TAURIEL - Daughter of The Forest Part 1

Part 2 here: • TAURIEL - Daughter of ...

[@denisachumchalova2329]

I guess I'm the only one who likes Tauriel and the romance between her and Kili. A lot of people doesn't like the idea but i really adore the hope and the faith It symbolized. Or am I the only one who sees it this way?

[@HobGungan]

I do like the idea. I felt the execution was a little inorganic, which is a legitimate flaw in the films, but HARDLY a fatal one. Though I have not seen BotFA since the theatres so a rewatch/furst view of the EE might even invoke an alteration of my perspective. And I feel anyone who criticizes it because "Elves and Dwarves hate each other!" or Tauriel in general because "Why we need womenz?!" are just frankly....wrong-headed is about the most generous way I could put that.

[@Tawadeb]

I liked it and thought it was perfect

[@SamuraiCats]

You’re not alone. My thoughts about the criticisms: everyone calls it a romance. It wasn’t. It was the start of something. A young (for an elf) elf meeting someone other than an elf for the first time. She’s curious and what she encounters, particularly with Kili flies in the face of what she’d likely been taught of dwarves and why Thranduil kept his kingdom closed from outsiders. She frankly, probably couldn’t name what she was feeling - curiosity, interest, etc. Remember, she talks with her king and knows plainly he won’t allow Legolas to pursue her in any real way. And it’s not clear those feelings are reciprocated by her. She knows Legolas is interested but it also sounds like she’s largely been restricted in how she can act on those feelings or with who. Elves have but a single mate. They don’t enter into affairs of the heart lightly. And if all the kingdom knows the king’s son likes you? No one else is likely to pursue her. And then in comes a dwarf with no knowledge of any of this. I think her desire to help the dwarves was out of compassion. They are of the world, and in danger. She did not have a closed off view of the world like her king. Someone else wrote that her grief in Kili’s death was over what might have been. She wasn’t mourning a great love affair. She was mourning the loss of both a good being and the loss of any chance at seeing what could be. She was mourning that she’d never know more than these moments. The other thing this mutual interest does is act as a vehicle to show Thranduil what he has cut himself off from. Her compassion drove her to help, drover Legolas to follow her and thus Thranduil out of Mirkwood to see what became of his son. That she could and did open her heart to dwarves and men (saving Bard’s children) was the catalyst for Legolas to see the world and for Thranduil to start caring again. Those 2 things would not have happened otherwise - meaning Thranduil may not have engaged Sauron’s northern forces in the war for the ring and thus more of middle earth might have come under Sauron’s rule.

[@stellabrandt1249]

No, i've always loved her I watched the hobbit when i was a kid and rewatched it soo many times, thay my family got sick of it and stopped me from watching it for a long time. But even then, no matter how many times i watch the ending of the hobbit, i can't ever stop myself from crying🥺 And i LOVED tauriel soo much😍 I know nothing of the book of the tolkiens and all that, but i just tend to enjoy the movie, without thinking too deep into the roots of the characters, and rather think on the characters present time selves

[@JeanBaptisteEmanuelZorg]

no you are not, but we don’t seek attention

[@Buffy8Fan]

What people are missing is that Kili and Tauriel's romance has nothing to do with them but is all about teaching Legolas to not be so prejudiced. Think about the way he acts when you first see him interact with elves in DOS and the first time we see him interact with elves in LOTR. Kili and Tauriel's romance was what taught him. That was the whole point of it.

[@12classics39]

But the entire point of Legolas and Gimli’s relationship is that it starts out hostile because they each have been raised to dislike the other’s race. But then when they get to know each other, they grow fond of one another and realize their differences are not in fact a bad thing, and that they don’t have to repeat the cycle. This is pretty much unprecedented between an Elf and a Dwarf. There have been collaborations between them before, but usually on mutually beneficial work projects like the building of Menegroth, Nargothrond, and the doors of Moria. Never before Legolas and Gimli have an Elf and Dwarf just hung out for no reason other than that they care for each other. That uniqueness and specialness is annihilated by the Kíli/Tauriel thing, a thing which is also nonsensical because of the feud between their races. They should’ve been raised to dislike the other’s kin and been hostile for that reason. Legolas and Gimli need a lot of time to get to know each other before their relationship warms. But Kíli and Tauriel are suddenly “deeply in love” after one little talk about stars? Yeah, right.

[@Buffy8Fan]

@@12classics39 That doesn't take away from the idea that Legolas warms up to Gimli quicker than should and would be normal. Tauriel showed him it doesn't have to be that way. Both my and your comments add and flesh story and character development out.

[@12classics39]

@@Buffy8Fan true, I guess, but still Legolas & Gimli spent a whole month in Lothlorien getting to know each other more. Kili & Tauriel only had 1 conversation. That would be somewhat sufficient enough in conveying Tauriel is willing to open her mind to dwarves, which would've made her an interesting inspiration for Legolas with NO need for a forced romance. As it is, it's "after one talk she's so in love with him that she throws away her whole life for him." Messed up.

[@Buffy8Fan]

@@12classics39 Personally I dislike the book in terms of detail, so I consider The Hobbit trilogy an improvement on the book no matter the trilogy's flaws. And even then, it would have been better if the studio hadn't of stalled a greenlight to the point of losing del Toro before not giving Jackson the time he needed to reconfigure the movie to be made as he wanted over how del Toro had it. Therefore the pre-production on The Hobbit wasn't nearly as much time as it should have been; script writing included. Peter Jackson was hospitalized for severe stress during production because all this was so bad.

[@meiisobelalyczise.toreroto4906]

It's very disappointing that nowadays people thought of Elves like tinker bell, small. I love professor Tolkien's idea more on Elves, tall, Intelligent and fighters.

[@beeochg4]

I thought tinker bell was a fairy, when I think of elves tho the ones who work in Santa’s workshop come to mind lol. Still small beings with large pointy ears. Over all I do prefer Tolkien’s vision of them. As being superior to humans. Tall, graceful, beautiful and wise beyond their years since they are basically immortal. Being able to live for so long without aging.

