How 'bout those blacks in LOTR??

[findeight]

First real up close and personal look is of a hoof with the shoe nails unclipped and going every which way out of the hoof. And why would these "Horses from Hell" have neat clinches? And their tack is all rings and round shapes. Despite seeing it twice can't tell if they are in ring bits but suspect so.
Isn't it nice to see horses running all out instead of speeded up tape.
All the other art decoration/set design is equally skillfull. Reason enough to see the quickest 3 hours you will ever sit through.
Back when I was in college these paperbacks had just been published and were considered popular fiction. Despite an English major and Anthropology minor no papers were allowed on them and I did not read them until an upper classmen and then not for school. Now you can take a whole series of courses on Tolkien and his work is considered one of the greatest of the 20th century. Go figure. But then again Shakespeare was considered "trash t.v." in his own time.
To any of you looking for real escapist and thought provoking diversion this is it.
Though the movie takes a darker slant on Galadriel and Lothlorien then I read into it (may be valid given the fearful attitude of the other races) I still love the elves.
Want to vacation in Rivendell still, just like in 71 when I read the books.
The next one features the Rohirrim, lords of the plains of Rohan and finest horse breeders in Middle Earth. Can hardly wait.
Those old enough to remember waiting in line for the first Star Wars 25 years ago and being overwhelmed by the then new techniques.....this is like that but BETTER.

It's cold here. I wanna go to Florida

[findeight]

First real up close and personal look is of a hoof with the shoe nails unclipped and going every which way out of the hoof. And why would these "Horses from Hell" have neat clinches? And their tack is all rings and round shapes. Despite seeing it twice can't tell if they are in ring bits but suspect so.
Isn't it nice to see horses running all out instead of speeded up tape.
All the other art decoration/set design is equally skillfull. Reason enough to see the quickest 3 hours you will ever sit through.
Back when I was in college these paperbacks had just been published and were considered popular fiction. Despite an English major and Anthropology minor no papers were allowed on them and I did not read them until an upper classmen and then not for school. Now you can take a whole series of courses on Tolkien and his work is considered one of the greatest of the 20th century. Go figure. But then again Shakespeare was considered "trash t.v." in his own time.
To any of you looking for real escapist and thought provoking diversion this is it.
Though the movie takes a darker slant on Galadriel and Lothlorien then I read into it (may be valid given the fearful attitude of the other races) I still love the elves.
Want to vacation in Rivendell still, just like in 71 when I read the books.
The next one features the Rohirrim, lords of the plains of Rohan and finest horse breeders in Middle Earth. Can hardly wait.
Those old enough to remember waiting in line for the first Star Wars 25 years ago and being overwhelmed by the then new techniques.....this is like that but BETTER.

It's cold here. I wanna go to Florida

[Janet]

You went to the wrong college.

I wrote a serious paper ("Old English Derivation of the Names of People, Places, and Things in Tolkein's 'Lord of the Rings'") in 1972, at Hampshire College.

[findeight]

Well I was basically out in 72 having started in 67, just 2 years after the books came out in paperback.

It's cold here. I wanna go to Florida

[Janet]

Then you were too early for Hampshire , which started its first class in September 1970.

But I had read LOTR well before that, and my father read it in the 50s.

[HelloAgain]

Whenever they showed the feet they always seemed to be covered in some kind of liquid.. were they supposed to be bleeding? Or sweating? I couldn't figure it out.

[InWhyCee]

Where does one get a Bill the Pony action figure?
You just know Bill's too cute to die in Part One!

(Honestly, I don't get LOTR, though I liked the movie well enough... and unlike my mother, I had no gripes about Paragraph Four from Page 609 having been omitted.)

"People... they're so
complicated. I suppose
that's why I prefer
horses."

[brilyntrip]

My daughters and I all noticed the nails sticking out on the ringwraiths feet ttooo!! Oldest daughter wanted to know what the black stuff was running down legs also !
I was maybe 12 or 13 when Lord of the Rings became so popular in states so that wouldve been 1967 or so !!I read most of first book but didnt read the others am presently waiting to go out and buy trilogy so my oldest daughter and I can read them together!

[Bumpkin]

Loved the books.

Bumpkin and most of my early Jack Russell's were named from them.

I use to live across the street from Tolkien's secretary when I lived in England. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[NewZealander]

Weren't the ringwraith's horses meant to be sweating blood?
I can't really remember though as I read the books along time ago.
To ask questions about anything to do with the horses, you can go to an equestrian forum in New Zealand where some of the riders and trainers hang out

http://www.nzhorses.co.nz/noticeboard/horsetalk.cfm

Or


http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/phpBB/index.php

And there is the official LOTR site

http://www.lordoftherings.net/

[J. Turner]

The sound effects were marvelous in the movie. The noises the ringwraiths made were truly hellish. I really did like the movie, but a comment a reviewer made stuck in my head the whole time -- that Elijah Wood looked like a deer caught in headlights the entire time. I couldn't stop noticing it and kept waiting for the rare change of expression.

I didn't know the first book ended like that. I was thinking, "That's it? That's the end?"

I liked how Liv Tyler's character (sorry, I'm not good with the Middle Earth names) was a faster rider than the men! Ha ha. That chase scene was great. I didn't know they sped up film in other horse chase scenes.

OK -- did anyone think the way Gandalf died was stupid? He just stood there after that thing fell savoring his victory and the stupid whip came up and dragged him. Then he just let go. Is there more explanation in the book? Is it an Obi Wan Kenobi thing? (If you strike me down, Darth, I shall become more powerful than you could ever imagine) As in, Obi Wan turns off his light saber and accepts death? I know Star Wars is another version of the hero cycle (Odyssey, Beowulf, King Arthur, Wizard of Oz, etc, etc.) and came before LOTR, but when Frodo yelled "NO" when Gandalf died, and someone grabbed him and said to get out of there, I just automatically thought of Luke's reaction when Obi Wan gets killed in Star Wars (the echoing "NOOOOOOO") and Han Solo pulling him away and saying that they need to get out of there ...

All in all, though, I really did like the movie, although there were some things that needed explanation like the thing with the dwarf mines ... the dwarf didn't know all the other dwarves were dead? The only ones that existed were at the counsel meeting???

Now who exactly were the two humans? The Ranger was related to the king that kept the ring? Now who was the other guy?

