The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Lord of The Rings:
SCOD - 'I swore to protect you'

Artanis Rohan Aug 19 2009, 2:13pm Views: 766 SCOD - 'I swore to protect you' Welcome to Wednesday's Screencap of the Day! Here we have Frodo who has just managed to fend off Boromir and is now quite anxious as Aragorn approaches. And here is Aragorn again - proving he is a man of his word. 1.In the first pic if you were a movie first person did you fear for Frodo's safety as Aragorn approached? 2. In the first pic does the size of both characters seem believable - does the shot look real - are you convinced that if Frodo turned around you would see Elijah Wood? 3. In the second pic Aragorn bids Frodo to 'run' which is no suprise as we can see! The music changes quite dramatically here as we go from quite a tender moment between the two of them to one of danger and everything plays in slow motion for a few seconds. Looking at the picture we have though does the enemy look threatening for all the build up that has taken place? 4. If you can remember the slow motion in this scene did you find it distracting or would the tension not have built without it? Any other thoughts on this scene? Artanis

batik Tol Eressea Aug 19 2009, 3:11pm Views: 532 my hero.... 1.In the first pic if you were a movie first person did you fear for Frodo's safety as Aragorn approached? Don't remember! 2. In the first pic does the size of both characters seem believable - does the shot look real - are you convinced that if Frodo turned around you would see Elijah Wood? Oh, now...I never questioned this until I had the EE with all the commentary and appendices material. 3. In the second pic Aragorn bids Frodo to 'run' which is no suprise as we can see! The music changes quite dramatically here as we go from quite a tender moment between the two of them to one of danger and everything plays in slow motion for a few seconds. Looking at the picture we have though does the enemy look threatening for all the build up that has taken place? Well, heck yeah! That's a lot of folk to fend off! 4. If you can remember the slow motion in this scene did you find it distracting or would the tension not have built without it? I don't remember it being a distraction. A little slo-mo goes a long way. Any other thoughts on this scene? Although I don't remember some specific impressions of the scene, I do remember that overall it had (and still has) a big impact. Over the top? A bit. Does that bother me? Not a bit.

.Ithilwen. Rivendell Aug 19 2009, 3:12pm Views: 522 one of my favorite scenes 1.In the first pic if you were a movie first person did you fear for Frodo's safety as Aragorn approached? Not really. Actually not at all. Over the course of the movie I had grown to trust Aragorn. 2. In the first pic does the size of both characters seem believable - does the shot look real - are you convinced that if Frodo turned around you would see Elijah Wood? I think it does. The scale doubles were only in brief shots, but the closer I look I can tell that the body shape is different. 3. In the second pic Aragorn bids Frodo to 'run' which is no suprise as we can see! The music changes quite dramatically here as we go from quite a tender moment between the two of them to one of danger and everything plays in slow motion for a few seconds. Looking at the picture we have though does the enemy look threatening for all the build up that has taken place? I think the Uruk-Hai were fantastic! Very believeable (thank you Weta!). And I think creepy big dudes with swords and other weapons is pretty threatening. 4. If you can remember the slow motion in this scene did you find it distracting or would the tension not have built without it? I'm having a braing lapse...*goes on YouTube* Alrighty then, I think it was well placed and we got a closer look at Aragorn and Viggo's wonderful emotional face. Great shots Artanis! Live...Love...ROCK! \m/ 9500 words (and growing!) of pure fandom: http://www.lotrfanfiction.com/viewstory.php?sid=12544

grammaboodawg Immortal Aug 19 2009, 3:17pm Views: 520 Aragorn's moment As he approaches Frodo, he's shocked that Frodo would be wary of him. But it becomes his (Aragorn's) moment of choice... as Frodo's brought to each of the powerful who could have claimed the Ring. Gandalf in Bag End; Elrond in Rivendell (a deleted scene, I believe, when they spoke together before leaving); Galadriel in Lorien... and now here with Aragorn. However, Frodo does not withdraw the Ring as Aragorn approaches where he kept it hidden from Boromir. He's scared, but he waits for Aragorn's next move... intuitively knowing the danger was not coming from Aragorn. And the Ranger makes his choice to deny the Ring and fulfill his oath to protect Frodo... facing the Uruk army alone. *chills* Fantastic! "There is more in you of good than you know, child of the kindly West." ~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..." I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world. TORn's Observations Lists

