Another stange gift of the elves or lost contacts? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Silmarien · 04-19-2003, 12:15 AM

I was reading through a bloopers page and one of them is

Quote:

Legolas’ eyes are brown (normally blue) when he is arguing with Aragorn before the battle of Helms Deep.

It is corrected by someone saying that elves' eyes turn brown when they are distressed. [img]smilies/eek.gif[/img]
I have never heard this before and was also under the impression that elves could have eyes of any (normal) colour. Is there any one who knows any more about this?

Deathwail · 04-19-2003, 01:56 AM

You do know this should be in the movie forum right?Not to be harsh but i would think it would be more for that topic area.
[img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

**lindil** · 04-19-2003, 07:06 AM

Even though the question arises from the Movies, it's answer [if there is any, which i doubt very seriously] will have to come from the Books, so imho Silmarien was right to put it here.

However, that correct choice may not get you any closer to an answer! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

But maybe there is some footnote somewhere I have misssed. The onlything I have heard about elvish eyes are that Aegnor's shown like fire when he was in battle or full of wrath. And that all of the Noldor eyes were peircingly bright, such that few could endure them at all [witness Galaldriel and the fellowship].

Deathwail · 04-19-2003, 11:51 AM

Fingolfin's eyes shore like a Valar as he rode off on Rochallor his great horse to challange Morgoth to single combat,so much so that all fled that beheld his onset for they feared Orome himself had returned.
But lets be real here,PJ didnt mean for a second to have something that cool in his movies,someone just messed up on the contact lens for Legolas. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Frodo Baggins · 04-21-2003, 06:07 AM

Somewhere in the appendicies in LOTR it states that most elves have dark hair and if not most then every single last one of them has grey eyes (not much for variety are they?). But then agan, I could have read this wrong.

Inderjit Sanghera · 04-22-2003, 03:45 PM

Finwe had blue-grey eyes.

Quote:

Somewhere in the appendicies in LOTR it states that most elves have dark hair

Thats a reference to the Noldor and Sindar, who were mainly dark of hair. The Vanyar, for example were mainly goldenhaired.

[ April 22, 2003: Message edited by: Inderjit Sanghera ]

*Varda* · 04-22-2003, 04:03 PM

Where did it state that it referred only to the Sindar and the Noldor?

Inderjit Sanghera · 04-22-2003, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Where did it state that it referred only to the Sindar and the Noldor?

The Vanyar were mainly Golden Haired so it cannot apply to them,. I suupose it could apply to the Valinorean Teleri too...

Lady Alasse · 04-25-2003, 02:08 PM

If that is true than I have never heard of it and must have missed it while reading the books. I don't think that sounds right though.

Guinevere · 04-26-2003, 02:40 PM

Quote:

They were a race high and beautiful, the older Children of the world, and among them the Eldar were as kings, who now are gone: the People of the Great Journey, the People of the Stars. They were tall, fair of skin and grey-eyed, though their locks were dark, save in the golden house of Finarfin.

btw, the Dúnedain are also described as dark-haired and grey-eyed. Obviously Tolkien's ideal of beauty...

Silmarien · 05-16-2003, 01:05 AM

Thanks for all the replies. Yes I put this in the books because this site seemed to think it's information was based on the books so it was that sort of info I was looking for. I now no longer hesitate to believe that Orlando Bloom forgot his contacts and this is not a strange gift. Thanks again.

Phrim · 05-16-2003, 08:15 AM

Digging through the Silm for references to elf eyes, I was only able to ascertain the following:

Quote:

Blue was her [Luthien's] raiment as the unclouded heaven, but her eyes were grey as the starlit evening; her mantle was sewn with golden flowers, but her hair was dark as the shadows of twilight.

also:

Quote:

For he [Turin] was young, and only now reached his full manhood; and he was in truth the son of Morwen Eledhwen to look upon: dark-haired and pale-skinned, with grey eyes, and his face more beautiful than any other among mortal Men, in the Elder Days.

Couldn't find any other references, but based on this and the other comments here, I think it's safe to say that most elves would have grey eyes.

On an unrelated, but interesting, note, Tolkien does at one point mention Manwe's eyes:

Quote:

His raiment is blue, and blue is the fire of his eyes, and his sceptre is of sapphire, which the Noldor wrought for him; and he was appointed to be the vicegerent of Ilúvatar, King of the world of Valar and Elves and Men, and the chief defence against the evil of Melkor.

