The Mouth of 👁️Sauron

[Azrubêl]

I've always valued the scene in front of the Black Gate in the book for how beautifully archaic and gothic it is, as if it revives the spirit of older tales of the First and Second ages. Which makes sense because of who the Mouth of Sauron actually is.

I am largely satisfied with the Peter Jackson LOTR trilogy, but one of the major aspects that is just utterly horrendous IMO is the portrayal of the Mouth of Sauron. The farcical interpretation of the Mouth of Sauron is so contrary to the spirit of the story, that I think it's one of the biggest flaws in the movies. It should be a climatic moment where the atmosphere intensifies, but instead, it just turns into a joke.

 

[Fish1805]

I liked that scene in the EE, he seemed creepy enough and menacing.
May have to go back and re the book again for a reference though

 

[Radaghast]

I've always valued the scene in front of the Black Gate in the book for how beautifully archaic and gothic it is, as if it revives the spirit of older tales of the First and Second ages. Which makes sense because of who the Mouth of Sauron actually is.

I am largely satisfied with the Peter Jackson LOTR trilogy, but one of the major aspects that is just utterly horrendous IMO is the portrayal of the Mouth of Sauron. The farcical interpretation of the Mouth of Sauron is so contrary to the spirit of the story, that I think it's one of the biggest flaws in the movies. It should be a climatic moment where the atmosphere intensifies, but instead, it just turns into a joke.

It also turns Aragorn into a truce-breaker and murderer.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

It's up -- or down -- there with Gandalf beating Theoden with his staff.

 

[Radaghast]

It's up -- or down -- there with Gandalf beating Theoden with his staff.

Do you mean Denethor? I don't remember Gandalf hitting Théoden.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

Oops! Yes, Denethor.

Not enough coffee" 😓

 

[Olorgando]

It's up -- or down -- there with Gandalf beating Theoden with his staff.

Do you mean Denethor? I don't remember Gandalf hitting Théoden.

Oops! Yes, Denethor.
Not enough coffee" 😓

Errrrr ... I don't remember Gandalf hitting Denethor with his staff ...
As to Théoden, when Gandalf releases him from Saruman's influence (which PJ, in his droningly heavy-handed urge to make things explicit, shows as direct, long-distance mind-control), Gandalf taps Théoden on the forehead - OK maybe it was a bit more forceful than a tap. Right afterwards, the scene cuts to Saruman lying on his back - or even shows him falling backwards? - with a blotch on his forehead. Mind control seemingly can have drawbacks ...

 

[Radaghast]

I myself could use a cuppa, but need to lay off for a bit 😕

As for the scene, I would agree. They're both pretty horrible but I would rank the MoS scene as lower simply because it's murder and would be considered a war crime. Also, looking at the animated gif, it looks bad to my eyes, like it's some kind of prop dummy and Viggo literally 'knocks its block off.

I would also mention that in the book the MoS rides out with an entourage so that's another nonsense aspect of the scene. The MoS would never ride out alone.

He it was that now rode out, and with him came only a small company of black-harnessed soldiery, and a single banner, black but bearing on it in red the Evil Eye. Now halting a few paces before the Captains of the West he looked them up and down and laughed.

Why was this scene even filmed? It wasn't in the theatrical cut because it has zero impact. So why did they bother?

 

[Radaghast]

Errrrr ... I don't remember Gandalf hitting Denethor with his staff ...

He does, actually. Twice. At the :24 mark.

 

[Olorgando]

He does, actually. Twice. At the :24 mark.

Right! Thanks.

 

[Ealdwyn]

Why was this scene even filmed?

You could say that about a lot of scenes in the movies

 

[Radaghast]

You could say that about a lot of scenes in the movies

No arguments from me there, but this scene in particular is pointless unless you re-edit the films.