April 29, 2002

Gandalf and Gaffs
Brett C.

A very quick weigh in to the Gandalf discussion. Yes, he does return to life in his old body; the appendices state that he returns to life and lies for days on the peak of Celebdil in a trance til he is found by Gwaihir. As the White he is given a free-er hand by the Valar in using his power,but is still primarily an advisor and strategist.

An article today said Gandalf gets a new staff when he escapes Orthanc in the movie. He doesn't, because if he did he must keep a supply of those nifty hats at Rivendell as well. This is a continuity error in the movie, but don't be too hard on PJ. Tolkien had Saruman imprison Gandalf complete with hat, staff AND Glamdring: no wonder he lost!

Thank you Diana for your reassurances, though I can't agree with your view that the movie made Boromir evil. Sean Bean's performance was them most compassionate, tragic, heroic and human rendition of the character imagineable. Thank goodness he'll have flashback cameos in the later movies.

Still hoping for thoughts on why movie-Gandalf kept Moria's fall a secret.