Lord Of The Rings Opening- Sound Analysis

At the beginning of this clip, it is complete darkness yet, through Non-Diegetic sound of narration, it creates automatic tension- It's taken away one of the audiences senses yet leaves them with just hearing a low whisper. This mysterious opening leaves tension as the audience set down to engage into the film. This lasts for 1 minute with a gradual rise in the music.


The first image after the title screen is a fire joined by Non-diegetic sound effects of the crackling of the burning. This may create foreshadowing towards the audience for later in the film- at the beginning they are using fire for enjoyment and food, perhaps later on in the film fire is used as a deterrent. The sound effect helps set the scene of this because if it was silent, the effect may differ- maybe it would just be a memory instead of reality.

 During 1:20 continuing to the majority of the clip, the use of Non-diegetic sound is used to almost help set the scene as it is telling the story of what has happened before once the visual part is playing through. Although do the monotone of the narrator implies a build up- to let the audience know the story will soon pick up pace alongside building up tension.


Yet at 1.52 the Non-diegetic sound of music beginnings to become upbeat and faster- perhaps to cause more tension thus leaving it more dramatic.






  At 1:57, non-diegetic sound of sound effect is played alongside the narrator. The narrator at this point in time has began to speed up between each point made and is speaking much more louder, this fits in with the sound effect played here because it over rides the peaceful keyboard music - suggesting this person shown is a very evil/bad character. Therefore building up suspense in the audiences mind.

  This Non-diegetic sound effect of a thunder clap gets louder at 2:02 because obviously the director wants the audience to work out this is the "bad guy" and he shouldn't have a ring like all the other people explain prior.

Although at 2:09 we are already starting to see a change in meaning with the Non-diegetic sound of the fire effect for showing power and dominance, in direct contrast to the beginning of the clip when fire was the use of simple enjoyment- marshmallows.





As predicted in the screen shot from 1:08, One minute later at 2:10, fire has created havoc as it is burning houses leaving people running helplessly away- this is helped be portrayed by the non-diegetic sound effect of crackling fire. Alongside the screens of course because this suggests a worried and scared atmosphere which has been created.


However at 2:27, the non-diegetic sounding of the music comes back, although unlike the original music, this is much more powerful and uplifting, as if this person who "resisted" is a brave and good character, rather than the bad seeming character portray before.

However, at 2:37 there is one of the first uses of diegetic sound, the grunts and shouts from the people shown in the screen shot besides. This is important in telling the narrative because it shows it imposing threat the solider type people have before reaching their "freedom"- showing the audience what they need to fight.



At 2:49 there is more diegtic sound by what looks like a leader- as if a scream of charge... Commencing the battle. This suggests a war that will abruptly start due to this command.