[@cool06alt]

@Zoe K. Have you even read silmarillion? those elves are immensely powerful fighter lmao.

[@jamiecullum5567]

The idea of tinkerbells like elves comes from the Victorian era

[@dokjaspanty8716]

They are elegant too :")

[@kevinscheeseballhair9720]

@@dokjaspanty8716 yes 😭

[@NewDivded]

"I looked like a little dwarf." Oh sweet Tauriel. xD

[@IsabellaN777]

+NewDivded Evangeline you mean XD

[@QueenMeowTigeress]

+NewDivded kili approve

[@DebrisDiver]

10:49 the faint "wow" killed me.

[@vronelblocker8777]

to discover that she was 3 months postpartum make her all the more remarkable , to be able to move like she had to in order to fit the role in less than 3 months postpartum is just astounding

[@BezoRazo]

It's actually appropriate that Tauriel looked a bit more... well, human. As Philippa herself pointed out, Silvan Elves are a bit more earthy, not possessed of that preternatural elegance of the Sindar.

[@jeganka]

i love the addition of tauriel in the movie. she's such a badass!!!

[@Tawadeb]

So do I. Badass and beautiful

[@violaschmid4686]

I would have liked to see Tauriel as more of a little sister figure/ friend to Legolas. She is described as rather young (for an elve) and more curious amd not so separated from the other worlds than the others. It would have been great if she made friends with the dwarfs (but NO romance), interested in their quest, defing thranduil and going after them, seeing the world and legolas following her. It would have been a new element and not a adding a femal just so they can make a lovestory....

[@cabbagemerchant2867]

I agree

[@AtenRa]

Although it's too bad Eve's design didn't make the final cut, it's so great to see them give the full story of the armour and full credit for all her hard work designing it and teaching the crew to make it here. It's really impressive mail! Maybe it could appear in the TV series.

[@The11IsaN]

If I was PJ, or directing the movie, I would have had Tauriel as like an adopted sister for Legolas. Then, she falls in love with Kili. (No love triangle, but just an "older brother" looking out for his sis) and Thranduil telling her to stay away and not fall in love with a Dwarf would also make sense... Then Kili and Tauriel gets killed by Bolg, thus creating a reason for Legolas to fight Bolg and kill him in the Battle of the Five Armies. It also creates a reason why he doesn't like a Dwarf (he thinks Kili got his sis killed) and also why he would join the fellowship....

[@dombiasi3439]

good idea, but they said they didnt want a warrior princess...

[@The11IsaN]

+Dom Biasi Bloodline is important for the elves. Didn't have to be a princess or have claim to the throne

[@deamongimli]

If I was to include Tauriel I probably would have avoided adding a romance subplot and instead just had her be Legolas' friend + captain of the guard and had her accompany Legolas throughout that part of the story. When she leaves for laketown it could perhaps have been because she had failed to stop the dwarves escape and as such was trying to bring them back until she and Legolas encounter the orcs. Would not have fixed everything, but I feel the movie would have been better that way.

[@idachristineriksson6782]

Thank you, YES. Way better plot outline than what we acually got.

[@oliviaphoenixpark7344]

10:49 Poor Evangeline, you can really tell how uncomfortable she felt...

[@nevillelongbottom1628]

Adding a female character was incredibly risky, but I think the fact that my 7 year old nieces are going to trick-or-treat as Galadriel and Tauriel, respectively, is really nifty. I asked them why those characters, and they said it's because they were amazing women. Seven year old mouths.

[@laurenguthrie237]

I love Tauriel and her fierce character. I just did not see the point of the romance.

[@nathanaelreyes5854]

Well that aspects actually kinda complicated. There's a bit of a story behind it. One half is explained in the second part and the other half I could explain.

[@nathanaelreyes5854]

***** Is there another dwarf/elf romance in The Silmarillion or Unfinished Tales?

[@Tiger74147]

+Nathanael Miranda No, there was never any such thing. Jerry C is off his rocker.

[@Tiger74147]

+Lauren Guthrie I agree, it wasn't so much that Tauriel was bad (a little cheesey but so were a lot of things), but the romance was so antithetical to the spirit of the Hobbit that it breaks a lot of things.

[@nathanaelreyes5854]

Tiger74147 "Anithetical"? Isn't the message of The Hobbit (that I took from it when I read it) that you don't have to be a wizard or a powerful elf or a king to be a hero? By the end, Bilbo becomes a hero. So does Bard. So do the dwarves. I personally think that's a more powerful and great message then "Greed is bad. Lookie how bad greed is" that people often interpret it as. So in a way, Tauriel is that too. She saves Bard's kids and the Dwarves and helps them escape Lake-town during Smaug's attack. And she was just captain of the guard. Bilbo fights by Gandalf and by giving the Arkenstone away helps save the dwarves. And his compassion doesn't make him any less noble then Thorin.

[@webdoar]

1st of all Evangeline is gorgeous, & as Tauriel even more so. The spunk almost mischievous spunk of the character made her even more so. That lady was a fighter, look at how she chopped away at those orcs in battle after battle; yet also had a heart, great combo. The quicky romance, fell in love with the dwarf. Yes a bit odd, maybe BUT I make 2 takes on it in a positive light [1] it shows what we can all learn in our lives, racial hate can be changed to love even among strong personalities [2] hey fellow men don't you know yet that you will never be able to totally understand the female mind?

[@KevinSchwager1979]

I always liked the silvan elves more. They are more earthy, more bound to this world and also to it's weaknesses. And Tauriel became kind of the princess of them. She represents the beauty of being a child of the woodlands.

