THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS
New Zealand, 2002, 179 minutes, Colour.
Elijah Wood, Ian Mc Kellan, Liv Tyler, Vigo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys- Davies, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monahan, Orlando Bloom, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto, David Wenham, Brad Dourif, Andy Serkis, Karl Urban.
Directed by Peter Jackson.
The Two Towers is the interim film in the trilogy. After establishing the characters and themes in The Fellowship of the Ring, this rather darker film, echoing the darker aspects of Tolkien’s writing, contribute to the development of the themes, especially Frodo and Sam and the quest for the ring, their journey towards Mordor, the disappearance of Gandalf, the arrival of Faramir. However, one of the most striking features of this film is the major introduction of Gollum. Technically, Andy Serkis acted the role of Gollum and then was altered by computers to the appearance and to the sound that the character has in the film. This is one of the major conflicts in the film, Gollum and Frodo and Sam and Frodo falling out.
The film is also a film of battles with extraordinary special effects as in the first film. Faramir appears to take Boromir’s place. David Wenham playing the role of Faramir. Also Eowyn is introduced, played by Miranda Otto. She is a very strong character, loyal to her father, riding out to battle with the men. She is also attracted towards Aragorn who emerges much more strongly as the hero.
Gandalf seems to disappear – reappearing again, fighting in the final battle. However, Saruman makes his appearance (and his role was omitted in the final cut of the third film).
The film does make too much sense by itself, it presupposes all the characters and their issues, it presupposes all the history of the ring. It also builds up its climax with the adventures of Merry and Pippin, the encounter with Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas and the final confrontation with Saruman and the defence of the Kingdom of Rohan.
With the final battle, the film almost ends in mid-action, heightening audience anticipation for The Return of the King.
1. The success of the first part? Audience expectations of the second part? The following of Tolkien's method of publication for film release? The adaptation of the novel, visualising the novel, Tolkien's spirit, insights? Peter Jackson's vision of Tolkien? The interim film?
2. The use of the New Zealand locations, the countryside, the mountains and lakes? The stylised locations for Mordor, Helms Deep? The creative use of sets, décor, costumes? Immersing the audience in the settings? The themes in the musical score, evocation, passion?
3. The computer-generated material, the creatures, their numbers, the battles - corresponding to Tolkien's imagination?
4. The interim film, the journey from The Fellowship of the Ring to The Return of the King?
5. The battle between good and evil? Aragorn, Gandalf, Frodo, the Forces of Good versus Sauron, Saruman and Gollum? The supporting figures for good? The supporting figures for evil like Worm Tongue?
6. The presentation of the parallel journeys, the battles? The familiarity with the characters, the introduction of new characters and their fitting into the patterns? The focus on the male characters, the quests, battles, figures of evil? Tolkien and his having less emphasis on women? The screenplay and the reintroduction of Arwen, the inspiration for Aragorn, his memories, her fate, her love? The introduction of Eowyn, a strong character, at the court, her stances, her attraction towards Aragorn, knowing his love for Arwen? Her role as supportive during the battle, with the women and children? The portrait of the mother and the children riding to inform the king about the attack?
7. Gandalf, the strong presence in the first film, his fall, the assumption that he was dead, Frodo's dream of his fall, the fight with the dragon? His sudden reappearance, in light, white, his entourage? His promises, the fifth day, the arrival and the support for Aragorn with the human forces, Gandalf fighting in the final battle?
8. Frodo and Sam, alone on the mountain, Frodo getting weaker, the power of the ring taking him over, Gollum following, Frodo and his willingness to trust Gollum, Sam not, voicing his suspicions? Frodo and his anger towards Sam, apologies? The bodies in the water, Frodo going into the water, the ring overpowering him? The trip to Mordor, Mordor in the distance, travelling in circles on the mountains, the clouds? Seeing the phantom warriors, the dragon in the sky? Coming to the wall, the support of Gollum, Gollum and his devices for tricking them? Gollum leading them into the swamp and safely through it, the people dead in the water, Sam, Gollum and Frodo in the water? The spirits rising? Frodo fingering the ring in contemplation during the night, the battlements, Sam and his being under the rocks, the gate, the opening with the soldiers, Gollum stopping them entering, his revelation of the secret in entry? The discussion between Frodo and Sam about Gollum, Frodo highlighting what the ring did to him, Sam wanting to help, believing that Gollum could come back from evil? Sam knowing the truth, Frodo obsessed by the ring and his task? Sam continuing to give good advice? The contrast with Gollum wanting the ring, the two personalities taunting each other, the fear? Sending Gollum away, the eating of the rabbits and Sam cooking them? Seeing the troops with the elephants, ambushed by Faramir, Sam and Frodo being bound, Faramir wanting the story about the death of Boromir? Frodo and the ring, the dragon swooping? Sam stopping Frodo, telling the truth about Faramir? The importance of Sam's speech and his final wise advice and the saga with the important character of Sam?
