Darth Smeagol - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gurthang · 12-28-2004, 02:38 PM

I was watching the RotK EE with the cast commentaries, and Andy Serkis(Gollum and Smeagol) said something interesting about Gollum's character. He noted how Gollum is first presented as an evil character, someone untrustworthy and completely driven by the ring. It is revealed shortly after that he had not always been bad, but the audience still only knows the evil Gollum. But later, in the scene The Finding of the Ring in RotK, it shows him before he had the ring. He was once a nice hobbit-like creature, and only became evil after being seduced by the ring.

I really thought that sounded familiar. Suddenly it dawned on me. Star Wars! The change from Smeagol to Gollum is shown exactly like that of Anakin to Darth Vader. Star Wars first came out with Darth Vader being completely evil, the major villian in the first trilogy. But Obi-Wan mentions that he was not always evil, but had been his own pupil. That is all that was said, so we only knew Darth Vader. Recently, Episode I and II came out, revealing Anakin as he was before being seduced by the Dark Side.

It really is almost a shock how much the two transformations are alike. The pattern of 1) a character being shown as evil, 2) hints of their non-evil past, and then 3) a revelation of that past. Also in both cases there is a possibility for the character to give up their vileness, which Anakin does and Gollum does not.

This pattern really gives a unique view of the character in question. The audience is so used to that character being evil that they find themselves unable to change their minds. The result is that the viewers are unsure and wary of the character. This was the perfect way for Gollum to be represented. I wonder if PJ modeled Gollum after Anakin on purpose.

radagastly · 12-28-2004, 05:07 PM

Actually, it's more likely the other way 'round. This aspect of Gollum's character in the movies is not that different than Gollum from the books, and the books not only pre-date Star Wars, but they in fact pre-date Star Wars creator George Lucas. For what it's worth, Lucas has admitted that The Lord of the Rings was an influence on his work. This is just an example of that.

12-28-2004, 02:38 PM	#1
Gurthang Sword of Spirit Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Oh, I'm around. Posts: 1,401	Darth Smeagol I was watching the RotK EE with the cast commentaries, and Andy Serkis(Gollum and Smeagol) said something interesting about Gollum's character. He noted how Gollum is first presented as an evil character, someone untrustworthy and completely driven by the ring. It is revealed shortly after that he had not always been bad, but the audience still only knows the evil Gollum. But later, in the scene The Finding of the Ring in RotK, it shows him before he had the ring. He was once a nice hobbit-like creature, and only became evil after being seduced by the ring. I really thought that sounded familiar. Suddenly it dawned on me. Star Wars! The change from Smeagol to Gollum is shown exactly like that of Anakin to Darth Vader. Star Wars first came out with Darth Vader being completely evil, the major villian in the first trilogy. But Obi-Wan mentions that he was not always evil, but had been his own pupil. That is all that was said, so we only knew Darth Vader. Recently, Episode I and II came out, revealing Anakin as he was before being seduced by the Dark Side. It really is almost a shock how much the two transformations are alike. The pattern of 1) a character being shown as evil, 2) hints of their non-evil past, and then 3) a revelation of that past. Also in both cases there is a possibility for the character to give up their vileness, which Anakin does and Gollum does not. This pattern really gives a unique view of the character in question. The audience is so used to that character being evil that they find themselves unable to change their minds. The result is that the viewers are unsure and wary of the character. This was the perfect way for Gollum to be represented. I wonder if PJ modeled Gollum after Anakin on purpose. __________________ I'm on a Mission from God. Last edited by Gurthang; 12-28-2004 at 05:31 PM.

12-28-2004, 05:07 PM	#2
radagastly Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Washington, D. C., USA Posts: 299	Actually, it's more likely the other way 'round. This aspect of Gollum's character in the movies is not that different than Gollum from the books, and the books not only pre-date Star Wars, but they in fact pre-date Star Wars creator George Lucas. For what it's worth, Lucas has admitted that The Lord of the Rings was an influence on his work. This is just an example of that. __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before, I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.