Theoden's army charges through a huge orc army while Minas Tirith lays besieged. Full HD 1080p. This is from the extended edition. (subtitles available)
"Form ranks you maggots! Pikes in front, archers behind" There was more strategy in this one command than the entire plan for the Battle of Winterfell.
The entire setup of the Battle of Winterfell was so backwards I’m surprised a group of guys from the battle of Agincourt or Hastings didn’t come back to life and take D&Ds heads for their lack of knowledge
@@somebody700 if they had the Dothraki somehow try to attack the undead flanks (which seems impossible considering they were a literal wall of bodies when attacking the unsullied) that would have made more sense. The Unsullied, well you really can’t do much with spearman other than what they did do. However, my BIGGEST gripe is the catapults, you must be special to put the outside the damn walls. The archers were good on the wall. As an overall battle it could have been much better
But when you consider Return of the King's cinema run in 2003, there really was no better film to watch on the big screen. For the sheer magnitude of an epic fantastical adventure, and the amalgamation of feelings it presented to the audience, Return of the King is disputably the greatest cinematic experience ever created. No matter how hyperbolic that may sound, it feels very true.
I don't deny any of that but what I'm saying is, it'll still be as good for people in the future, just like today we can still appreciate masterpieces like Citizen Kane or Mozart's music.
Took my son to see a LOTR marathon in the theater last year. It was his first time seeing it. When I looked over to him during this scene, he was having trouble holding back the tears. That was a proud father moment I will never forget.
@@kayarminserjoie226 He was 14 at the time, and it was a few years overdue. I think 10 would probably be fine, but you know your son best and what he can handle . Nevertheless, it's a great movie and even better when you can share it with your kids :)
Lore-wise, chanting "death" had a double meaning. Yes, they were charging towards certain death. But also in the Tolkien universe, death is actually a good thing. You go to a place of eternal happiness and bliss and even the elves don't know what happens to you. Morgoth and Sauron both worked to corrupt death's meaning however and make men fear it. This is actually how Sauron destroyed Numenor, making men fear death. So when Theodan and company chant "DEATH!" at the top of their lungs, they're actually defying Sauron/Morgoth and demonstrating faith to Eä. So it is a war chant, but it's also supposed to be symbolic of mankind's defiance of evil.
IKR? I dunno why people get so angry when they are told that Endgame Portals scene is the closest thing to this masterpiece in terms of epicness, music, sense of heroism and thirst of war, geez we should acknowledge it :c
Tacticalsquad 5 I personally love the Endgame scene because it’s beings from all over the universe coming together to take out the biggest villain they have faced. I love this scene because I’m just a sucker for epic charges into battle. Also, I’ve never seen a single army literally trample over an opposing army. This is just my preference, but I prefer charge scenes where both armies clash with each other, like GOT’s Battle of the Bastards, The Lion the With and the Wardrobe, and ultimately, Endgame. I love both scenes, but I would prefer Endgame’s one. I had literal chills during that while the Rohirrim charge didn’t give me chills. Like I’ve said, personal preference.
Alexander G.M. Endgame didn’t really have the same feeling of epicness Tbh Also, the music in Lotr is far better than any soundtrack in avengers or in the mcu. With all respect, but ride of rohirrim scene is better than endgame as a movie itself. I did love endgame tho.
battle of the bastards was good action hell yeah. but the plotline, any reader of the book was disgusted by the writing, the writing of season 6 was drivel from hollywood. LOTR written decades ago, Sansa riding in like gandalf at fucking battle of helms deep. its too easy to guess what happens next, such shit, (talking about game of thrones season 6*)
@@animeman8203 I missed cinema releases for all three LOTR. But I saw the 1st Hobbit film in the cinema, also my 1st 3D exp. The film was good, but I didn't really like the 3D aspect. I thought it kind of got in the way of the film, if that makes sense, so the rest I just watched normally!
I was 11 years old seeing this opening weekend in the cold December of 2003. The theater was packed and we were at the third bottom center row at the top of the theater. This scene is one of the top 5 greatest moments I ever experienced in the cinema. The sound was like an earthquake that next door auditoriums could feel the vibration. The audience was in awe and cheered louder than a game at the superbowl. That was the moment my balls dropped and I saw the power and strength of what real men (and women) could do. It was that awesome! I remember one person shouted when it cut back to Denathor "THAT WAS SO FUCKIN COOL!"
The production quality of the entire LOTR movie series is insane for the years they were produced in. Watched them all again recently, absolutely amazing!
It shows you what you can achieve with passionate people behind the project. People will say it's all about the money and yes, it helps, but there's been films with similar budgets that have gotten nowhere near the quality of the LOTR trilogy. From director to set designer, from costume personal and audio engineers. All of them had one goal, to make the best film they possibly could, and they did
Most of the money these days goes to padding the executive pockets rather than the movie itself. Look at the budget of every single one of the recent Star Wars movies for instance. The Rings of Power. The list goes on. You can have twice the budget, many of these movies do, and you still can't hold a candle to what Peter Jackson and his team achieved a full 20+ years ago - Fellowship will be coming up on 25 in just like a year or two
Never forget that in the books, Theoden blew his horn so hard that it "burst asunder". This guy was so badass and hyped up that he shattered a war horn by blowing too hard. What a legend
@John Smith given that your ex had such a talent I'm sure you had a good reason for demoting her to ex.... "I need a girlfriend you're it until you're dead or till I find somebody better"
Now silently the host of Rohan moved forward into the field of Gondor, pouring in slowly but steadily.... After a while the king led his men away somewhat eastward, to come between the fires of the siege and the outer fields. Still they were unchallenged, and still Théoden gave no signal.... A smell of burning was in the air and a very shadow of death. The horses were uneasy. But the king sat upon Snowmane, motionless, gazing upon the agony of Minas Tirith, as if stricken suddenly by anguish, or by dread. He seemed to shrink down, cowed by age. Merry himself felt as if a great weight of horror and doubt had settled on him.... They were too late! Too late was worse than never!.... Then suddenly Merry felt it at last, beyond doubt: a change. Wind was in his face! Light was glimmering.... But at that same moment there was a flash, as if lightning had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, its topmost tower like a glittering needle: and then as the darkness closed again there came rolling over the fields a great boom. At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before: Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains. Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and the darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.
It's not even close to certain death. Without the elephants showing up later on it would have been a decisive, crushing and overwhelming victory. The battle of Vienna has showed how effective an unexpected mass cavalry charge is against infantry focussed on besieging and attacking a walled city. Even if outnumbered greatly you can still score a decisive victory.
5:11 one of my favourite throwaway shots of the movie. Even after (frankly) saying the greatest calvalry charge speech in all of movie history, Theoden has genuine concern on his face. It really encapsulates that bravery is being afraid, but going forth anyways
Definitely. And Merry's face just after. Breathing heavy but a focus mind and filled with a mix of nerves, adrenaline and anticipation. Brilliant acting.
Hahahahahahahahahahahh bro you made me laugh so hard !!!! I literally watch this scene every time I’m finishing my cardio and I run, and I feel one with the rohirrim for those few minutes and I run faster than I ever can normally !! After that speech, accepting death, a sore next day, imagining my companions getting shot at by orcs, oof you will run like never before, forth eorlingas and for frodo !!!
18 years since this came out and still, there hasnt been a scene or movie that comes close to the epic grandeur of this movie. Truly one of if not the greatest movie ever made
The goat trilogy easy.. all three movies are up there in the greatest of all time list too. Jackson and the cast and new line all owe major thanks for delivering these movies. Truly great.
Bro, I would kill to see a reaction of the people in theatres back in 2003 when they witnessed this moment for the first time.. it must have been insane
Check your local theaters, this year is de 20th anniversary for Fellowship of the Ring and here in Mexico they are putting all three movies back to the theaters just for a couple days
Arise, arise, Riders of Theoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! The other part of the speech is from when Eomer discovers his sister, gravely wounded on the field. He goes back into the battle shouting: ‘Death!Ride, ride to ruin and the world’s ending!’
Because so much of this isn't CG they made more than 6000 suits of armour and more than 10,000 swords. They put so so so much effort in all the props and it just works beautifully.
If you really want to sob, do Theoden “how did it come to this?” Then Gandalf rescuing the retreating forces from Osgiliath, then Helm’s Deep Forth Eorlingas, then Theoden on the symbeline on the graves, then Minas Tirith Rohirrim, and then finish with Gandalf's advice to Frodo in Moria. It’s made me, a grown ass man, weep.
"Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn. And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last."
@@MD-md4th I love this part: "Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and the darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City." In Polish and English both are epic. True poetry. Beauty.
Now that folks was a cavalry charge! Majestic and unparalleled cinema…I wish I could experience the trilogy in a huge theatre for the first time again.
Fuuun fact: for the filming of this, Peter Jackson offered people who had a horse and could ride to play a part in this scene as one of the army. thats probably also why they were so enthusiastic
Whenever I talk about this scene I bring up how unnerving this would be SPECIFICALLY for the orc army. A force that has met no challenge because of fear. A force that strategizes around striking crippling fear in the hearts of its enemies, and the riders of Rohan stand unafraid.
@@patrickhughes9304 That's the problem with the orc's strategy, a cornered animal is the most fearsome beast, you take down your enemy with a swift move and don't let them regroup in a corner with no scape, if there's no other option then your men will always march foward.
@@patrickhughes9304 remember that in the lore orcs are supposed to be bread without the emotion of fear but the Riders of Rohan we're still able to strike it into their putrid Blackhearts with their righteous Fury
Suddenly at winterfell the night king is about to kill bran, the walls are shattered, and suddenly a horn sounds in the distance. Theoden has joined the game.
Well only a complete moron would have the dothraki charge like that, so either every battle planner in winterfell is an idiot, or the screenwriters abadoned logic for a cool scene, I wonder which it is
This, in my opinion, is well and truly, the greatest scene in cinematic history. The fullfilment of Gondor's call, the disproving of Elrond's doubts in men, a fantastic motivational speech, the acceptance of death but determination in the face of it's near certainty, the beautiful horn sound announcing the arrival of the rohirrim when all hope seems lost and Gandalf seems doomed, and cap it off with the absolutely remarkable musical score to go behind the largest scale battle charge in cinema. It's a straight up banquet of perfection. I shed a tear or three every single time I watch this and am determind to watch this film performed by Orchestra in the Royal Albert Hall when I next get the chance.
@@mandalorian1994 I get chills every damn time. Nothing can top it, and partly I think it is because from their perspective, it's hopeless but that doesn't mean they give up. They know that Frodo and Sam need every minute of distraction they can give them.
King Theoden to me had the best character development of all. His lost a son, got possessed by Saruman and got his people cornered and almost wiped out. But helped turned the tide in the pivotal moment in the war of the ring.
I saw this in one of the Seattle theatres 3 days after the movie came out. Holy shit, was it an experience. So many people were cheering and having a grand ol' time. Sadly, we very rarely see that anymore.
Fun fact the writer solved that by saying the past ancestors rose the king to inhuman abilities, like shouting loud enough that even gondor could hear him
Actually I am pretty sure that's precisely what the experience of a cavalryman in the back would have been. Getting your orders to your troops was always a tricky part of battle. Led to a lot of spectacular failures.
One of the reasons this scene works so well is the use of leitmotif. When we first heard Shore's "Rohan" theme in The Two Towers, it was a heartbroken lament for lost glory in a country that had lost its way and was effectively leaderless. Here the theme returns, but it has been repurposed as an anthem of rediscovered strength, pride, duty and confidence. This is about a people remembering who they once were and doing what they do best, and the score supports the moment magnificently.
@@minizimi3790 Was watching Fellowship tonight with the wife. I noticed that there is a somber, but hopeful version of the Gondor theme played when Boromir speaks of the white city. It's so good.
There are many aspects of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy that deserve the very best of plaudits, but one thing that continues to bring me back to these videos over 20 years later is the incredible music. A true masterpiece is so many ways.
