The Insect that flew to Gandalf in the movie..?? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

01-06-2002, 03:38 AM

When Gandalf was held prison on top of the Orthanc by Saruman....a butterfly or flying insect came to him. What was that creature....this happened before Gandalf escapes on the eagle(galadhir)Thanks,

Elrian · 01-06-2002, 06:57 AM

It was supposed to be a moth.

Elanor · 01-06-2002, 07:13 AM

I thought it was a butterfly or a moth. A very nice little moment I thought - we saw the scale and enormity of Orthanc, the skill and wisdom of Gandalf, and the willingness of the natural world to help Gandalf. It was also a neat contrast of the beautiful butterfly and the horrors going on below.

Rose, the youngest · 01-06-2002, 08:32 AM

It was a moth actually. I was guessing it to be a Lunar Moth, becuase of the anteana. Did I spell that right? Did you notice that he spoke to the moth? The effect really brought to life the terrible things that where happening underneath the tower.

Maeglin · 01-06-2002, 08:49 AM

I liked that scene with the flying moth.

01-06-2002, 12:10 PM

In the book, Gandalf is rescued by chance by an eagle sent by Radagast the Brown, a wizard who has "much lore of herbs and beasts, and birds are especially his friends". The moth encapsulated Radagast in a tidy little cameo.

peregrine · 01-08-2002, 10:50 PM

i like the idea that amongst all this power and glory, albeit corrupted, a tiny element of nature comes to Gandalf's aid. Another interpretation of the scene could be that the moth/butterfly acted as a messenger for Gandalf, passing news of his urgent need as a whisper through the flying animal kingdom until it finally reached the eagles. Is it clear what Gandalf said to it? Could it have been "Find Thorondor, he'll know what to do?"

01-09-2002, 12:19 AM

Who or what is Thorondor......???

Eowyn of Ithilien · 01-09-2002, 03:37 AM

Thorondor's the Eagle that rescued Gandalf

Elrian · 01-09-2002, 05:00 AM

Thoronder was the mighty eagle of the first Age, Gwahir is the eagle who rescued Gandalf.

01-09-2002, 09:13 AM

Elrian is correct: it was gwahir the wind-lord. And I was kind-of hoping that the moth would rescue Gandalf!

shieldmaiden · 01-09-2002, 11:48 AM

The silence of the lembas:

Maeglin · 01-09-2002, 02:14 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by peregrine: i like the idea that amongst all this power and glory, albeit corrupted, a tiny element of nature comes to Gandalf's aid. Another interpretation of the scene could be that the moth/butterfly acted as a messenger for Gandalf, passing news of his urgent need as a whisper through the flying animal kingdom until it finally reached the eagles. Is it clear what Gandalf said to it? Could it have been "Find Thorondor, he'll know what to do?"<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Exactly!!!!

Elrian · 01-10-2002, 12:30 AM

It's amazing what Middle earth Moths can do![ January 10, 2002: Message edited by: Elrian ]

Elendur · 01-10-2002, 12:36 AM

... and how smart passing-by foxes can be.

Durin's Bane · 01-16-2002, 08:10 PM

The last two words Gandalf said to the moth sounded alot like "Gwahir go!"

01-06-2002, 03:38 AM	#1
archangel00 Guest Posts: n/a	The Insect that flew to Gandalf in the movie..?? When Gandalf was held prison on top of the Orthanc by Saruman....a butterfly or flying insect came to him. <P>What was that creature....this happened before Gandalf escapes on the eagle(galadhir)<P>Thanks,

01-06-2002, 06:57 AM	#2
Elrian Eldar Spirit of Truth Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Land of the FREE, Home of the BRAVE Posts: 794	It was supposed to be a moth. __________________ ~Call me a relic, call me what you will. Say I'm old fashioned , say I'm over the hill. That old whine ain't got no soul. I'll stick to Old Toby and a Hobbit hole.~

01-06-2002, 07:13 AM	#3
Elanor Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: my own corner of the Shire Posts: 316	I thought it was a butterfly or a moth. A very nice little moment I thought - we saw the scale and enormity of Orthanc, the skill and wisdom of Gandalf, and the willingness of the natural world to help Gandalf. It was also a neat contrast of the beautiful butterfly and the horrors going on below. __________________ "When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading." Henny Youngman (1906 - )

01-06-2002, 08:32 AM	#4
Rose, the youngest Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: here, for now. Posts: 25	It was a moth actually. I was guessing it to be a Lunar Moth, becuase of the anteana. Did I spell that right? Did you notice that he spoke to the moth? The effect really brought to life the terrible things that where happening underneath the tower. __________________ here in the realms of fantacy do i find my only escape from the harsh realities of the real world.

