The film opens with a flashback showing Sméagol fishing with his friend Déagol. They discover the One Ring in the river. Sméagol immediately becomes obsessed and murders Déagol to claim it.

The Ring corrupts Sméagol over centuries into the creature Gollum. He hides in the Misty Mountains until Bilbo Baggins finds the Ring. This sets all subsequent events in motion.

Gandalf rides with Pippin to Minas Tirith, capital of Gondor. They must warn Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, about Sauron's impending attack. The white city stands as humanity's last great stronghold.

Denethor has gone mad with grief over his son Boromir's death. He mistrusts Gandalf and refuses to light the warning beacons. Pippin secretly lights them himself to summon Rohan's aid.

Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and the Rohirrim see the beacons from Rohan. King Théoden agrees to answer Gondor's call for help. He gathers his riders for war, knowing many won't return.

Elrond brings Aragorn the reforged sword Andúril. He urges Aragorn to take the Paths of the Dead. Only the heir of Isildur can command the cursed army trapped there.

Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli enter the mountain path. They encounter the King of the Dead and his ghost army. These men broke their oath to Isildur centuries ago and cannot rest.

Aragorn demands they fulfill their ancient oath by fighting for Gondor. The King of the Dead initially refuses but Aragorn's authority as Isildur's heir compels obedience. The ghost army agrees to fight.

Gollum continues manipulating Frodo against Sam. He frames Sam for eating their food supplies. Frodo believes Gollum's lies and sends Sam away heartbroken.

Gollum leads Frodo into Shelob's lair, a giant spider's tunnel. The creature attacks and paralyzes Frodo with her venom. Gollum believes Frodo is dead and can reclaim the Ring.

Sam returns and fights Shelob with Sting and Galadriel's light. He drives the spider away and finds Frodo's body. Devastated, he takes the Ring to continue the quest alone.

Orcs discover Frodo's body and reveal he's only paralyzed, not dead. They take him to their tower. Sam overhears this and races to rescue his master from Cirith Ungol.

Faramir leads a suicide mission to retake Osgiliath from the orcs. His father Denethor commands this despite knowing it's hopeless. He wants to prove himself worthy in his father's eyes.

The mission fails catastrophically. Faramir retreats with massive casualties and lies gravely wounded. Denethor descends further into madness believing both his sons are dead.

Sauron's massive army arrives at Minas Tirith. They bring siege towers, trolls, and the Witch-king of Angmar leading the Nazgûl. The assault begins with devastating force against the city.

The orcs catapult the heads of fallen soldiers into the city. They break through the first gate with Grond, a massive battering ram. Gandalf organizes the desperate defense within the walls.

The Witch-king breaks through the main gate on his fell beast. He confronts Gandalf who stands alone defending the entrance. Before they clash, horns sound announcing Rohan's arrival.

Théoden leads 6,000 Rohirrim riders in a thunderous charge. They crash into the orc army on the Pelennor Fields. The tide temporarily turns in this desperate hour.

The oliphaunts arrive - massive war elephants carrying Haradrim warriors. Théoden and his riders struggle against these enormous beasts. Éowyn and Merry ride disguised among the soldiers.

The Witch-king kills Théoden's horse which crushes the king. Éowyn reveals herself and defends her fallen uncle. "I am no man!" she declares before destroying the Witch-king with Merry's help.

Denethor attempts to burn himself and Faramir alive on a funeral pyre. Pippin alerts Gandalf who races to save them. Gandalf rescues Faramir but Denethor runs aflame off the city's edge.

The Corsair ships arrive on the Anduin River. Everyone believes this means defeat - more enemies from the south. But Aragorn emerges with the Army of the Dead slaughtering the remaining orcs.

The battle of Pelennor Fields ends in victory. But the cost is devastating with thousands dead. Aragorn heals Éowyn, Faramir, and Merry in the Houses of Healing, proving his kingly nature.

Sam rescues Frodo from the orc tower. They take the Ring and escape into Mordor disguised in orc armor. The final stretch to Mount Doom begins through the wasteland.

Aragorn decides to march on the Black Gate with all remaining forces. This suicide mission will draw Sauron's attention from Frodo. It's their only chance to give the Ring-bearer time.

The army of men marches to Mordor's gate. Sauron sends a messenger showing Frodo's mithril shirt. He claims the Ring-bearer is captured, demanding surrender or death.

Aragorn refuses to believe Frodo failed. He leads the charge against overwhelming numbers. Trolls, orcs, and Nazgûl surround the Men of the West in hopeless battle.