Are Liv Tyler and Cate Blanchette's characters both elves? What did you mean by the character (Galadriel?) being more dark than in the book?

Thanks for the clarification. /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[HelloAgain]

re: Dwarves of Moria

Most of the dwarves live in another part of Middle-earth (a story that is told in "The Hobbit"). They don't have any modern communications and all they know is that they haven't heard from Balin and his people (in Moria) in some time.

[ClipClop]

SPOILER! Don't read this if you don't already know, but Gandalf doesn't really die... /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif Honestly, I swear. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

The Dwarf at the council and in the Fellowship didn't know that all the dwarves in the mine were dead because no one had been there since the original expedition had left. No one had heard from them etc. He's also a son of Gloin, a dwarf who travelled with Bilbo.

The Ranger (Aragorn is a descendent of the King guy who kept the ring, and I also believe he was distant cousins with Boromir?) Maybe? Can't really remember...

Yes, both Liv. (Arwen) and Cate's( Galadriel) characters were Elves, just from diffrent regions of Middle Earth!

I highly recomend reading the books, they go into much more detail than is possible in the movie! Also a good read is the Hobbit, because A LOT of what is going on in the movie has to do with it.

Proud Member of the Night Owl Support Group

"Im divin in, I'm goin deep, in o'r my head I wanna be... so sink or swim I'm divin in!"

[This message was edited by ClipClop on Jan. 01, 2002 at 12:51 PM.]

[HelloAgain]

Liv Tyler plays Arwen, who is Elrond's daughter (she also has two brothers). Elrond is actually a half-elf; his wife Celebrian was the daughter of Galadriel & Celeborn so Arwen is technically 3/4 elf. She is also *distantly* related to Aragorn through her Uncle Elros, who was also a half-elf but chose to give up his immortality and live and die as a man. (They didn't get into this in the movie; way too complicated).

The sit sums up Arwen's tae quite nicey:
http://www.geocities.com/elelome/storyarwen.html
(warning: massive spoilers for upcoming movies)

In the book Galadriel is a ittle less ominous and more clearly on the side of "good." She is shown as offering the travelers a greater level of aid and counsel than in the movie, where she seems an ambiguous character.

[Lavender Menace]

Am I wrong, or did they cut out the entire Tom Bombadil section? Or was that in the second book? I don't think it was. Anyway, that was one of my favorite sections to read, with the ponies and songs and Old Man Willow. And the Barrow Wights! Gives me the shivers.

I liked the movie, but after reading the books so many times, I feel like they just skimmed the surface in making the movie. I guess that's reasonable to expect, but the other problem I had was that many of the characters were not illustrated as clearly as you really need them to be in order to understand what's going on. The thing with Galadriel comes to mind, plus Elrond isn't really fleshed out as being the wise and revered leader that he is. I guess they'll show the relationshiop between Legolas and Gimli more fully in the Two Towers, but if I hadn't read the books I think I would have felt a little in the dark. For instance, they don't make it very clear as to why each member of the Fellowship was chosen. In the book there's that whole council thing were everyone tells their story and all becomes clear.

Well, I'll shut up now because even with my doubts, it was a great movie. And I realize that they tried to get as much in as possible.

The Ringwraiths' horses were SCARY... all that jingling metal and the bloody hooves.

[J. Turner]

Ah -- so Galadriel serves as the "wise supernatural guide" (deus ex machina) role.
Athena/Ino in the Odyessey
Glinda -- W of Oz
Lady of the Lake?/Merlin -- Arthurian legend
Obi Wan -- Star Wars

Although Merlin and Obi Wan serve in the Gandalf role, too.

[Jennasis]

Noooo...Star Wars did NOT come out before LOTR (I am referring to the book). I am very sure that George Lucas took many an idea for his Star Wars saga from Tolkien.

My favorite character is Golum. I have no idea why. It probably stems from the cartoon "The Hobbitt", and the way Golum and talked about the ring being "his precious birthday present." I hear Golum plays a larger role in the next films.

I assumed the Ringwraithes horses were bloody.

Did anybody else think that Legolas looked just like the older brother from Malcolm in the Middle (Francis...the one at military school)

[findeight]

I don't know if anybody is old enough to remember but there was a TV animated special of The Hobbit way back maybe 73 or so. It was pretty good, Richard Boone was the voice of Smaug the dragon and Gollum was as creepy as ever. Unfortunately somebody tried a pseudo animated full length feature of LOTR about mid 70s. Waited in line for a couple of hours to see it the first day but what a stinker it turned out to be. Did not matter if you had or had not read the books it was a mess. What a relief this adaptation was.
Today's best selling writers structure their offerings with a screenplay in mind, everything is pretty simple to translate into a script. Tolkien did no such thing creating a complicated complete alternative world with it's own languages and beliefs. Though it mirrors our own in many ways in others it surely does not. What a nightmare for the screenwriters to tread the narrow path between pleasing die hard fans and getting something that could be filmed.
I too missed the Barrowight and Tom Bombadil but it would have been a 9 part movie instead of 3.
The end of the first part is as arbitrary as the publishers insistance the book be split into three which the author never intended and it is a rough transition at best.
I was very pleased to notice Bilbo's old Trolls that turned to stone at daybreak hovering behind the campfire as Frodo suffered from his stab wound and Arwen appears. The change to Arwen I thought worked well.
Just one nagging question about the next one....how on earth will they treat the Ents? Talking trees could come off pretty silly.
I'm sure Gandolf's return on the great Shadowfax will be spectaculer.
It's cold here. I wanna go to Florida

[Small Change]

The ringwraith horses gave me the creeps. The bloody hooves, rolling eyes and teeth... The screaming was spooky too - I swear they used horse screams for most of the sound effects in different parts of the movie.

I enjoyed it!

Steph /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[ClipClop]

Anyone else think that Legolas was PEFECTLY cast in the role? Yummm... might just go see the movie again for him!!!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

**Drool**

Proud Member of the Night Owl Support Group

"Im divin in, I'm goin deep, in o'r my head I wanna be... so sink or swim I'm divin in!"

