Samwise Gamgee

The final age of Middle-earth's recorded history before the beginning of the Fourth Age; the film depicts the rise of Sauron's power and the initial stages of the War of the Ring.

The final great conflict against Sauron at the end of the Third Age.

The clash at Amon Hen that leads to Boromir's death and the breaking of the Fellowship.

Rohan's defense of the Hornburg against Saruman's army.

The final diversionary battle before the Black Gate of Mordor.

The decisive defense of Minas Tirith against Sauron's armies.

The council at Rivendell that determines the fate of the One Ring and forms the Fellowship.

The destruction of the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom and the resulting defeat of Sauron.

The Ents' destruction of Saruman's industrial works at Isengard.

Aragorn's coronation as King Elessar after the defeat of Sauron.

The Ranger known as Strider, heir of Isildur, who joins and protects the Fellowship.

A hobbit of the Shire who inherits the One Ring and undertakes the quest to destroy it.

A Wizard who recognizes the danger of the One Ring and guides the quest against Sauron.

A Dwarf warrior and member of the Fellowship.

A former bearer of the One Ring who becomes central to both Bilbo's and Frodo's stories.

An Elven prince of the Woodland Realm who later becomes a member of the Fellowship.

A Hobbit of the Fellowship, commonly known as Merry.

A Hobbit of the Fellowship, commonly known as Pippin.

The Dark Lord and creator of the One Ring, seeking its recovery in order to dominate Middle-earth.

A noblewoman of Rohan who fights in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.

A captain of Gondor and younger brother of Boromir.

The head of the Istari who later allies himself with Sauron.

Saruman’s fortified domain and base of operations, later attacked and flooded by the Ents.

Sauron’s dark land, including the approach to the Black Gate and the route toward Cirith Ungol.

The horse-lords’ kingdom threatened by Saruman’s armies.

A peaceful hobbit homeland in northwestern Middle-earth, including Hobbiton and Bag End.

The ruined former capital of Gondor and a major front in the War of the Ring.

The hill where the Fellowship breaks and Boromir makes his final stand.

Bilbo and Frodo Baggins' home in Hobbiton.

The fortified Morannon entrance to Mordor.

A perilous pass into Mordor above Minas Morgul.

The capital settlement of Rohan and seat of King Théoden.

The ancient forest inhabited by Treebeard and the Ents.

A fortified refuge in the Westfold where Rohan resists Saruman’s Uruk-hai army.