I feel the same. But tbh Aragorns reaction always hits me. Viggo acted his ass of right there. You can see the mix of both pain and disbelief that he just watched one of the most powerful and compassionate "man" hes ever met die right in front of him and he couldnt do anything because he couldnt risk Frodo running out there and getting shot by an arrow since he was the only one with the willpower to carry the ring. That face always gets me.
@@chancemeyers8502 that and legolas' face too, as an immortal being, he doesn't really understand death, so to see an even more immortal being die, he cant process what this means.
Frodo's scream, Sam with Merry & Pippin silently bawling their eyes out, Aragorn's barely processing it & keeping his composure to lead on his companions, Legolas is barely able to even process what death is let alone grief, Gimli is absolutely frothing & trying to go on a suicide mission because he's trying to do SOMETHING to avenge Gandalf, finally Boromir who's holding Gimli back while trying to comfort him through his own grief, for someone he was respectful but weary of, which explodes out *"GIVE THEM A MOMENT FOR PITY SAKE!"* where's begging not just for himself but everyone else to have just 1 microsecond to deal with the situation
Gandalf's speech to the Balrog is all the more awesome when you've read the Sillmarillion. "You CANNOT pass!" ('Back off, chump, I'm better than you!') "I am a Servant of the Secret Fire" ('I am a Maiar just like you, I'm already your match.') " Wielder of the Flame of Anor!" ("I also command Narya, the Great Ring of Fire. So I'm your BETTER.") "Dark fire will NOT avail you, Flame of Udun!" ("Your weak pitiful flame is not enough to overcome me and the Great Ring together, servant of Morgoth!") "Go back to the shadow!" ("Just go home, this fight's already over!") "You SHALL NOT PASS." ("I might perish fighting you. You WILL perish fighting me. The one thing you will not do, is pass this bridge.")
You're missing a key part of the meaning of his speech: "I am a Servant of the Secret Fire", The Secret Fire = The Flame Imperishable. Gandalf was identifying himself as a Maia (maiar is plural btw) who was acting under the authority of Eru Ilúvatar. Literally God. And at the risk of being nitpicky, while its a somewhat popular theory, the part of the Flame of Anor being Narya isn't definitive, especially in the light of the fact that none of the Three Rings are weapons.
@@GreyhawkTheAngry 'Flame of Anor' is one of the nicknames for Narya, because of its ability to repel evil creatures/magics similarly to the light of the sun. (a power Gandalf DEMONSTRATES during this fight) Also I MENTIONED 'Servant of the Secret Fire' and how it means he is identifying itself as Maia. A said 'A Maiar' as in 'One of the Maiar' although perhaps admittedly that's not rightly worded.
@@GuukanKitsunenot true since this battle was written by Tolkien when he had the idea of sending the three rings across the sea. The flame of Anor is a reference to the sun, the fruit from the trees of Valinor.
@@lukasnightmare Agreed - The Flame or Anor refers to the Sun, specifically to the Maia, Arien (second greatest of all the Maiar) who drives the chariot of the Sun across the sky... who just so happens to be one of Olorin's best mates. Olorin is Gandalf, btw. His Maia name. Narya gave assistance to Gandalf in dealing with fire, but itself was never a weapon. None of the Rings of Power were created as such, all made by the hands of Elves (with all but the Greatest Three made with Sauron's touch). Only the "One" was wholly made by Sauron alone... and even that wasn't a weapon. It was simply a means of control and domination. Narya could "enkindle" hope and resilience, preserve from the effects of Time, fend off the weariness of Time, etc. Gandalf's use of "fire magic" (shown far more in the books) is bolstered by the Narya, but is entirely due to his nature as a Maia aligned with light and fire, who served Manwe, Varda, Irmo, and others of the Valar before being sent to Middle Earth.
For those that don't know, the stone body you see is just a shell that the Balrog inhabits. The flames and shadows themselves is the Balrog's actual body.
Even almost 25 years later the total special effects by WETA is still heads above anything else (such great combination of CGI and practical effects.) The only questionable effect: The Army of the Dead (even the technicians admitted after seeing what Pirates of the Caribbean did with the undead that they fell short here.)
The reason why the Balrog still stays rent-free in my head after all this time is that phenomenal “roar”. It sounded not like your typical monster, but like rocks and glass being grinded together. Sound design team was COOKING that day.
It always cracks me up how everyone is wondering why they arent rushing to help him because they've forgotten the MASSIVE army of orcs that had them surrounded and was watching in the background as that fight played out. The flurry of arrow whistles should be a stark reminder even in that moment.
or the fact that they forget that Frodo is the ring-bearer and helloooooooo what is going to happen if Frodo died or the ring is lost in Moria? What Boromir did here was the good and best decision ever made.
Not forgetting that since part of the bridge had collapsed, the part they would be running onto would also be severely weakened and could collapse under them at any second.
Also, when the balrog is swinging the whip, you get a shot over Frodo's shoulder, showing just how far away they are. With the arrows skipping off the stones around Aragorn, it'd be suicide to have run all that way back. But considering how common the confusion is, it could probably have been edited better, to make the situation clear.
Fun fact, Gandalf and the Balrog are basically cousins! Both are of the Maiar race, as is Sauron, but Morgoth (Sauron’s boss) twisted the evil Maiar into demons wreathed in fire and darkness.
People who don't know the lore: Dang Gandalf stood up to that demon thing! People who know the lore: Good thing that Balrog didn't make it across that bridge lmao
So in the book, the Balrog's whip drags Gandalf right away. He shouts his last order "Fly you fools!" while he's already falling. There's no moment where he clings to the bridge. This was Fran Walsh's & Peter Jackson's addition, yet it's so good! It gives a glimpse of hope, just to be shattered completely. And then Frodo's "Noooo!" and that beautiful sad music, so good, so much drama. I believe Tolkien would have loved it!
