You’ve probably seen the climatic finale of Lord of the Rings a number of times – the part where Frodo has to throw the ring into the lava at Mount Doom. (You know, before the boring “happy ending” bits that you fast forward through – or that you just use to go and get some more popcorn for the remaining 10 hours of the movie).
Well, I had exclusive access to a DIFFERENT ending that J.R.R.Tolkien himself scrawled onto a toilet wall. Honest!
So being the kind, law-abiding citizen that I am, I decided to do a LEGO animation of what REALLY happened at the end of Lord of the Rings.
But first, let’s look at the WRONG ending that appeared in the movie version.
Lord of the Rings Ending – Movie Version
In the climactic scene of “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” Frodo Baggins finally reaches the Crack of Doom in Mount Doom, where the One Ring was originally forged.
Here, he faces the ultimate test of his journey: to destroy the Ring by throwing it into the fiery chasm.
However, the Ring’s corrupting influence overwhelms him at the last moment, and instead of destroying it, Frodo decides to claim the Ring for himself, putting it on his finger.
This act makes him invisible, but it also alerts Gollum, who has been secretly following Frodo and Sam.
Gollum attacks the invisible Frodo, biting off the finger that bears the Ring. (That was nasty and totally unnecessary – you know, there are kids watching)
In a struggle for possession of the Ring, Gollum and the Ring fall into the lava below.
Gollum is overjoyed to be reunited with his “precious” even as they both sink into the molten rock, effectively destroying the Ring. (Gollum just did a sunbed speedrun giving him an amazing tan)
Frodo, saved from the Ring’s corruption at the last possible moment, clings to the edge of the cliff.
Samwise Gamgee, his loyal friend, pulls him up, and together they escape as Mount Doom erupts, symbolizing the destruction of Sauron’s power.
Lord of the Rings Ending – TRUE Version – LEGO animation
Well, according to J.R.R.Tolkien‘s recently discovered notes, this is mostly what happens EXCEPT that Frodo didn’t put the ring on, he just went to throw the ring into the lava as he was supposed to, accidentally slipped on some cave bat saliva and fell into the lava instead of the ring. Tragic ending but these things happen. Then Sam must have picked up the ring and went off with his hairy feet to conquer the world.
George R.R. Martin (Game of Thrones etc.) was inspired so much by Tolkien’s original ending of Frodo’s unexpected death that he took it to the NEXT level with HIS series of books (A song of Fire and Ice) where NO-ONE is safe!
(If for some strange reason you don’t believe me, then check out George R.R. Martin’s interview about where he got the double R in his name from … Tolkien!)
Have an awesome day!
