When Michael Bay saw The Fellowship of the Ring, he realized that his use of a love triangle to add emotional tension and make the movie more attractive was a huge mistake. There were many better ways to do it, but he chose the most boring one!
Michael Bay decided to watch The Fellowship of the Ring a few more times. As a typical commercial director, he could feel that the movie would likely be a huge hit. Perhaps some techniques used by Duke Rosenberg in this film could be adapted for use in his own future productions.
At this moment, Michael Bay was only thinking about the movie, completely forgetting everything else.
This indirectly confirmed that a successful director must be someone who is focused and continuously willing to learn and improve.
A soft female voice chanting echoed throughout the Golden Forest, and the moment Queen Galadriel appeared, it captivated the audience's attention. When an actor appears on the big screen, it often feels completely different from normal, and Cate Blanchett perfectly portrayed the merciful, understanding, yet slightly arrogant and willful elf queen.
"The casting is very fitting," Peter had long forgotten the reason he was watching the film, fully immersed in it. "Everyone in the film seems like real characters from Middle-Earth."
Brad Miller couldn't take his eyes off the screen and simply nodded slightly.
The film had already captured his attention!
When facing the One Ring, Queen Galadriel resisted its temptation and the allure of power, gifting the Fellowship a series of supplies to strengthen their readiness. The Fellowship did not stay too long in the Golden Wood and continued forward by boat.
Similar to the focus on Gandalf before entering the Mines of Moria, the camera now shifted its focus to Boromir. Those who hadn't read the original text and understood cinematic language could easily guess that this warrior from Gondor was unlikely to make it to the end of the journey.
Moreover, the previous scenes in the snowy mountains and Golden Wood had already set up the temptation of the One Ring on Boromir.
Compared to the original, Legolas had more screen time. In Brad Miller's view, Boromir's character change seemed a bit significant. From earlier lines and scenes, it was clear that he wanted to protect Gondor and his desire for the One Ring wasn't solely because of temptation but because he wanted to use its power to protect his country.
It seemed as though Boromir was headed down the tragic hero path.
However, Brad Miller didn't have time to think much more, as another scene—purely a setting—had already shocked him into silence!
This was the Doors of Argonath, with the massive statues of Isildur and Anárion appearing so grand. As Aragorn and the others sailed past, they looked so tiny.
Just like the wooden ship in Titanic, the technique used here was contrast. The models used for filming were not very large, but with the addition of CGI and live-action footage, the Gates of Argonath looked extraordinarily grand!
The camera slowly zoomed in on the statues. The carvings and weathering were very noticeable, and the special effects were meticulously done, showcasing some of the top-tier film effects of the time!
As the magnificent scene flashed by, Brad Miller couldn't help but clap his hands. Peter and Shiller beside him also clapped, and soon, more people joined in, with applause erupting like thunder.
In that moment, Brad Miller felt a level of excitement he'd never experienced before. After reading the literary masterpiece, everyone would form their own mental images and fantasies. In his dreams, he had entered Middle-Earth countless times to experience the fantasy world Tolkien created, unleashing all his imagination.
But today, all those imaginations had become reality, and reality was even more grand and sweeping than anything his mind could have imagined!
This was a Middle-Earth beyond his wildest dreams!
Forget about the notion that adaptations can't alter the original text! Forget about the belief that directors can ruin epic novels! Forget about the assumption that an action-driven director like him couldn't handle a fantasy epic!
It was in this emotional moment that Brad Miller finally admitted that the film was far more exciting than the novel!
Forget all the protests!
He just wanted to enjoy the movie—enjoy this epic that surpassed even the limits of his imagination!
"I will never protest again! Never again!"
Peter seemed to be saying this to himself, though it was almost as if he was saying it to Miller. "Kill me, but I'll never protest against a movie like this again!"
Brad Miller nodded in agreement. "From now on, I'm not just a book fan. I'll also be a fan of The Lord of the Rings movies!"
Before the final climax, the film had already conquered the two protesters. In Norman Shiller's eyes, this was nothing unusual. From the moment he fell in love with Duke's films, he had seen countless people overwhelmed by his work.
This was Duke's charm, wasn't it?
Shiller turned his head to glance at the two beside him, then refocused, his attention fully locked on the screen. The film was now entering the final climactic stage!
The Fellowship entered a forest near the shore, and the greatest internal conflict erupted. Boromir took the opportunity when Frodo was separated to attempt to seize the One Ring, but Frodo escaped. The Ring-bearer then met Aragorn, who, in the face of the One Ring's temptation, did not repeat his ancestors' mistakes and made up his mind to let Frodo go alone.