@@JW-jd6sn i can understand that but people didn’t literally go insane. Best movie scene for me since ever, but I won’t buy hypnotism. I won’t abandon reason.
***** I'm not sure. I can't really decide... I just think that saying this scene is the greatest in cinema history is ignoring hundreds of millions of movies that came before and after this movie, and I'm just saying that it is implausible. I'm sorry if you were genuinely curious about what I think is the best scene, because I really can't produce a top 5 list (so many movies are so good). However, if you are asking this question because you believe that this is the best scene, I have one thing to say: *start watching more movies*. Every masterpiece and classic you watch will make it feel like THAT was the best movie/scene ever, until you watch another classic, and you'll think that this movie was the best, then on and on. The (fun) ride never ends. Saying that this scene is possibly the best ever is extremely self-limiting and close minded. I never said that it's a bad scene; It's definitely a great scene, but cmon, the *best* ever? Well, everyone has his/her favorites and opinions, so it's all good.
Bought the DVD set as Special Extended Edition when I visited Queestown NZ in 2009 and I am still have it for my sons to experience the greatest fantastic movies ever.
+The Arab Scientific todays war cant be compared with the past most of the times u dont see you enemy you dont know what is killing you you just take the smell of blood in the air mixed with explosives dust dirt and metal the smell of burned human flesh it is way more horrible and disgusting in modern war. In this middle age wars u die by force which u could compete to u have kind of an usefull armor u dont smell and witness burned and exploded corpses of your comrades
The passage from the book adds to the absolute majesty of this scene: At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before: Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains. Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.
Tolkien writes like a biblical story teller of old. So much weight and majesty in his words. No wonder these movies were depicted as epicly as they were.
this for me is one of the, if not the best scene in the movie, you just felt the heart beat of them getting ready, i had forgotten all about them until this. The best trilogy of all movies.
The most profound part is them not shouting death to the enemy, they're shouting death to themselves. They believed that they will lose, the world will end, they will all die. Speech to a glorious death, not to victory Probably why they won, ironically
Believing in inevitable death is indeed a very powerful motivator. It's why the Americans had a lot of trouble fighting Japanese in WW2 - they welcomed an honorable death by taking the enemy down with them
To an extent yes,but in the Silmarillion it is said that Eru's gift to men was death,and the people of Rohan believed in Eru and the Valar and the stories of old,so they are welcoming their "gift"
Whoever posted this, thank you for understanding the importance of context. The Rohirrim charge doesn't have the same impact if you don't feel the hopelessness of the warriors prior to their arrival.
Absolutely agree. The emotional impact of this scene derives from this hopelesness of the Rohirrim, who attack, knowing it will be their certain death. This is the cause why I have been always bothered by the shot on 05:15, which depicts wayyyyy more Rohirrim than it should be. There were approximately 6000 Rohirrim on the Battle of the Pelennor, which were "thrice outnumbered by the Haradrim alone". In given shot you see what? 80.000 Riders? 200.000 Riders? That being said, it's my favorite scene of all time.
Al Andalus the original comment was about the hopelessness of the soldiers in minas tirith, the rohirrim are more like vikings who sought out death in battle without fear so that they could get a good afterlife so they ride into battle with hope and without fear in this scene
Al Andalus Obviously there's way of counting but if you look at how big each of the riders are in that shot and count a small area, I would assume there were no more than 10,000.
@@redpandarampage2191 Well I don't know. In the picture at 05:16 I estimate that the army is about 50 rows strong. Under this assumption, your estimate of 10,000 horsemen would mean that the army is only 200 horsemen wide. In given shot, however, the army seems to me to be much wider, apart from the fact that you see only about half of the army (assuming that theoden rides in the middle of the army.) However, this my own estimate also shows me, that my claim of 80,000-200,000 visualized riders is also great nonsense. :D Again it turns out that it is difficult to estimate large crowds, especially when they are on horseback. As an experienced visitor of stadiums with the capacity of 50.000, I still claim that there are more than 6.000 riders on that shot.
@@jole5468 in the book (the naturally superior version) Eomer spots Minas Tirith on fire and the Rohirim are on the verge of turning around. However Theoden rouses them with another speech (the death speech is Eomer's from later) and they resign themselves to probably dying but fighting to help their eternal ally. Theoden even says even if they are too late they can at least stop the Easterlings and Orcs from feasting in the Tower.
Gotta love how Théoden's whole speech is just them saying to the Orcs that they know they are outnumbered, they know that they may fail, and they know that they may all die but that they don't care, they don't fear death and that they will ride for their final time without fear.
Bruh they didn't just think that they may fail, they literally EXPECTED to fail, and that's what makes this truly awesome- that literally nothing is holding them back now, not even the fear of death.
The single greatest moment in cinema right here. I can't even count the amount of times I've watched this but I can tell you without a doubt how many times I've watched without tears in my eyes and a smile on my face: 0.
If they had used the literal text of Tolkien's dialog throughout the movies, they wouldn't have worked; it would have felt by turns stiff and archaic. But there are a few places where the original text IS used, and Theoden's speech is one of them. It's absolutely the right choice for the scene.
Except for the part of "ride now! Ride to ruin and the world's ending! Death! Death!", in the book Eomer says that when he charges against the enemy after seeing Eowyn apparently dead on the field. He says that because he has no more reason to live after his sister's death, that's why he charges to annihilate the enemy
tolkein's text is used all over the movies. It works really well for the most part. mainly is that you don't needs tons of verbal explanation in a film so word for word book to movie scenes are rare.
@Human Cancerbag funny enough, this old ass movie still has better scenes than Got lol. I never got on the hype train for that show, because I was spoiled by This beauty of a trilogy ;)
@Human Cancerbag Preach. The whining in the comments is just off the charts. Game of thrones is awesome and I loved the battle of Winterfell. This is just meh. I fell asleep seeing lotr movies.Who even wants to watch a damn movie more than 3 hours
@vaderglenn It's basically The LotR's fault that I'm unable to enjoy GoT. The show just feels like a longer, less epic version of these movies. That's at least how I feel.
Just imagine how the Gondor soldiers feel right now. You've been barely holding on again an onslaught and suddenly you see thousands of elite calvary on the horizon. The morale boost Gondor got must have been massive
Alec Duquette absolutely! Look at 0:31. Those soldiers stuck atop the walls helpless firing arrows down on the waves of orcs. Their comrades pulled back to the upper levels, leaving them stranded. I’ve always wanted a spin off or a short story about the Gondor soldiers on this wall above the gate, experiencing exactly what you described. Fighting all night long and the dawn coming , hearing the horns and seeing Rohan on the horizon. Amazing feeling that must have been. Then having a front row seat for the charge wow
I wish they showed that! Gondor realizing Rohan came to their aid with no less than 10,000 elite riders! Even if it wasn’t enough to beat Sauron’s army, it definitely was a moral boost seeing the Rohan army charging !
In the books, with arrival of Rohan, Gondor footman also starts a counter attack and push the enemy back to the Rammas Echor (surrounding the whole fields, omitted in the movie) but they are over run until somebody arrives.
This is based on the real life siege of Vienna, where the Austrians held out under siege for three months. On the day of battle, the wall had been breached and they were fighting desperately against an Ottoman army that vastly outnumbered them. Then the Polish calvalry, ten thousand strong and lead by the Winged Hussars, smashed into the Ottoman line and completely shattered them. The Austrian soldiers wept when they saw them on the hill. It's also where Sabaton's song Winged Hussars was inspired.
The presentation of this entire charge was so well done and amazing to watch. I'm so glad I got to watch it in theaters when this came out, the theater I was in erupted in screaming when this happened.
People will NEVER understand what this moment was like on opening night in theaters in 2003. The energy in that room was lightning. Everyone was crying, cheering, standing in the aisles. God damn the stoke level was above the stratosphere. I’ve never seen anything else like it, except perhaps later in this same movie when Eowyn kills the Witch King, when Sam carries Frodo, and when The Ring is finally destroyed.
I remember at the end of the movie, the entire movie stood and applauded. For at least a few minutes, people clapped and cheered for a movie. I've never seen anything like it
Theoden was badass. Dude was the true definition of a leader. Lead his army to battle from the front line without any fear or hesitation. I would've followed him to death too if I was a rider of Rohan.
@@robinsonsupermarket3684 Gustavus Adolfus Magnus of Sweden, King Sobrievsky IV of Poland, William the Conqueror of England (initially of Normandy), Saint Louis of France, Charles Quint of the Holy Roman Empire, Charlemagne of France, Richard Lionheart of England, etc... The list goes on. Not all king fought in the front lines, but when they did it truly was a sight to behold... And history is full of such epicness
Bernard Hill seems to end up playing characters with no fear. Captain Smith of the Titanic, Theoden, then MI5 agent Jennings (a guy who unhesitatingly rolls a wounded villain on a hand grenade and jumps on him to block the explosion).
I watch this scene once every month. When I'm in despair . When I lose the will power to move further. When my mind says give up. That's when I watch this. Full volume. It brings tears and goosebumps . The Lord of the Rings has helped me battle depression. I'm blessed .
As a millenial who was 13 in the theaters, this was the greatest movie-going moment in our history. The theater rumbled with the ride, everyone in a packed theater cheered their hearts out, and when they hit the orcs, you could feel it. 10/10 best movie experiences ever. Sad for the Gen Z who never experienced it. This was our Endgame.
@@oompers9 Of course it isnt. They dont make movies today like they did back then. My point, were probably gonna grow old and look back on this like they will do with whatever is important to them. But, they dont make movies like this anymore, risk sounding like a boomer.
Agreed! They are replaying the trilogy in my hometown starting this weekend. Hope some youngsters get to be there with me and see this on the big screen.
This is still the only scene in cinematic history that gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes every. single. time. There have been others, but after watching them a few times, the goosebumps disappear. But this. This is a masterpiece, and it will never become just 'another charge scene'. This is THE charge scene.
I can't help but imagine being Merry in this very situation. Just a year ago you were goofing around with your buddies in the shire and now you are charging head first into the biggest battle since milleniums past in a huge army of riled up rohirrim. You can see how nervous he is and then how he goes with the flow of the situation and with the speech and the whole army screaming at the top of their lungs, he get's as hyped up as everyone. Imagine actually being in a situation like that. How that must feel...
@@howielowis458 Same. I read the books right before I saw the movies. I know the first time I read this scene that it was the best scene and I would ever read and would become the best scene in any movie. I was right.
howie lowis This is why Gandalf was so fond of Hobbits. They are difficult to rouse, bu when they are, there are no truer people to have standing beside you.
One of the reasons I think we love Lord of the Rings so much is how EARNEST it is. Movies these days are so afraid of being "cheesy" that they do everything in their power to avoid morals like "love and friendship are the most powerful forces in the world". And even when those are the morals, they do their damnedest to turn them into a joke! But in LOTR, there's none of that. Courage, honor, love, and friendship are the most powerful forces in the world, and we get to see it in all it's glory right here. I love this story. I love this movie!
A lot of it is from the writing. Tolkien fought in WWI, which is why he was able to write larger-than-life fantasy with that wide eyed earnestness... It wasn't any more fantastic or apocalyptic than his experiences.
I pretty much agree completely with your statement, but i think chris evans as Captain America captures some of that magic and sticks to his ideals with friendship and honor throughout his and the avengers films, wish we could see some of that in the star wars franchise.
Game of Thrones Producers: Battle of Winterfell would featture the largest battle ever filmed. Rohirim Riders: Pfff hold my Mead... DEEEAAAAATH!! 16 years and counting, the best war scenes are from TLOTR this is the way you do epic battles.
