The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Hobbit:
What's it got in its nasty little pocketses?



Old Toby
Grey Havens


Feb 1 2013, 3:52pm


Views: 2958
What's it got in its nasty little pocketses?
Just wondering about something. Every time I see the movie (okay, 15 times so far and still going!), I am struck by the one scene at the end when Bilbo escapes from the Goblin Town. He's getting ready to explain to them how he escaped, is putting his fingers in his pocket, when Gandalf looks at what he's doing and suddenly interrupts with, "What does it matter?" It's almost as if Gandalf suspects he has the ring in his pocket. If so, how would he know? If he doesn't know, why is he interrupting Bilbo so abruptly, as if to divert everyone's attention away from that topic.

Anyone have any thoughts on that?
"Age is always advancing and I'm fairly sure it's up to no good." Harry Dresden (Jim Butcher)


Boromir Stark
Rivendell

Feb 1 2013, 4:07pm


Views: 2033
I doubt Gandalf suspected he had THE ring...
but it wouldn't be a stretch to think he suspected Bilbo had discovered something in there to help him.

Gandalf probably wanted to keep his suspicions under wraps until he could discern a little more about the situation. His interruption of the Dwarves secured this, and additionally it would have been neither the time nor the place to discuss it at that particular moment.


cats16
Half-elven

Feb 1 2013, 4:16pm


Views: 2052
To quote Gandalf
 "There are many magic rings in this world, Bilbo Baggins, and none of them should be used likely."

I also think Gandalf had an inkling which led him to suspect Bilbo had found something, and seeing him put the ring in his pocket confirmed this thought.


elevorn
Lorien


Feb 1 2013, 4:27pm


Views: 1981
IMHO
Like others have said. Gandalf did not have any idea it was the ONE, but just that Bilbo had found A ring and it must have helped him in some way. Feeling there was no need to let the dwarves know, he simply interrupts and moves them along to other things. Besides, if the dwarves knew, they would constantly be asking him to use it somehow. He wants Bilbo to be respected and seen in a better light. No need in spoiling that with the knowledge of some silly magic ring.

On the other hand, if he did have a clue that this could be the One, he definitely doesn't want anyone to know about it at all. I still don't think he had a clue to which ring it was though. He comes to suspect much later and then confirms it when he throws it into Frodo's fireplace.


"clever hobbits to climb so high!"
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bborchar
Rohan


Feb 1 2013, 4:51pm


Views: 1964
If he had known...
...the book would have ended just like that Hobbit how it should have ended parody...Gandalf would have made sure the ring was taken to Mt. Doom and pitched. I'm sure Gandalf just didn't want to give away Bilbo's secret before Bilbo himself was ready to.


Old Toby
Grey Havens


Feb 1 2013, 5:16pm


Views: 1956
It didn't seem to me that Bilbo actually took the ring out
I never saw that, at least. It looked like he was sticking his fingers in his pocket in order to take it out, but got interrupted by Gandalf before he did.

And yeah, I can see how Gandalf, as some of you suggest, might have suspected Bilbo had something better left unrevealed at the time. It just was a curious moment for me in the movie.
"Age is always advancing and I'm fairly sure it's up to no good." Harry Dresden (Jim Butcher)


andwise
Rivendell


Feb 1 2013, 6:31pm


Views: 1946
can you not remember the book...?
In the book it says that gandalf suspects that Bilbo has not told the whole truth and that there is something important gone on,PJ has just done this in a 'movie' type way to illustrate to the layman what gandalf is thinking.things like that have to be done because in a book you can spend a paragraph or so describing things that people do or think,not so in a movie.
Arrow....black arrow,I have saved you to the last.you have never failed me and always I have recovered you.I had you from my father and he from old.if ever you came from the forges of the true king under the mountain,go now and speed well


FrodoEyes
Rivendell

Feb 1 2013, 8:26pm


Views: 1896
*lightly
It's 'And none of them should be used lightly!'

Likely doesn't make any sense

Sorry, just had to point it out! Wink
'I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.'
'So do all who live to see such times but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.'


