Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

To understand this movie you really have to understand a lot of what has gone before as well as quite a bit that hasn’t been explained. As we begin and watch a pleasant ‘hobbit’ like creature fishing with his best buddy, we begin to see the importance of a certain ring, and the effects it can have on its wearer. As Smeagal begins to use the ring, and is corrupted instantly by its evil power, we see a strange and dangerous transformation. In perhaps a portent of what may happen to Frodo, we see Gollum emerge, a twisted shadow of his former self that has multiple characters and a desire to retrieve his ring from Frodo. His duality is obvious as he dances between wanting to assist Frodo and not hurt him to seeking revenge for losing his ring. Controlling him is his desire to retain the ring.

As Frodo and Sam forge ahead through the barren volcanic wastes of Mordor, we see Smeagol begin to push a wedge between Frodo and Sam, sowing the seeds of decent and distrust between the lifelong friends. This is enlarged by the detrimental effect the ring is also having on Frodo and it’s evil power is seemingly getting close to control. Gollum’s influence grows as he leads them through more sinister and dangerous landscapes, some seemingly perhaps not the safest routes - you sense early that Gollum has ulterior motives and you almost find yourself pulling your hair out in frustration as Frodo doesn’t see the deceit.

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