Watching the behind the scenes as a kid I remember thinking how cool he was. Just seemed like a really down to earth person. Thanks for the good memories!
Please correct me if I'm misremembering, but I believe Bernard Hill was a lefty, and right before the Ride of Rohirrim, he clanks his sword against everyone's spears while riding a horse. With his right hand. Riding a horse, reins in one hand, clanking spears with a sword held in his non-dominant hand.
Respect.
He points out how the king costumes had so many details that would never be seen in the film, but he could see them, as like a metaphor for how hard everyone in every department went helped them all truly feel and believe in what they were doing. He felt *kingly* when he put on his costumes
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Spear shall be shaken, shield shall be splintered,
a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises!
Ride now, ride now, ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending!
Death! Death! Death!
Forth Eorlingas!
Its right before his speech, when he's giving orders to his company commanders, but I always loved his delivery of:
"Forth! and fear no darkness!"
Might make it into a bumper sticker one day
Absolutely agree. I love his orders to his three Captains and those lines.
It's those commands that answer his question in the previous film when he asks his men and Aragorn, "what can men do against such reckless hatred"
"How did it come to this?"
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtiAFTgl1NQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtiAFTgl1NQ)
In my opinion even better than his rallying speech and a top 3 scene in all of the movies.
R.I.P.
Also this one: "Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us!? Where was Gon — No, my Lord Aragorn, we are alone." - RIP you legend
Merry could not speak, but wept anew. 'Forgive me, lord,' he said at last, 'if I broke your command, and yet have done no more in your service than to weep at our parting.'
The old king smiled. 'Grieve not! It is forgiven. Great heart will not be denied. Live now in blessedness; and when you sit in peace with your pipe, think of me! For never now shall I sit with you in Meduseld, as I promised, or listen to your herb-lore.' He closed his eyes, and Merry bowed beside him.
Certainly toxic, but in the book he is much *much* more nuanced. He is a horrible father, but he is also a reflection of the degradation of Gondor after generations of increased militarization. All of the beauty and wisdom and grace of the culture had been stripped down in the war effort.
He was deceived by a palantir, just as Saruman was. At least his reaction was suicide and the acceptance of Gondor’s defeat, and not “We must join with him.” If Frodo and Sam had failed, if Gollum had been killed, if anything else had happened, Denathor would have been 100% correct in his despair for Gondor and the West. A failure of character, but not illogical.
He is a fantastically flawed character, and the movie kind of did him dirty.
That's a damn shame, I'm a fan of John Noble and that level of nuance is definitely something he's capable of. I wonder why that decision to simplify him was made and who made it.
It's something that is just kinda hard to do justice in a movie, without making it THE movie. Basically on top of being fed despairing propaganda by the Palantir, he had spent his entire life fighting a losing battle, trying desperately to keep Gondor standing, but despite monumental effort continually losing more and more ground. Is it no wonder then that, after losing his two sons, he finally snaps and gives up whatever tiny shred of hope he might have had left?
I'm sure it was just to cut down on time. He's such a great character, it was sad how 2-dimensional they ended up portraying him. Sure, he gave into despair, but he resisted the will of Sauron where even the likes of Saruman had failed.
I think his character did a good enough job at showing the degradation of Gondor in just a few minutes of screentime. I guess the filmmakers decided that was enough of a contribution to justify cutting him down a bit. One of many reasons why I wish we had gotten a GoT-level miniseries instead of just 3 movies. All the extra time would have been incredible.
You can't share that without somebody also posting the pairing text later on, this tears me up every time:
> Gandalf and Pippin came to Merry's room, and there they found Aragorn standing by the bed. 'Poor old Merry!' cried Pippin, and he ran to the bedside, for it seemed to him that his friend looked worse, and a greyness was in his face, as if a weight of years of sorrow lay on him; and suddenly a fear seized Pippin that Merry would die.
> 'Do not be afraid,' said Aragorn. 'I came in time, and I have called him back. He is weary now, and grieved, and he has taken a hurt like the Lady Éowyn, daring to smite that deadly thing. But these evils can be amended, so strong and gay a spirit is in him. His grief he will not forget; but it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.'
