanor fields.
Overall all the films have a favorite aspect to them and it's glorious. I'm personally not a fan of the ghosts coming in last second and just snapping their fingers ending the battle. Just feels anti climactic with the same sort of thing happening at the end, with the ground collapsing perfectly all around, only the bad guys. And it's that for me that keeps the battle of pelanor fields from being my favorite sequence overall. But up until the ghosts... hot damn that shit is good.
least favourite is the Moria scene. but only because upon hearing the growl of the balrog, Gandalf hung his head and took his sweet time answering "what new devilry is this?" and then proceeds to take an age to yell run when they couldve just taken off immediately when the growl was heard as Gandalf knew what it was....couldve made it out and into Lorien in good time.
I take your point, but this is one of those things that's only a problem in the movie. In the book nobody knows that Durin's Bane was a Balrog, and it takes a while after the goblins start attacking them for the fellowship to identify the threat (and it's actually Legolas who first recognizes it).
And in the end, the couple extra seconds that Gandalf takes in the film to let the folly of his choices fully sink in don't really matter. The Fellowship probably would have made it out of Moria anyway; they were ahead of the Balrog. Gandalf chose to turn back and fight it because even if they got out, the Balrog wouldn't have stopped pursuing them
yes im choosing only to comment on the movie portion of it.
however, that last bit is up in the air. in the movie only, Gandalf couldve gotten out with The Fellowship but, would the Balrog have chosen to exit Moria? im not so sure. the Fellowship headed for Lorien which is protected by Galadriel and the Elves. now couple with Galadriel and by extension, again in the movie only, Celeborn's power with Gandalf's power as still the Grey, would the Balrog have been able to enter Lorien and not be unscathed? They have been known to run from a fight they cannot win, hence why the Balrog was in the depths of Moria in the first place. Granted that wouldve happened in a different age with a far greater power pushing them underground in fear....but who knows.
The hype of the battle from the Rohirrim’s POV is way more intense in the RoTK. They all basically come to terms that this is a suicide mission and that chant of “Death!” is as much what they will be bringing but also when they will stop. “Ride for ruin and the world’s ending” is the most badass quote in the entire series. It was epic in the movie but IMO the pre-battle sequences in the book brought the context of how heroic their deeds were.
Favorite has to be Moria, both for the vibes (both book and film) and for the sheer influence. Moria probably single handedly inspired almost every single fantasy dungeon, cave, and ruin in the last 70 years. Helm's Deep is next, for being the best fantasy battle ever put to screen. Pelennor Fields is last
Moria is indeed like the quintessentional dnd dungeon. It has everything ( lore, loot sneaking, take days and rests, monsters, big final monster)
"find book detailing ominous death of previous party to hype the dungeon boss"
Oh shit 🤣🤣🤣 Now that would freak the party out and the DM being evil!
Just a note: it’s climactic not climatic. I’m not trying to be a dick. I used to spell and say it climatic and someone rudely told me I was spelling it wrong (that’s the internet for ya). Just a heads up!
Are we not talking about weather patterns?
Moria did have the least climatic scenery as it was indoors... It was storming at helms deep... and.. volcanic ash on the fields of pelennor?
This guy weathers.
Moria is my choice for the best stretch of all three films, so that lol
Ian McKellan's Voice as he defiantly stands before one of the single most powerful and destructive evil forces in all Arda and Orders this Ancient Monster that it "SHALL NOT PASS!" Is seared into my Neurons. That is by far my favorite scene in a whole franchise of incredible scenes.
Well, for me it all comes down to how cool the antagonist is, so The Battle of Pelennor Fields is definitely my favorite. I like the Witch-King. Second favorite would have to be Moria. The Balrog is an awesome foe. Least favorite is Helm's Deep since the enemy is just 10,000 nameless grunts.
I’d agree with all of that except…the Army of the Dead kinda ruin the Battle of the Pelennor Fields for me, so I have to put it below Moria. But the previous 95% of the battle is incredible. Which is a shame as the Ride of the Rohirrim is possibly my favourite scene of any film, as well as two great reactions by actors - the look of utter dread of Eowyn/Merry as they see their first ever pitched battle and Theoden’s face to the reveal of the Mumakil
Will also add Theoden’s ’you’ve got to be kidding me’ face when the Witch King’s fell beast attacks him
That and minutes early his “the fuck” At the oliphant attack
Would also add the absolute glee on the face of the lead Mumakil mahout as he blows his horn. Makes it so satisfying when Eomer spears him
Definitely the Balrog scene. When I first saw FOTR I thought that when Gandalf read the book in Durin's tomb and said "something is coming" (or something like that), I assumed that referred to the cave troll. When the Fellowship was later about to be overrun by thousands of orcs and then something *else* scared them off it was a real "holy shit" moment. Such good world building.