Elberbeth Tol Eressea Aug 19 2009, 5:33pm Views: 532 Love this scene 1.In the first pic if you were a movie first person did you fear for Frodo's safety as Aragorn approached? Not a movie-firster, so, no. 2. In the first pic does the size of both characters seem believable - does the shot look real - are you convinced that if Frodo turned around you would see Elijah Wood? Yes, very well done -- but the more I watched the easier it gets to notice the difference. 3. In the second pic Aragorn bids Frodo to 'run' which is no suprise as we can see! The music changes quite dramatically here as we go from quite a tender moment between the two of them to one of danger and everything plays in slow motion for a few seconds. Looking at the picture we have though does the enemy look threatening for all the build up that has taken place? Are you kidding? An army of Uruk-Hai? Heck yeah. 4. If you can remember the slow motion in this scene did you find it distracting or would the tension not have built without it? I liked it a lot. I love Frodo's cloak swirl, and Aragorn challenging the orcs with his blade. "There are some things that it is better to begin than to refuse, even though the end may be dark."

EternalFlame55 The Shire Aug 19 2009, 6:57pm Views: 512 An Epic Scene!! (This is my first time doing one of these SCOD. Please forgive if my reply seems a little off.) I have to say firstly, that this is a very good scene from The Fellowship of the Ring. The whole last few minutes still has enough emotion and action to give me chills and leave me breathless. It's just amazing. But on to the questions right? 1. I was a movie person first, of course...and fairly young at that when I first saw this scene. (Only nine at the time.) So I don't quite remember my reaction to Aragorn popping up, but I do think that for a split second I did feel as though everyone wanted the ring and was against Frodo. But that all changed when Aragorn had a that sweet scene with him. 2. Yes. To a point. Only the hair seems more messier, but I'm picky...yes. I could be convenced that that was Elijah. :P 3. The picture you have chosen it seems as though Lurtz was waiting for Aragorn with *ALL* of his backup. And just thinking about it. Oh yes, it is very threatening and epic. 4. No I didn't find it distracting. I really enjoy the slow motion they have in the films. It's a very good touch, and in some scenes it works extreamly well. This is a good example really. :) No, I don't think the tension could have been the same without it. It just really was good on this scene. The only time I really hated the slow motion, and wish they had taken it out all together...was when Frodo was stabbed in Moria. (Seriously. Just let him fall already! My gosh!) So there we go. Those are my opinions. But seriously. Great scene. VERY great scene! I believe that Frodo carries the Ring, but in turn, Sam carries Frodo.

Artanis Rohan Aug 19 2009, 8:23pm Views: 490 Hmm yes when in the throws of watching the movies you don't really have too much time to consider the 'size' of everyone!! But, in these still shots you can take it in a bit more. They did do incredibly well at pulling it off! Artanis

Artanis Rohan Aug 19 2009, 8:27pm Views: 485 Ithilwen I had to watch the scene myself to get a feel for it, it's been ages since I last saw it. And yes, I think the closer you look the general body shape as opposed to the size is the thing that gives it away....but we'll forgive them that oh and yes the emotion in his face - wow - fantastic isn't it! Artanis

Artanis Rohan Aug 19 2009, 8:32pm Views: 510 Gramma.. Yes, I almost touched on that - the fact that Frodo leaves the ring on show - only for the gallant Aragorn to close Frodoo's hand over it. Wonderful moment. After reading your comment I could tell you were getting into the thrill of it - wonderful summary. Artanis

Artanis Rohan Aug 19 2009, 8:35pm Views: 480 Elberbeth.. Yes, the Uruk Hai do look rather menacing, and I love how the slow motion captures one of them taking a swipe for Aragorn. Certainly wouldn't want to meet them myself with nothing but a sword - Hoorah for Aragorn - what a hero! Artanis

Artanis Rohan Aug 19 2009, 8:42pm Views: 474 Welcome EternalFlame55 Welcome!! SCODs are so much fun!! Lurtz - he's such an interesting character, and you're right, he does appear to be waiting for Aragorn! Also I do like the slow motion on this scene a lot....I watched it about...ooooh 5 times today!!! In a small way it reminds of the the Narnia movie...the battle at the end is done in slow motion as they are charging towards each other, and then when they meet it goes back to normal speed. Both scenes have me on the edge of my seat!!! Artanis

weaver Half-elven Aug 19 2009, 10:09pm Views: 471 well, if you're "off" so are the rest of us! Enjoyed reading your replies, and your take on this scene. Welcome aboard -- hope to see more of you! Weaver

