LORD OF THE RINGS:
RETURN OF THE KING

4 Stars - Inspiring

by Denny Wayman and Hal Conklin
"Reprinted with permission by cinemainfocus.com"

Placed within a fictional world in which evil is personified in a land of darkness beneath the fires of Mount Doom, the story of the struggle between good and evil continues from the first two films of the Tolkien trilogy. Easier to understand and resplendent with spiritual and social messages, this film is a superb conclusion, powerfully illustrating that evil cannot be defeated by might alone.

Though we often muster armies to face evil on the world’s battlefields in attempts to stop its horrendous destruction, the use of military might only prolongs the battle to a future day. For evil to be truly defeated, its tyrannical power and selfish greed must be freely surrendered: Good must choose commitment and love over power and greed; Authority must rest on those to whom it is due; And evil must be placed back in the fires that forged it. This message in all of its implications for living lives of peace is clearly expressed in this conclusion to J.R.R. Tolkien’s story.

The combination of military might and purity of heart are symbolized in the two lead characters, King Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and the hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood). Aragorn is the rightful king of middle earth, but the evil Lord Sauron (only shown as an evil-eye) has destroyed peace and rightful rule within the land. Aragorn has become a wandering "ranger" in an attempt to fight evil and is now returning to his rightful place as ruler of his people and commander of her armies. With the help of other courageous leaders, he rises to fight Sauron.

But it is clear that his sword and those of his companions are not enough to ultimately defeat evil. Evil owns the world. Yet, its strength resides in a ring of power that has fallen providentially into Frodo’s hands. Frodo is a hobbit of such goodness and strength that he is given the responsibility to take the ring back to Mount Doom and freely cast it into the fire from which it came to destroy its power. His companion Sam (Sean Astin) is a faithful friend and dedicates himself to help Frodo in his burdensome and dangerous task.

It is the duality of the effort that creates the primary spiritual messages within the film: Evil must be fought not merely with an army but more importantly with body and soul, with might and spirit, with army and personal goodness, if it is to be defeated.

Writing during World War II in England, the Christian author Tolkien knew that the battle with Hitler’s Nazism was only indicative of a larger struggle. If there is truly to be peace on earth, then not only must the army prevail but also persons of pure hearts must surrender the "rings of power" that enslave our souls. The person who exemplifies the struggle of such a choice is Gollum, also named Smeagol (Andy Serkis).

Finding the ring at the bottom of a stream, Smeagol had killed his friend to obtain it. Driven by his addiction to his "precious" ring, Smeagol hid from its seekers and lived deep within the cave of his obsession. Losing his spiritual bearings and living with a love-hate relationship with evil, Smeagol even forgets his own name and becomes a tormented divided soul who calls himself Gollum. He is willing to kill and die to obtain it once more.

The power of this film to expose our vulnerability to evil and the necessity to fight against it, collectively and individually, is invaluable. It is a lesson that speaks to the hearts of all who see it and a lesson we must learn if we are to ever find peace on earth. It is a lesson of the ultimate defeat of evil and its transforming power.

DISCUSSION:

1. When the spiritual leader Gandalf, the White Wizard (Ian McKellen), explains to the hobbit Pippin (Billy Boyd) that death is not the end, he describes an existence that removes Pippin’s fear and gives him courage to face danger. Do you experience this reassurance in your own life? How?
   
2. The power of evil to garner forces that appear larger than those of the good ignite fear in us which is often true to life. What do you do in such moments; do you still stand with courage or choose not to fight? What helps you stand in spite of fear?
   
3. How do you understand the dead army within the mountain that was cursed for betraying their king? What importance does loyalty and duty have within our spiritual and social lives?
   
4. The faithfulness of Sam is what makes Frodo capable of fulfilling his calling. How often do you see the faithful partner of a leader being afforded the honor that is their due?
   
5. The deceit of Gollum in manipulating Frodo to distrust Sam almost defeats them. How have you experienced deceit of an opportunistic person to manipulate and remove a faithful friend from your life?
   
6. When Princess Eowyn (Miranda Otto) is able to defeat the demonic being that could not be killed by a man, she demonstrates the power of a woman to defeat evil. Do you believe this just to be a twist of the tale or a point Tolkien was making.
   
7. The sacrifice of Arwen (Liv Tyler), in surrendering her immortality to help her beloved Aragorn, showed how "laying down our lives" for those we love is a power that can change the world. How do you experience this in your life? Arwen almost dies before she can become Aragorn’s queen - would her sacrifice then have been in vain?

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