Inspiration for Gandalf - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

nynnd1 · 07-13-2004, 08:29 AM

I am pretty sure that in the special edition of the Fellowship there is mention that C.S Lewis is the basis for Gandalf, but I agree that saying that Merlin is the basis of Gandalf is not true, it is more of a recycling situation, they are both wizards. That is it.

If it is said that Lewis was the basis because he was Tolkien's close friend, who did Tolkien write himself as?

07-13-2004, 03:49 PM

"I am pretty sure that in the special edition of the Fellowship there is mention that C.S Lewis is the basis for Gandalf...."

May I enquire which "special edition" this is?

Bombadil · 07-13-2004, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Tolkien always spoke about how he would be walking down the halls at Oxford and would hear this booming echoing voice rumbling down the hall which was C.S Lewis teaching his lessons.

I'm pretty sure that is also in the EE somewhere. I think Peter Jackson is the one telling that little anecdote...which is ironic because I don't recall his treebeard saying any loud "Hroom"s which I thoguht was one of the characteristics he used from Lewis.

nynnd1 · 07-20-2004, 03:45 AM

Sorry, i meant the DVD of the Fellowship the, extended special edition.

I know that they had given Treebeard some of Tom Bombadil's lines, to try and satisfy the Bombadil fans. But they only showed up in the EE, which annoyed me as a Tom fan and a Lord of The Ring's book fan.

Not only have they left out Tom, but they have slightly changed the character of Treebeard by giving him Tom's lines.

haltred · 07-25-2004, 04:43 PM

[B]CS Lewis interesting. I would think that Gandalf came from JRRT's knowledge of the Merlin/ Arthur stories. Lewis was not a fan of the LOTR but he was one of the first people to hear it at the pub that he and Tolkien etc frequented.

Tuor of Gondolin · 07-25-2004, 05:50 PM

I believe Lewis did like LOTR overall, but had some criticisms (especially not being a big hobbit fan or of the poems). In addition to general support he wrote one of the blurbs for LOTR and continually prodded Tolkien to finish the book. But I do think another of the Inklings disliked hearing stories read at their gatherings (Hugo Dyson?).

07-13-2004, 08:29 AM	#1
nynnd1 Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: england Posts: 64	I am pretty sure that in the special edition of the Fellowship there is mention that C.S Lewis is the basis for Gandalf, but I agree that saying that Merlin is the basis of Gandalf is not true, it is more of a recycling situation, they are both wizards. That is it. If it is said that Lewis was the basis because he was Tolkien's close friend, who did Tolkien write himself as? __________________ I use my sword, narcatic, to uphold peace. Never for vengance.

07-20-2004, 03:45 AM	#4
nynnd1 Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: england Posts: 64	Sorry, i meant the DVD of the Fellowship the, extended special edition. I know that they had given Treebeard some of Tom Bombadil's lines, to try and satisfy the Bombadil fans. But they only showed up in the EE, which annoyed me as a Tom fan and a Lord of The Ring's book fan. Not only have they left out Tom, but they have slightly changed the character of Treebeard by giving him Tom's lines. __________________ I use my sword, narcatic, to uphold peace. Never for vengance.

07-25-2004, 04:43 PM	#5
haltred Pile O'Bones Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Victoria BC Canada Posts: 20	[B]CS Lewis interesting. I would think that Gandalf came from JRRT's knowledge of the Merlin/ Arthur stories. Lewis was not a fan of the LOTR but he was one of the first people to hear it at the pub that he and Tolkien etc frequented. __________________ In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit

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07-13-2004, 03:49 PM	#2
shia'tan Guest Posts: n/a	"I am pretty sure that in the special edition of the Fellowship there is mention that C.S Lewis is the basis for Gandalf...." May I enquire which "special edition" this is?

07-25-2004, 05:50 PM	#6
Tuor of Gondolin Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pennsylvania, WtR, passed Sarn Gebir: Above the rapids (1239 miles) BtR, passed Black Rider Stopping Place (31 miles) Posts: 1,548	I believe Lewis did like LOTR overall, but had some criticisms (especially not being a big hobbit fan or of the poems). In addition to general support he wrote one of the blurbs for LOTR and continually prodded Tolkien to finish the book. But I do think another of the Inklings disliked hearing stories read at their gatherings (Hugo Dyson?).