What Happened to the Horses? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Peregrin Took · 07-14-2008, 07:28 PM

Upon watching The Return of the King with my friends tonight, we noticed something we never did prior. Before the Battle of the Black Gate, when Aragorn gives his speech to his men, they are all on horses. Then, once they all charge for battle, their horses are gone!

It took us years to notice it, so it's not a big deal. However, it's pretty interesting nonetheless. Has anybody else noticed this?

Morthoron · 07-14-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peregrin Took

Upon watching The Return of the King with my friends tonight, we noticed something we never did prior. Before the Battle of the Black Gate, when Aragorn gives his speech to his men, they are all on horses. Then, once they all charge for battle, their horses are gone!

It took us years to notice it, so it's not a big deal. However, it's pretty interesting nonetheless. Has anybody else noticed this?

Not only do the horses disappear at the Black Gate, but the Elves completely disappear after the Battle of Helms Deep! Chalk them up to stellar editing, Peregrin.

Nerwen · 07-14-2008, 08:05 PM

I never noticed that!

It's not unusual for films to have major continuity errors, though.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 07-15-2008, 12:02 AM

Yeah, I remember that being remarked upon when the film first came out. That and a few other bloopers.

Bêthberry · 07-15-2008, 10:08 AM

I think the disappearance of the horses is explained in some recondite, apocalyptic text where it is explained how the cats of Queen Beruthiel came and spooked the horses. It is apparently going to be made clear in a bridge film when the Silm is eventually filmed, the script to be written by the production crew.

Morthoron · 07-15-2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

I think the disappearance of the horses is explained in some recondite, apocalyptic text where it is explained how the cats of Queen Beruthiel came and spooked the horses.

Perhaps they all followed Fatty Lumpkin and eventually strayed back to Tom Bombadil.

Rune Son of Bjarne · 07-15-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerwen

It's not unusual for films to have major continuity errors, though.

Indeed, but what if we had to explain the disapearence of the horses within the framework of the film. . .

What good explanation would there be?

Boo Radley · 09-23-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peregrin Took

Upon watching The Return of the King with my friends tonight, we noticed something we never did prior. Before the Battle of the Black Gate, when Aragorn gives his speech to his men, they are all on horses. Then, once they all charge for battle, their horses are gone!

It took us years to notice it, so it's not a big deal. However, it's pretty interesting nonetheless. Has anybody else noticed this?

That's funny. I also watched ROTK over the weekend and even though I've seen the film several times, this was the first time I'd realized the horses had disappeared.
I wonder what the reasoning was behind the move?
I don't have the director's cut. Maybe there's something there that explains it?

Blokdog · 09-23-2008, 12:22 PM

I don't know anything about those horses, but about the elves is said in the lord of the rings: weapons and warfare ( the more or less"official"movie book ) that they all died in that battle...

Morthoron · 09-23-2008, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blokdog

I don't know anything about those horses, but about the elves is said in the lord of the rings: weapons and warfare ( the more or less"official"movie book ) that they all died in that battle...

My, that's...convenient. But then again, considering they had to go through miles of enemy-held territory (they probably followed the double-nought secret route Elrond took to deliver Anduril to Aragorn), and that Galadriel and Celeborn gladly surrendered a portion of their force that was sorely needed in protecting Lothlorien from imminent attack, I guess one more preposterous fabrication couldn't hurt.

Boo Radley · 09-23-2008, 07:15 PM

But how do you really feel about it, Morthorond?

07-14-2008, 07:28 PM	#1
Peregrin Took Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Shire Posts: 38	What Happened to the Horses? Upon watching The Return of the King with my friends tonight, we noticed something we never did prior. Before the Battle of the Black Gate, when Aragorn gives his speech to his men, they are all on horses. Then, once they all charge for battle, their horses are gone! It took us years to notice it, so it's not a big deal. However, it's pretty interesting nonetheless. Has anybody else noticed this? __________________ "I am not a fighter. But it would be politer in any case for the challenger to say who he is." Formerly MatthewM, joined Jun 2006.

07-14-2008, 08:05 PM	#3
Nerwen Wisest of the Noldor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: ˙˙˙ssɐןƃ ƃuıʞooן ǝɥʇ ɥƃnoɹɥʇ Posts: 6,694	I never noticed that! It's not unusual for films to have major continuity errors, though. __________________ "Even Nerwen wasn't evil in the beginning." –Elmo.

07-15-2008, 12:02 AM	#4
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	Yeah, I remember that being remarked upon when the film first came out. That and a few other bloopers. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

07-15-2008, 10:08 AM	#5
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,997	I think the disappearance of the horses is explained in some recondite, apocalyptic text where it is explained how the cats of Queen Beruthiel came and spooked the horses. It is apparently going to be made clear in a bridge film when the Silm is eventually filmed, the script to be written by the production crew. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

09-23-2008, 07:15 PM	#11
Boo Radley Wight Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio. Believe it or not. Posts: 145	But how do you really feel about it, Morthorond? __________________ Don't believe everything you read on the interwebs. That's how World War 1 got started!

09-23-2008, 12:22 PM	#9
Blokdog Pile O'Bones Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 15	I don't know anything about those horses, but about the elves is said in the lord of the rings: weapons and warfare ( the more or less"official"movie book ) that they all died in that battle...