The music then changes slightly, violins join the background music. On screen the title, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is displayed. The font fills the centre-screen in gold and black. There is a lot of shadow on the writing, enhancing a dark and eerie atmosphere. The gold has a ray of light, suggesting hope, peeking through the black background, which relates to evil. The short introduction is only 30 seconds long although, it still manages to build up and focus individual attention in preparation for the rest of the film.
The first visual image to be shown on screen is of a furnace melting the metal to make the infamous rings. Galadriel is still narrating, explaining to the viewer the history of the rings thus far. The furnace scene portrays the rings evolving from the depths of the flames. Galadriel then continues to explain to the viewer the history of the rings. Fire has long been associated with evil, hell and damnation. This gives Peter Jackson, the director, a chance to introduce three of the mystical creatures that are featured in the film: The Elves, Dwarves and Men. The screen then fades black; making the viewer aware that something is going to change. Galadriel is trying to create and portray immense ‘power’, the black screen appears to emphasise the intensity within this frame. The next image seen on screen, is a map of Middle Earth; giving the viewer an understanding of the world in which the film is set and the environment in which the main characters are from.
The screen turns black again and another map is shown, in the same style, but representing Mordor. The music then changes to a deeper, lower pitch with a heavy thunderous beat. Galadriel’s voice becomes more powerful and deep. This all relates to the dark and evil side of the film and makes the viewer aware that something terrible might, or might have already happened, in Mordor. A picture of Mordor with fires burning and Sauron’s face is then shown. At this point the heavy beat of the drum is amplified, this helps to intensify the image of hell, building up tension. Sauron stands broad holding up one hand, surrounded by fire, giving his character a powerful and strong impression.
When Galadriel explains about the evil within the ring, the ring rotates slowly in mid-air surrounded by fire. Portraying the apparent evil, power captured within. The tone of Galadriel’s voice; which is strong, but slightly scared, somehow confirms this. Tension is increased by the vision of Sauron with the glowing ring on his finger. Galadriel then states in a deep, powerful voice, ‘one ring to rule them all.’ This confirms to the viewer Sauron’s power over the world.
On screen the mood changes completely, as screams are heard in the background. Houses are burning and women and children are running from the evil armies of Mordor. The screen then fades and Galadriel states, ‘But there were some who resisted’. These people are shown on-screen, they are marching with armour and swords, the camera scans showing a vast amount of men and elves going into battle. They appear heroic. The camera then focuses on the armies of Mordor, they all are deformed, and look evil and scary. The camera, this time, scans over the armies of Mordor and shows that the men and elves are hugely outnumbered. It is instantly obvious to the audience which army is seen as ‘good’ and which as ‘evil’. The determination of the (good) army, is displayed on the faces of the men in the front line. The battle then commences; Galadriel briefly describes to the audience how the elves and men were nearly victorious, when the loud music suddenly stops. It is replaced by a heavy beating and Sauron appears, wearing the ring. The battle stops and all attention, including the viewer’s, is focused on Sauron. The music restarts as Sauron begins to fight, with little resistance from his opponents. With each strike of his weapon, a flash of light appears, dramatically emphasising his power.
The camera then focuses on the King, who has just been slain. Isildor, the King’s son, takes out his sword and slices off Sauron’s ring finger. The music then reflects this ray of hope. Sauron’s finger falls to the ground, with the ring still attached. Isildor reaches for the ring, Sauron’s body starts to glow and then explodes. The camera sweeps back, so the whole army can be seen, they all fall to the ground as the explosion reaches them. Again reflecting the power Sauron once had. Sauron’s head is viewed falling to the ground. The music becomes victorious, relieving the pressure and tension from the viewer. Isildor then takes the ring and the scene changes.
Galadriel says, ‘The hearts of men are easily corrupted.’ The viewer is aware that something terrible may happen and the tension is built up once again. Isildor is attacked and killed and the ring sinks to the riverbed, as this picture fades, Galadriel describes how time had passed and the ring was forgotten.
Gollum was the next bearer of the ring and we see him sitting in his dark, gloomy cave holding and worshipping the ring. Gollum is portrayed as an evil character. The viewer is shown the ring escaping the clutches of Gollum. It is then picked up by a passing Hobbit, who is unaware of its powers. The Hobbit hears Gollum crying for the ring and quickly runs away. The mountains is the last thing shown to the viewer, with the sound of Galadriel stating the Hobbits will soon, ‘Shape the fortunes of all.’ The introduction has now ended and the initial dramatic phase has ceased. The audience has been given a brief prologue into the history of this fantasy world, the creatures that live there and the effect the rings have had on them. With this increased understanding, the viewer, can sit back, and anticipate a dramatic story.
The opening of the film, ‘The Lord of The Rings- The Fellowship of the Ring’ is very effective. The director has achieved much tension within the first few frames, while still educating the audience in the story’s background. The director introduces the main characters within the storyline and uses various techniques to portray their personalities. This has been achieved by using music to create different atmospheres, colours and styles that emulate ‘good’ and ‘evil’. Visual effects such as dramatic costumes, props and scenes all add to the atmosphere. The actors were able to portray their character’s temperament and emotion through their tone of voice, facial expressions and body language. By bringing together all these techniques the director achieved an effective opening, that sparks the attention of its audience.
