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Chapter 400: A Group of Fools
🕑 Added 2025-03-25 18:27:00 +0000 UTC"May the stars that shine in the night sky guide you on your journey, may the endless starlight lead your path, and may the curtain of darkness fall, keeping evil far from your pure soul..."
The subtitles slowly descended as the ethereal, lively, and serene song echoed. Norman Shiller's eyes left the big screen for the first time since the film began. He glanced at his watch — over two and a half hours had passed.
This film was that long? Shiller suddenly realized!
In his mind, it felt as though the movie had just started and already finished. He had been so immersed in this dreamlike story that he hadn't noticed the passage of time. Now, reflecting on it, he realized the pacing was slower and more relaxed compared to The Matrix, which was relentlessly fast-paced.
What amazed him was that the more relaxed pace didn't make him feel bored or drag on; on the contrary, it was incredibly captivating. His emotions were completely drawn into the film, and he almost wished it would go on longer.
Why couldn't it be longer? Why did this magical journey have to end?
Not just Norman Shiller, but most of the audience in the theater shared this thought. This was truly a magical movie, and no one wanted it to end.
The journey should not have an end!
The song continued, and a strange emotion seemed to brew in the theater. Though it couldn't be seen or heard, Michael Bay could feel it.
The film had ended, and although the first part concluded tragically, he realized that the number one box-office hit of this summer had already emerged!
Looking around, most of the audience were either sad or excited, but there was no one with a calm or bored expression. Michael Bay briefly fell into thought.
Why, with another epic film of similar length, did Pearl Harbor end up being criticized as slow and boring, while The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring made the audience completely entranced?
There was so much he could still learn from Duke Rosenberg!
After all, Duke wasn't Peter Jackson; he didn't have any particular sentimental attachment to New Zealand. While The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring featured Middle-earth's scenery, there were no unnecessary shots just for the sake of showcasing, which saved time. Besides using a small amount for combat and special effects, most of the saved time was cut. That was how the 165-minute runtime was achieved.
Pacing was extremely important in any commercial film. The pace of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring was a bit slow, but it never reached the point of feeling boring.
Moreover, even the slower-paced sequences either showcased the exotic beauty of Middle-earth or featured angels and elves to captivate the audience's attention.
As for the effects...
The subtitles finished, and applause erupted as expected. The sound began chaotic but quickly organized, turning from thunderous applause into a continuous sea of waves. Every individual in the audience stood, clapping with all their might, offering respect to this incredible film, and honoring the director and cast who created this magical journey!
The applause was deafening, like thunder, then like waves crashing on the shore, lasting for five minutes without any signs of stopping.
"Congratulations, Duke!"
The crew had already stood up. Ivanka was the first to embrace him, followed by everyone nearby!
"Oh, my! Oh, my..."
It seemed like the atmosphere was contagious. Elijah Wood, the youngest member of the crew, was overwhelmed with emotion. "What did we do? Oh my god, what did we do?"
His eyes were red with excitement as he looked around at Duke and the others. "Did we really do this? I can't believe it! This amazing work was shot in New Zealand by us!"
Sean Astin, Elijah's good friend in the film, tightly hugged him. "We did it! My god, we did it! Let those damned criticisms go to hell!"
Gerard Butler, whose heartstrings were pulled by the ending's tear-jerking scenes, raised his fist, shouting, "F*** the protests!"
The entire crew was euphoric amidst the applause. After two years of preparation and shooting, they had endured hardships, faced challenges, and accumulated scars.
At this moment, they had the capital, confidence, and need to enjoy the applause—this applause filled with respect!
Even Duke, normally calm, felt his fist clench tightly.
Though he had never shown it, the weight of the more than $500 million investment, including promotion, rested heavily on his shoulders. How could he not feel the pressure?
Few knew how many sleepless nights he endured during filming due to stress, busyness, and excitement.
A hand suddenly stretched out and held his clenched fist. Duke turned to look at Ivanka, nodding to her, and his turbulent emotions gradually calmed.
But the applause still didn't die down!