[OnceAThief]

My dad was trying to explain things, so I would have half a clue about what was going on. I kept telling him, "yeah, yeah, I'll figure it all out once I read the books.. I just want to see Orlando Bloom!" Dude.. he is pure beauty - that's a *great* reason to go see the movie again, you're right ClipClop - YUM! Yes, please!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[ClipClop]

LOL, he now graces my computer screen as my background. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

When I first saw him, all I could say was "Swedish Model" /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Proud Member of the Night Owl Support Group

"Im divin in, I'm goin deep, in o'r my head I wanna be... so sink or swim I'm divin in!"

[Tosca]

(SPOILERS AHEAD!)


Seriously, I really do. One of my favourite scenes in the trilogy is when they ride into The Paths of Death, and Legolas's horse won't go in, and he puts his hands on the horse's face (was it Arod or Hasufel?) and talks to it quietly, and the horse goes. The elves are so beautiful and one with nature. Arwen's chase scene was breathtaking. Liv Tyler is so lucky to have that part. I wanna' be Arwen!

I don't like dwarves very much; they're like the antithesis of elves (no wonder they don't get along) but Gimli (son of Gloin, and don't you forget it!) is a pretty good chap I suppose. I like the friendship that develops between him and Legolas. A few of my favourite scenes from the movie was the council at Elrond (my friend who hadn't read the books didn't catch the tension between the elves and dwarves--reading the book really enhances the movie experience.) and the part where Gimli, son of Gloin /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif, is walking in Lothlorien and he's saying he has the ears of a fox, etc., and then an arrow is at his head and the elf says "A dwarf breathes so loud we could shoot him in the dark." Oh man, I love elves.

Aragorn, now don't get me started. I want him! We had a big drunken debate last night on who "gets" which character and I was ready to fight for him /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif . Not that he's that good looking, I just love his kingly bearing and kindness and courage and how he always saves everyone. Now he is a hero.

J. Turner, Borimir (the other man) is the son of the steward of Minas Tirith, a city in the region Gondor, which becomes very important in the next two parts.

I can't wait until Shadowfax and all the horses of Rohan!!!!! Shadowfax better be magnificent. I too loved the black horses. There was a cute story somewhere about Liv Tyler's stunt double falling in love with the stallion she rode, and a friend buying her the horse at the end of the movie. Also, the horse that Liv is usually seen on is a quiet old gelding with a fake mane to match the other horse, and her double rode the stunning stallion that does all the action. There's that one picture that's everywhere, where Arwen is sitting on the horse in the middle of the river with a fierce expression, but if you look at her horse you can SO tell it's not the "real" one. He has a sweet, dopey expression.

Can you tell I'm a fanatic already? I actually just started reading the books, read the Fellowship in November, and read the last two books within two weeks this vacation. I'm actually not quite done the Return of the King, I have about 50 pages and am going to finish it today, right after I spend hours pouring over those sites! /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[NewZealander]

Ride Middle Earth http://kiwiadv.co.nz/Miscellaneous/BestNZHorseRiding.htm

[This message was edited by SoEasy on Jan. 01, 2002 at 06:15 PM.]

[redhorse05]

That was the best movie I've seen in years! I hadn't read the books since junior high and was hoping that wouldn't make a difference and it didn't. Everything was exactly how you would picture it when reading. There are not many movies that can do that! One thing I wasn't expecting was just how MASSIVE everything was! The heights of the towers, the columns in Moria, those dungeons being built.. it was all so perfect but big!

For my halloween costume next year, I'm going to do a ringwraith. The headless horseman has run his course and everyone has seen him. So ringwraiths it is! Not sure how I'm going to do that yet because the only black horse we have is the 19.2 percheron, who is rideable but I don't know if I want to try that with him! LONG way to fall if he gets stupid /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif! There is a big dark bay that might work...

~Odin

[NewZealander]

ooh, let's try that link again!

http://kiwiadv.co.nz/Miscellaneous/BestNZHorseRiding.htm

[Jennasis]

I thought Legolas was perfectly cast as well. I'm not usually into blondes but DANG! And his bow and arrow abilty was magnificent.

I admit...I never read the book, but I'm a nerd when it comes to this kind of stuff. I eat it right up! I am familiar with the story line though.

Anybody else play Dungeons and Dragons as a kid? Ok I'm a huge nerd...

[OnceAThief]

If you're not into blondes.. Orlando Bloom (Legolas) actually has spikey brown hair. I've watched far too many behind-the-scenes specials on that, and have drooled over him every time. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Okay, my stupid question du jour (and keep in mind, I am now on page THREE of The Hobbit) - if Bilbo is a hundred and whatever years old, but Frodo is (I assume) not older-than-dirt, how is Bilbo Frodo's uncle? Wouldn't any Biblo-ites be long gone? And, heyyyy.. Page two of this book said Bilbo was an only child. I am so confused. Is it just, "Uncle" in a creepy, we're-all-related kind of way, or did I make the whole uncle thing up?

I give up.. I'm going back to looking for pictures of Legolas online. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[OnceAThief]

I just snuck a look at the first chapter of The Fellowship, and they call Frodo Bilbo's "Cousin".. What'd that be, First Cousin, 60 times removed?

I feel stupid now.. excuse me..

[redhorse05]

You're not alone, Jennasis /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif I played Dungeons and Dragons for awhile in college and some other similar games. They were fun but mostly I played because the guy I was lusting after at the time was the game leader /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif I still love sci/fi fantasy books though. I'm just finishing up a really good series and need to find another.

~Odin

[chaos theory]

Frodo is actually, according to The Fellowship, 33 years old when it's Bilbo's 111 birthday...Aragorn is around 50 something (he was born in year 2931 of the Thrid age) but Arwen, being an elf, was born in year 241 of the Third age...it gets really confusing...the appendix b with the timelines explain alot...it took me a while to understand and sometimes i still have trouble /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif hope this helps clear it up a bit for you /infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

**~~Rachel and Moon~~**
www.geocities.com/rach99nc (http://www.geocities.com/rach99nc)

[OnceAThief]

Actually, that really clears things up.. in a totally confusing way /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif . I'm just going to have to get through these books and then I'll have a clue. I'm trucking along in The Hobbit - I've just started reading again and am up to the dwarves playing music. I really wouldn't want a herd of dwarves scooting around my house, but whatever.

Is appendix universal? Stupid question, I know, but I have a really old edition of the trilogy - it wasn't written later and added, was it? Maybe I can keep from being totally confused then.. Thanks! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Oh, and when I was watching the movie, and saw the horses' feet, the only thing I could think of was, "Hmm.. I think Toga needs new shoes. Maybe I should check on that.."

