Why Legolas? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

08-19-2005, 09:27 PM

There's been a question nagging me ever since I saw the Fellowship a few years back for the first time. During the "Mirror of Galadriel" scene, Frodo looks in the water and sees (in order) Legolas, Merry and Pippin, Sam, and then the (possible) Scouring of the Shire. Now, I get why they're all depressed (obviously indicative of Frodo's potential failure and Sauron's success), but here's what bothers me: why Legolas? If I remember right, he had no purpose in the Scouring in the book, so why should he be shown in a scene about the Scouring?

To further add to this question is the lack of change in the Special Edition. Before buying it, I thought they would add shots of the others looking all glum, or at least give some reason for Legolas being there, but that was not to be.

So please, someone give me a good answer: why Legolas?

radagastly · 08-19-2005, 10:28 PM

Welcome to the 'Downs!

If you're referring to the shots I think you're referring to, then I understand your confusion. The gloomy stares at Frodo during the Mirror of Galadriel scene actually refer not to the Scouring of the Shire, but to an earlier scene in Lothlorien. When they first enter the edge of the woods, and are captured by Haldir and his cohorts, Haldir turns to Frodo and says, "You bring great evil here. You can go no further." Galadriel says the same thing inside Frodo's head a little later. Then later, Aragorn and Legolas are trying to persuade Haldir to take them in, to keep them safe from the orcs pursuing from Moria, and Frodo looks around at his companions, and they stare back at him as if it's his fault that they won't be let into safety in Lorien. I think it's meant to show a certain level of guilt and paranoia building in Frodo, a sign that the ring is taking hold of his thoughts. The same shots are repeated in the mirror, and then lead directly into seeing the EYE etc. It was a good idea, that didn't quite work for me. I don't know why.

Gurthang · 08-19-2005, 11:14 PM

Yeah, I also thought it was odd that Legolas was included. I believe that Boromir, and maybe Gimli, were shown when they were actually in Lorien, but they weren't included in the Mirror scene. Legolas and the Hobbits were chosen to be in the Mirror. But why? I really don't know. It would make more sense to show Boromir's disappointment, since he wants the Ring to go to Gondor. Legolas just doesn't seem the type to really blame Frodo for any of the events that might occur.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 08-20-2005, 09:14 AM

I'd noticed that too. If it was to do with Legolas and Aragorn trying to negotiate with Haldir, then why didn't they show 'Gorn?

I'd have preferred it if they showed Boromir in his place. I don't think the Boromir heel turn (wrestling terminology

) was subtle enough. I liked the scene on Caradhras where he picks up the Ring (which Frodo dropped....how exactly?) but I didn't like Galadriel's line - He will try to take the Ring - or Boromir's mad snuffling on the boat which, conveniently, only Frodo noticed. A bit forced, but it was still alright.

Maybe the Legolas shot was designed simply to get more Legolas in the film. Because he's hot stuff.

Might just be that.

MatthewM · 06-23-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim

I'd have preferred it if they showed Boromir in his place. I don't think the Boromir heel turn (wrestling terminology

) was subtle enough. I liked the scene on Caradhras where he picks up the Ring (which Frodo dropped....how exactly?) but I didn't like Galadriel's line - He will try to take the Ring - or Boromir's mad snuffling on the boat which, conveniently, only Frodo noticed. A bit forced, but it was still alright.

I also disagree with the above statement. This is straying from the topic, but Boromir never turned "heel" or bad. He was just influenced by the Ring. It was the Ring that played on his thoughts. I could go on about this. The scene in the boat is good, seeing as how it is the same way Boromir acted in the book. His eyes were fixed on Frodo, and Pippin notices. It wasn't forced.

The Only Real Estel · 06-23-2006, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewM

I also disagree with the above statement. This is straying from the topic, but Boromir never turned "heel" or bad. He was just influenced by the Ring. It was the Ring that played on his thoughts. I could go on about this. The scene in the boat is good, seeing as how it is the same way Boromir acted in the book. His eyes were fixed on Frodo, and Pippin notices. It wasn't forced.

