Lord of the rings and the two towers

"The Two Towers" is another excellent installment in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Frodo Baggins and Sam Gamgee continue their journey to Mordor in order to destroy the One Ring with the creature, Gollum, as their guide despite Gollum's obsession with getting `his precious' back. Pippin and Merry manage to escape the Uruk hai into the Fangorn Forest and their own adventure with the Ents. Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas try to save the kingdom of Rohan from imminent destruction from Saruman's Uruk-Hai. Gandalf is reincarnated as a white wizard and returns to fulfill his task of aiding the free people against Sauron's forces. The movie also features amazing special effects with Gollum, dramatic political tension in Rohan, and fantastic moments with the Ents. There's also beautiful moments between Aragorn and Arwen. The costumes, weapons, armor, props and movie sets are very well crafted. The landscapes and scenery of New Zealand are beautiful. Treebeard and the Ents are very well done in CGI. The ents are curiously wise and well spoken. The CGI incarnation of Gollum/Smeagol was incredibly emotive and powerful as it protrays Gollum as profoundly disturbing, amusing and almost lovable all at the same time. Hence, Gollum is still a CGI masterpiece. The special effects for the ents, the mumakil, the wargs, Sauron's eye and the fellbeast are very incredible. The filming locations and the movie sets for the Kingdom of Rohan look gorgeous. The Rohirrim are a sight to behold and do conjure images of the lost Anglo-Saxons. The acting is superb with an amazing cast. Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Sir Christopher Lee as Saruman are flawless. Sean Astin was born for the role as Samwise Gamgee and portrays Sam's character perfectly. Andy Serkis gave an astonishing performance as Gollum. Elijah Wood Dominic Monaghan as Merry and Billy Boyd as Pippin still make for a delightful duo. Viggo Mortensen's performance as Aragorn is visceral and sensitive with physical dexterity, along with being an empathic, warmer and fundamentally human in presence and charisma. Orlando Bloom still pulls of as Legolas very well. John Rhys-Davies is still brilliant and hilarious as Gimli. Bernard Hill gives a very perfect performance as King Theoden. Miranda Otto as Eowyn and Karl Urban as Eomer were excellent. David Wenham was a very good choice for the role as Faramir. Brad Douris gives a superb performance as Grima Wormtongue. The Battle of Helm's Deep is still one of the best movie battle scenes in cinema history. The scene where Haldir (Craig Parker) arrives with an army of Galadhirm elven warrirors at Helm's Deep to aid the men of Rohan is still one of highlights of The Two Towers movie. The action and fighting scenes at Helm's deep is epic and perfectly executed. The choreography of the battle, the visual effects, the pacing, acting, cinematography, and music, all work together in perfection to achieve grand filmmaking. The downfall of Frodo as the ring slowly takes hold of him is very well done. The battles of Helms Deep and Isengard are truly breathtaking. The ents marching off to war and tearing down Isengard is still a very breathtaking and powerful moment. The scene where Gandalf and Eomer arrive with an army of Rohirrim, charging down a hill at the Uruk hai and turning the tide of battle at Helm's Deep is astonishing. Samwise Gamgee's "some good things in the world worth fighting for" speech to Frodo is very enlightening and provides positive motivation. Howard Shore is musical genius in composing beautiful songs and music scores that captures the magic and the essence of Middle Earth. The theme song for the kingdom of Rohan is very splendid. "Gollum's Song" by Emilíana Torrini is a haunting beautiful and suspenseful song that plays at the movie credits. Peter Jackson's "The Two Towers" is one wonderful interpretation of the epic story. A spectacular adventure action experience.

“An extraordinary work—pure excitement, unencumbered narrative, moral warmth, bare-faced rejoicing in beauty, but excitement most of all.”—The New York Times Book Review

THE GREATEST FANTASY EPIC OF OUR TIME
The Fellowship was scattered. Some were bracing hopelessly for war against the ancient evil of Sauron. Some were contending with the treachery of the wizard Saruman. Only Frodo and Sam were left to take the accursed Ring of Power to be destroyed in Mordor-the dark Kingdom where Sauron was supreme. Their guide was Gollum, deceitful and lust-filled, slave to the corruption of the Ring.
Thus continues the magnificent, bestselling tale of adventure begun in "The Fellowship of the Ring, which reaches its soul-stirring climax in "The Return of the King.