Ivanka held his hand tightly, her eyes slowly turning to the back. The theater lights were on, and a sea of people was standing and clapping, honoring the film, the crew, the director, and the individual success of Duke!
Everyone was clapping for Duke's success!
Even though Ivanka wasn't the one being honored, she was still overjoyed, incredibly overjoyed.
Duke took a deep breath and said to Charles Rowen, "Tell everyone to come to the stage for the curtain call!"
Brad Miller's hands were sore from clapping, but he showed no signs of stopping. Only this way could he release the excitement and joy in his heart. As he saw the crew heading to the stage in front of the screen, he clapped even harder.
The crew, led by the director and producer, made their curtain call!
The applause in the theater didn't stop; it grew even louder. After nearly ten minutes of continuous applause and five curtain calls, the applause finally began to fade.
According to the premiere schedule, after the screening, the crew would interact with the audience.
The first question inevitably came from a journalist who had prepared ahead of time. The journalist took the microphone, "Director Rosenberg..."
Then, he realized he couldn't continue.
Brad Miller didn't want to wait. He was eager to see the next two films. As the applause began to fade, he couldn't help but shout, "The Two Towers!"
Both Shiller and Pete immediately reacted, shouting, "The Two Towers!"
Anyone familiar with The Lord of the Rings knew what "The Two Towers" represented. Countless fans who weren't willing to let the journey end spontaneously joined in.
"The Two Towers! The Two Towers! The Two Towers! The Two Towers..."
In front of the passionate fans, forget about the interaction; nothing could proceed.
Duke stood there, holding the microphone, saying nothing, doing nothing.
"The Two Towers!"
The shouting filled the theater like a wave crashing down on the crew!
The journalists were no longer concerned with interviewing. They raised their cameras, not aimed at the crew on stage but at the frenzied fans in the audience, taking pictures without a care for the consequences.
Watching all this, Duke stopped Charles Rowen, who was about to speak, and let the journalists capture the moment.
The screening had ended over fifty minutes ago, yet the theater had not dispersed. Chris, leading a group of protesters, was blocking the exit near the theater, ready to protest again as the crew and audience left.
He knew the rules: when you accept benefits from others, you must do what they ask.
But... this was strange. It had been nearly an hour since the screening ended, yet none of the crew or journalists had come out.
What was going on?
"Boss..."
A young black man came up to him, "Could it be that the audience is so dissatisfied with the film that they refuse to leave and even vandalize the theater?"
"Is your brain full of water?"
Chris smacked the back of his head and pointed to the police nearby, saying, "If that were the case, the police would have already come in."
The young man rubbed his head and suddenly noticed a group of audience members emerging from the theater, reminding Chris, "They're coming out! They're coming out!"
"Get ready, everyone!" Chris shouted to his group of over a hundred people, "Raise the banners and slogans. When the reporters come out, follow me and shout..."
Before he could finish his sentence, a loud commotion erupted from the crowd of exiting viewers. Their voices were high and excited, even from a distance, it was clear enough to reach the ears of the protesters.
"Such an amazing film, and you're protesting? Are you crazy?"
"F*** you, protesting my favorite movie, f*** you..."
"Have you even seen the film? You're protesting without even watching, a bunch of idiots!"
"I protest against these protesters!"
The voices from the crowd grew louder. Chris froze, confused. The people who were supposed to protest were now being ridiculed by the audience.
As he stood dazed, many young audience members stopped, and more gathered around, forming a crowd of hundreds. They mockingly looked at the protesters, as if watching the world's biggest fools.
Just like in the theater, once a crowd formed, emotions spread rapidly. Someone in the crowd shouted a strong insult, and the insults began pouring down on the protesters like a torrential rain.
The reporters also emerged, and Sarah from Los Angeles Times quickly rushed over with her cameraman, capturing this rare scene.
In an instant, she had already thought of the headline for the news story.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Conquers the Audience at Its Premiere, Fans Battle Protesters to Defend the Film!"
Of course, no real war broke out. The police quickly intervened, and both sides dispersed.
It was then that Miller and Pete left the Chinese Grand Theater and joined the group of protesters.
