The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Main:
Rest in peace, Bob Anderson.

Owain Tol Eressea Jan 2 2012, 3:01am Views: 5297 Rest in peace, Bob Anderson. A master swordsman (and gentleman) responsible for some of cinema's greatest sword fights (Including work done in LOTR and The Hobbit) has passed away. As reported by Nordling at Aint It Cool News. http://www.aintitcool.com/node/52448 Middle Earth is New Zealand! "Question everything, embrace the bad, and hold on to the good." (This post was edited by Owain on Jan 2 2012, 3:01am)

Maiarmike Grey Havens Jan 2 2012, 3:37am Views: 4551 Truly a great, he will be missed. From the Errol Flynn days, to the amazing work in The Empire Strikes Back and LotR. I didn't know he was still working on The Hobbit... R.I.P. sir. "I warn you, if you bore me, I shall take my revenge" --J.R.R. Tolkien

Carne Tol Eressea Jan 2 2012, 3:37am Views: 4556 Just read it as well. Really sad At least he lived life to the fullest! Though I thought he wasn't working on the Hobbit? (This post was edited by Carne on Jan 2 2012, 3:38am)

mithrandir7 Registered User Jan 2 2012, 3:37am Views: 4577 Sad News Wow, I was just watching the documentary on the EE discs and they featured him and how hard he worked with the actors (especially Viggo) The movies are a great tribute to his work.

Captain Salt Tol Eressea Jan 2 2012, 4:07am Views: 4535 That sucks... RIP, Mr. Anderson. Thanks for some of the best fight set pieces in cinema history. Hopefully, his contribution to TH will remain in the finished films. My Top 5 Wish List for "The Hobbit" 5. Legolas will surf down Smaug's neck 4. Bilbo will be revealed to a Robot 3. Naked PJ cameo as Ghan-Buri-Ghan 2. Use not only 3D, but smell-o-vision, with axes coming out of the seats and poking the audience when appropriate 1. Not only keep the claim that Thorin & Co. ran amok in Mirkwood "molesting people", but depict said incident in vivid detail!!!!!

Ataahua Forum Admin / Moderator Jan 2 2012, 4:25am Views: 4531 That's really sad to hear. He was a delight on the FOTR DVD appendices. :( Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..." Dwarves: "Pretty rings..." Men: "Pretty rings..." Sauron: "Mine's better." "Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak. Ataahua's stories

diedye Grey Havens Jan 2 2012, 4:37am Views: 4496 :( ... ... Despite his age, I was kinda hoping he would still be involved with The Hobbit in some capacity and that we'd get to see him on the DVD extras. Still, it was a privilege to see him at work on LOTR. He was one of the few that remained from the Golden Age of Hollywood, and he and his expertise will be sorely missed. God Bless. God Keep. Blessed are the cracked, For they are the ones who let in the light!

Aragorn the Elfstone Tol Eressea Jan 2 2012, 4:53am Views: 4522 No.... :( This man has been a part of so many of my favorite movies and tv shows by way of his amazing skills. He will be greatly missed. "All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; But the dreamers of day are dangerous men. That they may act their dreams with open eyes to make it possible." - T.E. Lawrence

Ruxendil_Thoorg Tol Eressea Jan 2 2012, 5:17am Views: 4551 As a devotee of swashbuckling films, and as a practitioner of fencing and sword arts I am numb with sadness upon reading of the Maestro's passing just now. A hero and inspiration to me and to many, he was more than a master. He virtually personified the grace and beauty of fencing and swordsmanship. His vorpal blade went snicker-snack. Having lived a full life, he has disengaged to the high outside line. Like his target area for would-be touches, he will be missed. "That doesn't make much sense to me. But then again, you are quite small. Perhaps you're right."

Hamfast Rohan Jan 2 2012, 6:12am Views: 4476 Sad news. It's amazing to look at his credit list...such a huge contribution to cinema. Watching the appendices I get the impression he was deeply appreciated by Viggo for his swift initiation to the sword fighting process.

Milknut Rohan Jan 2 2012, 7:23am Views: 4454 :'(//   The cake is a lie. The cake is a lie. The cake is a lie. The cake is a lie. The cake is a lie___

Amarië The Shire Jan 2 2012, 11:00am Views: 4460 Terrible news to begin the year with... I remember him of the extras of the EE of LOTR, and I've always admire how a man of his age was still working on he loved the most. I'm truly sorry, God bless him.

Alientraveller Lorien Jan 2 2012, 11:02am Views: 4422 RIP This man has officially passed into legend, although he had perhaps already done so in life after choreographing all these great fight scenes in many wonderful films.

