‘Don’t be afraid of the dark’: 20 years on, this speech is still one of the most powerful in cinema

Between the inspiring advice given by Gandalf, the moving tirades of Sam Gag, the pep talks of Aragorn and the soothing interventions of Bilbo, the Lord of the Rings trilogy produced by Peter Jackson in the early 2000s is a veritable goldmine when it comes to action. Iconic copies.

Adapting the texts of the original novels with subtlety and skill, the writers of this unforgettable cinematic dialogue knew perfectly well how to do justice to the literary genius of J.R. big screen

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While Bernard Hill, Théoden’s memorable interpreter, died a month ago, let’s look today at one of the most powerful speeches of the entire trilogy, delivered by the King of Rohan to his horsemen in the third part of the saga. .

“Go ahead, don’t be afraid of the dark!”

Although Sauron’s countless armies have virtually conquered Tirith of Minas, hope appears on the horizon as a new day of war dawns. A trumpet sounds from a distance, a forest of spears suddenly cracks the plain, the wind blows hundreds of standards and thousands of manes.

The army of Rohan, an ally that Gondor no longer dared hope for, has finally arrived, and Théoden, sovereign of the Rohirrim, prepares to hear the charge. Knowing full well that this attack may be his last, he is determined to remind the trembling foot soldiers of Mordor that the Horselords do not compromise with the enemy.

“Arise, Riders of Theoden!”

Graced by Howard Shore’s masterful score, the King of Rohan then delivers a speech that is one of the most beautiful in cinema. Fiery, sharp, powerful, the words he speaks deal a heavy blow to Sauron’s armies, even before the slightest spear hits its target.

“Onward, fear not the darkness! Arise! Arise, Theoden’s steeds! Spears shake, shields shatter! The day of the sword, the red day till sunrise! Gallop, gallop gallop! Run! Run to ruin and the end of the world!”

Taking care to reward each javelin of his officers with a symbolic sword stroke, the King of Rohan simply condemns his enemy to “death”. His cry, echoed in unison by his army, then opens one of the grandest sixes of the entire trilogy.

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