Finnish TV- Better Than PJ? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Galadriel55 · 09-17-2015, 04:16 PM

1. Does this adaptation have a Balrog?

...and...

2. If yes, does said Balrog have wings?

Pitchwife · 09-18-2015, 06:23 AM

Neither, I'm afraid - there's a mere suggestion of smoke and orange light, and any viewer who hasn't read the book is left puzzled what exactly happened to Gandalf. A pity, really, because I think they could have done a convincing Balrog in keeping with their general aesthetics - something like a vague dark figure with a backdrop of projected flames would have done the job nicely, and its shadow spreading from wall to wall would have been easily feasible with the right lighting.

I'd love to join an episode-by-episode discussion, which would however have to focus on the visual and dramaturgic aspects rather than the dialogue as far as we non-Finns are concerned (unless we turn this into Learn Finnish with Hobitit).

Zigûr · 09-18-2015, 06:51 AM

That's probably something we can give the filmmakers credit for. "A demon of the ancient world" doesn't sum things up too badly in my opinion. No surprise that they managed this for a scene in "Fellowship" which has a little delicacy compared to its sequels.

(That being said, of course, the look of the Balrog in the film is all wrong in my opinion. It's far too much like a Medieval devil based on a Greek satyr, with horns and hoofs. Such a Classical reference would never, in my opinion, have been intended in Professor Tolkien's work. It ought, in my view to look like a Fire Giant from Germanic mythology - a man with burnt-black skin and flaming hair. And no wings, I'm afraid.)

Pervinca Took · 09-18-2015, 12:10 PM

Pitchwife, I'm sure there's now a version with subtitles on YouTube.

09-17-2015, 04:16 PM	#1
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,496	Two questions. 1. Does this adaptation have a Balrog? ...and... 2. If yes, does said Balrog have wings? __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

09-18-2015, 06:23 AM	#2
Pitchwife Wight of the Old Forest Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Unattended on the railway station, in the litter at the dancehall Posts: 3,329	Neither, I'm afraid - there's a mere suggestion of smoke and orange light, and any viewer who hasn't read the book is left puzzled what exactly happened to Gandalf. A pity, really, because I think they could have done a convincing Balrog in keeping with their general aesthetics - something like a vague dark figure with a backdrop of projected flames would have done the job nicely, and its shadow spreading from wall to wall would have been easily feasible with the right lighting. I'd love to join an episode-by-episode discussion, which would however have to focus on the visual and dramaturgic aspects rather than the dialogue as far as we non-Finns are concerned (unless we turn this into Learn Finnish with Hobitit). __________________ Und aus dem Erebos kamen viele seelen herauf der abgeschiedenen toten.- Homer, Odyssey, Canto XI

09-18-2015, 06:51 AM	#3
Zigûr Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 785	That's probably something we can give the filmmakers credit for. "A demon of the ancient world" doesn't sum things up too badly in my opinion. No surprise that they managed this for a scene in "Fellowship" which has a little delicacy compared to its sequels. (That being said, of course, the look of the Balrog in the film is all wrong in my opinion. It's far too much like a Medieval devil based on a Greek satyr, with horns and hoofs. Such a Classical reference would never, in my opinion, have been intended in Professor Tolkien's work. It ought, in my view to look like a Fire Giant from Germanic mythology - a man with burnt-black skin and flaming hair. And no wings, I'm afraid.) __________________ "Since the evening of that day we have journeyed from the shadow of Tol Brandir." "On foot?" cried Éomer.

09-18-2015, 12:10 PM	#4
Pervinca Took Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: The Treetops, C/O Great Smials Posts: 5,035	Pitchwife, I'm sure there's now a version with subtitles on YouTube. __________________ "Sit by the firelight's glow; tell us an old tale we know. Tell of adventures strange and rare; never to change, ever to share! Stories we tell will cast their spell, now and for always."