Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
Director
Peter Jackson
Cast
Elijah Wood,
Ian McKellen,
Viggo Mortensen,
Sean Astin,
Liv Tyler,
Orlando Bloom
Genre
Action,
Adventure,
Fantasy
Aragorn, revealed to be the heir to the ancient kings, struggles to save Gandor from Sauron's forces alongside Gandalf and the other members of the broken fellowship. Meanwhile, Frodo and Sam bring the ring closer to the heart of Mordor, the dark lord's realm.
A truly special, magical film that I will never grow tired of returning to again and again. I am always struck by how Jackson makes the quiet, emotional moments just as striking as the epic battles or stirring speeches. I can't imagine watching this and not crying by the end.
Return of the King closes out one of the greatest movie trilogies ever created, leaving no stone unturned as it guides viewers towards the long-awaited conclusion. The third film loses none of Two Towers' momentum, once again plunging audiences into epic battle scenes and raising the stakes to the max. As many other franchises have proven, a poor final installment can ruin a series, but Return of the King undoubtedly sticks the landing, becoming the only sequel next to The Godfather II to win an Academy Award for Best Picture. As the last piece of the puzzle, Return of the King is what makes Lord of the Rings the defining fantasy epic of our time.
This is one of my absolute favorite films of all time. it is so hard to adapt a book that is both as beloved, and as complex as the Lord of The Rings. Peter Jackson gives us a faithful adaptation that captured the spirit of the original books and introduced a whole new generation to The Lord of the Rings.
New York Post by Lou Lumenick
A majestic conclusion to a nine-plus-hours epic that stirs the heart, mind and soul as few films ever have.
New York Daily News by Jack Mathews
The most emotionally satisfying because, in addition to having both more intimate drama and more spectacular battles, it resolves all of the issues raised before.
New York Magazine (Vulture) by Peter Rainer
Jackson is rare among the makers of epic movies in that he knows how to do the small stuff, too. The Return of the King has “heart”--how else could it pump out all that blood?
ReelViews by James Berardinelli
Labeling this as a "movie" is almost an injustice. This is an experience of epic scope and grandeur, amazing emotional power, and relentless momentum.
Empire by Alan Morrison
Those who have walked beside these heroes every step of the way on such a long journey deserve the emotional pay-off as well as the action peaks, and they will be genuinely touched as the final credits roll.
Variety by Todd McCarthy
Represents that filmmaking rarity -- a third part of a trilogy that is decisively the best of the lot. With epic conflict, staggering battles, striking landscapes and effects, and resolved character arcs all leading to a dramatic conclusion to more than nine hours of masterful storytelling.
Time by Richard Corliss
The second half of the film elevates all the story elements to Beethovenian crescendo. Here is an epic with literature's depth and opera's splendor -- and one that could be achieved only in movies. What could be more terrific?
Newsweek by David Ansen
The second installment was better than the first, and this one is best of all. It has spectacular action scenes and imaginary creatures, and it’s by far the most moving chapter. The performances have deepened.
The Hollywood Reporter
An epic success and a history-making production that finishes with a masterfully entertaining final installment.
Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum
The conclusion of Peter Jackson's masterwork is passionate and literate, detailed and expansive, and it's conceived with a risk-taking flair for old-fashioned movie magic at its most precious.
The Hollywood Reporter by David Hunter
An epic success and a history-making production that finishes with a masterfully entertaining final installment.
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