The Lord Of The Rings trilogy directed by Peter Jackson and based on the novels by J.R.R. Tolkien is one of the greatest stories of all time. The films themselves were a passion project for everyone involved, taking almost 8 years to complete in order to do justice to Tolkien's work. It's been nearly 18 years since the trilogy ended, and as Sam said, this is a story that has stayed with people; one that meant something. Audiences have held onto this story for years, and it's clear why.

There are many themes in The Lord Of The Rings, but perhaps the biggest one is good vs. evil. Everyone has felt some form of good vs. bad in their lives, so this is a very accessible theme that's easily relatable. Although the details of Tolkien's world can be very in-depth and a little overbearing at times, when it is stripped down, this is a very simple story. And as movie history has shown, simple stories are the ones that speak to the biggest audiences because of their inclusivity. An example of this is James Cameron's Titanic. The LOTR trilogy takes a simple story and fills it with characters with a common goal. This allows the audience to feel comfortable with the story being told, so they can relax and invest in the details and the characters.

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The second biggest theme here is friendship. Early on in the trilogy, character connections are established. The common goal binds the fellowship together, and they make a commitment to each other as well as to their goal. Because of the bond the characters make with each other, the emotional beats in the story hit harder and are more believable. The audience is able to see the friendship between characters, specifically between Sam and Frodo, and when they display their commitment to each other, the audience can project themselves and their own friendships onto these characters. This makes everything feel more real.

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One of the most admirable traits is bravery and the ability to overcome fear. Even when faced with darkness and danger, the characters in The Lord Of The Rings keep going. In The Two Towers, Frodo asks Sam why they should keep going after a very emotional monologue. Sam replies and tells Frodo that there is still good in the world and "it's worth fighting for." Many people would have seen the road ahead of them, seen how difficult and scary it was, and turned back. Despite being given several chances to turn around and give up, the characters keep going, and the audience goes with them.

To make the journey more powerful, sometimes characters have to fail before they succeed. The stakes need to be raised with an element of danger, or the story can risk being hollow or boring. The LOTR balances risk and triumph beautifully. The attention to detail in the surrounding environments displays a rich universal history within the world. As the characters discover old monuments and ancient ruins, their awe and wonder can be felt through the screen. And when they fail, so does the audience. When just as all hope seems to be lost, the characters overcome their fear and triumph over evil, and the viewers are right there with them.

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Gandalf is a fan-favorite character who is very wise. The themes of "everything happens for a reason" and "this darkness will pass" are very clearly stated by Gandalf to Frodo in the Mines of Moria. Many times, people can feel like all the bad happening to them is pointless and serves no purpose but to cause misery. But Gandalf has a very positive and experienced outlook on life, stating that everything that has happened to Frodo was meant to be and serves a purpose in the bigger picture, which he says is to be an encouraging thought. Self-doubt can overcome one if they let it; it is important to be set back on track every now and then. Frodo's character doubting himself is very believable and relatable. This journey is no easy task, and it is important to show the audience that the characters are aware of this.

Leaving home can be bittersweet. It can also be quite scary. The last theme that makes this trilogy one that is so memorable is "leaving home and starting over." When Sam and Frodo first set off on their journey, there is a point where Sam has reached that if he takes one more step, it will be the furthest away from home he's ever been. This is an immediately relatable theme. Each time a person ventures out further and further away from home, they can have the same perspective as Sam does here. In the blink of an eye, the next step can go from exciting to frightening. At least that's the case with Sam. But when Frodo leaves The Shire at the end of The Return Of The King to start his life over fresh, although it is bittersweet, there is hope.

Starting over can be a good refresher in one's life. Sometimes, memories of a place or people can be too painful to be around. For Frodo, leaving is the best thing for him. And for the characters left behind, this separation can leave a big hole in their lives if they let it. This is a life lesson many have to face during different chapters of their lives. People constantly come in and out of someone's life. And after such an emotional journey, Frodo leaving home can leave people longing for the way things used to be. To have the fellowship back together. Which is why people will probably rewatch the trilogy from the beginning to get that feeling of togetherness again.

The Lord Of The Rings is a great story for so many reasons. From its relatable themes to emotional endings, it keeps people coming back to it. This simple story has so many big moments. Its legacy and life lessons will live on forever.

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