The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers 2002

Awakening from a vivid dream of Gandalf battling the Balrog deep within Moria, Frodo Baggins finds himself, alongside his loyal friend Samwise Gamgee, lost amidst the treacherous terrain of the Emyn Muil close to Mordor. They quickly realize they are being hunted by Gollum, a wretched creature who once possessed the One Ring. After capturing him, Frodo, feeling compassion, chooses to set him free and allows him to act as their guide, emphasizing to Sam that they’ll need Gollum’s unique knowledge to infiltrate the dark lands of Mordor.

Meanwhile, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli are in pursuit of a group of Uruk-hai in a desperate attempt to save their captured companions, Merry and Pippin. Their quest takes them into the kingdom of Rohan. However, their path intersects with that of the Rohirrim who ambush the Uruk-hai, thus enabling Merry and Pippin to escape into the mystical Fangorn Forest. Upon reuniting with Aragorn and his company, they encounter Éomer, the leader of the Rohirrim, who informs them of the dire circumstances back home. He reveals that both he and his men have been exiled by Rohan’s king, Théoden, who is ensnared in the manipulative grasp of Saruman and his treacherous advisor Gríma Wormtongue. Despite believing that Merry and Pippin have perished, Éomer generously provides Aragorn’s group with two horses before departing.

In the depths of Fangorn, the travelers meet Gandalf, who has risen anew as Gandalf the White after his struggle against the Balrog. Gandalf guides Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli to the capital of Rohan, Edoras, where he successfully liberates King Théoden from Saruman’s control. In a moment of mercy, Aragorn intervenes to stop Théoden from executing Wormtongue, who promptly escapes. Upon learning of Saruman’s malevolent plot to annihilate Rohan with his formidable army of Uruk-hai, Théoden takes immediate action, evacuating his people to the fortress of Helm’s Deep. Gandalf sets off to locate Éomer and his loyal followers, hoping they will rally to support their rightful king.

During this turmoil, Aragorn finds himself growing closer to Éowyn, Théoden’s niece, who harbors a deep infatuation for him. Unfortunately, when Saruman’s Warg-riding Orcs ambush the refugees, Aragorn falls from a cliff and is presumed dead. However, fate intercedes when he is discovered by the loyal horse Brego, leading him back to Helm’s Deep just as Saruman’s forces are advancing.

Back in Rivendell, Arwen is faced with her father’s stark warning that Aragorn may never return. Elrond reminds her that if she stays in Middle-earth, the years will weigh heavily, leading her to realize she would outlive him by millennia. As Arwen wrestles with her decisions, Galadriel reaches out to Elrond, persuading him that their alliance with men must endure, resulting in a contingent of Elves being sent to aid at Helm’s Deep.

In Fangorn, Merry and Pippin befriend Treebeard, an ancient Ent, who believes in their cause and leads them to an Ent Council meeting. However, the Ents ultimately decide against joining the impending battle. Not one to remain idle, Pippin urges Treebeard to take them toward Isengard, where they are confronted with the devastation wrought by Saruman’s ambitions. Fuelled by rage, Treebeard and his fellow Ents launch an assault on Isengard, imprisoning Saruman within his own tower.

As the tension escalates at Helm’s Deep, Aragorn arrives just in time to forewarn Théoden about the imminent threat of Saruman’s forces. Resolute, Théoden prepares the defenders for an overwhelming assault, and just as hope seems lost, a company of Lothlórien Elves arrives to bolster their ranks as Saruman’s army strikes. Chaos ensues as the Uruk-hai breach the walls using explosives, leading to the tragic loss of Haldir, the Elven commander. In a final thrust, the defenders regroup under Théoden’s command and prepare for one last charge. As dawn breaks and the battle seems lost, Gandalf and Éomer arrive with the Rohirrim, shifting the balance of the fight. The remaining Uruk-hai, defeated, flee into the dark embrace of Fangorn Forest, where they meet their ultimate end at the hands of vengeful trees. However, Gandalf cautions that Sauron will not remain idle.

Meanwhile, Gollum leads Frodo and Sam through the Dead Marshes towards the Black Gate, all the while suggesting a safer route into Mordor. Their journey takes a turn when they are captured by the Rangers of Ithilien, under the leadership of Faramir, the younger brother of the late Boromir. Frodo’s quick thinking helps save Gollum from a deadly fate at the hands of the Rangers. Faramir, intrigued by the One Ring, decides to take Frodo and Sam to Gondor with the intention of presenting the Ring to his father, Denethor. As they traverse the besieged city of Osgiliath, Frodo strives to convey the true menace of the Ring to Faramir, while Sam recounts how Boromir succumbed to its dark allure. In a tense moment, a Nazgûl nearly ensnares Frodo, pushing him toward the Ring’s corrupting force, but Sam’s unwavering support reignites Frodo’s hope, reminding him of the greater fight for the remnants of goodness in Middle-earth. Recognizing Frodo’s courage, Faramir ultimately grants them their freedom. However, Gollum, feeling betrayed, develops a sinister plan to reclaim the Ring, directing Frodo and Sam towards the lair of Shelob as they approach Cirith Ungol.