The last of "The Lord of the Rings" films is the most sweeping, emotional, and visually stunning of the three. Filmed mostly on The South Island of New Zealand, the Final Battle of Middle-earth comes alive against the backdrop of Mount Cook and its plains.

The movies were a great feat to accomplish, directed by Kiwi Peter Jackson, produced by American Barrie Osborne, and based on the popular (and lengthy) fantasy trilogy by late British author J.R.R. Tolkien. Even those who have read the 3 "Lord of the Rings" books have trouble keeping up with the immense cast of characters, various locations, and intricate plots. At least the films have the same titles as the books: "The Fellow of the Rings," "The Two Towers," and "The Return of the King." Before you see the third film, you might want a summary of the first 2.

"The Fellowship of the Rings" (2001) introduces the main characters. Frodo Baggins, a humble Hobbit from a peaceful farming country called The Shire, inherits a Ring from his Uncle Bilbo (who stole it from the creature Gollum in the prequel to the Ring Trilogy, a book called "The Hobbit"). Bilbo has gone off to visit the Elves on his 111th birthday and, with urging from Gandalf the Grey (an unusual wizard), leaves the Ring behind.

From the start Gandalf realizes there is something evil about the Ring. Sauron, the ruler of Mordor, forged the Ring long ago, to destroy the men, elves, and dwarfs of Middle-earth. But Sauron, who was defeated by the human King Isildur in an ancient battle, did not count on his Ring falling into the hands of unknown Hobbits--until he is tipped off by Gollum, who wants the Ring back. Frodo and his 3 Hobbit friends (Sam, Merry, and Pippin) begin their journey out of The Shire, with a group of Black Riders, ghostly servants of Sauron, hunting them.

The Hobbits meet Aragorn, a lonely warrior who is also heir of Isildur and the future King of Men. Aragorn guides the Hobbits on their journey into the wilderness. Frodo is wounded by a Black Rider's sword and is rescued by the Elf Princess Arwen who loves Aragron. She rides with Frodo to the Elvish town of Rivendell, eluding the Black Riders who pursue her. In Rivendell Frodo recovers (mostly) and meets Gandalf again. With the wise advice of Elf King Elrond (Arwen's father), a Council is called to determine what to do about the Ring. An elf named Legolas, a dwarf named Gimli, and a man named Boromir join Gandalf, Aragorn, and the 4 Hobbits to form The Fellowship of the Ring.

Together they start off toward Mordor, to destroy the Ring in Mount Doom where it was forged--because it corrupts everyone who tries to wear it, and it is always trying to get back to its Master. The Fellowship goes through the Mines of Moria, where Gandalf falls battling a fiery monster. Sad at his loss, the remaining 8 end up in the Elvish woods of Lothlorian where Elf Queen Galadriel gives them aid. They set off in boats but are met by evil Orcs, servants of Sauron and his partner Saruman. Boromir is killed, Merry and Pippin are captured by the Orcs, and the Fellowship is scattered. The plot divides as Frodo and Sam head for Mordor while Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli go after the Orcs to rescue Merry and Pippin.

Thus ends the first film.

"The Two Towers" (2002) begins with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli entering the plains of Rohan, a country with great horse riders and warriors. They find the battle site where the Riders had destroyed the Orcs that were carrying Pippin and Merry. But the 2 Hobbits escaped into a nearby forest and met up with Treebeard, a giant Tree Herder who carries them along through the forest. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli go into the forest and find Gandalf, who is now the White Wizard, having survived his ordeal in Moria. Gandalf urges the three friends to come with him to Edoras, the hilltop capital of Rohan, to save them from an invasion planned by Sauron and Saruman, his wizard ally.

Gandalf faces off with Wormtongue and frees King Theoden from Saruman's hold. The King orders his nephew Eomer and the people of Rohan to retreat to Helm's Deep, a mountain fortress that has never fallen to an enemy. Theoden's niece Eowyn wants to fight with the men and starts falling in love with Aragorn, whose heart still belongs to Elf Princess Arwen. Aragorn warns Theoden that they may lose the war against 10,000 Orcs. A very long battle ensues. Helm's Deep is breached but not lost, thanks to an Elvish army and help from Gandalf and more Rohan riders.

"The Return of the King" (2003) starts where "The Two Towers" left off, after the Battle of Helm's Deep. Treebeard the Tree Herder, who carried around Hobbits Merry and Pippin throughout "The Two Towers," has defeated Saruman the Wizard by breaking down his dam and flooding him out. Merry and Pippin are celebrating when Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli ride up to find them. They all go back to Edoras to celebrate their victory.

My family and I watched the film together for the second time, and the familiar landscapes made us want to return to the Land of the Silver Fern, where we spent a month last summer.

