Orc lumberjacks-an inconsitensy? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Sauron 666 · 09-03-2003, 03:49 PM

I'm sure everyone notices the scene early in TTT when the Orcs are camping out and they proceed to cut some trees. Now, I have a problem with this scene since it serves no logical purpose other than to show that trees/ents/hurons don't like having their branches cut Now, we all assume they're cutting branches for a fire but why would orcs build a fire? They knew they were being purused b y the Rohirrim so they wouldn't start a fire because that would attract them. And they don't need fires to cook their food because they don't seem to have an aversion to raw food . They don't seem to need it for warmth either. Just wondering what other peoples thoughts are on this little inconsistensy...(if this is another redudant post of mine i apologize but i couldn't find anything close to this under the search option)

HCIsland · 09-03-2003, 05:20 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Now, I have a problem with this scene since it serves no logical purpose other than to show that trees/ents/hurons don't like having their branches cut. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I believe you answered your own question. Considering it was stuff like this that was the whole reason Ents and Huorns get involved at all, it was important to show it. I know there was more scenes of orcs tearing down trees earlier in the film, but obviously Jackson felt another incident was needed.By the way, they light fires in the book as well.H.C.

The Only Real Estel · 09-03-2003, 05:32 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>They knew they were being purused b y the Rohirrim so they wouldn't start a fire because that would attract them.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Actually, I don't think they knew they were being pursued by anyone other than people that spelled like manflesh. & I don't think they thought Aragorn, Gimli, & Legolas were Rohirrim either. Since he said, "They've picked up our trail!" (at the very start), I'm pretty sure they assumed it was the men they had to fight through to get to the hobbits. As to them lighting the fire in the first place, like HC said, they did it in the book too. & I thought PJ did a good job of explaining the Ents/Hurons anger at the orcs for their branch-cutting antics.

Lord of Angmar · 09-03-2003, 06:35 PM

Even had they known the "strawheads" were pursuing them, a fire would hardly have mattered. A band of horseriding trackers would not pick up or lose the trail of a large, noisy, boot-wearing band of orcs just because of a small fire being kindled.

Finwe · 09-03-2003, 07:24 PM

Either way, they knew that they were being pursued, and with a fire at their back, they had a chance to get a little "refreshments" or what constitute refreshments for an Orc, and thus, fight a little better. I'm applying normal, rational logic to Orcs, so probably, my reasoning will be faulty. *stops babbling and slinks off*

Voralphion · 09-03-2003, 07:52 PM

Plus, even if they didn't need the wood for a fire, which they did, I don't think the orcs would be adverse to a little senseless destruction of the surrounding plant-life.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 09-04-2003, 04:58 AM

It was strange, however, that they could smell Aragorn and co. when they were several hours behind them, yet could not smell the Rohirrim who were but metres away, ready to chop the Uruks into little pieces.

Snowdog · 09-04-2003, 03:16 PM

Good point Sauron 666. Add to your points that green wood don't burn too well anyway. Thats why you find deadwood for fires.

The Only Real Estel · 09-04-2003, 06:47 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>It was strange, however, that they could smell Aragorn and co. when they were several hours behind them, yet could not smell the Rohirrim who were but metres away, ready to chop the Uruks into little pieces. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Perhaps it was because they were preoccupied? I dunno, but that's my only guess.

Estelyn Telcontar · 09-05-2003, 02:22 AM

Maybe the wind was from the back?

davem · 09-05-2003, 02:36 AM

All together now...'I'm an Uruk Hai and I'm OK, I run all night and I run all day

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 09-07-2003, 01:47 PM

I hold on to my belief that the Uruk-hai weren't as stupid as they were made out to be.In the book they were prepared for battle, after all.

