Story Beatdown: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

“The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring” is one of my all-time favorite films. It’s that rare movie that runs on all screenwriting pistons from structure to stakes to dialogue. Really, the entire series does as well, far better than Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit.” Let’s explore its five key turning points and see what screenwriters Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh did right in this 178-minute piece.

1. INCITING INCIDENT At his 101-birthday party, Bilbo Baggins unwittingly sets the story into motion when he uses Sauron’s ancient, and very evil, ring to become invisible. Gandalf The Gray is suspicious of Bilbo’s trick and immediately visits him. After Bilbo reveals the ring to Gandalf, the wizard orders him to seal it in an envelope. Bilbo refuses, calling the ring, “My precious.” These are frightening words Gandalf has not heard in a long time. He convinces Bilbo that he is trying to help him. The Hobbit leaves the ring for nephew, Frodo and departs. This is about 20-minutes into the film.

2. END OF ACT ONE Now understanding that the ring is evil, Gandalf returns to the Shire and warns Frodo. He instructs Frodo to take it The Prancing Pony, in the village of Bree, where he will meet him with further instructions. They discover that Frodo’s best friend, Samwise Gamgee, has been secretly listening by a window. Gandalf orders Sam to accompany Frodo. The two set off on foot. A nervous Sam stops at the border of the Shire, announcing that he has never been beyond its borders. This is around the 34-minute mark.

3. MIDPOINT Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin are reunited with Gandalf at the Elfish haven of Rivendell. Strider (later revealed as Aragorn) is also reunited with his love, Arwen. During a heated council where we also meet Dwarf King Gimli, Elf Legolas and Gondor’s Boromir, the Fellowship of the Ring is formed. The story refocuses its goal into a new journey – to drop the ring into the volcano at Mount Doom. We are now 90-minutes into the film. 4.

END OF ACT TWO The Fellowship battles the Balrog in the Dwarf mines of Moria and lose Gandalf, which is our “All is Lost” moment. The Fellowship finds shelter at of Lothlórien, ruled by Galadriel. Galadriel allows Frodo to use her magic mirror, in which Frodo sees a dire future filled with destruction. Galadriel explains that what he saw is what will happen if he fails. She tells Frodo that destroying the ring is his responsibility and his alone. Two hours and seventeen minutes in.

5. CLIMAX The remaining members of the Fellowship battle Sauramon’s Orcs. The Orc army kidnaps Merry and Pippin. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli set off to rescue them. Boromir is killed after being tempted by the ring. This helps Frodo realize that the mirror’s predictions are true and that he must destroy the ring himself. He sets off alone, only to be joined by a loyal Sam.