The Quest is over. "Return Of The King" is the third part of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, and Peter Jackson's deft touch has not deserted him in the final act. As we sweep inexorably towards the conclusion, he still mixes the spectacular with the small, quiet character moments in the way that has given heart to these films. As in the previous movies, some changes have been made from the book, but overall the essence of the story and the characters remains unaltered.
Jackson's vision for setting is as convincing as ever, from the gloomy, pitted, fire-strewn rock of Mordor, to the distressed, fading grandeur of the towering stone city of Minas Tirith, capital of the crumbling realm of Gondor, waiting under the failing rule of its' steward Denethor, for the return of its' king.
The great battle for the city, on the plains of Pelenor Fields, thunders across the screen with breathless, churning desperation, as the kingdoms of men unite against the Orc army. Although it doesn't quite top "The Two Towers"' Battle of Helm's Deep, it's still the cinematic spectacle of the year, as huge, multi-tusked oliphaunts pound through the throng, sweeping horses and riders disdainfully aside with their trunks, the screen shaking from the impact. The moment when Legolas brings one down singlehanded raised applause throughout he cinema, which luckily didn't drown out Gimli's heartfelt punchline.
Aragorn's army of the dead, who he can raise to help his fight only by staking his own life that they accept him as the rightful heir of Gondor, are eerily convincing. They end their part in the battle with a touch of Pythonesque humour more typical of Jackson's early work, in the background of a scene of Aragorn fighting heroically, swarming up to bring down their own oliphaunt.
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Characterisation is not forgotten in the maelstrom, Frodo's struggle with exhaustion, Gollum's treachery and the corrosive power of the ring is almost painful to watch. Elijah Wood's expressive eyes fill the screen and former child actor Sean Astin gives a career-best performance as the unwaveringly honest Sam.
Gollum's history is shown, Faramir is better understood, Pippin grows up and Eowyn covertly takes her place on the battlefield alongside Merry, although her story is neglected somewhat towards the film's end. Tolkien provided comprehensive afterwords for his surviving characters but unfortunately, only the hobbits are followed through here to the days after the war and Saruman is given no exit at all, which feels tenably lacking. No doubt that will all be rectified in the eventual extended DVD. Even 3 and a quarter hours, it seems, isn't enough to tell the whole story.
This is set to be one of the top grossing films of all time and the trilogy will certainly be the landmark of cinema for our generation. Oscar wins for Jackson are immaterial. His genius is already clearly established. If you didn't like the other two films, especially if you saw the extended DVDs that flesh out the characters, then "Return Of The King" may not convince you. But for the rest of the movie-going world, this is a thriling and honourable conslusion to perhaps the greatest project in film history. This is such an end as will be worthy of remembrance.
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