Welcome to Middle-earthLooking closer at the Lord of the Rings trilogy books and movies, The Hobbit, and everything else in J. R. R. Tolkien's beloved universe.
Updated December 3, 2021 3.9k votes 774 voters 105k views
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Vote up the most heart-wrenching details.
The LOTR trilogy tends to evoke literally every emotion in viewers, but sadness is generated the most. For every two steps that Frodo and his allies walk, they take one step back, with that back-step representing everything from betrayal to injury to kidnapping to death. They eventually get to their destination, of course, but a lot of tears had been shed by that point. However, more tears were shed by viewers who noticed heartbreaking details that the rest of us missed.
Here are 15 such small but hugely emotional details that fans noticed about the Lord of the Ringsmovies.
1
460 VOTES
While Gimli Is Mourning Balin In Moria, Boromir Puts His Hand On His Shoulder To Comfort Him
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
"I never noticed that Boromir puts a hand on Gimlis' shoulder here, nice little touch," said YouTube user Fsadfas Fsdfsfd, while another YouTuber, Sheev Palpatine, noticed that "Boromir is also the only one to show sympathy towards the hobbits after Gandalf falls."
R.I.P. Boromir.
460 votes
2
508 VOTES
Right Before Gollum Frames Sam For Eating The Rest Of The Food, Sam Tightens His Belt, Indicating He Hasn't Been Eating Enough
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
Nearly two decades later, fans are still finding ways that Sam sacrificed himself for Frodo. In this case, the fan is Redditor u/OhHerroSpreen.
508 votes
3
362 VOTES
The Kiss That Aragorn Gives The Deceased Boromir Is A Gondorian Gesture Of Farewell
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Redditor u/clogeater based this detail off a scene from the Two Towers book where Faramir (Boromir's brother) departs from Frodo and Sam:
He embraced the hobbits then, after the manner of his people, stooping, and placing his hands upon their shoulders, and kissing their foreheads. 'Go with the good will of all good men!' he said.
362 votes
4
404 VOTES
Ori From The 'Hobbit' Trilogy Is The Dwarf Skeleton Clutching A Journal In 'The Fellowship of the Ring'
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring / New Line Cinema
Yes, the skeleton holding a book that Gandalf reads from in Moria is Ori, a member of Thorin's Company from the Hobbit book and movies. Redditor u/smurf42 said it best:
Just thinking about how lighthearted and fun The Hobbit is and then realizing how horribly most of the Dwarves died only shortly after is really interesting. Really shows how much darker times got around the time of LOTR.
To name a few: Ori and Balin killed by goblins in Moria, Oin killed by the Watcher in the Water outside Moria, Dain killed defending Erebor from Sauron's forces.
404 votes
5
418 VOTES
Aragorn Swears An Oath To Protect Frodo; Later, That Same Oath Is Sung By The Choir In Elvish While Aragorn Charges The Black Gate "For Frodo"
Photo: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King / New Line Cinema
The oath is "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. I give you my sword." Check out the scenes, with the relevant subtitles, here, courtesy of Redditor u/Tulkas_7.
As Redditor u/ImTheTroutman explained, "...after Boromir's death Aragorn puts on his bracers as a way to honor him. He'll wear them for the rest of the trilogy." You can actually see him put on the bracers in this clip.
