12. The Fight in Balins Tomb
The highlight of the whole Moria sequence (Gandalfs confrontation with the Balrog having been parodied to the point of over-familiarity), as it shows the Fellowship in action as a full team for the first time, boldly hacking away at a tide of ravening goblins and an oddly-emotive enslaved troll. We have Gimli bravely channelling his grief into fury in order to avenge the deaths of his fellow dwarves, the Hobbits gallantly throwing themselves into the fray, Frodos near-death fake-out and the pathetic, drawn-out demise, all in a single frantic, kinetic scene.
11. The Lighting of the Beacons
If you can get past speculating about the working hours and benefits of the scores of Beacon Guards, the sight of bright flames flaring into life across the sweeping landscapes of Middle Earth, summoning Rohan to Gondors aid, is one of the most stirring scenes of the trilogy, a simple yet potent fusion of score and visuals.