14.30 In my instance deciding that I was ready to watch the extended version again this afternoon, I was pleased to find that experiencing beforehand the eight DVD’s covering the first two films, and watching three of the eight commentaries available and undertaking research, primarily through Wikipedia, had heightened my expectation, and which far from anti climatic disappointment, was rewarded beyond measure. The film gripped attention to an extent that it was difficult to keep up with multilevel references bombarding at various levels throughout, and while like the great symphonic works there are slow movements the film, even the 250 minutes extended version is a galloping crescendo from open shot to finish, in which all question are answered, mysteries resolved, and where the prolonged series of endings, although significantly shorter and less of an emotional rollercoaster than what happens in the book, nevertheless achieves that mixture of victoriousness and survival, mixed with intense moments of great loss at fallen heroes, and the inevitable breaking up of the Fellowship, knowing that some will never be reunited again, coupled with the reality, in particular for the Hobbits of returning to their homes, knowing that will always be separate from those who have not shared their experiences and that while will continued to have its highs and its lows, it is unlikely that individually they will experience the same testing, stretching and sense of achievement, or of being part of great enterprise in which each was to play crucial roles without which there would have been no triumph of the forces of good over evil.
15.00 I had a later lunch around 2pm which enabled me not to feel the need for food until the evening meal and because I was not going out or expected any callers I left washing and shaving, and bed making also to early afternoon. To undertaking some research and some level two chess before giving the film the attention it merited.
15.15 As confirmed in the subsequent Director/Producers and writer’s commentary the opening sequence was not the original intention and arose from a combination of wanting to have something different from the first two parts and to bring back the focus on to the ring so it brought a unity by beginning with the close friend and relative of Smeagol finding the ring, as Hobbits on a fishing expedition, to killing of the friend, and the gradual impact as Smeagol changes into Gollum, to having convinced Frodo that he is the master and that his objective is to facilitate the return of the Ring to volcanic fires of Mount Doom. In the absences of the Director on another part of the film making, the scene was produced by his partner and co producer writer Fran and he gives credit to Andy Serkis (Smeagol Gollum)for self directing the scene because of his absence. Fran half heartedly made the claim that the opening close up shot of a worm being prepared to be tied to the fishing line was an intentional reference to Paradise Lost, rather than after thought for the commentary.
15.45 I suspect that most children, adolescents and young men, some not so young, will see themselves as Frodo, the Ring bearer, an ordinary guy who is called upon to undertake the heroic and the extraordinary, as many young men do when they are called up in times of war; some who are by nature fun loving, partying and preoccupied with love and sex, will hope that if called upon at a time of emergency they will conquer their fear and inexperience and rise to whatever challenge they are called upon to meet: the more mature and self confident activist will see themselves as Aragorn, the selfless risk taker on behalf of the great cause who triumphs over every obstacle and adversary, finds the love of his, or anyone’s life and achieves his ultimate ambition; those with an intellectual and creative spirit will hope they will also prove themselves under fire but be able to successfully return to their chosen role life as Legolas; while those whose young nature has always been that of the warrior, with strong feelings for and against will see themselves as skilled and successful in battle as Gimli; there are many young women who in these contemporary times will rightly identify with Eowyn who chooses to prove herself as being more than equal in the fields of men, and who is also able to find a partner worthy of her love and respect; also suspect that many a young woman, along with some young men, will have recognised in themselves much of Samwise Gamgee, loyal, trustworthy and selfless whose only interest was to achieve their set task in life and be rewarded with a partner to share experiences within the structure and enjoyment of a family and a community. When I was younger I would have been inclined to see myself as Frodo and now in my three score years and ten I would like to see myself as Gandalf, and the aspects of him within me, but when I look into the mirror of my life the one who I really see is Smeagol who changes into Gollum although I hope, as did Frodo that it is possible to fight enough to complete the task and then gladly pay the price of doing so without clinging to some worldly passion only to perish in some eternal fire.
17.00 Having set the scene of the forthcoming struggles within and between Gollum, Frodo and Sam there is a return to Isengard in the extend edition, in which we find Pippin, Peregrin Took, Hobbit and Merry, Meriadoc Brandybuck Hobbit, stoned after their triumph over Sauruman and the Orcs when confronted by Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. It is at this point that the decision of the Director to shorten the ending by the killing of Sauruman and Grima Wormtongue occurs. This would have upset those with a close knowledge of the books if included in the theatre version and will do when they experience the extended version, but it is part of achieving the feeling that everything is explained and settled for those leaving the theatre or making supper before bedtime after watching the DVD extended version film.