Gandalf had to stay to prevent the balrog possibly escaping and being released on the earth. Balrogs destroyed entire armies by themselves in the past. Thus the meaning “you shall not pass”
@@gabriellaguna2551 just wish more people knew the meaning, the meaning behind gandalfs words “i am a servant of the secret fire” and the sword that was meant for the battle
I wish that had put this in the film; The dark figure streaming with fire raced towards them. The orcs yelled and poured over the stone gangways. Then Boromir raised his horn and blew. Loud the challenge rang and bellowed, like the shout of many throats under the cavernous roof. For a moment the orcs quailed and the fiery shadow halted. Then the echoes died as suddenly as a flame blown out by a dark wind, and the enemy advanced again. (In case you didn't realize Boromir blew a blast so loud & strong he made a literal demon go "wtf...did he...he really just challenged me?!")
It's unique to see first reactions to this classic. They are beginning to see why these books and movies have the loyal and adoring fanbase that they do. Because lotr was so bold, so powerful, so bleak, so tragic, yet so noble and so tenacious that it spoke for itself and earned it's place. It's acclaimed to be one of the original building blocks to modern fantasy as we know it, and rightfully so.
Gandalf is essential an angel but he has to operate by a code. He’s not allowed to use his powers to aid men and other mortals, he can only use his wisdom. The Balrog is an ancient magical beast and so he’s allowed to use his magic to counter it.
..and the nine as well. That's why his magic is mostly low key. The first time he and the valar were in middle earth in their full glory the peoples of middle earth distrusted them and though they were being lorded over and herded like beasts by beings of greater power which caused resentment and many peoples took Morgoth's side because of it. The battle with Morgoth which was a world wide cataclysm scared everyone........even the gods. So they decided to be low key from that point on. Not ueing their power to pressure people but using wisdom and good will to convince them.
I was lucky enough to see this in the theater when it was first released. The theater was beyond packed . I thought Gandalf died and I jumped up in the middle of the theater and screamed, "you better be fucking kidding me". 🤣
Saw it _four_ times in theaters when it came out, never gone that nuts for a movie before or since, though I came close with the other two in the trilogy.
The Balrog's roar is still the best sound effect I've heard *ever* in a cinema, there has been nothing else since that evokes such an utter sense of fear and dread, than hearing that with a cinema level sound system
A so epic sequense. Moria , Durin's Bane , the battle with Gandalf upon bridge, the plot twist of Gandalf falls in the black chasm , the lament ... what an emotional roller coaster. Sir J.R.R.Tolkien you rule.
It seems as though almost every reactor gets so caught up in what Gandalf is doing that they forget their surrounded by goblins shooting arrows. That's why no one could go back to help him.
For the people still wondering why nobody went to help Gandalf after the Balrog had fallen: 1. The bridge was super unstable and not safe to tread on, after 1/3 of it broke off 2. The orcs/goblins were following directly behind the Balrog, so anyone standing on the edge of the remains of that bridge would have been an easy target for them.
Brief and generalized context to Gandalf's "Servant of the secret fire," Also, Gandalf and the Balrog are essentially the same beings they just took on different forms. 1. Wielder of the flame of Anor alludes to the Valar and the Eru (God the creator) Basically, no flame is greater than the creator's. 2. Flame of Udun refers to Morgoth (Sauron's master and the fallen Maiar).
The flame of Anor, also known as the flame of creation, is the secret sauce Eru used to create everything. Its also the thing morgoth craved more than anything, and searched for for untold eons
What many don't understand is that two characters, besides Boromir, die in the 1st movie. Gandalf and Frodo. Gandalf returns as Gandalf the white, a spirit of sorts; and Frodo started to die the moment he put the ring on his finger. The ending of the 3d movie, the boat ride of Gandalf and Frodo, symbolizes death, that's why Frodo say "you cannot follow" and that is why everyone is crying, because they know.
I think all the reactors were only watching this demon chasing them. It's like everybody were so engrossed with the majestic Balrog that they forgot about the spear weilding actual villians- the Orcs, who were hiding in the shadows from the Balrog "with spears". Soon after Galdalf fell they were bombarded by spears from every side. This is the very reason Aragon and others couldn't approach and help Gandalf climb back. Even Gandalf didn't want them to save him.
While the scene is extremely iconic and cinematic, a lot of people don't understand the context in the greater legendarium and the impact this fight actually had. Tolkien hated this, but i'll put it into Christian parlance to make it easier to understand for the person who is not "in the know" about Tolkien's works. This fight would be like if Gabriel (the angel) fought with Mephistopheles (One of Lucifer's Lieutenants). While they are not the leaders of their respective sides so to speak, they are EXTREMELY strong and influential members of their sides.
The thing people dont seem to realise is the reason they stop frodo from helping is because the bridge has just crumbled, if frodo ran out onto it, theres a good chance it could crumble even more. Saving gandalf was literally impossible.
I'm no structural engineer but a main reason why no one tried to rescue Gandalf is because the dinky bridge had been compromised. A bridge works by having both ends pushing up and the structure in between pushing against each other. Half the bridge was gone so any more weigh could cause the rest to fall. Plus this was before Sam got the elvish rope.
The best part is when you have read the Silmarillion and realize that while Gandalfs speech to the Balrog seems odd talking to a monster you’ll realize that the Balrog knew EXACTLY what he meant. It becomes all the more powerful when you know too.
