Douse the beacons, the King of Rohan has fallen :(
Seriously, RIP - he gave one hell of a memorable performance as Theoden, and a generation of nerds around the globe will forever have their little hairs rise all over thanks to his pre-battle speech in Return of the King.
Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it -- white shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
And we didn't know it on our first viewing, but the music that kicks in is the melody from the credits song - called Into The West.
For those who haven't read the books, the whole "grey rain-curtain..." speech is actually the narrator telling what Frodo experiences when the ship he and Bilbo are on arrives in the Undying lands in the West. Giving that narration as a speech to Gandalf was, in my opinion, a great choice for the screenplay.
âArise, arise, riders of Rohan!
Fell deeds awake, fire and slaughter!
Spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered!
A sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now, ride to Gondor!â
Two Towers speech also gets forgotten but itâs great as well.
âLet this be the hour we draw swords togetherâ
âFell deeds awake
Now for wrath, now for ruin
And the red dawn!
Forth Eorlingas!â
*Gimli blows the horn*
Such an incredibly well put together battle scene all around, but the emotions invoked when Eomer appears behind Gandalf and leads the Rohirrim down the hill will always be peak cinema for me.
Yeah that was also epic. I know the battle at helms deep gets a lot of critique from the book readers, but I still think the movie did a great job with it
In a world of Balrogs and magic the most factually unbelievable part of the entire trilogy is that they somehow convinced Gimli to sit out the battle and blow the horn instead.
Same! I got a little teary when Theoden realized his son had died before him. So well acted!
*SimbelmĂżne. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebears. Now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger. That I should live to see that last days of my house...No parent should have to bury their child.*
I think I've told this story before, but I once got 10/10 on a speech using this scene. I forget what most of the speech was about, but have never forgotten his words, nor his brilliant acting. Hail the victorious dead.
I remember seeing the theatrical version on opening weekend, in which almost everything related to Theodred was cut. Hillâs performance in that scene with Gandalf was so good that it had the audience weeping for the loss of a character weâd never even come to know.
I was just thinking while watching that how much the score contributed to the emotion of the moment. When the theme starts up after they blow the horn.. Man.
Man those scenes always get me. This is the kind of moment that Game of Thrones always needed and never delivered on, but Lord of the Rings is full of them. I wish I had time to do a trilogy watch now
RIP Theoden king.
Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing?
Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing?
Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing?
Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing?
They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow;
The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow.
Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning,
Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?
The sounds and images of the glass creaking and giving as Captain Edward Smithâs quarters is engulfed by the sea is both beautiful and terrifying.Â
I admittedly didnât watch the whole film through until last year during its 4k 3D re-release, but man am I thankful James Cameron and Co. made the Titanic. Truly a marvel of a film. May the Captain RIP.Â
PIPPIN: I didn't think it would end this way.
GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.
PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?
GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
PIPPIN: Well, that isn't so bad.
GANDALF: No. No, it isn't.
Best known for his acclaimed film roles in "Titanic" and "The Lord of the Rings", Hill got his start in many prestigious British television series - **I, Claudius , The Boys from the Black Stuff, Fox, Henry VI, Antigone, Richard III, Great Expectations**
I first encountered him in "Shirley Valentine". He played an asshole husband who realized his error and redeemed himself. I was excited to see him start popping up in big roles.
He was one of my favorite actors. I'll miss him.
As a kid I first saw him (before Titanic or Lord of the Rings) in a live action version of "The Wind in the Willows". Which starred most of the cast of Monty Python (Terry Jones as Mr. Toad)
âRide now! Ride now! Ride to ruin and the worldâs ending!! DEATH!!! DEATH!!â
For me, the most powerful moment on film of any fictional movie Iâve ever seenâ.
That really caught me by surprise. I had no idea he was even sick and any time a new DCU animated feature came out I would always check to see if he did the voice.
That didn't actually surprise me. I guess I've come to expect everyone in showbiz to be at least a little gay. I think the last time I was surprised was NPH because he plays such a perfect P hound. đ
Whilst it would have been great to know that the most iconic voice of Batman was a gay man, he had his reasons for keeping his sexuality private and wrote [Finding Batman](https://imgur.com/gallery/LFZttru) which is his personal story that I'd recommend reading.