Old Toby
Grey Havens


Feb 1 2013, 8:33pm


Views: 1885
Oh sorry, but no I cannot
In Reply To
In the book it says that gandalf suspects that Bilbo has not told the whole truth and that there is something important gone on,PJ has just done this in a 'movie' type way to illustrate to the layman what gandalf is thinking.things like that have to be done because in a book you can spend a paragraph or so describing things that people do or think,not so in a movie.

remember in the book where it said this. It's all I can do to remember what I had for breakfast these days! LOL! And so I understand the scene if that is how PJ is playing it, but I don't think it's necessarily clear to the layman, as it were, that this is what Gandalf is thinking unless he's assuming that everyone in the audience has read the book and remembers what it said. In any case it certainly wasn't obvious to me, although I've read the book countless times over the years. Perhaps my age is catching up with me! But thanks for that feedback, because it makes sense now.
"Age is always advancing and I'm fairly sure it's up to no good." Harry Dresden (Jim Butcher)

(This post was edited by Old Toby on Feb 1 2013, 8:36pm)


cats16
Half-elven

Feb 1 2013, 9:04pm


Views: 1855
My bad
I was typing in a frantic rush lol. Thanks!


ryouko
Lorien

Feb 1 2013, 10:36pm


Views: 1842
He did have it out
It took 7 viewings, but on that seventh viewing, I actually saw a very quick glimpse of the ring going into his pocket. Since he'd just slipped it off his finger, it'd make sense that he would still be holding it in his hand. When I watch it again, this weekend, I'll look harder, to make sure that I did actually see the ring being slipped into his pocket.


Old Toby
Grey Havens


Feb 2 2013, 12:29am


Views: 1815
oh wow, I'll have to look for that
in my next viewing. (Which will unfortunately be in regular 2D, so I hope I can see it happening) Thanks for the heads up.
"Age is always advancing and I'm fairly sure it's up to no good." Harry Dresden (Jim Butcher)


ryouko
Lorien

Feb 2 2013, 12:44am


Views: 1809
At your service
Glad to be of assistance! ^_^

It took me seven viewings, as I said. I'll see it again on Sunday, so I can be sure of what I saw. Let us know if you see it! I want to be sure it isn't just me.


Steerpike
Bree


Feb 2 2013, 3:01am


Views: 1808
Bilbo is not reaching into his pocket
Bilbo nervously tries to avoid the question of how he got past the goblins and then slips the ring into his pocket, having just taken it off his finger. Gandalf notices this and, realising Bilbo has a secret, helps his keep it by changing the subject.

Gandalf is still in the dark about what Bilbo is hiding, but trusts him enough to know that he probably has a good reason for his secrecy.


burgahobbit
Rohan


Feb 2 2013, 3:10am


Views: 1818
I think this will scene be extended in the EE
Possibly with Bilbo telling them the whole story, and then pausing at the part about the ring at which point Gandalf says "What does it matter."

It may be something completely different than that, but either way the scene felt chopped up and I think it will be extended.
"I have found it is in the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keep the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage." - Gandalf the Grey.

"Do not be afraid Mithrandir. You are not alone. If ever you should need my help, I will come." -Lady Galadriel.


Old Toby
Grey Havens


Feb 2 2013, 5:00am


Views: 1763
Ah, I see now
That makes complete sense to me. Unfortunately I've misinterpreted the entire scene then, since I never saw him slipping the ring into his pocket to begin with. I thought I was seeing him fiddling in his pocket in order to take the ring out! Just goes ta show ya...

Okay, so now I have a 'real' reason to go see it again! Wink
"Age is always advancing and I'm fairly sure it's up to no good." Harry Dresden (Jim Butcher)


Old Toby
Grey Havens


Feb 3 2013, 5:48am


Views: 1697
Saw it this time!!
In Reply To
Glad to be of assistance! ^_^

It took me seven viewings, as I said. I'll see it again on Sunday, so I can be sure of what I saw. Let us know if you see it! I want to be sure it isn't just me.

Yes!! I finally saw it...Bilbo putting the ring back into his pocket! It was only a very brief flash of gold, but it was definitely there. I think you'd have to be paying close attention at that moment to catch it. Um, it's only taken me....let's see now...this is my 16th viewing!! Well, better late than never, eh?

Thanks, everyone, for the feedback on this!
"Age is always advancing and I'm fairly sure it's up to no good." Harry Dresden (Jim Butcher)


Tintallė
Gondor


Feb 3 2013, 5:48pm


Views: 2248
I think not
for two reasons: first, because the ring becomes the secret of Bilbo's success as a burglar, and second because the ring itself compels him to be secretive and keep it hidden.

We know from the books that Bilbo does not tell the truth about the ring until much later, by which time it is more of a confession than a story.