Lord of the Rings - Gandalf vs Balrog [Entire Battle HD 1080p]

The entire battle sequence between Gandalf and the Balrog from The Fellowship of the Ring, and The Two Towers. Uploaded in the highest quality possible. 1920 x 800 at 24fps.

[@iammax1393]

I've seen people saying it's scientifically inaccurate for Gandalf to catch his sword falling at that speed, but an easier explanation for that would be that it's a movie and he's a fucking _wizard_

[@kyonshi6667]

In the falling battle sequence, i have the impression that Glamdring "responds" to Gandalf, like a familiar, although nothing as such has ever been mentioned in the books. I feel it has a soul on its own, but very subtle, cryptical. Its not a dancing sword, its not alive, but i have the impression that it has a presence just like the One Ring has, but a benevolent one though. Glamdring was spinning away before Gandalf reached it back, but not really tumbling around in a chaotic way. Gandalf didnt have to throw in hand forward in an effort to catch it; he just opened his hand at his hip and Glamdring positioned and seemed to perfectly clutch itself in his palm, at the right timing. Like it was saying "Oh hey mate, i was just waiting for you! Alright... theeere ya go... **Gets into Gandalf's hand** Right on! Now, let's kick some demonic ass". Like i said, nothing confirms this in anyways, im inventing that but i dunno, i like to think of it this way :)

[@masterpenguin8472]

Also, questioning logic in a fantasy film.

[@Lord_Tyrannis95]

Lmao morons

[@halvardlundnorway]

c") The rest of LOTR is scientifically accurate. No ? Please say it is so, I am shaking here...

[@britishnerd3919]

Anytime you see something like that, a wizard did it.

[@c.lynnmiller5677]

It’s fitting that Gandalf slew the Balrog with the sword “Glamdring the Foehammer”. Since it was the sword of the king of Gondolin, and this Balrog took part in the sack of Gondolin. It’s like the sword itself took its revenge on its ancient enemy.

[@Kenjaku508]

Turgon of Gondolin?

[@terrywest111]

Great vengeance it was.

[@ItsButterBean1020]

Plus didn't that king kill a Balrog himself (Specifically the Lord of Balrogs)

[@MAegcuru]

James Burgess no that was ecthelion of the fountain that killed gothmog. Turgon died when the Gondolin tower collapsed on him.

[@sledgehammer301]

Nicely said. These weapons were more than just steel.

[@Chernobog34]

I always loved that the Balrog's roar didn't sound beastial. It just sounded like a roaring inferno. Edit: wow, this continues to be my most liked comment. Also, for context, I was specifically referring to the roar in Gandalf's face, not the first growl that scares the goblins away. That one definitely sounds more bestial.

[@EwertonGB95]

um barulho seco e assustador kk

[@danielwhittaker695]

WELL 1 IT SOUNDS EXACTLY LIKE A MALE LION SO YOUR JUST ABSOLUTELY WRONG! AND 2 THEY ACTUALLY USED A LIONS ROAR SO YOUR EXTREMELY EXTREMELY WRONG LMFAO!!!

[@gertsy2000]

@@danielwhittaker695 Some perfect Dunning Kruger there. And all in caps too.

[@andyknightwarden9746]

Didn't they use sounds from a volcano for that?

[@Rev-ut7be]

@@danielwhittaker695 They dragged a brick across a wooden floor and edited it. They did not use a lion roar

[@sunside79334]

this movie is 23 years old, and to this day i'm still puzzled how the visuals and sfx hold up so good. truly a masterpiece for the ages.

[@TheBrotherdarkness9]

Many PCs died horrifying deaths rendering that beast.

[@adamseidel9780]

Because they did so much of it practically. They built those sets painstakingly. They build every costume down to the nth detail /9 much done practically.

[@paciiiimijak]

I saw it in a BTS video that they actually recorded live flames acting in different ways and forms to create the Balrog's fiery aura. They had to be much more innovative so I think that plays into why the CGI aged as well as it did.