As a testament to just how wonderful the script, direction, and acting this crew had, the scene on the mountainside, after Gandalf fell? That was one of the first days of filming for the movie. Just amazing.
100th comment! The interesting thing going on in this scene is that Gandalf and the Balrog are sort of like old schoolmates, in a manner of speaking. Both were present and participating during the Song of Creation at the beginning of the world, though Gandalf remained true to the vision of Illuvitar (the God of Tolkien's universe) while the Balrog sided with Melkor. While there's no evidence that they were ever friends, they might be said to have known each other in passing, at least. Despite their very different appearances (and size), they are good and evil versions of the same order of being (Maiar).
I first read this series back in 1976 when I was a kid. I have read it multiple times and I don't know how many times I have seen the movies (and even this clip). Gandalf's fall still gets to me. And don't get me started on Boromir!
I've seen this 1000 times but Frodo's guttural scream his pale from tears distraught face still gets me everytime. I believe it is because I, unlike most other people, other then most people know who Gandalf people ofren do not even know is that Gandalf is a Maiar, a subclass from the Ainur (so are Saruman and Radagast)The race of Angels/Gods that the One God of Tolkien created before time itself to him him create the universe and Arda (Earth). At this point Gandalf or Olorin (his real name) is over 61.000 years old. And knows a trick or two, on the other hard the Balrog was created by Morgoth, a Valar also a subclass from the Ainur although they are older, stronger and wiser (there are only 12 Valar, but many Maiar).
Watching this for the first time in the Cinema when it came out, I was one of the few who had a "knowing grin" plastered over my face as Gandalf fell. My friend (who had ZERO clue) was huffing and grumping, just like many other there. I simply said: "This is part 1 of 3." He took the hint.
Canonically they dueled for several fortnights from the lowest pit to the mountains peak. The Balrog became a monster of murk, sludge and water after plunging into the cave lake and dragged Gandalf up through Moria on the endless stair until its flame reignited. It was until they were in the open air when Gandalf called down a storm into Glamdring, the former magic sword of the high elven king, that he was able to pierce its flesh and heart.
Mostly true...but not several fortnights. A fortnight is two weeks. Gandalf and the balrog fought on the mountain-top for eight days before Gandalf killed it and then died of his own wounds.
As many people know, Ian McKellen actually messed up the line, as it was written "You cannot pass" not "You shall not pass". An interesting theory is that these were not lightly chosen words by Gandalf, but essentially a command. It's said he was invoking his power as a Maia and asking the Valar to quite literally, make it impossible for the Balrog to cross the bridge. (I'm by no means a Tolkien lore expert so please, don't get upset if I've used the wrong terms or language) 😅🤣
The weight of Frodo's responsibilities increases tenfold upon Gandalf's "death". Gandalf had a vision of his death and he knew when Frodo chose to go through the mountain, instead of continuing to go around it, that his death was imminent. The stricken look on Frodo's face as they stood grieving showed that he realized Gandalf knew how that choice would seal his fate even before they took one step into the mountain.
The only, and I mean ONLY thing wrong with this trilogy is the failure to convey that Gandalf was incapable of being rescued as he hung on (I know the difference from the book). I feel all it needed was a CGI crack spreading on the bridge as he held as it would have conveyed they could not risk sending another fellowship member to their deaths. Maybe have the goblins start firing arrows early?
You mean the arrows being shot at them from the wasn't enough for you? Or the fact that the bridge had already broken in half any one it basic reasoning skills would know that the rest of it would go at any second, which with the aforementioned orc arrows made a rescue untenable?
For the tolkien nerds - Just head cannon but I am pretty sure Eru Ilúvatar *god for those who dont know* allowed for Gandalf to face his death and fears as Gandalf apparently was afraid to face potential foes like Sauron or balrogs which were the same level of power being maiar *think low ranking angel* I think personally that this was tolkien saying that sometime we have to face death and fear to grow into what we are meant to be and God *tolkien's conception of it as he was catholic* would allow us to suffer so we can grow. Just my personal reading of it but maybe I'm off, know tolkien didn't want it to be a one for one metaphor of his religious faith but come on he had some of his religious beliefs through out.
It's more that they have no time to be standing there watching, because there are hordes of goblins chasing them, and those goblins start coming out of hiding as soon as Gandalf and the Balrog are both gone.
Think about it from Gandalf's perspective. He's already told them to go ahead. He's literally risking his life so that they at least have a chance to escape. He knows in a fair fight, he can't win, especially in that environment, so he's already willing to die. When he catches the ledge before he falls, he sees all of them watching him. He's probably surprised and even a little pissed off that they didn't go on ahead like he wanted them to. Which is why he calls them fools for watching the fight.
just watched the fellowship again and manage to see through which areas are CG/ Blue screen and all that. but i realize that despite the technology and graphic being over 20 years old the Balrog still looks and feels very real even by today standards. seriously in blu-ray and checking frame by frame the CGI is better than some of today's CGI, i know its CGI but the texture , the smoke, the lighting, the weight if the movements it feels like it really is there.
The amount of people confused as to why Boromir won't let Frodo WITH THE RING run across the bridge to help Gandalf is staggering lol. There's no telling if the rest could collapse.
What I find funny is that no one clearly has read the books before watching these movies. If you read the books you would know there is no way Gandalf died. I remember when The Hobbit used to be required reading in high schools and if you read The Hobbit then you would have read The Lord of the Rings as well. Once you read The Hobbit you have to read the other books too.