[NewZealander]

I read somewhere hobbits love to 100 or so and aren't "teenagers" until they are in their 30s?

[NewZealander]

LIVE I meant to say.

[starlady]

Yeah, it was a pretty lousy shoeing job on the Black Riders' horses, but hey, if you were a good farrier would _you_ go out to Mordor on a call? And we think _we_ have trouble getting farriers!! Sorry, getting silly here--you guys started me thinking about Orlando Bloom and my brain fried.

Great farriers in fantasy: in Terry Pratchett's Discworld books Death (you know, the skeleton with the scythe) takes his white horse, Binky, every month for new shoes and a plate of cookies from whoever in the Ogg family is alive and running the business. But Death is MUCH nicer than the Ringwraiths; I doubt that even the redoutable Jason Ogg would do those horses.

And don't you think Orlando Bloom is just a little too....decadent? No, I guess not.....


-s.

[SimpsoMatt]

NewZealander ... you were probably right the first time .. considering Frodo's youth compared to his uncle's age .. maybe hobbits do LOVE until 100 /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

My brother and I thought the chase scene with Arwen and the ringwraiths was awesome ... and we both agreed that we've been there ... galloping out of control through the woods bouncing off trees and other horses ..

[Janet]

The forward on my "second edition" (1966) indicates that the appendices have been there from the first edition. the changes between the first and second edition were- index, changes to the prologue, new forward, and a few "errors" corrected.

[This message was edited by Janet on Jan. 02, 2002 at 11:13 AM.]

[HelloAgain]

Bilbo is 111 on his birthday, Frodo at that time is 33, the "age of majority" for hobbits, like turning 18 in the US. As is noted, it is not unknown for Hobbits to live to 111 but Bilbo has been exceptionally well preserved by the One Ring. The hobbits call the 20s the "tweens" and it is like our teenage years.

Frodo is Bilbo's nephew, but was raised by him from the age of 22 as he is an orphan (both parents drowned). Bilbo's (presumably younger) brother Drogo was Frodo's father. Bilbo formally adopted Frodo when Frodo was 22. From 12 to 22 he lived with the Brandybucks (his mother's kin) which is how he knows Merry, who is some sort of cousin to him.

20 years pass between the birthday and the beginning of the quest (not at ALL apparent in the movie) so that Frodo is in his early 50s when he leaves Hobbiton, which is early adulthood fr a hobbit. Bilbo, in Rivendell is 130-something which is an outrageous age for a hobbit, even though he has aged quickly after passing on the Ring.

Meanwhile, Aragorn at the time of the quest is in his 90s. He comes from a tribe (the Dunedain, also known as the Rangers) that routinely lives to be about 200. In an apendix it is told that he died at the age of 210. He has known Arwen since he was 20, and for the past 70 years has been minding his quest to unite all of Middle-Earth under a High King (himself) so that he can marry Arwen. She is several thousand years old, as is Legolas.

[InWhyCee]

Yes, it's true: Tom Bombadil should have been there. If you have several HOURS to spare, my mother could explain the WHOLE story.

Regarding Legolas: MMMMM. MMMMM. MMMMM. I don't even like blondes, but think Elf Boy is mighty fine.... How is it that elves always have clean, shiny hair? Does being immortal help repel dirt and stains?

Given a choice though, I would take Viggo Mortensen (Strider); he cleans up very nicely.

"People... they're so
complicated. I suppose
that's why I prefer
horses."

[This message was edited by InWhyCee on Jan. 02, 2002 at 12:48 PM.]

[Winglet]

Star Wars:
1. Obi-Wan Kenobi is a white haired Jedi (with a fondness for hooded cloaks) who seemingly sacrifices his life to help young Luke skywalker on his quest.
2. The characters battle using light sabres.
3. Yoda sees visions of the future and asks Luke, "Judge me by my size, do you?"
4. Darth Vader used to be a noble Jedi Knight until he was seduced by the Dark Side of the Force.
5. Luke Skywalker's struggle to resist the Dark Side is the underlying theme of Star Wars.

LOTR:

1. Gandalf is a white haired wizard (with a fondness for hooded cloaks) who seemingly sacrifices his life to help young Frodo Baggins on his quest.
2. The characters battle with magical swords.
3. Galadriel sees visions of the future and tells Frodo, "Even the smallest person can change the future."
4. Saruman used to be a wise wizard until he was seduced by the power of the One Ring.
5. Frodo's struggle to resist the One Ring's corruptible power is the underlying theme of LOTR.

JoHn (WiNgLeT)

ah, f%@# it, who wants pie?
-Dennis Miller

Look at my ultra cool site!
www.geocities.com/winglet18 (http://www.geocities.com/winglet18)

[Winglet]

I love how fast the archer can whip those arrows out as an ogre/troll/whatever comes at him 6 feet away... I think they CGI'd the arrows in, though.

JoHn (WiNgLeT)

ah, f%@# it, who wants pie?
-Dennis Miller

Look at my ultra cool site!
www.geocities.com/winglet18 (http://www.geocities.com/winglet18)

[Winglet]

Death is missing, presumed... er, GONE.... meanwhile, on a farm far away, a mysterious man shows up and is amazingly good with a scythe...

JoHn (WiNgLeT)

ah, f%@# it, who wants pie?
-Dennis Miller

Look at my ultra cool site!
www.geocities.com/winglet18 (http://www.geocities.com/winglet18)

[InWhyCee]

... the two funny Hobbits/the Star Wars robots, the good wizard-gone-bad, the princess/elf in love with an unwashed pilot/Ranger, the Prancing Pony/the cantina, the leafy Rivendale/Ewok Village, et cetera...

Speaking of Star Wars... I'm not a true fan, so maybe I'm biased, but, How bad is the trailer for the next installment (i.e. "Dawson's Creek in Space")?

"People... they're so
complicated. I suppose
that's why I prefer
horses."

[Winglet]

and I think J.R.R. Tolkien had NO influence on Lucas when he chose the "B" movie sounding title, "Attack of the Clones".... ugh!

JoHn (WiNgLeT)

ah, f%@# it, who wants pie?
-Dennis Miller

Look at my ultra cool site!
www.geocities.com/winglet18 (http://www.geocities.com/winglet18)

[chaos theory]

I can't really tell but for whoever asked...the bit looks like a loose ring to me.

