The document analyzes the opening scene of The Lord of the Rings film. It introduces the main characters Gandalf, Frodo, and Sam. Gandalf courageously faces the Balrog, though he seems to be weaker. When Gandalf and the Balrog fall, Frodo wakes from a nightmare, suggesting he may not be strong enough to carry the ring. The opening uses different camera shots effectively to set the mood and show the battle between Gandalf and the Balrog. It throws the viewer straight into the fantasy world of the story.

1. THE LORD OF THE RINGS
FILM OPENING ANALYSIS
By Amy-Ann Edwards-Morton

2. CHARACTER
• In this film opening we are introduced to three main
characters: Gandalf, Frodo and Sam. Frodo is the
main protagonist as he is the one carrying the one
ring. Gandalf who we see first seems to be a brave
and courageous character as he is facing up to a
Balrog (daemon of Morgorth) who is clearly much
stronger than him.
• When both the Balrog and Gandalf fall into the
water, Frodo wakes up saying his name. It is clearly a
flashback from the previous film The Fellowship Of The
Ring and has scarred him mentally which gives the
audience the impression that Frodo may not be
strong enough to carry this one ring.

3. • The Lord Of The Rings has its own language and ICONOGRAPHY
there is not many fantasy films that manage to
attain their own language. This film is very different
from any other fantasy film I have watched. Most
other fantasy films don’t have the level of special
effects that this film has that fit within the genre of
Fantasy films.
• In The Lord Of The Rings all features of the fantasy
genre are met and not challenged. There is
something unique about Lord Of The Rings that
does not apply to many other fantasy films. The film
and book are based on Nordic legends and myths
whereas many other films are based on imagination
rather than historical context.
• The costume also fits within the fits within the genre
of fantasy.
Rohan
Soldiers
based on
the Vikings
from
Norway
Hobbits
Based on
19th Century
Lincolnshire
people

4. NARRATIVE
After the fellowship breaks up at the end of The Fellowship of the Ring,
individual characters and smaller groups pursue their own journeys, and the
scenes move back and forth between them. However, their stories take
place more or less simultaneously and are related in the order in which they
occur. Dreams, visions, and psychic messages occasionally appear and
reveals images of past or future events, but since these occur within specific
characters’ minds, they still follow the chronology of the action taking place

5. THEMES
• Fellowship-At the end of The Fellowship of the Ring, Galadriel tells Frodo that
bearing the ring is a solitary task, prompting him to leave the others. Though Sam
refuses to leave Frodo alone and gives him much comfort, he remains blind to his
friend’s inner torment. Even after the ring is destroyed, Frodo remains isolated. He is
unable to readjust to life in the Shire and eventually leaves the other hobbits behind.
His experience as ring-bearer has permanently isolated him from his peers.
• Temptation of the ring-The temptation of the ring is the motivating force behind
every action in The Lord of the Rings, whether characters are fighting the
temptation, nurturing it, denying it, or preventing someone else from giving in to it.
Characters of every race pursue the ring. The Ringwraith's and Sauron seek it
constantly. Gollum attacks Frodo several times to try to take it from him.. Though he
is chosen as ring-bearer because he is most resistant to the ring’s lure, Frodo must
constantly fight his desire for it. He is sometimes tempted to hand it over to his more
powerful friends, while at other times he wants to keep it for himself.

6. SOUND
• The Non-diegetic sound is played at the beginning is seems as though the
film has an equilibrium according to the Todorov theory. There is then the
voice of Gandalf which seems to echo over the mountains perhaps to
create an enigma.
• Diegetic sound- when we get to the scene between the Balrog and Gandalf
his voice becomes diegetic as it not played over the top. The sound that is
mainly used is non diegetic with very little diegetic. I think this is effective
because it still creates an enigma even though we are only 2 mins into the
film.

7. CAMERA SHOTS
• The establishing shot is very effective at it sets the
mood for the film. This shot shows a mountain range
which connotes struggle and hard work which is one
of the main themes throughout the film
• The close up of Gandalf and the Balrog’s face is
very successful as it shows the facial expressions
which can show us the emotion and the make up/
costume that they are wearing
• The high angle shot is one of the most important
shots in this scene as it shows what fate Gandalf is
about to receive. It keeps the audience on edge
and makes them hold their breath.
• The low angle shot is probably the best shot in this
scene as it shows the full extent of the battle and
also demonstrates the full size of the balrog
compared to Gandalf’s size. It also illustrates that the
Balrog is more powerful and is the one in control.

8. Lighting
There is low key lighting as the setting is in Moria inside a
mountain. The only high key lighting is when Frodo wakes up.
The Low key lighting is effective because it gives the
impression of an evil ambience. On the other hand the low
key lighting is a disadvantage because we can hardly see
anything until the fight between Gandalf and the Balrog
continues as they fall through the mountain.

9. Target Audience
The target audience for this film is teenagers aged 13+. Even
adults watch the lord of the rings. The special effects and the
content of the film fit the expectations of the target
audience. Lord Of The Rings has won Oscars for the best
special effects cinematic photography, make up and
soundtrack. It has more fans than the Hunger Games and
Game of Thrones.

10. GRATIFICATION THEORY
• Fantasy films such as Lord Of The Rings cover several
aspects of the Gratification Theory. The aspect of the theory
covered by Lord Of The rings are as follows:
• Escape from reality- this film opening throws you into
another world that we can only reach in our imagination. It
distracts me from the harshness of reality.

11. WHY I LOVE LORD OF THE RINGS AND
THE FILM OPENING IN QUESTION
I love this opening because it throws you straight
into the action and has various camera shots that
work really well. Also I can imagine myself there
because it has the best special effects that make
it look surreal. Another reason why it appeals to
me because it creates an enigma when you first
watch it.