The Barrel Scene:
The actors playing the dwarves, as well as Mr. Freeman, Peter Jackson's assistant on set, and Mr. Jackson himself are discussing the scene in between several takes.
Fili, resting his elbows on his barrel (from the inside) as it bobs and lists slightly, next to several other full barrels, loosely roped together: "If 'somebody' doesn't make up his mind to figure this out and shoot for the last time, I'm cutting this blasted barrel loose and using Bifur's harpoon-axe-thing to paddle right out of here."
Balin, dangling his legs over the edge of the platform, and watching Jackson sitting with head in hands while perched on an empty barrel behind the set:
"Don't worry, he'll make up his mind any minute. You can see the wheels turning behind his eyes."
Kili, balancing on the side of his barrel and rolling it with his feet all over the platform:
"So that's how he got that idea for Saruman in the E.E."
The assistant is peering nervously over the edge at the choppy waves and at the barrels bouncing around and tilting at crazy angles. He muttered something to Jackson, who replied loudly:
"I didn't say anything about making it deeper."
Bombur sidled over to the assistant, (who quickly moved several inches back from the edge):
"You sound like you know something but . . ."
The assistant, in a loud stage whisper:
"Hush!" Then "out loud": "You can discuss that with your union rep."
Bilbo, wistfully; trying desperately to remain in character:
"Oh where is Gandalf when we need him most."
Thorin:
"The heck with that tattered, blue-hatted meddler. Give me Radagast or give me Death!"
Dori, from deep inside his barrel, stuck in the water between Ori's and Nori's:
"So you think that overgrown Brownie, and a bunch of bunnies hopping around scattering magical herbs and singing the theme from "Never Cry Wolf" would be more help?"
Bilbo, plaintively: "And what about the book?"
Thorin:
"I don't see the problem. It's accurate enough for me!"
Enter Howard Shore who consults with Jackson and the ever more nervous assistant.
Jackson: What do the two of you think about bringing a few lost Rohirrim into the scene; you know, to give it a more multicultural feel. And continuity, you know . . ."
Shore: "Sure, if I can push the "norse" theme into the surreal!"
Scene fades to black--a trifle too soon--as several soft splooshes followed by frantic splashing and flailing noises are heard in the background, followed by shouts of "Where's my union rep" and "that's not a towel that's Bifur's beard."
Curtain.
- You can see the wheels turning behind his eyes
- Give me Radagast or give me Death!
- I didn't say anything about making it deeper
- You sound like you know something but
- sure, if I can push the "norse" theme into the surreal
- It's accurate enough for me
]