**~~Rachel and Moon~~**
www.geocities.com/rach99nc (http://www.geocities.com/rach99nc)

[ClipClop]

An Orlando Bloom clique!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Proud Member of the Night Owl Support Group
"Im divin in, I'm goin deep, in o'r my head I wanna be... so sink or swim I'm divin in!"

[OnceAThief]

Oooh, I'm right there with you! Heh.. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[ClipClop]

Maybe he looks better as an elf !!??!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Proud Member of the Night Owl Support Group
"Im divin in, I'm goin deep, in o'r my head I wanna be... so sink or swim I'm divin in!"

[OnceAThief]

I dunno, I like short hair. But, for some Elf-Love..

Oh, and he's in Black Hawk Down (uhm.. I think that's the right movie). Field trip! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

[Clive's Mom]

but I'd join that Orlando Bloom Fan Club/Clic anyday! Hot.
Okay - now horse reference to make this BB suitable. I believe the ringwraiths horses are sweating blood (another BB mentioned that as well a few pages back). I can double-check my copy of the book, but I think that's right.

Did anyone notice who played Elron? If you saw The Matrix, he should look familiar. Pretty cool.

- C

[OnceAThief]

Hugo Weaving is Reason Number Two that I went to see the movie. It's weird though - if you watch the behind the scenes thing on The Matrix DVD, there's an interview with Hugo and he has an accent. But, in LOTR, he obviously doesn't. Since everyone else in the movie had an accent, why didn't he? Another one of the twisted thoughts floating around in my head.. I need to go back to class, this not-thinking is getting dangerous.

Horse related - What kind of bridle deal is the black horse wearing? It looks like 3 reins, maybe? Whatever it is, it looks impressive. I think working with movie horses would be a really cool job..

(now, I'm off to find something to shock me back into intelligence.. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif )

[ClipClop]

Instead of going and looking for something to shock your brain into intelligence why don't you just keep looking for more pics of 'Lando... WOW is he one HOT elf!!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

I thought the RingWraiths were the scariest part of the whole movie! The way they screamed, eekers! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

Proud Member of the Night Owl Support Group
"Im divin in, I'm goin deep, in o'r my head I wanna be... so sink or swim I'm divin in!"

[Lavender Menace]

The guy who played Elrond was also in "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert", the main drag queen. I think he's Australian.

[Fiction]

Is Legolas the blonde haired guy? I was confused /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif They had the guy who played Legolas in Teen People w/t short black hair & stuff, OMG hes gorgeous! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

-----

~Princess~

"What does it take to be #1 cuz 2 is not a winner and 3 nobody remembers"
-Nelly

[ClipClop]

I read today in my Newspaper that two months before the shooting of the movie even began Orlando had to learn how to shoot a bow and arrow. He said eventually he got so good you could throw paper plates in the sky and he could shoot them down... sigh sigh sigh.

Proud Member of the Night Owl Support Group
"Whoever said elves were short men with little pointy ears OBVIOUSLY has not seen Orlando Bloom."

[ClipClop]

Yes, that's Legolas!
LoL, are you hooked now to? /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Proud Member of the Night Owl Support Group
"Whoever said elves were short men with little pointy ears OBVIOUSLY has not seen Orlando Bloom."

[Fiction]

OMG my friend and I(who didnt understand the movie) were sitting there all confused and decided "Well that guy would be HOTT w/t shorter, more masculine hair" I was like yep so then I saw him in Teen People I was like YES we were SO right he's d*mn hott! He's now on my hottie list:
Josh Hartnett, Ben Affleck, some others I cant remeber right now lol, and *Orlando Bloom* haha /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif (im avoiding my homework)

-----

~Princess~

"What does it take to be #1 cuz 2 is not a winner and 3 nobody remembers"
-Nelly

[Lita]

I'll join the Orlando Bloom Clique!!!
It was love at first sight.
I too cant wait to see the next one so many more horses! Although if you watched the chase scene really carefully that gray did some pretty fancy lead changes, and I think he had pretty good form over that log, though you couldnt tell very well because of the camera angle /infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif
Has anyone found any pics of the gray!!

[OnceAThief]

Did you know his friends call him Orlie? Prowr!

Uhm.. I was supposed to be getting back to the intellectual side of things, wasn't I? Oh well! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif E! has a special, called (dorkily enough) "Force of Hobbit" and there's a whole section on Orlando. Why, oh why, didn't I tape that?

btw, Google.com's picture search. I love it. And I think our papers must be run by the same people, or whatever it is that papers do. Ours had a little blurb about him in it today, too. Didn't say that thing about shooting plates, BUT it did say he had to learn how to ride. HAHAHA! He's horse-related!!

[NewZealander]

Delighted...What accent? I didn't hear any accents?
But seriously, they had 2 dialect coaches on the set to make them speak proper.
On the subject of yummy actors though, I prefer Aragorn. The guy's a poet and a painter for heaven's sake! You've gotta love the sensitive types! AND what's more he loved the horse he rode in the films so much he bought it to take home with him ....GOTTA love a guy that falls in love with a horse.
And anyone that looks that scruffy would fit right in with my lifestyle!
I have a magazine with some pics of the grey horse, I will find it and scan them and try to get all technical with them.

[Winglet]

I've come to realize that I'm the only GUY still posting on this thread! EEK!!!! Abandon thread! Abandon thread! Hot elves discussed! Abandon thread! Men and elves first!!!!

JoHn (WiNgLeT)

ah, f%@# it, who wants pie?
-Dennis Miller

Look at my ultra cool site!
www.geocities.com/winglet18 (http://www.geocities.com/winglet18)

[NewZealander]

http://www.realmofthering.com/Article/article68.html

Get back here Winglet or I'll send Captain Carrott and Sergeant Angua after you!

[Winglet]

I love the idea that the horses weren't "hollywood" horses to begin with...

JoHn (WiNgLeT)

ah, f%@# it, who wants pie?
-Dennis Miller

Look at my ultra cool site!
www.geocities.com/winglet18 (http://www.geocities.com/winglet18)

[Janet]

Am I the only one who wishes they had used the Donald Swan settings for Tolkein's songs (e.g., "the road goes ever on and on", "A Elbereth Gilthoniel")

[SimpsoMatt]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Winglet:
I've come to realize that I'm the only GUY still posting on this thread! EEK!!!! Abandon thread! Abandon thread! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nawww Winglet .. don't abandon .. just start drooling about those elf girls and maybe some of the rest of us will chime in ... anybody that looks and rides like Arwen can carry me off to Rivendell any day!!!

