You missed the best shot in the film...

The fact that we're still talking about these movies a quarter of a century after they were released just reinforces my opinion: These are the best movies ever made.

i also think it works as an establishing shot for the war to come. Now we know that field is massive. so when the armies of mordor cover it, we have an idea how absolutely large of an army it is.

Thank you for dedicating 4.5 minutes for this underrated shot. This is my favorite CG shots in the trilogy because it perfectly captures the realism of the location. It’s hard to believe it was just a miniature but the shaky whip pan to the city sells it. Also: the one shot of Gandalf from afar that shows a heat haze is definitely a runner up.

The only thing I've come to dislike about LotR over the years is that all of these brilliant shots ARE TOO DAMN SHORT!!

I feel like the soundtrack at that moment makes it hit harder. One lone, angelic voice cuts away the blasts of horns and drums. One trusted white rider gallops desperately ahead of us against black, brown, red and grey colors of battle and death.

For me, my favorite shot, at least the one that makes me go "Wait, how did they do that" is from near the end of the Fellowship. We are up with Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas and Boromir starts blowing his horn. Legolas notices then Aragorn says what it is. The next freaking shot is a sweeping one that takes us from where they are and down the hill through the trees all the way down to Boromir. I have zero clue how they did it because it looks like a shot that we'd do with a drone nowadays. I think it was done with some ziplines, but still it is mindblowing. The cinematography of the Lord of the Rings movies were just a fantastic series of good choices over and over again.

0:57 Wilhelm button

I remember that scene. And I remember that was the scene where I realized just how big everything was. But I didn't understand the movie techniques that made that possible. Thanks for explaining it.

I in fact did not miss this shot, but the best shot is still the balrog screaming close up shot; and I’m willing to fight over it

The ethereal singing of Ben Del Mastro adds to the glory of the scene. It would be half the scene it was were it not for that magical snippet by his perfect tones and Shore’s masterful accompaniment. The contrasting sensitivity of the voice with the deep and troubled orchestra expands the visuals

That shot took my breathe away in the theater in 2003. So much hope, sadness, tension and beauty

When I think of LOTR, I almost always think of that specific shot first. Glad I'm not alone in appreciating it

Seeing Return of the King in the theater was truly an experience. This scene, the lighting of the beacons, the lead up to the Battle of Pelennor Fields, the Minas Morgul scene where the sound cuts out for a split second, the list goes on. True cinematic masterpieces, all of them.

It's always been a favorite shot of mine from the trilogy, but somehow I never took notice of how quick that whip to the right is when it shows Minas Tirith.

Makes me think of Shadow of the Colossus

Oh we didn't miss that shot. I've only watched the trilogy twice, 20 years ago, and I VIVIDLY remember that shot. I suppose that's telling..

Yes i rememebr seeing this shot in the cinema, it almost feeling like a documentary or live. The unpolished movenmmemt makes it feel raw. The sunrise shot in Fellowship is one of my favourites too because in contrast to the Minas Tirith shot, its so quiet and intimate, and simple. Reminds me of being a kid and leaving really early for a holiday lol.

Always have the biggest chills when it gets to this shot, with the music and visuals + Gandalf's aura, it's a masterpiece!

0:11 hah that‘s me

I have quite a few "scale" shots from these movies that I really LOVE - Like when we get to the Mines of Moria - after they start in the Mines, the camera does a pull back until you can barely see Gandalf's staff light! And we then see the columns in Dwarrowdelf! Also, the Argonath! And the lighting of the Beacons. And one that I really love from ROTK, when Frodo and Gollum fight near Shelob's Lair and Gollum gets thrown off the cliff, there is a AWESOME pullback of Frodo getting up and you can see the misty clouds moving around, those tall dark, lifeless, craggy, mountain tops! It really, really felt like the path to Cirith Ungol!