He was fired from most shows before Batman whenever his orientation became known. Cheers, Tour of Duty, etc... bigoted folks didn't want him around (especially at the height of the AIDs/HIV pandemic).
Then he became the iconic voice of Batman for an entire generation.
gave (imo) THE most inspiring speech in film history, if Theodens speech before the battle of pelenor fields doesn't make you wanna jump on a horse while charging through a brick wall screaming, "death" then somethings wrong
He was absolutely stellar in *Wolf Hall* and it was hard to stand out among all the grand performances by Rylance, Lewis, Foy, and Pryce.
[Here's a clip.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIZASVOcKoo)
It took me far too long to realize that the ship captain from Titanic and Yosser Hughes were the same guy. He used to remind me of an uncle of mine in Boys from the Black stuff lol.
His speech in Return of the King has to be one of the best moments in the trilogy right? I didn't read the books growing up and only watched the films so I know I have some bias. I think of the charge and "For Frodo" first when I think about my favourite scenes overall.
I was able to watch the extended edition of Return of the King in cinemas last year. Hearing the speech in that format was an incredible experience. May the king of Rohan rest in peace.
Of course, his line readings as Theoden were brilliant, but his easy command of body language also needs a mention.
Think about his portrayal as the feeble and suspicious enchanted Theoden, how he conveyed that - essentially an entirely different character - through body posture, and how he changed when he takes his sword. Also think about the beginning of the siege at Helm's Deep, and his long-suffering glance at the skies when it begins to rain on the defenders ....
I just finished watching a LOTR movie marathon yesterday. His performance in that was scintillating. I even googled him to see what he was up to now. RIPđą
Let this be the hour when we draw swords together. Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin, and the red dawn. Forth, Eorlingas!
Rest in eternal glory, Theoden, The King of Rohan!
Douse the beacons, the King of Rohan has fallen :( Seriously, RIP - he gave one hell of a memorable performance as Theoden, and a generation of nerds around the globe will forever have their little hairs rise all over thanks to his pre-battle speech in Return of the King.
Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it -- white shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
Jesus _Christ_ I don't think they've ever been bettered When the music kicks in after Gandalf says "and then you see it" đ
And we didn't know it on our first viewing, but the music that kicks in is the melody from the credits song - called Into The West. For those who haven't read the books, the whole "grey rain-curtain..." speech is actually the narrator telling what Frodo experiences when the ship he and Bilbo are on arrives in the Undying lands in the West. Giving that narration as a speech to Gandalf was, in my opinion, a great choice for the screenplay.
And by that point, Gandalf had seen it for himself.
Im not really religious at all, but if there is an afterlife, i hope its like that.
Aaaaand it's time to go watch that entire scene all over again. RIP Bernard Hill.
Scene? You mean whole trilogy
Extended obviously
DEEATH!!!!!
FOOOOOORTH EORLINGAS!!!!!!
I still hold that as the greatest battle scene in cinematic history.Â
Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin! And the world's ending!
"*I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed.*"
Hail the victorious dead!
HAIL
***HAIL!***
Damn.
âArise, arise, riders of Rohan! Fell deeds awake, fire and slaughter! Spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered! A sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now, ride to Gondor!â
Two Towers speech also gets forgotten but itâs great as well. âLet this be the hour we draw swords togetherâ âFell deeds awake Now for wrath, now for ruin And the red dawn! Forth Eorlingas!â *Gimli blows the horn*
The horn blowing gives me goose bumps every time
Such an incredibly well put together battle scene all around, but the emotions invoked when Eomer appears behind Gandalf and leads the Rohirrim down the hill will always be peak cinema for me.
"Theoden King stands alone." "Not alone. Rohirrim! To the King!"
Yeah that was also epic. I know the battle at helms deep gets a lot of critique from the book readers, but I still think the movie did a great job with it
In a world of Balrogs and magic the most factually unbelievable part of the entire trilogy is that they somehow convinced Gimli to sit out the battle and blow the horn instead.
