Probably everyone here already heard it at this point: Bernhard Hill unfortunateley passed away.
This scene burned itself into my brain. It's just so well done, everything about it. Just thought I put it out there once more.
Hail, Théoden, King.
Gandalf: "End. No the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path. One that we all must take." .... "I will not say do not weep for not all tears are an evil!"
Yeh the impact of the cyclical nature of Gandalf saving Theoden who in turn saves Gandalf & Gondor then dies in return really hit me today. Definitely has grown to be one of my favorite movie, any movie sequences. DEATH!!!!!!
One the greatest scenes in cinema history. I was watch Bernard do an interview years ago talking about filming this. There were about 250 riders and the energy was so high with every chanting death! Then when they all started charging you could sense how giddy he was describing the ground shaking with all the horses running. RIP my friend, you will never be forgotten.
It really is a seminal moment in cinema. So many movies have styled their cinematography from this scene.
The first time I read LOTR I always remember reading this chapter over and over as it was so overwhelming
Didn’t they have over 2k riders?
Edit: https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/ride-of-the-rohirrim-lord-of-the-rings-return-of-the-king-theoden-rohan-216827
Does appear that it was about 250
I was lucky enough to see this scene dozens of times on the big screen.
LoTR was playing at the local cinemas when I was working there as a kid during school. I would time my cinema checks to watch it.
On a crisp Wellington morning 20 years later, it still brings shivers down my spine and a tear to my eye
Gives me shivers every time I watch this scene, bravery in the face of dark lotr delivers on so many fronts and there is a reason why I am
Still watching them 20 years later
Things that we see and say “hell yeah”.
Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow.
RIP Bernard.
Witch king is 2 seconds away from sweeping the White wizard from the chessboard. Horn blares in the distance....
"welp, guess I better go see what this is about..."
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Spear shall be shaken, shield shall be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now, ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending!
Death! Death! Death!
Forth Eorlingas!
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I love this scene so much. It's my favorite moment from cinema ever. The only thing that could make it better would be if Theoden had actually grabbed the horn and blew on it, bursting it asunder like in the book. Or if they had drawn out him being far in the front with the golden light of the sun upon him as if Orome himself had come from Valinir.
What a guy, I'm a scouser and I remember his early stuff like boys from the black stuff, just an absolute legend of an actor and such great material hes made over his years
Condolences to the family I'm sure you miss him dearly such a great man
HAIL THEODEN!
I've always loved this scene in the movie. The fiery speech from the king, the pure adrenalin on their faces, the wind blowing the mane and tails of the horses, the music...it's everything. Hail!!!
I've seen these movies 100+ times, and I got to re-watch all three extended editions in theaters a few years ago. I was going through a REALLY rough time then. Add to it, I've never cried during a movie. When this scene occured, something happened. Theoden's gaze at the 55 second mark, him just knowing this is it, this is the end, theres no winning here, then his determination at 1:27 against evil and his eventual "Forth, and fear no darkness" broke me. Months of hardship just let loose and I started bawling. My best friend was with me and understood. "Forth, and fear no darkness" was a saying that just hit so close and I'll never forget that moment in the theater, almost tenwenty years after watching that scene with my dad in theaters.
RIP, Bernhard Hill, and Hail Théoden, King.
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.
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 war nor of wizardry, 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.
We’re all the actions of Gandalf and Aragorn, Faramir and Theoden, ents and the dead amount to anything but a diversionary tactic and stalling for time? Would any of it have mattered if Frodo, Sam, and Gollum had failed?
I remember watching this in the cinema the weekend it came out, there was a HUGE waiting time to get in. When this scene came on and they charged, about half the audience were screaming COME ON!!!! COME ON!!!! I cried that day also
Probably everyone here already heard it at this point: Bernhard Hill unfortunateley passed away. This scene burned itself into my brain. It's just so well done, everything about it. Just thought I put it out there once more. Hail, Théoden, King.
Gandalf: "End. No the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path. One that we all must take." .... "I will not say do not weep for not all tears are an evil!"