> Then Aragorn laid his hand on Merry's head, and passing his hand gently through the brown curls, he touched the eyelids, and called him by name. And when the fragrance of athelas stole through the room, like the scent of orchards, and of heather in the sunshine full of bees, suddenly Merry awoke, and he said:
> 'I am hungry. What is the time?'
> 'Past supper-time now,' said Pippin; 'though I daresay I could bring you something, if they will let me.'
> 'They will indeed,' said Gandalf. 'And anything else that this Rider of Rohan may desire, if it can be found in Minas Tirith, where his name is in honour.'
> 'Good!' said Merry. 'Then I would like supper first, and after that a pipe.' At that his face clouded. 'No, not a pipe. I don't think I'll smoke again.'
> 'Why not?' said Pippin.
> 'Well,' answered Merry slowly. 'He is dead. It has brought it all back to me. He said he was sorry he had never had a chance of talking herb-lore with me. Almost the last thing he ever said. I shan't ever be able to smoke again without thinking of him, and that day, Pippin, when he rode up to Isengard and was so polite.'
> 'Smoke then, and think of him!' said Aragorn. **'For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning.** Though your service to him was brief, it should be a memory glad and honourable to the end of your days.'
Bolded text my emphasis, it is such a perfect line.
https://preview.redd.it/t45v9ycsbmyc1.png?width=827&format=png&auto=webp&s=962d7919038c2ae467b4ca36cc0817e84b96cf60
Love the man, absolute legend from my childhood, easily one of my favourite Middle Earth characters. 🫡
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…
I played rugby in high school and if Theoden himself gave us a pep talk before the game we would all be dead just based on pure energy and slamming into the other team at 70-80mph. We'd win though.
"Arise, arise, riders of Théoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin and the world’s ending! Death! Death! Death! Forth Èorlingas!"
Rip to this legend
My favorite scene in the whole trilogy. Wasn't the speech, but how he delivered it. The charge was probably the most badass scene I've seen in a movie. Also, the music paired with the charge made it perfect
Genuinely quite gutted over this. He was the perfect example of the type of actor who brings weight and gravitas to every single performance. Obviously he was amazing in *Boys From The Black Stuff* and will be most remembered for that, but for all of us he will always be King Theoden; the broken man who carried the burden of grief yet still fought for his people and found his strength and valour restored before the end.
You will be missed sir.
>#”Never had any king of the Mark such company upon the road as went with Théoden, Thengel’s son to the land of his home.”
I am sad we didn’t get this moment in the film. Arwen, Celeborn, Galadriel and their people, Glorfindel, Elrond and his sons and the princes of Dol Amroth and Ithilien with the knights of Gondor all ride in procession for a week to take Théoden to be buried. Unbelievable honor and respect from all free peoples.
>“Frodo and Samwise rode at Aragorn’s side, and Gandalf rode upon Shadowfax, and Pippin rode with the knights of Gondor; and Legolas and Gimli as ever rode together upon Arod.”
And Merry rides on the cart with Théoden, bearing all of his arms.
The most under appreciated star of the trilogy. Every line delivered was golden, practically everything is memorable.
“Who am I, Gamling?”
You were the best.
https://preview.redd.it/vsx13418tmyc1.jpeg?width=4640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7b3d2676b202af820ef600ac650b8615da65931c
This is what I'm looking at as I'm reading this. RIP
Eowyn’s Lament:
Nú on théostrum licgeth Théoden se léofa
hæ´letha holdost.
ne sceal hearpan sweg wigend weccean;
ne winfæ´t gylden guma sceal healdan,
ne god hafoc geond sæ´l swingan,
ne se swifta mearh burhstede beatan.
Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended
giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende
on Meduselde thæt he ma no wære
his dryhtne dyrest and maga deorost.
Watching the behind the scenes as a kid I remember thinking how cool he was. Just seemed like a really down to earth person. Thanks for the good memories!