MidnightRanger The Shire Aug 19 2009, 10:12pm Views: 475 My thoughts... 1.In the first pic if you were a movie first person did you fear for Frodo's safety as Aragorn approached? I was a movie-firster, and honestly, I did not fear for Frodo as Aragorn came closer to him. First of all, Boromir had just tried to take the ring from Frodo. I didn't think it would happen again so soon. Why? Because Aragorn, like Faramir, is a human who is able to let go of greed and desire and put the greater good before himself. I had starting trusting Aragorn ever since he rescued Frodo on Weathertop. Look at it this way, Boromir wanted the ring for himself, but do you think that means he would have stood up to several Nazgul to protect the ringbearer? I'm not sure of that answer to that; but it would make a good debate. Regardless, Aragorn DID stand up to the Nazgul, and drove them off rather quickly. He also had a chance to take the ring in Moria when he and Frodo were stranded on the crumbling staircase alone. If he really wanted it, he could have taken it, since no one else could have gotten to Frodo to help him. So I think Aragorn was a human of true good, and therefore I never worried when he was around Frodo and the ring. 2. In the first pic does the size of both characters seem believable - does the shot look real - are you convinced that if Frodo turned around you would see Elijah Wood? Does the shot look real? Yes. Do I think if Frodo turned around I would see Elijah Wood? No. Why would I? Elijah is still in the same costume with the same makeup he was wearing in the last shot. It's not like they wrapped the last shot up, made him take his hobbit feet off and then filmed again. Pretty much, what makes this shot unique is that the camera is not shooting straight; it's on an angle. This angle makes Elijah look bigger and Viggo look smalled because of the depth perception of the shot. I had never really noticed the size of the characters until you actually pointed it out, and while I find it interesting, I wouldn't be surprised to see this kind of stuff happening more often throughout the films. It saves time in the editing suite on having to cut down on the sizes of the hobbits, therefore saving money. 3. In the second pic Aragorn bids Frodo to 'run' which is no surprise as we can see! The music changes quite dramatically here as we go from quite a tender moment between the two of them to one of danger and everything plays in slow motion for a few seconds. Looking at the picture we have though does the enemy look threatening for all the build up that has taken place? Um, yeah! We don't know where Boromir is, we don't exactly know where Frodo and Aragorn are, and we know that Legolas, Gimli and the rest of the hobbits are back at base camp. Plus, this is the first confrontation the Fellowship is having without their true leader, Gandalf. So, we know Aragorn has some skill with a blade at this point, but how can he stack up against the Uruk-Hai? We hadn't even seen a fight against orcs yet, only golblins, who are pretty pathetic when it comes to fighting. So now we have Aragorn staring at a ruthless bunch of well over one hundred Uruk-Hai. As a movie-firster, I actually thought Aragorn was in serious trouble, and that Legolas had better haul ass to bail him out. 4. If you can remember the slow motion in this scene did you find it distracting or would the tension not have built without it? As I said in the last SCOD (the one about Boromir/Agornath), the scene when I first saw the Agornath really got my interest in LOTR going, until that, I had been rather bored with the story. But once this scene took place with Aragorn and Frodo, I was hooked! The slow motion, to me, added to the drama. It added a nice effect, mostly because they used it for a few seconds and then it was over and done with; back to full speed. It wasn't like, just for argument's sake, The Legend of the Seeker, where Richard Cypher is almost always in slow motion to start a battle, usually finishing at full speed. But in LOTR, we see Aragorn walking in slow motion for maybe ten to fifteen seconds, and that's it. So, since it happened so little, I don't think it was distracting at all, but rather, built to the importance of what was taking place.

weaver Half-elven Aug 19 2009, 10:15pm Views: 514 tricksy scene... I think Frodo's pretty paranoid here, and "seeing" Aragorn as potentially threatening; I love that edge that Viggo's voice has though, which is a little harsher than his usual tone. He's on edge, too, as now that Gandalf's gone, it's up to him to make sure the Ring is safe. I also love that very confident and resolved look on Aragorn's face as he turns around to face all those Uruks -- the hoards of these guys are nothing compared to the test he just passed, about whether or not he could resist the Ring. He's overcome his doubts about himself -- and able to accept his heritage at last, at least to recognize that there is a noble part of it as well as a dark side (Love how he shouts Elendil! as he leaps down to attack all these guys...) One of the all time best scenes in the film! Weaver

Lily Fairbairn Half-elven Aug 20 2009, 7:52pm Views: 476 I agree that this is a great scene And to think it was added by the filmmakers! While not all their changes and additions are beneficial, this one is, showing Aragorn's growth and giving him a sort of closure. From this point on he no longer doubts himself. As a book-firster I never thought Aragorn was going to take the ring, although, as a book-firster, I had a "say what?" moment, and then a moment hoping Jackson, et. al, hadn't set up a completely artifical confrontation here. But then, all within the merest fraction, I thought, "Yeah! Well done!" The change to the original text works beautifully, not least because of Mortensen's and Wood's acting skills. * * * * * * * Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight? A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!