[@mitchyG90210]

People who give a damn create incredible things. While we'll never know if Tolkien would appreciate the film, I like to believe he would enjoy the comradery and beauty of what was made (hot take i know)

[@dazedandenthused5688]

@@adamseidel9780 That's why the Hobbit movies aren't on the same level. It's not that they're bad storywise, it's that you can just see the CGI in moments that feel like they would've been practical effects in the trilogy. They're not bad movies, but compared to the trilogy it's not really fair, but they still just feel like they didn't have that same feel of being more than a movie. The original trilogy is more than movies, it's an experience.

[@SomeYouTubeTraveler]

My late grandfather was one of those ancient legends of geekdom who was highly educated and well-versed in literature, already an adult when the LotR books came out, and he loved the books so much that til the day he died, he was worldbuilding and inventing languages of his own in his mini library at home. I remember attempting to grind my small-vocabularied mind through the Silmarillion at 11 years old, just to try and impress him. He was the uber-LotR nerd. Grandpa was so curmudgeonly about all movies being stupid and a waste of time that he literally _never_ watched them. But... when the Fellowship of the Ring came out... we all managed to drag him to the theater _just this once._ He went in making sure we all knew he expected the worst. Who wouldn't be worried that this enormous chunk of his identity and nostalgic soul would be trampled on by Big Hollywood idiots with no care for what The Lord of the Rings truly _means_ to the world of literature and high fantasy? And of course, he left the theater running off the full list of inaccuracies, changes, omissions, etc. But when we asked him if he regretted it... he said no. And that was huge. When The Two Towers came out... he joined us again. And once more with Return of the King. I won't lie or be melodramatic and say I saw him shed a tear during the final end credits, or anything like that... I'll just say that in the early 2000s, one old man chose to get up from his armchair and go to the theater 3 times in his entire adult life... and it was to see these movies. And to me, that is magical.

[@firefox6285]

Thanks so much for sharing this

[@spacewiz163]

Daniel Morris indeed it is. I suppose that’s all one can ask for between the relationship of an Author and his or her reader.🙂

[@ALEXANDERATTACK]

Thanks so much for sharing this [2]

[@donaldpack402]

Amazing story man, I hope your grandpa was happy

[@SomeYouTubeTraveler]

@@donaldpack402 In general he wasn't a very happy guy... but he found peace in fantasy literature (and watching his college football team). Any way to connect with him was worth it, so I'm glad our interests aligned on something as special as LotR... I was happy watching them, so I like to think he was too.

[@Xerruy]

Gandalf: *defeats Balrog* Gimli: that still only counts as one!

[@United-Federation-of-Planets]

Here you go 🏆 XD

[@kabe1001]

Revenge for all dwarves

[@QuesadillaJay]

Gandalf: sheeeit more like one thousand

[@lostliferoad]

@@United-Federation-of-Planets d

[@eventcone]

Gandalf: I just slew Durin's bane. You really going to insist it only counts as one? Gimli (meekly): Noooo!

[@impy2d843]

Can we admit Gandalf fighting the Balrog while falling is one of the most epic scenes ever

[@impy2d843]

@Luc Germain in my opinion? Still good, not like what we got now.

[@robinpohl2702]

Him catching up to his sword mid air and starting to swing made the entirely trilogy

[@heusniet]

@Luc Germain Because it's not CGI. This really happened Source: Me. I was the cameraman.

[@bladerunner9129]

Reminds me so much of battling Ridley in Metroid prime 3 while falling

[@PaulosTheGamer]

AGREED.

[@irishk7099]

1:23 fantastic attention to detail. Legolas has heard all the stories. He knows EXACTLY what Gandalf is talking about.

[@connorhilchie2779]

Middle Earths version of Boogiemen come to hunt

[@somepolishguy5977]

Mate. Legolas is bitch. Galadrieeeel from ROP would f..k it, make children with it, and then make it go it's own way into Moria deepest place in shame with relationship drama in slow motion while riding the horsieeee! :)

[@julianmarpez3931]

​@@connorhilchie2779 Except his forebears have fought these Boogiemen in the ancient times

[@scottwallace5239]

​@julianmarpez3931 only the most powerful and skilled of his forebears would fight a balrog, that's why he looks so terrified

[@woopimagpie]

It's a nice tip of the cap to the original text too, as it is actually Legolas who first identifies the balrog in the book. Gandalf came against ... something ... when putting a locking spell on the door, he described the counter-spell cast by the ... something ... as "terrible", and "It nearly broke me", and it tore the door to pieces. It's always been a bit of a puzzle to me that in the book Gandalf knew well that the Dwarves had inadvertently awoken Durin's Bane in Moria, and it's implied that he feared they might encounter it, yet he never caught on that it was that very same balrog that opposed him until Legolas identified it as such. Perhaps he just wasn't sure exactly what it was, as there are things even the balrog feared. "Far beneath the roots of the mountain, the world is gnawed by nameless things...even Sauron knows them not. They are older than he.​" Make of that what you will.