[@leonibnlaahad3804]

I really liked the character of Tauriel when i first saw the desolation of Smaug. It was interesting to see another kind of elf, one which embody the way of the Silvan elves and that wildness that make them so diferent than the Sindar or Noldor elves. The only thing that screw her character was the romance with Kili

[@michaelt.5672]

In the german translation, the editors actually altered the word for elves. Normally, the word for "elves" would be "Elfen", but they changed it to "Elben", so that they would not be associated with the little fairy creatures.

[@japanhd2520]

Actually Tolkien himself choose that writing, bacause he knew of that fact. (and he did have quite the knowledge of German as well)

[@AmerginMacEccit]

Those WETA lads and lassies are pure magic...

[@ourkeving]

I feel so sorry for the lady who made the metal leaf armour that got shelved.

[@Lardon2]

As a huge fan of Tokien's books and movies, I'm happy to see how deep a story and personality new characters have as Thranduill, Legolas and Tauriel!

[@troublemaker833]

I loved Tauriel. I know a lot of people disliked her unelvish ways (Getting engaged in the worlds courses, actually getting her hands dirty) and her romance with Kíli but I loved it. It shows again (as Legolas and Gimli’s friendship did before) that there is no black and white within the races; that dwarves and elves could get along even feel affection for one another. I don’t think that it would have worked out, even if Kíli had lived, but I think it is beautiful as it is. It would have been strange, if the romance would have been developed further. In the movies everything we see, is more a feeling of fascination and mutual respect and attraction hanging in the air. They barely touch each other; the only kiss they share is when he has died. This whole romance is so much a link of likeminded spirits - both Kíli and Tauriel are very young, very rebellious against old customs and beliefs of their races, both out on their first big adventure, very curious at the world and they share a need to fight for those who can’t for themselves (do not forget it was Kíli and only Kíli - which is interesting, because there are other Dwarves like Balin and Dwalin who knew Thorin way longer - who went after Thorin during BOTFA, telling him he couldn’t just sit there). It is not a physical love story, but a connection, a feeling.

[@jackson5802]

What I love about writing fantasy post-Tolkien isn't taking the depth he created and trying to emulate it but picking up where he left off. He was frustrated by the way elves were portrayed in his time and brought them back to their older versions, and I feel that the next step would be looking at why elves became seen as small creatures and implementing that into literature.

[@ryanstoner2736]

Before watching LOTR i always thought of Santa's elves or little things! But after LOTR you mention elf i immediately think of someone like Legolas or Elrond or Galadriel. Elves are more iconic now thanks to Professor Tolkien!!!!!

[@rebelxoswald]

Why is everyone complaining? So she wasn't in the books? That doesn't matter. And if you were watching this all the way, you'll notice Tolkien never described what the Silvan Elves looked like. In LOTR he didn't even describe what color hair Legolas had. And when it comes to the romance thing. There is nothing wrong with the Tauriel/Kili romance. It was a very small part of the movies. Tauriel didn't immediately fall in love with Kili when she talked to him. She became intrigued with him. Also Kili/Legolas/Tauriel thing was not a love triangle. A love triangle is when a person of the main affection returns the feelings to both people. Tauriel only returned Kili's feelings, never Legolas's. I believe she only saw Legolas as a friend or even a brother.

[@hindsightpov4218]

11:03 Evangeline's uh-oh look is adorable.

[@ceilingbees2427]

This should be titled “how to properly armour female characters” because full body mail that still shows lithe grace and form is so important

[@frostfoulplays6805]

I believe that Tauriel was played very well by Evangeline, however Jackson totally muddied the history of the Silvan elves by throwing in that extremely forced love triangle and such with Kili, Legolas and Tauriel, and such, and giving her that healing power. As far as I know, Silvan elves aren't capable of this. I wish they would've focused more on the important things, like maybe Bard and his people, because their stories seemed really rushed. It's already been done, so there's not much to be said, but I do appreciate their work in the first two movies.

[@Tiger74147]

+Arwen Edhel Of Jotunheim You've captured my feelings precisely! Now I can rest, knowing someone out there feels the same way.

[@frostfoulplays6805]

+Tiger74147 Lol thank you. I guess some things are better left in books than on- screen.

[@Tiger74147]

+Arwen Edhel Of Jotunheim Also your name implies that you're an elf giant. True or false? XD

[@frostfoulplays6805]

+Tiger74147 Ahaha yes I love the elves, but all of Tolkien's creatures have a special place in my heart.

[@alcahallic4526]

+Arwen Edhel Of Jotunheim Being a Tolkien Fanatic I felt that the way Thranduil was depicted was almost as damaging as creating Tauriel, in the books he is a wise but compassionate ruler, and noble, he joined with Celeborn and Galadriel in the LOTR Appendixes and attacked Dol Guldur, after the fall of Sauron, utterly destroying the fortress, anyway his character came off as arrogant and selfish in the films, of course one reason is that the writers had to have him at odds with Tauriel and her love triangle with his son and a Dwarf. Sounds silly when I mention it here.

[@bauchbart]

"Some Elves, like Galadriel, went all the way to Valinor...." Bullshit. Galadriel wasn't even born when the Elves traveled to Valinor. Even Galadriels Father Finarfin himself was born in the undying lands, son to Finwe and his second wife Indis, a Vanyar. Which btw is the reason why Galadriel, despite being a Noldor Elve, is blonde of hair.[Geek-Mode OFF]

[@swimmingagainsttheti]

bauchbart I believe he meant "elves like Galadriel" not including her; she is the only prominent example in the films of an elf that has witnessed the light.

[@nunyabidnss9094]

bauchbart you're forever a super geek

[@OsoExistencial]

agree with 1 the nly, why so much suffering, it's just a movie, no THE movie and the only movie that can exist of lotr

[@OsoExistencial]

if you want something legit, just read the book, and stop expecting yourself for a movie, just enjoy it, enjoy the vision of the book from another person, it's an adaptation non a copy/paste thing. same as lotr trilogy

[@katiecooper1387]

I'm reading the Silmarillion for the first time (and loving it) and I love this comment. :)

[@espressochicken3368]

10:48 Absolute silence... '...wow...' lmao

[@philjamieson5572]

Elves/Elfs of the (none pixie-like) Lord Of The Rings style are mentioned, prior to the 16th Century, in many cultures, including English, Welsh, and Scottish.

