We Easterlings are now...neutral!? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

ninja91 · 10-30-2006, 06:27 AM

Now, I do not expect this thread to get much traffic, because it is just a critical view on one subject from the ROTK movie.
In TTT, Easterlings from Rhun are shown marching into Mordor by way of the Udun Black Gates. This is the scene where Sam slides down the cliff and Frodo has to hide them both under his cloak until the suspicious Easterlings move off. Anyway, the Easterlings are never shown in the movies again, not even at the Last Battle at the Black Gate, where they fight the Host of the West in the book alongside orcs of Mordor, and other armies allied with Sauron. And, while I am on the topic, there were no Variags at Pelennor Fields, and they too fought there in the books. Oh well...

Bêthberry · 10-30-2006, 06:45 AM

I think it was a trade-off. Dumping Bombadil entirely from the good side was matched by limiting some of the minor baddies.

ninja91 · 10-30-2006, 11:09 AM

I suppose...

But then again, there was no Glorfindel either, but a super-heroic Arwen.

MatthewM · 10-30-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninja91

But then again, there was no Glorfindel either, but a super-heroic Arwen.

A super-heroic beautifully good looking Arwen.

ninja91 · 10-31-2006, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewM

A super-heroic beautifully good looking Arwen.

Aye, I'll drink to that.

Elladan and Elrohir · 10-31-2006, 02:53 PM

If you get the ROTK video game, you will be able to play as Aragorn, Legolas, or Gimli on Pelennor Fields and have a great time killing, yes, Easterlings. You'll even hear Aragorn call them that in the game. They look just like the ones in the TTT movie.

But, yeah, that's the video game, not the movie. I would have liked to see them in ROTK, but I can't say I missed them with everything else that was going on.

Snowdog · 12-30-2006, 05:10 PM

I have wondered about the wherabouts of the Easterlings in the rest of the movie, and I believe I do see that distinct helmet shape on some of the army of Mordor that rushes into Minas Tirith after the gate is broken down. There is maybe a second where they could be seen, but they're moving so fast they could have been orcs. I've freezeframed it and looked at it for awhile, and it is about as close to the Easterlings you get.

The Might · 12-30-2006, 05:13 PM

I alwasy regreted not being able to see Theoden kill "the black Serpent" in the films...it however sounds interesting, I'll take a look at the battle and look for any possible Easterlings

Sir Kohran · 12-31-2006, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Might

I alwasy regreted not being able to see Theoden kill "the black Serpent" in the films...it however sounds interesting, I'll take a look at the battle and look for any possible Easterlings

Here, through some DVD snapshots I took, I've found some here and there at the Siege of Gondor:

(apologies if the pictures are too big, I didn't know what else to do)

Personally, I don't blame them for keeping the Easterlings mostly out of it - with Orcs, Trolls, Nazgul, Giant Spiders, etc. all on the bad side, they might have been overkill (literally!). And we do get this little glimpse anyway.

Also, I read (on wikipedia) that they avoided having the evil men killed too often as that might be too 'realistic' for violence, thus upping the ratings too high.

goldfinger · 12-31-2006, 04:49 PM

I had the same idea about this as you had Ninja, why aren't the easterlings shone ever again in the movie? But guess what? One day I was watching it, and if you watch the part after the trolls come through the gate of Minas Tirith and the Orcs and stuff charge at Gandalf and the troops. When it goes to the side shot of this happening you can see the easterlings with spears and their crazy looking helmets, in the backround attacking too. Go and look hard and you will see for yourself.

goldfinger · 12-31-2006, 04:50 PM

Oh never mind there's already shots of it.

The Might · 12-31-2006, 08:54 PM

I always tried to identify them by their weapons, they had a pretty interesting look...but with so many Orc spears I wasn't able to see anything...
anyway, thanks for the pics, they clear this matter up

ninja91 · 01-01-2007, 12:48 PM

Thanks muchly for the pics, Sir Kohran.
Could you tell me which chapter these were taken? I want to see for myself.

Sir Kohran · 01-02-2007, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Might

anyway, thanks for the pics, they clear this matter up

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja91

Thanks muchly for the pics, Sir Kohran.

That's okay...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninja91

Could you tell me which chapter these were taken? I want to see for myself.

They come from the battle at Minas Tirith, when the infantry charge in, just after Grond breaks through the gate and the Trolls attack.

10-30-2006, 06:45 AM	#2
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 5,997	I think it was a trade-off. Dumping Bombadil entirely from the good side was matched by limiting some of the minor baddies. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

10-31-2006, 02:53 PM	#6
Elladan and Elrohir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Halls of Mandos Posts: 332	If you get the ROTK video game, you will be able to play as Aragorn, Legolas, or Gimli on Pelennor Fields and have a great time killing, yes, Easterlings. You'll even hear Aragorn call them that in the game. They look just like the ones in the TTT movie. But, yeah, that's the video game, not the movie. I would have liked to see them in ROTK, but I can't say I missed them with everything else that was going on. __________________ "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." THE HOBBIT - IT'S COMING

12-30-2006, 05:13 PM	#8
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	I alwasy regreted not being able to see Theoden kill "the black Serpent" in the films...it however sounds interesting, I'll take a look at the battle and look for any possible Easterlings __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

12-31-2006, 08:54 PM	#12
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	I always tried to identify them by their weapons, they had a pretty interesting look...but with so many Orc spears I wasn't able to see anything... anyway, thanks for the pics, they clear this matter up __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

12-30-2006, 05:10 PM	#7
Snowdog Emperor of the South Pole Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: The Western Shore of Lake Evendim Posts: 632	I have wondered about the wherabouts of the Easterlings in the rest of the movie, and I believe I do see that distinct helmet shape on some of the army of Mordor that rushes into Minas Tirith after the gate is broken down. There is maybe a second where they could be seen, but they're moving so fast they could have been orcs. I've freezeframed it and looked at it for awhile, and it is about as close to the Easterlings you get.

12-31-2006, 04:49 PM	#10
goldfinger Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KC, Missouri Posts: 60	I had the same idea about this as you had Ninja, why aren't the easterlings shone ever again in the movie? But guess what? One day I was watching it, and if you watch the part after the trolls come through the gate of Minas Tirith and the Orcs and stuff charge at Gandalf and the troops. When it goes to the side shot of this happening you can see the easterlings with spears and their crazy looking helmets, in the backround attacking too. Go and look hard and you will see for yourself.

12-31-2006, 04:50 PM	#11
goldfinger Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KC, Missouri Posts: 60	Oh never mind there's already shots of it.