[@rane3631]

Props to the camera man jumping after Gandalf and the Balrog so he can film the fight from the best angle!

[@alucardzutain6062]

"guys, the cap was on, we need to repeat this"---walks back through fucking miles of moria xD

[@clrobertson13]

😂😂😂😂

[@irishbroadsword1001]

@@alucardzutain6062 the climb was a pain, but you gotta love that Union rate overtime.

[@dragon7871]

LOL DUDE 😂😂😂😂

[@derekstaroba]

He fought the devil in hell and returned: gandalf the grey

[@dude2323]

In order to make the scene convincing Peter Jackson Made Ian fall in an actual pit while fighting an actual balrog. Respect

[@eazy1174]

Lmao dude no just no lol

[@mr.l8723]

True dedication

[@blueshit199]

method acting

[@xaraxen]

The rumor about CGI being used is all lies. Hmph!

[@theonionsystem7779]

It sucks no other film director does this

[@nalublackwater9729]

You know that a movie is good when, after 21 years, it still can get people to have goosebumps watching it.

[@nathancruz9172]

2:32 I have goosebumps

[@crusadersamerica3730]

And it's cgi is so much better than most 20 years later

[@zirak93-2]

I know right. I have watched the trilogy 50+ times. xD

[@alcesarloqueesdelcesar]

21 years ? Great !

[@unhommequicourt]

goosebumps? I m fucking crying right there

[@BlindDweller]

The demonic rumble at 1:14 straight up haunted me when I first saw the movie in the cinema as a kid. The suspense in this scene is nothing short of perfect. Just hearing something threatening and unknown in the distance hunting for you, seeing the glow of the Balrog's flames hit against the far-off pillars, and hearing that low growl and booming footsteps. It's absolutely terrifying! Still gives me goosebumps as an adult today.

[@deiansalazar140]

It gave me child nightmares and to this day I still have those nightmares but to be honest? Those nightmares are good dreams in disguise because this is one of the best scenes in cinema history so for that to have been imprinted on my subconscious I consider it a blessing. So when I have nightmares they are really just good dreams with me appreciating them just when I wake up.

[@BerrypickerwithaGUN]

Imagine hearing that in theatres! Must've been amazing

[@ChujoweReakcje]

It isnt demonic rumble, its literally the sound dinosaurus were making

[@Brigadier9]

There are a few scenes that hit like that. The other one that comes to mind is the arrival of the Mumakil, with the warhorns and the chanting easterlings as Theoden makes his desperate charge.

[@connor828]

@@BerrypickerwithaGUN It most certainly was

[@shark180]

Fun fact, none of this is CGI, they actually hired a Balrog

[@noremac0575]

He laughed in their faces when they asked, then he heard Howard Shores score and agreed

[@thomasjuniardi3559]

Yes, he's a new Zealand local actually...his real name was Oliver 😬👍

[@jacobadam6804]

Oh wow. That was funny. And so original too! 🙄

[@shark180]

@@jacobadam6804 Ok

[@lorenzorodriguez6192]

Nice

[@amosmaka6030]

*"A Balrog. A demon of the Ancient World. This foe is beyond any of you...RUN"!!!!* Chills. The delivery of this line is epic.

[@TheLevitatingFleem]

I can’t think of a single line Sir Ian delivered that didn’t go hard as fuck lol

[@enjoyinglife489]

"...beyond any of you..." But not to good 'ol Gandalf as I'm about to show y'all

[@CFox.7]

0:50 to 1:30 ... 40 seconds of just standing there when he knew what it was the moment of the first deep demonic growl. Thats 40 seconds they could have put on the Balrog and safely crossed that bridge.

