Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship

One of my absolute favorite movies is “Lord of the Rings.” The movie took years to make and as in most cases the more time spent the better the outcome. The story seems to move along so smoothly and when the end is near nothing is left to question, only the feeling of waiting for the story to continue with the next movie. The movie is extremely long so that could be why we as the audience do not leave feeling like we do not know everything. One key element that takes the movie to the next level is the music within the film. It is nearly constant and keeps the audience engaged. Just like Siegfried the composer Howard Shore implements the use of leitmotifs in the move “Lord of the Rings.” For example, the Hobbit society has a very pastoral feel to them. The Celtic flute plays and we get the sense that they are simple people. It also makes the Shire, where the Hobbits live, a place of peace like a sanctuary. Then we are introduced to the sound of Modor, the place of evil where the all powerful ring was forged, it is pure evil. Howard conveys pure evil as with dark music that makes us anxious. To give us the feeling that Modor is evil Howard uses a lot of brass instruments. As the plot is revealed and we learn that Isengard is the in alliance Modor to get back the power of the ring. Thus, the music accompanied for Modor also becomes the music for Isengard. For the Elfin society, who is an immortal group of wise healers, the music for them is none other than the perfection and extraordinary influence of the human voice. It gives the Elves a sense of evangelic presents and another worldly aura of wisdom. As for the dwarf society, they are portrayed with cellos which can be bright and cheerful at times, but also can be very intensive and brutal characters. The amount of music within the movie is extensive and absolutely necessary to the plot. The trilogy would not have the success it claimed without the music. Next time you watch the movie please listen to the sound accompaniment and try and connect musical styles between different characters and societies. This is what a true soundtrack should be.