Always love this scene. And it is somehow even better in the books. "In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face. All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínen. "You cannot enter here," said Gandalf, and the huge shadow halted. "Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your Master. Go!" The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter. "Old fool!" he said. "Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!" And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the city, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn. And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns, in dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the north wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last."
the book says nothing about the beta nazgul, Sauron's lil b!tch, throwing Gandalf off his horse and shattering his stick. And the reason for that is because Gandalf is an ancient Spirit like Sauron and Balrogs, only younger than the gods themself. Plus Gandalf has an elven ring. So it's laughable that the Witch King, who is nothing but a corrupt shadow, once a human, could do anything against Gandalf.
@@Iamallwaysright1 While I agree that Gandalf would not have been thrown off his horse like that, (language for one, please) Gandalf was actually as old as the gods. As a Maia, he is one of the Ainur, just lesser in power. Also: While his powers were limited by his task, he was more or less alone with that Nazgzul, so no reason not to send it back to Sauron whimpering and he previously had kicked pretty much the whole wraith squad about at weathertop, a few days before Frodo, Strider and the others arrived there.
@@kiwwat4139 The difference is that the Nazgul were still really weak at the Weathertop, they were nowhere close to their full strenght. As the War against Men progressed, Sauron's power grew and with it the might of his Nazguls. Also there was nothing Gandalf could do against the lord of Nazgul commanding an army. One on one sure, I guess he wins, but not in this setting, when he has a city to defend, broken men to command, crazed steward to keep in check and basically all sort of shit he has to deal with at the same time.
@@marekmaly2337 Yes, Gandalf alone couldn't beat an army, both in terms of Olorin's full power and because he simply wasn't allowed to as Gandalf. But he beat a Balrog, even in this weaker form. At the gate of Minas Tirith, Gandalf could not have banished the Lord of the nine himself, because it was his task to lead and inspire, not to win the battles of men for them, but as this scene was shown in the movies, alone with Pippin, by some random battlement, he could have driven the Witch King away easily, at least forced him to retreat to his forces, like he did before with the four or five that were attacking the fleeing Osgiliath garrison. Gandalf was far more powerful than the Nazgul, he bore a great elven ring of fire, he played roughly in the same league as Sauron, even as a Maia, he was weaker than Sauron and as Gandalf restricted in what he could do, but he played in the same league (Tolkien wrote that if Gandalf took the Ring, a direct confrontation between Sauron and Gandalf would have been a close run thing). In the books he wrestles with Sauron's will for a time while Frodo is on the seeing seat of Amon Sun, I believe, and prevents the Dark Lord (2) from finding the ring there and then. Also, I'd be interested where in the book it reads that the Nazgul increased in power, because I really have forgotten that part. Been a while since I read these...
I’m a film graduate and lifelong film fan, and throughout my time I’ve seen easily over 1000 films, and this is still my all time favourite scene in the whole of cinema. The way the scene slowly builds, the impassioned speech from Theodan is enough to make you want to ride into battle alongside him. As the charge commences the way the theme of Rohan piles in just leaves chills on the spine. We see the faces of those who for most know they are riding into death, but the cries of ‘DEATH’ offers not fear but adrenaline, what a goddam scene
Hey long shot but but you wouldn't happen to have the extended editions on VHS would you I'm sure that some one would buy them one eBay long shot but there very expensive ok
I fully agree. Beginning with the Wraith-monologue about mankind and its weaknesses to the sounding horn of the riders in the upcoming dawn. No, mankind is not done yet. Much power by the evil forces in LotR is gained not by doing physical damage but more on a psychological level (spreading fear and hopelessness). And that's when Theoden is kicking in. He is not a hero in a supernatural way by any means like Aragorn for instance and he has got his flaws and (many) personal failures. To a degree, one may say he is a prototype of a normal human being (besides being born as a king of course). When these ordinary men, although warriors, but still men who fear and might despair, stand together for this charge, it is the turning point and Sauron's demise. Oh, and I love the way his commanding style is portrayed: Cold professionalism on the one hand, however, on the other hand warmth and empathy (the shift within the score empahizes this so beautifully). Last but not least, Bernard Hill's acting performance is just outstanding; especially in the moment when Theoden watches the battlefield: His facial expression encapsulates perfectly all his insecurity, doubts, fear, maybe even hopelessness, but also at same moment his determination, willingness to fight until the end and ultimatively overcoming the evil's sources of power. Theoden represents basically all the traits humanity has to offer for this battle. Everytime I watch this scene, I think to myself: Sauron's so fucked.
Exact reason why this is my favourite scene in cinema, a pure masterclass of filming and storytelling. An excellent showing of the courage of man; Theoden could’ve easily stayed at Edoras as he wasn’t too keen on Gondor as we saw in his exchange with Aragorn on the walls of Helms Deep but come ROTK he knows they must band together after being helped by elves at Helms Deep. I also love the scene where Aragorn leaves for the undead army and Rohan’s lieutenants and men despair, Theoden agrees that they do not have enough men to win, his line of “but we will meet them in battle nonetheless” gives me chills as does the charge 👌👌
Imagine behing high up in Minas Tirith, fighting all night and hearing that horn ring off. You look down and see an army of 6,000 horses charge full speed into the invading orcs, must have been quite the morale booster
It was in the book. Prince Imrahil and his swan knights led the charge out of the city, followed by all the city infantry. Theoden killed the king of the Haradrim and hewed down their banner. Even after the Witch-King died, Gothmog the second-in-command called in his reserves from across the river, and cut off and surrounded the Rohirrim and Gondorian forces from retreating. It looked bad, until Aragorn and the rest of the Gondorian troops from the other regions of the kingdom arrived in the black ships. Even then, it still took until sunset to finish off the enemy army.
''Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn. And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last. ''
The scene none of us deserved!!!! The theatre I was at went absolutely bonkers during this scene! I definitely remember tears. A rohirrim stampede could always turned the tide of a battle
I really wonder how some people could think Rohirrim is 100% based on Anglo-saxons or Visigoths while they wear lamellar armours and segmented helmets, use composite bows and nomadic cavalry tactics including horse archers and 100% cavalry armies because Anglo-saxons nor Visigoths had none of those!! On the other hand Nomadic nations had all of them, such as Seljuks had a 100% cavalry army in battle of Manzikert. But ofc those armours, bows and cavalry armies etc don't exist in the book rather it is Peter Jackson's imagination while did Peter also imagine semi-nomadic life style of Rohirrim as well? How they don't depend on nor build castles rather face the enemy in pitched battles and use them when only needed, such as Rohirrim didn't build Hornburg at all rather it is an ancient Gondorian castle that Rohirrim maintained poorly and used it when there was no other option. And who actually used such a tactic in history, Anglo-saxons or Visigoths??? Nope, it was once again Seljuks who poorly maintained Byzantine castles and only used them when needed!! Ofc Rohirrim isn't 100% Seljuks rather their language is old English or they build wooden towns while Seljuks never ever built wooden towns rather stone ones. But it can be easily said Rohirrim resemble Seljuks way more than Anglo-saxons or Visigoths...
@Ben Kenobi Mongols were also a nomadic nation so you are correct they also used pretty much all of those tactics and equipments but there was a major difference between Mongols and Seljuks that Mongols weren't trying to find a new homeland like Seljuks, instead they were only interested plundering and subjugating other nations. And it is why Mongol army was very different than Seljuk army with tens of thousands subjugated foot soldiers, engineers, slaves which allowed them to rapidly construct siege engines and conquer ctities one after another as with every conquered city their army was actually becoming larger not smaller with casualties!! But local populations hated them insanely so as soon as Cenghis Khan died there were rebellions all over the empire and Mongol empire collapsed in several decades. Seljuks however acted very tolerantly towards local populations which allowed them to settle in those lands without facing rebellions and resistance constantly but they faced severe manpower problems and it's known Seljuk beys were traveling all the way back to central Asia to recruit more soldiers and often hire Arabic and Armenian mercenaries. While the problem was mercenaries weren't interested fighting against massive Byzantine empire in a risky pitched battle and dying rather they wanted to conquer cities and plunder them so in pitched battles against Byzantine empire Seljuks often had 100% cavalry armies like battle of Manzikert. So i think rohirrim resemble Seljuks more than Mongols but they could be Huns as well.
I love the dichotomy between the men and orcs. The riders are spurring their horses faster and faster to close while the orcs shuffle in trepidation. Both side knows death awaits but only one side fears it.
This is wonderfully put. I know they didn’t fear death. I know they chant for it. But to juxtapose that with the orcs is so obvious but something I never put together. I watch this sometimes when I want to cry and just love something. I think “Courage for our friends” is just amazing. Something I aspire to one day live up to. Anyway very good point
Oh no the Rohirrim fear it but they're choosing to embrace that fear and meet death head on because it's a price that must be paid to obtain the peace they hope for all
Rest in peace, Bernard Hill. You were one of many actors who made my childhood, but you and King Theoden showed me what masculinity, leadership and the power of words truly is. Ride forth good SIr.
@@zachlewis9751 Well Zach, once upon a time LOTR was "Nerd" or "Geek" and in America that's a good swirly or worse, glad you didn't live through that, and well, we READ the book, no movies. Now all the bullies all in on LOTR and the movies. SO thank God Jackson for that, eh?
Sometimes it's easy to forget the sheer size of horses until you're up close. They're solid muscle standing 7 or 8 feet tall. Thousands at full sprint would be an insane crushing force.
FiringallCylinders Thats why they were stopped by most shield walls with spikes, Horses are faster than men, horses are dumber than men. Romans had cavalry for flanking, arabian forces were know for horse archers. Winged hussars long spears to counter reach of enemy spears. Vikings horses for transport and horse archers. Egypt chariots, more options, 2 people or a heavier man. Horses are extremely tactical. Elephants would do the job. Hannibal
SanFrancisco Bay shield walls on their own would be crushed by horses because of their sheer size and muscle and shield and pikes didn't destroy them completely either they slogged them down slowing and killing the horses making them easy to kill a phalanx on the other hand obliterated cavalry because of the length of their pikes and the fact that there where multiple and the horse couldn't get close
I've seen a shire horse about 8 feet, probably exceeding 2 thousand fuckin pounds. He was free-running around in the field and the sheer sound and force of its body and hooves moving about were simply breathtaking.
If mount and blade is a good simulator for medieval combat. I'm pretty sure you can skewer the horsemen with your pikes. Cavalry only works well if the enemy is untrained to stand it's ground.
Its 2024, and I'm no longer a spry youngster, but a father of three but man, I still feel goosebumps. The Ride of the Rohirrim will always be a classic.
The way the Witch-King turns and looks at Gandalf after hearing the horns always gives me chills. To me it shows two things: 1) the Witch-King felt a moment of panic upon hearing the reinforcements of men 2) in that moment, the Witch-King judged the Rohirrim to be a bigger threat than Gandalf the White
To me it always looked like a sort of ‘I’ll deal with you later.’ kind of moment. That as much as he’d like to immediately follow through on his threat, he knows that the newcomer demands his attention. But an unspoken threat to return and finish what he started.
@@rustkarl Same, it was definitely a look of, "I'll finish you off later, have more pressing matters." Definitely would've returned to finish him off if he could.
@@reminiscer15 Really good use of body language. You can tell that he’s almost reluctant to give up his prey, but as a commander he knows that rationally he must address the new threat.
@@rustkarl Except it's fucked compared to the established canon set down by Tolkien. Gandalf was FAR above the Witch King in strength. That scene is only for the peanut gallery.
@@gonzostrangelove6107 If you ignore the surrounding circumstances yes. Like for example the limitations set upon the Istari when in Middle Earth. More than simply the order to advise and guide without seeking leadership, the very bodies they took left them vulnerable to the weaknesses of human life. They were also forbidden from matching Sauron and his thralls with open display of power, a curb on their ability to fight directly, instead their mission was to guide the Free People to do it themselves. Part of the reason why he was in his own words ‘barely involved’ in dealing with Smaug. The Balrog, being a remnant of the War of Wrath is an exception to this rule. There’s also the matter of the Witch King being empowered in some way that is mentioned in Tolkien’s letters, I can only assume that it was power from Sauron should the Witch-King encounter Gandalf or someone dangerous enough to warrant it. The movie goes to show a brief taste of this disparity in power to accentuate Minas Tirith in its darkest hour.