Frodo and Sam climb Mount Doom as the Ring's power grows unbearable. Frodo can barely walk and the Ring's weight crushes him. Sam carries Frodo up the mountain slopes.

They reach the Cracks of Doom inside the volcano. But Frodo cannot destroy the Ring. Its corruption proves complete. He claims it as his own and puts it on his finger.

Sauron immediately realizes Frodo's location. The Eye turns to Mount Doom. The Nazgûl fly toward the volcano. All seems lost as Frodo disappears and betrays the quest.

Gollum attacks Frodo desperately. They struggle at the edge of the lava pit. Gollum bites off Frodo's finger with the Ring attached. He dances in triumph but loses balance.

Gollum falls into the lava clutching the Ring. The One Ring melts in the fires that forged it. Sauron's tower collapses and his realm crumbles into ruin and death.

Sam and Frodo escape the erupting volcano. The Eagles rescue them from the lava flows. The dark tower falls and Mordor's armies disintegrate into the earth beneath them.

Aragorn is crowned King of Gondor at Minas Tirith. All bow before him but he kneels to the hobbits instead. "My friends, you bow to no one," he declares with profound respect.

Aragorn marries Arwen in a beautiful ceremony. The kingdoms are reunited under his rule. Peace returns to Middle-earth after the long darkness of Sauron's threat.

The hobbits return to the Shire finding everything unchanged. But they are forever changed by their experiences. Life continues simply while they carry their burdens privately.

Frodo realizes he cannot find peace in the Shire. The wounds from Weathertop and Shelob won't heal. He prepares to leave Middle-earth with Gandalf and the Elves sailing to the Undying Lands.

At the Grey Havens, Frodo says goodbye to his friends. He gives Sam the Red Book to finish. Frodo, Gandalf, Bilbo, and the Elves sail west into the sunset leaving Middle-earth forever.

Sam returns home to his wife Rosie and daughter. He sits by the fire and says "Well, I'm back." The final chapter closes on the Shire at peace and the Fellowship's journey complete.

Peter Jackson's direction reaches its absolute peak in this finale. He balances massive battle sequences with intimate character moments flawlessly. The pacing never falters despite the extended runtime and multiple climaxes.

Andrew Lesnie's cinematography captures New Zealand's landscapes as Middle-earth perfectly. The Pelennor Fields battle remains the largest ever filmed with seamless practical and digital effects. Every frame feels epic yet emotionally grounded.

Howard Shore's musical score achieves transcendent beauty. The main theme swells during Aragorn's coronation scene. "Into the West" performed by Annie Lennox provides the perfect emotional farewell to this world.

The screenplay expertly weaves multiple storylines together. Every character receives a satisfying conclusion. The emotional payoffs earned across three films land with devastating impact throughout this finale.

Masterful Direction Epic Cinematography Howard Shore Score

• Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) - Embodies reluctant kingship with nobility and earned authority
• Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins) - Portrays the Ring's corruption with haunting vulnerability
• Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee) - Delivers the trilogy's emotional heart as loyal friendship incarnate
• Ian McKellen (Gandalf) - Brings wisdom and power to cinema's greatest wizard
• Andy Serkis (Gollum) - Revolutionary motion-capture performance of tragic corruption
• Miranda Otto (Éowyn) - Powerful portrayal of a warrior defying gender expectations
• Billy Boyd (Pippin) - Matures from comic relief to genuine hero
• John Noble (Denethor) - Chilling descent into madness and despair
• Bernard Hill (Théoden) - Noble king embracing heroic death

Kingship and Leadership: Aragorn embraces his destiny as king after a lifetime of running. True leadership requires sacrifice and humility. The film explores what makes a worthy ruler versus corrupt stewards like Denethor.

Friendship and Loyalty: Sam's unwavering devotion to Frodo provides the story's emotional core. "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you" defines selfless friendship. The bonds forged through hardship prove stronger than power or corruption.

Hope Against Despair: Characters face seemingly impossible odds yet continue fighting. The lighting of the beacons symbolizes hope spreading in darkness. Even the smallest person can change the course of the future through courage and determination.

Sacrifice and Cost of Victory: Frodo loses his innocence and can never truly return home. Théoden dies protecting his people. Victory comes at profound personal cost that peacetime never acknowledges.

Letting Go: Frodo must leave Middle-earth to find healing. The age of Elves ends as Men inherit the world. The film meditates on accepting change and moving forward from trauma.

Epic Heroism Loyal Friendship Earned Victory Bittersweet Ending