Favourite Sayings Quotes and Scenes

“It’s working!”

“I know it’s working. Run!”

Merry and Pippin (played by Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd), Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, 2002

There is something about this scene that always grabs at my heart. Even having watched it more times than I care to admit, I still feel that familiar constriction as these two hobbits draw harm away from their friend.

As reckless as they are, if it had been anyone other than Frodo, or perhaps, Sam, would have they made this sacrifice? It’s hard to say, but watching them forgo their chance to accompany their friend, or even bid him goodbye, pulls at my emotions.

It’s a memorable scene, and one that makes me laugh, even as I gasp at the risk they take to enable Frodo’s escape. It’s also balanced by the high tension and drama of the scenes that follow. Boromir’s sacrifice and redemption, and the sadness of his passing, the poignancy of his oath to Strider and Strider’s oath in return. This is one of the most powerful parts of the movie.

If any writer wants to capture that amount of emotion and action and tie it all together, this is one way to do it, but it’s very hard to pull off.