It’s been 84 years… and this scene brings me to tears every time. Whoever reads this comment and ever got to experience ‘the back up’ to turn up to help you… you know. You lived.
![The Lord of the Rings (2003) - Haradrims vs Rohan army (The Mumakil) [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Jl8TiA3RwIY/mqdefault.jpg)
"Form ranks you maggots! Pikes in front, archers behind"
There was more strategy in this one command than the entire plan for the Battle of Winterfell.
Particularly considering that Orcs aren’t exactly the most disciplined of fighters.
The entire setup of the Battle of Winterfell was so backwards I’m surprised a group of guys from the battle of Agincourt or Hastings didn’t come back to life and take D&Ds heads for their lack of knowledge
@@somebody700 if they had the Dothraki somehow try to attack the undead flanks (which seems impossible considering they were a literal wall of bodies when attacking the unsullied) that would have made more sense. The Unsullied, well you really can’t do much with spearman other than what they did do. However, my BIGGEST gripe is the catapults, you must be special to put the outside the damn walls. The archers were good on the wall. As an overall battle it could have been much better
@@somebody700 wasn’t the final season
@@somebody700 that was in season 7 no?
Just a reminder that the ride of the rohirrim was so epic that even the Witch King didnt want to miss it
Straight facts hes like ph shit imma miss it
@@Vergil_6 don't say ph, you remind me of that thing T_T
"hey man, Gandalf, time out dude, time out, I gotta see this, man, this is gonna be good"
Brilliant comment
True, he let Gandalf go just to watch it 😂
Born too late to explore the earth and too early to explore the galaxy but just the right time to see this masterpiece.
Haha well put my man
Well said
I mean.... I appreciate your intention and all... but people from the future will get to see this masterpiece AND explore the galaxy.
But when you consider Return of the King's cinema run in 2003, there really was no better film to watch on the big screen. For the sheer magnitude of an epic fantastical adventure, and the amalgamation of feelings it presented to the audience, Return of the King is disputably the greatest cinematic experience ever created. No matter how hyperbolic that may sound, it feels very true.
I don't deny any of that but what I'm saying is, it'll still be as good for people in the future, just like today we can still appreciate masterpieces like Citizen Kane or Mozart's music.
Took my son to see a LOTR marathon in the theater last year. It was his first time seeing it. When I looked over to him during this scene, he was having trouble holding back the tears. That was a proud father moment I will never forget.
Oh man. That gets me just thinking about getting to do that with my son. Cannot wait. Cheers to you fellow dad!
For Frodo
How old was your son when you showed it to him? Mine is 7, I'm trying to figure out if I should show it to him at ten or possibly sooner?
@@kayarminserjoie226 He was 14 at the time, and it was a few years overdue. I think 10 would probably be fine, but you know your son best and what he can handle . Nevertheless, it's a great movie and even better when you can share it with your kids :)
@@RJres thanks mate, I'm looking forward to that day 🤞
Screaming "DEATH" three times before charging an army that size does not get any more badass.
i think ur wrong.. That makes them fight without the fear of death anymore
Sir. We are surrounded and outnumbered.
Well that's a pity. For them.
actually they were screaming death during the entire charge.
What about screaming it four times though?
Conquer your Fear,and I promise you you'll conquere Death.
Lore-wise, chanting "death" had a double meaning. Yes, they were charging towards certain death. But also in the Tolkien universe, death is actually a good thing. You go to a place of eternal happiness and bliss and even the elves don't know what happens to you. Morgoth and Sauron both worked to corrupt death's meaning however and make men fear it. This is actually how Sauron destroyed Numenor, making men fear death. So when Theodan and company chant "DEATH!" at the top of their lungs, they're actually defying Sauron/Morgoth and demonstrating faith to Eä. So it is a war chant, but it's also supposed to be symbolic of mankind's defiance of evil.
Dude i love you so fucking much for this comment
I got chills reading this comment. You a writer or something?
Thanks for the insight, that just added so much more depth into what was already a really meaningful scene.
DEAAAAAAAAAAAAAATH!!!!!!
In the Tolkien universe, Death was referred to as the “Gift of Men”, and seen as a blessing by the elves and the higher beings, not a curse.
Endgame: The portals scene is the best charge scene in cinema
Return of the King: Hold my second breakfast
imo ROTK is still number 1 but damm Endgame was hella epic 2
As soon as I saw the portals the first thing that came to mind was this scene.
IKR? I dunno why people get so angry when they are told that Endgame Portals scene is the closest thing to this masterpiece in terms of epicness, music, sense of heroism and thirst of war, geez we should acknowledge it :c
Tacticalsquad 5 I personally love the Endgame scene because it’s beings from all over the universe coming together to take out the biggest villain they have faced.
I love this scene because I’m just a sucker for epic charges into battle. Also, I’ve never seen a single army literally trample over an opposing army.
This is just my preference, but I prefer charge scenes where both armies clash with each other, like GOT’s Battle of the Bastards, The Lion the With and the Wardrobe, and ultimately, Endgame.
I love both scenes, but I would prefer Endgame’s one. I had literal chills during that while the Rohirrim charge didn’t give me chills. Like I’ve said, personal preference.
Alexander G.M. Endgame didn’t really have the same feeling of epicness Tbh
Also, the music in Lotr is far better than any soundtrack in avengers or in the mcu.
With all respect, but ride of rohirrim scene is better than endgame as a movie itself.
I did love endgame tho.
Sadly, this year, we lost Bernard Hill (King Theodin) this May. He was 79 years old.
[Raises mug filled with mead]
Hail the Victorious Dead!
Hail! 🍻
😢
HAIL
I didn't know that thanks for the update
HAIL!
If I ever see a movie moment greater than this than I will be a happy dude. Its been 13 years and nothing has come close...
Caldor3 well to be fair most films these days are garbage
Caldor3 the second one is superior :c
Caldor3 GOT battle of bastards almost as epic as this scene is
battle of the bastards was good action hell yeah. but the plotline, any reader of the book was disgusted by the writing, the writing of season 6 was drivel from hollywood. LOTR written decades ago, Sansa riding in like gandalf at fucking battle of helms deep. its too easy to guess what happens next, such shit, (talking about game of thrones season 6*)
The Darth Vader scene in Rogue One actually comes pretty close.
EDIT: And now we have the Avengers Assemble scene from Endgame.
I envy people who can still see this movie for the first time
give me amnesia, or give me death. I can never see it again "for the first time" :(
That's why I've been watching '1st time react videos'. Whoah that's epic!! You're still in the 1st film, just you wait!! :D
I was one of them. As a kid I saw this in theaters.
@@animeman8203 I missed cinema releases for all three LOTR. But I saw the 1st Hobbit film in the cinema, also my 1st 3D exp. The film was good, but I didn't really like the 3D aspect. I thought it kind of got in the way of the film, if that makes sense, so the rest I just watched normally!
I was 11 years old seeing this opening weekend in the cold December of 2003. The theater was packed and we were at the third bottom center row at the top of the theater. This scene is one of the top 5 greatest moments I ever experienced in the cinema. The sound was like an earthquake that next door auditoriums could feel the vibration. The audience was in awe and cheered louder than a game at the superbowl. That was the moment my balls dropped and I saw the power and strength of what real men (and women) could do. It was that awesome! I remember one person shouted when it cut back to Denathor "THAT WAS SO FUCKIN COOL!"
LOTR2: What about a great Rohirrim entrance?
Rest of movies: You already had it...
LOTR3: We had one yes, what about a second great Rohirrim entrance?
I understood that reference.
@@mohamedayoubneggaz1581 And I understood your reference.
Fits right in with a second breakfast
@@Coorniable and I am ironman
This is the best comment I've seen 😂
The production quality of the entire LOTR movie series is insane for the years they were produced in. Watched them all again recently, absolutely amazing!
It shows you what you can achieve with passionate people behind the project. People will say it's all about the money and yes, it helps, but there's been films with similar budgets that have gotten nowhere near the quality of the LOTR trilogy. From director to set designer, from costume personal and audio engineers. All of them had one goal, to make the best film they possibly could, and they did
Most of the money these days goes to padding the executive pockets rather than the movie itself. Look at the budget of every single one of the recent Star Wars movies for instance. The Rings of Power. The list goes on. You can have twice the budget, many of these movies do, and you still can't hold a candle to what Peter Jackson and his team achieved a full 20+ years ago - Fellowship will be coming up on 25 in just like a year or two
Every man has a medieval dream. Nothing in sci-fi or modern warfare would make your blood boil like this, not even close.
it makes you angry? which is what boiling blood implies
@@jordanlimantara1814 The term can also be used to describe an intense passion.
Absolutely brother
I think your wrong
@@jasonskeans3327 I think you are a liberal
Never forget that in the books, Theoden blew his horn so hard that it "burst asunder". This guy was so badass and hyped up that he shattered a war horn by blowing too hard. What a legend
Good point! Think that might also have been a sly call-back by Tolkien to the Song of Roland - similar stuff with a horn (tho no orcs).
I'm sure he can suck a golf-ball through a garden hose
@John Smith given that your ex had such a talent I'm sure you had a good reason for demoting her to ex....
"I need a girlfriend you're it until you're dead or till I find somebody better"
@@highlander723
Lol, nice Starship Troopers reference!
Now silently the host of Rohan moved forward into the field of Gondor, pouring in slowly but steadily....
After a while the king led his men away somewhat eastward, to come between the fires of the siege and the outer fields. Still they were unchallenged, and still Théoden gave no signal.... A smell of burning was in the air and a very shadow of death. The horses were uneasy. But the king sat upon Snowmane, motionless, gazing upon the agony of Minas Tirith, as if stricken suddenly by anguish, or by dread. He seemed to shrink down, cowed by age. Merry himself felt as if a great weight of horror and doubt had settled on him.... They were too late! Too late was worse than never!....
Then suddenly Merry felt it at last, beyond doubt: a change. Wind was in his face! Light was glimmering....
But at that same moment there was a flash, as if lightning had sprung from the earth beneath the City. For a searing second it stood dazzling far off in black and white, its topmost tower like a glittering needle: and then as the darkness closed again there came rolling over the fields a great boom.
At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before:
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains.
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and the darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.
What makes this scene so emotional? Duty, courage and certain death. The final push against darkness with their brave king leading the charge.
"Certainty of death, small chance of success, what are we waiting for?" - Gimli, son of Gloin
SaltyPotato lmfao
Nah, it's the score. I do love me some Howard Shore
Also the fact thats the first time the humans attack, up until this point they were always in the defense.
It's not even close to certain death. Without the elephants showing up later on it would have been a decisive, crushing and overwhelming victory. The battle of Vienna has showed how effective an unexpected mass cavalry charge is against infantry focussed on besieging and attacking a walled city. Even if outnumbered greatly you can still score a decisive victory.
5:11 one of my favourite throwaway shots of the movie. Even after (frankly) saying the greatest calvalry charge speech in all of movie history, Theoden has genuine concern on his face. It really encapsulates that bravery is being afraid, but going forth anyways
Literally bro is like “shitshitshitshitshit”😂😂 charges anyway
Definitely. And Merry's face just after. Breathing heavy but a focus mind and filled with a mix of nerves, adrenaline and anticipation. Brilliant acting.
This is the only scene, out of the thousands of films I've seen, to make me shed some manly tears.
WeimTime I'm right with you there, bud.
What about the end of Gladiator
Brandon Luu wasn't really good
not even close
WeimTime agreed, even though I'm only 11 years old :3
Seeing a king lead his army mustve been a great morale boost and a nice buff +10% melee damage
Try 100% lol
+20 damage
Also plus 30% haste
If you played Battle for middlearth 2, it actually gave the Rohirrim 90% Damage reduction. Lol
+15% trample damage
The orcs' faces when they realized the army wasn't stopping is always priceless.
