FAITH talks to the cast:
stars of The Lord of the Rings
discuss the movie’s message

FAITH’s Alton Pelowski was part of an exclusive group of journalists to personally interview the cast of the ‘Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.’ They talked about the movie’s themes of good and evil, temptation and mercy.

Since it was first published in 1954, The Lord of the Rings trilogy has been read by more than 100 million people. Filmmakers, inspired by their own love for the books, have worked tirelessly to transfer J.R.R. Tolkien’s vision to screen – culminating in the much anticipated film version of The Return of the King, released Dec. 17.

Although The Lord of the Rings is not an allegory of Christianity, its themes undoubtedly bear witness to the author’s Catholic faith. (See FAITH Magazine, Sept. 2003) For instance, the story contains timeless truths about our fallen human nature and our need for grace, and it demonstrates the enslavement of sin as opposed to the freedom of love and sacrifice. Evil and darkness must be overcome both in the world and in the heart. This is dramatically revealed in the film version of The Return of the King, as we are once again transported to J.R.R. Tolkien’s mythical land of Middle-Earth, around 5,000 years before Christ.

In The Fellowship of the Ring, a group of nine companions set out on a perilous quest – to destroy the One Ring, a source of great power and evil created by the dark lord, Sauron. Their journey continued in The Two Towers, as Frodo the hobbit carried the ring closer to Mount Doom, the only place where it can be unmade. The third installment of the trilogy begins with a flashback, in which we discover how a hobbit-like person named Sméagol long ago found the One Ring. We watch as Sméagol, consumed by lust for the ring, gradually transforms into the grotesque creature named Gollum.

Gollum isn’t the only character affected by the ring. Frodo, the ringbearer, becomes weaker as his journey progresses. He begins to forget his home, his ability to see right from wrong and his very identity. "He sees in Gollum what he could eventually become. He sees what the ring is capable of doing," explains Elijah Wood, who plays Frodo in the films. For this reason, Frodo shows compassion toward the creature, despite the threat he poses. Andy Serkis who portrays Sméagol/Gollum in the films, says, "I tried to look at him in a nonjudgmental way – not as a sniveling, evil wretch, but from the point of view of, ‘There but for the grace of God go I.’"

The power of the ring to enslave and dehumanize, in many ways, mirrors the effects of sin. "The ring robs you of your free will," comments Peter Jackson, who directed the movie trilogy. Likewise, "The choice to disobey and do evil is an abuse of freedom and leads to ‘the slavery of sin.’" (CCC 1733, cf. Rom 6:17)

The battle of good vs. evil becomes, in a way, a battle of humility vs. pride. "There are many heroes, and all of them have flaws," says Viggo Mortenson, who plays Aragorn. "You see all these characters having to examine their consciences at certain points." The heroes know they must acknowledge their weaknesses, act with heroic virtue and never give up hope. They realize that even the Nazgûl, the nine Ringwraiths, were "once great kings of men" who were tempted by "Sauron the deceiver ... one by one falling to darkness." There is wisdom in giving the small, simple hobbits the hardest job, for "God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Cor 1:27)

With this in mind, elves and dwarves must set aside their differences. King Théoden of Rohan must forgive the kingdom of Gondor. Aragorn must face his fears. "The common thread is their awareness that our union is more significant than our individual existence ever will be," says Mortenson. Each character must renounce selfish interests for the sake of others, demonstrating the fact that "man cannot fully find himself, except through a sincere gift of himself." (GS 24)

The fellowship’s willingness to make great sacrifices reveals that they are motivated by great love. Jesus said, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (Jn 15:13) At any moment, they could accept defeat, rather than pursuing a seemingly impossible goal. Yet, they continue to hope and believe there must be a way that good can prevail.

Just as Gandalf was "sent back" in The Two Towers to help Frodo complete his quest, one gets the sense that the characters are aided by divine assistance. At one point in the film, Frodo has a mystical experience in which Galadriel, Queen of Lorien, reaches out her hand and helps him continue onward. The imagery brings to mind the Blessed Mother, and it shows that Frodo cannot complete his quest without grace.

Some characters, such as Denethor, the steward of Gondor, refuse to die to themselves and tragically find only despair and destruction. Jesus taught, "Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it." (Luke 17:33) "We need to understand that evil can be overcome, but its going to be an incredibly difficult journey," says John Noble, who portrays Denethor in the film.

While the struggle to do what is right is dramatized on a literal battlefield in The Return of the King, similar imagery is found in the teachings of Vatican II: "Finding himself in the midst of the battlefield man has to struggle to do what is right, and it is at great cost to himself, and aided by God’s grace, that he succeeds." (GS 37) What can be learned from The Return of the King? Fran Walsh, who co-wrote the script of the movie trilogy with Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson, says, "In the end, if there is anything to be taken from the film, it is that its about faith."

– Alton Pelowski is assistant editor/webmaster for FAITH Magazine. Photos from New Line Productions, Inc.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and frightening images. Parents strongly cautioned