20 Biggest Blockbuster Movie Showdowns Of All Time
5. The Battle Of Helm's Deep - The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Helm's Deep sits quite comfortably amongst the greatest battle scenes ever put to film as Peter Jackson gave audiences an epic showdown between warring armies that featured a seamless mix of practical and CGI effects, as well as plenty of smaller character moments in amongst the carnage. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of pouring rain, the battle starts in ominous fashion as the Uruk-hai batter their spears on the ground before all hell well and truly breaks loose. Combining both practical and digital effects, the production spent seven months building a massive set on location, as well as a quarter scale 50 feet long 'miniature' that was used for wider shots. A cast of 700 extras was expanded to tens of thousands thanks to WETA's cutting-edge CGI and the battle itself took four months to shoot. The end result is nothing short of spectacular, as the opposing factions wage a stunning battle that blends sweeping panoramic shots with crunching close-ups, and never manages to lose sight of the personal stakes for the characters in amongst the carnage unfolding onscreen.
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