Ik right
It was at that moment, they knew, THEY FUCKED UP!
@@gorillone86 yeh, die horses, oh shit..
@@gorillone86 love
*suprised pikachu face
I watch this scene before going to the gym incase Gondor EVER calls for aid again.
FACTS - need it right now lmfao
*bumps treadmill up to the highest speed to sprint*
Hahahahahahahahahahahh bro you made me laugh so hard !!!! I literally watch this scene every time I’m finishing my cardio and I run, and I feel one with the rohirrim for those few minutes and I run faster than I ever can normally !! After that speech, accepting death, a sore next day, imagining my companions getting shot at by orcs, oof you will run like never before, forth eorlingas and for frodo !!!
18 years since this came out and still, there hasnt been a scene or movie that comes close to the epic grandeur of this movie. Truly one of if not the greatest movie ever made
Can only imagine with today’s technology the added detail. But for its time nothing has come close, not even in the slightest.
The goat trilogy easy.. all three movies are up there in the greatest of all time list too. Jackson and the cast and new line all owe major thanks for delivering these movies. Truly great.
I watch this every few months. So every few months, manly tears stream down my cheeks.
The only thing that comes close are some of the battle scenes in the show Vikings.
@@Hearshotkid_2113 no, they really don’t at all.
“You have failed. The world of men will fall.”
- horn of Rohan sounds-
Just perfect.
And a woman comes to save them.
I loved that Ian McKellan chose to portray despair. Even the great Mithrandir had a momentary lapse of confidence and hope.
@@kbanghart There are times when men should just move out of the way and let the women deal with it. Eomer could never.
@@GullibleTarget
Lol stfu
Hope had never been expressed by such warm sound.
Bro, I would kill to see a reaction of the people in theatres back in 2003 when they witnessed this moment for the first time.. it must have been insane
It was. I was fortunate enough to see this in the theater. Greatest movie experience of my life.
Check your local theaters, this year is de 20th anniversary for Fellowship of the Ring and here in Mexico they are putting all three movies back to the theaters just for a couple days
It was insane! It was like we were standing on that field, and we felt every second of it!
It was just released back in imax a couple months ago, I was in tears with this scene. The violin solo is everything.
It was just released back in imax a couple months ago, I was in tears with this scene. The violin solo is everything.
I hope the guy at 6:07 knows his performance is authentic and timeless
Knew that was going to be my boy when I clicked the timestamp.
bloody legend!
bro woke up that morning with fire in his veins and a murder boner with Mordors name on it.
His name is Will.
When Gothmog said fire at Will. They meant him.
Some say he leveled up 3 times that day
" The world of men will fall. "
*Rohan horn*
Instant goosebumps
The World of Men arrives to make the Witchking of Angmar eat those fell words.
Gandalf’s facial expression when the horn blew says it all.
Not without a fight
“The world of men will fall”
The world of men about to not fall:
Rohan: Hold my horn.
"Ride for ruin, and the worlds ending"
What a line, gives me goosebumps every time.
Theoden's speech stands up against any pre-battle speech ever filmed. And that touching of his sword to lances was a perfect touch.
I straight up cried watching this again
DEATH
same
Arise, arise, Riders of Theoden!
Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter!
spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
The other part of the speech is from when Eomer discovers his sister, gravely wounded on the field. He goes back into the battle shouting:
‘Death!Ride, ride to ruin and the world’s ending!’
Thirteen years later and I still get goosebumps at Theoden's speech.
Same here.
Dylan L true
Dylan L me too.
Dylan L saw this movie three times when it was in theaters.
DEATH!!!!!!!!!!!
I accidentally clicked this while watching another video.
I instantly decided to watch it 5x in a row. One of the greatest moments in cinema history.
This was filmed almost 20 years ago. Just let that sink in.
And its still the greatest movie ever
CGI is somehow getting worse now lol
Because so much of this isn't CG they made more than 6000 suits of armour and more than 10,000 swords. They put so so so much effort in all the props and it just works beautifully.
It makes me cry to know that my favorite movie is almost 20 years old, and still stood the test of time!
Hmmm im old :D
This scene literally brings tears to my eyes.
Same!!!! Every time!
I start crying here and don't stop until it's over. Every time.
Every goddamn time I hear that violin
If you really want to sob, do Theoden “how did it come to this?” Then Gandalf rescuing the retreating forces from Osgiliath, then Helm’s Deep Forth Eorlingas, then Theoden on the symbeline on the graves, then Minas Tirith Rohirrim, and then finish with Gandalf's advice to Frodo in Moria. It’s made me, a grown ass man, weep.
Yes, Tirion Fordring is a skilled paladin my friend
"Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn. And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last."
My favorite from the entire trilogy, and that is saying something. The words give me goosebumps.
@@MD-md4th I love this part: "Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and the darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City." In Polish and English both are epic. True poetry. Beauty.
Oh, that one too! So many great quotes.
@@marcintanski8549 was a bit disappointed after i read the Book that they didnt sang in the Movie while slaughtering Orcs lol
@@keizoxd5623 This is probably because books are more like a fairy-tale and movies are more naturalistic, realistic.
Now that folks was a cavalry charge! Majestic and unparalleled cinema…I wish I could experience the trilogy in a huge theatre for the first time again.
Admit it this speech make you feel patriotic toward a county that even dont exist
Yep
That is so accurate
Since it's based on segments of the Anglo Saxon peom the Wanderer, you could say it would make An English person proud.
Yes
With a speech like that, you'd be hard pressed not to follow a king like that: a true leader, one who runs out ahead for the rest to come after.
"Imagine a king who fights his own battles."
"Wouldn't that be a sight"
...and it was.
Agamemnon hates this trick
Better than that.. A King with a pair to ride in the front line next to you, a simple soldier.
@@sirzechsazazel1150 I knew that was coming
The man wants to die.. 😐
Fuuun fact: for the filming of this, Peter Jackson offered people who had a horse and could ride to play a part in this scene as one of the army. thats probably also why they were so enthusiastic
Makes sense... Since it takes a lot of time for a horse to trust its rider...
yes, many of the riders were woman with beards
The bearded ladies of Rohan!
He put out a casting call to anyone in NZ who had a horse. The fields were full of trailers and haystacks for days
They say its the most scene with horses in it around 250k ?
I don't think a greater trilogy will ever be told. Film wise, 20 years later this movie still holds up and burns brighter than most modern films
No force is scarier than one that has already resolved itself for death
Whenever I talk about this scene I bring up how unnerving this would be SPECIFICALLY for the orc army. A force that has met no challenge because of fear. A force that strategizes around striking crippling fear in the hearts of its enemies, and the riders of Rohan stand unafraid.
@@patrickhughes9304 Bravery is not the absence of fear, it's doing what you need to do in spite of it so don't call Rohan unafraid.
@@patrickhughes9304 That's the problem with the orc's strategy, a cornered animal is the most fearsome beast, you take down your enemy with a swift move and don't let them regroup in a corner with no scape, if there's no other option then your men will always march foward.
@@patrickhughes9304 remember that in the lore orcs are supposed to be bread without the emotion of fear but the Riders of Rohan we're still able to strike it into their putrid Blackhearts with their righteous Fury
@@jaredflynn3750 the lore was always unclear about that. After all orcs had a large fear of their masters.
"Imagine a king, leading his own men. Wouldn't that be a sight"
Achilles
"Imagine a king who fights his own battles" is the line I think
King Richard the lion heart and Saladin.
Almost all of them did up to the 16th century (or around so)
@@lupinthethird7059 not really
@@lupinthethird7059 Many did sure, but not nearly all.
At least the Rohirrim didn't get pointlessly slaughtered
Unlike the dothraki when they charged.
Because rohirrim didnt ride pointlessly
Suddenly at winterfell the night king is about to kill bran, the walls are shattered, and suddenly a horn sounds in the distance. Theoden has joined the game.
How to use a cavalry charge
GOT:...
Peter Jackson: watch closely, scrub.
They actually broke ranks! Hahaha
Well only a complete moron would have the dothraki charge like that, so either every battle planner in winterfell is an idiot, or the screenwriters abadoned logic for a cool scene, I wonder which it is
This, in my opinion, is well and truly, the greatest scene in cinematic history. The fullfilment of Gondor's call, the disproving of Elrond's doubts in men, a fantastic motivational speech, the acceptance of death but determination in the face of it's near certainty, the beautiful horn sound announcing the arrival of the rohirrim when all hope seems lost and Gandalf seems doomed, and cap it off with the absolutely remarkable musical score to go behind the largest scale battle charge in cinema. It's a straight up banquet of perfection. I shed a tear or three every single time I watch this and am determind to watch this film performed by Orchestra in the Royal Albert Hall when I next get the chance.
I just recently got the opportunity to see the trilogy in theaters for the first time, and it was incredible. I hope you get to see it!
Dothraki: "Wish we had a director like you"
Well to be fair, the Dothraki were never supposed to be as disciplined and trained as the Rohirrim.
Light cavalry aren't heavy cavalry.
Cascade Lord of the rings has the heaviest horse charge in history
Itachi21x tell that the heavy European infantry that slaughtered by the mongol light cavalry
@@scottwhitley3392 Dothraki are less armored and diverse than Mongol formations were.
If Theoden’s speech doesn’t get you pumped I don’t know what will!
Only speech better, was Aragorn’s speech at the end! “I BID YOU STAND, MEN OF THE WEST!”
DEATH!!!
@@mandalorian1994 I get chills every damn time. Nothing can top it, and partly I think it is because from their perspective, it's hopeless but that doesn't mean they give up. They know that Frodo and Sam need every minute of distraction they can give them.
Everytime when I see that scene I get pumped like shiii I wanna join get a armor car with machine gun turret let's go!!
I will follow him to the pits of hades itself
King Theoden to me had the best character development of all. His lost a son, got possessed by Saruman and got his people cornered and almost wiped out. But helped turned the tide in the pivotal moment in the war of the ring.
yes👏
:'(
luckily he had aragorn showing him they way. And to be fair he knows it was Aragorn
@@conrado333 Except in the books who say "Ride with me" on Helms Deep is Theoden not Aragorn
And ended honourably, worthy of a place beside his ancestors. And left an equally respectful legacy through eowyn and eomer.
I saw this in one of the Seattle theatres 3 days after the movie came out. Holy shit, was it an experience. So many people were cheering and having a grand ol' time. Sadly, we very rarely see that anymore.
I just imagine some dude in the back like “wtf did the king say? What’s going on I can’t see anything....oh shit we’re moving”
The epicness has magnified his voice so everyone of the rohirim could hear him.
You are naughty~~~
Fun fact the writer solved that by saying the past ancestors rose the king to inhuman abilities, like shouting loud enough that even gondor could hear him
Actually I am pretty sure that's precisely what the experience of a cavalryman in the back would have been.
Getting your orders to your troops was always a tricky part of battle. Led to a lot of spectacular failures.
Thats why they use horns
One of the reasons this scene works so well is the use of leitmotif. When we first heard Shore's "Rohan" theme in The Two Towers, it was a heartbroken lament for lost glory in a country that had lost its way and was effectively leaderless. Here the theme returns, but it has been repurposed as an anthem of rediscovered strength, pride, duty and confidence. This is about a people remembering who they once were and doing what they do best, and the score supports the moment magnificently.
Yes! That theme playing at the charge of the Rohirrim brings tears to my eyes every time for that exact reason.
Gondor has similar changes as well during certain scenes. Incredible score.
True
@@minizimi3790 Was watching Fellowship tonight with the wife. I noticed that there is a somber, but hopeful version of the Gondor theme played when Boromir speaks of the white city. It's so good.
Music is incredibly important and many "modern" composers don't seem to realize this sadly.
"I go now to the halls of my fathers. In whose mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed."