It’s funny hearing people thinking the Balrog was some kind of dragon. I watched this movie when I was 10 and even then I never thought about that possibility although it does make sense with all the fire and greed symbolism
Movie Pippin: touches an arrow stuck in a dead Dwarf which accidentally causes it to fall causing a loud commotion & everyone loses their shit Book Pippin: *purposefully drops a rock down a well just to hear it hit the bottom thus purposefully causing a massive noise on a stealth mission & no one bats a fucking eye*
Well, arguably that's part of the point. If I was one of these people I'd not do a reaction for a adaptation to something I'd read and at least mostly knew what happened in.
@@GreyhawkTheAngry i know, im so tired of all these ppl bashing for them not reading the books, like your soooooooo special you read the books, fkn snobs
LOTR is definitely the grown up version of Harry Potter. Potter is a rly good movie/series, but theirs something special and next level greatness about LOTR..for 👍 sure
the first pair displays the sad state how the domination of a single religion in society limits the 'vision' of people ( and 'follow' no ffs said RUN you fools' ) that ,is 'literally' as far AWAY from the butchered remnant of babylonian mythology's star poetry the fairytale known as the bible stole from for one thing , the Balrog and Gandalf is the SAME kind of 'lesser' god's , gandalf holds back his powers not to wreck crap around himself the balrog because it still tended its wounds after the previous age war of GODS aka valar vs valar 'major gods directly involved in the song of creation/existence shaping' and maiar vs maiar ergho what gandalf and the balrog is
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My mom cried at this scene, and yelled "Why did you make me watch this?" lol
The answer to that question Is... "Because this Is the most beautiful love story of all time"
Hopefully not during because that would be bothersome.
@@BlasdLezo1689calling it a love story is a little reductive...
No matter how many reactors I see, Frodo's scream still pierces the heart and soul...
I feel the same. But tbh Aragorns reaction always hits me. Viggo acted his ass of right there. You can see the mix of both pain and disbelief that he just watched one of the most powerful and compassionate "man" hes ever met die right in front of him and he couldnt do anything because he couldnt risk Frodo running out there and getting shot by an arrow since he was the only one with the willpower to carry the ring. That face always gets me.
@@chancemeyers8502 that and legolas' face too, as an immortal being, he doesn't really understand death, so to see an even more immortal being die, he cant process what this means.
I feel the same, and crying every time 😢
Frodo’s scream gets me every time man
Frodo's scream, Sam with Merry & Pippin silently bawling their eyes out, Aragorn's barely processing it & keeping his composure to lead on his companions, Legolas is barely able to even process what death is let alone grief, Gimli is absolutely frothing & trying to go on a suicide mission because he's trying to do SOMETHING to avenge Gandalf, finally Boromir who's holding Gimli back while trying to comfort him through his own grief, for someone he was respectful but weary of, which explodes out *"GIVE THEM A MOMENT FOR PITY SAKE!"* where's begging not just for himself but everyone else to have just 1 microsecond to deal with the situation
Gandalf's speech to the Balrog is all the more awesome when you've read the Sillmarillion.
"You CANNOT pass!" ('Back off, chump, I'm better than you!')
"I am a Servant of the Secret Fire"
('I am a Maiar just like you, I'm already your match.')
" Wielder of the Flame of Anor!"
("I also command Narya, the Great Ring of Fire. So I'm your BETTER.")
"Dark fire will NOT avail you, Flame of Udun!"
("Your weak pitiful flame is not enough to overcome me and the Great Ring together, servant of Morgoth!")
"Go back to the shadow!"
("Just go home, this fight's already over!")
"You SHALL NOT PASS."
("I might perish fighting you. You WILL perish fighting me. The one thing you will not do, is pass this bridge.")
You're missing a key part of the meaning of his speech: "I am a Servant of the Secret Fire", The Secret Fire = The Flame Imperishable. Gandalf was identifying himself as a Maia (maiar is plural btw) who was acting under the authority of Eru Ilúvatar. Literally God.
And at the risk of being nitpicky, while its a somewhat popular theory, the part of the Flame of Anor being Narya isn't definitive, especially in the light of the fact that none of the Three Rings are weapons.
@@GreyhawkTheAngry 'Flame of Anor' is one of the nicknames for Narya, because of its ability to repel evil creatures/magics similarly to the light of the sun. (a power Gandalf DEMONSTRATES during this fight)
Also I MENTIONED 'Servant of the Secret Fire' and how it means he is identifying itself as Maia. A said 'A Maiar' as in 'One of the Maiar' although perhaps admittedly that's not rightly worded.
@@GuukanKitsunenot true since this battle was written by Tolkien when he had the idea of sending the three rings across the sea. The flame of Anor is a reference to the sun, the fruit from the trees of Valinor.
@@lukasnightmare Agreed - The Flame or Anor refers to the Sun, specifically to the Maia, Arien (second greatest of all the Maiar) who drives the chariot of the Sun across the sky... who just so happens to be one of Olorin's best mates. Olorin is Gandalf, btw. His Maia name. Narya gave assistance to Gandalf in dealing with fire, but itself was never a weapon. None of the Rings of Power were created as such, all made by the hands of Elves (with all but the Greatest Three made with Sauron's touch). Only the "One" was wholly made by Sauron alone... and even that wasn't a weapon. It was simply a means of control and domination. Narya could "enkindle" hope and resilience, preserve from the effects of Time, fend off the weariness of Time, etc. Gandalf's use of "fire magic" (shown far more in the books) is bolstered by the Narya, but is entirely due to his nature as a Maia aligned with light and fire, who served Manwe, Varda, Irmo, and others of the Valar before being sent to Middle Earth.
He should have explained it exactly this way: Gandalf said calmly.
For those that don't know, the stone body you see is just a shell that the Balrog inhabits. The flames and shadows themselves is the Balrog's actual body.
The balrog is so well done it’s terrifyingly beautiful! I love it’s sound design too, it’s roar just sounds like a raging inferno!