Haha fair. But I think he only sat out the last part because he couldnât ride a horse on his own đ
I just rewatched the extended cut of the trilogy last week...Rest easy King/Captain.
Same! I got a little teary when Theoden realized his son had died before him. So well acted! *SimbelmĂżne. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebears. Now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger. That I should live to see that last days of my house...No parent should have to bury their child.*
I think I've told this story before, but I once got 10/10 on a speech using this scene. I forget what most of the speech was about, but have never forgotten his words, nor his brilliant acting. Hail the victorious dead.
Same here and I was so obnoxious and wouldnât shut up about how great Bernard Hill was in this series. I feel personally attacked by the universe.
Forth Eorlingas!
Just reading the line evokes chills. He crushed that role.
Arise, arise chicken!
One convenient locationâŠ..in Rohan
Ultra Mega ChickenâŠ..he legend.
[ŃĐŽĐ°Đ»Đ”ĐœĐŸ]
[ŃĐŽĐ°Đ»Đ”ĐœĐŸ]
I am Billy witch doctor dot com
Just for others : ere means 'before'
DEEEEAATH
"No parent should have to bury their child." Not an exciting scene, but so moving.
I remember seeing the theatrical version on opening weekend, in which almost everything related to Theodred was cut. Hillâs performance in that scene with Gandalf was so good that it had the audience weeping for the loss of a character weâd never even come to know.
He was strong in life. His spirit will find its way to the halls of your fathers.
In the extended edition itâs just so poignant.
https://www.reddit.com/r/lotrmemes/s/Loiatrko2Z
[Theodens Pelennor Fields Speech](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=POdknqszMDY&pp=ygUfdGhlb2RlbiBzcGVlY2ggcGVsZW5ub3IgZmllbGRzIA%3D%3D)
Freaking shivers down my spine... So good! Thank you for sharing
You're welcome! It's one of my favorite moments from the trilogy.
Yup, it amazes me how well that holds up every single time and I've seen it countless times by this point. Somehow never gets old.
Not the point of this post, but man, Howard Shore really created a masterpiece of a soundtrack.
Every part of that trilogy was a masterpiece. Shore's music was amazing.
The music is what really gets me. It's so emotional I tear up from the music alone
I was just thinking while watching that how much the score contributed to the emotion of the moment. When the theme starts up after they blow the horn.. Man.
Man those scenes always get me. This is the kind of moment that Game of Thrones always needed and never delivered on, but Lord of the Rings is full of them. I wish I had time to do a trilogy watch now RIP Theoden king.
And can't forget the now-iconic [Barcelona concert performance](https://youtu.be/XGCmuzjcS3U) of that scene.
This is amazing! Thanks for sharing.
In the book that speech is shouted by Eomer when he sees King Theoden dead. Makes it all the more appropriate for this really.
Lol I love the look on the orc's face once he realized that a couple volleys of arrows wasn't going to stop 6,000 horses.
Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing? Where is the hand on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing? Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow; The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow. Who shall gather the smoke of the dead wood burning, Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?
Freakin Tolkien man
Here, Tolkien was translating an Anglo Saxon poem, "The Wanderer". I suspect all of Rohan was built from that source material out.
âDeeeeaaaaatthh!â
Deeeeaaaaatthh!!!!
DEAAAAAATHHHHHHHHH
FORTH EORLINGAS
Get goosebumps just reading this.
Hail the victorious dead
Hail!
Hail!
HAIL!!
Hail!
Hail Theoden King
Hail!
Hail
The sounds and images of the glass creaking and giving as Captain Edward Smithâs quarters is engulfed by the sea is both beautiful and terrifying. I admittedly didnât watch the whole film through until last year during its 4k 3D re-release, but man am I thankful James Cameron and Co. made the Titanic. Truly a marvel of a film. May the Captain RIP.Â
[ŃĐŽĐ°Đ»Đ”ĐœĐŸ]
Its ok. We all have to go and it was his time
Go to your forefathers, Théoden son of Thengel, King of the Mark
PIPPIN: I didn't think it would end this way. GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it. PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what? GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise. PIPPIN: Well, that isn't so bad. GANDALF: No. No, it isn't.