[@MrNoamCh0msky]

In these days movies Balrog would have been defeated by struggeling to get the pronouns of the feminists right.

[@CFox.7]

@@MrNoamCh0mskywow thats cringey. you work in a troll factory ? You need a demotion.

[@zerosum_5]

Gandalf falling: "Call an ambulance!" *grabs sword* Also Gandalf: "But not for me!"

[@eddieloera2951]

Best comment I've seen in awhile!

[@rafaelreyes9]

Ohhh 😏

[@R.R.R.465]

100/10

[@eddieloera2951]

@@hunterjj1280 still funnier than you are

[@R.R.R.465]

@@eddieloera2951 Now that's sarcasm

[@MJeeEm-fg8md]

Ian Mckellen's performance as Gandalf is the greatest movie interpretation of a literary character, in my opinion. He's perfect.

[@Adam-xo5iq]

He is amazing for sure. Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach is right up there for me.

[@xxsupersaiyansuttonxx3634]

“I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountain side” is the most hardcore shit anybody has ever said in a movie lol

[@concept5631]

Its a nice waying of saying he threw his body down like trash.

[@TJSaw]

And only Sir Ian McKellen could've delivered the line with such gravitas.

[@vikingcomet5830]

Love it

[@concept5631]

@@TJSaw Damn right.

[@magallanesagustin4952]

How about "Go back to the Shadow!"?

[@newworldblues7245]

i love how everyones confused except legolas whos in sheer terror

[@Mojo842]

I think because he's been around for the longest among the fellowship, apart from Gandalf of course. He knows exactly what Gandalf is talking about.

[@xSkye629x]

@@Mojo842 He does, all Elves would know of the Balrogs, even if they were not alive at the time they were at war with them and other dark forces

[@ghrshorcruxlock]

I think even Gimli would be aware of what the Balrog is, since it is also known as Durin's Bane...

[@larsuppling981]

Out of all the members of the fellowship they show Legolas when Gandalf explains what is coming.. And for the first time you can see pure FEAR in Legolas eyes.. He have heard the stories, he may even have talked to and elf or two who remembered fighting Morgoth and his servants. In short you can say that Legolas has a true "OH SHIT!!"-moment there.. And yes, the Dwarfs have many stories and know how to tell them like few others, but there are no dwarces who were alive anywhere close to the Age we are talking about.. The Elves however have lifespans that permit them to bring the memories to life far after all other races only have legends of the events.

[@CANINETEETH94]

You know you’re screwed when Legolas is panicking

[@gavinlamp5426]

Valar: "So what happened?" Gandalf: "Sauron has reemerged, Saruman has betrayed us and joined him, and a hobbit is taking the one ring to Mordor to be destroyed." Valar: "How did you die?" Gandalf: "Oh I fought and killed a Balrog." Valar: "You're promoted."

[@suchiuomizu]

Technically it was Eru who did that, rather than the Valar.

[@colliness]

@@suchiuomizu This is true.

[@grandpatzer]

Yes, Eru personally intervened. And if I am not mistaken, since the Ainulindale, Eru intervened in the affairs of Arda on two occasions. The first being the Changing of the World, and the second being the resurrection of Gandalf.

[@ssilva2505]

I seriously, and gladly, admit that Tolkien fans are some of the most knowledgeable, and generally politest commentators on the whole of the internet. This thread is so different than many. And yes ... I did see Tolkien's writing desk at my daughter's college. The wardrobe that C.S. Lewis played in as a child as well.

[@HighKingoftheElves]

@@grandpatzer and a possible third time, when he made Gollum slip into the crack of doom with the Ring, leading to its destruction

[@CharlesChalut-p4n]

the funny thing is that the Balrog knew what Gandalf was and still chose to fight him. Gandalf's speech was basically saying "buddy me and you are basically equal in power and if we choose to fight one of us or both of us might die, so turn around and go home so we can avoid that". And the Balrog just said screw that.

[@TheCacabezon]

Good analogy!

[@coolxify]

😂❤

[@ajdominguez1002]

*RUN THEM HANDS- WE ENDING IT TODAY!*

[@attilathehunny486]

One shall stand; one shall fall.