RIP Theoden King
Alas that these evil days should be mine
The Horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep, one last time
Hail Theoden King! Hail to the victorious dead!
RIP. 😢
"I would have you smile again."
There are many aspects of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy that deserve the very best of plaudits, but one thing that continues to bring me back to these videos over 20 years later is the incredible music. A true masterpiece is so many ways.
D&D: Game of Thrones will have battle scenes that surpass anything that has come before.
LOTR: Exists.
GoT: Battle of Winterfell will be the best battle
LoTR: I’m about to end this man’s whole career
D&D: We kinda forgot how cavalry works
LOTR ended their career 16 years prior 😂
LOTR: Hold my ale
@@logi4840 Read what you just typed. Slowly. Letter by letter.
Fun fact: Bernard Hill did the speech so good that the stunt men are so hyped they "really thought they were doing it"
Oh please
@@Gnossiene369 Honestly I can see it and that's a good thing. Shows how much you're into it.
@@Gnossiene369 its in the behind footage, as ridiculous as it sounds, he got everyone pumped up.
@@Gnossiene369 ua-cam.com/video/Qz-k4g87ff4/v-deo.html
@@JW-jd6sn i can understand that but people didn’t literally go insane. Best movie scene for me since ever, but I won’t buy hypnotism. I won’t abandon reason.
My oldest brother saw this in theaters the day it came out, and he told me he still hasn't heard a theater that cheered so loud.
Shit, people cheer in theaters over there?
Lucky bastard
i saw this shit in theaters also 3 times :D was my junior year. Best movies to see in theaters was lord of the rings hands down!
@@CoffeeD_1 I like silence in the theatre not some idiots wooping at every little but, fuck that.
Especially when it came to the last stand at the black gate everyone was cheering out loud it was awesome
Nothing like this had ever been seen in cinema before. Truly a landmark moment. Truly epic.
Almost forgot to watch this today
😍😍
How dare you....
Its our duty.
Shame on you
I did not
You fool!
Quite possible the greatest scene in movie history....
definitely not
+Eric Haber '' My friends. You bow to no one. ''
*****
I'm not sure. I can't really decide...
I just think that saying this scene is the greatest in cinema history is ignoring hundreds of millions of movies that came before and after this movie, and I'm just saying that it is implausible.
I'm sorry if you were genuinely curious about what I think is the best scene, because I really can't produce a top 5 list (so many movies are so good).
However, if you are asking this question because you believe that this is the best scene, I have one thing to say: *start watching more movies*. Every masterpiece and classic you watch will make it feel like THAT was the best movie/scene ever, until you watch another classic, and you'll think that this movie was the best, then on and on. The (fun) ride never ends.
Saying that this scene is possibly the best ever is extremely self-limiting and close minded.
I never said that it's a bad scene; It's definitely a great scene, but cmon, the *best* ever?
Well, everyone has his/her favorites and opinions, so it's all good.
*****
I'm not going to lie... it's a great #1 pick. Only time will tell.
+Eric Haber it is the greatest
Me watching this with my parents: "This scene is great!"
Me watching this with my friends: "DEAAAATH! DEAAAAAAAAAAATH!!!"
Haha nicee
Dude I'm crying! It's so overwhelming
DEATH! DEATH!! DEAATHHH!!! FORTH EORLINGAS!!!!
Fucking same bro
Me and my dad finally convinced my mum to watch them with us... Wish me good luck!
Bought the DVD set as Special Extended Edition when I visited Queestown NZ in 2009 and I am still have it for my sons to experience the greatest fantastic movies ever.
It's more emotional when you realize that because of this charge, Theoden became the king he never thought he could be.
'Lesser son of greater sires'
My ass he is.
His finest hour.
Especially the description in the book, where he is described to be like a god charging down the field. None could match him in his final hour.
rohan army no slackers
He died happy, he fund himself. I respect that in a man, fact or fiction.
A warrior who embraces death is one of the most terrifying things you can encounter on the battlefield, I imagine.
+The Arab Scientific or most of our SOF guys
+The Arab Scientific todays war cant be compared with the past most of the times u dont see you enemy you dont know what is killing you you just take the smell of blood in the air mixed with explosives dust dirt and metal the smell of burned human flesh it is way more horrible and disgusting in modern war. In this middle age wars u die by force which u could compete to u have kind of an usefull armor u dont smell and witness burned and exploded corpses of your comrades
+The Arab Scientific those arent warriors, just mentally ill detonators
+The Arab Scientific Every soldier is prepared for death. That is what makes a soldier - a soldier.
+The Arab Scientific Jihadists during the crusades maybe. Today's Jihadists are nothing but mentally retarded fucks.
The passage from the book adds to the absolute majesty of this scene:
At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before:
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!
With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains. Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City.
to be compared to oromë.... the way that tolkien imagined this must be thousands of times more epic than it was on screen
This all came from one mans mind. there are no words
I was choking up just reading this
Tolkien writes like a biblical story teller of old. So much weight and majesty in his words. No wonder these movies were depicted as epicly as they were.
His way of writing is truly unique. Even the order of the words is majestic. I like to have been in his head when he wrote some of this.
this for me is one of the, if not the best scene in the movie, you just felt the heart beat of them getting ready, i had forgotten all about them until this. The best trilogy of all movies.
The most profound part is them not shouting death to the enemy, they're shouting death to themselves. They believed that they will lose, the world will end, they will all die.
Speech to a glorious death, not to victory
Probably why they won, ironically
Believing in inevitable death is indeed a very powerful motivator. It's why the Americans had a lot of trouble fighting Japanese in WW2 - they welcomed an honorable death by taking the enemy down with them
Fear the man who thinks they have nothing to lose....
@@dominusetdeus060644 and the ones who have everything to loose
To an extent yes,but in the Silmarillion it is said that Eru's gift to men was death,and the people of Rohan believed in Eru and the Valar and the stories of old,so they are welcoming their "gift"
@Aero Dynamix wow, you must be fun at parties.
Whoever posted this, thank you for understanding the importance of context. The Rohirrim charge doesn't have the same impact if you don't feel the hopelessness of the warriors prior to their arrival.
Absolutely agree. The emotional impact of this scene derives from this hopelesness of the Rohirrim, who attack, knowing it will be their certain death. This is the cause why I have been always bothered by the shot on 05:15, which depicts wayyyyy more Rohirrim than it should be. There were approximately 6000 Rohirrim on the Battle of the Pelennor, which were "thrice outnumbered by the Haradrim alone". In given shot you see what? 80.000 Riders? 200.000 Riders? That being said, it's my favorite scene of all time.
Al Andalus the original comment was about the hopelessness of the soldiers in minas tirith, the rohirrim are more like vikings who sought out death in battle without fear so that they could get a good afterlife so they ride into battle with hope and without fear in this scene
Al Andalus Obviously there's way of counting but if you look at how big each of the riders are in that shot and count a small area, I would assume there were no more than 10,000.
@@redpandarampage2191 Well I don't know. In the picture at 05:16 I estimate that the army is about 50 rows strong. Under this assumption, your estimate of 10,000 horsemen would mean that the army is only 200 horsemen wide. In given shot, however, the army seems to me to be much wider, apart from the fact that you see only about half of the army (assuming that theoden rides in the middle of the army.) However, this my own estimate also shows me, that my claim of 80,000-200,000 visualized riders is also great nonsense. :D Again it turns out that it is difficult to estimate large crowds, especially when they are on horseback. As an experienced visitor of stadiums with the capacity of 50.000, I still claim that there are more than 6.000 riders on that shot.
@@jole5468 in the book (the naturally superior version) Eomer spots Minas Tirith on fire and the Rohirim are on the verge of turning around. However Theoden rouses them with another speech (the death speech is Eomer's from later) and they resign themselves to probably dying but fighting to help their eternal ally.
Theoden even says even if they are too late they can at least stop the Easterlings and Orcs from feasting in the Tower.
Gotta love how Théoden's whole speech is just them saying to the Orcs that they know they are outnumbered, they know that they may fail, and they know that they may all die but that they don't care, they don't fear death and that they will ride for their final time without fear.
Which would shake the confidence of ANY army. Maybe even moreso the orcs. The orc army’s ENTIRE STRATEGY hinged on fear and these men stood unafraid.
Bruh they didn't just think that they may fail, they literally EXPECTED to fail, and that's what makes this truly awesome- that literally nothing is holding them back now, not even the fear of death.
"Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor."
"No. But we shall meet them in battle nonetheless."
The scariest thing you can face in battle is an opponent with no fear of death.
The single greatest moment in cinema right here. I can't even count the amount of times I've watched this but I can tell you without a doubt how many times I've watched without tears in my eyes and a smile on my face: 0.
If they had used the literal text of Tolkien's dialog throughout the movies, they wouldn't have worked; it would have felt by turns stiff and archaic. But there are a few places where the original text IS used, and Theoden's speech is one of them. It's absolutely the right choice for the scene.
A sword day... a red day... ere the sun rises! Ride now! Ride now! Ride for ruin, and the world's ending! Death! Death! DEATH! FORTH EORLINGAS!
@@samuelperezgarcia does he say a sword day or a sore day?
Except for the part of "ride now! Ride to ruin and the world's ending! Death! Death!", in the book Eomer says that when he charges against the enemy after seeing Eowyn apparently dead on the field. He says that because he has no more reason to live after his sister's death, that's why he charges to annihilate the enemy
@@Jumbocombo they were probably sore after all thar riding, but I'm 99% sure it's "sword". 😅
tolkein's text is used all over the movies. It works really well for the most part. mainly is that you don't needs tons of verbal explanation in a film so word for word book to movie scenes are rare.
This was a battle.
Winterfell was a joke
@Human Cancerbag even the orcs here have better strategy than those winterfell slugs, form ranks maggots
You mean you didn't like the awesome cinematography of a black screen with some flecks on it?
@Human Cancerbag funny enough, this old ass movie still has better scenes than Got lol. I never got on the hype train for that show, because I was spoiled by This beauty of a trilogy ;)
@Human Cancerbag Preach. The whining in the comments is just off the charts. Game of thrones is awesome and I loved the battle of Winterfell. This is just meh. I fell asleep seeing lotr movies.Who even wants to watch a damn movie more than 3 hours
@vaderglenn It's basically The LotR's fault that I'm unable to enjoy GoT. The show just feels like a longer, less epic version of these movies. That's at least how I feel.
Just imagine how the Gondor soldiers feel right now. You've been barely holding on again an onslaught and suddenly you see thousands of elite calvary on the horizon. The morale boost Gondor got must have been massive
Alec Duquette absolutely! Look at 0:31. Those soldiers stuck atop the walls helpless firing arrows down on the waves of orcs. Their comrades pulled back to the upper levels, leaving them stranded. I’ve always wanted a spin off or a short story about the Gondor soldiers on this wall above the gate, experiencing exactly what you described. Fighting all night long and the dawn coming , hearing the horns and seeing Rohan on the horizon. Amazing feeling that must have been. Then having a front row seat for the charge wow
I wish they showed that! Gondor realizing Rohan came to their aid with no less than 10,000 elite riders!
Even if it wasn’t enough to beat Sauron’s army, it definitely was a moral boost seeing the Rohan army charging !
In the books, with arrival of Rohan, Gondor footman also starts a counter attack and push the enemy back to the Rammas Echor (surrounding the whole fields, omitted in the movie) but they are over run until somebody arrives.
Correct. You just know that even if they knew they were dead already those men of Gondor turned around and bled the enemy without mercy.
This is based on the real life siege of Vienna, where the Austrians held out under siege for three months. On the day of battle, the wall had been breached and they were fighting desperately against an Ottoman army that vastly outnumbered them. Then the Polish calvalry, ten thousand strong and lead by the Winged Hussars, smashed into the Ottoman line and completely shattered them. The Austrian soldiers wept when they saw them on the hill. It's also where Sabaton's song Winged Hussars was inspired.