01-06-2002, 08:49 AM	#5
Maeglin Wight Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Nan Elmoth Posts: 136	I liked that scene with the flying moth. __________________ The fool speaks of what he knows. The wise knows what he speaks of.

01-06-2002, 12:10 PM	#6
Baillie From Bree Guest Posts: n/a	In the book, Gandalf is rescued by chance by an eagle sent by Radagast the Brown, a wizard who has "much lore of herbs and beasts, and birds are especially his friends". The moth encapsulated Radagast in a tidy little cameo.

01-08-2002, 10:50 PM	#7
peregrine Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 25	i like the idea that amongst all this power and glory, albeit corrupted, a tiny element of nature comes to Gandalf's aid. Another interpretation of the scene could be that the moth/butterfly acted as a messenger for Gandalf, passing news of his urgent need as a whisper through the flying animal kingdom until it finally reached the eagles. Is it clear what Gandalf said to it? Could it have been "Find Thorondor, he'll know what to do?"

01-09-2002, 12:19 AM	#8
archangel00 Guest Posts: n/a	Who or what is Thorondor......???

01-09-2002, 03:37 AM	#9
Eowyn of Ithilien Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 277	Thorondor's the Eagle that rescued Gandalf __________________ But of bliss and glad life there is little to be said, before it ends; as works fair and wonderful, while still they endure for eyes to see, are their own record, and only when they are in peril or broken for ever do they pass into song.

01-09-2002, 05:00 AM	#10
Elrian Eldar Spirit of Truth Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Land of the FREE, Home of the BRAVE Posts: 794	Thoronder was the mighty eagle of the first Age, Gwahir is the eagle who rescued Gandalf. __________________ ~Call me a relic, call me what you will. Say I'm old fashioned , say I'm over the hill. That old whine ain't got no soul. I'll stick to Old Toby and a Hobbit hole.~

01-09-2002, 09:13 AM	#11
rhudladion Guest Posts: n/a	Elrian is correct: it was gwahir the wind-lord. And I was kind-of hoping that the moth would rescue Gandalf!

01-09-2002, 11:48 AM	#12
shieldmaiden Wight Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: oblivion Posts: 103	The silence of the lembas:<P> __________________ Huonya harya vanyë heni yassen sila i eleni! :)

01-09-2002, 02:14 PM	#13
Maeglin Wight Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Nan Elmoth Posts: 136	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by peregrine:<BR><STRONG>i like the idea that amongst all this power and glory, albeit corrupted, a tiny element of nature comes to Gandalf's aid. Another interpretation of the scene could be that the moth/butterfly acted as a messenger for Gandalf, passing news of his urgent need as a whisper through the flying animal kingdom until it finally reached the eagles. Is it clear what Gandalf said to it? Could it have been "Find Thorondor, he'll know what to do?"</STRONG><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Exactly!!!! __________________ The fool speaks of what he knows. The wise knows what he speaks of.

01-10-2002, 12:30 AM	#14
Elrian Eldar Spirit of Truth Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Land of the FREE, Home of the BRAVE Posts: 794	It's amazing what Middle earth Moths can do!<p>[ January 10, 2002: Message edited by: Elrian ] __________________ ~Call me a relic, call me what you will. Say I'm old fashioned , say I'm over the hill. That old whine ain't got no soul. I'll stick to Old Toby and a Hobbit hole.~

01-10-2002, 12:36 AM	#15
Elendur Wight Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Arnor Posts: 200	... and how smart passing-by foxes can be. __________________ Son of Isildur.

01-16-2002, 08:10 PM	#16
Durin's Bane Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: California Posts: 14	The last two words Gandalf said to the moth sounded alot like "Gwahir go!"