[@BLAAARGGHH]

Tauriel was my favourite character in the film. (followed extremely closely by Dain)

[@matthewkretschmer7010]

Fascinating to hear where the light elves are based from. I really enjoyed the role that Tauriel had the film. It's good that they added a strong female character, who originally doesn't appear in The Hobbit and wasn't created by Tolkien, in the film and is an elve. Another thing fascinating, is how her name originally began as (Itarille) before it was Tauriel, Daughter of Mirkwood. Lady Eowyn, I see her almost as much as a great skilled female warrior as Tauriel, but Tauriel is faster and quicker. Luthien, Idril and there's also Galadriel's daughter, Celebrían. I find Tauriel a lot better than Xena Warrior Princess from. I agree, with Richard Taylor, that the dragon light woven out leaf mail and fine chainmail costume is so beautiful; that they used for the costume ideas for Tauriel. I was glad that they had Evangeline Lilly for the role. I see her differently about what she says about herself in the first costume. That and the fitted brown leather corset and laser cut leaves looked very good on her.

[@blythetaylor4063]

As such an avid fan of the original Hobbit book I found myself disappointed by all the changes made in the film. It was as if they were trying to make the Hobbit into something it wasn't, instead of exploring the original playful, fairy-story qualities that made it so unique from Lord of the Rings. That being said- I thought Tauriel was an interesting choice and I can see the appeal in adding a character like her to the story (it was a far better decision than adding Legolas, re-introducing Galadriel and all the other mumbo jumbo that was done.) If they had developed her character in more depth, steered clear from the romance, and kept to the original look and feel of the Hobbit, this decision might have had a more positive impact on the movie. I love the idea of a slightly rougher around the edges Wood- elf warrior character, especially one that is female. Wish we could see her in a film that actually resembles The Hobbit.

[@JFrazer4303]

The things that happened with the council and surrounding Dol Guldur did happen at that time as in the movie, though the book made no mention of them besides Gandalf being absent much of he time.

[@bryden72]

Love all the experts you get online lol

[@chrism3790]

At first I was dissappointed at Jackson for making so much of the story up with Tauriel. But now I understand his decision. Still, I think her story was exaggerated and badly executed. Falling in love with a dwarf was too much.

[@-pyrosef-]

+Yol Con shut the fuck up, the above comment has every thing to do with what you're saying. The OP said it was badly executed and Then the above comment reinforced that point because you ignored it.

[@MindNumbingInc]

The idea seems good. Members of two races which has been in a blood feud for so long falling in love seems good on paper, but the execution toppled it. A whirlwind without at least a steady hand into things.

[@chrism3790]

Tolkien did Elf + Men and even Elf + Maia (and then Man + Half-Maia/Half-Elf), but he NEVER did Man + Dwarf or Elf + Dwarf. And theres a very specific reason for that. Unlike the other 3, Dwarves were not created by Iluvatar. They were created by Aulë, the Craftsman of the Ainur. Their differences are more than just about not liking each other. It's about their very origin.

[@swimmingagainsttheti]

Chris M While I would have preferred that she bonded with Kili as a friend (who mutually understands her wanting to explore the world) over a lover. I don't see it as unbelievable that she could live a dwarf. Elves are supposed to be higher beings; thus I feel they don't seek love in physical appearance but in the heart and would of the other being. And while they may have fell in love to quickll, this is a fairytale. Aragon and Arwen fell in love at first sight.

[@adampetten5349]

prejudiced much. Humans except for Numenoreans like Aragorn are pitiful weak creatures.

[@inspektorradisha]

I'm almost sure Galadriel was BORN in Valinor.

[@jmitterii2]

She was.

[@mrgrey21]

she was born in valinor but also banished from there because she left the lands without permission when the Noldorin left the lands pursuing Melkor who had stolen the silmarillions

[@jamiecullum5567]

@@mrgrey21 she returns to the under dying lands at the end of the 3rd age tho.

[@jamiecullum5567]

And they were banished for the killing of other elves not just for leaving. The valar made iy very clear they never forced the elves to stay in aman just that they thought they should

[@feanor1488]

@@mrgrey21 The Silmarils, not the Silmarillions.

[@shannonmcstormy5021]

I have a sweet tooth for all things Tolkien, Tolkien-esque and the Fey/Elves. From the Summer and Winter Courts of the Fey in legend to Tinkerbell. Seeing the elves perform superhero-level movement and skill was awesome (though admittedly Legolas' moves and feats during the Hobbit movie's, "Barrel ride" and his running up stones that were falling weren't done as well). I also LOVE the diversity they have embedded into the films and series. Seeing non-White and female characters on the screen as cool important characters is brilliant and entirely in keeping with the spirit of Tolkien's embedded moral and social lessons, as well as early fantasy writers such as McCaffrey and others. Its been amazing.

[@shannonmcstormy5021]

P.s. And if you don't think celebrating Diversity was foundational to Tolkien's stories, I need only point to the friendship between Legolas and Gimli which was one of the central features of his stories. If another examples are needed, which it should not be, I first point to different people's coming together against evil, first against Morgoth and 2nd and 3rd against Sauron. Second, there is Éowyn and Meriadoc slaying the Witch King. Tolkien was a child of the 1st world war and saw the evil of Nationalism, exclusion, and non-acceptance of difference. His stories are about good versus evil and celebrating Diversity and different people coming together and accepting each other as one, uniting to fight evil. Taurel is entirely in keeping with the spirit of Tolkien's central messages. .

[@georgiewalker1069]

This was just incredible. Thank you from South Africa 🇿🇦

[@Nerdrage20]

I have yet to see a video in which Martin Freeman doesn't say the F word. I love it!

