The Return of the King (1980 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Return of the King |
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Original VHS release cover
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| Written by | Romeo Muller |
| Directed by | |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer | Glenn Yarbrough |
| Composer(s) | Maury Laws |
| Country of origin | |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
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| Running time | 98 minutes |
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| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | May 11, 1980 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | The Hobbit |
The Return of the King is an animated musical fantasy TV movie from 1980. It was made by Rankin/Bass and Topcraft. This film brings to life the story from The Return of the King, which is the third book in J. R. R. Tolkien's famous The Lord of the Rings series. It's also a follow-up to their 1977 film, The Hobbit.
Many people sometimes think this movie is a sequel to another animated film, Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings from 1978. However, Rankin/Bass had always planned to make The Return of the King after The Hobbit. They had this plan even before Bakshi's movie came out. The film first aired on ABC on May 11, 1980.
Contents
Story of the Film
The movie's story begins at Bilbo Baggins's 129th birthday party in Rivendell. His nephew, Frodo, explains why he is missing a finger. A singer from Gondor then tells the tale of how Frodo tried to destroy the One Ring. This Ring belonged to the evil Dark Lord Sauron.
Frodo and Sam's Journey
In Mordor, Frodo's loyal friend, Samwise Gamgee, carries the Ring for a short time. He is trying to rescue Frodo from an Orc fortress called Cirith Ungol. Sam feels tempted by the Ring's power but manages to resist it. He saves Frodo, and the two Hobbits continue their dangerous journey. Their goal is to reach Mount Doom to destroy the Ring forever.
Meanwhile, the wise wizard Gandalf the White and the Hobbit Pippin arrive at Minas Tirith. They want to warn Denethor, the leader of Gondor, about the coming war. But they find that Denethor has become very sad and plans to end his own life.
Frodo and Samwise keep moving towards Mount Doom. They avoid scary Ringwraiths and sneak past Orc soldiers. Suddenly, they are attacked by Gollum. This creature is the one from whom Bilbo took the Ring many years ago. Frodo pushes Gollum away and goes to the Crack of Doom. Sam almost kills Gollum but feels sorry for him and lets him go.
The Great Battle
At the same time, Gondor's neighboring land, Rohan, fights Sauron's armies. This huge fight is known as the Battle of Pelennor Fields. Rohan's king, Theoden, is killed by the evil Witch-king of Angmar. Theoden's brave niece, Eowyn, had dressed as a man to join the battle. With help from Pippin, she bravely kills the Witch-king. This helps defeat Sauron's forces for a while.
The enemy armies get a boost when black ships arrive. But then they realize these ships are led by Prince Aragorn of Gondor. Aragorn is the true heir to the throne of Gondor. He plans to face Sauron at the Black Gate in a battle called The Battle of the Morannon. There, he argues with the Mouth of Sauron, and both armies get ready to fight.
The Ring's Destruction
On Mount Doom, Frodo finally gives in to the Ring's power and puts it on, becoming invisible. Sam finds Gollum and Frodo fighting over the Ring. Gollum bites off Frodo's finger to get the Ring back. Dancing with joy, Gollum accidentally falls into the hot lava of Mount Doom, taking the Ring with him. The Ring is destroyed, and Sauron's power ends.
Sam and Frodo are saved from the erupting Mount Doom by giant Eagles. A few months later, Aragorn is crowned King of Gondor. The story ends with Frodo leaving Middle-earth with Bilbo, Gandalf, and Elrond. He gives the Red Book of Westmarch (Bilbo's memoirs) to Sam. Frodo tells Sam that he still has a good life ahead of him. Gandalf says that Hobbits will always have a place in the world. The film finishes with Frodo leaving from the Grey Havens.
Voice Actors
Here are the actors who lent their voices to the characters:
- Aragorn – Theodore Bikel
- Bilbo - Orson Bean
- Denethor – William Conrad
- Elrond – Paul Frees
- Éowyn – Nellie Bellflower
- Frodo - Orson Bean
- Gandalf – John Huston
- Gollum – Brother Theodore
- Merry – Casey Kasem
- Pippin – Sonny Melendrez
- The Mouth of Sauron – Don Messick
- Sam – Roddy McDowall
- Théoden – Don Messick
- Easterling – Don Messick
- Orc – Paul Frees
- Uruk-hai – Paul Frees
- Lord of the Nazgul – John Stephenson
- Gondorian Guard – John Stephenson
- The Minstrel – Glenn Yarbrough
See also
In Spanish: El retorno del Rey (película de 1980) para niños
