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These adventures are only a few in a film that tests the limits of audience endurance. If viewers had any trouble following interweaving plots in previous installments, they'll be disoriented by the many additional characters, monsters, races, places, talismans, histories, and prophecies presented here. Tolkien fans, however, will be enthralled by Jackson's vivid depictions, unless their insistence on adherence to the books—chapter and verse—is too strong.

Parents should be aware that The Return of the King surpasses Kill Bill, Vol. 1 and The Matrix Revolutions as 2003's most violent movie. Jackson has intensified the battle scenes and duels, and the result may indeed deserve a stricter rating than pg-13. Further, some Christians may be troubled by the indulgently ghoulish spectacle awaiting Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) in a haunted mountain.

Tolkien once wrote, "The canons of narrative art in any medium cannot be wholly different; and the failure of poor films is often precisely in exaggeration, and in the intrusion of unwarranted matter owing to not perceiving where the core of the original lies."

The Return of the King's weaknesses do stem from exaggerations and intrusions that belie the screenwriters' misinterpretation of Tolkien's convictions. In the film's culminating moment, a simple and profound demonstration of pride's deadly consequences is compromised by the filmmakers' desire to amplify one hero's bravery. This contradicts the book's portrayal of that hero's failure.

The filmmakers continually emphasize that humanity's hope lies in, well, humanity. Tolkien insisted, "One must face the fact: the power of Evil in the world is not finally resistible by incarnate creatures, however 'good.'" He added: "The Writer of the Story is not one of us."

Nevertheless, we can be thankful that the truth shines through this finished work as brightly as it does. The Christian virtues of humility, sacrifice, and faith filter through. The triumphant epilogue offers tangible hope rather than mere Hollywood sentiment. We can look back now and see that, while this edition of Tolkien's epic is clearly tarnished, it stands alone as the most rewarding and accomplished fantasy trilogy ever filmed.

Jeffrey Overstreet writes Film Forum each Thursday for ChristianityToday.com.

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Baylor professor Ralph Wood reviewed the The Return of the King and criticized some plot changes.

CT compiled the best Tolkien and Middle Earth sites on the net.

CT articles on Tolkien include:

J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, a Legendary Friendship | A new book reveals how these two famous friends conspired to bring myth and legend-and Truth-to modern readers. (Aug. 29, 2003)

Space, Time, and the 'New Hobbit' | C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien discuss science fiction. (Aug. 29, 2003)

Saint J. R. R. the Evangelist | Tolkien wanted his Lord of the Rings to echo the "Lord of Lords"—but do we have ears to hear? (March 14, 2003)

9/11, History, and the True Story | Wartime authors J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis help put 9/11 in perspective (Sept. 13, 2002)

Why The Lord of the Rings Is Dangerous | The authors of Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues and J. R. R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth talk about the Christian life in Faerie. (Dec. 18, 2002)

Does The Lord of the Rings Teach Salvation By Works? | The authors of Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues and J. R. R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth talk about whether Tolkien was too ignorant of evil and other subjects. (Dec. 19, 2002)

Hobbits Aren't Fence-Sitters | The authors of Tolkien's Ordinary Virtues and J. R. R. Tolkien's Sanctifying Myth discuss why Tolkien hated modernity and thinking about evil—and whether he was right to do so. (Dec. 20, 2002)

Lord of the Megaplex | The onscreen Fellowship of the Ring launches a new wave of Tolkienmania. (Nov. 12, 2001)

Soul Wars, Episode Two | The second Lord of the Rings film raises the spiritual stakes. (Dec. 18, 2002)

Fantasylands | How to tell an orc from an ewok. (Dec. 19, 2001)

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January 2004, Vol. 48, No. 1