Do you remember the first shot of every Middle-earth film?
Sure you do.
It’s also interesting to note the similarities of every opening – further reinforcing the connections between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
At the same time, I’m sure you’ve noticed the odd-one-out of the entire lot …
In the first five films, we have references to the element of fire – a strong symbolism of the persistent menace of Smaug during The Hobbit trilogy, and the One Ring’s indestructible force except through the fiery chasms of Mount Doom in The Lord of the Rings.