A great end to a great movie cycle

Rating: 10/10 (2 March 2004)

After The Two Towers, it was difficult to imagine how Peter Jackson might out-do himself in the grand finale to Tolkien's saga. He has done - and has done so magnificently! A few minor niggles remain, mainly concerning the loss of the Saruman sequences (the banishing of Saruman by Gandalf and Saruman's surprise appearance at the end of the story in the 'Scouring of the Shire' chapter deleted from the film version)- however, this is a movie and something had to go. For the rest, one is constantly amazed at the way Jackson and his devoted team brought the story to the screen. The Shelob sequences were outstanding and the final defeat of Sauron just breath-taking. 11 Oscars? It should have won more! A great end to a great movie cycle. An unqualified 'bravo!'from all lovers of Tolkien's work.