Why didn't Gandalf just fly to Mordor?
12-26-02, 02:57 PM
#1
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Why didn't Gandalf just fly to Mordor?
In FOTR, Gandalf is rescued from Solomon (sp) by a flying dragon of some sort. We also see those dead knights flying dragons. If Gandalf can fly in this manner, why didn't he just fly either himself or him and Frodo over to Mordor to destroy the ring? Would have saved everyone a lot of trouble instead of making them all walk over. Had he done this, there would have been no need for the fellowship at all.
12-27-02, 07:15 AM
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I haven't read the trilogy, so I am speaking from ignorance. However, in "The Hobbit," the eagles are mentioned several times. They save Bilbo and his group from the goblins and wolves. They also help in the final battle.
However, they are quite independent. They are definitely not used as beasts of burden or travel.
However, they are quite independent. They are definitely not used as beasts of burden or travel.
12-29-02, 07:29 PM
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Originally posted by caiman
Listen to the director/writer commentary on the EE. They address this exact question.
Listen to the director/writer commentary on the EE. They address this exact question.
12-29-02, 10:08 PM
#12
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Originally posted by Wallet Boy
Yeah, Peter addresses this in the commentary when Gandalf escapes from Isengard. He basically said that they were very independent creatures and were not used for long travel. He says that he thinks Tolkien mentions this in the books, and the writers back him up on it, but I haven't come across it yet (but I'm only up to first book in The Two Towers.
Yeah, Peter addresses this in the commentary when Gandalf escapes from Isengard. He basically said that they were very independent creatures and were not used for long travel. He says that he thinks Tolkien mentions this in the books, and the writers back him up on it, but I haven't come across it yet (but I'm only up to first book in The Two Towers.
The reason is explained during the Council of Elrond when Gandalf recounts his escape from Orthanc.
12-29-02, 11:27 PM
#13
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In the book Gandalf asks Gwaihir how far he can take him and Gwaihir says "many leagues" then says something like I came bearing tidings not burdens. The eagles were basically doing recon for Gandalf and had news to tell him of the orc armies and the wolves gathering. If I remember ROTK correctly
Spoiler:
12-30-02, 09:34 PM
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Originally posted by Dr. DVD
While the eagles are strong, I doubt it would help him that much once he got into the Mordor air space and founf himself flanked by Nazgul and Fell Beasts everywhere.
While the eagles are strong, I doubt it would help him that much once he got into the Mordor air space and founf himself flanked by Nazgul and Fell Beasts everywhere.
12-31-02, 08:44 AM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
I seem to recall reading in a Tolkien Encyclopedia at one point that Nazgul was supposed to be the name for wraiths on wings, Ringwraiths for the actual creatures, and Black Riders for the ones on horses.
12-31-02, 09:16 AM
#21
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
"Ash nazg durbatulūk, ash nazg gimbatul
ash nazg thrakatulūk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul"
The Ring inscription, in its original ancient Black Speech
From The Fellowship of the Ring II 2 The Council of Elrond
ash nazg thrakatulūk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul"
The Ring inscription, in its original ancient Black Speech
From The Fellowship of the Ring II 2 The Council of Elrond
"One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."
The Ring inscription, in English.
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."
The Ring inscription, in English.
Last edited by caligulathegod; 12-31-02 at 09:18 AM.
12-31-02, 09:22 AM
#22
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Oh, the "dragons" are Fell Beasts (in the film), corrupted carrion birds. Smaug was the last Dragon and was slain in "The Hobbit". Tolkien refers to them only as winged shadows or winged steeds.
Last edited by caligulathegod; 12-31-02 at 02:00 PM.
01-01-03, 10:29 PM
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Also, Gandalf in particular couldn't take the ring to Mt. Doom. Gandalf knows perfectly well that if he took the ring, it would corrupt him, and he'd end up using it for evil. He explains this to Frodo at the beginning of Fellowship of the Ring.
So to sum up:
1) None of the bigwigs like Gandalf or Galadriel or Aragorn can touch the ring. Only hobbits are (somewhat) resistant to its evil.
2) The Eagles have their own agenda, and don't really care all that much about the doings of elves and orcs and men. They answer only to a higher power than Gandalf (although they occasionally do a favor for Gandalf.)
3) In any case, Sauron is expecting the Eagles, which is why he has the Nazgul patrolling the skies around Mordor.
Which is why Elrond and Gandalf decide on the extremely unlikely, but extremely unexpected, strategy of sending a small stealthy party into Mordor on foot.
So to sum up:
1) None of the bigwigs like Gandalf or Galadriel or Aragorn can touch the ring. Only hobbits are (somewhat) resistant to its evil.
2) The Eagles have their own agenda, and don't really care all that much about the doings of elves and orcs and men. They answer only to a higher power than Gandalf (although they occasionally do a favor for Gandalf.)
3) In any case, Sauron is expecting the Eagles, which is why he has the Nazgul patrolling the skies around Mordor.
Which is why Elrond and Gandalf decide on the extremely unlikely, but extremely unexpected, strategy of sending a small stealthy party into Mordor on foot.
01-02-03, 03:43 PM
#25
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Q: Why didn't Gandalf just fly to Mordor?
A: Because he's an old man and his arms would get tired.
NEXT!
A: Because he's an old man and his arms would get tired.
NEXT!