Artanis Rohan Aug 20 2009, 9:33pm Views: 457 Midnight Ranger... you made some really interesting points - especially about the ring. I hadn't thought about the fact that Aragorn had had ample opportunity to take the ring if he really wanted to! Artanis

Artanis Rohan Aug 20 2009, 9:36pm Views: 444 Yes.. he does have a slightly harsher voice - well spotted. Oh, yes that 'look' - wow! It's one of those scenes that makes me want to 'growl' along with him! LOL Artanis

Artanis Rohan Aug 20 2009, 9:39pm Views: 466 I was a movie firster, so I sort of knew vaguely that Aragorn was a goody...but whether at that particular point (in such a long film!!) he would do the right thing I really wasn't sure!!! Artanis

Lossefalme Gondor Aug 21 2009, 2:32pm Views: 451 OMG I love this scene! I actually just watched this last week while I was on vacation and it still moves me. I am a book-firster by far, but the tension was still there because it was wonderfully acted. Aragorn is my favorite book and movie character and I think my hero does a brilliant job here. It must be in the next set of caps, but we're very close to one of my all-time favorite moments when Aragorn faces all those Uruk-hai and does his super-cool sword thing...awesome stuff. I remember the whole scene quite clearly and there honestly isn't anything I would change about it. The way it was filmed added to the drama and tension of the moment. The music, as usual, was amazing. I found all those Uruk-hai appearing so close to the Ring-bearer, (and of course to Aragorn), commpletely terrifying, even knowing that they were safe! I can't imagine how it must have been for Frodo; already feeling overwhelmed, scared, and guilty! Hobbits could never in their wildest dreams imagine the world that existed beyond the Shire. Of course I also knew that this was the beginning of the end for the Fellowship, which added to my own sense of forboding. Great SCOD, Artanis. Thanks! P.S. I took a second and found it! Sooo cool. Hmmm. Is it just me, or has it been awhile since our last E.I. thread???? *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

JRandomRohirrim Rohan Aug 22 2009, 12:49am Views: 440 This Was the Scene Where I Was Convinced What a Strong Actor Mortensen Was It's a great, great moment in the movie. Sadly, the huge number of orcs on the attack that followed went too far in the "impossible odds" direction. Pittsburgh Flicks - Making Movies in the 'Burgh http://www.pghflicks.com

Lossefalme Gondor Aug 22 2009, 12:53am Views: 436 Yeah, I know. Mr. Losse said that it reminded him of a martial arts movie when one guy is attacked by a gazzillion. I don't care, though. Aragorn is still my hero! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Aragorn threw back his cloak. The elven-sheath glittered as he grasped it, and the bright blade of Andúril shone like a sudden flame as he swept it out. “Elendil!” he cried. “I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dúnadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil’s son of Gondor. Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!” TTT, Book III, Chapter 2 And Éomer answered: “Since the day when you rose before me out of the green grass of the downs I have loved you, and that love shall not fail.” RotK, Book VI, Chapter 5

batik Tol Eressea Aug 22 2009, 12:59am Views: 436 Um--what's an EI thread?//

Lossefalme Gondor Aug 22 2009, 1:04am Views: 441 Oh my! You're in for a treat! EI stands for Estrogen Island and is a thread of pictures of hot men. I'll start one over in Off Topics and you'll get the idea. It's a very nice thread! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Aragorn threw back his cloak. The elven-sheath glittered as he grasped it, and the bright blade of Andúril shone like a sudden flame as he swept it out. “Elendil!” he cried. “I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dúnadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil’s son of Gondor. Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!” TTT, Book III, Chapter 2 And Éomer answered: “Since the day when you rose before me out of the green grass of the downs I have loved you, and that love shall not fail.” RotK, Book VI, Chapter 5

Artanis Rohan Aug 22 2009, 8:23pm Views: 417 I'm glad... you posted that pic - makes you want to cheer him on! And yes having all the Uruk-hai so close - very scarey! It was a 'heart in throat" feeling....for a second you're watching a tender moment and suddenly it changes - excellent! Artanis

Artanis Rohan Aug 22 2009, 8:25pm Views: 398 Yes, I know what you mean... //   Artanis

Loresilme Valinor Aug 24 2009, 5:47pm Views: 136 The Ring of Barahir In one of our previous discussions on this scene, someone pointed out that when Aragorn covers The One Ring with his hand, indicating his rejection of it and any power it would bring him, that we see the Ring of Barahir that he wears, which is a symbol of the power that Aragorn *already* has, through his lineage. I apologize for not being able to find it / give credit to the person who originally stated it. But it was such an important idea, I wanted to share it here. Great SCOD, and one of the best scenes. Viggo is extraordinary in his ability to convey so much using only facial expression and yet it is never overdone.