Best known for his acclaimed film roles in "Titanic" and "The Lord of the Rings", Hill got his start in many prestigious British television series - **I, Claudius , The Boys from the Black Stuff, Fox, Henry VI, Antigone, Richard III, Great Expectations**
To be in two movies that won 11 Oscars is quite a feat.
"I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it's happened twice"
I first encountered him in "Shirley Valentine". He played an asshole husband who realized his error and redeemed himself. I was excited to see him start popping up in big roles. He was one of my favorite actors. I'll miss him.
As a kid I first saw him (before Titanic or Lord of the Rings) in a live action version of "The Wind in the Willows". Which starred most of the cast of Monty Python (Terry Jones as Mr. Toad)
I had to scroll far too much before finding anyone else who remembered him from Shirley Valentine!
Gis a job.
"To Yosser Hughes, better looking by far. Best wishes, Graeme Souness"
Wolf Hall
Did also a season on Unforgotten and the last series this year The Responder.
his performance in LOTR is maybe my favourite across the movies. RIP
âRide now! Ride now! Ride to ruin and the worldâs ending!! DEATH!!! DEATH!!â For me, the most powerful moment on film of any fictional movie Iâve ever seenâ.
This and the final charge in the last samurai, best scenes involving horses ever filmed.
"What happened to your soldiers at thermoplyae?" "Dead to the last man!" *smiles*
"Gizza job".
*violently headbutts you*
I literally just finished Return of the King just now and opened up reddit to see this news. RIP
Same thing happened to me two years ago. Finished watching the entire DCAU... only to read the next day on Reddit that Kevin Conroy (Batman) had died.
That really caught me by surprise. I had no idea he was even sick and any time a new DCU animated feature came out I would always check to see if he did the voice.
I mean, only a few months prior to that he also revealed he was gay. So not too surprising he also kept his cancer a private matter.
That didn't actually surprise me. I guess I've come to expect everyone in showbiz to be at least a little gay. I think the last time I was surprised was NPH because he plays such a perfect P hound. đ
Whilst it would have been great to know that the most iconic voice of Batman was a gay man, he had his reasons for keeping his sexuality private and wrote [Finding Batman](https://imgur.com/gallery/LFZttru) which is his personal story that I'd recommend reading.
This is Hollywood. Everybodyâs gay once in a while. Kirk Lazarus
He was fired from most shows before Batman whenever his orientation became known. Cheers, Tour of Duty, etc... bigoted folks didn't want him around (especially at the height of the AIDs/HIV pandemic). Then he became the iconic voice of Batman for an entire generation.
Don't you dare watch or listen to anything with Dolly in it.
gave (imo) THE most inspiring speech in film history, if Theodens speech before the battle of pelenor fields doesn't make you wanna jump on a horse while charging through a brick wall screaming, "death" then somethings wrong
Bill Pullman: "Am I joke to you?"
There is a tinge of schmaltz in Pullman's speech that just doesnt exist in Theoden's
Nah Theoden is way more inspiring
I don't know, Aragon's Black Gate speech in that same movie is better imo
A true king! Gave me so many incredible memories over the years. Very grateful!
He was absolutely stellar in *Wolf Hall* and it was hard to stand out among all the grand performances by Rylance, Lewis, Foy, and Pryce. [Here's a clip.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIZASVOcKoo)
Boys from the blackstuff. Giz a job, I can do tha giz a job. Legend.
It took me far too long to realize that the ship captain from Titanic and Yosser Hughes were the same guy. He used to remind me of an uncle of mine in Boys from the Black stuff lol.
Theoden and captain Edward Smith đ«Ą
His speech in Return of the King has to be one of the best moments in the trilogy right? I didn't read the books growing up and only watched the films so I know I have some bias. I think of the charge and "For Frodo" first when I think about my favourite scenes overall.
Giz a job, I can do that.
Gissa a job ah remember boys from the black stuff
Ride now!
Wow, this one hurts a lot. RIP King of Rohan!
Damn,he was a real nice guy and s great actor.
"I'm desperate, Dan!"
RIP to the King of Rohan.