"That's Mount Sunday and the Rangitata River Valley," I leaned over to whisper to my daughter Jessica as the wind-swept hilltop city of Edoras came into view. We had driven two hours along dirt roads to find that remote location, amazed that Wellington Director Jackson could bring an entire crew there and build a temporary city in the middle of nowhere.

After their celebration, curious Pippin (who always gets into trouble) steals a Seeing Stone from sleeping Gandalf and peers into it. The fire-ringed Eye of Sauron sees the hapless Hobbit. But Pippin also sees some of Sauron's plans, and Gandalf whisks Pippin off to Minas Tirith, the white stone city of Gondor, heart of the land of men, where Isildur once was King.

"That's the valley of Mount Cook, where we stood in the wind and the chill of glaciers," I whispered to my son Jonathan, who looks like Little Frodo. Of course, the white city was added digitally to the snowy peaks.

Gandalf enters the city and tells the mad Steward Denethor that Suaron is sending our his armies. Denethor, who wants no part of Aragorn and an ancient line of Kings, pays no attention to Gandalf. Instead, he grieves over his son Boromir who was killed in the first movie. He foolishly sends out his other son, Faramir, to battle the Orcs that have taken a nearby river city.

"Those are the three brown hills on the plains outside of Twizel, south of Mount Cook," I told my husband Edd as the noble men of Gondor rode to their doom.

And so ensues one of the most digitalized battle scenes in film history--with amazing creatures, strange armies, and unexpected heroes--all while 2 hobbits sneak past Sauron through his own back door. I can't tell you any more; you've got to see "The Return of the King" for yourself.

Perhaps the film moved me to tears because it is about survival beyond the loss of hope. We on this mountain had to evacuate our homes last fall because of the Old Fire. When we were scattered through the valleys, helplessly watching the television news, we came to a place where we gave up our mountain as lost. But much of it survived, and so did we. Like the Middle-earth friends who sacrificed for each other, we have pulled together to rebuild.

I found very few flaws in any of the 3 films. A few scene transitions could have gone more smoothly; the intricate plot could have been better explained; the Tolkien books weren't followed exactly; there were too many arrows between the eyes and slashed-off heads; there should be an Intermission so that viewers can use the bathroom; and there's always room for character development. But the scenery alone invites an Oscar, and the screenplay (by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Peter Jackson) was full of quotable lines. Even the musical score was great, created by Canadian Howard Shore and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I see many gold statues in store for "The Return of the King."

The cast was well picked, comprised of actors from America, Australia, England, and New Zealand. Sean Astin did an especially moving performance as the faithful Sam, who literally carried Frodo to Mount Doom while fending off Gollum (Andy Serkis). Elijah Wood's expressive blue eyes made Frodo the tragic hero. Ian McKellen played a humble wizard who could also swordfight. Miranda Otto was Eowyn, the gutsy Shieldmaiden of Rohan who fought with the men. Bernard Hill brought to life her heroic uncle, King Theoden. Karl Urban, her brother Eomer, was a dashing Rohan Rider. Liv Tyler played well the pouty Elf Princess Arwen who chose a mortal life. Hugo Weaving (Elrond) showed how he was torn by his daughter's decision.

Orlando Bloom did amazing Elvish battle moves as Legolas. John Rhys-Davies was funny as the fighting Dwarf Gimli. Billy Boyd (Pippin) and Dominic Montaghan (Merry) were the comic Hobbits turned warriors. Cate Blanchett was the Wise Elf Galadriel. David Wenham, as noble Faramir, was just plain cute, as was his flawed brother Boromir, played by Sean Bean. John Noble (Denethor), Christopher Lee (Saruman), and Brad Dourif (Wormtongue) were menacing Bad Guys. The huge cast of Orcs, riders, townspeople, and soldiers were convincingly dressed and armed--thanks to Weta Workshop of Wellington, that did outfitting and props. And Viggo Mortensen, who ran everywhere he went and wielded his sword like a natural fighter, led the nations of Middle-earth to battle like a true Returning King.

So I highly recommend that you see "The Return of the King" more than once. If you can, plan your next vacation in New Zealand and find out what a "weta" is. The 12-hour flight isn't as expensive as you might think, and the cost of living in Kiwiland is about half of America's. You can take special "Lord of the Rings 4X4 Tours" on both the North and South Islands, to see the films' locations. But being hardy mountain folk, you will probably buy the book "The Lord of the Rings Location Guidebook" by Ian Brodie, found in any New Zealand bookstore. It contains photos, maps, and helpful hints on how to find places like Mount Sunday. For extra help, go to the nearest Tourist Information Bureau and get a free local map before you drive down those bumpy roads between mountains, plains, and rivers--to a place made alive by Peter Jackson, a place you will never forget.

These are a must-see for true Tolkien fans. They include many important scenes that were cut to make the theater versions short enough for the general public.