100 years after its release this version of the Balrog will still be top 10 most intimidating epic monsters put on film
Even almost 25 years later the total special effects by WETA is still heads above anything else (such great combination of CGI and practical effects.) The only questionable effect: The Army of the Dead (even the technicians admitted after seeing what Pirates of the Caribbean did with the undead that they fell short here.)
10x better CGi than modern day marvel and disney
When I first saw this, I thought that the Balrog had the worst case of chili breath I'd ever seen...
The reason why the Balrog still stays rent-free in my head after all this time is that phenomenal “roar”. It sounded not like your typical monster, but like rocks and glass being grinded together. Sound design team was COOKING that day.
It always cracks me up how everyone is wondering why they arent rushing to help him because they've forgotten the MASSIVE army of orcs that had them surrounded and was watching in the background as that fight played out.
The flurry of arrow whistles should be a stark reminder even in that moment.
or the fact that they forget that Frodo is the ring-bearer and helloooooooo what is going to happen if Frodo died or the ring is lost in Moria? What Boromir did here was the good and best decision ever made.
Not forgetting that since part of the bridge had collapsed, the part they would be running onto would also be severely weakened and could collapse under them at any second.
Also, when the balrog is swinging the whip, you get a shot over Frodo's shoulder, showing just how far away they are.
With the arrows skipping off the stones around Aragorn, it'd be suicide to have run all that way back.
But considering how common the confusion is, it could probably have been edited better, to make the situation clear.
Even without the orcs Gandalf specifically says “this foe is beyond any of you”. If they tried to help it’d be a bunch a fried fellowship members
Reactors are sometimes the dumbest people on the internet. It makes for fun content at times, but viewer comprehension isn't their strong suit. XD
Fun fact, Gandalf and the Balrog are basically cousins! Both are of the Maiar race, as is Sauron, but Morgoth (Sauron’s boss) twisted the evil Maiar into demons wreathed in fire and darkness.
So evenly matched that they fought for eight days and both died.
Basically the Balrog was mad because Gandalf hadn’t contacted for like a millennia or 2.
And suddenly drops in unannounced
After all the tears of losing Gandalf in FOTR it would be so nice to see a group reaction of his return as Gandalf The White in TTT.
My college professor had the iconic "you shall not pass" audio recorded and played it to students as they got their exam papers back 😂😂😂 Savage
"Where'd all the fire come from?"
Balrog: ✨Hello✨
It’s maybe because I’m drunk.
But I laughed so hard I woke up my girlfriend 😂🤣
@@JamailvanWestering and she ain't even real! THAT'S how hard you laughed.
@@genghisgalahad8465 nah she is
Why did I read the "hello" In Baymax's voice
@@cameronmanning8972 Baymax is clearly a balrog in a Michelin man suit
People who don't know the lore: Dang Gandalf stood up to that demon thing!
People who know the lore: Good thing that Balrog didn't make it across that bridge lmao
So in the book, the Balrog's whip drags Gandalf right away. He shouts his last order "Fly you fools!" while he's already falling. There's no moment where he clings to the bridge. This was Fran Walsh's & Peter Jackson's addition, yet it's so good! It gives a glimpse of hope, just to be shattered completely. And then Frodo's "Noooo!" and that beautiful sad music, so good, so much drama. I believe Tolkien would have loved it!
Gandalf had to stay to prevent the balrog possibly escaping and being released on the earth. Balrogs destroyed entire armies by themselves in the past. Thus the meaning “you shall not pass”
Nailed
@@gabriellaguna2551 just wish more people knew the meaning, the meaning behind gandalfs words “i am a servant of the secret fire” and the sword that was meant for the battle
@@nickdawdy650 Glamdring
@@gabriellaguna2551 exactly sword has an hour of lore by itself
@@gabriellaguna2551 sauron was bad but had plans, balrogs were made to break army lines and destroy which is why it couldn’t escape
I wish that had put this in the film; The dark figure streaming with fire raced towards them. The orcs yelled and poured over the stone gangways. Then Boromir raised his horn and blew. Loud the challenge rang and bellowed, like the shout of many throats under the cavernous roof. For a moment the orcs quailed and the fiery shadow halted. Then the echoes died as suddenly as a flame blown out by a dark wind, and the enemy advanced again. (In case you didn't realize Boromir blew a blast so loud & strong he made a literal demon go "wtf...did he...he really just challenged me?!")
It's unique to see first reactions to this classic. They are beginning to see why these books and movies have the loyal and adoring fanbase that they do. Because lotr was so bold, so powerful, so bleak, so tragic, yet so noble and so tenacious that it spoke for itself and earned it's place. It's acclaimed to be one of the original building blocks to modern fantasy as we know it, and rightfully so.
Elijah Wood did such a good job with that scream. I feel Frodo's anguish so intensely.
Gandalf is essential an angel but he has to operate by a code. He’s not allowed to use his powers to aid men and other mortals, he can only use his wisdom. The Balrog is an ancient magical beast and so he’s allowed to use his magic to counter it.
..and the nine as well. That's why his magic is mostly low key. The first time he and the valar were in middle earth in their full glory the peoples of middle earth distrusted them and though they were being lorded over and herded like beasts by beings of greater power which caused resentment and many peoples took Morgoth's side because of it. The battle with Morgoth which was a world wide cataclysm scared everyone........even the gods. So they decided to be low key from that point on. Not ueing their power to pressure people but using wisdom and good will to convince them.
The fight between Gandalf and the Balrog is absolutely amazing🔥💯
Believe it or not, no CGI. Just a guy in a really food costume.
Crazy how hard this scene still slaps 2 decades later.