I'm Desperate Father Call me Dan I'm desperate Dan
["You're Graeme Souness"](https://www.facebook.com/upstartfootball/videos/graeme-souness-and-sammy-lee-on-boys-from-the-blackstuff-in-1982/396338524492404/)
Hail the Victorious stand
The King of Rohan has fallen
He ***wasnât*** already 79??
Rest easy, King.
He was strong in life. His spirit will find its way to the halls of his fathers.
*Gets to the pearly gates and is greeted by god* âGizâa jobâ
"Giz a job. Go on. All you have to do is sit there and say yes or no. I can sit there. I can say yes or no. Go on. Giz a go. Giz a job."
I was able to watch the extended edition of Return of the King in cinemas last year. Hearing the speech in that format was an incredible experience. May the king of Rohan rest in peace.
The "no father should bury their children" scene is always gonna be a 10/10 acting moment.
> NĂș on thĂ©ostrum licgeth ThĂ©oden se lĂ©ofa > hĂŠÂŽletha holdost. > ne sceal hearpan sweg wigend weccean; > ne winfĂŠÂŽt gylden guma sceal healdan, > ne god hafoc geond sĂŠÂŽl swingan, > ne se swifta mearh burhstede beatan. > Bealocwealm hafaĂ° frĂ©one frecan forth onsended > giedd sculon singan glĂ©omenn sorgiende > on Meduselde thĂŠt he ma no wĂŠre > his dryhtne dyrest and maga deorost.
Capitan, Capitan, where should I go?
Westu hĂĄl. FerĂ°u, Bernard Hill, FerĂ°u.
Such a distinctive voice and masterful actor. You will be missed Bernard.â€ïž
Rohirrim!
Alas that these evil days should be mine.
Theoden is dead đ”
Westu hål. Ferðu, Théoden, Ferðu.
one of the few great actors who could successfully play a true king and make you feel like you could fight for him. RIP
RIP.
DEATH!!! Rip
RIP. He goes to his forebears. In whose company, he shall not now be ashamed.
My introduction to him was as Yosser Hughes Excellent character and brilliant show (Boys From The Black Stuff)
Of course, his line readings as Theoden were brilliant, but his easy command of body language also needs a mention. Think about his portrayal as the feeble and suspicious enchanted Theoden, how he conveyed that - essentially an entirely different character - through body posture, and how he changed when he takes his sword. Also think about the beginning of the siege at Helm's Deep, and his long-suffering glance at the skies when it begins to rain on the defenders ....
I just finished watching a LOTR movie marathon yesterday. His performance in that was scintillating. I even googled him to see what he was up to now. RIPđą
RIP Theoden King...
I hope that someone will plant Simbelmynë on his grave. He was a great King.
Hail Theoden King. Hail the victorious dead!
Rohan will not answer. The Rohirrim will not be summoned. For the king is dead.
Ham...
RIP Theoden. It mentions he was with his son Gabriel and his fiancé Alison at the time of his passing (no last name given). Anyone know who that is? I wasn't aware he had divorced from his first wife.
He was only 79?! So he was like 52 when he filmed TITANIC but already looked like he was in his 70s.
Where he wept for his son was so moving.
Aside from LotR, two of my favorite Bernard Hill movies are The Bounty (1984) and The Ghost and the Darkness.
So the Two Towers was filmed between 1999-2000 as they filmed the movies together. That means the OLD Theoden was only 54-55. Makes me feel old at 46.
Let this be the hour when we draw swords together. Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin, and the red dawn. Forth, Eorlingas! Rest in eternal glory, Theoden, The King of Rohan!
Oh man, he was so great in so many movies and shows. RIP.
âHey Siri, play âInto the Westââ (starts weeping)
Are we sure we donât just need Gandalf to wake him up?
[âgizza job will ya??â](https://youtu.be/aObZJN9zDtA?si=nunuTuM0mAwhsDma) RIP
Gizza job - I can do that
Rest well, I love watching him in The Ghost and the Darkness. I think I am going to re-watch that tonight.
Summon the Rohirrim
Thought it was talking about Benny Hill for a minute
I thought he died a while ago
It was hilarious how he chased those scantily clad women around in fast motion to "Yakety Sax"
False. He died on the titanic in 1997
Who?
And here I thought Benny Hill died in 1992.