[@zeeboss7553]

Gandalf catching his sword and fighting the Balrog mid-air is probably one of the most epic and crazy action scenes of all time. Very under-appreciated for how well executed it is.

[@eyegnieesllA]

I've always wondered if Gandalf used some sort of magic to alter the swords fall so he could catch it or if it was just chance.

[@wilsojk]

​@@eyegnieesllAelven blades are light so they probably fall slower

[@92edoy]

​​​​​​​​​@@eyegnieesllAmany swords in Tolkien's universe have been forged for a reason. And they seem to have their own "will" to complete the purpose they were built for. An example is Merry's sword. That sword was forged with the explicit purpose to wound and impair the Witch King, since the land where Merry found it (not far away from the Shire) was a kingdom he laid waste upon. Since Glamdring (Gandalf's sword) was a named sword notorious for killing Balrogs when Morgoth was around, it may very well be interpreted as the sword letting itself be caught by Gandalf as well. Even the hissing it does while falling seems unnatural. It's almost as if crying "Wield me Gandalf! At long last, today we slay a Balrog once more!"

[@prot07ype87]

​@@92edoyThe sword didn't hiss. It sounded more like humming.

[@bekiryufka]

I always imagined this scene like " gandalf catches his staff first (because it's so light and falls slowly) and uses magic to pull his sword towards him."

[@Mrtotot]

"I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass! The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! You shall not pass!" Gandalf is making three very specific references as both warning and challenge to the Balrog. By identifying himself as a servant of the secret fire (or Flame imperishable), Gandalf is identifying himself as a Maia, an embodied angelic servant of the Valar protecting the light of Creation that Eru Iluvatar (or God) has set to burn at the centre of Arda (Earth). Wielder of the flame of Anor is a reference to his ability to draw on the power of the sun possibly through the Ring of Fire Narya but maybe also through his own divine origins. Finally as he refers to the Balrog as the Flame of Udun, he informs the Balrog that he knows it to be a corrupted Maia in the service of Morgoth from the earliest time when he resided as Melkor in his dark fortress of Utumno broken by the Valar at the awakening of the Elves. He orders it to retreat (go back to the shadows) or face the consequences of divine conflict and final judgement before the Vala Mandos, the fate of all slain creatures.

[@Hits191]

Caleb Smith awesome thanks for that

[@S1lverarrow]

welding the ring Narya is probably the reason why he was immune to Balrog fire attack.

[@borneyesterday206]

Caleb Smith So you seem pretty knowledgeable when it comes to LOTR. Outside of the original books, what would you say is the best way to learn the majority of the lore?

[@soulandkro]

The wiki page is great, lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page

[@ssjdaley]

You can find a great deal of this info in the Silmarillion, which covers the creation through the Second Age and parts of the Third Age concerning the rings of power.

[@gammacaeles]

That Balrog fight for opening "The Two Towers" is one of the best best movie intros of all time. Still get goosebumps after years.

[@anthonyvaickus9429]

Fully agreed

[@boozin12]

ill never forget seeing this in theatres it was the most memorable scene ive ever seen in my life

[@AAC1990]

Goosebumps? I get freakin' tears. I remember as a kid, jumping up and down in my seat when this came out in the theaters shouting "Go Gandalf!!"

[@nigelmurphy6761]

Absolutely! Without question! One of the most amazing things I've ever seen on film!

[@Damo2690]

boozin12 Which scene? I can't remember

[@Hellvard]

Many years have passed and still nothing can compete with this scenes in terms of "epicness". Not Avangers, not any super hero or fantasy movie, not this puny Rings of Power, nothing. This is truly a piece of art. Part of humankind legacy.

[@augistineaquinas3325]

real literature, real art is only preserved by those recognize it and remember its name. in time, the chants will fall silent and dull, but right now, right here, in this moment, it is poignant that you can perceive that true art and its propagation is a beautiful thing. mankind is naturally attracted to beauty and here you are, proving something we will forever know time and time again.

