Is Aragorn as you pictured him? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thinlómien · 05-30-2007, 01:42 AM

Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn the Strider - Okay. Not the way imagine him by any standards, but not that bad.
Viggo Mortensen as King Aragorn Elessar - Awful. I mean, he might be the right man to play a charismatic rascal, but he just lacks the charisma and presence of a noble king or a valiant hero. He could be the leader of a little brigand/raider gang, but the leader of the old and glorious kingdom of Gondor!

Mortensen does not look like I imagine Aragorn to look. Even in his ranger's guise, I imagine Aragorn far more kingly and slightly less rag-tag. The Aragorn I know has a good bearing and stern face. He does definitely not have wavy hair (it's straight!) and his features are more "noble" than Viggo Mortensen's. (And he certainly doesn't have that kind of jaw...!!!)

Furthermore, I totally agree with alatar on Mortensen's voice.

The Sixth Wizard · 05-30-2007, 03:38 AM

Yes, I'll have to second Lommy's view on Mortensen as the king. He doesn't look right, there isn't enough power there. Especially in the crowning scene here, he's not enough tall, proud Numenorean king as the books depict him as. Doesn't radiate wisdom either...

Finduilas · 05-30-2007, 08:37 AM

I too agree with Lommy. In fact, at my house we have several times stated that he makes a better cowboy than a king.

Rikae · 05-30-2007, 08:50 AM

I pretty much agree with what's been said. I had a very distinct image of Aragorn in my mind for a good 13 years before I saw the movies, and while Viggo did a decent job, he just wasn't Aragorn. He wasn't kingly enough; didn't look quite old enough and certainly didn't behave old enough, if you know what I mean. He seemed to lack depth, and had a sort of surfer-dude quality about him. While Aragorn could be sarcastic, etc, I always imagined him more intense and, in FOTR, slightly menacing even; and in the ROTK, just more dignified and powerful. Visually, I pictured him with a squarer jaw and darker hair.

Another thing...Viggo's running is hilarious...especially when he sees the beacon and runs up the steps of Edoras! It never fails to make me laugh...

MatthewM · 05-30-2007, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thinlómien

Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn the Strider - Okay. Not the way imagine him by any standards, but not that bad.
Viggo Mortensen as King Aragorn Elessar - Awful. I mean, he might be the right man to play a charismatic rascal, but he just lacks the charisma and presence of a noble king or a valiant hero. He could be the leader of a little brigand/raider gang, but the leader of the old and glorious kingdom of Gondor!

Mortensen does not look like I imagine Aragorn to look. Even in his ranger's guise, I imagine Aragorn far more kingly and slightly less rag-tag. The Aragorn I know has a good bearing and stern face. He does definitely not have wavy hair (it's straight!) and his features are more "noble" than Viggo Mortensen's. (And he certainly doesn't have that kind of jaw...!!!)

Furthermore, I totally agree with alatar on Mortensen's voice.

Wow. Haha. I, for my part, think Viggo does appear kingly in his coronation scene and does show wisdom.

On the hair thing...are you going by your own imagination or fact from the book? I'm guessing imagination?

Volo · 05-30-2007, 12:52 PM

Hmm... Strange, I for one see Aragorn less kingly in the books...

Folwren · 05-30-2007, 01:28 PM

Viggo did not really meet my mental picture. Anke Eissmann's drawings are closer. Though not completely accurate (because her people are not completely perfect), the idea is I think how I pictured him.

In this link you can see one of her pictures. Aragorn's the dark haired man.

http://anke.edoras-art.de/cgi-bin/lo...ting_frodo.jpg

Mainly, I think he was clean shaven, high cheekboned, narrow face, very tall, skinny (skinny's not exactly the word I want, but oh well), and so on...

Here's another picture. It's actually Eissmann's Faramir, but I like the face for Aragorn.

http://anke.edoras-art.de/cgi-bin/lo...counsel_72.jpg

Hilde Bracegirdle · 05-30-2007, 02:10 PM

Fortunately, I hadn't seen any movies or calenders before my first reading of the story, and if I concentrate hard enough I can see the original image I had of him. Not at all the same as Viggo! He is older, broad, lean, earnestly weathered and with much more of a presence. And let's not forget the shaggy hair shot with gray!

Estelyn Telcontar · 05-30-2007, 02:41 PM

Folwren, those links don't work; here's the link to Anke Eissmann's website, where you can find a multitude of fantastic drawings and paintings of Tolkien's characters and world: Anke Eissmann

I agree that her characters are often closer to my mental images than those of other artists, and her Aragorn has a good deal of depth!

As to Movie-Aragorn, well, Jackson could have done worse - and would have, had he stuck with his original casting of the character. I must admit that I find Mortensen a good-looking and interesting actor; still, he does not personify my inner image of Aragorn. He does lack that depth I'd like to see in him.