[@tindomul8977]

I love Tauriel, romance or not. The character itself is great. 🙂

[@Syklonus]

I like this character, and I liked the implied romance between her and Kili. It sends a nice message that love has no boundaries, and the world could do with more of that. It's not as if it was the main focus of the movie either. It was very much in the background.

[@Kalypsoo]

This idea of romance was horribly bad, because the friendship of Legolas and Gimli took many monthes and it was supposed to be the purest friendship and relationship between an elv and a dwarf that ever exist. The fact that she fell in love with a dwarf with who she barely speak in a jail for 5 minutes maximum is ridiculous and put the relation between Gimli and Legolas from "extraordinary" to "random". So it shits on the work of Tolkien in some way.

[@creatureoftheeast3331]

@@Kalypsoo In the books didn't they spend months in jail?

[@Kalypsoo]

@@creatureoftheeast3331 In the book, Tauriel doesn't even exist

[@creatureoftheeast3331]

@@Kalypsoo I know. I just saw the same video as you. Of course the movies aren't going to be the same as the books. You don't like the movies then stick with the books

[@Kalypsoo]

@@creatureoftheeast3331 Sorry to be bored by the fact that a non-canon character takes more importance on screen (to add by the way, nothing to story, except a bad written romance that nobody asked and nobody needed) than the main characters of the story (who are supposed to be the dwarves), in a book adaptation. And say fuck to the rules instaured by Tolkien in his own universe. That's called the "non respect"...

[@covodex516]

you don't need a costume to make this stunning woman look like an elve

[@annminashvili617]

I Loved and loved Tauriel. ❤❤❤❤

[@Ares99999]

Honestly, I wonder if Tauriel survived. She pretty much pointed an arrow at her king. I'm thinking Thranduil would have forgiven her after seeing how grief-stricken she was.

[@TimeturnerJ]

I would have liked her as a character, but then they had to rush her into a pointless lovestory with a dwarf. I imagine that an elf wouldn't rush into love like that, after all, they have millenia of experience in such matters and others. The whole thing just made her character look flat and unbelievable. I mean, come on... She couldn't get Legolas, so she basically flings herself at the next male thing she sees? They should have built her character around something other than love trouble.

[@legolasthesonofthranduil9862]

...

[@francisaguilar1260]

Luthien did the same thing..or close enough

[@saeykak249]

Timeturner but its not what you think that counts so shut up couch potatoes and do something with your life beside criticising!

[@dbamp]

In the movie, I think it was implied that Legolas actually liked her, but she didn't return his feelings.

[@TimeturnerJ]

Aili Yu I'm pretty sure the feeling was mutual, but Thranduil was all like "yeah no, a peasant like you can't have my son."😂

[@OceanTiger]

the elves are amazing all those skills in fighting, I'm surprised the orcs have been alive for so long

[@8mmkyle865]

Wait... if Mirkwood elves got drunk and knew how to drink, why in Return of the King does Legolas not seem to understand drinking games and experiences getting drunk for the first time?

[@Rojeska]

I wonder how did all those writers miss the part that there were no ginger elves... Silvan elves were dark-haired.

[@WingsofHeaven322]

#amen

[@bionic3500]

how did you miss the part elves never really existed so they can write how they want

[@Rojeska]

bionic3500 yeah, their own fiction. This is not their own fiction.

[@hindsightpov4218]

+lililiari The filmmakers probably wanted to distinguish the Silvan elves from the Rivendell elves (who were portrayed as mostly dark-haired) and the Lothlorien elves (who were portrayed as mostly light-haired). They also gave all the elves pointy ears in the films to immediately distinguish them from the humans when in the books the elves didn't have pointy ears.

[@Rojeska]

+HindsightPOV it's not stated whether they had or they didn't have pointy ears. It is stated however what hair color they had. If you watch the vid we're commenting you'll see that they wanted a redhead for no other reasons than her being pretty.

[@Kosh800]

I remember reading or watching a bit about how the actress who played Tauriel (what a beautiful woman, BTW) only agreed to play the role if there was specifically no romance angle to it. None at all. After she got a distinct and for sure assurance that it was just going to be her, and no chance of a romance being thrown into the mix, did she agree to do the role. I think she also said that it went that way for a good portion of pre-production and filming, and that the only reason she [was forced] to do the love plot line was because she was so far along in the character, filming, and contracts. It's such a shame, because that plot line was the most shoehorned bullshit story line in this universe. First of all an elf and a dwarf falling in love sounds like the start to a very bad joke. Second, this movie didn't need a god damn love story. At all. Ever. Listen up, Hollywood, I know you think that you need some kind of love story to get the women into the film but you don't. Women will go to see strong female characters even if they aren't trying to get together with some guy in it. That's not me being all feminist, either, it's just the truth. It's a tired story that's put into everything. Shit, they even added it into the Deadpool movie and Deadpool has only ever been in love with two things. Himself and Death. As in the literal incarnation of Death. Having his origin story tied to a god damn love story was just as stupid as this. Giving the elves a face through her character was a great idea and a good example of expanding upon what Tolkien gave as a starting off point. Adding a stupid ass cross species love story isn't. Especially when it's thick in movie cliches like her falling in love with him, and being absolutely heart broken over his death, after knowing the guy for all of a few days. I've had bowel movements take longer than the amount of time their "relationship" lasted.

[@helenpetersen447]

Kosh800 You literally just said everything that needs to be said about this and I think everyone in the comments that's all "Why did the creative team add it in? They're so stupid!" needs to read this and educate themselves on the situation more. I shall also take the liberty of adding a courtesy mic drop for you: *drops mic*

[@mironiel5506]

Clearly you know nothing of Tolkien’s canon about elves, elves love once and they often fall in love at first sight. Love at first sight happens throughout all of his books, the two greatest romances, Beren and Luthièn, and Arwen and Aragorn, all fell in love at first sight. So actually, it’s totally canon for an elf to fall in love so fast.

