The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Ian McKellen: Gandalf

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Quotes 

• Gandalf : I will not say "Do not weep", for not all tears are an evil.

• Pippin : I didn't think it would end this way.

  Gandalf : End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path... One that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass... And then you see it.

  Pippin : What? Gandalf?... See what?

  Gandalf : White shores... and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.

  Pippin : [smiling]  Well, that isn't so bad.

  Gandalf : [softly]  No... No it isn't.

• Galadriel : The power of the Three Rings is ended. The time has come... for the dominion of Men.

  Elrond : [in Elvish]  The Sea calls us home.

  Bilbo : [smiling]  I think I'm... quite ready for another adventure!

  [Bilbo climbs on board with Elrond. Galadriel follows with Celeborn] 

  Gandalf : Farewell, my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea... comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say do not weep, for not all tears are an evil.

  [Heads to the ship, then turns around, waiting] 

  Gandalf : It is time, Frodo.

  Sam : What does he mean?

  Frodo : We set out to save the Shire, Sam. And it has been saved... But not for me.

  Sam : [weeping]  You don't mean that. You can't leave.

  Frodo : [hands Sam the Red Book]  The last pages are for you, Sam.

• Gandalf : Fool of a Took!

• Aragorn : Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth! Let justice be done upon him!

  The Mouth of Sauron : My master, Sauron the Great, bids thee welcome. Is there any in this rout with authority to treat with me?

  Gandalf : We do not come to treat with Sauron, faithless and accursed. Tell your master this: the armies of Mordor must disband. He is to depart these lands, never to return.

  The Mouth of Sauron : Ahh, old Greybeard. I have a token I was bidden to show thee.

  [Pulls out Frodo's mithril vest and throws it at them] 

  Pippin : [whispers]  Frodo...

  Gandalf : Silence.

  Merry : No!

  Gandalf : Silence!

  The Mouth of Sauron : The halfling was dear to thee, I see. Know that he suffered greatly at the hands of his host. Who would've thought one so small could endure so much pain? And he did, Gandalf, he did.

  [pause; Aragorn rides towards the Mouth of Sauron] 

  The Mouth of Sauron : And who is this? Isildur's heir? It takes more to make a King that a broken Elvish blade...

  [Aragorn cuts off the Mouth of Sauron's head with one stroke of Anduril] 

  Gimli : I guess that concludes negotiations.

  Aragorn : [to Gandalf]  I do not believe it! I will not!

• Gandalf : He's suffered a defeat, yes, but... behind the walls of Mordor, our enemy is regrouping.

  Gimli : Let him stay there. *Let him rot!* Why should we care?

  Gandalf : Because ten-thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom. I've sent him to his death.

  Aragorn : No. There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time... and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that.

  Gimli : How?

  Aragorn : Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate.

  Eomer : We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms.

  Aragorn : Not for ourselves. But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves.

  Legolas : A diversion.

  Gimli : Certainty of death, *small* chance of success... What are we waiting for?

  Gandalf : Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait.

  Aragorn : [knowingly]  No, I think he will.

• Pippin : I feel like I'm back at the Green Dragon.

  Merry : [through a mouthful of food]  Mm. Green Dragon.

  Pippin : A mug of ale in my hand, putting my feet up on a settle after a hard day's work.

  Merry : Only, you've never done a hard day's work.

  [They laugh; Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli ride up. Merry stands and gives an exaggerated bow] 

  Merry : Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!

  Gimli : You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you... feasting and... and *smoking.*

  Pippin : We are sitting on a field of victory enjoying a few well-earned comforts.

  [Merry blows a smoke ring] 

  Pippin : The salted pork is particularly good.

  Gimli : [eagerly]  Salted pork?

  Gandalf : [exasperated]  Hobbits.

  Merry : We're under orders from Treebeard, who has taken over management of Isengard.

  Treebeard : [as they walk toward the tower]  Hroom, young Master Gandalf! I'm relieved that you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there's a wizard to manage here. Locked his tower.

• Pippin : Is there any hope, Gandalf, for Frodo and Sam?