Morok Cloudkeeper Rohan Jan 2 2012, 12:10pm Views: 4426 This is so sad Rest in piece Sir Anderson.Even though this man isn't with us anymore,his legacy is still and will always be present among us. the user formerly known as "Legos" Power can be held in the smallest of things...

grammaboodawg Immortal Jan 2 2012, 12:18pm Views: 4467 *gasp!* Oh No! This is horrible.... I'm so sorry... Peace to his family and friends... and to his fans. This is a grievous loss. His talent and passion have truely marked him as one of film's greatest. I always laugh when I listen to him on the dvds and commentaries. Bless him... I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world. TORn's Observations Lists Unused Scenes (This post was edited by grammaboodawg on Jan 2 2012, 12:18pm)

Mithrandír Lorien Jan 2 2012, 1:02pm Views: 4449 If this is confirmed; It's really very sad news! R.I.P Bob Anderson. Social Science's biggest problem, is social science. "The ring has awoken. It's heard its masters call"

shadowdog Rohan Jan 2 2012, 2:51pm Views: 4412 Agree I too was always amazed at how agile he was not only on LoTRs, but also in the extras on the Pirate DVDs. He will be missed. Hopefully he left a trained group behind to keep up the woderful world of swordfighting. Was he the one who said that Viggo was the best swordfighter he had ever worked with in film?

Otaku-sempai Immortal Jan 2 2012, 3:05pm Views: 4408 My wife & I send our condolences with his friends and family Not only was Mr. Anderson part of many fondly-remembered films, but I believe that Mike Grell's character Jason "Sonny" Pratt (from the comicbook series Jon Sable, Freelance) was at least partially based on him. All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost.

Ruxendil_Thoorg Tol Eressea Jan 2 2012, 3:14pm Views: 4391 you are correct Yes, it was he who said that. (before that it had been Antonio Banderas, and then later Viggo took the slot). "That doesn't make much sense to me. But then again, you are quite small. Perhaps you're right."

Faenoriel Tol Eressea Jan 2 2012, 3:25pm Views: 4413 That's truly sad.... RIP //   <3 Gandy, Raddy, Sharkey, Ally & Pally <3

Lily Fairbairn Half-elven Jan 2 2012, 4:16pm Views: 4378 Oh no! What a shame. His contributions to the film industry have enriched all our lives. Rest in Peace. * * * * * * * Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in the daylight? A man may do both. For not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time. The green earth, say you? That is a mighty matter of legend, though you tread it under the light of day!

Rosie-with-the-ribbons Forum Admin / Moderator Jan 2 2012, 5:51pm Views: 4369 Such sad news //

PattyJB Rivendell Jan 2 2012, 7:55pm Views: 4375 What a life! The fact that he got to do what he loved, for his entire working life, is so wonderful. From representing Britain in fencing at the Helsinki (1952) Olympics, he went on to some sixty years of first sword-fighting stunts, then consultation and choreography, and then as sword-master. His filmography is astounding. The Guardian has a brief film clip retrospective. "Bob Anderson, sword-fighting master – a life in clips" http://www.guardian.co.uk/...-clips?newsfeed=true Rest in Peace, Mr. Anderson, and thanks for your wonderful contributions to the excitement and beauty of cinema.

FoundEntwife Rivendell Jan 2 2012, 8:30pm Views: 4335 RIP There's a wealth of knowledge that has passed on with him. This tale grew in the telling. . .

Hengist Forum Admin / Moderator Jan 2 2012, 8:37pm Views: 4335 Thats a great shame he will be missed " So let me get this straight. You want to fly on a magic carpet to see the King of the Potato People and plead with him for your freedom, and you're telling me you're completely sane? "

ByThorinsBeard Rohan Jan 2 2012, 10:55pm Views: 776 Rest in Peace sir He had a great career and a wonderful life. Rest in Peace Mister Anderson. "Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you anywhere." - Albert Einstein.

silneldor Half-elven Jan 2 2012, 11:16pm Views: 828 Nicely said Ruxendil_T It is such that so many times a person is not fully realized or revealed until the passing. It was so with Bob for me. Watching those two video was a study. The Flynn fight had been...ages since i had seen that. Viggo felt it a true honour to know and work with him. It was an amazing life and one to celebrate with gladness. I am sure in the appendices (sure as sand they will be) that a tribute to him will be there. It is a stab to know that he was there working with TH. But you know, he just might have thought that , that if he was to go, it was to be doing something to contribute to a work that shall become 'one for the ages' , because he surely will be:). ''Sam put his ragged orc-cloak under his master's head, and covered them both with the grey robe of Lorien; and as he did so his thoughts went out to that fair land, and to the Elves, and he hoped that the cloth woven by their hands might have some virtue to keep them hidden beyond all hope in this wilderness of fear...But their luck held, and for the rest of that day they met no living or moving thing; and when night fell they vanished into the darkess of Mordor.'' - - -rotk, chapter III Faerie contains many things besides elves and fays and besides dwarfs, witches, trolls, giants or dragons; it holds the seas, the sun, the moon, the sky; and the earth, and all things that are one in it: tree and bird, water and stone, wine and bread, and ourselves, mortal men, when we are enchanted." — J.R.R. Tolkien May the grace of Manwë let us soar with eagle's wings! In the air, among the clouds in the sky Here is where the birds of Manwe fly Looking at the land, and the water that flows The true beauty of earth shows With the stars of Varda lighting my way In all the realms this is where I stay In the realm of Manwë Súlimo