[@beaudowns51]

Mironiel Blokzyl of Middle-earth Fëanor’s father was married twice, I’m blanking on his name for some reason.

[@beaudowns51]

Very, very well said

[@mironiel5506]

Beau Downs Elves marry once, although it seems Tolkien never said anything about elves falling in love more than once, although there arent many examples of that besides Finwë, Fëanor’s father, as the elves we know of stayed married to that first person they fell in love with. However it is totally canon for elves and humans to fall in love at first sight. It happens with all the great Tolkien romances.

[@sidensvans67]

Excellent . Wonderful creations .

[@LeiraFleur359]

An excellent upload, thank you.

[@meggrotte4760]

I like the female character in this movie. She was elegant but able to kick ass but in a kind of realistic way if she was an elf

[@rafaelaguirre1528]

7:20 I am so glad they did not go with that armor for Tauriel. It's cool enough on its own but it does not look like it belongs in Middle Earth and even PJ looks unimpressed with it. Also just listen to how it rustles. Imagine trying to sneak up on a spider with the cacophony of this mail.

[@EstyVids]

I have no problem with them creating a new character and thought Evangeline did a great job. However, I hate the stupid dwarf/elf romantic subplot they gave her. If they really needed to insert a romance into the story then they should have had it be between her and Legolas, perhaps with her dying at the end of the films as an explanation for Legolas's animosity with the dwarves in FotR. At least then she would have served a purpose in the film.

[@Stigmableedingblack]

Its propaganda for real life racemixing pure and simple.

[@EstyVids]

I don't think it has anything to do with that.

[@Ketta139]

"create a good strong female character, to have her own story" and all they did was throw Tauriel in for a love triangle. nice one. Honestly, she could have beenan amazing character but they completely destroyed the aspect of it all.

[@gretel654]

Ikr? The central point of her character was literally *romance*. The movie's creators should have asked George R.R. Martin for help writing a likable and respectable female character. His female characters, like Cersei, Daenerys, Sansa, Margaery, Arya, etc...They had romance elements, but it certainly was not the main focus of their storyline; they had their own personality and traits aside from love.

[@queenvictoriann]

I don’t care if the studio tried to hint at a love triangle...there is no love triangle. Kili and Tauriel’s romance is obviously a thing, but Tauriel and Legolas have a clear brother/sister relationship. I can back this up because of age problems actually.

[@queenvictoriann]

marcus24000 Yeah.....Thranduil says that. Thranduil has a lot of protective issues, he could have very easily said that to make his point about wanting her to stay away from Legolas. He says that because she’s a young, reckless elf that is enticing Legolas into leaving the Woodland Realm. I wouldn’t go by what Thranduil says....Legolas himself never expressed any romantic feelings towards her. Sure, he’s protective, but he’s like her big brother. Plus....in elf years....she’s a kid and he’s way older. In their culture, it would be weird for Legolas to be interested in her.

[@queenvictoriann]

marcus24000 Yes, but that still doesn’t mean Legolas actually does care about her, since he never really does say anything like that. Thranduil could have possibly misinterpreted their friendship as being romantic. I just don’t think it adds up.

[@DadGamer1984]

The only thing that ruined her character in the film was the rushed romance with the dwarf. If it developed slowly into a friendship, fine, but romance? Between two races that had grudges with one another for a very, very long time? Nah, too rushed and has 'fan-service' all over it.

[@DadGamer1984]

+Ninja StrongHeart That's the thing that makes the romance between her and Kili even more unbelievable. She's been with Legolas for hundreds of years, she knows he likes her, yet she falls for.....the new dwarf guy? What? Hell, Legolas' friendship with Gimli was more romantic and believable than Tauriel and Kili's.

[@misstinwhistle1]

+Eric Raymond Baluyut She was friends with Legolas. Why would you assume she should have a romance with him? He was in love with her but she wasn't in love with him. Simple as that.

[@Boa1701]

+misstinwhistle1 I don't think she wasn't in love with him, I got the impression that she wouldn't allow herself to fall in love with him because she knew Thranduil would not allow it. I could be wrong though.

[@chercher304]

+Boa1701 I think u are right but thranduil would not approve of a romance with a dwarf either!!

[@robertsleeth861]

+Cher cher Agreed.

[@Tiger74147]

Notice how the literary scholars aren't in the video once they start talking about Tauriel? Probably because they weren't asked about Tauriel and may not have even known of her existence when they were filmed. I suspect this was all deliberate, because I don't think they'd have anything nice to say about this invention.

[@nicolerodriguez9930]

At 10:51 Evangeline looks so awkward. Lol she's so cute!

[@minisnape]

I know! It must have been really uncomfortable knowing everyone was disappointed in how the costume fit, and how they are all kind of trying to avoid explicitly saying she's not thin enough. but honestly, she looks really really good given that she just had a baby at that time and not all at stocky

[@Tawadeb]

I like Evangeline and I liked the romance. Kili was cute so you could totally see it. Doomed of course.....

[@JFrazer4303]

For all the pointless poisonous stuff they invented in LotR, this addition of Tauriel, and tying it to Kili was a good addition. Like Bard's family wasn't necessary, but it worked. Yes, Jackson and Walsh introduced "pointless and poisonous" stuff that had no business being there. Elrond lying to his daughter, trying to get her to abandon Aragorn and her destiny. Telling her that when Aragorn dies she'll just go on alone forever. Total B.S. nonsense. Faramir torturing Gollum, Gollum telling about the Ring, Faramir kidnapping the hobbits and taking the ring. Total manufactured B.S. Taking more time than needed, to tell stuff that didn't happen and which was bad. Saruman accepting to be a servant of Sauron, instead of going on his own as "Saruman of many colors". Then it got worse with the manner of Saruman's death. They'd have been better off not mentioning him again, than doing what they did with him, if they were not doing the "Scouring of the Shire" . They did not just cut stuff for time constraints, they added very much nonsense that wasn't in the books and ran counter to the books, so when Jackson says in the extras that he intends to be faithful and respectful to the original material, he's flatly lying. It's no surprise that the Tolkein Estate doesn't want to let anyone else ever to make a movie from the material.

