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Radagast-Aiwendil
Mithlond
Feb 15 2013, 7:38pm
Post #1 of 58
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A thread for the truly great Balin, son of Fundin
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The title says it all. Share everything and anything that you like (or even dislike) about Balin's portrayal in the film within this thread.
As I've said before more than once I can't praise Ken Stott's performance enough and he's undoubtedly my favourite Dwarf so far: full of wisdom, wit and good common sense. Even the "letter-opener" line was delivered well, though his most outstanding moment by far was the narration of Azanulbizar....I had chills, it was such a powerfully emotional scene, particularly the last part about Thorin being worthy to be called king.
"These are Gundabad Wargs! They will outrun you!"
"THESE are Rhosgobel Rabbits! I'd like to see them try...."
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Owain
Dor-Lomin
Feb 15 2013, 7:47pm
Post #2 of 58
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Balin (Ken Stott) was indeed wonderful...
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a great performance from Mr. Stott.
I loved his narration of Azanulbizar as well... fantastic!
In one of his quieter moments, I really enjoyed the scene in Bag End between Thorin and Balin, discussing the need for the Quest at all. That stood out for me as well. The actors performances were so subtle and layered there.
Middle Earth is New Zealand!
"Question everything, embrace the bad, and hold on to the good."
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Silmaril
Nargothrond
Feb 15 2013, 7:52pm
Post #3 of 58
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Impressed me much at bag end.
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Angharad73
Nargothrond
Feb 15 2013, 7:54pm
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Ok, he is not my absolute favourite dwarf, but I have to say that there is something about him... He's got kind of a twinkle in his eye, I think. And he just seems to 'nice' - and he still is a bad-ass fighter! To me he looks like the kind of guy you confide in and turn to for advice without being judged. I love his conversation with Thorin at Bag End, when he tells Thorin that he doesn't have to do all this, that he has done enough for his people. He sees the dangers ahead, and he doesn't want his friend to go through this, but when he cannot dissuade him, he stands behind him, no matter what. I also agree on the narration of the battle of Azanulbizar - very powerful stuff!
And Ken Stott plays Balin brilliantly. It actually took me a while to figure it out why he seemed so familiar, but years ago I had a tiny bit of a crush on Stott, when he was in the TV series 'Messiah'. 
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Radagast-Aiwendil
Mithlond
Feb 15 2013, 7:57pm
Post #5 of 58
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Loved that bit of dialogue and top notch performances from the actors as you said. Possibly the strongest "scene-within-a-scene" in the whole Bag End sequence.
"These are Gundabad Wargs! They will outrun you!"
"THESE are Rhosgobel Rabbits! I'd like to see them try...."
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Owain
Dor-Lomin
Feb 15 2013, 7:58pm
Post #6 of 58
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Middle Earth is New Zealand!
"Question everything, embrace the bad, and hold on to the good."
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Kimtc
Nargothrond
Feb 15 2013, 7:58pm
Post #7 of 58
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I love them all, but I appreciate him the most.
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He is the "dwarf glue" that holds them together.
My only issue with his portrayal is that he is so wise, calm and generally smarter than the others, that I have a hard time wondering why he doesn't knock Thorin over the head. Now, I know why he doesn't, but it still seems a little at odds. He did try to sort of talk Thorin out of it at Bag End, although I still would have wanted him to hit Thorin over the head.
That said, he's great, and I also love the letter opener moment!
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Radagast-Aiwendil
Mithlond
Feb 15 2013, 8:06pm
Post #8 of 58
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Your first two sentences sum up what I like about the character so much
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He seems very down-to-earth as a character despite his wisdom, and he makes mistakes at times, such as trying to stop Thorin from handing the map to Elrond and accidentally revealing the purpose of the mission to the Elf-Lord. It's nice that his gentleness towards Bilbo was explored, and subtle points such as the pat on the shoulder that Bilbo gives to Balin when he takes the Ring off convey the fact that Bilbo appreciates such friendship (especially given the attitude of Thorin and some of the others towards him).
On a side note, I hope that Dori's kindness towards Bilbo is more thoroughly explored in the next film, as it was only hinted at in AUJ.
"These are Gundabad Wargs! They will outrun you!"
"THESE are Rhosgobel Rabbits! I'd like to see them try...."
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Brethil
Gondolin
Feb 15 2013, 8:15pm
Post #9 of 58
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He's so kind to Bilbo, always with a wink and a smile for him when no one else might. And he looks genuinely happy when Bilbo reappears after Goblin Town.
Love that scene in Bag End too...calling Thorin "laddie". And Ken is so subtle when RA shows him the key - you can see on his face that the Key and what it means trumps everything else in Thorin's heart and that Balin understands what Thorin needs to do, even if he might not choose it himself.
And how when Azog appears his first thought is for Thorin and how it will hurt him.
He feels like the common-sense, salt of the earth good soul of the Company, with no illusions (..not the best,,,nor brightest..).
So much to love. Hope PJ gives him a spirtual "anchoring" role in the next two films because that's really him.
...she took the point at once, but she also took the spoons.
(This post was edited by Brethil on Feb 15 2013, 8:18pm)
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Owain
Dor-Lomin
Feb 15 2013, 8:18pm
Post #10 of 58
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Agreed or as they say on tORN, Mods up!//
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Middle Earth is New Zealand!
