BBC LOTR Episode IV (#3): No ordinary wolves

Idril Celebrindal

Idril Celebrindal

Tol Eressea
Frodo: Oh! How the wind howls!

Aragorn: How the wind howls! It is howling with wolf-voices. The Wargs have come west of the Mountains!
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- Exhausted, the Fellowship retreats from the pass of Caradhras and now must decide what to do next. This is one of the first tests of Gandalf's leadership, as the company is divided over whether they should brave the mines of Moria or cross the mountains further south at the Gap of Rohan (a conflict foreshadowed by Aragron and Gandalf's earlier debate). Boromir and Aragorn in particular do not wish to venture into the mines. How do the actors show this conflict? How does Gandalf manage it? What does it say about Boromir's attitude?

- Warg attack! Here, the battle between the Fellowship and the wargs is dramatized. Each member of the Fellowship reacts to the attack in different ways, with growling, howling, and sound effects of weapons (like the twang of Legolas' bowstring) providing the background. It's similar to how the attempt on Caradhras was done. Does the dramatization show the fear and excitement of a mass attack by wild wargs? Are the sound effects effective here? Do you finally get a sense of Gandalf's power?
 
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I just couldn't believe Michael Hordern didn't understand totally everything that was going on. That, or else he had an excellent director. But they all make this part sound very believable. And, if nothing else, Sam shows us he believes that Gandalf will get them out of the situation, because, cleverly, the Brian Sibley chose to leave in the part with Pippin being so frightened and Sam telling him that he wagers Gandalf won't end in a wolf's belly.
 
This is the first real indication of his power. And I too liked the inclusion of Sam reassuring Pippin. Again, another indicator that Gandalf is alot more powerful than the listener might expect.
 
is for me what decides whether they are going to Moria. Frodo makes that statement and Aragorn realizes what it is, that the wargs are west of the mountains. From this point even Boromir who did not want to go unless the whole party's vote was against him, now accepts this route. I too like the addition of Pippin's and Sam's conversation here about the howling of the wolves. I think for Pippin this will be a wonderful comparison later in the adaptation. It does show that Pippin does not see any merit to himself, and it shows Sam's faith in Gandalf's power.

BTW as an FYI, my procedure was rough, my anatomy in my small intestine is difficult and I was under for over 4 hours and today I am very, very, very sore. They found 4 items that were there and then took biopsy's of the other. Hopefully I get some answers now . . . but they ruled out three major things that could be causing my disorder. Modern medicine is wonderful, but frustrating at times. Now for a CAT scan . . .
 
Sounds like it was not much fun. Here's hoping that the follow-up and biopsies help them figure out what's going on.

"There are older, fouler things than orcs in the deep places of your small intestine..." [evil]
 
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wonderful statement!!!!! I have a huge smile and am not trying to laugh because I just want to ROTF, but I am too sore still. Anyway, thanks Idril, yes, there are fouler things than Orcs living in my small intestine!
 
I was a satisfactory build-up to the dangers of Moria given the great discussion between the Company. The wolves' howl fitted well with the sound of the voices in the wind. Well done, imho.

I was delighted to have some classic Sam in there as he assured Pippin Gandalf wouldn't end as a Warg Happy Meal. Any time I can hear Sam at work makes those scenes better and better. Actually, of all of the players, HE is the one I never have to adjust to... unless it's to stop saying the lines with him and just enjoy. I so appreciate that about this adaptation. So much of the screenplay is word-for-word from the text. What a way to honur the work! "That was an eye opener, and no mistake!"
Any time Tolkien's other languages are spoken, they're totally believable. It gives the story so much credibility and realism!
 
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