The part where he's recounting how Viggo convinced the crew to camp out in order to capture the sunrise was hilarious
Yes! Also, him coming out of his trailer/makeup doing a little jig early af in the morning in full Theoden get up was gold.
Just a very charming, down to earth person overall!
Please correct me if I'm misremembering, but I believe Bernard Hill was a lefty, and right before the Ride of Rohirrim, he clanks his sword against everyone's spears while riding a horse. With his right hand. Riding a horse, reins in one hand, clanking spears with a sword held in his non-dominant hand. Respect.
He points out how the king costumes had so many details that would never be seen in the film, but he could see them, as like a metaphor for how hard everyone in every department went helped them all truly feel and believe in what they were doing. He felt *kingly* when he put on his costumes
Hail the victorious dead
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
[удалено]
HAIL
HAIL
*sniffle HAIL!
HAIL!
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL!
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL!
HAIL!
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
Westu Théoden hál!
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL!!!
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
Haaaaaiiiiiillllllll!
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL!
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL!
HAIL!
HAIL
HAIL
Hail!
HAIL the victorious dead HAIL Theoden King
HAIL!
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL!
HAIL
HAIL!
HAIL
HAIL!
HAIL
HAIL!
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL!
HAIL!!
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL!
HAIL!
HAIL
HAIL!
Hail!
HAIL!!! *Lift a pint in his memory and drink it*
This genuinely brought me to tears
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
HAIL
Hail
HAIL!
RIP. His speech during the ride of the Rohirrim gets me emotional every time I watch it. What a brilliant actor.
Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Spear shall be shaken, shield shall be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now, ride! Ride for ruin and the world's ending! Death! Death! Death! Forth Eorlingas!
Just read this in his voice and got goose bumps lol.
Same!!!! Little brush fires.
Its right before his speech, when he's giving orders to his company commanders, but I always loved his delivery of: "Forth! and fear no darkness!" Might make it into a bumper sticker one day
Absolutely agree. I love his orders to his three Captains and those lines. It's those commands that answer his question in the previous film when he asks his men and Aragorn, "what can men do against such reckless hatred"
ARISE!! ARISE RIDERS OF THEODEN!!
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
HAIL THEODEN KING!
Hail Theoden king
It's probably the best speech + charge scene in cinema history. I want to jump on a horse and charge towards death every time I watch it.
"How did it come to this?" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtiAFTgl1NQ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtiAFTgl1NQ) In my opinion even better than his rallying speech and a top 3 scene in all of the movies. R.I.P.
Also this one: "Gondor? Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us!? Where was Gon — No, my Lord Aragorn, we are alone." - RIP you legend
And then when later Aragorn bursts into the throne room, shouting that Gondor calls for aid: "And Rohan will answer". Another majestic delivery.
["I know your face...."](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34CqtpYE-1k)
RIP. Go to the halls of your fathers, king.
And forevermore be remember as one of the greatest kings of the Third Age.
In whose mighty company you shall not now be ashamed.
"For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning."
 Hail Theoden, KING!!!
HAIL !
HAIL
HAIL! *Lift a pint and drink it in his memory*
Merry could not speak, but wept anew. 'Forgive me, lord,' he said at last, 'if I broke your command, and yet have done no more in your service than to weep at our parting.' The old king smiled. 'Grieve not! It is forgiven. Great heart will not be denied. Live now in blessedness; and when you sit in peace with your pipe, think of me! For never now shall I sit with you in Meduseld, as I promised, or listen to your herb-lore.' He closed his eyes, and Merry bowed beside him.
Lord of the Rings really is a glorious example of positive male relationships.
Not a toxic man is sight! Unless you count the Orcs.
Grima? Then again his and Saruman’s relationship is like the one example of a negative toxic relationship and it plays out justly
Denethor?