[@shreyasnatesan6207]

There's so much beautiful depth and history to this entire scene. The existence of the Balrog, a creature which realistically fought and killed Feanor, helped level Gondolin, experienced the War of Wrath, potentially saw Eonwe himself annihilate Morgoth's forces, potentially saw a fucking air battle between Earendil and Ancalagon The Balrog pulling out a whip which was used to rescue Morgoth from Ungoliant The Balrog was also possibly there for the destruction of Utumno and saw Tulkas beat the shit out of Morgoth and drag him back to Valinor Gandalf, a Maiar who reluctantly went to Middle Earth, the literal embodiment of hope, fighting this creature to death, a creature that he sang the Music of the Ainur with at the beginning of time. This battle is a follow up to literally thousands of years of divine warfare, long after Morgoth himself has been defeated.

[@BenjaminFlagg_GameDesigner]

100%. Couldn't agree more, and there are just too many little details to appreciate to even try and list, but you poetically and articulately did the best job anyone could to summarize it all 🙂Even little silent things like posture and facial expressions, from the Balrog standing up and "showing off" his fiery power that Morgoth granted "him/her" to Gandalf, almost as if boasting and mocking Gandalf, a fellow Maiar, to Gandalf throwing it right back in the fallen Maiar's face with his words on the bridge, showing a hint of his TRUE power, and that there is only one Flame Imperishable, and it's not "the Dark Fire;" The way he basically, poetically calls out the Balrog, his fellow Maiar, that was there singing the Music with him (as you stated) for being a sad puppet of Morgoth, Morgoth who is currently hacked up, bound, and banished, while Gandalf, a meek, power-restricted, afraid, and reluctant fellow Maiar, is standing in front of his fallen brother/sister, defiant and seemingly not afraid, although he likely very much is. Even the Balrog seems confused for a moment. But Gandalf, for his reluctance and fear, is the kindler of hope, and it's amolst as if this is a moment of both sadness at the state of this Maiar in front of him, but also resolved defiance and testament of his purpose as an Istari and for the original intented purpose of the Maiar that he is upholding, in front of one who abandoned their purpose and fell to greed and the corrupting allure of Morgoth. It takes real power to obstain from that, and in this moment Gandalf is reminding that Balrog of their shared history you mentioned, and putting that Balrog, more or less, in his/her place. "You shall not pass." That's more than a literal statement about crossing the bridge...it's all of their intertwined histories throughout all time, and despite his fear and any differences in power or abilities, this is the line that Gandalf/ Olorin will simply not allow this fallen, pathetic fellow Maiar to cross, or pass. 🙂

[@RavusNox-z5i]

Exactly. Once you understand the context (which I didn't when watching the films), the scene is even more epic.

[@Willofthesun]

exactly my thoughts whenever I rewatch this. makes it so much better and the feelings that come from it

[@joshuastrittmatter4188]

Technically it was Gothmog, not Durin’s Bane, who killed Feanor. But otherwise, hell yes. This comment brilliantly puts thousands of years’ worth of unimaginable history into perspective. It’s almost like Anakin fighting Obi-Wan in Episode III, a battle between two of the greatest warriors of their time as young men in their prime-but in the battle between Gandalf and Durin’s Bane, it’s the opposite. In this, it’s more or less a battle between two battle-hardened old men at the peak of their power, with thousands of years of near-incomprehensible history and experience behind them-experience that the rest of the Fellowship can scarcely imagine. And this battle lasted for *days.*

[@Willofthesun]

@user-nt5lr7kl2e yes. It says there was at least three and no more than 7 I'm pretty sure. He changed it from saying hundreds to just those numbers. Literally angels and demons at war

[@deBebbler]

"Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside" Gandalf, Original Gangster.

[@malcolmlongaker580]

The only reason I even watched this is for that line

[@ahahashxhbsjs6549]

deBebbler A fancy way of saying he curb-stomped someone.

[@mrgoob76]

or a lyric from a heavy metal song

[@yoshuareece8785]

... and the Balrog was smitten.

