Lord Of The Rings & The Hobbit: Every Major Death RANKED

The regression of this detestable character's sanity is a gradual occurrence in The Return of the King, and it comes to a head when he attempts to burn his only living son Faramir alive, with himself included. The entire sequence is full of dread as we know - thanks to Pippin - that Faramir only appears dead and that he simply needs medical attention.

Gandalf and Pippin try desperately to stop Denethor from setting the pyre he and his son are upon alight. After Denethor decides to attack Pippin, Gandalf's horse Shadowfax kicks the keeper of the throne of Gondor onto the burning blaze and the flames catch him. As he looks to his side and sees his son open his eyes, Denethor realises his mistake and begins to burn.

The scene has a great sense of poetic irony to it. It would rank a lot higher were it not for the fact that afterwards Denethor runs - whilst burning - across the vast stone courtyard and off of a ledge, leading to a somewhat cartoonish final ending to a tense and emotional scene.