We’re back. The review series returns. The hobbits are traumatised, the fellowship is scattered, and Middle-earth is very much going through it.

This week on The Third Reel, we begin our deep dive into The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, kicking things off with Part 1, where we tackle Act 1 only. Part 2 lands next week, covering Acts 2 & 3, our final thoughts, and the all-important scores.

Often (rudely) labelled the worst film in the trilogy, yet somehow still considered one of the greatest films ever made, The Two Towers sits in a strange cinematic no man’s land. But is that reputation fair? Or is this the unsung MVP of Middle-earth?

We break down the fractured narrative, the tonal shift from Fellowship, the rise of Rohan, and the film’s growing obsession with mud, despair, and extremely intense walking. And yes… we’re already warming up for Helm’s Deep - a battle so iconic it permanently changed how Hollywood stages large-scale warfare (and set the bar impossibly high for everyone else).

Swords clash, Uruk-hai run in straight lines, and we ask the big questions:

Is this really the weakest of the trilogy?

Or is The Two Towers quietly doing the heaviest lifting of them all?

Grab your lembas bread — Part 1 begins now. 🧙‍♂️⚔️

FULL SPOILERS FOR LORD OF THE RINGS THE TWO TOWERS IN THIS EPISODE. You have been warned.

If you have any things you want to discuss about this film or Lord of the Rings in general, email us at thirdreelpod@gmail.com or through our socials @third_reel_pod

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All music used in this podcast is for commentary and review purposes under fair use. We give full credit to the original composers and right holders, and acknowledge that we do not own any of the music featured.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00:00 - Preamble

00:08:34 - Review: Act 1

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