Ben Burtt? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Elianna · 09-26-2004, 07:49 PM

Did Ben Burtt, the Star Wars sound designer, work on LotR?

The thing that makes me wonder is the 'Wilhelm scream.' It's Ben Burtt's signature (cf. Wilhelm scream ), and it is heard three times in LotR. First in TTT as an elf warrior falls from the Deeping Wall, second in RotK as a Gondorian solider is dropped by a Fell Beast, and finally when a spearwielding Harad-man falls off the oliphaunt Legolas slays.

I've looked at the credits for LotR, but can't find Burtt's name. Did Burtt sign onto LotR at TTT and so put the scream twice in RotK to make up for not using it in FotR? Did some other sound designer put it in as some homage to SW? If so, I find it in very poor taste. This is Middle-earth, long ago, but this galaxy. To hear that scream in TTT was cool, but twice in RotK instantly zapped me from the heat of battle in the Pelennor Fields right back to my movie seat, and I got very annoyed.

Imladris · 09-26-2004, 08:12 PM

According to IMDB he didn't.

Elianna · 09-26-2004, 08:28 PM

'Kay. So why is it in there if not Burtt?

Imladris · 09-26-2004, 08:33 PM

By it I assume you mean the scream. Well, maybe it is not the Wilhelm Scream.

Son of Númenor · 09-26-2004, 08:38 PM

Perhaps it is an homage. Elianna: just for fun: you wouldn't happen to have a sound clip of this 'Wilhelm scream', would you? (If there is one in the original link, I apologize. I couldn't find one.)

Elianna · 09-27-2004, 06:04 AM

Here's a link to a story about the scream and Burtt. It has a collection of the Star Wars screams at the end. I couldn't download them, but perhaps you can. *click*

Also, here's a link to a list of all movies with the scream in it. Think that Richard L. Anderson guy has something to do with it?*click*

(To make this a LotR topic again) I wouldn't be so interested in learning who did this if it didn't always take away from my movie eperience. That happen to any of you?

09-26-2004, 07:49 PM	#1
Elianna Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ad finem itineris Posts: 384	Ben Burtt? Did Ben Burtt, the Star Wars sound designer, work on LotR? The thing that makes me wonder is the 'Wilhelm scream.' It's Ben Burtt's signature (cf. Wilhelm scream ), and it is heard three times in LotR. First in TTT as an elf warrior falls from the Deeping Wall, second in RotK as a Gondorian solider is dropped by a Fell Beast, and finally when a spearwielding Harad-man falls off the oliphaunt Legolas slays. I've looked at the credits for LotR, but can't find Burtt's name. Did Burtt sign onto LotR at TTT and so put the scream twice in RotK to make up for not using it in FotR? Did some other sound designer put it in as some homage to SW? If so, I find it in very poor taste. This is Middle-earth, long ago, but this galaxy. To hear that scream in TTT was cool, but twice in RotK instantly zapped me from the heat of battle in the Pelennor Fields right back to my movie seat, and I got very annoyed. __________________ Enyale cuilenya, ú-enyale mandenya.

09-26-2004, 08:12 PM	#2
Imladris Tears of the Phoenix Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby. Posts: 1,453	According to IMDB he didn't. __________________ I'm sorry it wasn't a unicorn. It would have been nice to have unicorns. I'm your huckleberry.

09-26-2004, 08:28 PM	#3
Elianna Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ad finem itineris Posts: 384	'Kay. So why is it in there if not Burtt? __________________ Enyale cuilenya, ú-enyale mandenya.

09-26-2004, 08:33 PM	#4
Imladris Tears of the Phoenix Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Putting dimes in the jukebox baby. Posts: 1,453	By it I assume you mean the scream. Well, maybe it is not the Wilhelm Scream. __________________ I'm sorry it wasn't a unicorn. It would have been nice to have unicorns. I'm your huckleberry.

09-27-2004, 06:04 AM	#6
Elianna Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Ad finem itineris Posts: 384	Here's a link to a story about the scream and Burtt. It has a collection of the Star Wars screams at the end. I couldn't download them, but perhaps you can. click Also, here's a link to a list of all movies with the scream in it. Think that Richard L. Anderson guy has something to do with it?click (To make this a LotR topic again) I wouldn't be so interested in learning who did this if it didn't always take away from my movie eperience. That happen to any of you? __________________ Enyale cuilenya, ú-enyale mandenya.

09-26-2004, 08:38 PM	#5
Son of Númenor A Shade of Westernesse Join Date: May 2004 Location: The last wave over Atalantë Posts: 515	Perhaps it is an homage. Elianna: just for fun: you wouldn't happen to have a sound clip of this 'Wilhelm scream', would you? (If there is one in the original link, I apologize. I couldn't find one.)