The Website

I was approved for this fanlisting on October 13th 2005, after it was put back up for applications. The approval mail made me both scream of joy and cry of happiness. The reason is that this movie is one of my all-time favourites, and ever since I first saw the movie I have loved it to bits. I worked continuously on the content since the day I was approved (it took nearly a month because I had several important school tests, and my mum had to go to the hospital), and I'm proud to say that I have written practically everything myself. (Yes, I even copied the full credits from the extended edition of the DVD myself! I am insane, hee!) The website opened on November 11th 2005. :-)

I first saw the Return of the King on December 15th 2003, two days before the official world release. They showed it on the biggest screen I have ever seen in my life, in the biggest stadium in my town which is used for concerts, shows and some sports events. There were over 5000 people there, many of them dressed up as characters from the movie. I think there were nearly 200 actors who had a 20-minute long show before the actual movie, where they acted out the first two movies in a short version. At least a hundred of them acted out the battle of Helm's Deep, and there was even a Gollum climbing down from the walls at one point. It was absolutely amazing! Viggo Mortensen, Bernard Hill, Andy Serkis and Rick Porras even flew in to Norway for this event, something very rare and exciting for us who live here. It was an overwhelming feeling for me even before the movie began!

I was basically living inside the movie from the first time we saw Sméagol all the way until Sam got back from the Grey Havens. I'm such an emotional person, and I completely forget the outside world while watching some movies. This is one of them, it was such a wonderful and amazing experience, it's something I will never forget. I sat with constant goosebumps, and I spent the last hour crying, the movie had such a powerful impact on me. 5000 other people applauding, gasping and crying around and with me made it a once in a lifetime experience, with the help of an extraordinary screen and sound. I can still remember the feeling of amazement as the Witch King flew out from Minas Morgul and the beam of light erupted, the whole stadium was shaking!

Many months later I got the theatrical version of the movie, and later the extended edition, both absolutely amazing. I have spent many, many hours watching this movie, and it gets to me every single time. I still get goosebumps, I still cry, and I still leave this world for Middle-Earth as I'm watching it. A movie has never had this effect on me, and I'm honoured that I was chosen to run this fanlisting. <3