November 14, 2003

Frodo's Dreams and Fell Beasts
Brett C.

Hello all. Been away for a while.

Lilly, Frodo has several semi-prophetic dreams throughout the course of the novel, a fact which is paid homeage to by PJ at the start of TTT when he dreams of Gandalf's epic fall with the Balrog. In the FOTR he actually dreams of Gandalf' escape from Orthanc. The particular dream you refer to is one in which he seems to veiw the White Towers which lie on the border of the Shire and the Elf Haven's at Lindon, a foretaste of what will occur a the end of ROTK.

Now, many may remember the cotroversy generated some time ago when I made [some would say outrageous] claims regarding the anotomy of Balrogs. That horse being pretty much flogged to death, may I raise the issue of another fav creature of mine, namely the fell beasts of the Nazgul.

My comment is this; where is the beak?

i don't know about anyone else, but for decades I have pcitured these evil winged steeds as a kind of hybrid pteranodon, influenced perhaps in part by Mr Bakshi's interpretation back in the 70's. When I first saw the Wraith on wings in TTT, I was a little surprised by the lizard like appearance - something about it didn't quite sit true.

So I decided to check back to the source. Tolkiens description, as with many of his descriptions, is tantalizingly vague, leaving much open to the readers fevered imagination, but I did find this...

"Suddenly the great beast beat it hideous wings, and the wind of them was foul. Again it leaped into the air, and then swiftly fell down...striking with beak and claw."

So, beaks it is, though this is a small point indeed - the beasts in the film look amazing, very frightening, and it certainly seems they'll be seeing more action up close and personal than in the book. Will we be treated to a spectacular aerial combat between the Ringwraiths and Eagles over the Black Gate. We can only hope.

Only four days to the Extended TT - pleeeeeaase let there be more to the Battle of Zirak-zigil.

Brett C :)