LOTR The Return of the King - The Crack of Doom

It’s nice when Sauron realize the ring is in the volcano and he’s like “oh shit”

It's so poetic that the ring essentially destroyed itself by tempting Frodo and Gollum in desperation.

The scariest thing is that Frodo was still under the Ring's influence even after Gollum bit his finger off. He wasn't intent on destroying it but to just reclaim it off him.

I love how Tolkien gives full credit to the Ring right to the end by demonstrating that it is utterly impossible for anyone to destroy it. At the end of the day we're dealing with a mortal and an object created by an immortal semi-deity.

Even watching these movies as a kid, the absolute heart break on Sam's face when he realizes that Frodo has given into the ring always got me. You can just see it on his face; they came so far... this can't be how it ends...

Honestly I do not blame Frodo for finally succumbing, he had to carry the Ring for 18 months. I doubt any mortal could have done the same

Man seeing Frodo overcome by the One Ring hits so freaking deep. After all the time we witnessed every single person consumed by it except Frodo.. and to see it consume him moments away from the ultimate goal. He's the one guy you don't expect to say those words; and wear the ring because of the temptation.

I like how Tolkien didn't use good to destroy but let evil destroy itself

The moment Frodo puts the ring on, Sauron must have metaphorically shat himself, considering he now knows where the ring is and that Sam and Frodo are moments away from ending him.

Probably the coolest moment is when Sauron finally discovers the attack. Remember that all three movies were basically an attempt to make it to Mount Doom without getting discovered. That moment when he finds out, looks squarely at the gate of Mount Doom, and sends ALL of his Nazgul flying there with a screetch is unbelievable. You realize, "Oh crap, this is it. It's all or nothing now."

The horrifying realization on Sam’s face when he realizes Frodo’s been corrupted by the ring and the utter heartbreak on his face at 1:48 is just superb acting. One of the best scenes of the trilogy.

1:33 I've always admired how much Frodo looks like an entirely different person when he turns around to Sam, and Sam's look of horror speaks a thousand words.

Frodo's complete change of character at this moment is awesome! Elijah Wood did a great job on this!

I know that the Frodo vs Gollum scene is very important, but it's Legolas' pure anguish and panic, when he thought Aragorn was going to die, that gets me every time.

Frodo definitely deserves points for being able to resist the ring as long as he did. Right here at the heart of Mount Doom moments away from its destruction, the ring at its strongest and being so desperate to prevent itself being destroyed summoned every ounce of evil it could possibly muster into corrupting Frodo. Nobody would have been able to resist it.

1:54 is the same look that Isildur gave Elrond when he gave in to the rings power. Awesome detail. This trilogy will never feel old

I’m surprised no one is talking about the moment when Golum has the ring back! The music is perfect. After all those years of suffering, he finally got back what represents all his life. Like wow, I love that scene.

And so frodo decide to keep the ring. Evil once again had won. Everyones missery faillure could be heard by the music and so all hope was lost. Until evil destroys evil himself. Love Tolkiens end.

3:06 & 3:35 are honestly heartbreaking when you think about it. Legolas is an elf - he likely has not had that much experience with death of friends and loved ones. You’ll notice that when both Gandalf and Boromir die, there’s at least one shot of him looking confused by what he’s witnessing. So when it looks like Aragorn might be next - the man he’s befriended, traveled with, fought with, always been with through every moment of this journey - you can see the panic in Legolas’s eyes. It can’t happen again. Not to him.

Having read the books, I knew this was coming, but it still felt like a giant gut punch. All that time, all that build up, and Frodo succumbs. It's heartbreaking