The presentation of this entire charge was so well done and amazing to watch. I'm so glad I got to watch it in theaters when this came out, the theater I was in erupted in screaming when this happened.
People will NEVER understand what this moment was like on opening night in theaters in 2003. The energy in that room was lightning. Everyone was crying, cheering, standing in the aisles. God damn the stoke level was above the stratosphere. I’ve never seen anything else like it, except perhaps later in this same movie when Eowyn kills the Witch King, when Sam carries Frodo, and when The Ring is finally destroyed.
@@MrThrond
Are you sure your sister didn't just see her ex in the row of seats in front? 😂
I only wish I was there.
Maaan... I was barely born then 😔
Was 6 years old got chills then. Get the even now
I remember at the end of the movie, the entire movie stood and applauded. For at least a few minutes, people clapped and cheered for a movie. I've never seen anything like it
Theoden was badass. Dude was the true definition of a leader. Lead his army to battle from the front line without any fear or hesitation. I would've followed him to death too if I was a rider of Rohan.
When achilles said something about a king fighting his own battles. This is the king he's talking about
@@robinsonsupermarket3684 Gustavus Adolfus Magnus of Sweden, King Sobrievsky IV of Poland, William the Conqueror of England (initially of Normandy), Saint Louis of France, Charles Quint of the Holy Roman Empire, Charlemagne of France, Richard Lionheart of England, etc... The list goes on.
Not all king fought in the front lines, but when they did it truly was a sight to behold... And history is full of such epicness
Seconded, I'd have followed this man into the Jaws of death to steal its gold tooth.
Bernard Hill seems to end up playing characters with no fear. Captain Smith of the Titanic, Theoden, then MI5 agent Jennings (a guy who unhesitatingly rolls a wounded villain on a hand grenade and jumps on him to block the explosion).
I wouldn't cause I'm a proud coward and I only work for myself.
I watch this scene once every month. When I'm in despair . When I lose the will power to move further. When my mind says give up. That's when I watch this. Full volume. It brings tears and goosebumps . The Lord of the Rings has helped me battle depression. I'm blessed .
Keep fighting my friend! Like the Rohirrim, you will triumph over your demons!
never stop fighting, just remember that even darkness must pass, a new day will come and when the sun shines it'll shine out the clearer
I hear you loud and clear friend. It raises my spirits too. I wish you well, you are strong! Keep fighting 💖
I am extremely proud of you. You found a way to keep pushing forward. I found a few ways myself, but I am extremely proud of you.
Same here brother. Keep going!
This series was an absolute masterpiece. Nobody could’ve done this better than Jackson.
As a millenial who was 13 in the theaters, this was the greatest movie-going moment in our history. The theater rumbled with the ride, everyone in a packed theater cheered their hearts out, and when they hit the orcs, you could feel it. 10/10 best movie experiences ever. Sad for the Gen Z who never experienced it. This was our Endgame.
This was no Endgame. This was BETTER then Endgame
Not even a comparison
@@thesnipingseal8011 Yeah it wasnt, just making a general comparison between back then and now with the high school kids
@@oompers9 Of course it isnt. They dont make movies today like they did back then. My point, were probably gonna grow old and look back on this like they will do with whatever is important to them. But, they dont make movies like this anymore, risk sounding like a boomer.
Agreed! They are replaying the trilogy in my hometown starting this weekend. Hope some youngsters get to be there with me and see this on the big screen.
This is still the only scene in cinematic history that gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes every. single. time. There have been others, but after watching them a few times, the goosebumps disappear. But this. This is a masterpiece, and it will never become just 'another charge scene'. This is THE charge scene.
same, same, and always the same with me
Same here man
I can't help but imagine being Merry in this very situation. Just a year ago you were goofing around with your buddies in the shire and now you are charging head first into the biggest battle since milleniums past in a huge army of riled up rohirrim. You can see how nervous he is and then how he goes with the flow of the situation and with the speech and the whole army screaming at the top of their lungs, he get's as hyped up as everyone.
Imagine actually being in a situation like that. How that must feel...
@@howielowis458 Same. I read the books right before I saw the movies. I know the first time I read this scene that it was the best scene and I would ever read and would become the best scene in any movie. I was right.
howie lowis This is why Gandalf was so fond of Hobbits. They are difficult to rouse, bu when they are, there are no truer people to have standing beside you.
This is legendary.Even in 2019 nothing is better then this trilogy and nothing more epic then this charge.Its really Legendary.
BLOODY HELL,THATS THE MOST LIKES I EVER GOT,
THANK YOU VERY MUTCH.
it changed my life
Jackson had 3 bottles and 3 bolts of lighting
It's the third brush with death with this king too... his possession, then the Hornberg charge out, then this...
This is just 100% Ultimate EPIC. Superbly written and unbeatably brought to screen. If you aren't moved by this scene, you're missing a circuit.
RIP Bernard Hill, thanks for the amazing memories. Like Gandalf used to say: "Death is just another path, one that we all must take"
One of the reasons I think we love Lord of the Rings so much is how EARNEST it is. Movies these days are so afraid of being "cheesy" that they do everything in their power to avoid morals like "love and friendship are the most powerful forces in the world". And even when those are the morals, they do their damnedest to turn them into a joke! But in LOTR, there's none of that. Courage, honor, love, and friendship are the most powerful forces in the world, and we get to see it in all it's glory right here. I love this story. I love this movie!
A lot of it is from the writing. Tolkien fought in WWI, which is why he was able to write larger-than-life fantasy with that wide eyed earnestness... It wasn't any more fantastic or apocalyptic than his experiences.
Actual footage of the most badass of all at 6:08 haha.
Stannis The Mannis My knee... It just... It just bent by itself!
I pretty much agree completely with your statement, but i think chris evans as Captain America captures some of that magic and sticks to his ideals with friendship and honor throughout his and the avengers films, wish we could see some of that in the star wars franchise.
Lol power of love and friendship sucks
Game of Thrones Producers: Battle of Winterfell would featture the largest battle ever filmed.
Rohirim Riders: Pfff hold my Mead... DEEEAAAAATH!!
16 years and counting, the best war scenes are from TLOTR this is the way you do epic battles.
Rafael Aguayo Figueroa even the battle of helms deep is better!!
I feel like you haven't seen end game. The battle scene is second behind this in my opinion
@@isaiahling9716 lmao not at all. The armies didn't even fight, only the main characters and it lasted like 10 mins
@@ramdom-yy4wy That's not what could make it better... What they make the audience feel is what matters.
I love when Peter Jackson is in a mood to make movies.
No matter how many times I've seen this part of the movie, it never gets old.
Always love this scene. And it is somehow even better in the books.
"In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl. A great black shape against the fires beyond he loomed up, grown to a vast menace of despair. In rode the Lord of the Nazgûl, under the archway that no enemy ever yet had passed, and all fled before his face.
All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax: Shadowfax who alone among the free horses of the earth endured the terror, unmoving, steadfast as a graven image in Rath Dínen. "You cannot enter here," said Gandalf, and the huge shadow halted. "Go back to the abyss prepared for you! Go back! Fall into the nothingness that awaits you and your Master. Go!" The Black Rider flung back his hood, and behold! he had a kingly crown; and yet upon no head visible was it set. The red fires shone between it and the mantled shoulders vast and dark. From a mouth unseen there came a deadly laughter. "Old fool!" he said. "Old fool! This is my hour. Do you not know Death when you see it? Die now and curse in vain!" And with that he lifted high his sword and flames ran down the blade.
And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the city, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn. And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns, in dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the north wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last."
the book says nothing about the beta nazgul, Sauron's lil b!tch, throwing Gandalf off his horse and shattering his stick. And the reason for that is because Gandalf is an ancient Spirit like Sauron and Balrogs, only younger than the gods themself. Plus Gandalf has an elven ring. So it's laughable that the Witch King, who is nothing but a corrupt shadow, once a human, could do anything against Gandalf.
@@Iamallwaysright1 While I agree that Gandalf would not have been thrown off his horse like that, (language for one, please) Gandalf was actually as old as the gods. As a Maia, he is one of the Ainur, just lesser in power. Also: While his powers were limited by his task, he was more or less alone with that Nazgzul, so no reason not to send it back to Sauron whimpering and he previously had kicked pretty much the whole wraith squad about at weathertop, a few days before Frodo, Strider and the others arrived there.
chills every single time
@@kiwwat4139 The difference is that the Nazgul were still really weak at the Weathertop, they were nowhere close to their full strenght. As the War against Men progressed, Sauron's power grew and with it the might of his Nazguls. Also there was nothing Gandalf could do against the lord of Nazgul commanding an army. One on one sure, I guess he wins, but not in this setting, when he has a city to defend, broken men to command, crazed steward to keep in check and basically all sort of shit he has to deal with at the same time.
@@marekmaly2337 Yes, Gandalf alone couldn't beat an army, both in terms of Olorin's full power and because he simply wasn't allowed to as Gandalf. But he beat a Balrog, even in this weaker form.
At the gate of Minas Tirith, Gandalf could not have banished the Lord of the nine himself, because it was his task to lead and inspire, not to win the battles of men for them, but as this scene was shown in the movies, alone with Pippin, by some random battlement, he could have driven the Witch King away easily, at least forced him to retreat to his forces, like he did before with the four or five that were attacking the fleeing Osgiliath garrison.
Gandalf was far more powerful than the Nazgul, he bore a great elven ring of fire, he played roughly in the same league as Sauron, even as a Maia, he was weaker than Sauron and as Gandalf restricted in what he could do, but he played in the same league (Tolkien wrote that if Gandalf took the Ring, a direct confrontation between Sauron and Gandalf would have been a close run thing). In the books he wrestles with Sauron's will for a time while Frodo is on the seeing seat of Amon Sun, I believe, and prevents the Dark Lord (2) from finding the ring there and then.
Also, I'd be interested where in the book it reads that the Nazgul increased in power, because I really have forgotten that part. Been a while since I read these...
I’m a film graduate and lifelong film fan, and throughout my time I’ve seen easily over 1000 films, and this is still my all time favourite scene in the whole of cinema. The way the scene slowly builds, the impassioned speech from Theodan is enough to make you want to ride into battle alongside him. As the charge commences the way the theme of Rohan piles in just leaves chills on the spine. We see the faces of those who for most know they are riding into death, but the cries of ‘DEATH’ offers not fear but adrenaline, what a goddam scene
Hey long shot but but you wouldn't happen to have the extended editions on VHS would you I'm sure that some one would buy them one eBay long shot but there very expensive ok
I fully agree. Beginning with the Wraith-monologue about mankind and its weaknesses to the sounding horn of the riders in the upcoming dawn. No, mankind is not done yet.
Much power by the evil forces in LotR is gained not by doing physical damage but more on a psychological level (spreading fear and hopelessness). And that's when Theoden is kicking in. He is not a hero in a supernatural way by any means like Aragorn for instance and he has got his flaws and (many) personal failures. To a degree, one may say he is a prototype of a normal human being (besides being born as a king of course). When these ordinary men, although warriors, but still men who fear and might despair, stand together for this charge, it is the turning point and Sauron's demise. Oh, and I love the way his commanding style is portrayed: Cold professionalism on the one hand, however, on the other hand warmth and empathy (the shift within the score empahizes this so beautifully).
Last but not least, Bernard Hill's acting performance is just outstanding; especially in the moment when Theoden watches the battlefield:
His facial expression encapsulates perfectly all his insecurity, doubts, fear, maybe even hopelessness, but also at same moment his determination, willingness to fight until the end and ultimatively overcoming the evil's sources of power.
Theoden represents basically all the traits humanity has to offer for this battle. Everytime I watch this scene, I think to myself: Sauron's so fucked.