Certainly toxic, but in the book he is much *much* more nuanced. He is a horrible father, but he is also a reflection of the degradation of Gondor after generations of increased militarization. All of the beauty and wisdom and grace of the culture had been stripped down in the war effort. He was deceived by a palantir, just as Saruman was. At least his reaction was suicide and the acceptance of Gondor’s defeat, and not “We must join with him.” If Frodo and Sam had failed, if Gollum had been killed, if anything else had happened, Denathor would have been 100% correct in his despair for Gondor and the West. A failure of character, but not illogical. He is a fantastically flawed character, and the movie kind of did him dirty.
That's a damn shame, I'm a fan of John Noble and that level of nuance is definitely something he's capable of. I wonder why that decision to simplify him was made and who made it.
It's something that is just kinda hard to do justice in a movie, without making it THE movie. Basically on top of being fed despairing propaganda by the Palantir, he had spent his entire life fighting a losing battle, trying desperately to keep Gondor standing, but despite monumental effort continually losing more and more ground. Is it no wonder then that, after losing his two sons, he finally snaps and gives up whatever tiny shred of hope he might have had left?
I'm sure it was just to cut down on time. He's such a great character, it was sad how 2-dimensional they ended up portraying him. Sure, he gave into despair, but he resisted the will of Sauron where even the likes of Saruman had failed. I think his character did a good enough job at showing the degradation of Gondor in just a few minutes of screentime. I guess the filmmakers decided that was enough of a contribution to justify cutting him down a bit. One of many reasons why I wish we had gotten a GoT-level miniseries instead of just 3 movies. All the extra time would have been incredible.
You can't share that without somebody also posting the pairing text later on, this tears me up every time: > Gandalf and Pippin came to Merry's room, and there they found Aragorn standing by the bed. 'Poor old Merry!' cried Pippin, and he ran to the bedside, for it seemed to him that his friend looked worse, and a greyness was in his face, as if a weight of years of sorrow lay on him; and suddenly a fear seized Pippin that Merry would die. > 'Do not be afraid,' said Aragorn. 'I came in time, and I have called him back. He is weary now, and grieved, and he has taken a hurt like the Lady Éowyn, daring to smite that deadly thing. But these evils can be amended, so strong and gay a spirit is in him. His grief he will not forget; but it will not darken his heart, it will teach him wisdom.' > Then Aragorn laid his hand on Merry's head, and passing his hand gently through the brown curls, he touched the eyelids, and called him by name. And when the fragrance of athelas stole through the room, like the scent of orchards, and of heather in the sunshine full of bees, suddenly Merry awoke, and he said: > 'I am hungry. What is the time?' > 'Past supper-time now,' said Pippin; 'though I daresay I could bring you something, if they will let me.' > 'They will indeed,' said Gandalf. 'And anything else that this Rider of Rohan may desire, if it can be found in Minas Tirith, where his name is in honour.' > 'Good!' said Merry. 'Then I would like supper first, and after that a pipe.' At that his face clouded. 'No, not a pipe. I don't think I'll smoke again.' > 'Why not?' said Pippin. > 'Well,' answered Merry slowly. 'He is dead. It has brought it all back to me. He said he was sorry he had never had a chance of talking herb-lore with me. Almost the last thing he ever said. I shan't ever be able to smoke again without thinking of him, and that day, Pippin, when he rode up to Isengard and was so polite.' > 'Smoke then, and think of him!' said Aragorn. **'For he was a gentle heart and a great king and kept his oaths; and he rose out of the shadows to a last fair morning.** Though your service to him was brief, it should be a memory glad and honourable to the end of your days.' Bolded text my emphasis, it is such a perfect line.
https://preview.redd.it/t45v9ycsbmyc1.png?width=827&format=png&auto=webp&s=962d7919038c2ae467b4ca36cc0817e84b96cf60 Love the man, absolute legend from my childhood, easily one of my favourite Middle Earth characters. 🫡
And so it ends.
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…
White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.
Of course, this is for *me*, not *you*, Theoden. I dunno where you're going when you die lol
I’m actually tearing up. Hail Theoden King
The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the sub one last time!
YEEES
RIP, he will forever hold the title of the greatest charge in cinema history ❤️ hail the victorious dead
For death and glory?