[hitchinmygetalong]

Just saw it for the second time, and I have to comment about this originally posted by J. Turner:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I really did like the movie, but a comment a reviewer made stuck in my head the whole time -- that Elijah Wood looked like a deer caught in headlights the entire time. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes, he does have that look at times, but I think it is more noticeable due to his large blue eyes than any acting faults on his part. Frodo is well-cast I think. Elijah Wood has a very pure, innocent look at the beginning of the movie, and I think that was Tolkein's intent - to take a simple Hobbit and watch as him grow to heroic proportions as he follows the quest.

Though I agree with others as far as the absence of certain portions of the book, I understand the necessity. If anyone has serious complaints, they should a) READ THE BOOKS (if they haven't already) and b) be forced to sit and watch that wretched animated version.

Anyone else catch the comment from Saruman about Gandalf's brain being slowed by his taste for the Hobbit weed? Do I remember that right?

Loved the movie, though it gave me a monumental headache and my brain is still echoing with the music!!!

[InWhyCee]

Apparently, Elf Boy previously appeared as a character referred to only as "Rent Boy" in "Wilde" (opposite the VERY fine Jude Law, BTW).

I don't recall him; will just have to rent it again...

"People... they're so
complicated. I suppose
that's why I prefer
horses."

[Tosca]

This qoute, from the actor who plays Eomer, is reassuring:

"Lots of riding. I spent a whole month, five days a week, every week, doing horse riding lessons because Eomer is of Rohan, a horse nation." - Interview with IGN.com

Sounds like they're really going to do the horse thing right, which doesn't often happen in movies as we all know.

Ahh, Orlando Bloom. He is tres hot. I like the way he looks better with short hair, but any will do. He reminds me of a beautiful Greek god, like Adonis. Did you know the nine Fellowship cast members each got a tattoo that says 'nine' in Elvish? Very cool.

There's a really good interview with the cast members on this page. It talks about learning to swordfight and ride, what they did on their off time, has the quote by Orlando about shooting paper plates, and Elijah Wood swears, which for some reason came as a huge shock.

This quote from there is priceless (yes, I'm big on quotes):

Sean Bean (Boromir): "You get home, and you're overwhelmed by the reality of normal life. One day you're running around with swords and killing all the Orcs, the next you're loading a dishwasher."

http://www.eonline.com/Features/Specials/Lordrings/Fellowship/Speak/index.html

[ClipClop]

Hitchinmygetalong, I remember that quote also! Funny:D

Tosca- That link you have for the article was TO funny! My eyes just about bugged out of my head when Elijah Wood swore!! Did anyone else not realize that he is only 18??

LoL, I like that name, Elf boy. Very cute. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Proud Member of the Night Owl Support Group
"Whoever said elves were short men with little pointy ears OBVIOUSLY has not seen Orlando Bloom."

[Fiction]

Ooh here I scanned the pic of him ow ow lol
I like this look best, no buzz(dont like those), no long feminine hair(just not working for me!)
/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

-----

~Princess~

"What does it take to be #1 cuz 2 is not a winner and 3 nobody remembers"
-Nelly

[Fiction]

Oooh look haha
Hotties (http://community.webshots.com/album/28439099qzEjVoSZjb)
/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

-----

~Princess~

"What does it take to be #1 cuz 2 is not a winner and 3 nobody remembers"
-Nelly

[SoEasy]

is YUMMY ... /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[findeight]

I must say that if I were 10 years younger.....ok 20 years I would think.....oh alright 30 years but...Legolas/ Orlando Bloom? Talk about a stud muffin. Hmmmmmm yummy. Believe Elrond would be in my age group as an immortal.
To those who poo poo this movie because of changes or omissions...This movie captures the wonder and amazement of the books. BIG. Sweeping. Magnificent.
Tell me in the case of being true to the book would you have ommited Arwen in the the race to the ford in favor of Glorfindle? Or the scene in Rivendell between Aragon and Arwen on the bridge silhouetted against the starlit waterfall? With the haunting ballad in Elvish by Enya in the background? Prettiest romantic scene and music I've ever seen.
Remember why my generation embraced this story in the first place as we were embroiled in the Viet nam war and civil rights riots as well as the Manson family murders. Some times the ordinary are called upon to perform extrodinary tasks and even the smallest among us can make a difference.
As the song May It Be ends...A Promise Deep Within You Lies.
While we are on this esoteric plain I need to log of to see if Lex gets bagged.
Enjoy life. /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

It's cold here. I wanna go to Florida. Or Rivendell.

[ClipClop]

Does this mean we have a Moderators blessing on the thread??? /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Proud Member of the Night Owl Support Group
"Whoever said elves were short men with little pointy ears OBVIOUSLY has not seen Orlando Bloom."

[SoEasy]

It does mean I was having an off the BB 'fight' over Viggo Mortensen last night ....
And that my daughter thinks I have lost it completely ....

NOW - back to the horses!

[OnceAThief]

Would this help? Look, he's pleading too (whoops, almost typed "he's pleasing too.." whatever works!) /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

Uhm.. Horses. I used to want to be a movie animal trainer - my cats will sit on command, my old dog knew tricks (ahah!), and I tried to train my mare to keep going as I bounced on and off of her. The last one didn't work, though.

[Fiction]

Yea he isn't too bad looking either but too old for me /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

-----
*Princess*
Proud member of:
-Jr Clique-
-Hunter Princess Clique-
-NJ Clique-
-Orlando Bloom Lovers Clique-
-I Wish It Would Snow Clique-

[InWhyCee]

God bless you both. I wish I was 16 again so I could plaster Elf Boy (aka Baby Jude Law) and Aragorn all over my locker.

So, does anybody know whether they'll be ripping their shirts off and riding across the plains in "The Two Towers"? Enquiring minds want to know...

"People... they're so
complicated. I suppose
that's why I prefer
horses."

[Winglet]

but you're forgiven because the fever has obviously taken control of your brain... /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gifActually, both forms are now considered to be synonyms of ask, but back in the good old days of solid boundaries and rules, it was a cardinal sin to use ENquire instead... ah, those were the days...

