Breaking of the Fellowship (LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring)

Probably my favorite scene in all of cinema. It's certainly why, despite how good the entire trilogy is, I think Fellowship of the Ring is the best of the three. I love how tender it is. Often cited as a peak example of positive masculinity. Both Elijah Wood and Sean Astin should have been nominated for Oscars on these performances alone. I hated at the time of the movie's release people would make jokes about how "gay" their friendship appeared to be. Thank god people have finally turned around on that.

The emotions hit you one after the other. Frodo’s face as he remembers Gandalf’s words. I love how long the camera lingers as his expression subtly shifts from fear and grief to courage. Sam's quivering voice as he tells Frodo that he won't leave him. The shaking sobbing as they embrace each other and the sounds of sniffling you only know from a deep release. Sam swallowing deeply as he regains his composure. And that's not even saying how beautiful Howard Shore's score is.

It still brings me to ugly tears to this day.