Peter Jackson Reveals His Favorite Film from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy

The The Lord of the Rings trilogy ranks among the most celebrated adaptations in the fantasy genre. Directed by Peter Jackson, the series hit theaters from 2001 to 2003, offering audiences a breathtaking interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary masterpiece. Critically and commercially successful, all three films laid the groundwork for Jackson’s subsequent, albeit less acclaimed, Hobbit trilogy in the 2010s.

The journey began with The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, featuring Elijah Wood as the reluctant hero Frodo Baggins. This initial installment set the stage for Frodo’s perilous mission to destroy the One Ring within the fiery depths of Mount Doom. Following this was The Two Towers, which highlighted the legendary Battle of Helm’s Deep, culminating in the epic finale, The Return of the King, that brought closure to beloved characters such as Frodo, Sam (Sean Astin), Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), and Gandalf (Ian McKellen), all rich with emotional depth and thrilling action.

Despite his success with the original trilogy, Jackson’s foray back into Middle-earth with the anime The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim did not achieve similar accolades, weakening its critical and commercial impact.

Peter Jackson’s Favorite Picks: The Two Towers

Backing a Choice That Could Change

Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn juxtaposed with a charging Uruk-hai in The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers — Image by Ryan Northrup

In a recent interview with Letterboxd, Peter Jackson revealed that his favorite entry in the trilogy is The Two Towers. Released in 2002, this sequel picks up the narrative following the tense moments of The Fellowship of the Ring. It effectively follows Frodo and Sam on their journey with Gollum (Andy Serkis) while Aragorn, Legolas (Orlando Bloom), and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) pursue the Uruk-hai to rescue Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd). The film received widespread acclaim, grossing an impressive $923 million globally.

Jackson shares his thoughts candidly, stating that while he currently favors The Two Towers, his preference may shift upon rewatching the trilogy. He expressed:

“The Two Towers, I think. But if I see them again I might have a totally different one.”

Despite his admiration, Jackson admits to difficulty rewatching his films. He noted that the experience might become more enjoyable with time, suggesting that he may someday revisit his celebrated trilogy:

“I can’t watch my own films. I just, I mean, one day… I sort of enjoy it more as more time goes by, so one day I’ll watch them again. I hope you enjoy ’em!”

Implications of Jackson’s Preference for the Trilogy

The Two Towers: Critical Reception

Gandalf riding Shadowfax beside Aragorn and Legolas in The Two Towers

Analyzing Jackson’s preference reveals a strong alignment with critical perspectives found on platforms like Rotten Tomatoes. The scores indicate a narrow margin of appreciation among the trilogy entries, underscoring their collective acclaim:

Lord Of The Rings Trilogy Rotten Tomatoes Scores
Title	RT Critics’ Score	RT Audience Score
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring	92%	95%
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers	95%	95%
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King	94%	86%

When it comes to choosing a favorite among the films, individual taste significantly influences the outcome. While the reason behind Jackson’s preference for The Two Towers remains unclear, it is noteworthy that the second entry in any trilogy often serves as a crucial connective tissue in a broader narrative. Though it may not universally garner the title of “favorite,”its unique contributions to the fantasy genre are undoubtedly cherished, particularly by Jackson himself.

Source: Letterboxd

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