  Gandalf : There never was much hope. Just a fool's hope.

• Gandalf : [to Pippin]  Now, listen carefully. Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise. And do not mention Frodo, or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn either. In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took.

• Pippin : Gandalf, forgive me.

  Gandalf : Look at me. What did you see?

  Pippin : A tree. There was a white tree in a courtyard of stone. It was dead. The city was burning.

  Gandalf : Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?

  Pippin : I saw... I saw him. I can hear his voice in my head.

  Gandalf : What did you tell him? Speak!

  Pippin : He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me.

  Gandalf : What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?

  [scene cuts to later] 

  Gandalf : There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool... but an honest fool, he remains. He told Sauron nothing of the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike Minas Tirith.

• Pippin : [kneeling]  I offer you my service, such as it is, in payment of this debt.

  Denethor : This is my first command to you. How did you escape, and my son did not, so mighty a man as he was?

  Pippin : The mightiest man may be slain by one arrow... and Boromir was pierced by many.

  Gandalf : Get up. My Lord, there will be a time to greive for Boromir, but it is not now. War is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep. As steward, you are charged with the defense of this city. Where are Gondor's armies? You still have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Theoden of Rohan. Light the Beacons.

• Gandalf : The board is set... the pieces are moving

• Gandalf : Faramir!

  [Running after Faramir] 

  Gandalf : Faramir! Your father's will has turned to madness. Do not throw away your life so rashly.

  Faramir : Where does my allegiance lie if not here? This is the city of the men of Numenor. I would gladly give my life to defend her beauty, her memory... her wisdom...

  Gandalf : Your father loves you, Faramir. He will remember it before the end.

• Gandalf : Your treachary has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk, but you could save them Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's council.

  Saruman : So you have come here for information. I have some for you.

  [he reveals his palantir] 

  Saruman : Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. You're all going to die. But you know this don't you, Gandalf?

  [sneering] 

  Saruman : You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king. Gandalf does not hesistate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me... what words of confort did you give the halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death.

  Gimli : I've heard enough."

  [to Legolas] 

  Gimli : "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob.

  [Legolas goes to do so] 

  Gandalf : No. Come down Saruman, and your life will be spared.

  Saruman : Save your pity and your mercy; I have no use for it!

  [he fires at Gandalf, who emerges unscathed from the flames] 

  Gandalf : Saruman, your staff is broken.

• Pippin : It's so quiet.

  Gandalf : It's the deep breath before the plunge.

  Pippin : I don't want to be in a battle. But waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse.

• Pippin : But we'll see each other soon. Won't we?

  Merry : I don't know. I don't know what is going to happen.

  Pippin : Merry...

  Gandalf : Run, Shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste.

  Pippin : Merry!

  [Shadowfax gallops off, carrying Gandalf and Pippin away] 

• Gandalf : Now come the days of the King!

  [whispers] 

  Gandalf : May they be blessed.

• Gandalf : [During the siege of Gondor]  Peregrin Took! Go back to the Citadel!

  Pippin : [dazed]  They called us out to fight.

  Gandalf : This is no place for a Hobbit!

  [He lays about him with his sword and staff; an Orc rushes up behind him and Pippin kills it. Gandalf looks at Pippin] 

  Gandalf : [impressed]  Guard of the Citadel indeed!

• Gandalf : Go back to the abyss! Fall into nothingness that awaits you and your master!

  Witch King : Do you not know death when you see it, old man? This is my hour!

• Galadriel : The power of the Three Rings is ended. The time has come... for the dominion of Men.

  Elrond : I Aear c?n ven na mar.

  [Elvish: The Sea calls us home] 

  Bilbo : I think I'm... quite ready for another adventure.

  [Climbs on board with Elrond. Galadriel gets on boat with Celeborn] 

  Gandalf : Farewell... my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea... comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say, Do not weep... not all tears are an evil.

  [Heads to the ship, then turns around, waiting] 

  Gandalf : It is time, Frodo.

  Sam : What does he mean?

  Frodo : We set out to save the Shire, Sam. And it has been saved. But not for me.

