13 iconic The Lord of the Rings moments fans still cherish
By Bryce Olin
12. Gandalf teaches Pippin about death in The Return of the King
"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. Then, you see it!”"
During the siege of Minas Tirith, the city looks like it will fall. Gandalf and Pippin are waiting for the orcs to storm the gates. The end is near, or so Pippin thinks. He tells Gandalf that this is not how he imagined things ending.
Gandalf reminds him that this is not the end of the journey, no matter what comes through the gates, no matter what happens, and no matter if they’re killed, there’s life, or something like it, beyond.
It’s a great, quiet moment during an action-packed scene. It’s these little moments, reflections, and drops of wisdom that make this movie so good. I love when Gandalf uses these moments to school up the Hobbits.
It’s also foreshadowing and setting up what’s to come. We all know that the Fellowship is successful. Frodo and Sam, eventually, accomplish their goal, and it’s time for Gandalf, Bilbo, and Frodo, too, to leave Middle-earth at the Grey Havens.