True on the "influencing" topic - I don't think too many of us would disagree with you there.

But in film there's a pretty big difference between Boromir's eyes being "fixed" on Frodo & Boromir leaning heavily on the boat sniffing and gasping up a storm. And if Pippin notices his behavior in the books, surely his more obvious behavior in the movies would not have gone unnoticed by all but Frodo. I think that's what Eomer was trying to say there.

Not a scene that bothers me terribly (Galadriel's give-away does more), but I can definitly see where Eomer is coming from.

Dûrbelethwen · 08-20-2005, 10:46 AM

I do not know why either because I saw the Fellowship of the Ring extended version first, then the Two Towers theatrical version, then read the books ( I was in the middle of the Hobbit when the Two Towers came out) so I did not get emotionally attached to Legolas's character until the Two Towers, so his appearance would not have had any significant meaning for me.

The Only Real Estel · 08-28-2005, 05:17 PM

I assumed (once I saw the EE) that they reshowed Legolas' (and some of the others') expression that we saw earlier just outside of Lorien because they wanted to get the 'things that were' side of the Mirror's power across to us.

10-19-2005, 02:27 PM

If you look at the book, doesn't it say something about 'one by one it will destroy them all' in that scene? So I think it should have shown the rest of the Fellowship as well as the hobbits and Legolas.

But if the scene was about corruption, it brings us back to Why Legolas? After Aragorn, he's the least likely to be corrupted!

Boromir88 · 10-19-2005, 03:27 PM

Quote:

I'd have preferred it if they showed Boromir in his place. I don't think the Boromir heel turn (wrestling terminology ) was subtle enough. I liked the scene on Caradhras where he picks up the Ring (which Frodo dropped....how exactly?) but I didn't like Galadriel's line - He will try to take the Ring - or Boromir's mad snuffling on the boat which, conveniently, only Frodo noticed. A bit forced, but it was still alright.~Eomer

I concur!

Quote:

If you look at the book, doesn't it say something about 'one by one it will destroy them all' in that scene?~random elf

Firstly, welcome to the downs, I hope you enjoy it here. Now onto the thread...

I don't think that line's in there. It's said by Galadriel in the movies, but there's no mention of her saying anyone is being corrupted. We get a really strong sense that Galadriel knows what people the Fellowship is thinking (especially Boromir and Aragorn), and there is plenty of mention that it seems as if she's tested them with their very desires, but as far as saying everyone's being corrupted, I think that's just in the movies.

Quote:

But if the scene was about corruption, it brings us back to Why Legolas? After Aragorn, he's the least likely to be corrupted!

I will be up for a debate over that!

SunniGadi · 10-19-2005, 05:46 PM

Everyone in the fellowship was corrupted, because they were mortals and they had their mortal needs and wants. I can only think of one thing to put Legolas in that scene; to give Orlando more air time. He doesn't have a real big air time/speaking part in Fellowship, and so maybe they just tried to get him in a bit more, to show that he was "a part of the group" and not completely detached, because he wasn't. He was just a big observer in Fellowship and then acted upon his observations in Two Towers.

I was really sad they didn't put the falling of the Shire in the movies and the glory Merry and Pippin got for saving everyone. Or that Pippin and Merry grew when they were with Treebeard....or Tom Bombadil...

12-10-2005, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bandito Bill

There's been a question nagging me ever since I saw the Fellowship a few years back for the first time. During the "Mirror of Galadriel" scene, Frodo looks in the water and sees (in order) Legolas, Merry and Pippin, Sam, and then the (possible) Scouring of the Shire. Now, I get why they're all depressed (obviously indicative of Frodo's potential failure and Sauron's success), but here's what bothers me: why Legolas? If I remember right, he had no purpose in the Scouring in the book, so why should he be shown in a scene about the Scouring?

To further add to this question is the lack of change in the Special Edition. Before buying it, I thought they would add shots of the others looking all glum, or at least give some reason for Legolas being there, but that was not to be.