So not all the powerful beings in Arda had grey eyes. Just some food for thought.

Lindril Arvilya · 05-16-2003, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Too bright were the eyes of Arien for even the Eldar to look on...

EDIT: Oops. She's a Maiar. Sorry.

[ May 16, 2003: Message edited by: Lindril Arvilya ]

mark12_30 · 05-17-2003, 10:49 PM

It may be much more mundane than this... If you watch the extended DVD special stuff, they do a short session on (let's call it) digital magic. They would change entire scenes from daylight to evening, or morning to afternoon, or whatever, by altering the Red-Green-Blue ratios.

They showed an example of this, and it happened to be Elijah in the picture. As they darken the day-photographed scene into late evening, Elijah's eyes went from sky-blue to something rather resembling purple... (oops.) As the whole scene darkened, so did his eyes-- it was just that the rest of the scene looked natural, but his eyes didn't.

If the scene-enhancement turned Elijah's eyes purplish, might they have turned Legolas' eyes brownish?

Alas, my post at least does belong in the Movie forums...

[ May 18, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ]

Ardolon · 06-20-2003, 12:42 AM

As far as I know there is absolutely nothing in the books about elves changing eye color.

Gwaihir the Windlord · 06-20-2003, 01:14 AM

Quote:

The were a high race and beautiful, the Elder Children of the world... they were tall, fair of skin and grey-eyed, though their locks were dark, save in the golden house of Finarfin...

(Appendix F)

Come on, surely, you should all remember this fact. The eye-changing of Legolas in the movie can, I think, be attributed to what is described in the following paragraph, from the same source.

Quote:

This old word ('elf') was indeed the only one available, and was once fitted to apply to such memories of these people as Men preserved, or to the making of men's minds not wholly dissimilar... But it may now suggest fancies either pretty or silly, as unlike to the Quendi of old as the butterfly is to the swift falcon -- not that any of the Quendi ever possessed wings, as unnatural to them as to Men.

Roccotari Eldandil · 06-21-2003, 09:08 PM

umm...Gwaihir? Could you explain that last quote? I'm kind of confused.

Gwaihir the Windlord · 06-22-2003, 01:09 AM

Tolkien is describing the fairytale-ising of the Elf as we once knew it, i.e. attributing magical and untrue properties to 'elfs' -- the true Elda has been lost and forgotten through the millenia that we have been out of touch with their race.

Finwe · 06-23-2003, 07:38 AM

Actually, the reason that Orlando Bloom's normally blue contacts looked brown in the armory, was because they had orange lights in the room while filming. If you look closely at his skin, you can tell that it looks slightly more orange than normal. The orange lighting also fiddled with his eyes a bit.

StarJewel · 06-26-2003, 08:42 PM

Is that the case with the bookmarks too? His eyes are also brown-looking in those

Finwe · 06-26-2003, 08:48 PM

I assume so. It must have been the lighting in the studio where they took that picture, or if it is a screen capture, then it must have been the lighting that they were using when they filmed the scene.

04-19-2003, 01:56 AM	#2
Deathwail Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Door of Night Posts: 99	You do know this should be in the movie forum right?Not to be harsh but i would think it would be more for that topic area. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ He who arises in Might.

04-19-2003, 07:06 AM	#3
lindil Seeker of the Straight Path Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: a hidden fastness in Big Valley nor cal Posts: 1,681	Even though the question arises from the Movies, it's answer [if there is any, which i doubt very seriously] will have to come from the Books, so imho Silmarien was right to put it here. However, that correct choice may not get you any closer to an answer! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] But maybe there is some footnote somewhere I have misssed. The onlything I have heard about elvish eyes are that Aegnor's shown like fire when he was in battle or full of wrath. And that all of the Noldor eyes were peircingly bright, such that few could endure them at all [witness Galaldriel and the fellowship]. __________________ The dwindling Men of the West would often sit up late into the night exchanging lore & wisdom such as they still possessed that they should not fall back into the mean estate of those who never knew or indeed rebelled against the Light.

04-19-2003, 11:51 AM	#4
Deathwail Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Door of Night Posts: 99	Fingolfin's eyes shore like a Valar as he rode off on Rochallor his great horse to challange Morgoth to single combat,so much so that all fled that beheld his onset for they feared Orome himself had returned. But lets be real here,PJ didnt mean for a second to have something that cool in his movies,someone just messed up on the contact lens for Legolas. [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] __________________ He who arises in Might.

