Die Rückkehr des Königs

I really LIKED the whip song!!!

Considering this was a made-for-TV ANIMATED movie back in 1980, Rankin-Bass did an okay job trying to make amends for Ralph Bakshi's failure. R-B was hired to take the entire finale of LOTR and squeeze it down to under 90 minutes suitable for TV. By comparison, Peter Jackson spent over 90 million to make a 3 1/2 hour movie with a PG-13 rating.

R-B made some tough, hard, and brave decisions to pick what would stay, what would go, and what needed to be changed. Purists should stick with the books, but when you consider that Tolkien himself couldn't tell his whole story within the book and had to include appendices, it really isn't necessary to include every minute detail on TV.

The book spent over 100 pages just wrapping up all the "lose ends" after the ring was destroyed. The quest for the ring was the main plot, not dealing with Saruman, not resolving Aragorn's and Arwen's love, not even dealing with Legolas' and Gimli's bond. While these plots didn't make it to the movie and that's a shame, they are not essential to the main story.

I'm not saying the movie was GREAT. I still chuckle when I think that the actual RETURNING OF THE KING took a five second cameo, I stand by Rankin-Bass if only to pick up Ralph Bakshi's pieces, even in vain.

Having recently seen this version for the first time in a number of years, I can see its faults, but many of the reviewers here are way too hard on it. Tolkien's masterful trilogy was unfilmable in live action before the advent of CGI, but fans were clamoring for film versions anyway, and then hated them when they arrived. Oy veh! While this Rankin/Bass version was not as good as their THE HOBBIT, I still found it to be quite entertaining on its own level, as long as you don't compare it to Peter Jackson's impeccable epics. The voice cast was great, and it was quite ambitious for Rankin/Bass, known chiefly for their animated Christmas specials.

This film's haters should listen to the lyrics of one of Glenn Yarbrough's---It Is So Easy Not To Try. Rankin/Bass tried, and Tolkien fans who have expressed outrage over this would have been angrier if no one had tried back then. Everyone here needs to take a chill pill.

I first saw this movie when I was about four, and it has influenced the way I have felt about Tolkien for years and years and years. Yes, it has flaws - huge gaping flaws. Some of the plot lines aren't at all what they are in the book, and you jump into the end of the story and have absolutely no idea what went on before. It features the phial of Galadriel, for example, but doesn't mention who Galadriel is or how he got the phial in the first place.

But when you're four years old, what does that matter? For me, at least, it was a nice little introduction into Tolkien's epic trilogy. For parents out there, I won't lie to you - there are scary parts. I don't really remember being freaked out about it, though. Some kids might. Little boys will love it because of all the battle scenes, and little girls will love it because of Eowyn.

The scene with Eowyn and the ringwraith is very well done, in my opinion. Not completely like it was in the book, but very well done just the same. It shows us women that you can be beautiful and feminine and still kick some major butt.

Also the scene in which Sam is tempted by the ring is extremely dramatic. I'm glad that Sean Astin's performance more closely resembles this Sam rather than the 1978 Ralph Bakshi Sam. Sam is a loyal trustworthy friend who won't let people push him around without a fight, and not a gay lover.

So with all this in mind, I'd say that this movie is good for all ages. Adults who are fans of the book should see it, even if just for the sake of seeing it. I think it's more appropriate for children, though,to get them acquainted with Tolkien's work.

This is an animated version of Tolkien's Return of the King and parts of the Hobbit. It is not overly accurate nor thorough, but it is still quite memorable and enjoyable.

The movie starts with Bilbo's 129th birthday celebration. The guest list includes Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Elrond and Gandolf. The Minstrel of Gondor comes out and proceeds to sing. From there we are treated to flashbacks. First a flashback of events from the Hobbit, followed by events from Fellowship of the Ring and Two Towers. The story picks up during Sam's rescue of Frodo from the tower. We are treated to the Battle of Gondor, Frodo & Sam's trip to Mount Doom (through the lands of Mordor) and the Battle at the Black Gate.

This movie is mostly a patchwork of elements from the novel. There are some good voice talents being used. First and foremost is John Huston as Gandalf (and the narrator). One can also recognize Roddy McDowall as the voice of Samwise Gamgee. The voice of Gollum is also memorably done by Brother Theodore. These three characterizations (and voices) along with the music is what makes this movie truly memorable. The music is just so wonderful. I fondly remember my childhood watching this movie, in syndication on television during the mid to late 80's, and being simply captivated. It is quite evident that the target audience for this movie is children. While this movie is not perfect, it definitely opened the door for me to read the books and learn more. I highly recommend this movie to everyone.

-Celluloid Rehab

I have fond memories of watching this film as a kid. This was pre-2000s so Peter Jackson's Trilogy didn't exist yet. This movie, The Hobbit movie (made by the same people), and the movie Ralph Bakshi made, were the only movie versions of Tolkien's world available to me in my childhood.

I got that there were some differences between the books and the movies (my dad read the books to me as a kid), like the Black Riders looking like banshees, and not including Legolas or Gimli. But as I go older the differences became more apparent. Most of the main story is there, but it tends to exclude most non-Hobbit characters and condenses the overall story a bit.

Despite the departures from the source material, I really enjoyed how they depicted the temptation of the Ring. They did a better job (in my opinion) of showing how the Ring corrupts people's minds, that inner battle of the psyche, than the more outward portrayal in Peter Jackson's films.

John Huston will always be my favorite voice for Gandalf.

The battle between Eowyn and the Witch-King is actually more book accurate than in the Peter Jackson films. I really like this scene in the movie, and just how cool they made Eowyn here, despite her barely having any screen time.

I also really liked the Orcs. They look so creepy and menacing. The "Where the Wild Things Are" vibes are very strong. Also, the best non-Tolkien song to ever grace an adaptation is by far "Where There's A Whip There's A Way." This alone gives this movie a special place in my heart. It captures the miserable nature of the Orcs so well, striking the perfect balance of campy-ness, family friendly, yet diabolical tone, that makes villain songs so iconic. There are other great songs too that will forever live rent free in my head.

Not the Best Tolkien adaptation, but an excellent movie. Especially for younger audiences. It is a bit creepy, but way more kid friendly that the intense Peter Jackson films.