  Sam : You don't mean that. You can't leave.

• Gandalf : Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the king, *Steward*.

  Denethor : The rule of Gondor is mine! And no other's!

• Faramir : Mithrandir! They broke through our defenses! They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river.

  Irolas : It is as the Lord Denethor predicted. Long has he forseen this doom.

  Gandalf : Forseen and done nothing!

• Gondorian Soldier 1 : The Beacon! The Beacon of Amon Din is lit.

  Gandalf : Hope is kindled.

• Gandalf : We come to it, at last. The great battle of our time.

• Gandalf : Faramir? This is not the first halfing to have crossed your path.

  Faramir : No.

  Pippin : You've seen Frodo and Sam?

  Gandalf : Where? When?

  Faramir : In Ithilien. Not two days ago. Gandalf, they're taking the road to the Morgul Vale.

  Gandalf : And then the pass of Cirith Ungol.

  Pippin : What does that mean? What's wrong?

  Gandalf : Faramir, tell me everything.

• Aragorn : We have time. Every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor.

  Gandalf : Do we know that?

  Aragorn : What does your heart tell you?

  Gandalf : That Frodo is alive. Yes. Yes, he's alive.

• Denethor : My sons are spent. My line has ended. Rohan has deserted us. Theoden's betrayed me. Abandon your posts! Flee, flee for your lives!

  [He turns around, and Gandalf knocks him out with his staff] 

  Gandalf : Prepare for battle!

• Gandalf : Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst.

• Pippin : How far is Minas Tirith?

  Gandalf : Three days' ride, as the Nazgul flies, and you'd better hope we don't have one of those on our tail.

• Pippin : [pulls sword from scabbard]  So I imagine this is just a... ceremonial position? I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting... Do they?

  Gandalf : You're in the service of the Steward now. You'll have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took.

  [shakes his head] 

  Gandalf : Guard of the Citadel.

• Gandalf : Fight! Fight to the last man! Fight for your lives!

• Gandalf : Peregrin Took, there is a task now to be done. Another opportunity for one of the Shirefolk to prove their great worth. You must not fail me.

• Gandalf : If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war.

  Theoden : Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?

• Aragorn : I will go.

  Gandalf : No.

  Aragorn : They must be warned.

  Gandalf : They will be.

• Gandalf : I ride for Minas Tirith...

  [looks at Pippin] 

  Gandalf : ...and I won't be going alone.

• Gandalf : Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor.

• Gandalf : Send these foul beasts into the abyss.

• Pippin : It's the tree. Gandalf! Gandalf!

  Gandalf : Yes the white tree of Gondor. The tree of the King. Lord Denethor, however, is not the king. He is a steward only, a caretaker of the throne.

• Gandalf : Our enemy is ready, his full strength gathered. Not only orcs, but men as well: legions of Haradrim from the south, mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call.

• Gandalf : Hold them back! Do not give in to fear! Stand to your posts! FIGHT!

• Gandalf : Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening.

  Aragorn : If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it.

  Gandalf : It's only a matter of time.

• Gandalf : This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer-stroke will fall hardest.

• Gandalf : So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion.

• Gandalf : Not at the towers! Aim for the trolls! Kill the trolls! Bring them down!

• Denethor : [about to burn himself along with Faramir who is unconscious]  Set a fire in our flesh.

  Gandalf : [the torch was about to reach the pyre until Shadowfax, Pippin and Gandalf barge in the room]  Stay this madness!

  Denethor : [grabs the torch and prepares to light the pyre]  You may triumph on the field of battle for a day, but against the power that is risen in the East, there is no victory!

  [throws the torch on the pyre Gandalf knocks Denethor off of the pyre and Pippin pulls out Faramir out of the flame] 

  Denethor : NO! You will not take my son from me!

  [Shadowfax rears and kicks him into the pyre. Faramir wakes from unconsciousness; relieved] 

  Denethor : Faramir.

  [he realizes too late that he is burning and runs to the pinnacle, screaming all the way] 

  Gandalf : So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion.

  [Denethor plunges to his death]