Saul Zaentz dies at 92

[Rich H]

The films weren't the issue, it was other products like casino games that the court case was aimed at so whether the action was won by them or not wouldn't lead to the film(s) getting withdrawn from release. At least that's my understanding.

[Stormcrow]

I did like the little snort the Balrog gave after the "You shall not pass" line in the movie.

I hated everything about the film balrog, especially its movie-dinosaur roaring.

[Beran]

I did like the little snort the Balrog gave after the "You shall not pass" line in the movie.

I hated everything about the film balrog, especially its movie-dinosaur roaring.

Wow! Can we at least agree the sky is blue, Stormcrow?;) You mean you didn't even like the over all look of the Balrog? How should it have been done?

[Beran]

The films weren't the issue, it was other products like casino games that the court case was aimed at so whether the action was won by them or not wouldn't lead to the film(s) getting withdrawn from release. At least that's my understanding.

From the info presented above I would agree.

[Stormcrow]

It should have been a large, human-like figure of shadow. When it crosses a pit of fire the flames surround it. After Gandalf says the dark fire will not avail it, its flames should have disappeared and it should have grown enormous and its shadow should have covered the chamber. It would not have made any sound at all. And it would not have wings.

And Gandalf would say, "You cannot pass." And he wouldn't shout it. And he doesn't trick the balrog into stepping forward; he just breaks the bridge while it's standing on it.

And Moria's east-gate didn't open by a riddle! You just had to tell it you were a friend, and the instructions were written on it.

*grumble, grumble*

[Beran]

It should have been a large, human-like figure of shadow. When it crosses a pit of fire the flames surround it. After Gandalf says the dark fire will not avail it, its flames should have disappeared and it should have grown enormous and its shadow should have covered the chamber. It would not have made any sound at all. And it would not have wings.

Ok, we fall again into the differences of the printed page and the movie. What you describe is a really cool and I can see it in my minds eye. Though, I did picture the Balrog as little more demonic then you did. And I like the description of his shadow (when did we start talking bout Lexx?) covering the chamber. However, the silence would not have worked on film; audiences expect alot of noise from the big bad...unless you are talking Micheal Myers or Jason.

[Curulon]

It should have been a large, human-like figure of shadow. When it crosses a pit of fire the flames surround it. After Gandalf says the dark fire will not avail it, its flames should have disappeared and it should have grown enormous and its shadow should have covered the chamber. It would not have made any sound at all. And it would not have wings.

Ok, we fall again into the differences of the printed page and the movie. What you describe is a really cool and I can see it in my minds eye. Though, I did picture the Balrog as little more demonic then you did. And I like the description of his shadow (when did we start talking bout Lexx?) covering the chamber. However, the silence would not have worked on film; audiences expect alot of noise from the big bad...unless you are talking Micheal Myers or Jason.

Agreed. Especially with the set-up with the epic, awesome music and chanting and the whole Khazad-dum sequence, the silence would have been off-putting.

[Angelalex242]

Hmmm.

Even so...who won the court case? Does anybody know?

[Trotter]

Too late, Angelalex. We've moved on to balrogs.

[Angelalex242]

Well, that's a Peter Jackson thing.

Who apparently subscribes to the idea of Balrogs=Balor.

Balor, of course, being the most powerful demon type from 3.5 AD&D. Jackson's Balrog greatly resembles the 3.5 creature. Whether it resembles what Tolkien actually had in mind is anyone's guess.

Considering the Balrog is of the same species as Gandalf and Sauron, however, you think it'd look more like the latter set on fire instead of a Balor. Unlike Sauron back in the day, Balrogs can't take pleasing shapes, so it'd be purely a thing of terror.