So please, someone give me a good answer: why Legolas?

I think it is because Legolas seems to be too perfect in the movie. For some reason they make him shine more than anyone else in the movie, and this is just another piece of the oddness of having Legolas so popular for no particular reason. They make him too powerfull in everything, so why not make him even more popular in the movie

!

Legolas in spandex · 03-06-2006, 07:41 PM

Ah geez, I've actually wondered that myself, but there is propably no deep or "good" reason other than that is the way the director saw it because , I dunoo, maybe he had been talking to Orlando Bloom all day so that's what came to mind. If I have to give a good reason though, maybe they were in order of those who would be least able to help him in his greatest time of need. That may be a bad answer, but that's all I got.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 06-19-2006, 12:26 PM

The question Why Legolas? is also relevant in the battle at the Black Gate. It looks as though Aragorn is about to be crushed by the troll, and we get a couple of shots of Legolas-in-slow-motion doing a classic Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

Why Legolas?

Flame_of_Udûn · 06-20-2006, 12:35 AM

I'm not sure why Legolas was in the mirror but I have some thoughts on the Legolas / Aragorn / Boromir death scene. After watching the director's commentary for FOTR, it seems like PJ wanted to make Legolas (immortal elf) look surprised and not able to comprehend death. This can be seen after Gandalf's death as well.

06-20-2006, 12:52 AM

i think that legolas being in the mirror seeing that frodo failed represents all the elven kind which sauron hates and he wants to destroy them remember it was the evles fault that sauron made his ring

08-19-2005, 09:27 PM	#1
Bandito Bill Guest Posts: n/a	Why Legolas? There's been a question nagging me ever since I saw the Fellowship a few years back for the first time. During the "Mirror of Galadriel" scene, Frodo looks in the water and sees (in order) Legolas, Merry and Pippin, Sam, and then the (possible) Scouring of the Shire. Now, I get why they're all depressed (obviously indicative of Frodo's potential failure and Sauron's success), but here's what bothers me: why Legolas? If I remember right, he had no purpose in the Scouring in the book, so why should he be shown in a scene about the Scouring? To further add to this question is the lack of change in the Special Edition. Before buying it, I thought they would add shots of the others looking all glum, or at least give some reason for Legolas being there, but that was not to be. So please, someone give me a good answer: why Legolas?

08-19-2005, 10:28 PM	#2
radagastly Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Washington, D. C., USA Posts: 299	Welcome to the 'Downs! If you're referring to the shots I think you're referring to, then I understand your confusion. The gloomy stares at Frodo during the Mirror of Galadriel scene actually refer not to the Scouring of the Shire, but to an earlier scene in Lothlorien. When they first enter the edge of the woods, and are captured by Haldir and his cohorts, Haldir turns to Frodo and says, "You bring great evil here. You can go no further." Galadriel says the same thing inside Frodo's head a little later. Then later, Aragorn and Legolas are trying to persuade Haldir to take them in, to keep them safe from the orcs pursuing from Moria, and Frodo looks around at his companions, and they stare back at him as if it's his fault that they won't be let into safety in Lorien. I think it's meant to show a certain level of guilt and paranoia building in Frodo, a sign that the ring is taking hold of his thoughts. The same shots are repeated in the mirror, and then lead directly into seeing the EYE etc. It was a good idea, that didn't quite work for me. I don't know why. __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before, I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.

08-19-2005, 11:14 PM	#3
Gurthang Sword of Spirit Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Oh, I'm around. Posts: 1,401	Yeah, I also thought it was odd that Legolas was included. I believe that Boromir, and maybe Gimli, were shown when they were actually in Lorien, but they weren't included in the Mirror scene. Legolas and the Hobbits were chosen to be in the Mirror. But why? I really don't know. It would make more sense to show Boromir's disappointment, since he wants the Ring to go to Gondor. Legolas just doesn't seem the type to really blame Frodo for any of the events that might occur. __________________ I'm on a Mission from God. Last edited by Gurthang; 06-26-2006 at 05:48 AM.

