Lossefalme
Gondor
Now we find out that all wizards are not created equal in The Treason of Isengard (#s 227 – 237). Quite an introduction to Saruman, eh?
1. 227. When Gandalf first goes to Isengard, and approaches Orthanc, we hear Saruman's voice before we see him. The same thing happens in RotK when Gandalf approached Orthanc with Treebeard's voice. We hear it before we see him. I always noted that point in FotR for some reason.
I think hearing Saruman before seeing him is very effective. After all, it is his voice that is supposed to retain its power even after he has lost everything else (especially in the book version). He has a very resonant, commanding voice that is quite different from Gandalf’s. Just one of the many differences between them!
2. 229. We get an aerial shot of the land surrounding Isengard, green with trees and grass. Later we see that same area devastated and dead from Saruman's work.
This shot not only sets up the devastation we see later, but it is vital that we see Isengard as something that wouldn’t initially threaten or alarm Gandalf. It was built by the Men of West in ages, past, too, so for movie-firsters it is nice for them to see Isengard pretty much as it should have been before Saruman goes off the deep end.
3. 233. There are crows circling Orthanc when Gandalf first arrives (already being gathered and on duty).
Very interesting, and something I don’t think I ever noticed before. I wonder if Gandalf may have noticed, even subconsciously. Of course, in the book Radagast is involved and uses the birds and beasts to send messages, so Gandalf may not have thought anything of it in that case. In the movies, however; there is no real reason for crows to be circling. See number 4…
4. 234. Gandalf doesn’t put his staff down when at Isengard (like he does at Bag End and Rivendell)… instinctively knew he needed to keep it close?
Perhaps it was Gandalf’s subconscious. Who knows? I’m glad he had it, though. At least he did some damage!
5. 235. Saruman has specimens in liquid-filled jars. Was he already experimenting to create his Uruk-hai?
Eww. I mean, double eeww. I think I chose to ignore this little tidbit the first few times I
saw the movie.
6. As always, your faves from this scene are welcome and appreciated! My personal one from the list is that Gandalf’s pipe is in his staff. I had no idea!
(I included a link because it's hard to see here...)
This weekly post uses the Geeky Observation Lists compiled and maintained by our very own grammaboodawg to springboard discussions. The Geeky Observation Lists can be found here, and they are pretty comprehensive. Gramma would like you to know that if you would like to add a missed observation you should feel free to PM her or put it in your subject line and she’ll snag it. She just asks that “nitpicky, negative, or inconsistent/continuity problem items” are not offered (please see her introduction).
Thank you all for responding, lurking or just giving us a peek. I continue to solicit suggestions and ideas for improving this discussion. Please don’t hesitate to tell me here or send me a pm! Thank you very much. Until next week…Geek out!
1. 227. When Gandalf first goes to Isengard, and approaches Orthanc, we hear Saruman's voice before we see him. The same thing happens in RotK when Gandalf approached Orthanc with Treebeard's voice. We hear it before we see him. I always noted that point in FotR for some reason.
I think hearing Saruman before seeing him is very effective. After all, it is his voice that is supposed to retain its power even after he has lost everything else (especially in the book version). He has a very resonant, commanding voice that is quite different from Gandalf’s. Just one of the many differences between them!
2. 229. We get an aerial shot of the land surrounding Isengard, green with trees and grass. Later we see that same area devastated and dead from Saruman's work.
This shot not only sets up the devastation we see later, but it is vital that we see Isengard as something that wouldn’t initially threaten or alarm Gandalf. It was built by the Men of West in ages, past, too, so for movie-firsters it is nice for them to see Isengard pretty much as it should have been before Saruman goes off the deep end.
3. 233. There are crows circling Orthanc when Gandalf first arrives (already being gathered and on duty).
Very interesting, and something I don’t think I ever noticed before. I wonder if Gandalf may have noticed, even subconsciously. Of course, in the book Radagast is involved and uses the birds and beasts to send messages, so Gandalf may not have thought anything of it in that case. In the movies, however; there is no real reason for crows to be circling. See number 4…
4. 234. Gandalf doesn’t put his staff down when at Isengard (like he does at Bag End and Rivendell)… instinctively knew he needed to keep it close?
Perhaps it was Gandalf’s subconscious. Who knows? I’m glad he had it, though. At least he did some damage!
5. 235. Saruman has specimens in liquid-filled jars. Was he already experimenting to create his Uruk-hai?
Eww. I mean, double eeww. I think I chose to ignore this little tidbit the first few times I
saw the movie.
6. As always, your faves from this scene are welcome and appreciated! My personal one from the list is that Gandalf’s pipe is in his staff. I had no idea!
This weekly post uses the Geeky Observation Lists compiled and maintained by our very own grammaboodawg to springboard discussions. The Geeky Observation Lists can be found here, and they are pretty comprehensive. Gramma would like you to know that if you would like to add a missed observation you should feel free to PM her or put it in your subject line and she’ll snag it. She just asks that “nitpicky, negative, or inconsistent/continuity problem items” are not offered (please see her introduction).
Thank you all for responding, lurking or just giving us a peek. I continue to solicit suggestions and ideas for improving this discussion. Please don’t hesitate to tell me here or send me a pm! Thank you very much. Until next week…Geek out!
