The Nation's Favourite Wizard - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lalwendë · 07-09-2007, 07:11 AM

I see that there has been a poll conducted to find which is the UK's favourite wizard. Gandalf won.

Favourite movie wizards
1. Gandalf (The Lord Of The Rings) 44%
2. Dumbledore (Harry Potter) 17%
3. Harry Potter (Harry Potter) 9%
4. Merlin (The Sword in the Stone) 6%
5. The Wizard of Oz (The Wizard of Oz) 2%

Aside from it being a crying shame that Roy Wood was yet again pipped to the post, I like to think Gandalf won as he is the archetypal Wiz. Yes, he is also the style icon for tramps and street drinkers across the length and breadth of the nation, but young Harry just does not possess the facial hair, the hat nor the cloak to cut it in comparison, nor is he old enough to indulge in de rigeur Wiz habits such as drinking and smoking. And a little flicky wand is so wuss compared to a ruddy great staff. Even Dumbledore follows the tramp=wizard formula so earning himself a second place.

Rune Son of Bjarne · 07-09-2007, 07:23 AM

A wizard also has to have that sence of mystery around and preferable talking in riddles at times, Harry does not posess any of these.

For me there is really two Gandalfs. . .Gandalf of The Hobbit and Ganalf of Lord of the Rings. . .wait! Make that tree Gandalfs as we have both the grey and the white.

I think he has more self-confident or at least is more self-praising in The Hobbit and I think that makes him even more interesting and more of a favourit character for me.

radagastly · 07-09-2007, 08:22 AM

Well, at least Bakshi's Gandalf didn't place.

Concerning Harry Potter:

Quote:

However, he's still a wizard in training, so maybe one day his facial hair will be just as spellbinding to cinema audiences.

I'm not sure I'd want to be Daniel Radcliffe if I was still playing Harry Potter when I looked as old and wizened as Sir Ian McKellan or Sir Michael Gambon.

MatthewM · 07-09-2007, 09:56 AM

Of course Gandalf won...he is THE wizard, and he would not suffer otherwise.

the guy who be short · 07-10-2007, 06:38 AM

Ahem...

I actually prefer Dumbledore, as wizards go. There are several reasons, not all of which I know. I'll try to think of a few:

- As funny as Gandalf can be at times, I much prefer Dumbledore's dry sense of humour that permeates more or less everything he says.
- Dumbledore is not grouchy. He is always calm and controlled, whatever the situation.
- He is a human. Gandalf is a Maia. Dumbledore therefore feels that much more accessible and all of that.
- Dumbledore does magic! And rather magnificently, too.

So, feel free to shout.

Lalwendë · 07-10-2007, 06:48 AM

Dumbledore does have the added bonus that he tends to have a bag of sweets on him at all times. And he has that handy Pensieve too.

But Gandalf has Pipe-weed and he could teach you to blow smoke-rings. Now that is cool.

Rune Son of Bjarne · 07-10-2007, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the guy who be short

Ahem...

I actually prefer Dumbledore, as wizards go. There are several reasons, not all of which I know. I'll try to think of a few:

- As funny as Gandalf can be at times, I much prefer Dumbledore's dry sense of humour that permeates more or less everything he says.
- Dumbledore is not grouchy. He is always calm and controlled, whatever the situation.
- He is a human. Gandalf is a Maia. Dumbledore therefore feels that much more accessible and all of that.
- Dumbledore does magic! And rather magnificently, too.

So, feel free to shout.

I would say that the fact that Dumbledore is never grouchy makes him untrustworthy. . .Gandalf seem more human even though he is not.

07-09-2007, 07:11 AM	#1
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	The Nation's Favourite Wizard I see that there has been a poll conducted to find which is the UK's favourite wizard. Gandalf won. Favourite movie wizards 1. Gandalf (The Lord Of The Rings) 44% 2. Dumbledore (Harry Potter) 17% 3. Harry Potter (Harry Potter) 9% 4. Merlin (The Sword in the Stone) 6% 5. The Wizard of Oz (The Wizard of Oz) 2% Aside from it being a crying shame that Roy Wood was yet again pipped to the post, I like to think Gandalf won as he is the archetypal Wiz. Yes, he is also the style icon for tramps and street drinkers across the length and breadth of the nation, but young Harry just does not possess the facial hair, the hat nor the cloak to cut it in comparison, nor is he old enough to indulge in de rigeur Wiz habits such as drinking and smoking. And a little flicky wand is so wuss compared to a ruddy great staff. Even Dumbledore follows the tramp=wizard formula so earning himself a second place. __________________ Gordon's alive!

07-09-2007, 09:56 AM	#4
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	Of course Gandalf won...he is THE wizard, and he would not suffer otherwise. __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

07-10-2007, 06:48 AM	#6
Lalwendë A Mere Boggart Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: under the bed Posts: 4,737	Dumbledore does have the added bonus that he tends to have a bag of sweets on him at all times. And he has that handy Pensieve too. But Gandalf has Pipe-weed and he could teach you to blow smoke-rings. Now that is cool. __________________ Gordon's alive!

07-10-2007, 06:38 AM	#5
the guy who be short Shadowed Prince Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Thulcandra Posts: 2,343	Ahem... I actually prefer Dumbledore, as wizards go. There are several reasons, not all of which I know. I'll try to think of a few: - As funny as Gandalf can be at times, I much prefer Dumbledore's dry sense of humour that permeates more or less everything he says. - Dumbledore is not grouchy. He is always calm and controlled, whatever the situation. - He is a human. Gandalf is a Maia. Dumbledore therefore feels that much more accessible and all of that. - Dumbledore does magic! And rather magnificently, too. So, feel free to shout.