I'm not sure that any actor would fit my mental image, come to think of it; it's perhaps too vague, so that I can't say what he looks like - only what he doesn't look like!

Folwren · 05-30-2007, 02:48 PM

Nuts. So sorry.

05-30-2007, 01:42 AM	#1
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn the Strider - Okay. Not the way imagine him by any standards, but not that bad. Viggo Mortensen as King Aragorn Elessar - Awful. I mean, he might be the right man to play a charismatic rascal, but he just lacks the charisma and presence of a noble king or a valiant hero. He could be the leader of a little brigand/raider gang, but the leader of the old and glorious kingdom of Gondor! Mortensen does not look like I imagine Aragorn to look. Even in his ranger's guise, I imagine Aragorn far more kingly and slightly less rag-tag. The Aragorn I know has a good bearing and stern face. He does definitely not have wavy hair (it's straight!) and his features are more "noble" than Viggo Mortensen's. (And he certainly doesn't have that kind of jaw...!!!) Furthermore, I totally agree with alatar on Mortensen's voice. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

05-30-2007, 08:37 AM	#3
Finduilas Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Home. Where rolling green hills and clear rivers are practically my backyard. Posts: 595	I too agree with Lommy. In fact, at my house we have several times stated that he makes a better cowboy than a king. __________________ One (1) book of rules and traffic regulations, which may not be bent or broken. ~ The Phantom Tollbooth

05-30-2007, 12:52 PM	#6
Volo Silver in My Silent Heart Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the great beauty Posts: 1,611	Hmm... Strange, I for one see Aragorn less kingly in the books... __________________ Fenris Wolf The EVEN NEWER Barrow-Downs Photo Page

05-30-2007, 01:28 PM	#7
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Viggo did not really meet my mental picture. Anke Eissmann's drawings are closer. Though not completely accurate (because her people are not completely perfect), the idea is I think how I pictured him. In this link you can see one of her pictures. Aragorn's the dark haired man. http://anke.edoras-art.de/cgi-bin/lo...ting_frodo.jpg Mainly, I think he was clean shaven, high cheekboned, narrow face, very tall, skinny (skinny's not exactly the word I want, but oh well), and so on... Here's another picture. It's actually Eissmann's Faramir, but I like the face for Aragorn. http://anke.edoras-art.de/cgi-bin/lo...counsel_72.jpg __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

05-30-2007, 02:41 PM	#9
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	Folwren, those links don't work; here's the link to Anke Eissmann's website, where you can find a multitude of fantastic drawings and paintings of Tolkien's characters and world: Anke Eissmann I agree that her characters are often closer to my mental images than those of other artists, and her Aragorn has a good deal of depth! As to Movie-Aragorn, well, Jackson could have done worse - and would have, had he stuck with his original casting of the character. I must admit that I find Mortensen a good-looking and interesting actor; still, he does not personify my inner image of Aragorn. He does lack that depth I'd like to see in him. I'm not sure that any actor would fit my mental image, come to think of it; it's perhaps too vague, so that I can't say what he looks like - only what he doesn't look like! __________________ '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...'

05-30-2007, 03:38 AM	#2
The Sixth Wizard Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stuck under a rock in Valinor with Ar-Pharazon. Posts: 480	Yes, I'll have to second Lommy's view on Mortensen as the king. He doesn't look right, there isn't enough power there. Especially in the crowning scene here, he's not enough tall, proud Numenorean king as the books depict him as. Doesn't radiate wisdom either...

05-30-2007, 08:50 AM	#4
Rikae Mellifluous Maia Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A glade open to the stars, deep in Nan Elmoth Posts: 3,489	I pretty much agree with what's been said. I had a very distinct image of Aragorn in my mind for a good 13 years before I saw the movies, and while Viggo did a decent job, he just wasn't Aragorn. He wasn't kingly enough; didn't look quite old enough and certainly didn't behave old enough, if you know what I mean. He seemed to lack depth, and had a sort of surfer-dude quality about him. While Aragorn could be sarcastic, etc, I always imagined him more intense and, in FOTR, slightly menacing even; and in the ROTK, just more dignified and powerful. Visually, I pictured him with a squarer jaw and darker hair. Another thing...Viggo's running is hilarious...especially when he sees the beacon and runs up the steps of Edoras! It never fails to make me laugh...

05-30-2007, 02:10 PM	#8
Hilde Bracegirdle Relic of Wandering Days Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: You'll See Perpetual Change. Posts: 1,480	Fortunately, I hadn't seen any movies or calenders before my first reading of the story, and if I concentrate hard enough I can see the original image I had of him. Not at all the same as Viggo! He is older, broad, lean, earnestly weathered and with much more of a presence. And let's not forget the shaggy hair shot with gray!

05-30-2007, 02:48 PM	#10
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Nuts. So sorry. __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

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