Lord Of The Rings Research Project

Table of Contents

1.     Abstract

2.     Introduction

3.     Cinematic

4.     Dramatic

5.     Literary

6.     Conclusion

7.     Works Cited

In Lord Of The Rings; Return Of the King, A film Adaptation of the book by J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter Jackson uses Literary, cinematic, and dramatic elements to create verisimilitude in a fantasy genre style movie. By using Frodo, Aragorn, and Arwen, Jackson develops the idea of realism into the viewers mind by creating important details in film. By using these elements he is able to demonstrate the struggle between perseverance and commitment.

Frodo is a prome example of cinematic elements. When we see Frodo throughout the movie, he is often dirty, sweaty and tired. Even through Frodo is thought to be the “hero” Jackson wanted to make sure that Frodo was not seen as pure and clean. If you pay close attention, it seems as though Frodo becomes dirtier as the film progresses. This is because the ring slowly takes more and more of Frodo away from Sam.  When Frodo and Sam are in Mordor, it closes in on Frodo scratching at his neck, and you are able to see burn/ irritation marks where the chain that holds the rings lays. Jackson did this because he wanted the audience to see that it was a great burden to Frodo. A camera angle that Jackson uses several times, when Frodo says something meaningful, is that he has Frodo look over his left shoulder. This is often said when Frodo is saying something to Sam, and you can see the genuine innocence in his eyes, and the lighting also portrays an angelic-like appearance.

Aragorn is used to demonstrate the struggle to commit. Aragorn does not want to become the king of Gondor, because is ashamed of what his ancestor, Isildor has done to the race of man. Aragorn would fit under dramatic elements mostly, because Viggo Mortenson, the actor that olays Aragorn, spent many hours off set with the horses, so that he could become more familiar with them; which is important because throughout the film Aragorn is seen countless times on horseback. Another important detail I have seen in Aragorn’s role is that he often speaks in Elven language. I believe Jackson did this to demonstrate that Tolkien had invented an entire language.

Jackson uses Arwen literarily to show that if you decide to persevere something you should be prepared to commit to it. When Arwen was on her journey to the undying lands, she had s vision of a life she didn’t know yet. The one that was to be her future is she stayed in middle earth. It was her, Aragorn, and their son. At that moment, Arwen decided to go back to Rivendale to be with her father until the battle of evil was over, and Aragorn could return to her. This is an important element because many people today are faced with this choice, of wanting one thing but not knowing if they can achieve it.

Another very important part in establishing the Cinematic element in Return of The King was Minas Tirith. I read the books, and I had always imagined it as a pearly white city, so I think that the way the design team had created it fit many people’s imaginations of what it would be like. Jackson and his team made sure that every detail would not go unseen, especially because a majority of the film takes place at this location (even details such as the Rat-catchers hut, which weren’t supposed to happen). Everyone marvelled at the beauty of Minas Tirith, and modeled it after the way ancient roman empire buildings were. This ties in with my thesis statement because mankind wanted to keep Minas Tirith, but weren’t sure that they would be able to save it, but with Gandalf and Aragorn’s help they were able to ensure the safety of man.

In conclusion, both Peter Jackson and J.R.R Tolkien used different effects literarily, cinematographically and dramatically to show the many struggles between perseverance and commitment.  Without the cinematic effects in the movie, it would be less interesting and not as easy to get the point across. The dramatic elements also help to keep the reader entertained. Literary elements give depth to the story line, and help the audience to understand the deeper meaning to what you are really seeing.

Cited Works

1.      Jackson, P. (2003). The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

2.      Tolkien, J. R. R. (1955). Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. England: George Allen & Unwin.