18.00 I have a glass of red wine of a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon from the latest quarter’s case with a portion of salted peanuts. It has taken fifteen minutes to work out that that wine is substitute for that listed, the first time I recall that happening. It is enjoyable. Usually I but the smallest quantity of Asda brand peanuts a 21 p dividing into three or four portion dishes. The remaining packets have been bought or cleared as the new supply was into large packs one of £1 and the other of £2 which means that I have to be careful to continue to make small portions. Later around 20.00 I cook three small pieces of smoked haddock with a packet of frozen mixed steam fresh vegetable followed by than before some unsweetened grapefruit segments and a coffee, with a portion of grapes for my supper.
19.00 I need to plan for tomorrow as it will be five days since attempting to raise and lower the garage door since doing so for the refuse and then going for provisions later in the afternoon. I will first load up the cardboard boxes to take to the environmental centre and attempt to take out the car and park on the roadside. If there is a problem I can then plan to make my way by bus. If I have the car and prepare early enough I may also combine the refuse centre with checking if Asda Bolden has the transparent pockets. I will prepare a sandwich lunch and have placed a can of Pepsi in the refrigerator having disciplined myself only to do this once or twice a week and I will not renew the supply in store when it is used until I have achieve a weight reduction of a stone. I will also brew some coffee. I have not worked out how many mugs of coffee I obtain from the Taylor’s of Harrogate, Yorkshire 227 gram packs for the special rate of two packs for £4, I am sure I get over 10 brews a pack which means a price of less than 200 compared to that bought out which varies from £1.25 for a carton on instant to £1.95 for something more comparable with a mean of around £1.50-£1.60. Tomorrow’s game could make premiership football next season that much more likely and affect the decision whether to renew seasons tickets, my own and the majority, Newcastle plays at 3 on Sunday and the Boro in one of the televised games which clashes with a Wembley Trophy game for the also rans.
21.00 I decided to watch the Idols result’s show although I know who receives the lowest public vote from the internet. There was an interesting up date from someone who came third in season 2, who obtained a record contract, had major success with the single and did well with the album and then decided to fulfil a different ambition by investing in the creation of a successful restaurant. He second album is being released and she performed the single for the live show. Perhaps the most telling indication of making a life changing experience a continuing positive one is that she transformed her appearance from a gawky overweight lass lacking self confidence, into a polished mature self confident woman with a figure to match.
21.30 I must record to having broken not one but two dishes today, a small floral bowl used for peanut portion which is not a problem but a Denby Dale Brownware small plate from my birth and care mother’s kitchen. I need to consider whether I should store and use for special occasions.
23.00 I do not feel like writing more tonight about the return of the King and attend to Myspace and my email, sort general sorting of work and playing xchess against the computer at level 2. I start with a good run sixteen games before the first draw and then a run of 12. I play carefully for another hour before going to bed just before 1 am. In morning when I first rise I bring the total streak this time to 15 before and then leave.
06.30 I have a long for uninterrupted sleep of over five hours although I remember not settling when I first went bed. I hen woke after eight.
09.00 Having played some chess, washed up, and me, and loaded the car with cardboard boxes I test the garage door which appears to eb working normally as before. It is a glorious bright blue sky morning with almost no cloud, so I decide to do the trip to environmental centre. The sun glistens on the river and I am reminded that on returning from a walking shop earlier in the week I turned a corner to see the Scandinavian Ferry tower by the end of roadway in the distance on its way to the mouth of the river for the evening sailing. It remains an awesome sight. There are plenty of shoppers about and people using the environmental centre.
10.00 Unexpectedly there is a knock at the door on return and I struggle to find the key. It is the postman with a small package which he realises during the wait is not for me. He takes it away to return to the sender. I do some writing and find that two slices of brown toast is not sufficient so I have some cereal and a second cup of coffee. I decide on tea.
