Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
A Movie Script Exerpt by Peter Jackson
About the Author
Peter Jackson was born on October, 31 1961 in Pukera Bay, New Zealand. From an extremely young age, Peter became fascinated and interested in films when his parents bought their first television when Peter was 5, as well as Peter’s exposure to the movie King Kong, in 1971. Also in 1971, Peter’s parents bought him his first movie camera, bringing his love for cinematography to life, sparking what is becoming a successful career. After dropping out of Kapiti College, Peter got a job to fund his first project, Bad Taste. His work, spanning over 5 years, paid off; garnering money from the New Zealand Film Commission to pay for the post-production portion of the film. When the film debuted at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival, it received distribution deals in 12 different countries. Peter’s fan base only improved through the early 90’s with the films: Meet the Feebles, Braindead, and Heavenly Creatures. The Lord of The Rings, which appeared in the early 2000’s, catapulted Jackson into the top ten film makers of all time. Currently, Jackson has released the first installment of The Hobbit trilogy, and the next two films will be following within the next few years. EDH
Relation to "Friendship"
The Lord of The Rings symbolizes the journey of friendship as two friends, Frodo and Sam, go on a quest together to destroy the Ring of Power. In the same way that these two hobbits face trials and other misfortunes, normal friendships go through the same cycle as individuals’ personalities change, people move from one place to another, and misunderstandings occur. EDH
An Excerpt from the Movie Script of
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
EDH
Movie Clip from Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Smeagol - Sneaking from Rachel Self on Vimeo.
Found by: EDH
Uploaded by: RLS
Uploaded by: RLS
Discussion Questions and Activities
1. Research J.R.R. Tolkien’s childhood and see if there is any correlation between characters in The Lord of The Rings and his childhood experiences. Using the information found, generate some discussion on why he would add some of his personal experiences into his writings.
2. Compare Sam’s personality in the movie script with his personality in the book. How are they different, how are they alike?
3. Teachers, go to the book website and show the class the video clip which goes along with movie script under the "Friendship and Relationships" tab. Ask your students how their perspective of the story changes when the visual aspect of the clip is added to the non-descriptive script.
4. Tolkien’s writing style is different from other writers as he switches from one character’s perspective to another’s from one paragraph to the next. Have the class discuss whether this style is more engaging for them or confusing. Use their answers as a way to explain the necessity of good flow from one idea to the next between paragraphs. EDH
2. Compare Sam’s personality in the movie script with his personality in the book. How are they different, how are they alike?
3. Teachers, go to the book website and show the class the video clip which goes along with movie script under the "Friendship and Relationships" tab. Ask your students how their perspective of the story changes when the visual aspect of the clip is added to the non-descriptive script.
4. Tolkien’s writing style is different from other writers as he switches from one character’s perspective to another’s from one paragraph to the next. Have the class discuss whether this style is more engaging for them or confusing. Use their answers as a way to explain the necessity of good flow from one idea to the next between paragraphs. EDH
Essay and Response Questions
1. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Two Towers, the scene where Gollum breaks the lembas bread and blames it on Sam, does not exist. Instead, Tolkien uses a different scene within his book to show Gollum’s treachery. Read the excerpt from the book where Gollum springs his treachery and compare it to the movie screenplay. Is Tolkien’s original way of expressing Sam’s friendship with Frodo better than the screenplay writer’s?
2. How does the movie screenplay writer’s style differ from that of a playwright’s? Compare and contrast one, or several plays’ styles with the style in which Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King screenplay is written.
3. Watch the scene between Gollum, Sam, and Frodo on the website and follow along in the book with the two scenes. Do the actors portray the level of friendship that is expressed within the text? Do the visual and audio aspects of the movie add to the feelings of friendship within the scene, or do they take away from it?
4. Analyze why Frodo is so quick to believe Gollum; an obviously shady character whom Frodo has not known for a long period of time, and not Sam; his lifelong friend and companion from the beginning of the journey. What does this tell you about Frodo’s friendships and nature? Is Frodo acting out of necessity to distance himself from Sam, who may be after the ring along with everyone else, or is he a victim of Gollum’s lies? EDH
2. How does the movie screenplay writer’s style differ from that of a playwright’s? Compare and contrast one, or several plays’ styles with the style in which Lord of the Rings: The Return of The King screenplay is written.
3. Watch the scene between Gollum, Sam, and Frodo on the website and follow along in the book with the two scenes. Do the actors portray the level of friendship that is expressed within the text? Do the visual and audio aspects of the movie add to the feelings of friendship within the scene, or do they take away from it?
4. Analyze why Frodo is so quick to believe Gollum; an obviously shady character whom Frodo has not known for a long period of time, and not Sam; his lifelong friend and companion from the beginning of the journey. What does this tell you about Frodo’s friendships and nature? Is Frodo acting out of necessity to distance himself from Sam, who may be after the ring along with everyone else, or is he a victim of Gollum’s lies? EDH
Formatting by: RLS