The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Flashback: Sméagol murders Déagol for the Ring. Transformation into Gollum. Shows corrupting power. Gollum leads Frodo and Sam toward Shelob's lair. Betrayal coming.

Frodo: "I can't do this, Sam." Sam: "I know. It's all wrong. But we're going to see it through." Theme of enduring past endurance, carrying impossible burdens with friendship.

Pippin sees Palantír, reveals Frodo's quest to Sauron. Gandalf rides to Minas Tirith. Aragorn must decide his path. Denethor mad with grief. Pieces moving toward final confrontation.

Gollum frames Sam, stealing lembas bread. Frodo, corrupted by Ring, sends Sam away. "Go home." Most faithful companion dismissed. Isolation complete. Betrayal succeeds.

Aragorn decides to take Paths of the Dead. Deadly gamble to summon army of oathbreakers. Can the dead be trusted? Will Aragorn claim his kingship? Meanwhile, beacons lit - Rohan will answer.

Frodo trapped by Shelob, paralyzed and cocooned. Appears dead. Gollum succeeds in his plan. Sam returns but too late - or is he? Darkest moment before turning point.

Sam: "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!" True friendship defined. Also Éowyn and Merry's bond. Pippin and Gandalf's relationship. Fellowship of hearts across all storylines.

Charge of the Rohirrim. "Ride now! Ride for ruin and the world's ending! Death!" Most spectacular cavalry charge. Éowyn slays Witch King. Army of the Dead sweeps battlefield. Epic battles delivered.

Pelennor Fields won but at terrible cost. Théoden dies. Aragorn sees Frodo tortured in Palantír. Must buy Frodo time. Decides on suicidal march to Black Gate. False victory masking desperate gamble.

Black Gate opens. Outnumbered 10 to 1. Frodo and Sam crawl up Mount Doom, Ring's weight crushing. Gollum stalks them. All forces converging. Physical and spiritual collapse imminent.

Frodo: "The Ring is mine!" Claims it at the Crack of Doom. Quest failed. Corrupted at final moment. Sam helpless. Aragorn's army about to be destroyed. Complete defeat at victory's doorstep.

Invisible Frodo puts on Ring. Sauron's eye turns to Mount Doom. All forces of Mordor recalled. Aragorn: "For Frodo!" Suicidal charge. Sam cannot reach Frodo. Doom seconds away.

Gollum bites off Frodo's finger, seizes Ring, falls into Crack of Doom dancing with joy. Ring destroyed. Sauron collapses. Tower falls. Evil defeated by its own evil. Synthesis: victory through failure.

Frodo and Sam rescued by eagles. Aragorn crowned king. "My friends, you bow to no one." All hobbits honored. Arwen and Aragorn wed. Shire restored. Evil defeated, world saved, king returned.

Frodo sails to Valinor with Gandalf and the elves. Too wounded to remain. Sam returns to Shire, "Well, I'm back." Journey complete. Some wounds too deep, but life continues. Peace earned.