Prologue: Isildur has three arrows in his back:'three times to pay.'

Isildur is face down in the dark waters: facing the darkness.

Compare the death of Isildur to Boromir. One dies in shame the other redeemed. The crown of the dark lord is strikingly similar to the crowns of the Nazgul and the tower of Orthanc.

The Shire: Frodo reading in the tree. This is an establishing motif. Later we will see Frodo exhausted lying in the eye of the statue at Amon hen. The reading shot sets up how far Frodo has come to Amon Hen.

Bilbo: see how Bilbo has a ruddy rustic face, rosy cheeks and good living. In Rivendell notice how Bilbo has become more 'elf-like.' He has lost his earthy glow.

When Gandalf chastises Bilbo a shadow exudes out of him: establishes that 'every light casts a shadow.' The shadow is going to be a motif throughout the movie.

Leaving the shire: notice how the film stock changes to emphasise the gold/yellow hues of the field. At the point when Sam reaches the threshold of leaving the Shire. Gold/yellow appears at 'threshold moments' in the movie eg later in Lothlorien.

When Bilbo leaves the ring he drops it from an open hand. Open hands are a symbol of redemption in Fellowship. (see about symbolism of hands on the main page).

Orthanc: Three doors shut on Gandalf. There are four doors in total-one for each of the elements banished from inside. Three doors close, again a reference to three times to pay. (Saruman relishes an irony).

On the Road Before the Nazgul appears on the road nature appears to be 'pushed' away ahead of him. There's a kind of vortex that heralds their arrival to Frodo. This establishes that the dark power is against nature.

Study the moment that the Nazgul stands over the hobbits as they hide under the tree. This is a key establishing shot for the theme of evil. You can study this on the main page under the commentary 'Darker than Black.'

Bree Strider is concealed by shadow under his hood. This introduces the theme of the shadow as concealer of identity. Aragorn will often be found in the shadows throughout. He even chooses dark clothing at Rivendell. Aragorn always seems to be wearing a shadow.

The Nazgul encircle the beds before striking. The circle is the favoured combat motif for the Nazgul. They encircle at Bree, at Weathertop. The circle is the symbol of evil in the movie. Circle is a symbol of siege, absorption by evil, the repeating of karma. L

Weathertop The Nazgul in the wraith world: see that they have extended fingers. A symbol of grasping evil and ego. Gollum also will have extended fingers. The agents of the dark lord all seem to have extending probing fingers.

Flight to the Ford Frodo has a grey cape. Grey is the colour of earhtbound spirit. As he becomes wriath like Frodo is envelloped in healing grey.

When Arwen raises her sword notice it is engraved with spirals. Spirals are the symbol of the elves.

The waters of the Bruinen form into horses. The black horses of the Nazgul get consumed. Horses are a symbol of the will: a clash of wills.

Rivendell See if you can spot spirals on the walls and columns of Rivendell.

The animal symbol of Rivendell is the Phoenix: renewal and healing through change..can you spot a carved Phoenix?

When Boromir sees the ring he taps his mouth with his index finger: symbol of ego.

Caradhras When Boromir picks up the ring he holds it by the chain. The ring dangles on the end of the chain like a hangman's noose: a portent of his doom. Moria Look into the eyes and mouth of the Balrog they have a white light in them. Is this the white light Gandalf will use to reforge himself ito Gandalf the White? Good drawing out qualities in evil for a higher purpose? Lothlorien See the golden spiral on the brow of Galadriel: a symbol of the elves but also of hidden powers.

See if you can see spirals on the architecture of lothlorien.

Galadriel's Swan boat: the swan is a symbol of Venus, the greek goddess who straddle the worlds of earth and spirit.

When Frodo offers Galadriel the ring the chain is held between his fingers and concealed beneath his hand: he offers the ring freely 'unchained' by any condition. The phial: has a spiral neck.

Note throughout that the ring (circle form) is restrained by the chain (spiral form). Watch for battles between the circle and spiral throughout Fellowship.

Amon Hen Frodo rests on the statue. A key shot in the movie: see if you can spot the elements in the image and then study it on the main page under the commentary 'Frodo at Amon Hen.'

Boromir takes three arrows.

Boromir's head is cradled by a tree when he falls: symbol of his kingdom. See the fallen statue in a previous scene: a man's head fallen against a tree.

When Frodo lifts Sam from the Anduin he takes him by the wrist: his hand twists around Sam's arm-this refers to the spiral form again and is a sign of a new and profound union.

The spiral triumphs even though the Fellowship has been broken.