SSC Film Studies

Film Analysis: Lord of The Rings
Scene: Coronation of Aragorn

The scene begins with an establishing shot with a tracking and tilting camera highlighting the entire enormity of the castle that the coronation is being held in and also showing the masses of elves that are celebrating the coronation. The camera techniques used helps position the audience as it shows the landscape of the castle. This frame helps establish the ceremony which we are about to observe, giving the audience an insight of how grand the occasion is that it's being celebrated in a castle and the fact so many elves are attending.

The following scene cuts to a wide shot showing a closer image of the ceremony. This shot helps identify and grasp an understanding of the culture in Middle-Earth with leaves scattering the perimeter of the doors. Little detail like this enhances the effect of the nature of the environment. Knights are also included in the frame which signifies honour and loyalty, both aspects are connotations of a coronation which is about to take place. This frame gives the Middle-Earth culture a meaning and understanding.

The following frame is a close up of Gimley's reaction as Aragorn receives his crown. This frame creates meaning as it shows in close detail how important and precious this moment is considering Gimley and Aragorn have been great companions since the trilogy began. The close up shot gives the audience an insight of how important Aragorn's coronation is, something that wouldn't had been conveyed had it been a wide shot 10ft away.

A wide shot of Gandalf the Grey placing the crown upon Aragorn's head at slow pace is the next frame. The slow pace adds immediate effect and intensity as the audience as well as those in the castle watching are left anticipating Aragorn's coronation. If this was done at normal speed, the moment would seem less special, slower pace captures the overwhelming moment and allows everyone a chance to witness it, unable to miss it. Gandalf is clothed in white from head to toe whereas Aragorn is clothed in complete darkness, both powers contrasting each other. This colour contrast conveys the unification of every race at this ceremony.

A close up of Gandalf officially ending the coronation allows the audience to see the honour on his face and the pride in his eyes as he congratulates Aragorn as the King. A close up of Aragorn officially receiving his coronation and finally being crowned the King is the following frame. This creates meaning as it finally allows the audience to witness his shaking features due to the overwhelming achievement and lets the audience see how vulnerable and normal he really is, he is like everyone else in that crowd and shares the same sense of pride and patriotism. He is viewed in a different, more respectful light. This show begins as a High Angle shot which causes Aragorn to seem vulnerable as Gandalf as shown in a Low Angle shot portraying him still as the most powerful person in the Middle-Earth. However, the shot transitions to a Low Angle of Aragorn when he finally receives his crown immediately showing the change in power as he is the most powerful in the kingdom. In addition it allows the audience to reintroduce Aragorn the fighter as Aragorn The King.

The camera turns to face the crowd once Aragorn stands up as the King. This frame is a wide shot which shows the crowd's reaction to Aragorn facing them as the King. This creates meaning as it shows the genuine love and connection between the new King and His people.