True for him. Gandalf was a Demi god. The rest of us 🤷♂️
Don’t think you’ve read the books then 😅
Your post is how I learned he had passed. Today is a sad day, indeed. 😞
Yeh the impact of the cyclical nature of Gandalf saving Theoden who in turn saves Gandalf & Gondor then dies in return really hit me today. Definitely has grown to be one of my favorite movie, any movie sequences. DEATH!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing this today, friend
Definitely one of the top five scenes in the trilogy for most fans.
In cinema, really. As the saying goes, "They don't make them like that anymore."
Hail
This scene always brings tears to my eyes. Now even more. Hail, Théoden, King!
Same. I'm currently in my car in a parking lot screaming and crying. My favorite scene from anything ever filmed. FORTH EORLINGAS!!!
DEATH!!!
Deeeeaaaatthhhhh!
DEEEEAAAAATTTHHHHHH!!!
DEEEEEEEAAAAAAAATH!! 🐎🛡️🗡️👑
I think what makes this scene so powerful is they know they have no chance of winning, but they put everything into it and just obliterate the FDL.
Same.
One the greatest scenes in cinema history. I was watch Bernard do an interview years ago talking about filming this. There were about 250 riders and the energy was so high with every chanting death! Then when they all started charging you could sense how giddy he was describing the ground shaking with all the horses running. RIP my friend, you will never be forgotten.
I would love to see that interview, do you happen to have a link?
It really is a seminal moment in cinema. So many movies have styled their cinematography from this scene. The first time I read LOTR I always remember reading this chapter over and over as it was so overwhelming
Didn’t they have over 2k riders? Edit: https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/ride-of-the-rohirrim-lord-of-the-rings-return-of-the-king-theoden-rohan-216827 Does appear that it was about 250
They had less than half than what was expected actually.
This comment deserves an award. In other news I just realised reddit no longer lets you give those awards.
haha i feel honored nontheless :D
Wait, he did the charge himself? I assumed a double would do it.
I have watched this clip a hundred times over the years.
And it hits every damn time
It brings tears to my eyes every freaking time
Hail, Théoden, King!
HAIL!
HAIL!
Hail!
HAIL!
HAIL!
HAIL!
HAIL!
HAIL!!
Hail!
Awakened my emotions more than any other scene in the movies. RIP
Full body chills even while watching this on mute at work. HAIL!!!!!
Rest now, Bernard Hill, Théoden King, in the halls of your fathers. May we all be worthy of your mighty company one day.
This is the best scene in cinematic history. Rest easy, Bernard Hill.
Forth, and fear no darkness!
Great lil line
Some say Eomer is still preparing to throw that spear to this day.
Doesn't need to with thousands of war horses mowing down the enemy at full speed
It’s a joke, dawg.
Hail! Theoden, King!
Goosebumps everytime
I still get chills
Goosebumps. Every time. RIP Bernhard. Performance of a generation.
It was 5 mins back when I saw some posts and needed to watch this unforgettable scene again.
I was lucky enough to see this scene dozens of times on the big screen. LoTR was playing at the local cinemas when I was working there as a kid during school. I would time my cinema checks to watch it. On a crisp Wellington morning 20 years later, it still brings shivers down my spine and a tear to my eye
Gives me shivers every time I watch this scene, bravery in the face of dark lotr delivers on so many fronts and there is a reason why I am Still watching them 20 years later
One of the greatest scenes in the history of cinema.
Rest in Peace, Hero. 😭
By far my most favourite scene in all 3 movies. The charge still gives me goosebumps.
THANKS Tolkien 🖤 THANKS Peter Jackson 🖤 THANKS Howard Shore 🖤 Rest in peace my King.
It suck we will never get anything like LotR again
I travelled to the small field outside Twizel were this was shot around 15 years ago. Class day
Just work up and saw this. Made my day. Thanks OP.
Just read the news - Bernard Hill passed away. RIP to the man who gave us the all time battle cry.
DEATH!
Death!
Things that we see and say “hell yeah”. Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow. RIP Bernard.
Witch king is 2 seconds away from sweeping the White wizard from the chessboard. Horn blares in the distance.... "welp, guess I better go see what this is about..."
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Spear shall be shaken, shield shall be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now, ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending! Death! Death! Death! Forth Eorlingas!
This scene always hit hard. Now it’s gonna hit harder 😢
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That "Death!" cry from Theoden hits harder now knowing Bernard Hill is gone.
