Moria: 📔Book vs. Film (analysis and comparison)

[Tonycarter]

Of course the book in any case will be better.

 

[Barliman]

The previous reference says they're "like wings". Tolkien switches from simile to metaphor. If he stayed with simile the text would possibly be awkward.

I would say they are wings but more in a metaphorical sense rather than physical appendages. They're wings of immaterial darkness that the Balrog can extend and presumably retract. They don't enable the Balrog to fly.


Doesn't Boromir ask to let them grieve a bit? And then Aragorn warns that the place would be "swarming with orcs" come nightfall?

"The Balrog made no answer. The fire in it seemed to die, but the darkness grew. It stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and it's wings were spread from wall to wall...."

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

 

[Radaghast]

I'm guessing this is in the joke thread too? 😆👊

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

"The Balrog made no answer. The fire in it seemed to die, but the darkness grew. It stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and it's wings were spread from wall to wall...."

Oh no... I see this topic resurfacing.

It is classic-- I guess.

 

[Radaghast]

"The Balrog made no answer. The fire in it seemed to die, but the darkness grew. It stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and it's wings were spread from wall to wall...."

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

"The Balrog made no answer. The fire in it seemed to die, but the darkness grew. It stepped forward slowly on to the bridge, and suddenly it drew itself up to a great height, and it's wings were spread from wall to wall...."

Just saying... Tolkien said it....

 

[Áramandë Amaniel]

Just saying... Tolkien said it....

Then let it be closed! Let it come to pass! Let no more be said of it! The decision hath been made, and shall be made e'ermore!

 

[Radaghast]

Just saying... Tolkien said it....

He also (and first) says the shadow was like wings. At best it's not definitive. But one thing that is definitive is that the Balrog cannot fly, wings or no. If they're literal wings they don't have substance. For my part, I think the Balrog has wings, just not tangible wings that are functional for flight. The wings of the movie creature make no logical sense.

 

[Goldilocks Gamgee]

Then let it be closed! Let it come to pass! Let no more be said of it! The decision hath been made, and shall be made e'ermore!

Then tell me, how did the Balrog fall, if he had wings? Couldn't he just... fly...

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

He also (and first) says the shadow was like wings. At most nothing it's not definitive. But one thing that is definitive is that the Balrog cannot fly, wings or no.

For my part, I think the Balrog has wings, just not tangible wings or wings functional for flight. The wings of the movie creature make no logical sense.

Good point-- my agreement remains as this. The Balrog indeed had wings, but could not fly, for it was not as the Great Eagles, and it's form was not designed as such.

Then tell me, how did the Balrog fall, if he had wings? Couldn't he just... fly...

No, this is the point. Penguins in Present-day Middle-Earth have wings, and they can't fly. It is plausible enough, especially since from everything we've seen of Balrog's form, they are far from aerodynamic.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

The especially obsessed are directed here:

https://thetolkien.forum/threads/wings-or-no.230/

42 pages and counting. Add some more! 😃

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

View attachment 14826

The especially obsessed are directed here:

https://thetolkien.forum/threads/wings-or-no.230/

42 pages and counting. Add some more! 😃

Wonderful idea-- I think I just might!

 

[Barliman]

Oh no... I see this topic resurfacing.

It is classic-- I guess.

Well, it's more that I don't pop in that often so "what's new" to me is often old to others.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

You can't be hoppin' until you start poppin'!