LOTR Analysis

In this scene, montage editing is used. This means that multiple shots are put together to represent a series of shots / actions, this also refers to cutting between shots to condense a series of events during a period of time. In this case, a history is shown of whom the ring belonged to and how it was created.

The editing techniques used in this scene are varied and are used for different purposes. The sound in this scene is mostly the narrator’s, they help guide they audience and give key information e.g. characters names.

At the start of the scene, a fade – in is used to present the title of the film, it is used to simply state the title. Then a fade – out is used to hide the title and begin with the next segment of the scene. This occurs throughout the scene, showing what happens in each part of the story. Non- diegetic sound is featured with the narrator’s voice also included.

ring being made: The first segment we see is the ring being created, a close up is shown of it being put together by a mix of fire and lava. The narrator comments that the rings are ‘great’, signifying that they are important and may play a big role in the film.

For the next segment, the rings are given to the groups/ races of people/creatures. This shown by presenting mid and close up shots of each group with the rings. All the while, the narrator states which group the rings will have an effect the most. The narrator is important as they guide us along and simply inform us about what is happening in the film.

A fade-in is shown of a map, which featured using a wide shot. The map is shown to divide each race and simply inform the audience about what land each race has. Then, a map of Mawdor is featured, and the music changes. The audience see this as an atmospheric change and guess that something evil is there. This evil is Lord Sauron; and he is creating a ring to take control over all. The viewers know this because the narrator is still feeding the audience information while the film is running. The fire acts like mini fade-outs but also shows the elements of mount doom and the ring being created. On top of that, it may signify the Lord’s cruelty and malice that is ‘poured into the ring’. At this point in time, the audience know that the mood has changed.

The ring is shown in a close up, revolving: just showing that this ring matters, it’s what all of these battles have been about, the ring has caused conflict other words. Fire is used as a fade out, probably because of the setting (Mount Doom).

The mise – en – scene in this segment is very good as the close up of the ring around the lord’s finger looks authentic and confirms that he is now the owner of the ring. Simply showing the ring with the lord suggests that the lord now has the power and control over the different races.

A cut is made at this point to skip to the near future were an alliance of men and elves resisted against the lord. A non-diegetic soundtrack is placed at this point to start the fight - back. The mise – en – scene is very good in this segment, with the arrows and swords etc. One elf/creature is shown in a mid shot, making a battle – cry (therefore, a diegetic sound). 

 The diegetic sound comes into play here seconds later, making the battle even more authentic. It makes the audience feel like they are there, witnessing it first-hand.

A tracking shot is shown of the arrows travelling through the air while below are the soldiers battling and marching. This all combines to make a short but telling segment.

There is a wide shot of Mount Doom; this shows dominance and an overall ruling over the people / resistance.

Following this shot, soldiers are shown falling from the cliff tops; this tells the audience that the battleground is a brutal and unpleasant place to be.

The next segment shown is still featured at the same time and place, only this occasion the lord himself arrives. We know it is probably him because of the two leaders looking ‘up’ and their facial expressions changing. The cross-cutting method is used here as the two men look up virtually at the same time both in different places. This method creates suspense, as the audience probably already know it is the lord they are looking at, however the audience don’t know this for certain.

We finally see the lord from behind in a medium shot, and the sound of silence is used in a way here to create tension, then all hell breaks loose and the lord starts to ravage the soldiers. The non – diegetic soundtrack changes here, to show a transition of feelings that the audience is experiencing. These feelings are perhaps fear and excitement as the conflict really starts to kick in from this point on.

The lord lashes out at one of the main kings, were the king is flung and killed. The son picks up his Father’s sword and slashes the lord’s finger off,  the one where the ring is worn. It is cut off so it is disconnected from him, so he no longer possesses its power. We emphasise with the son as he is the hero and his father has just been murdered. We start to do this as soon as he picks up that sword. As soon as he swings, we see a point of view shot (from the king’s son) and see Lord Sauron’s finger and ring fly of his hand. The diegetic sound of Sauron’s cry of pain really speaks to us as he no longer has power and control.

The lord’s helmet is shown empty, this confirms that he is dead and the reign of terror has ended. The narrator says that the lord is defeated, this reinforces the end of the battle and conflict.

The son picks up the ring, and looks amazed by it, as viewers can see from the medium close – up.

The next segment shows a wide shot of a lifeless environment, it is winter because there are no leaves on the trees and it’s dark and miserable, reinforcing the idea that the environment is lifeless.

Isildor has the ring. The narrator states: “even the hearts of good men can be corrupted” signifies that he is transformed not for the better, because he has the ring. He is almost took over by it.

The sound of silence is used again at this point, suggesting that something is about to happen. An ambush on Isildor occurs. All the audience hears at this point is the shout of one of the ambushers (diegetic), jumping at Isildor to knock him off his horse. This is shown as a low angle close up. The segment immediately cuts after this. This is featured to tell the audience what the outcome of the ambush was.

The next frame is a low angle close up of Isildor, floating in the river, murdered.

The audience are probably asking themselves, what happened to the ring? The ring is shown seconds later travelling through the river, the camera is shown in a still position as the ring ‘swims’ past. The segment quickly fades out.

The last few segments have ended instantly; this suggests that the period of time is moving faster and faster.

A lot of time has passed since the ring has been discovered and has been considered as a myth. The viewers know this as the narrator tells them while medium shots of the river are shown, where the ring is probably still located.

A creature finds the ring and the audience knows this for a fact as the narrator says “the ring came to the creature, Golem”. We also know it’s a creature from the diegetic voice: “my precious”.

A cut occurs, presumably a wide shot of Golem's home / lair.  The shot shown is of misty mountains:, these can be seen as lonely and isolated, reflecting what Golem may be also.

In the next shot, we observe that the ring has consumed Golem. A mid –shot is shown of Golem staring at the ring. The audience has also been reinforced of consumption because the narrator says so. Also, when the shot is featured, strange diegetic soundtrack is played.

A slow fade out and the narrator stating that Golem has had the ring for 500 years suggests that a long amount of time has passed between each segment.

 In the next segment, the ring disowns Golem, and a hobbit finds the ring. Golem’s voice is heard, this startles the hobbit, and we know this because of a close up, with his frightened facial expression on show.