The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Lord of The Rings:
'Cosy and comforting': LOTR as a feelgood movie



Eledhwen
Forum Admin / Moderator


Oct 13 2025, 8:57pm


Views: 16665
'Cosy and comforting': LOTR as a feelgood movie
From The Guardian: ‘Cosy and comforting’: why The Fellowship of the Ring is my feelgood movie
Can't say I disagree with the writer's thoughts on this!
Storm clouds


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Oct 14 2025, 3:15am


Views: 16651
That is so well-written.
Even the bit about her warring parents was delightful. Laugh

I too think that FOTR is the strongest of the three films: it has a tight story with all the protagonists together and feels the most grounded, whereas the TTT's story is a little bitsy and ROTK goes a little overboard with some of the visuals.

But as a trilogy, it's (overall) my favourite movie of all time.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.

Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo

My LOTR fan-fiction


(This post was edited by Ataahua on Oct 14 2025, 3:16am)


Eledhwen
Forum Admin / Moderator


Oct 14 2025, 7:46am


Views: 16642
Agree on all counts!
I enjoyed reading through the comments too, most of whom backed up the column, although there are a few nitpickers who are bemoaning no Tom Bombadil.
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CuriousG
Gondolin


Nov 9 2025, 8:59pm


Views: 12605
Remarkably well-written for a Guardian movie opinion
I like Guardian news writing in general, but their movie/TV opinion writers can be very sloppy and even childish at times. This one was a gem, and not just because I agree with her.

I particularly liked her observation about FOTR:
Quote
Most people I know agree that Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy is as close as we will ever get to cinematic perfection. Even on the small screen, the sweeping grandeur of the scenery is breathtaking and the emotional undercurrent that drives every scene pulls you out of your living room and into Middle-Earth.
I think that nails something I could never articulate: "the emotional undercurrent that drives every scene" in FOTR. As the 1st movie, it does a lot more than just introduce the huge cast of characters for non-book audiences. And we don't need to see every micro-relationship spelled out: does Pippin get along with Legolas? What does Sam think of Gimli's beard? It doesn't matter! You just feel swept along somehow that they're all heroic in some way, they'll always support each other even if they squabble, and whatever they're going to do will be epic and wonderful and an exciting adventure. I get that feeling every time I watch.


Ethel Duath
Gondolin


Nov 11 2025, 1:54am


Views: 12505
Yes.
Yes, yes.


Ioreth
Ossiriand

Dec 22 2025, 11:49am


Views: 1115
ROTK for me
I love all three and know where I can take breaks (hate violence) but for me the most impact will always be ROTK.

I am a crying mess at the rolling of those beautiful end credits of ROTK. EVERY single time - and I have watched these films countless times. LOTS of places in ROTK where I just tear up - especially in the Extended version!

FOTR does have a bit too much violence and unneccessary bombastic parts for my weird taste, but I still love most of it anyway :)


CuriousG
Gondolin


Dec 22 2025, 7:13pm


Views: 1104
What parts are tearful, for example?
I find myself, not every time, but sometimes smitten with a sort of mushy choking in my throat when Pippin goes to find Merry after the battle at Minas Tirith. I have no idea why--I know Merry's alive and will live and will be found and healed, and I know they're friends. I really can't figure it out. But something about it is incredibly sad and sentimental.

The actual ending at the Havens, with Frodo sailing off with the others, always seems sad. I know all the canon stuff, and "he's going to a better place, etc," but he seems so out of place as a hobbit among these solemn Elves and solemn Gandalf and Bilbo who doesn't seem like he'll last much longer, and I can't fight the sense that no matter how peaceful and luxurious and angelic the West will be, he'll still be a stranger in a strange land (until Sam shows up years later). So, bittersweet ending, which I hated as a teenager but can appreciate as an adult, but still sad.


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Dec 23 2025, 8:12pm


Views: 990
For me it's the charge of the Rohirrim.
That aerial shot of them riding to death and glory - gets me every time.
Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded beggar with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.

Fantasy novel - The Arcanist's Tattoo

My LOTR fan-fiction