[@gomcocramp]

smote? is that a word? i always thought he says _smoked_

[@SaugatSthapit]

Everything is perfectly done. Let me break down 1. The Balrog’s Perspective The Balrog, Durin’s Bane, had been lying dormant for centuries deep beneath Moria. By the time Gandalf and the Fellowship entered Moria, the Balrog had established dominance over the Orcs and other creatures inhabiting the mines. The Balrog likely hadn't encountered a being of significant power in a very long time, certainly not another Maiar like Gandalf. Here’s what might have been going through the Balrog’s mind: Initial Reaction: The Balrog was probably awakened by the disturbance and commotion caused by the Fellowship’s battles with the Orcs and the Cave Troll in the Chamber of Mazarbul. It wasn't expecting anything out of the ordinary-it was simply reacting to intruders in its territory. When the Balrog arrived, it likely assumed it was dealing with lesser beings-mortals, like the Dwarves who had once disturbed its slumber and been easily driven out. Confronting Gandalf: The Balrog may not have immediately recognized Gandalf as a fellow Maiar (both Gandalf and the Balrog are lesser Ainur spirits), especially because Gandalf was in the form of an old man. The Balrog, at first, might have considered Gandalf and the Fellowship to be insignificant, especially compared to its own ancient power. In the movie, you can see that the Balrog approaches slowly and imposingly, as if it's sizing up the situation, initially not expecting much resistance. Realization of Gandalf’s Power: Once Gandalf stands firm on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm and declares, "You cannot pass," it becomes clear to the Balrog that this is not an ordinary enemy. Gandalf, wielding Glamdring and commanding with authority, directly challenges the Balrog, which would have caught its attention. The power of Gandalf’s words and the barrier of light he conjures likely would have surprised the Balrog, making it realize that it was facing an opponent of significant strength. Aggression and Fury: The Balrog, as a creature of Morgoth and a being of pure malice and brute force, responds to Gandalf’s defiance with fury. It had ruled over Moria unchallenged for ages, and now this wizard-who stood between it and the rest of the intruders-was trying to stop it. The Balrog likely viewed Gandalf’s challenge as a direct insult to its power and authority in Moria. The confrontation turned into a contest of power, and the Balrog, in its arrogance and pride, believed it could overpower Gandalf. 2. Gandalf’s Perspective Gandalf, on the other hand, was acutely aware of the danger posed by the Balrog even before it appeared. Gandalf is also a Maia, like the Balrog, and would have sensed its presence as the Fellowship ventured deeper into Moria. Here’s what might have been going through Gandalf’s mind: Sensing the Balrog: As the Fellowship descended into Moria and faced various dangers, Gandalf likely sensed a growing darkness and the presence of something far more powerful than the Orcs or trolls they had encountered. This is hinted at in both the book and the movie when Gandalf becomes increasingly troubled and warns the Fellowship that there are deeper and older powers in the world than just Orcs. Recognition of the Threat: By the time Gandalf confirms the presence of the Balrog, he understands the immense danger they are facing. The Balrog is an ancient evil, a servant of Morgoth, and its power far exceeds that of the creatures they had faced so far. Gandalf knows that the Balrog is one of the few beings that could pose a real threat to him and the Fellowship. A Decision to Fight: As the Fellowship flees toward the Bridge of Khazad-dûm, Gandalf makes a calculated decision to confront the Balrog. He knows that only someone of great power can stand against it, and that if the Balrog is not stopped, the Fellowship will be destroyed. Gandalf, as a protector of Middle-earth, sees this confrontation as his responsibility. In the film, he sends the others ahead, fully aware that he is the only one who can face Durin’s Bane. The Weight of His Mission: In Gandalf’s mind, there is also the awareness of his larger mission. He is a Maiar sent by the Valar to aid the Free Peoples of Middle-earth in the fight against Sauron. The confrontation with the Balrog becomes a crucial moment in his journey. Gandalf is prepared to sacrifice himself to ensure the survival of the Fellowship and their quest to destroy the Ring. The "You Shall Not Pass" Moment: When Gandalf stands on the Bridge and declares, “You cannot pass,” it’s a pivotal moment of courage and authority. Gandalf is drawing on all his power, fully understanding the stakes. He knows the narrow bridge is a tactical advantage, and he uses it to limit the Balrog’s movement and hold the creature at bay. He pours his will and strength into this moment, creating a barrier of light to counter the Balrog’s darkness. Realization of the Cost: As Gandalf shatters the Bridge with his staff and sends the Balrog plummeting into the abyss, he likely believes that he has won. But when the Balrog lashes out with its whip of fire, dragging Gandalf down with it, Gandalf would have realized that this fight wasn’t over. At that moment, he accepts the personal cost and understands that he must go further, even if it means sacrificing himself to ensure the Fellowship's survival. The Balrog likely initially underestimated Gandalf and the Fellowship, seeing them as insignificant intruders in its realm. It only recognized Gandalf's true power when he stood against it on the Bridge. At that moment, the confrontation became a matter of pride and fury for the Balrog, as it sought to destroy Gandalf, whom it now recognized as a serious threat. Gandalf, on the other hand, was fully aware of the Balrog’s ancient evil and the danger it posed from the moment he sensed its presence. He knew that only he could stand against it, and his decision to face the Balrog was rooted in his duty and sacrificial courage. He understood the stakes and the personal cost but accepted it to protect the Fellowship and continue the mission against Sauron.