[@mikylawilfred8510]

Frankly I loved the character I thought she was super awesome. Thanks for this!

[@fucofdog5551]

She was even better in the book.

[@mikey_vengenz]

That poor artist. Worked hard for months making those unique chainmail pieces only to have it scraped.

[@sixstringblues06]

You all added Tauriel because every movie now has to have some random bad ass chick that can fuck up any male character. Im glad they allowed Bolg to put up a brutal fight on her.

[@JJdaPK]

I think instead of a cringed romance, there should have simply been a friendship between Tauriel and Kili. That way it would make Tauriel look less like a love-struck teenager and it wouldn't cheapen the character. It would make her quest to help the dwarves and stop the battle look more like an aspect of her moral compass rather than a desperate attempt to be with her crush.

[@esther983]

The romance wasn’t cringe, it’s what the movie needed. Why do you hate fun?

[@rabidbunny1013]

Its amazing how different Evangeline Lilly sounds years later

[@ytubeanon]

She was good in the film, interesting to see how it ended up working. I wonder if the main reason she got the role was cuz the Hobbit was her fave book which meant she might naturally fit that world more than some other popular actress. The design iterations are impressive, they worked on the first costume for so long, but when it didn't look good on her, rather than believe they hired the wrong woman they just started over and It worked... the corset may be what made the biggest difference by emphasizing the female form, similar to Selene's costume in Underworld.

[@westwindsailer]

very good background ! and as a hardcore Tolkien fan i can now understand why tauriel was invented, and can understand the justification. Personally the tauriel outift at 11:00 looked amazing , better then the film version. IMHO.

[@christianpearson5436]

The idea sort of backfired.

[@Veyron722skyhook]

Shame they didn't keep that hood from the first costume design. I think that would've looked quite cool.

[@kristinetrott5087]

The hood would have gotten in the way of her luscious hair.

[@taurieldaughteroftheforest8564]

I'm so happy that they made this character. She's awesome and without her the movie wouldn't be so great😊

[@taurieldaughteroftheforest8564]

+Zoe Kouf She isn't irresponsibility😡

[@gretel654]

I didn't mind the addition of the female character, but I really would have respected and liked her more if the central focus of her storyline was a rushed romance.

[@kristinetrott5087]

Agreed; and the cute, complex development of the romance, with Kili's boldness tweaking her biases against dwarves was just pure fun. That it grew to caring then love was gratifying. Kili's death in the end almost had to happen because of the difficulties and complexities such a romance would present. It was a very unusual love story with a bittersweet end. I'm glad it was in because it gave the thread to bring Thranduil out of his shell and gave the momentum to Legolas to go forth into the greater world. It fit the story quite well.

[@beaudowns51]

Poor Evangeline, she had just given birth and she was feeling embarrassed about her figure.

[@user-vt2kw7ro9w]

She is one of the best female characters ever! And one of the greatest Elfs ever!!!

[@thatdudewelove8498]

I really get Jackson's idea for Tauriel, I really do. But seriously, the execution was terrible.

[@AlamdaABalqhin]

RIISCO T Why do I feel like Jackson didnt put as much MAGIC on it as it should be?

[@evelienverheijden]

Tauriel is love, Tauriel is life

[@sarahbeardsley]

No.

[@evelienverheijden]

+JeffTrena Beardsley to me she is. So fuck off

[@sarahbeardsley]

+Evelien Steur (Eve) why was she even created? Not enough female characters? Ok, Tolkien created Eowyn ( a watrior) Arwen, Galadriel ( a warrior and one of the biggest threats to Sauron), Andreth, a wise woman, Luthien, a warrior who fought for those she loved, Haleth, the leader of her peolple, Nienor, Yavanna, who created all the animals and plants in Middle Earth, Varda, the wife of Manwe and queen of Arda, Aradhel, a hunter who sacrificed herself for her son, and Morwen, the mother of Nienor. That's just a few of them. Oh, and I don't need to curse to make my point.

[@evelienverheijden]

Honestly would you think this would make me hate Tauriel? Get over yourself 😂

[@sarahbeardsley]

Why do you like her??!!??

[@anonymousman6931]

The bit in the background when there trying to be nice "Wow!"

[@Aurinkohirvi]

I think Tauriel's and Kili's romance was great. Otherwise, we would have just a greedy dwarf (gone mad) and his loyal followers of whom one was hilariously fat and one old and kind. Kili brought character to the story more than any other dwarf, and it couldn't have happened without Tauriel. Yes, the story needed a woman. I loved the wild, strong willed and tender hearted Tauriel. Die-hard Tolkien fans who think movie shouldn't bring new elements to the book, I don't agree with. Movies and remakes should have their own angles, bring in something that is new. Tauriel was a great new thing.

[@thesilvershining]

Aurinkohirvi Thank you. It makes me sad to see this character get so hated on, she was very interesting to me and I loved that she wore her heart on her sleeve. She is young and had compassion for an “enemy” and I don’t consider that a bad thing at all. Her and Kili were a very welcomed emotional connection in my opinion. Their end is so tragic, I really felt that pain :(

[@BJETNT]

I do not care what anyone says Peter Jackson knocked it out of the park!! Everybody that talks smack about what he did couldn't even come close I guarantee it!! The logistics of what he did alone and making everything flow as well as it did is a life-changing and dominating experience. I've been in charge of over 100 people in one time in that wasn't making the movie that was tough enough. I love the character Tyrell she was perfect for where she was at

[@diadia2941]

Tolkien: *reads about a black elf* "Uh-um-uh...it's a shadow white." Fangasms all around. Lol, I feel like this 'problem' back in the day was resolved in the funniest way.

[@jonathanford7055]

"dark" is not black, and it's from ancient Nordic texts, they hardly had any concept of anyone but other Europeans if any at all

[@valedan1075]

Galadriel was born in the undying lands.

