Screencap of the Day -- "one of the finest moments in film-making"

weaver

weaver

Half-elven
There are a lot of great images in this section, but since my husband, a non-book reader, once told me that the image below was "one of the finest moments in film-making", I thought this one deserved to be pulled out of the heap:

butterburandsword.jpg


Questions:

1. Do you agree that this is this screencap is a fine moment of film making? Why or why not?

2. What are the elements of this shot that make it work -- or not work -- for you?

3. Tolkien wrote that the Nazguls' strongest weapon was fear -- did Jackson accurately depict this?

4. In Jackson, as well as in Bakshi, and in the unfilmed Zimmerman script, the Nazgul physically fight with our heroes as well as shriek/scream -- these are non-book additions that Tolkien strongly objected to in his comments on the Zimmerman script. What do you think? Are the Nazgul scariest when silent? Was Jackson wrong to have Aragorn physically fight them later on at Weathertop? Do the Nazgul lose their power as a device by putting them in a more active role on screen?

5. Other comments?
 
1. Do you agree that this is this screencap is a fine moment of film making? Why or why not?

I certainly agree with your husband that this is a fine moment in film making, and one of my favorite moments of the film. In a recent SCOD the scene discussed was when the four hobbits hide under the log from the ringwraith right above them. Almost everyone agreed that the scene worked well at creating a sense of foreboding, even for those who didn't know what was happening. I agree, and I think that this scene builds on that one and takes it up to a whole new level. In the first scene, we see the big, scary wraith specifically going after the small, helpless hobbits who are quite naturally afraid of him. But Jackson hints that the wraith's powers extend beyond mere physical intimidation by showing the worms and bugs wriggling out of the earth and fleeing at his approach. In this scene we experience the full effect of the wraith's presence on those around them. Butterbur, a man who we know is used to overseeing and controlling a bar full of seedy and potentially dangerous people, is reduced to helplessly quivering behind the bar in abject terror at their mere approach, and they aren't even going after him! Now we finally understand what the hobbits are really up against. This scene gives me the chills every time.

2. What are the elements of this shot that make it work -- or not work -- for you?

I love many things about this shot. First, I think credit should be given to David Weatherley (the actor who played Barliman Butterbur) for doing an outstanding job here conveying the terror his character was experiencing. The way his eyes look up before he squeezes them shut tight as almost like a child who is praying that it is all just a bad dream he is trapped in. I really feel how deeply afraid Butterbur is here, in just those few moments. Also, I think it is very effective how Jackson made the wraiths so silent throughout this scene. In the earlier scene, the wraith made lots of clanking, banging, and thudding as he dismounted and crouched. That was very effective for that scene, as we could imagine the hobbits hearing all that behind them and wondering what awful creature approached them. Here we see how deadly silent the wraiths can be when they want. I also like how swiftly and purposefully they seem to move in this scene. They have one goal and nothing will stand in their way. My favorite part is probably how we see the swords going past behind Butterbur, one after the other in close succession. The swords seem so long and deadly. It is a beautifully composed shot, and the angle makes you feel like you are hiding behind the bar with Butterbur, just hoping they won't see you or stop.

3. Tolkien wrote that the Nazguls' strongest weapon was fear -- did Jackson accurately depict this?

Absolutely. In fact, I think Jackson must have been keenly aware that Tolkien wrote that and made a great effort to bring it across on screen. In my opinion, he succeeded. Not only do we see the effect the Nazgul have on the characters in the movie, they also give the audience the chills.

4. In Jackson, as well as in Bakshi, and in the unfilmed Zimmerman script, the Nazgul physically fight with our heroes as well as shriek/scream -- these are non-book additions that Tolkien strongly objected to in his comments on the Zimmerman script. What do you think? Are the Nazgul scariest when silent? Was Jackson wrong to have Aragorn physically fight them later on at Weathertop? Do the Nazgul lose their power as a device by putting them in a more active role on screen?