JoHn (WiNgLeT)

ah, f%@# it, who wants pie?
-Dennis Miller

Look at my ultra cool site!
www.geocities.com/winglet18 (http://www.geocities.com/winglet18)

[InWhyCee]

... I read "The Star" when I'm in the grocery line, anyway. Now, can we go back to talking about Viggo Mortensen's hairy belly and firm pectorals? Thank you...

"People... they're so
complicated. I suppose
that's why I prefer
horses."

[OnceAThief]

Found when I was looking for a picture of "Viggo Mortensen's hairy belly and firm pectorals"... Haven't seen that, yet, but this just begged to be posted..

[OnceAThief]

Is it wrong to REALLY want one of these? That'd change the tone of my shelf of Breyers, at least. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[HelloAgain]

Hint: you can't rule Arnor and Gondor without pants!

[InWhyCee]

Horrifying. Even less attractive than Magic Earring Ken. (Hmmmm, whatever happened to him?)

So I'll go back to my original question: Where is my Bill the Pony action figure? What is Breyer thinking?

"People... they're so
complicated. I suppose
that's why I prefer
horses."

[ClipClop]

Can we have a Legolas action figure to? /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

**Orlando Lovers Clique!**
"Whoever said elves were short men with little pointy ears OBVIOUSLY has not seen Orlando Bloom."

[OnceAThief]

New action figures are WAY cooler..

[OnceAThief]

And this one.. well, I MUST have this one.. /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[ClipClop]

I was just kidding! They really DO have action figures!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

**Orlando Lovers Clique!**
"Whoever said elves were short men with little pointy ears OBVIOUSLY has not seen Orlando Bloom."

[Tosca]

I agree with fineight; the movie really captures that certain something that makes the books great.

I don't know why I like Aragorn so much...Viggo Mortensen is easily old enough to be my father...I guess I fell in love with Aragorn in the books, and Viggo does a good job of portraying him.

[CoolRunnings]

How obsessed I am with Orlando Bloom and ELijah Wood. I have been infatuated with Elijah since Flipper came out (don't ask why), but Orlando is a recent discovery. (OMG! my mom just walked in and gave me the LOTR CD! I LOVE YOU MOM!) Lol what unusual timing. Ok anyways, my whole wall in my room is covered with posters of them from the movie and of other random pictures of them.*sigghh* The rest are of horsey stuff so it's kind of strange but who cares! Lol I LOVED that movie!

**Mary**
~All that is gold does not glitter

[Lita]

The horse figure sucks, but I want the elf boy!!!!
Sad aint it. /infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.gif

[ClipClop]

I just saw the movie again tonight, and I enjoyed it MUCH more after you all here pointed out the things I had missed before! Thank you!

And yes, Orlando was cute as EVER! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

**Orlando Lovers Clique!**
"Whoever said elves were short men with little pointy ears OBVIOUSLY has not seen Orlando Bloom."

[Sue from Auckland]

I'm in for the Orlando Bloom clique and I love the long hair (always had a thing for that - something to do with pirates on a deeply superficial level /infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif )

[ClipClop]

But I thought J. Turner might be able to post her question on it, as the original got locked.

To make this horse related- in the next movie I hear for more than half they are on horses! /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

TODAY IS ORLANDO BLOOMS 25th BIRTHDAY!

I hope everyone caught him on Regis and Kelly!!!! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

-Life is an adventure. You can't plan an adventure, or it ceases to be one.-

[Erin]

If this doesn't get, and STAY, very horse-related... it's gonna get locked too. /infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Kryswyn]

I just saw the movie and no doubt will have nightMARES because of the Ringwraiths and their horses!. Who would think that the animal that has been the focus of so much of my life could scare me?

And Aragorn and Legolas looked great! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif I can't wait to see them RIDING.

:P

~Kryswyn~
"Always look on the bright side of life, de doo, de doo de doo de doo"

[5]

Sorry, jumped in late. Didn't actually pick up on the 'detail' until the DVD came out.
Didn't the black horses seem a little bit well fleshed to be carrying Shadow Wraiths?
What type of horses would look skeletal and still be healthy?
What 'is' the leanest breed of horse?

[SoEasy]

you want to be truly amazed ... go to the official web site ... www.lordoftherings.net (http://www.lordoftherings.net)

look at the downloads/desktop images files

look at the Creatures/Ringwraiths picture ....

which is a shot of the Wraiths starting into the River after Frodo and Arwen ....

those horses are CHESTNUTS

[fleur]

That's cool! Definitely didn't notice that in the movie... Just bought the DVD, so I will have to keep my eyes peeled for that!
I would guess that the type of horse that would be the leanest/most skeletal without being starved would be the Akhal-Teke (see attachment).

*EMMA*

[drifting cloud]

I watched one of the promotional documentaries about LOTR and it said that most (maybe all...can't remember) of the ringwraiths were actually played by women. Apparently, they couldn't find enough good riders that were men! /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

I watched the DVD last night and my crush on almost the entire cast got revitalized. Even the Hobbits and Gandalf! The sexiness of Aragorn and Legolas has already been discussed. Yum yum.

"Some days are easy, like licking icing off a spoon. Today was more like stapling jell-o to a brick."

[artienallie]

Watched all the special features on the DVD last night.

Did you know those wraith costumes were over 50 meters of cloth each? Could you imagine trying to ride in that chase scene swathed in all that?

I'm so hyped to see Two Towers (and the Riders of Rohan!) now!

[Court@HJ-OH]

they couldn't have Liv Tyler ride the horse, obviously because she couldn't ride so for all the scenes of her on horse back she is riding a barrel and they only show her top half!

**Courtney**
I may live in Ohio, but I am a Texan through and through!

"I may not agree with what someone has to say, but I will die for their right to say it" every American

[plumbrook]

Haven't been on the BB for awhile..just came across this thread and it made my day! Did any of you 'forty-something diehards' get REALLY emotional during your first viewing of the movie??
For me it was like meeting freinds for the first time in 20 years and I got very choked up whenever a new character appeared. Aragon (in the book!) could make me swoon...you can imagine my reaction when I first saw him in the flesh!! So many memories came flooding back...I have goosebumps now just thinking about it.