9. Gollum, his appearance, the actor and the words, the performance, the computer-generated character, appearance, crawling? Attacking Frodo and Sam? Frodo and his sympathy, Gollum crying, Sam suspicious, the rope around Gollum's neck, his saying he deserved to die, Frodo pitying him, Gollum swearing to serve them and Frodo removing the rope? Gollum leading them towards Mordor, at the wall and the battlements, his showing the secret entry? The importance of the two personalities, the two voices, the camera angles to show the two personalities talking to each other, his wanting the ring, the good rejecting the bad, sending the bad away, Gollum staying? Sam's suspicions? The final with Faramir trapping Gollum with the help of Frodo? The two Gollums talking, the evil Gollum persuading the good Gollum to combine with him and continue to pursue the ring?
10. Merri and Pippin: separated from the others, seeing the warriors running, their carrying Merri and Pippin, their being seen as Orc spies, leaving them alone? The pursuit, the Orcs tired, their escaping after the battle, their hearing the trees talk, the Orcs wanting to eat Merri and Pippin, being rescued by the trees? Aragorn and the tracking of Merri and Pippin, the device of having the flashbacks during the story, Merri and Pippin into the forest, pursued, the great tree alive, carrying Merri and Pippin, talking about the woods, the trees thinking? The appearance of Gandalf? Merri and Pippin and their remaining faithful to join in the further search for the ring?
11. Aragorn as the hero, with Gimli and Legolas, isolated, listening, the pursuit, finding the clues that Merri and Pippin had passed? The night ambush, the three meeting the refugees from Rohan, the horses, fearing that hope had forsaken the lands? Aragorn and the tracking of Merri and Pippin, the clues? Aragorn and his fears, Gandalf arriving in the glow, telling them Merri and Pippin's story? Gandalf's story of the fall, the fight, the cosmic lights, his being sent back, the turn of the tide, the new phase of the journey, their giving Gandalf the horse? Aragorn and his fellows arriving, disarmed, Gandalf and the staff, going in to the king, the king and his being under the spell of Saruman, his being released, his gradual recovery? The advice of Worm Tongue, Worm Tongue being thrown out, the tomb and the flowers, the children arriving? The war council, the importance of Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas, the king's decision to evacuate, the battle for Helms Deep, Gandalf leaving and the promise to Aragorn? The encounter with Eowyn, the attraction? Aragorn and his sleeping, the vision of Arwen, the memories, her support, her love, her having to leave the elves kingdom? The discussion with Arwen's father, the fate of the elves, Aragorn having to let Arwen go? The monster and the attack, the battle, Aragorn and his heroics, falling over the cliff, the river, his surviving? The dream of Arwen kissing him back into life, the language of grace? Her father's prophecy, his explaining to Arwen the fate of mortality, Aragorn going old and dying, the sarcophagus, and her choice? The return of Aragorn, the final battle, his being ready to lead into the new quest to return the ring?
12. Saruman, his crystal bowl, his high palace, his speech and the sense of doom? His plan to be together with Sauron to rule Middle Earth? The old world burning? The new order? His iron fist with the Orcs? Worm Tongue and his advising Saruman about the journey through the mountains? Saruman and Worm Tongue, the spells, the raising of the army of tens of thousands and Saruman's speech encouraging them to battle?
13. The kingdom of Rohan: the troops, the massacre, the children sent to raise the alarm? Eowyn and her position in the court, her uncle? The clashes with Worm Tongue? The role of Worm Tongue in the court, the advice to the king? The king and his being in a state of depression and vegetation? The discussion about Saruman and the Orcs? Eowyn and her brother being banished? The death of the king? Rohan and the king coming out of his decay, Worm Tongue and his being exiled? The king and his council of war, the plan for battle, Rohan being alone? The women and children hiding, Eowyn and her wanting to be in battle but guarding those in hiding?
14. Faramir, his late arrival into the action of the story? His plans, map, memories of his brother Boromir? The encounter with Frodo and Gollum, the snare to capture Gollum? The dilemma whether to kill him or not? Urging the questioning of Gollum? Gollum and his response, the two sides of his personality arguing with each other? Faramir and the temptation of the ring? Sam urging Frodo to put on the ring? His dilemma? The temptation and the explanation?
15. The focus on the final battle, the culmination of the drama? The trees gathering? The getting ready, Aragorn and his putting on his armour, the arrival of the elves, the storm and the rain? The battle tactics? The trees moving slowly? Gondor and the dizzying heights, the dragons? The king weakening? Gandalf and his arrival at dawn as promised? The ride on the enemy, the forces, the trees and the rocks, the defeat? Saruman in the tower, the dam bursting and the flood?
16. The film ending in mid-action in preparation for the third part? The sense of hope, Frodo and his continuing on his journey, the continued threat from Gollum? The importance of Sam's story in its simplicity and in its wisdom, an interpretation of Frodo and his mission?