While I find the Nazgul to be most frightening when they are silent, I believe that is because they are most silent when they are on the hunt and closest to their prey. They are therefore at their deadliest when they are silent. I thought the screaming was effective in PJ's version, not only because it was otherwordly and creepy in itself, but because it allowed the filmakers to convey when the Nazgul were angry or excited or surprised. In the book, perfect silence works because we can imagine the Nazgul's reactions ourselves. In the visual medium of film, it probably would have seemed odd to have them perfectly silent all the time. But with the screams, not only does it make their silence scarier, but we realize even more how far these creatures have been twisted from their human origins.

As for the physical fighting, I did not have a problem with it. I think it was obvious that it was not the nature of the Nazgul to pick physical confrontation. They prefer to use the other powers at there disposal, such as rendering those around them helpless with fear. In the case of Weathertop, they did not intend to "fight", just go in and take the ring from the helpless hobbits. They seemed surprised and annoyed when they encountered even the tiniest bit of resistance from Frodo, they were so used to getting what they wanted without having to do anything but show up and take it. It is only then that Frodo is stabbed with the Morgul blade, since once he is a wraith himself he obviously won't be able to resist them. It is only when Aragorn ambushes them and catches them off guard that they are forced to fight. I think it made them even more intimidating to realize they could/would fight when cornered, and not just retreat.

As far as Tolkien's objections to these things in the Zimmerman script, I don't wish to second guess him. All I can say is, I think in PJ's film, they worked. Also something else to consider is, the Zimmerman script had so many other problems and issues that Tolkien objected to (and rightfully) that it was probably hard for him to imagine how screeching fighting Nazgul's could possibly come across well on screen. Given other cheesy elements of that (animated) film script, he likely foresaw something similar to the Rankin Bass animated ROTK, with it's skeletal Nazguls with glowing red eyes and screechy, maniacal electronic laughter. Anyone who has seen that "film" will know what I am talking about. For those who haven't I have included a picture, so you can see what Tolkien was envisioning, and fearing when he read that (thankfully) unfilmed script.

5. Other comments

In conclusion, I love this scene!! (The Butterbur one, I mean, not the one below!...No...not the one below...*shudder*)


View attachment

Skeletor, I mean, the Nazgul attacks!
 
since Swan Maiden is a hard act to follow!

Every time I saw this scene on the big screen, the succession of swords made me feel dizzy. I suppose it was the deliberate right to left movement, but after the first three swords I'd actually get the sensation the theater was spinning around me! I don't know if it was just me, a simply optical illusion, or whether this was something PJ intended, to convey the otherworldliness of the Nazgul.

Now, watching the scene on DVD, I can still get a sense of that same spinning movement if I focus tightly on the screen.
 
I have a 10 year old, so the Grimm I'm referring to in my subject line is from a cartoon -- The Grimm Adventures of Billy and Mandy, for those of you who haven't had the "pleasure" of watching this particular waste of time in which the Grim Reaper is a babysitter...

grimm.jpg


Thanks for posting the RB Nazgul -- really puts things in perspective when it comes to realizing just how bad it could have been!
 
Butterbur is dressed in his night-clothes: sleeping cap and tunic. He's crouching beside his front desk: he's been awakened by something in the middle of the night, and has gone to investigate. Undoubtedly he's used to scaring off intruders who'd want to raid his store-room, or make off with the more expensive utensils. He's no coward, and can handle the fear of confrontation.

But this is a feeling that is beyond ordinary fear. He's done a poor job of "hiding" himself, since the Nazgûl could easily spot him if they turned their heads as they go: no, he's not trying to hide. Perhaps he crouched behind the desk to take a peep at his intruders and "size them up" before proceeding - and was suddenly so overwhelmed, that he became nearly petrified with terror! He can't even bring himself to look at these intruders, so great is his fright.

And so as we watch the glint of each sword as it passes behind him, we are shown this burly, courageous innkeekper, reduced to a shuddering, helpless waif.