I was lucky enough to see this in the theater when it was first released. The theater was beyond packed . I thought Gandalf died and I jumped up in the middle of the theater and screamed, "you better be fucking kidding me". 🤣
Saw it _four_ times in theaters when it came out, never gone that nuts for a movie before or since, though I came close with the other two in the trilogy.
The Balrog's roar is still the best sound effect I've heard *ever* in a cinema, there has been nothing else since that evokes such an utter sense of fear and dread, than hearing that with a cinema level sound system
A so epic sequense. Moria , Durin's Bane , the battle with Gandalf upon bridge, the plot twist of Gandalf falls in the black chasm , the lament ... what an emotional roller coaster. Sir J.R.R.Tolkien you rule.
It seems as though almost every reactor gets so caught up in what Gandalf is doing that they forget their surrounded by goblins shooting arrows. That's why no one could go back to help him.
To be honest so did the characters until the arrows from the Orcs start hitting the stones beside them
@BigBWolf90 I know right?🤣
Also half the bridge just broke. Wanna fall too? 😅
@@Commander-vf1lk I know, right?
Not to mention they were about a hundred yards away,
The death of Gandalf is the moment where any remaining LotR skeptics become emotionally invested.
For the people still wondering why nobody went to help Gandalf after the Balrog had fallen: 1. The bridge was super unstable and not safe to tread on, after 1/3 of it broke off 2. The orcs/goblins were following directly behind the Balrog, so anyone standing on the edge of the remains of that bridge would have been an easy target for them.
The bridge is narrow like that to funnel enemy invaders.
It’s a defensive bridge.
His wings are made of darkness. Damn how cool he is, how cool he is
Brief and generalized context to Gandalf's "Servant of the secret fire," Also, Gandalf and the Balrog are essentially the same beings they just took on different forms.
1. Wielder of the flame of Anor alludes to the Valar and the Eru (God the creator) Basically, no flame is greater than the creator's.
2. Flame of Udun refers to Morgoth (Sauron's master and the fallen Maiar).
It's not spicy Udon soup 🥣 ?
The Balrog: "Finally, a worthy opponent. Our battle will be legendary."
@@antonioarreola3097 Right up to the point where he smote his ruin upon the mountainside.
The flame of Anor, also known as the flame of creation, is the secret sauce Eru used to create everything. Its also the thing morgoth craved more than anything, and searched for for untold eons
Melkor/Morgoth was a member of the Valar not a Maia
Gandalf fighting his cousin.
If you know you know
More of a sibling, but I digress.
@@TheMightyCrucibleKnight184 No, not really. Ainur are only "Siblings" if Eru considers them to be so, such as Manwe and Melkor, or Yavanna and Vana.
With Sauron the most powerful of the Maiar brethren.
Gandalf was the only one who stood a chance against the balrog
Yes, they are both Maiar.
This foe is beyond any of you.
He actually had an advantage. He was stronger but had to protect everyone.
Consider how much power Sauron would have had if both Smaug and the Balrog had lived and joined forces with him. 😢
What many don't understand is that two characters, besides Boromir, die in the 1st movie.
Gandalf and Frodo.
Gandalf returns as Gandalf the white, a spirit of sorts; and Frodo started to die the moment he put the ring on his finger.
The ending of the 3d movie, the boat ride of Gandalf and Frodo, symbolizes death, that's why Frodo say "you cannot follow" and that is why everyone is crying, because they know.
No, Frodo died when he was wound by the witch king blade.
@@bjam27 You are right
I think all the reactors were only watching this demon chasing them. It's like everybody were so engrossed with the majestic Balrog that they forgot about the spear weilding actual villians- the Orcs, who were hiding in the shadows from the Balrog "with spears".
Soon after Galdalf fell they were bombarded by spears from every side. This is the very reason Aragon and others couldn't approach and help Gandalf climb back. Even Gandalf didn't want them to save him.
No, the reason was the rest of the bridge collapsed moments later, and that would have taken anyone trying to save Gandalf down into the chasm, too.
1:13 I love how you see her heart break as she’s saying it.😂
I know it’s not communicated super clearly in the moment, but they would’ve been kebab’d by arrows the moment they tried moving out to help Gandalf.
“YOU SHALL NOT PASS!”
He meant that in every sense.
While the scene is extremely iconic and cinematic, a lot of people don't understand the context in the greater legendarium and the impact this fight actually had. Tolkien hated this, but i'll put it into Christian parlance to make it easier to understand for the person who is not "in the know" about Tolkien's works. This fight would be like if Gabriel (the angel) fought with Mephistopheles (One of Lucifer's Lieutenants). While they are not the leaders of their respective sides so to speak, they are EXTREMELY strong and influential members of their sides.
YOU SHALL NOT PASS ONE OF THE GREATEST LINES EVER AND THE PERFECT ACTOR TO DELIVER IT LEGENDARY ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
The thing people dont seem to realise is the reason they stop frodo from helping is because the bridge has just crumbled, if frodo ran out onto it, theres a good chance it could crumble even more. Saving gandalf was literally impossible.
I've said it before, I'll say it again; no matter how many times I watch this scene, I always get chills!
I never asked why nobody helped Gandalf. I'm not a moron.
I'm no structural engineer but a main reason why no one tried to rescue Gandalf is because the dinky bridge had been compromised. A bridge works by having both ends pushing up and the structure in between pushing against each other.
Half the bridge was gone so any more weigh could cause the rest to fall.
Plus this was before Sam got the elvish rope.
That's what happened in the book--the rest of the bridge collapsed seconds later.