"Question everything, embrace the bad, and hold on to the good."
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Radagast-Aiwendil
Mithlond
Feb 15 2013, 8:59pm
Post #13 of 58
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I agree with everything you say
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Particularly about the spiritual anchoring. Hopefully by the end of the trilogy he will be such a memorable character that the ultimate news of his death in FotR will be very hard to swallow, indeed.
"These are Gundabad Wargs! They will outrun you!"
"THESE are Rhosgobel Rabbits! I'd like to see them try...."
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IdrilofGondolin
Nargothrond
Feb 15 2013, 9:41pm
Post #14 of 58
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Ori goes with him. Will we begin to see the development of that relationship? Will Balin take Ori under his wing and teach him to be a grown up dwarf? I like Balin as elder statesman and counselor to Thorin. Great casting as usual.
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Radagast-Aiwendil
Mithlond
Feb 15 2013, 9:57pm
Post #15 of 58
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I certainly hope that Balin will teach Ori a few things
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Because at this rate I'll be pleased about Ori's death.
Maybe there will be a development of a relationship with Oin also, who goes along but is taken by the Watcher. I'm intrigued to see more of Oin, he seems an interesting character and hopefully he'll have more screen time in DOS.
"These are Gundabad Wargs! They will outrun you!"
"THESE are Rhosgobel Rabbits! I'd like to see them try...."
(This post was edited by Radagast-Aiwendil on Feb 15 2013, 9:58pm)
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ThorinIIIStonehelm
Lindon
Feb 15 2013, 10:08pm
Post #16 of 58
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Agreed Radagast-Aiwendil, although...
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...even only after AUJ it's made me sad knowing how he will meet his end. He's just such an absolute legend of a character!!!
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Bombadil
Gondolin
Feb 15 2013, 10:11pm
Post #17 of 58
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He had Bomby Totally in his grasp when...
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He is seen crying the morning...
after their battle..
Mister Stott has not been in any interviews
or anything else since the movie
because he is Starring in a show
in the Westend
Of London.
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Nunilo
Nevrast
Feb 15 2013, 10:17pm
Post #18 of 58
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The fact that he comes across as so wise and always keeps his cool makes him a very dependable character, and someone you feel you could easily trust or go to for help or advice. I like that Thorin respects him greatly, even though he doesn't always listen to him. I'd like to see more of their interactions in the later films.
For some reason, I've always imagined Balin to look old and white, so the film portrayal was perfect for me! He was one of the more memorable dwarves I think. And as someone said above, his eyes 'twinkle', which adds a nice spark to his character. Not only does he have a sense of humour but he observes everything going on around him and you wonder what he thinks of it all.
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Angharad73
Nargothrond
Feb 15 2013, 10:21pm
Post #19 of 58
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Even before getting to see the other two movies, which hopefully will show lots more of Balin, I already feel sad knowing that he will come to such an end in Moria. And I feel for Ori and Oin, too. But mostly Balin, really.
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Nightwing
Nevrast
Feb 15 2013, 10:26pm
Post #20 of 58
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Balin, one of the few great things about the movie
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Ken Stott did a wonderful job.
Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh can't write, and Galadriel is not the most powerful being in all of Middle-earth. She is inferior to Sauron, Saruman, and Gandalf.
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glor
Nargothrond
Feb 15 2013, 10:30pm
Post #21 of 58
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Ken Stott is one of this countries (UK) finest actors. There was a piece a couple of years ago in the Sunday Times asking why he didn't have a Knighthood, and Mr Stott being interviewed and bemoaning the fact that he couldn't get a role in Harry Potter as he loves fantasy .
Check out his IMDB listing under personal details, you will see a list of major theatre roles as long as your arm. Check out the two BBC TV films: Toast, and also, Hancock and Joan to see something other than the usual scowling scot he plays on TV.
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Radagast-Aiwendil
Mithlond
Feb 15 2013, 10:37pm
Post #22 of 58
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A shame that he is relatively unknown..but at least Rebus has done something to boost his recognition and his performance in The Hobbit could potentially put him into the top list of players as far as Hollywood and films are concerned.
"These are Gundabad Wargs! They will outrun you!"
"THESE are Rhosgobel Rabbits! I'd like to see them try...."
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TheSexyBeard
Menegroth
Feb 15 2013, 11:17pm
Post #23 of 58
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Perfect casting, he brought a lot of humanity (for a dwarf!) to the role. He was pretty much amazing in every scene he featured in and his narration of Azanulbizarr was perfect. I also enjoyed his scenes with Thorin and liked that despite being made older, he was still a force to be reckoned with.
Yes, my username is terrible.
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Eowyn3
Ossiriand
Feb 15 2013, 11:49pm
Post #24 of 58
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I love his portrayal of Balin. What a talented actor he is! Balin has always been a likeable character on the book, one of my favorites. Ken Stott really develops The character in a way that makes you like him even more. He brings so much depth to Balin's character!
" He has just as much reason to go to war as you do. Why can he not fight for those he loves?"
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Brethil
Gondolin
Feb 16 2013, 12:42am
Post #25 of 58
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I feel like I could write pages on Balin.
...she took the point at once, but she also took the spoons.
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