08-20-2005, 09:14 AM	#4
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	I'd noticed that too. If it was to do with Legolas and Aragorn trying to negotiate with Haldir, then why didn't they show 'Gorn? I'd have preferred it if they showed Boromir in his place. I don't think the Boromir heel turn (wrestling terminology ) was subtle enough. I liked the scene on Caradhras where he picks up the Ring (which Frodo dropped....how exactly?) but I didn't like Galadriel's line - He will try to take the Ring - or Boromir's mad snuffling on the boat which, conveniently, only Frodo noticed. A bit forced, but it was still alright. Maybe the Legolas shot was designed simply to get more Legolas in the film. Because he's hot stuff. Might just be that. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

10-19-2005, 05:46 PM	#11
SunniGadi Animated Skeleton Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Massachusetts. Yay. Posts: 26	Everyone in the fellowship was corrupted, because they were mortals and they had their mortal needs and wants. I can only think of one thing to put Legolas in that scene; to give Orlando more air time. He doesn't have a real big air time/speaking part in Fellowship, and so maybe they just tried to get him in a bit more, to show that he was "a part of the group" and not completely detached, because he wasn't. He was just a big observer in Fellowship and then acted upon his observations in Two Towers. I was really sad they didn't put the falling of the Shire in the movies and the glory Merry and Pippin got for saving everyone. Or that Pippin and Merry grew when they were with Treebeard....or Tom Bombadil... __________________ ~~~~~~~~~ Stuff should go here. It might eventually.

08-20-2005, 10:46 AM	#7
Dûrbelethwen Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 80	I do not know why either because I saw the Fellowship of the Ring extended version first, then the Two Towers theatrical version, then read the books ( I was in the middle of the Hobbit when the Two Towers came out) so I did not get emotionally attached to Legolas's character until the Two Towers, so his appearance would not have had any significant meaning for me.

08-28-2005, 05:17 PM	#8
The Only Real Estel Raffish Rapscallion Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-( Posts: 2,835	I assumed (once I saw the EE) that they reshowed Legolas' (and some of the others') expression that we saw earlier just outside of Lorien because they wanted to get the 'things that were' side of the Mirror's power across to us.

10-19-2005, 02:27 PM	#9
random elf 800 Guest Posts: n/a	If you look at the book, doesn't it say something about 'one by one it will destroy them all' in that scene? So I think it should have shown the rest of the Fellowship as well as the hobbits and Legolas. But if the scene was about corruption, it brings us back to Why Legolas? After Aragorn, he's the least likely to be corrupted!

03-06-2006, 07:41 PM	#13
Legolas in spandex Wight Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 102	Ah geez, I've actually wondered that myself, but there is propably no deep or "good" reason other than that is the way the director saw it because , I dunoo, maybe he had been talking to Orlando Bloom all day so that's what came to mind. If I have to give a good reason though, maybe they were in order of those who would be least able to help him in his greatest time of need. That may be a bad answer, but that's all I got. __________________ "I want to die in my sleep, like my grandfather... not screaming and yelling like the passengers in his car."

06-19-2006, 12:26 PM	#14
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	Bringin it back The question Why Legolas? is also relevant in the battle at the Black Gate. It looks as though Aragorn is about to be crushed by the troll, and we get a couple of shots of Legolas-in-slow-motion doing a classic Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! Why Legolas? __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

06-20-2006, 12:35 AM	#15
Flame_of_Udûn Pile O'Bones Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Moria Posts: 12	I'm not sure why Legolas was in the mirror but I have some thoughts on the Legolas / Aragorn / Boromir death scene. After watching the director's commentary for FOTR, it seems like PJ wanted to make Legolas (immortal elf) look surprised and not able to comprehend death. This can be seen after Gandalf's death as well.

06-20-2006, 12:52 AM	#16
DarkLordSauron Guest Posts: n/a	legolas in the mirror i think that legolas being in the mirror seeing that frodo failed represents all the elven kind which sauron hates and he wants to destroy them remember it was the evles fault that sauron made his ring