The bridge is a cave thong 😂 I spit out my drink! 😂
The best part is when you have read the Silmarillion and realize that while Gandalfs speech to the Balrog seems odd talking to a monster you’ll realize that the Balrog knew EXACTLY what he meant. It becomes all the more powerful when you know too.
The old Master JRR Tolkien went all George RR Martin on his character's asses before it was cool. 😂
You can tell the person REALLY hasn't watched the scene is when they ask "why aren't they helping him" right after the whip.
As a testament to just how wonderful the script, direction, and acting this crew had, the scene on the mountainside, after Gandalf fell? That was one of the first days of filming for the movie. Just amazing.
Watching people's reactions to movies we grew up with on TH-cam is (in Ryan George's voice) *TIGHT*
*Fellowship hiding from a constant onslaught of arrows*
Every single reactor on TH-cam: WHY AREN'T THEY HELPING HIM?!?!
100th comment! The interesting thing going on in this scene is that Gandalf and the Balrog are sort of like old schoolmates, in a manner of speaking. Both were present and participating during the Song of Creation at the beginning of the world, though Gandalf remained true to the vision of Illuvitar (the God of Tolkien's universe) while the Balrog sided with Melkor. While there's no evidence that they were ever friends, they might be said to have known each other in passing, at least. Despite their very different appearances (and size), they are good and evil versions of the same order of being (Maiar).
Yes, they're effectively an angel and a fallen angel.
I read the books just before the Fellowship was released. Yeah... I cried when Gandalf fell.
I first read this series back in 1976 when I was a kid. I have read it multiple times and I don't know how many times I have seen the movies (and even this clip). Gandalf's fall still gets to me.
And don't get me started on Boromir!
That's technically Gandalf's sibling, balrogs were once maiar (same as gandalf) that were corrupted by Morgoth who Sauron first served
I've seen this 1000 times but Frodo's guttural scream his pale from tears distraught face still gets me everytime. I believe it is because I, unlike most other people, other then most people know who Gandalf people ofren do not even know is that Gandalf is a Maiar, a subclass from the Ainur (so are Saruman and Radagast)The race of Angels/Gods that the One God of Tolkien created before time itself to him him create the universe and Arda (Earth).
At this point Gandalf or Olorin (his real name) is over 61.000 years old. And knows a trick or two, on the other hard the Balrog was created by Morgoth, a Valar also a subclass from the Ainur although they are older, stronger and wiser (there are only 12 Valar, but many Maiar).
J.R.R. Tolkien put to paper what an epic clash between a demon and an angel would look like & Peter Jackson brought it to life
Watching this for the first time in the Cinema when it came out, I was one of the few who had a "knowing grin" plastered over my face as Gandalf fell. My friend (who had ZERO clue) was huffing and grumping, just like many other there. I simply said: "This is part 1 of 3." He took the hint.
one thing i found odd is that they didnt explicitly show Aragorn was already trying to run to gandalf but the orc archers got in the way.
Canonically they dueled for several fortnights from the lowest pit to the mountains peak. The Balrog became a monster of murk, sludge and water after plunging into the cave lake and dragged Gandalf up through Moria on the endless stair until its flame reignited. It was until they were in the open air when Gandalf called down a storm into Glamdring, the former magic sword of the high elven king, that he was able to pierce its flesh and heart.
Also missed by most was how the balrogs flame sword shattered against glamdring.
Mostly true...but not several fortnights. A fortnight is two weeks. Gandalf and the balrog fought on the mountain-top for eight days before Gandalf killed it and then died of his own wounds.
As many people know, Ian McKellen actually messed up the line, as it was written "You cannot pass" not "You shall not pass". An interesting theory is that these were not lightly chosen words by Gandalf, but essentially a command. It's said he was invoking his power as a Maia and asking the Valar to quite literally, make it impossible for the Balrog to cross the bridge.
(I'm by no means a Tolkien lore expert so please, don't get upset if I've used the wrong terms or language) 😅🤣
Great edit-enjoyed that. Suggestion - I would add the scene from Forgetting Sarah Marshall when Peter does this scene in his house in his PJs
The weight of Frodo's responsibilities increases tenfold upon Gandalf's "death". Gandalf had a vision of his death and he knew when Frodo chose to go through the mountain, instead of continuing to go around it, that his death was imminent. The stricken look on Frodo's face as they stood grieving showed that he realized Gandalf knew how that choice would seal his fate even before they took one step into the mountain.
I don't think any of these reviewers read the books. Astonishing. It does make their reactions so very wonderful.
You can tell from the reactions exactly who read the book
The only, and I mean ONLY thing wrong with this trilogy is the failure to convey that Gandalf was incapable of being rescued as he hung on (I know the difference from the book). I feel all it needed was a CGI crack spreading on the bridge as he held as it would have conveyed they could not risk sending another fellowship member to their deaths. Maybe have the goblins start firing arrows early?
You mean the arrows being shot at them from the wasn't enough for you? Or the fact that the bridge had already broken in half any one it basic reasoning skills would know that the rest of it would go at any second, which with the aforementioned orc arrows made a rescue untenable?
@@GreyhawkTheAngry You say that, but more than one reviewer/reactor has mentioned it. (Even in this video).
@@imaginarycorgi7312that's because most people don't actually pay attention when they watch things
Not only that but they seem to forget how long and narrow it was. They were essentially no where near him to bother risking anyone.Least of all Frodo.
For the tolkien nerds - Just head cannon but I am pretty sure Eru Ilúvatar *god for those who dont know* allowed for Gandalf to face his death and fears as Gandalf apparently was afraid to face potential foes like Sauron or balrogs which were the same level of power being maiar *think low ranking angel* I think personally that this was tolkien saying that sometime we have to face death and fear to grow into what we are meant to be and God *tolkien's conception of it as he was catholic* would allow us to suffer so we can grow. Just my personal reading of it but maybe I'm off, know tolkien didn't want it to be a one for one metaphor of his religious faith but come on he had some of his religious beliefs through out.