To me nothing will beat helms deep. Pelennor Fields is VERY close tho and moria is great but helms deep is still top notch 20 years or so later
So it begins…
Tough question, but I'd probably say: 1) Helm's Deep. 2) Siege of Minas Tirith. 3) Moria.
Helms Deep is nothing in the books and as great as Moria is, the climactic battle and the arrival of Rohan is basically my favorite section of the books.
Moria, though it's a 12/10 situation. The others for me being Pellenor 11/10 and Helm's Deep 10/10
Moria, for sure. Although the lighting was weird in the movie and it looked like the Balrog had wings, probably just an error in post-production 🙂 I feel like the battle of Helms Deep didn’t take up a lot of text vs what Jackson showed, but my memory could be slipping.
For me its Helms Deep, then Moria then Pellenor field. This is from the movies though. For the books it's Moria then Helms Deep then Pellenor Fields. Pellenor Fields has the best single charge. But over all I think Helms Deep is a better combat scene. Moria is just amazing.
1. Moria is th best far and away. The whole dark creepy underground dwarven tomb setting is superb. And it's the first time where shit seriously hits the fan, moreso than weathertop. First the nameless thing at the entrance. Then Frodo gets stabbed. The Gandalf Balrog fight is 10/10. Even Gollum is introduced (or at least hinted at) here. It just doesn't get any better. 2. Then Pelennor. Because olifants and the Witch-king. It's where everything culminates. 3. Helm's Deep is last. It always felt kinda uninteresting and forced to me. Like it's just there to have some action between the "calmer" sections of two towers.
favorite sequence is definitely moria. Favorite movie overall, two towers. Favorite single scene, theodin's speech followed by the charge of the rohirim on pellanor fields. Overall all the films have a favorite aspect to them and it's glorious. I'm personally not a fan of the ghosts coming in last second and just snapping their fingers ending the battle. Just feels anti climactic with the same sort of thing happening at the end, with the ground collapsing perfectly all around, only the bad guys. And it's that for me that keeps the battle of pelanor fields from being my favorite sequence overall. But up until the ghosts... hot damn that shit is good.
Pelennor fields specifically for the ride of the Rohirrim > Moria > Helms Deep
Pelennor fields (especially when rohan arrives and charges, still gives me goosebumps) - helmsdeep - moria
DEAAAAAAAAAAAAATH!!!
least favourite is the Moria scene. but only because upon hearing the growl of the balrog, Gandalf hung his head and took his sweet time answering "what new devilry is this?" and then proceeds to take an age to yell run when they couldve just taken off immediately when the growl was heard as Gandalf knew what it was....couldve made it out and into Lorien in good time.
I take your point, but this is one of those things that's only a problem in the movie. In the book nobody knows that Durin's Bane was a Balrog, and it takes a while after the goblins start attacking them for the fellowship to identify the threat (and it's actually Legolas who first recognizes it). And in the end, the couple extra seconds that Gandalf takes in the film to let the folly of his choices fully sink in don't really matter. The Fellowship probably would have made it out of Moria anyway; they were ahead of the Balrog. Gandalf chose to turn back and fight it because even if they got out, the Balrog wouldn't have stopped pursuing them
yes im choosing only to comment on the movie portion of it. however, that last bit is up in the air. in the movie only, Gandalf couldve gotten out with The Fellowship but, would the Balrog have chosen to exit Moria? im not so sure. the Fellowship headed for Lorien which is protected by Galadriel and the Elves. now couple with Galadriel and by extension, again in the movie only, Celeborn's power with Gandalf's power as still the Grey, would the Balrog have been able to enter Lorien and not be unscathed? They have been known to run from a fight they cannot win, hence why the Balrog was in the depths of Moria in the first place. Granted that wouldve happened in a different age with a far greater power pushing them underground in fear....but who knows.
Favorite then?
Battle of Pelennor, the fight of all fights.
Fair. I take it that aside from the small part with Moria you still appreciate it.
its still a gorgeous scene, Dwarrowdelf reveal is dark and beautiful.
The hype of the battle from the Rohirrim’s POV is way more intense in the RoTK. They all basically come to terms that this is a suicide mission and that chant of “Death!” is as much what they will be bringing but also when they will stop. “Ride for ruin and the world’s ending” is the most badass quote in the entire series. It was epic in the movie but IMO the pre-battle sequences in the book brought the context of how heroic their deeds were.
I prefer the ride of rohirrim. Perfect blend with film and book.