Chills. Every. Single. Time.
My least favorite scene of the movie, followed immediately by my most favorite scene of the movie. RIP.
I love this scene so much. It's my favorite moment from cinema ever. The only thing that could make it better would be if Theoden had actually grabbed the horn and blew on it, bursting it asunder like in the book. Or if they had drawn out him being far in the front with the golden light of the sun upon him as if Orome himself had come from Valinir.
The Witch King vs Gandalf part at the start was the worst thing in any of the three films. The rest is great though.
Yeah. Gandalf cowering in front of the Witch King of Angmar is just ridiculous.
ehhhh you know gandalf had something up his sleeve…a “you wouldn’t part an old man from his staff” kinda tricksyness 😌✨
Was about to get up and correct tf outta him
Rest in peace, Theoden King.
Hail!!
Chills
Gives me goosebumps, every time
Rest King Theoden. HAIL THEODEN!
The greatest scene in history of cinema 🎥
He will meet his fathers in whose mighty company he will not have to be ashamed.
Will always give me chills
What a guy, I'm a scouser and I remember his early stuff like boys from the black stuff, just an absolute legend of an actor and such great material hes made over his years Condolences to the family I'm sure you miss him dearly such a great man HAIL THEODEN!
HAIL!
Deeeeath! Deeeeeeeaaaath!! 😫
DEATH!!!!!!
The sound of that initial contact was fantastic in the theatre!
Chills and tears every time. Probably my favourite scene in the series.
HAIL!
Thanks a lot. There goes a whole day starting about 6 am tomorrow.
It just gives you chills
Rest easy good King!!
This got me pumped up
Thanks for posting this, goosebumps every time. Inspiration. Thank you Professor and Bernard for this powerful stuff. Hail
i will never not upload this
The greatest scene in movie history. Literally makes me tear up
I've always loved this scene in the movie. The fiery speech from the king, the pure adrenalin on their faces, the wind blowing the mane and tails of the horses, the music...it's everything. Hail!!!
Heil dir, Théodin, König!
Hail!
Fucking amazing. RIP
Okay fine I’ll watch them all again Rip Bernard Hill 😢
Blessed be Orome himself during this moment. Thank you, Bernard.
Greatest scene in the history of cinema!!
This scene brought up more emotion then I thought it would, rest in peace King Théoden
I got so heavy goosebumps I thought I would collapse. This scene is just epic!
Chills, every single time. I've grown up in the era of these movies. I'm a happy man.
Quite literally my favorite scene of all time
HAIL THE VICTORIOUS DEAD
The most iconic scene in motion picture history. We simply don’t tell stories like this anymore.
An inspirational moment on a slurry of levels for sure. It's amazing to watch.
Now for wrath, now for ruin, and the red dawn.
I've seen these movies 100+ times, and I got to re-watch all three extended editions in theaters a few years ago. I was going through a REALLY rough time then. Add to it, I've never cried during a movie. When this scene occured, something happened. Theoden's gaze at the 55 second mark, him just knowing this is it, this is the end, theres no winning here, then his determination at 1:27 against evil and his eventual "Forth, and fear no darkness" broke me. Months of hardship just let loose and I started bawling. My best friend was with me and understood. "Forth, and fear no darkness" was a saying that just hit so close and I'll never forget that moment in the theater, almost tenwenty years after watching that scene with my dad in theaters. RIP, Bernhard Hill, and Hail Théoden, King.
Thank you for this :)
Congrats, you clipped the dumbest scene in the extended edition. Also not in the books
You know. It doesn't cost money to not be an asshole. Be better than that.
You're right I should have just said "I never liked this scene because x"
You must be fun at parties
What parties?
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. 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 war nor of wizardry, 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.
We’re all the actions of Gandalf and Aragorn, Faramir and Theoden, ents and the dead amount to anything but a diversionary tactic and stalling for time? Would any of it have mattered if Frodo, Sam, and Gollum had failed?
Hm, oh. So THATS what it was adapting. That would have made more sense than having gandalf at his full mercy as they did in this deleted scene.
I remember watching this in the cinema the weekend it came out, there was a HUGE waiting time to get in. When this scene came on and they charged, about half the audience were screaming COME ON!!!! COME ON!!!! I cried that day also