January 26, 2004

Yes Everett - the Dam Has Burst!
Brett C.

The really terrible thing about The Lord of the Rings trilogy is how good it is.

The fact is that it is an extraordinary cinematic achievement, with some parts that are truly breathtaking and moving. The drawback to this is that those of us familiar with the books, while transfixed by the really good bits, are equally devastated by some of liberties, and thus left confused as to whether we should love it or loathe it.

For example…

Recently I have posted a good deal about the breaking of Gandalf’s staff. Everett rightly pointed out the irony of my talking of consigning the films to the scrap heap, after doing so much to defend them over the years. I suppose he is right in that everyone has their breaking point. Or perhaps it is, as Aragorn said [of Gandalf’s staff, coincidentally] that “Every man has something to dear to trust to another.”

Many of you probably know that Gandalf was [is] a Maiar, an angelic spirit created before the beginning of the world, and clothed in flesh and sent to ME in the third age to help rally the Free People’s against Sauron. Very little is known of him before his appearance at the Havens, and references to him in works of earlier history such as the Silmarillion are sparse. The essay on the Istari in Unfinished Tales gives us somewhat more insight, but the Professor himself wrote that “…we shall never know more of Olorin than was revealed in Gandalf.”

Alas, if you have only seen the movies, you would know little indeed.

The fault, if such it can be called, is certainly NOT Ian McKellen’s. His portrayal is brilliant. Rather it lies in the numerous omissions on the part [I deem] of the writers. In a movie where the roles of such characters as Legolas [is there anything he cannot kill?] are vastly expanded, the part of Gandalf, one of the most pivotal in the story, is drastically reduced.

Just so you understand, if you have only seen the movies, here is what you have missed.

Gandalf setting off a blinding flash to cover Bilbo’s use of the ring at the birthday party. [pretty minor, I admit]

The wizard signalling Gwaihir to come to his aid on Orthanc with a flare from his staff [replaced in the movie by a moth - sigh]

Gandalf holding back all nine of the Nazgul at once on the hill of Weathertop, in a display that Aragorn and the hobbits can see miles away as a display like lightning that leaps up from the hilltops.

The wizard being able to detect a ‘hint of transparency’ about Frodo’s left arm after his being stabbed by the WitchKing.

His saving of the company from freezing on Caradhras by using his staff to light a fire [as an alternative, we get to see him being wooped magically by Saruman and nearly buried]

The truly awesome display of his power when he routs a pack of attacking werewolves almost single-handed by creating a wall of flame about the Fellowship’s camp.

Solving the riddle of the Doors of Durin [instead they gave that to Frodo].

Using a flash form his staff [he’s quite handy with them, isn’t he?] to light up the corridor outside the chamber of Mazarbul, so he can see how many orcs are outside.

Gandalf sealing the door from the chamber of Mazarbul with a shutting spell, then struggling with the Balrog mystically as it tries to open it in a contest so mighty it causes the door to shatter and the roof of the chamber to collapse.

Using the power of his thought to strengthen Frodo from afar in his moment of crisis on Amon Hen, just as the Eye is about to detect him [instead, Frodo trips off the stair and later has a brief flashback of Gandalf’s words to him in Moria].

Routing the Nazgul on the Pelennor with his ‘white fire’ not once, but twice.

Gandalf stalemating the WitchKing at the gate of Minas Tirith, preventing any enemy soldier from entering the city [rather he gives the rather questionable advice the men needing to hold their ground no matter what comes through the gateway].

Using his power to fling the sword from Denethor’s hand with a gesture when he comes to save Faramir.

Lifting Faramir with one arm from the Pyre and leaping down with him.

Being able to view the scene of Theoden’s fall in detail from the 5th level of the city [about a mile away]

Being the driving force of the Last Debate to draw out Sauron’s forces with a feint on the Black Gate, allowing Frodo a chance to cross Gorgorth [instead they make him a despairing figure who has to be encouraged by Aragorn that there is still hope…grrrrrr]

And finally, blinding the Mouth of Sauron during their parley so that he can wrest Frodo’s items from the messenger [I believe in the extended cut we will instead get to see Aragorn violate all rules of chivalry in such matters by beheading the Mouth to shut him up].

So there it is, the full tale of Gandalf’s cinematic demotion. Full marks again to Ian McKellen for the great work they still allowed him to do. Later I will post regarding all the really good things they did in ROTK, the ones that make me want to see the film again and again, and yes there were a lot of them; just not many with my favourite character.

Oh well – at least one demographic of the targeted audience got to see more of Legolas.