Yep, this scene works. Trust PJ to know how to depict supernatural fear.
 
First my husband says thanks -- he was pleased to know that others agreed with his take on this scene!

To me there's a hint of "prayer" in Butterbur's expression here -- I know I'd be asking for divine protection if I was him! It's not overt, of course, but that adds to the sense of "evil" that Butterbur's sensing as it goes by him...
 
I think there is definitely an element of prayer. I wonder who he was praying to, Varda perhaps?

You are also welcome for posting up that pick of Granny Grimm (lol). I think it is important to remind myself every so often just how horrible it all could have been, and has been before. It makes the fact that it came out so wonderfully, (and not just "not horrible") that much sweeter.
 
1. Do you agree that this is this screencap is a fine moment of film making? Why or why not?

Absolutely. Overall I thought the Nazgul were more frightening in FOTR than in the rest of the movies, and to me they were most frightening in this scene. More than that though, I found this scene to be oddly beautiful, even when it was scaring the h*ll out of me. Generally I dislike frightening images (why? because I get um… frightened?) and so I generally don’t sit there and want to watch a frightening scene again and again. But actually I did that with this scene. It’s incredible.

2. What are the elements of this shot that make it work -- or not work -- for you?

Everything, it’s perfect. The silence, the music, their arms upheld in that ghastly way, the odd slow motion, those swords silently gliding through the darkness, and the superb acting by David Weatherley (btw, we had a recent thread here about best casting in the films and he was one of my votes. I love his first scene, when the hobbits come in and he says, “Gandalf? Oh, Gandalf, elderly chap, big grey beard, pointy hat (!!) … haven’t seen him in 6 months.” I just laugh out loud every time.)

3. Tolkien wrote that the Nazguls' strongest weapon was fear -- did Jackson accurately depict this?

No, I did not ‘get’ that, upon watching it as a movie firster. The imagery was what I found frightening, e.g., hooded beings with no faces, with what appeared to be some type of supernatural power, brandishing swords and daggers, being relentless and pitiless, riding really evil-looking horses, along with the music, etc. To me it seemed logical that ‘all of the above’ was what was scaring people! But the concept of them actually instilling fear in people, I did not get that.

4. In Jackson, as well as in Bakshi, and in the unfilmed Zimmerman script, the Nazgul physically fight with our heroes as well as shriek/scream -- these are non-book additions that Tolkien strongly objected to in his comments on the Zimmerman script. What do you think? Are the Nazgul scariest when silent? Was Jackson wrong to have Aragorn physically fight them later on at Weathertop? Do the Nazgul lose their power as a device by putting them in a more active role on screen?

Well….. this is an interesting question, because I have noticed and mentioned a few times here that – to me -- the Nazgul start off being really truly frightening in FOTR and then seem less so as the trilogy progresses. So I’m not sure if this might actually be why, because they ran out of ways to keep the fear level ramped up. The fight with Aragorn on Weathertop was frightening, but I think it was because at that point, I still didn’t know what they were all about. And stabbing Frodo was definitely frightening. And painful looking. But by the time later on, that they were swooping in on fell beasts, picking people up and throwing them around, at that point I would describe them as awful and horrible, but somehow not as frightening as in FOTR, maybe because then there had been that element of the unknown.

5. Other comments?

Another question maybe: I’m not sure how they could have conveyed the concept of the Nagzul instilling fear in people just by their presence, without exposition. But I’m wondering why they didn’t just do that, just explain it beforehand. For instance, when Aragorn explains to the hobbits who they were (great kings of men) and who they are now (neither living or dead)… why they didn’t include something there about it.



Great caps this week Weaver, thanks!!
 
The "gothic" feel of it, as PJ stated in the commentary, makes this one as my favorite shot. Howard Shore's music perfectly synchronizes to the visuals making it bone-chilling, haunting and at the same time "beautiful" (the way it was shot).
 
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