@@Peter-vf3dl Very well said mate; you nailed it! :) 🙌🏻🍀
Exact reason why this is my favourite scene in cinema, a pure masterclass of filming and storytelling. An excellent showing of the courage of man; Theoden could’ve easily stayed at Edoras as he wasn’t too keen on Gondor as we saw in his exchange with Aragorn on the walls of Helms Deep but come ROTK he knows they must band together after being helped by elves at Helms Deep. I also love the scene where Aragorn leaves for the undead army and Rohan’s lieutenants and men despair, Theoden agrees that they do not have enough men to win, his line of “but we will meet them in battle nonetheless” gives me chills as does the charge 👌👌
There's a reason this movie won every Oscar it was nominated for.
It's pretty incredible that those horses could ride all the way there, carrying those men and their massive balls...
That would be because most of those riders were actually women 😆
@@MeiT4073 Yup, during filming they mustered all the riders they can, and so a lot of the Rohirrim ended up being women under the armor LOL
Flats The Flounder even so with their armor and everything walking for gods know how long the horses would have given up and dropped lol
The horses also had to carry their own massive balls.
@@MeiT4073 Even the Rohirrim women have balls of steel larger than your average man.
I was 5 years old when this masterpiece came out. And now, still a masterpiece. Everlasting
Anyone else get them chills when that horn blew? Jesus Christ this film was just perfect.
Agreed. Best movie ever made imo
How could you not, I watched this clip over a hundred times and it never fails to give me chills, EVERYTIME!!!!
i get the chills everytime i see the Rohirrim calvary, period
My man do I ever. Literally why I come back for this scene. It makes me so tingly.
Abdallah Marzouki
✌we are Syrians and Proud
"You have failed, the world of men will fall."
**The Armies of Rohan have joined the match.**
*Sauron has left the chat.*
Imagine behing high up in Minas Tirith, fighting all night and hearing that horn ring off. You look down and see an army of 6,000 horses charge full speed into the invading orcs, must have been quite the morale booster
It was in the book. Prince Imrahil and his swan knights led the charge out of the city, followed by all the city infantry. Theoden killed the king of the Haradrim and hewed down their banner. Even after the Witch-King died, Gothmog the second-in-command called in his reserves from across the river, and cut off and surrounded the Rohirrim and Gondorian forces from retreating. It looked bad, until Aragorn and the rest of the Gondorian troops from the other regions of the kingdom arrived in the black ships. Even then, it still took until sunset to finish off the enemy army.
Pippen always cried whenever he heard the sound of horns after that.
''Gandalf did not move. And in that very moment, away behind in some courtyard of the City, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed, recking nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn. And as if in answer there came from far away another note. Horns, horns, horns. In dark Mindolluin's sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of
the North wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last. ''
@@MuhammadAhmad-pl4sj I need to read this book
They probably just said "ABOUT DAMN TIME, WTF TOOK YOU SO LONG!!!" 😋
The scene none of us deserved!!!! The theatre I was at went absolutely bonkers during this scene! I definitely remember tears. A rohirrim stampede could always turned the tide of a battle
I like how he acknowledges that this is the worlds end. He is ready to die for his people. Theoden is the definition of a badass.
I would say honorable man than badass but to each his own expression
He was a true King, he didn't fight behind his soldiers...he fought by their side as all kings should.
@Ben Kenobi Because he was tricked before etc. He redeamed his honour, and could go happy he saved things for his line and people.
I really wonder how some people could think Rohirrim is 100% based on Anglo-saxons or Visigoths while they wear lamellar armours and segmented helmets, use composite bows and nomadic cavalry tactics including horse archers and 100% cavalry armies because Anglo-saxons nor Visigoths had none of those!! On the other hand Nomadic nations had all of them, such as Seljuks had a 100% cavalry army in battle of Manzikert. But ofc those armours, bows and cavalry armies etc don't exist in the book rather it is
Peter Jackson's imagination while did
Peter also imagine semi-nomadic life style of Rohirrim as well? How they don't depend on nor build castles rather face the enemy in pitched battles and use them when only needed, such as Rohirrim didn't build Hornburg at all rather it is an ancient Gondorian castle that Rohirrim maintained poorly and used it when there was no other option. And who actually used such a tactic in history, Anglo-saxons or Visigoths??? Nope, it was once again Seljuks who poorly maintained Byzantine castles and only used them when needed!! Ofc Rohirrim isn't 100% Seljuks rather their language is old English or they build wooden towns while Seljuks never ever built wooden towns rather stone ones. But it can be easily said Rohirrim resemble Seljuks way more than Anglo-saxons or Visigoths...
@Ben Kenobi Mongols were also a nomadic nation so you are correct they also used pretty much all of those tactics and equipments but there was a major difference between Mongols and Seljuks that Mongols weren't trying to find a new homeland like Seljuks, instead they were only interested plundering and subjugating other nations. And it is why Mongol army was very different than Seljuk army with tens of thousands subjugated foot soldiers, engineers, slaves which allowed them to rapidly construct siege engines and conquer ctities one after another as with every conquered city their army was actually becoming larger not smaller with casualties!! But local populations hated them insanely so as soon as Cenghis Khan died there were rebellions all over the empire and Mongol empire collapsed in several decades. Seljuks however acted very tolerantly towards local populations which allowed them to settle in those lands without facing rebellions and resistance constantly but they faced severe manpower problems and it's known Seljuk beys were traveling all the way back to central Asia to recruit more soldiers and often hire Arabic and Armenian mercenaries. While the problem was mercenaries weren't interested fighting against massive Byzantine empire in a risky pitched battle and dying rather they wanted to conquer cities and plunder them so in pitched battles against Byzantine empire Seljuks often had 100% cavalry armies like battle of Manzikert. So i think rohirrim resemble Seljuks more than Mongols but they could be Huns as well.
Its 2014, and still no film has topped this scene and battle.
2017 now... still waiting.
2019...
wait until battle of 5 armies...just wait
mudyao So fkn excited!
mudyao Sorry bro but I doubt the battle of 5 armies will even COMPARE to this.
I loved the Hobbit but come on, this is the best battle scene ever.
pateuvasiliu I agree.
mudyao I don't think it will top it since The Hobbit uses more CGI than extras, but I really hope I'm wrong.
I love the dichotomy between the men and orcs. The riders are spurring their horses faster and faster to close while the orcs shuffle in trepidation. Both side knows death awaits but only one side fears it.
This is wonderfully put. I know they didn’t fear death. I know they chant for it.
But to juxtapose that with the orcs is so obvious but something I never put together. I watch this sometimes when I want to cry and just love something. I think “Courage for our friends” is just amazing. Something I aspire to one day live up to.
Anyway very good point
Witness MEE!!!!
Oh no the Rohirrim fear it but they're choosing to embrace that fear and meet death head on because it's a price that must be paid to obtain the peace they hope for all
@@BigBWolf90spot on. Theoden’s speech is pure bushido. We’re already dead, let’s kick some ass.
I have never read a truer statement
Man..... This scene give chills no matter how many times you have seen this scene or film or read the in the novel. Absolutely phenomenal.
Rest in peace, Bernard Hill. You were one of many actors who made my childhood, but you and King Theoden showed me what masculinity, leadership and the power of words truly is. Ride forth good SIr.
Just explained why lotr is great
Owe. I was not a child when Peter Jackson made these movies, I was far past adult. LOL
I'm so old, we used to get beat up in HSchool for reading LOTR.
@@efetherman ok?
@@zachlewis9751 Well Zach, once upon a time LOTR was "Nerd" or "Geek" and in America that's a good swirly or worse, glad you didn't live through that, and well, we READ the book, no movies. Now all the bullies all in on LOTR and the movies. SO thank God Jackson for that, eh?
Sometimes it's easy to forget the sheer size of horses until you're up close. They're solid muscle standing 7 or 8 feet tall. Thousands at full sprint would be an insane crushing force.
FiringallCylinders Thats why they were stopped by most shield walls with spikes, Horses are faster than men, horses are dumber than men. Romans had cavalry for flanking, arabian forces were know for horse archers. Winged hussars long spears to counter reach of enemy spears. Vikings horses for transport and horse archers. Egypt chariots, more options, 2 people or a heavier man. Horses are extremely tactical. Elephants would do the job. Hannibal
SanFrancisco Bay shield walls on their own would be crushed by horses because of their sheer size and muscle and shield and pikes didn't destroy them completely either they slogged them down slowing and killing the horses making them easy to kill a phalanx on the other hand obliterated cavalry because of the length of their pikes and the fact that there where multiple and the horse couldn't get close
I've seen a shire horse about 8 feet, probably exceeding 2 thousand fuckin pounds. He was free-running around in the field and the sheer sound and force of its body and hooves moving about were simply breathtaking.
If mount and blade is a good simulator for medieval combat. I'm pretty sure you can skewer the horsemen with your pikes. Cavalry only works well if the enemy is untrained to stand it's ground.
Hence why cavalry charges in the olden days were so damn effective.
Form ranks maggots......trebuchets in front......spears behind.
Hey sexy!
@@ancalagon3713 r/woosh
Ancalagon He’s making fun of Game of Thrones 8x03 where they placed the trebuchets infront of the infantry.
@@iceman8031 LMAO ok
😂😂😂
Its 2024, and I'm no longer a spry youngster, but a father of three but man, I still feel goosebumps. The Ride of the Rohirrim will always be a classic.
The Rohan theme still makes me cry, even after all these years.
still the best lotr theme
Turning from the sorrowful violins to the triumphant horns is just perfect.
If I had a memory wiper aray, I would use it to watch these movies again for the first time.
Howard Shore. The LOTR trilogy would be half the movies they are without this guy's genius.
@@G82Jesse so true!!
The way the Witch-King turns and looks at Gandalf after hearing the horns always gives me chills. To me it shows two things:
1) the Witch-King felt a moment of panic upon hearing the reinforcements of men
2) in that moment, the Witch-King judged the Rohirrim to be a bigger threat than Gandalf the White
To me it always looked like a sort of ‘I’ll deal with you later.’ kind of moment.
That as much as he’d like to immediately follow through on his threat, he knows that the newcomer demands his attention.
But an unspoken threat to return and finish what he started.
@@rustkarl Same, it was definitely a look of, "I'll finish you off later, have more pressing matters." Definitely would've returned to finish him off if he could.
@@reminiscer15
Really good use of body language.
You can tell that he’s almost reluctant to give up his prey, but as a commander he knows that rationally he must address the new threat.
@@rustkarl Except it's fucked compared to the established canon set down by Tolkien. Gandalf was FAR above the Witch King in strength. That scene is only for the peanut gallery.
@@gonzostrangelove6107
If you ignore the surrounding circumstances yes.
Like for example the limitations set upon the Istari when in Middle Earth.
More than simply the order to advise and guide without seeking leadership, the very bodies they took left them vulnerable to the weaknesses of human life.
They were also forbidden from matching Sauron and his thralls with open display of power, a curb on their ability to fight directly, instead their mission was to guide the Free People to do it themselves.
Part of the reason why he was in his own words ‘barely involved’ in dealing with Smaug.
The Balrog, being a remnant of the War of Wrath is an exception to this rule.
There’s also the matter of the Witch King being empowered in some way that is mentioned in Tolkien’s letters, I can only assume that it was power from Sauron should the Witch-King encounter Gandalf or someone dangerous enough to warrant it.
The movie goes to show a brief taste of this disparity in power to accentuate Minas Tirith in its darkest hour.
" Courage, Merry. Courage for our friends. "
" FORM RANKS, YOU MAGGOTS "
Perfectly describes the two sides fighting here.
Very astute observation! Wow, never thought about it that way =)
Ironically enough, the orcs lost the second they broke ranks.
@@prestonjones1653 Prolly would've been helpful if they actually had pikes and not pole weapons.
@@rhorynotmylastname7781
True. I always figured it was a weirdly-shaped landsknecht
But... They are maggots..
It’s been 84 years… and this scene brings me to tears every time. Whoever reads this comment and ever got to experience ‘the back up’ to turn up to help you… you know. You lived.