dernwyn Forum Admin / Moderator Jan 3 2012, 1:36am Views: 820 What a legacy! Thank you for that link. He was a true master of the craft! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "I desired dragons with a profound desire" "It struck me last night that you might write a fearfully good romantic drama, with as much of the 'supernatural' as you cared to introduce. Have you ever thought of it?" -Geoffrey B. Smith, letter to JRR Tolkien, 1915

titanium_hobbit Rohan Jan 3 2012, 4:16am Views: 787 PJ says, via Facebook Quote It is a rare, even within the film industry, that you get to work with a legend which was why I was thrilled when Bob Anderson agreed to come on board The Lord of the Rings as our sword-master. In fact, it took a while for it to sink in that I was going to get to work with the same man who had helped create some of cinema's greatest fight sequences - from Star Wars to The Princess Bride. Bob was a brilliant swordsman and a gifted teacher; I will remember him as a wonderfully patient man, possessed of a terrific sense of humour. It was a privilege to have known him. Hobbit firster, Book firster.

grammaboodawg Immortal Jan 3 2012, 10:30am Views: 761 *mods up* Wonderful.... //   I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world. TORn's Observations Lists Unused Scenes

Rostron2 Gondor Jan 3 2012, 4:00pm Views: 780 He really got to do what he wanted Bob, thanks for the great sword fights. I am sure you inspired many to similar work! Your legacy will continue.

Iolani Rivendell Jan 3 2012, 4:23pm Views: 778 Unknowingly, he has inspired me since I was a bobbin I am very sad to hear that he has passed. I never realized he was the same man I had watched giving directions my Princess Bride extras, and I thought was pure magic. Never realized that he was behind the work on StarWars saberwork. Never realized he did Pirates. I think it's an understatement to say that he was a master, and an extraordinary teacher. The fights that will continue to be watched and loved will be a lasting testimony to his skill and passion. Thank you Bob Anderson for your unfailing passion, and giving your all into something you loved, and showing what the best really is! Rest in peace, and God bless. My earliest memories of the incredible scenes brought to life by you will always be remembered. I think it's safe to say that my love of action and swordplay is partly due to you, and has influenced my writing. "It's like in the great stories Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And you didn't want to know the end...for how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But then you realize in the end it's just a passing thing, this shadow. A new day will come! And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stuck with you, that meant something. Even if you were too small to understand. But I think Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. The folk in those stories a lot of chances of turnin' back only they didn't. They kept going, because they were holdin' on to something." "What are we holding onto, Sam?" "That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it's worth fighting for!"

shirehobbit Rivendell Jan 3 2012, 8:44pm Views: 774 neither did I The first movies I watched were SW and The princess Bride. four, maybe five years ago, I first watched LOTR and about the same time I watched POTC for the first time. I never knew he worked on those until I read the LOTR FOTR movie guide book. It is so sad that he has left us. May his work continue to inspire stick fights in backyards and school yards across the globe. Rest In Peace Bob Anderson. He was not just A master of fencing and sword work, but THE master.

grammaboodawg Immortal Jan 4 2012, 1:45am Views: 755 Well said... Bob Anderson at work must have been so exciting to watch. I'm in awe just seeing his impact on others. I really need these new films to take me back to, and not re-introduce me to, that magical world. TORn's Observations Lists Unused Scenes

PattyJB Rivendell Jan 4 2012, 3:37am Views: 767 New York Times obit Nice write-up and lovely photo. Bob Anderson, Sword Master, Dies at 89 http://www.nytimes.com/...dies-at-89.html?_r=2

Ruxendil_Thoorg Tol Eressea Jan 4 2012, 5:09am Views: 776 Thank you for posting that, PattyJB The photo makes me wish to have seen him in action on the set of LOTR...demonstrating the movements... the only time I'd ever seen him in action was in Making of Empire Strikes Back, SPFX. Those who had the opportunity to work with him or to be trained by him were highly privileged indeed. I can only wonder, who could possibly take over for him, on the Hobbit as well as for sword-combat scenes in films in general henceforth? There's WIlliam Hobbs, who I also admire, but he's got quite a different style. There's nobody quite like Grumpy Bob, I mean, the Maestro. This is a heavy loss. "That doesn't make much sense to me. But then again, you are quite small. Perhaps you're right."

zarabia Tol Eressea Jan 4 2012, 7:03am Views: 774 May we all live life as fully as Mr. Anderson I think Bob Anderson is a wonderful inspiration. He lived a long life, did what he loved, and proved that age is just a number. Bob Anderson, gone but never forgotten.

tolkiennerd Lorien Jan 4 2012, 8:08pm Views: 737 RIP I love his work and learned swordplay from watching the behind the scenes on LOTR and POTC. I will really miss him. always wanted to meet him.

the_argonath Lorien Jan 4 2012, 8:12pm Views: 797 RIP Bob :( Death of an absolute legend, his "skill with a blade" will be greatly missed ~*Haudh-en-Ndengin the Elves named it, the Hill of Slain, and Haugh-en-Nirnaeth, the Hill of tears... the earth beneath which the swords of the Eldar and the Edain crumbled into rust*~