Orcs from Isengard pursued the Fellowship, and the final battle began.
Like all the previous fights, this one followed the typical medieval European style. However, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli all had distinct fighting styles, especially Legolas, whose actions were the focal point of the camera, with many close-ups.
Legolas was elegant and nimble, every shot with his bow causing women in the audience to gasp in admiration.
"He really is handsome!" Ivanka suddenly whispered in Duke's ear.
Duke shrugged. "I remember when we were in New Zealand, Orlando invited you out for dinner."
"But I refused!" Ivanka said firmly. "I don't like these flower-boy types."
Merry and Pippin, in an attempt to protect Frodo, were surrounded by Orcs. At the moment of crisis, Boromir rushed in from the flank, rescuing the two Hobbits, but was trapped in a battle of numbers, blowing the horn of Gondor for help.
Before Aragorn and the others could arrive, another figure had already reached the scene!
"That's the Orc playing kissy-face with Aragorn!"
Norman Shiller immediately recognized him, though the Orc on screen was nothing like the cute, playful version seen in posters and videos. Instead, he was vicious, with murderous intent, holding a deadly bow!
This was a bow that could kill!
By now, the audience knew that Boromir's life was about to end. They had complex feelings for the character, unsure whether he was meeting a self-inflicted death or dying heroically. It was hard to say.
The Orc drew his bow, and an arrow flew like a shooting star, striking Boromir in the chest.
Despite being struck in a vital area, Boromir kept fighting, determined to protect the Hobbits behind him.
Another arrow left the bow, striking Boromir again. But he did not give up, continuing to fight off the Orcs with his sword, even as his strength waned, his life slipping away. He was honoring his oath at the Council of Elrond to protect every member of the Fellowship with the sword of Gondor!
At the same time, he was using his sword to maintain his honor!
In slow-motion, another arrow hit Boromir, and Merry and Pippin, with tears in their eyes, tried to reach him, but they were taken by the Orcs. Three arrows struck vital points, and even a man of Gondor couldn't survive. Boromir knelt on the ground, his strength spent, waiting for the Orc chief to deliver the final blow.
"He's a hero!"
Shiller couldn't help but say. "He's not a coward, not a traitor. He's a hero!"
"Yes! That's exactly right!"
Though deeply influenced by Tolkien's views in the original, the film's emotional scenes were deeply moving. Brad Miller agreed with Shiller's words. "Boromir is a hero!"
Without the Horn of Gondor sounding or flags raised in the White City, without the White Tree blooming, and without the Horn being split in two, the second member of the Fellowship, Boromir, reached the end of his life.
But heroes shouldn't die so helplessly. Even though he earned the audience's approval, he didn't receive the recognition in the film!
At the crucial moment, Aragorn arrived, and with his excellent swordsmanship, he killed the Orc chief.
The most emotional moment of the first part arrived—the death of Boromir, which rekindled the resolve to return the king!
"I don't know how much power I have, but I swear to you, I will never let the White City fall, and I will never let our people perish!"
This was the oath of a king!
Every person's transformation requires a process. For Aragorn, moving from the ranger who avoided his fate to finally accepting his return to Gondor, the death of Boromir had more impact than the counsel of Arwen or Galadriel.
The death of one hero stirred another hero's determination to return, and Aragorn no longer avoided his fate.
"I will follow you, my brother, my leader, my king…"
Boromir's dying oath was undoubtedly an emotional tool, and the film used Aragorn's words to acknowledge him. "Rest in peace, son of Gondor."
Tears slowly flowed down Brad Miller's cheeks. Perhaps only the most die-hard fans of The Lord of the Rings could understand the feelings he had at this moment. Although Boromir was the character most changed in the film, he didn't protest at all. Instead, he felt that the changes made the entire Lord of the Rings story even more compelling!
He fully accepted Boromir's changes, and it was undoubtedly the highlight of the first part!
The film reached its end. The Fellowship suffered significant setbacks: Gandalf and Boromir died, Sam and Frodo went off alone, and Merry and Pippin were captured by Orcs.
The Fellowship of the Ring had reached its conclusion, but the journey through Middle-Earth had just begun. Aragorn, wearing Boromir's Gondor gauntlet, set off with Gimli and Legolas to hunt the Orcs and rescue Merry and Pippin.
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