The Black Gate Opens (scene)
The Black Gate Opens is the fiftieth scene of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and the sixty-fifth scene of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition).
Synopsis
The Captains of the West ride back from the Black Gate towards their soldiers after their encounter with the Mouth of Sauron. Aragorn rallies the army of Men with a speech and readies them for the seemingly hopeless battle which is imminent. He recognises their fear but bids them fight for all they hold dear in the world.
As the armies of Mordor encircle the forces of the West, Gandalf looks uncertain. "Never thought I'd die fighting side by side with an elf", Gimli says to Legolas. "What about side by side with a friend?" Legolas says quietly, smiling. Touched, Gimli says he could do that.
Sam recognises that the gaze of Sauron has been drawn away and helps Frodo up. They make it to the slopes of Orodruin drained of energy. Frodo, unable to stand, gazes upwards and sees the fires coming out of Mount Doom. He crawls a short way but collapses in utter exhaustion.
Differences
Aragorn's speech is not present in the books. After the encounter with the Mouth of Sauron, Aragorn and Gandalf take command from a hill. When the battle begins, it is told from Pippin's point of view. He accepts that he will die, and makes the comment that he understands Denethor better now.
Referencias
1. Esta ficha se ha importado inicialmente de TolkienGateway.net el día 30/05/2026.