[J. Turner]

I was reading Sir Ian McKellan's website about the filming of LOTR. Here are some of his comments about the horses:

"Not all of Tolkien's creatures are as outlandish as Gollum or Treebeard or the cave troll. Horses are dear to his heart - even the Ringwraith steeds, which may be evil-looking, snorting like devils, their hooves cloven with nails but, like all nags, are only obeying orders. They have been pressed into service and are furious. I'm glad I didn't have to work with them.

More my style is the chestnut Rastus who plays Bill the pony and is adorable. The compliant, ever-licking Rastus is 11 years old, an American quarter horse crossed with Shetland. Led by Samwise (Sean Astin) he reliably carried the Fellowship's baggage and endured the uncomfortable snowstorm of polystyrene and rice flakes when Saruman's agents attacked the nine of us in the Wellington studio en route for Moria. He was less fazed by the tempest than the rest of the cast, even though he didn't have blinkers on. He didn't complain of dust in the eyes or polysterene balls in every bodily crevice. Between takes, as I called for bottled water and a make-up check, Rastus calmly helped himself to the layer of salt which added glitter to the surface of the snow. I wish he had made it into the mines of Moria. He would not have been daunted by all those steps and passageways nor by the rowdy goblins. Indeed I would have trusted him with the ring itself.

Last week, for the last time, I filmed with him or with what was inelegantly referred to in the daily Call Sheet as "Panto Bill" (Rebecca Fitzgerald and Kerry). British Christmas pantomimes often feature a fairytale animal played by an agile actor - Dick Whittington's Cat, Jack's cow, which he sold for the beanstalk seeds or Mother Goose herself. "Cinderella" always boasts a real pony for the transformation scene but a pantomime horse is made of two lissome actors bent double: the lowliest job in theatre is to be the back legs of a horse. In the mountain range above Takaka on Golden Bay (South Island of New Zealand) Rastus couldn't make it into the helicopter that ferried the rest of us up and so panto took over.

Gandalf of course isn't as sentimental as this Englishman, although I had him whispering to the chestnut Clyde who dropped him off at Bag End in the first film's opening scene. Gandalf's equine faith lies other than in the likes of Bill and Clyde. As he tells Pippin: "Shadowfax will have no harness. You do not ride Shadowfax: he is willing to carry you - or not. If he is willing, that is enough. It is then his business to see that you remain on his back, unless you jump off into the air." He is speaking of a marvel and Peter Jackson has cast a white 16 year old Andalusian stallion called Domero who, standing at 16 hands is more than up to the part, at least as far as looks are concerned. His alert ears pivot above his noble skull, his mane is thick and in no need of the false hair that some of the other horses, including Bill, wear in the film.

My trouble is in riding him, as Shadowfax spurns bridle, bit, reins and even a saddle. This might all be safe enough with stable lads and lasses at the ready but often enough I am carrying a hobbit in front and clinging to a three foot six hobbit isn't safe. I am very happy for Basil Clapham (my riding double) to do the galloping in my stead. Indeed the first authentic image of Gandalf that has been broadcast across the Internet (although not from this site) was not me at all but Basil urging Shadowfax toward Helm's Deep - actually not Shadowfax either but his fast galloping double 12 year old gelding called Blanco. When I mount Domero he is generally required to be stationary. Even so the shift of haunches whenever he pulls his weight from one back leg to another can feel seismic aloft and once Fon (doubling for Pippin) and I slowly and safely slid to the soft grit of the lava field surrounding the volcano of Ruapehu.

Since then we have trotted through an artificial lake to confront Saruman at Orthanc - Saruman (in the person of Christopher Lee) was starring in Star Wars: Episode II across the Tasman Sea in the Olympiad city. So we yelled to a yellow tennis ball representing the mad maia. Domero is controlled offscreen like a circus horse with the visual aid of two whips in the hands of Don Reynolds standing to one side of the camera. Sometimes the signal is reinforced with his name but Domero can walk, stop and stand on his mark, a square meter of plank on which he bangs his hooves. To one side is Blanco who, it seems, is needed to focus Shadowfax's attention, horses being sociable. I can't think why an understudy watching him perform should be considered a comfort. But then Domero -- for all he can recognise "Action" and pre-empt his cue to walk, stop or bang his plank -- has no idea he is acting nor, more to the point, that the heavy weight and hobbit squirming on his spine are trying to act. We manage because Don is persistent and Domero has learnt well over their six months training together. Don Reynolds has worked with many horses in movies but I can't think he admired any of them more than he seems to respect Domero.

I've ridden often enough in movies - D. H. Lawrence loved a canter (Priest of Love film 1979) and as his namesake T. E. I was on the obligatory camel (Ross - TV). Just for five minutes. I was no sooner introduced to the unconcerned handsome beast than I was sat in his comfy saddle and told to drive him like a car. I was just looking for the ignition when the director Cedric Messina shouted for me to gallop toward the camera 100 metres away and "Stop on this mark", a black rock amidst the sand. I kicked and away we went and I didn't fall off, indeed almost stopped where was wanted. Didn't even knock the tripod over. But that was good luck. Horses are dangerous and I don't take them for granted. Roy Kinnear died after falling from one on his film The Four Musketeers."

-- Sorry for the long post, but I thought it was cool!



"And Max said, 'NO!'"
-- Maurice Sendak

*** Member of the Rust Clique ***
*** Member of the Ebay Anonymous Clique ***
*** Member of the MKF (Michelle Kwan Forum)***

[fleur]

That was awesome! I smiled through the whole thing! Ian McKellan is so awesome, and I can't wait for The Two Towers to come out /infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

*EMMA*

[stasha]

I loved the "water" horses that Arwen called for as she hauled Frodo to safety. That was rippin' cool!

I just went back and read some of the in-between pages on this thread...LOL Winglet, you are killing me!!!

~NOBODY tosses a dwarf! Gimli, son of Gloin~

[pepper-roni]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by findeight:
First real up close and personal look is of a hoof with the shoe nails unclipped and going every which way out of the hoof. And why would these "Horses from Hell" have neat clinches? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The nails in the hooves - as well as the blood - are signs of Sauron's torture. Sauron gets off on twisting natural things into tormented beings.

I have a thread on my website about the symbology of the horses - http://www.bluemoonhorse.net/community/viewtopic.php?t=251 - not necessarily about the movie itself - but more of the roles the horses play in the movie and the book.