From the Back Cover

THE GREATEST FANTASY EPIC OF OUR TIME

The Fellowship was scattered. Some were bracing hopelessly for war against the ancient evil of Sauron. Some were contending with the treachery of the wizard Saruman. Only Frodo and Sam were left to take the accursed Ring of Power to be destroyed in Mordor -- the dark Kingdom where Sauron was supreme. Their guide was Gollum, deceitful and lust-filled, slave to the corruption of the Ring.

THUS CONTINUES THE MAGNIFICENT, BESTSELLING TALE OF ADVENTURE BEGUN IN THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING, WHICH REACHES ITS SOUL-STIRRING CLIMAX IN THE RETURN OF THE KING.

About the Author

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born on January 3, 1892, in Bloemfontein, South Africa. After serving in World War I, he embarked upon a distinguished academic career and was recognized as one of the finest philologists in the world. He was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. He is, however, beloved throughout the world as the creator of Middle-earth and author of such classic works as The Hobbit andThe Lord of the Rings. He died on September 2, 1973, at the age of eighty-one.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

THE DEPARTURE OF BOROMIR

Aragorn sped on up the hill. Every now and again he bent to the ground. Hobbits go light, and their footprints are not easy even for a Ranger to read, but not far from the top a spring crossed the path, and in the wet earth he saw what he was seeking.

‘I read the signs aright,’ he said to himself. ‘Frodo ran to the hill-top. I wonder what he saw there? But he returned by the same way, and went down the hill again.

Aragorn hesitated. He desired to go to the high seat himself, hoping to see there something that would guide him in his perplexities; but time was pressing. Suddenly he leaped forward, and ran to the summit, across the great flag-stones, and up the steps. Then sitting in the high seat he looked out. But the sun seemed darkened, and the world dim and remote. He turned from the North back again to North, and saw nothing save the distant hills, unless it were that far away he could see again a great bird like an eagle high in the air, descending slowly in wide circles down towards the earth.

Even as he gazed his quick ears caught sounds in the woodlands below, on the west side of the River. He stiffened. There were cries, and among them, to his horror, he could distinguish the harsh voices of Orcs. Then suddenly with a deep-throated call a great horn blew, and the blasts of it smote the hills and echoed in the hollows, rising in a mighty shout above the roaring of the falls.

‘The horn of Boromir!’ he cried. ‘He is in need!’ He sprang down the steps and away, leaping down the path. ‘Alas! An ill fate is on me this day, and all that I do goes amiss. Where is Sam?

As he ran the cries came louder, but fainter now and desperately the horn was blowing. Fierce and shrill rose the yells of the Orcs, and suddenly the horn-calls ceased. Aragorn raced down the last slope, but before he could reach the hill’s foot, the sounds died away; and as he turned to the left and ran towards them they retreated, until at last he could hear them no more. Drawing his bright sword and crying Elendil! Elendil! he crashed through the trees.

A mile, maybe, from Parth Galen in a little glade not far from the lake he found Boromir. He was sitting with his back to a great tree, as if he was resting. But Aragorn saw that he was pierced with many black-feathered arrows; his sword was still in his hand, but it was broken near the hilt; his horn cloven in two was at his side. Many Orcs lay slain, piled all about him and at his feet.

Aragorn knelt beside him. Boromir opened his eyes and strove to speak. At last slow words came. ‘I tried to take the Ring from Frodo,’ he said. ‘I am sorry. I have paid.’ His glance strayed to his fallen enemies; twenty at least lay there. ‘They have gone: the Halflings: the Orcs have taken them. I think they are not dead. Orcs bound them.’ He paused and his eyes closed wearily. After a moment he spoke again.

‘Farewell, Aragorn! Go to Minas Tirith and save my people! I have failed.

‘No!’ said Aragorn, taking his hand and kissing his brow. ‘You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory. Be at peace! Minas Tirith shall not fall!

Boromir smiled.

‘Which way did they go? Was Frodo there?’ said Aragorn.

But Boromir did not speak again.

‘Alas!’ said Aragorn. ‘Thus passes the heir of Denethor, Lord of the Tower of Guard! This is a bitter end. Now the Company is all in ruin. It is I that have failed. Vain was Gandalf’s trust in me. What shall I do now? Boromir has laid it on me to go to Minas Tirith, and my heart desires it; but where are the Ring and the Bearer? How shall I find them and save the Quest from disaster?

He knelt for a while, bent with weeping, still clasping Boromir’s hand. So it was that Legolas and Gimli found him. They came from the western slopes of the hill, silently, creeping through the trees as if they were hunting. Gimli had his axe in hand, and Legolas his long knife: all his arrows were spent. When they came into the glade they halted in amazement; and then they stood a moment with heads bowed in grief, for it seemed to them plain what had happened.

‘Alas!’ said Legolas, coming to Aragorn’s side. ‘We have hunted and slain many Orcs in the woods, but we should have been of more use here. We came when we heard the horn—but too late, it seems. I fear you have taken deadly hurt.

‘Boromir is dead,’ said Aragorn. ‘I am unscathed, for I was not here with him. He fell defending the hobbits, while I was away upon the hill.

‘The hobbits!’ cried Gimli. ‘Where are they then? Where is Frodo?

‘I do not know,’ answered Aragorn wearily. ‘Before he died Boromir told me that the Orcs had bound them; he did not think that they were dead. I sent him to follow Merry and Pippin; but I did not ask him if Frodo or Sam were with him: not until it was too late. All that I have done today has gone amiss. What is to be done now?

‘First we must tend the fallen,’ said Legolas. ‘We cannot leave him lying like carrion among these foul Orcs.

‘But we must be swift,’ said Gimli. ‘He would not wish us to linger. We must follow the Orcs, if there is hope that any of our Company are living prisoners.

‘But we do not know whether the Ring-bearer is with them or not,’ said Aragorn. ‘Are we to abandon him? Must we not seek him first? An evil choice is now before us!

‘Then let us do first what we must do,’ said Legolas. ‘We have not the time or the tools to bury our comrade fitly, or to raise a mound over him. A cairn we might build.

‘The labour would be hard and long: there are no stones that we could use nearer than the water-side,’ said Gimli.

‘Then let us lay him in a boat with his weapons, and the weapons of his vanquished foes,’ said Aragorn. ‘We will send him to the Falls of Rauros and give him to Anduin. The River of Gondor will take care at least that no evil creature dishonours his bones.

Quickly they searched the bodies of the Orcs, gathering their swords and cloven helms and shields into a heap.

‘See!’ cried Aragorn. ‘Here we find tokens!’ He picked out from the pile of grim weapons two knives, leaf-bladed, damasked in gold and red; and searching further he found also the sheaths, black, set with small red gems. ‘No orc-tools these!’ he said. ‘They were borne by the hobbits. Doubtless the Orcs despoiled them, but feared to keep the knives, knowing them for what they are: work of Westernesse, wound about with spells for the bane of Mordor. Well, now, if they still live, our friends are weaponless. I will take these things, hoping against hope, to give them back.

‘And I,’ said Legolas, ‘will take all the arrows that I can find, for my quiver is empty.’ He searched in the pile and on the ground about and found not a few that were undamaged and longer in the shaft than such arrows as the Orcs were accustomed to use. He looked at them closely.

And Aragorn looked on the slain, and he said: ‘Here lie many that are not folk of Mordor. Some are from the North, from the Misty Mountains, if I know anything of Orcs and their kinds. And here are others strange to me. Their gear is not after the manner of Orcs at all!

There were four goblin-soldiers of greater stature, swart, slant-eyed, with thick legs and large hands. They were armed with short broad-bladed swords, not with the curved scimitars usual with Orcs; and they had bows of yew, in length and shape like the bows of Men. Upon their shields they bore a strange device: a small white hand in the centre of a black field; on the front of their iron helms was set an S-rune, wrought of some white metal.

‘I have not seen these tokens before,’ said Aragorn. ‘What do they mean?

‘S is for Sauron,’ said Gimli. ‘That is easy to read.

‘Nay!’ said Legolas. ‘Sauron does not use the Elf-runes.

‘Neither does he use his right name, nor permit it to be spelt or spoken, said Aragorn. ‘And he does not use white. The Orcs in the service of Baraddûr use the sign of the Red Eye.’ He stood for a moment in thought. ‘S is for Saruman, I guess,’ he said at length. ‘There is evil afoot in Isengard, and the West is no longer safe. It is as Gandalf feared: by some means the traitor Saruman has had news of our journey. It is likely too that he knows of Gandalf’s fall. Pursuers from Moria may have escaped the vigilance of Lórien, or they may have avoided that land and come to Isengard by other paths. Orcs travel fast. But Saruman has many ways of learning news. Do you remember the birds?

‘Well, we have no time to ponder riddles,’ said Gimli. ‘Let us bear Boromir away!

‘But after that we must guess the riddles, if we are to choose our course rightly,’ answered Aragorn.

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