11.30 In the original film Sauruman does not appear at Isengard after its falls and two of the Fellowship parties meet up again to form the seven. The scene, the voice of Saruman is a new one created for the special edition. The return to the Rohan Palace Edoras is also an extended version which includes a drinking competition, which the Director alleges is the National sport of his homeland There is a short scene where the jounrey of Frodo, Sam and Gollum is issued to show the increasing effectiveness of Gollum in dividing the two Hobbits and therefore making Frodo an easier prey. The film then comes to the first turning points where the celebrations for the victory at Helm’s Deep become quickly overshadowed by the continuing peril of Sauron . First there is Arwen’s Dream. A real dream of Tolkien which the Director suggests reflected the sense of powerlessness he experienced as a child. I know that feeling and those dreams only too well. And the there is the great mistake, or so it appears as the curiosity of Pippin is such that he cannot resist the opportunity to examine the palantir, the rounded stone, rather like the crystal ball which sees ahead but which in this instance is a direct link into the being of Sauron so that in know his mind he know you. This this is but one of seven such object which existed over the Ages of Middle Earth, the Orthanc stone which enabled Sauron to capture the being of Sauruman and which now threatens to Pippin. However its coming into being alerts Gandalf that Sauron’s next move is to use his own first army to attempt to destroy the capital fortress of Gondor at Minas Ithil. There is some juggling with the original story as the Fellowship is again divided with Gandalf taking Pippen with him to warn Minas Ithil thus separating him from Merry for what is the first time in their lives and marks their growing up into young men about to face the reality of battle which was to lead to Men and not other creatures coming to have control of the Earth planet, to whatever extent Man has ever been in control. In Rivendell Arwen convinces Elrond to re-forge the broken sword which cut the Ring from the finger of Sauron in the Last Alliance of Elves and Men and Arwen through seeing a vision of having a son with Aragorn makes the decision to remain rather than go with the other Elves to the land of the undying. It is noon but I decide that this shall be an extended day I need to prepare for the match as the skies darken with grey cloud and I will need to check the weather forecast before departing. Then I go to sleep at my desk
18.30 Although this is an epic film depicting conflicts involving tens of thousands of beings, it is so much more with one strand the need to prove oneself and the other to gain love admiration respect of one’s parents, regardless of who they are. In the trilogy we have already witnessed the blinkered view which the 26th steward Gondor has towards his two different sons, Boromir and Faramir, and now mourning the confirmed death of Boromir, he rejects Faramir declaring that the wrong son has died and sending his son into certain death my pressing him to lead a suicide mission to try and reclaim the Gondor military settlement of Osgiliath, With the death of his favoured son he concentrates first in trying to maintain his position and running Gondor regardless of the intentions of Sauron, refusing to send for help, and then when Faramir is returned to him barely alive he decides to treat him as dead and attempts to burn both of them rather than give his son give medical attention or attend to the welfare of the people of Condor. The part is played by the Australian Actor John Noble whose face seems familiar although I cannot recall the circumstance. It is Gandalf and Pippin who lead the way in rousing the defences and setting off the beacons for aid. Meanwhile Aragorn Legolas and Gimli set off with as many men as possible under the ruler of Rohan still find it difficult to accept that he became under the spell of Sauron and nearly delivered his Kingdom to the Dark Lord. By his side is his Ward and Merry, who are to be the catalyst with influence on the course of the battle. Realising that the odds of defeating Sauron’s army are hopeless, and under the influence of the Elf Lord of Rivendell, Elrond, the father of Arwen who in the film version delivers the sword, he also reveals that he should take the Paths of the Dead to seek the assistance of the Army of the Dead. These are creatures similar to those in the Pirates of the Caribbean, skeletal figures doomed to an eternity in hell, in this instance because they refused to honour an oath previously given to fight against Sauron in the previous war with him. The legend is that they will rise up to redeem their historical failure if asked by a descendent of the ruler of Gondor. In the book Aragorn, succeeds in gaining the support of the Men the dead with the promise to free them from life in Hell and leads them against the Corsairs of Umbar, former Men of Numenoreans who have turned to their dark sides and consequently muster their fleet of fifty large ships and countless others to join the fight against Minas Tirith in the large plain beneath. They are contemptuous of the order to stop the advance up the river Anduin from its estuary ad he stands alone with Legolas and Gimli until the Men of the Death appear in their multitudes, take over the vessels to become the second army which ultimate will lead to the annihilation of the Orcs and their devices and weaponry. In the film many of the crew join in this additional feature for the extended version and the Director is the Corsair shot by Legolas arrow. For a time it appears that they will arrive too late to save the city as first the defensive forces to begin a retreat from level to level upwards. Even when the King of Rohan arrives with his army they are significantly outnumbered and there is need to draw on their courage to enter a battle where they know in advance they are likely to lose and most certainly die, and this is shown vividly in the fear of the Ward Eowyn and of Merry, especially when the enemy who turn to face them and start to retreat call upon their herd of Oliphants, monster size Elephants with large flexible tusks which can cut swathes among any forces in normal battle lines an who have such a thick skins that the only way you stop them is to penetrate their bodies through there eyes. It is at this moment that King Theoden of Rohan, Bernard Hill becomes mortally wounded and passed the sword of freedom to Eowyn and where she with the help of Merry is able to kill the Witch King, the Lord of Nazgul and leader of Sauron first army. This is because he is invincible in the field of battle to Men. His death, the arrival of Aragorn with the Men of Death complete the victory and Pippin who goes on to the field of battle to search among the fallen and wounded discovers Merry alive. Bernard Hill,The seven of the Fellowship are able to briefly celebrate the saving of the city before the continuing growing power of Sauron appears to herald the failure of he mission of Frodo, with the assistance of Sam
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