"Fly you fools!" translation "move you idiots, I've got this"
It's more that they have no time to be standing there watching, because there are hordes of goblins chasing them, and those goblins start coming out of hiding as soon as Gandalf and the Balrog are both gone.
Reactors, see those arrows flying right afterward? That's why no one can help him. 💥🔥⚡😈🕳🗡🏹
This scene makes me cry every time I watch the trilogy
Think about it from Gandalf's perspective. He's already told them to go ahead. He's literally risking his life so that they at least have a chance to escape. He knows in a fair fight, he can't win, especially in that environment, so he's already willing to die. When he catches the ledge before he falls, he sees all of them watching him. He's probably surprised and even a little pissed off that they didn't go on ahead like he wanted them to. Which is why he calls them fools for watching the fight.
"Fly, you fools!" is more archaic. Fly in this context meant "flee".
just watched the fellowship again and manage to see through which areas are CG/ Blue screen and all that. but i realize that despite the technology and graphic being over 20 years old the Balrog still looks and feels very real even by today standards. seriously in blu-ray and checking frame by frame the CGI is better than some of today's CGI, i know its CGI but the texture , the smoke, the lighting, the weight if the movements it feels like it really is there.
The amount of people confused as to why Boromir won't let Frodo WITH THE RING run across the bridge to help Gandalf is staggering lol. There's no telling if the rest could collapse.
It did collapse moments later in the book. Good call by movie Boromir.
sfx Still hold up to this day
Yall, as a sixth grader that had to watch this happen and wait a whole Goddamn year to see what happens next, this was absolutely fucking devastating.
Why aren't you helping him? Just walk towards Gandalf, grab his hands, and pull up both the old man and the ancient demon out of the pit.
Yeah, it's like they don't notice the absurd amount of arrows being fired by the goblins right after
What I find funny is that no one clearly has read the books before watching these movies. If you read the books you would know there is no way Gandalf died. I remember when The Hobbit used to be required reading in high schools and if you read The Hobbit then you would have read The Lord of the Rings as well. Once you read The Hobbit you have to read the other books too.
You find it funny or your being a snob.
@jdssurf Just making a comment. Sorry it apparently offended your gentle soul.
@@sarahcarter971 lmao your still doing it
@@jdssurf So are you.
@@GreyhawkTheAngry i mean shes still being a snob
Everyone misses the 1st shot that shows how far they were from the bridge.....they couldn't have reached him in time, (and it was raining arrows)
Thank Morgoth for twisting these creatures into what they are.
They couldn't help Gandalf because the Orcs are shooting at them.
They couldn't help Gandalf because the rest of the bridge collapsed seconds later.
It’s funny hearing people thinking the Balrog was some kind of dragon. I watched this movie when I was 10 and even then I never thought about that possibility although it does make sense with all the fire and greed symbolism
Help him?
Balrog is a WMD, hobbits and Aragorn vs it...um no.
I just love seeing another generation seeing this for their first time
4:04 that part made me laugh
you cut it the wrong time, should have added the aftermath of fellowship outside the mountain...
Pippin's fault, of course.
Fool of a Took
Movie Pippin: touches an arrow stuck in a dead Dwarf which accidentally causes it to fall causing a loud commotion & everyone loses their shit
Book Pippin: *purposefully drops a rock down a well just to hear it hit the bottom thus purposefully causing a massive noise on a stealth mission & no one bats a fucking eye*
@@BigBWolf90 Gandalf lost his shit on Pippin in the book, and made Pippin take the first watch while the rest slept.
Now we need one for gandalf's return
Is it just me, or does the girl from Media Knights have an unsettlingly deep voice? O.o
FYI. Udun in Elvish literally means Hell.
More like "dark pit" in sindarin but yes essentially
Clearly most of these reactors have not read the books
whatever snob
Well, arguably that's part of the point. If I was one of these people I'd not do a reaction for a adaptation to something I'd read and at least mostly knew what happened in.
@@GreyhawkTheAngry i know, im so tired of all these ppl bashing for them not reading the books, like your soooooooo special you read the books, fkn snobs
If i make a video of the top 5 best movie monsters of all time, I think the Balrog would be #1!
Gandalf and the balrog. Are one in the same.
The girl on the first clip kida looks like Eowyn...
We need a reaction of Gandalfs battle against the Balrog in the beginning of the next movie
I don't believe they didn't warch it earlier, it cant be true
Now do the red wedding 😂
LOTR is definitely the grown up version of Harry Potter. Potter is a rly good movie/series, but theirs something special and next level greatness about LOTR..for 👍 sure
I REFUSE to believe that any of these people have never seen Lord of The Rings lmfao Reaction Channels are so fake
Run you fools
Frodon's scream is heartbreaking..
the first pair displays the sad state how the domination of a single religion in society limits the 'vision' of people ( and 'follow' no ffs said RUN you fools' )
that ,is 'literally' as far AWAY from the butchered remnant of babylonian mythology's star poetry the fairytale known as the bible stole from
for one thing , the Balrog and Gandalf is the SAME kind of 'lesser' god's , gandalf holds back his powers not to wreck crap around himself the balrog because it still tended its wounds after the previous age war of GODS aka valar vs valar 'major gods directly involved in the song of creation/existence shaping' and maiar vs maiar ergho what gandalf and the balrog is
No they couldn't have helped him. Anyone who went to help him would have died themselves. Aragorn knew that.