Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring Analysis

The Fellowship of the Ring, one of the first of three movies in the Lord of the Rings trilogy would not have been such a success if it did not employ techniques and exploit them well. Five that will be touched upon here are Color, Close up, Music, Birds Eye View and Lighting, all of them used fantastically

Color

Color can explain many aspects in a movie. It can illustrate the mood and atmosphere of a setting. These definitions comply with The Fellowship of the Ring. In this movie, there are numerous locations that the heroes move to and from. In the beginning, they travel away from the Shire and to the outskirts of the town. In this background, there are bright green and blue colors, which prove the innocence and purity of the shire and its hobbits. After that, the movie transitions into Isengard, specifically the tower of Sauron. In this surrounding, there are blacks, grays, and reds all portraying evil and immoral actions. Frodo and Co. then shift into another untainted ethical spot called Rivendell, where the elves reside. To show the wholesomeness of the elves the colors are mostly whites and yellows. As a final point, the viewers observe the Caves of Moria where the dwarves reside or else used to. In this setting all, the colors are dull and black showing how the place is lifeless except for an evil creature that is.

Close up

A Close Up, for all who are not acquainted with this term, is a type of shot that only shows the head and upper body. Similar to most films, Lord of the Rings uses this technique to signify an importance to an object or person. For instance, throughout the entire movie whenever the audiences viewed the ring it was in a close up shot to signify how significant it was to the main plot. Moreover, while studying the movie it is perceived that on every occasion a character is talking there are observed in a Close up. Yet, a Close up does not always signify importance, such as how Gandalf was seen as a Close up because of his size compared to the others. Lastly, when Frodo and Bilbo were hugging each other a close up was employed to signify the true feelings they had for each other.

Music

Music similar to color is used to demonstrate to the spectator the atmosphere or feel of the situation. This is exactly how The Fellowship of the Ring wanted their music to do and they achieved it. A situation where this happens is when a character discusses the Ring of Power. The music suddenly presents a creepy and hush tone to show how the ring is nothing to talk about. In addition, when Gandalf enters the tower of Sauraman in Isengard and battles Sauraman the music is incredibly dramatic portraying a suspenseful and impacting tone to the brawl. Once again, when the hobbits go to saloon and see Strider or Aragorn the music again bestows a hush tone, followed lively bar music, resulting into Frodo putting on the ring. The music then becomes nonexistent since Frodo himself is nonexistent to others. Finally, when the hobbits are in the Forbidden Woods the music gives the impression of angels singing, portraying a heaven-like aura to the site.

Birds Eye View

The Birds Eye View is a style of an angle witnessed in most movies yet is used usually once or twice. The Birds Eye View when the camera is positioned directly above the character giving the viewer god’s perspective. This is distinguished in the Fellowship of the Ring three distinct times. The first time, is in the beginning where the narrator explains the Ring of Power, which was already touched up in the first essay. The second instant is while the characters are running to the bridge in the Mines of Moria. This Birds Eye View is not as much telling the onlooker god’s perspective as to showing them how many Orcs are chasing the heroes. To end with, a broader example is each time the narrator is speaks. A prime example is when the narrator is explaining Isengard and how Sauraman forges his armies was all viewed in a Birds Eye View Angle. This definitely shows it is Gods perspective because it appears as if the narrator is floating in the sky

Lighting

The last technique to be touched upon would have to be lighting. Lighting portrays the feelings, and once again, the atmosphere of a scene or shot. A model of this is noticed when Gandalf is sitting atop Sauraman’s tower in Isengard. While Gandalf is up there he gazes down at Isengard, where Sauraman is forging his armies, and it seems as if it is nighttime. Yet, if the viewer looks past Isengard, there are clear blue skies stating that it is not nighttime, but Isengard is just so malevolent that it always portrays darkness. To the contrast of Isengard, another example is seen during the sacred woods scene. In the woods the people and the setting is so full of light that it appears that Frodo will be blinded. This shows the innocence, the purity, and even to whom the woods are loyal. Lastly, in the Mines of Moria there is an excellent use of lighting. In the caves there is no light at all, yet when Gimli sees a grave, the grave of Balin: Lord of Moria, there is just one shine of light focused precisely on the name to show the power of this fallen man, whereas there is no other light shining anywhere.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is a beautifully directed film by Peter Jackson. It captures all the aspects of the hero, adventure story and puts them together wonderfully. Jackson used many techniques throughout the film which made his movie such a huge success.