04-21-2003, 06:07 AM	#5
Frodo Baggins Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Bag-End, Under-Hill, Hobbiton-across-the Water Posts: 606	Somewhere in the appendicies in LOTR it states that most elves have dark hair and if not most then every single last one of them has grey eyes (not much for variety are they?). But then agan, I could have read this wrong. __________________ "I'm your huckleberry....that's just my game."

04-22-2003, 04:03 PM	#7
Varda Maiden of Tears Join Date: May 2002 Location: Valinor. Posts: 572	Where did it state that it referred only to the Sindar and the Noldor? __________________ 'It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: someone has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them' ~Frodo "Life is hard. After all, it kills you." - Katharine Hepburn

04-25-2003, 02:08 PM	#9
Lady Alasse Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gondolin, Middle Earth Posts: 103	If that is true than I have never heard of it and must have missed it while reading the books. I don't think that sounds right though. __________________ He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by my arms.-II Samuel 22:35

05-16-2003, 01:05 AM	#11
Silmarien Wight Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lost but Found Posts: 199	Thanks for all the replies. Yes I put this in the books because this site seemed to think it's information was based on the books so it was that sort of info I was looking for. I now no longer hesitate to believe that Orlando Bloom forgot his contacts and this is not a strange gift. Thanks again. __________________ Though here at journeys end I lie in dakness buried deep, beyond all towers strong and high beyond all mountains steep, above all shadows rides the Sun and Stars forever dwell:I will not say the Day is done nor bid the Stars farewell!

05-17-2003, 10:49 PM	#14
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,367	It may be much more mundane than this... If you watch the extended DVD special stuff, they do a short session on (let's call it) digital magic. They would change entire scenes from daylight to evening, or morning to afternoon, or whatever, by altering the Red-Green-Blue ratios. They showed an example of this, and it happened to be Elijah in the picture. As they darken the day-photographed scene into late evening, Elijah's eyes went from sky-blue to something rather resembling purple... (oops.) As the whole scene darkened, so did his eyes-- it was just that the rest of the scene looked natural, but his eyes didn't. If the scene-enhancement turned Elijah's eyes purplish, might they have turned Legolas' eyes brownish? Alas, my post at least does belong in the Movie forums... [ May 18, 2003: Message edited by: mark12_30 ] __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

06-20-2003, 12:42 AM	#15
Ardolon Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 16	As far as I know there is absolutely nothing in the books about elves changing eye color. __________________ Pushing the envelope three inches futher then anyone else.-Bone

06-21-2003, 09:08 PM	#17
Roccotari Eldandil Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: the stables of Lorien Posts: 79	umm...Gwaihir? Could you explain that last quote? I'm kind of confused. __________________ "Come, come!" he shouted, swinging his axe. "Since Gandalf's head is now sacred, let us find one that is right to cleave!" -Gimli, after hearing Galadriel's message to him in TTT

06-22-2003, 01:09 AM	#18
Gwaihir the Windlord Essence of Darkness Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Evermore Posts: 1,420	Tolkien is describing the fairytale-ising of the Elf as we once knew it, i.e. attributing magical and untrue properties to 'elfs' -- the true Elda has been lost and forgotten through the millenia that we have been out of touch with their race.

06-23-2003, 07:38 AM	#19
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	Actually, the reason that Orlando Bloom's normally blue contacts looked brown in the armory, was because they had orange lights in the room while filming. If you look closely at his skin, you can tell that it looks slightly more orange than normal. The orange lighting also fiddled with his eyes a bit. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.

06-26-2003, 08:42 PM	#20
StarJewel Wight Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: I'm in my dear Maedhros' arms, dreaming the day away. Oh, who am I kidding, Chicago is nothing like that! Posts: 116	Is that the case with the bookmarks too? His eyes are also brown-looking in those __________________ Visit my writing site...if you dare http://www.fanfiction.net/~mirielamarian

06-26-2003, 08:48 PM	#21
Finwe Deathless Sun Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Royal Suite in the Halls of Mandos Posts: 2,609	I assume so. It must have been the lighting in the studio where they took that picture, or if it is a screen capture, then it must have been the lighting that they were using when they filmed the scene. __________________ But Melkor also was there, and he came to the house of Fëanor, and there he slew Finwë King of the Noldor before his doors, and spilled the first blood in the Blessed Realm; for Finwë alone had not fled from the horror of the Dark.