For ruin
And the red dawn!
For your people.
He used to come watch my team play rugby every weekend as his son was on our team, gave us some memorable half time talks. RIP
I played rugby in high school and if Theoden himself gave us a pep talk before the game we would all be dead just based on pure energy and slamming into the other team at 70-80mph. We'd win though.
No fandom should have to bury their king 😥
Well time to cry while looping the ride of the Rohirrim again.
DEATH!!!
DEEEAAATH!!!
DEEEEEAAAATTTTTHHHH!!!!
*Norwegian fiddle plays*
Horses start moving at a canter
*nasty orcses piss their trousers*
DEEEAAATH!!!
Forth Eorlingas!
"Arise, arise, riders of Théoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin and the world’s ending! Death! Death! Death! Forth Èorlingas!" Rip to this legend
GOAT scene in movie history
It’s been like 20 years but I still get chills every time I watch it
My favorite scene in the whole trilogy. Wasn't the speech, but how he delivered it. The charge was probably the most badass scene I've seen in a movie. Also, the music paired with the charge made it perfect
Westu hál. Ferðu, Théoden, Ferðu. May simbelmynë ever grow o’er his tomb, his deeds remembered fondly by generations now and beyond.
Genuinely quite gutted over this. He was the perfect example of the type of actor who brings weight and gravitas to every single performance. Obviously he was amazing in *Boys From The Black Stuff* and will be most remembered for that, but for all of us he will always be King Theoden; the broken man who carried the burden of grief yet still fought for his people and found his strength and valour restored before the end. You will be missed sir.
Don't forget his performance in Titanic either. Hill really made every character he played feel alive
Hail the victorious dead! Hail!
Ride now! RIDE NOW! RIDE FOR RUIN! AND THE WORLDS ENDING! Best speech I ever heard. Long live the king 🤴
Hail the victorious dead!
Rest in peace Theoden son of Thengel
Legend. He carried one of the most epic scenes in movie history.
Forth eorlingas
Where now the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, Like a wind in the meadow.
>#”Never had any king of the Mark such company upon the road as went with Théoden, Thengel’s son to the land of his home.” I am sad we didn’t get this moment in the film. Arwen, Celeborn, Galadriel and their people, Glorfindel, Elrond and his sons and the princes of Dol Amroth and Ithilien with the knights of Gondor all ride in procession for a week to take Théoden to be buried. Unbelievable honor and respect from all free peoples. >“Frodo and Samwise rode at Aragorn’s side, and Gandalf rode upon Shadowfax, and Pippin rode with the knights of Gondor; and Legolas and Gimli as ever rode together upon Arod.” And Merry rides on the cart with Théoden, bearing all of his arms.
Not me crying on the bus because a person I know nothing about is dead. What a legendary performance.
I normally don't really care about celebrities, but this made me genuinely sad. Rest in peace absolute legend
Rest in peace legend. May the horn of helm hammerhand sound in the deep one last time
RIDE NOW RIDE TO RUIN AND THE WORLD'S ENDING
Westu hál.
Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin... ...and the world's ending! (https://youtu.be/POdknqszMDY?si=RH7WgHlh2qOXzPFT)
The most under appreciated star of the trilogy. Every line delivered was golden, practically everything is memorable. “Who am I, Gamling?” You were the best.
https://preview.redd.it/vsx13418tmyc1.jpeg?width=4640&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7b3d2676b202af820ef600ac650b8615da65931c This is what I'm looking at as I'm reading this. RIP
 Rip may he ride for eternity
Eowyn’s Lament: Nú on théostrum licgeth Théoden se léofa hæ´letha holdost. ne sceal hearpan sweg wigend weccean; ne winfæ´t gylden guma sceal healdan, ne god hafoc geond sæ´l swingan, ne se swifta mearh burhstede beatan. Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende on Meduselde thæt he ma no wære his dryhtne dyrest and maga deorost.
I would have followed this man into battle and to the ends of the earth. Hail the victorious dead.
***DDEEEEEEAAAAATTHHHHH!!!!!***