[@lefontasmileas5168]

Lily as Tauriel if nothing else is the most sexiest char in any high fantasy film! Period.

[@ilMaori]

i love it

[@metozalee]

I love Tauriel😃

[@JFrazer4303]

One thing that's hard to grasp about LOTR lore, is just how alien the elves are. They have as little curiosity about the world as they have sex drive. They're profoundly ignorant about the world, for all their years of experience or deep lore. Legolas at 4000+ years old told Aragorn that the man was more widely traveled than the elf. He'd never been to Lorien or Gondor or Rivendell. The movie might have been in error, having Galadriel actually traveling (or maybe teleporting?) to Rivendell. How often had she went outside of Lorien since settling there? Tauriel was alive during the realm of Angmar, yet didn't know anything about it. Showing a remarkably shallow interest in the world and utter lack of knowledge of things that go on, or education of their people. She'd never been in love. Nor apparently had Legolas. Apparently only maybe one in 10,000 or fewer of them have children. For all the talk about how deeply Thranduil loved his wife and other tales of elves doing things for love, they really are alien and indifferent to it, as what Tauriel said was apparently true when she told Thranduil that he had no love in his heart. How old was he, and he had one child? He'd been with his wife for a couple of thousand years after Legolas. Galadriel had only one child, for being uncountable thousands of years old. It was truly a remarkable (and non-canon) set of events that had Tauriel loving a mortal. It had happened maybe 3 times in history. Each time, it's the death of the elf that loves the human. No wonder they're reluctant to do it (as well as being unhumanly indifferent to sex). Apparently never has a elf male loved a human female, or had children through a human. The Ents were only a mythical ancient tale to the elves, apparently not in many thousands of years had an elf gone to Fangorn. Of Tom Bombadil , they knew even less. Like them, he had vanishingly little knowledge of or interest in the world beyond his little patch of it.

[@mariuskristensen1867]

aww my queen tauriel

[@Xilotl]

I wish they also expanded upon the Sindar. I'd like a movie that includes the Sindar and Oropher (or Thranduil).

[@robertburrows]

Michelle Xilotl Indeed. Could have focussed on him and his wife. Who perhaps for now dwells with him via a connection with him alone or going into her past when she died and give it the feel that the last alliance clip in the first film did. Like when Legolas took Tauriel to Gúndabad. That there could have been a nice time to show how actually sensitive and perceptive he is and mayyybe share this vision somehow with Tauriel. Would have made more sense to make a HONEST attempt at a relationship of some kind to Legolas that may end up as just a deep friendship to show the depth of Elven Culture. Just a thought. Just Robs Partner speaking in the entire comment. ❤️This is Makkaru112.❤️ We both share a love of Tolkien and I exposed him to so much more and it’s deepened our already deep relationship. The man was more than just a scholar. Tolkien I mean. He had helped shift consciousness. And the more you keep reading all his works such as the letters etc, something opens up in you. ❤️

[@PhantomQueenOne]

Galadriel was born in Valinor.

[@RoninMiyamotoMusashi]

Perversion of Tolkien's stories, he would have hated that.

[@saursaursaur]

RoninMiyamotoMusashi don't speak for the man. Not your place.

[@vesper180]

6:58 this conceptual drawing of the character looks like a young Lena Headey

[@RPG_Angie]

+Vesper I see a lot of Olivia Wild.

[@dbamp]

guys, the video literally said that they wanted Tauriel to be different so just let her be different!!

[@Intrafacial86]

4:59 "We didn't just want to create her for the sake of creating a female character." Uhh, yes you did: 4:03

[@christinecole330]

I'm late to the party I didn't see there being a romance I saw a elf who probably was told her whole life dwarves are savages and this one dwarf proved to her that he was worthy of respect was she not told by her king ...my son is off limits?

[@michaelplurad4879]

True. Would have been total sausage fest without her.

[@nunyabidnss9094]

J.R. T. Is rolling over in his grave like wtf

[@mundomanual7308]

Do they keep all this precious art they've produce?

[@johnsmith651]

Tauriel might not have been necessary but it allowed me to be introduced to Evangeline Lilly so it is all good

[@topmodelbaby100]

6:58 i'm guessing that they considered Olivia Wild for the role at some point.

[@TheOrientalNightFish]

A female dwarf would have been refreshing. (edit: I can't believe the actress thinks she looked stocky and inelegant. She really didn't at all!) I can totally see a female dwarf working. They could do this very well if they tried! Having a gutsy, feisty female dwarf would have been more interesting than yet another elegant Elven warrior babe. That, or Tauriel could have been given a much more sophisticated role instead of being reduced to eye candy in a cringe worthy, shallow love triangle.

[@lol55832]

that last bit, where they trashed their initial intended costume...idk, I'm all for killing your darlings but its small hints of carelessness like that which essentially tells a lot about why the movies didnt do so well. Like why not cast Tauriel first, THEN try and find an appropriate dress, Shit like this, in any organization is a motivational killer. People don't like getting their hard work to be thrown away so pointlessly. So many passionate people, and then writers and producers were like...meh trash it

[@kaylarose1081]

11:10: “it’s not flowing for whatever reason-“ Everyone is so awkwardly trying to walk around not saying anything about pregnancy weight.

[@xensonar9652]

I thought the leaf mail looked good on her. I'm sure they could have worked on the cut some more rather than start agaian from scratch.

[@ZoeJeren]

6:58 Looks a lot like Olivia Wilde, anyone else?

[@William_Patterson]

+ZoeJeren Yes! I was thinking that, too!

[@hindsightpov4218]

+ZoeJeren It's as if the illustrator had Olivia Wilde in mind when drawing the concept art for Tauriel. Since "House" I always thought she looked elven and could have been in the LOTR films.

[@luhole]

+ZoeJeren I actually searched for a comment containing "6:58" to see if anyone else had spotted this...