09-03-2003, 03:49 PM	#1
Sauron 666 Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 59	Orc lumberjacks-an inconsitensy? I'm sure everyone notices the scene early in TTT when the Orcs are camping out and they proceed to cut some trees. Now, I have a problem with this scene since it serves no logical purpose other than to show that trees/ents/hurons don't like having their branches cut <P>Now, we all assume they're cutting branches for a fire but why would orcs build a fire? They knew they were being purused b y the Rohirrim so they wouldn't start a fire because that would attract them. And they don't need fires to cook their food because they don't seem to have an aversion to raw food . They don't seem to need it for warmth either. <P>Just wondering what other peoples thoughts are on this little inconsistensy...<P>(if this is another redudant post of mine i apologize but i couldn't find anything close to this under the search option) __________________ Ash Nazg Durbatuluk Ash Nazg Gimbatul Ash Nazg Thrakatuluk Arg Burzum-Ishi Krimpatul

09-03-2003, 05:20 PM	#2
HCIsland Zombie Cannibal Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,000	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Now, I have a problem with this scene since it serves no logical purpose other than to show that trees/ents/hurons don't like having their branches cut. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I believe you answered your own question. Considering it was stuff like this that was the whole reason Ents and Huorns get involved at all, it was important to show it. I know there was more scenes of orcs tearing down trees earlier in the film, but obviously Jackson felt another incident was needed.<P>By the way, they light fires in the book as well.<P>H.C. __________________ "Stir not the bitterness in the cup that I mixed myself. Have I not tasted it now many nights upon my tongue, foreboding that worse yet lay in the dregs." -Denethor

09-03-2003, 05:32 PM	#3
The Only Real Estel Raffish Rapscallion Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-( Posts: 2,835	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>They knew they were being purused b y the Rohirrim so they wouldn't start a fire because that would attract them.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Actually, I don't think they knew they were being pursued by anyone other than people that spelled like manflesh. & I don't think they thought Aragorn, Gimli, & Legolas were Rohirrim either. Since he said, "<I>They've</I> picked up our trail!" (at the very start), I'm pretty sure they assumed it was the men they had to fight through to get to the hobbits. As to them lighting the fire in the first place, like HC said, they did it in the book too. & I thought PJ did a good job of explaining the Ents/Hurons anger at the orcs for their branch-cutting antics.

09-03-2003, 06:35 PM	#4
Lord of Angmar Tyrannus Incorporalis Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: the North Posts: 833	Even had they known the "strawheads" were pursuing them, a fire would hardly have mattered. A band of horseriding trackers would not pick up or lose the trail of a large, noisy, boot-wearing band of orcs just because of a small fire being kindled. __________________ ...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.

09-03-2003, 07:24 PM	#5
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	Either way, they knew that they were being pursued, and with a fire at their back, they had a chance to get a little "refreshments" or what constitute refreshments for an Orc, and thus, fight a little better. I'm applying normal, rational logic to Orcs, so probably, my reasoning will be faulty. <P>stops babbling and slinks off __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.

09-03-2003, 07:52 PM	#6
Voralphion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sharkey's End Posts: 267	Plus, even if they didn't need the wood for a fire, which they did, I don't think the orcs would be adverse to a little senseless destruction of the surrounding plant-life. __________________ His sword was long his lance was keen His shining helm afar was seen The countless stars of heavens field Were mirrored in his silver shield

09-04-2003, 04:58 AM	#7
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	It was strange, however, that they could smell Aragorn and co. when they were several hours behind them, yet could not smell the Rohirrim who were but metres away, ready to chop the Uruks into little pieces. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

09-04-2003, 03:16 PM	#8
Snowdog Emperor of the South Pole Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The Western Shore of Lake Evendim Posts: 632	Good point Sauron 666. Add to your points that green wood don't burn too well anyway. Thats why you find deadwood for fires.

09-04-2003, 06:47 PM	#9
The Only Real Estel Raffish Rapscallion Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Far from the 'Downs, it seems :-( Posts: 2,835	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>It was strange, however, that they could smell Aragorn and co. when they were several hours behind them, yet could not smell the Rohirrim who were but metres away, ready to chop the Uruks into little pieces. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Perhaps it was because they were preoccupied? I dunno, but that's my only guess.

09-05-2003, 02:22 AM	#10
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Maybe the wind was from the back? __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

09-05-2003, 02:36 AM	#11
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	All together now...<P>'I'm an Uruk Hai and I'm OK,<BR>I run all night and I run all day __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

09-07-2003, 01:47 PM	#12
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	I hold on to my belief that the Uruk-hai weren't as stupid as they were made out to be.<P>In the book they were prepared for battle, after all. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond