Lord of the Rings on Film

Lesson 4: The Two Towers

Plot 2 – Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli (Saruman, Gandalf, Théoden, Éowyn, Arwen)

The three run after the trail of the orcs, covering many miles in a few days. After finding Pippin’s brooch, Legolas’ keen sight sees that the orcs are taking the hobbits to Isengard. The three renew their efforts.

At dawn of the next day Legolas says that blood has been spilt the night before. He and his companions come across the Riders of Rohan, who surround them with their spears (a great moment, made all the better by the characters’ reactions – Aragorn is stoic, Legolas calm and Gimli murderous). The Riders are led by Éomer who says that they came across a large party of orcs the previous night, killed them all and burnt the bodies. Aragorn and company are in despair, thinking that Merry and Pippin are lost.

The three go towards the pile of burning bodies, where Aragorn manages to pick up the trail again. He sees that the hobbits crawled away from the battle scene and that their bonds were cut before they ran into the forest. The three go into the forest after them and meet Gandalf, now Gandalf the White and with his horse Shadowfax.

Gandalf and the others go towards Rohan, knowing that Saruman is mustering his troops against the kingdom and that Wormtongue is ensuring that the kingdom remains weak. At Rohan, Gandalf removes the spell of Saruman from Théoden and throws Wormtongue out (very satisfyingly down the steps). He tells Théoden of the danger Rohan is in from Saruman, and Théoden sends his people to the caves to hide while the men retreat to the stronghold of Helm’s Deep. Éowyn is told she must go to the caves with the rest of the women, and she tells Aragorn that what she fears most is not death or injury but "a cage".

Gandalf leaves to try and muster help, and the people of Rohan move towards Helm’s Deep – the men to fight, the women to take refuge in the caves. Aragorn dreams of Arwen that night when he cannot sleep – she tells him he cannot falter now. When he thinks of her the next day we learn that she is sailing west and leaving Middle-earth.

The next day they are attacked by Wargs, huge wolves unleashed by Saruman, and Aragorn is carried over the edge of the cliff. Thinking he is dead, the party continue on their way. They reach Helm’s Deep and prepare for battle, as does Saruman, who astounds Wormtongue with the many thousands of orcs waiting to fight. The situation looks hopeless.

On the shore, Aragorn regains consciousness and manages to make his way to Helm’s Deep. Éowyn is delighted and runs to hug him – after a moment’s hesitation Aragorn returns the hug.

Even Legolas is now saying that the battle is hopeless, but Aragorn and Gimli prepare for it anyway. As everyone is about to take their positions, a host of elves, led by Haldir, arrive to fight alongside the men (much to the annoyance of some fans of the book. Every time I watch this scene I can hear a friend of mine yelling, "There were NO ELVES at Helm’s Deep!"). The battle begins.

Both sides fight until the wall is broken down and defeat seems inevitable. However, Aragorn persuades Théoden to ride out with him at daybreak, remembering what Gandalf says about looking to the east at dawn of the fifth day. The two ride out and in the mist of battle see Gandalf and the Rohirrim ride down the hill towards them. The orcs are routed and the battle won.

  1  2  3  4  5