[@The_Libationist]

I know this probably won’t get much attention given the age of f the video, but I want to say that I appreciate this detail. Gave me insight I did not have before. Thank you.

[@johnprime1147]

Underrated comment. Love to know anything new information about this movie i grew up with and love to death

[@Carfball]

Very well written 👍

[@natogfg]

Brilliant

[@thegobblerr]

i like this

[@Liberty5024]

Gandalf slays the balrog. Gimli: That still only counts as one.

[@bbqtofu0]

Funniest comment by far 🤣 🤣

[@Sidewinder528]

Lol

[@astroboy0087]

😂😂

[@brettwilson3859]

Good one!

[@shodleech]

And you still only count as half

[@hectormanuelht]

The LOTR trilogy is almost TWO decades old yet the effects are still incredible. A timeless and epic masterpiece with no doubt.

[@nicholaslewis7834]

Absolutely. The effects are still better than most movies now

[@Crichjo32]

The effects, soundtrack, and sheer epicness has never been matched since.

[@Eliras24]

Because most of things were made with incredible cure and attention and dedication. They hand-made all those costumes. As chain mails, each ring of them was hand made. There is a work behind this trilogy any normally can’t even realize

[@VoiceOfTheEmperor]

It is Cinema's Sistine Chapel.

[@Crichjo32]

@@VoiceOfTheEmperor that's a great way of putting it.

[@theprinceofthebadlands5204]

"This foe is beyond any of you." That is the moment that the audience and the Fellowship realized just how fucked the situation was. If Gandalf was scared, they really should be.

[@Feril1]

He wasn't scared he just knew that the only being present that could stand up to a Balrog is himself because they are on more or less even footing.

[@theprinceofthebadlands5204]

@@Feril1 I assure you that he definitely talks about how he was scared of the Balrog in the book. When it starts countering his locking spell on a door, he has a overwhelming sensation of dread.

[@mkhachfe]

Not just the line, but the way gandalf is concentrating stating at the ground and his weary look as he looks up... INCREDIBLE. Cinema and acting at its finest

[@spaghettitime3263]

@@Feril1 I think he was scared, but he had the courage to face that fear. That's the whole theme of the story, good people standing up to overwhelming terror and overcoming it

[@KenS1267]

@@theprinceofthebadlands5204 The balrogs and Gandalf are the same sorts of beings. They are maiar, so is Sauron. Gandalf is even of the same "tribe" as the balrogs in that he has an affinity to fire. The balrogs were corrupted by Morgoth which may have made them more powerful than they were to begin with. But the maiar varied in power individually so Gandalf truly had no way to know how powerful this balrog was at the start. Gandalf was also very limited in his "human" form. He was supposed to inspire and guide not act. Clearly at some point the valar let him go full power once he was fighting another maiar that wasn't Sauron and he was able to defeat the balrog with the aid of the Narya.

[@mitchellfeldman273]

Gandalfs resigned face at 1:10 like hes thinking "ffffffffffuuuuuck my liiiiife. We're a level 5 party facing a level 13 boss"

[@darkkaizoku8008]

He's literally a minor god, the balrog would vaporize anyone there in one swipe

[@aaronokafor1354]

In reality here's what happened. The Balrog and Gandalf are actually the same species but Gandalf and other wizards were deliberately weakened while the Balrog is at full power. What happened there was Gandalf casting a spell to contaik the Balrog but the Balrog being his equal countered it and that was how Gandalf confirmed it was indeed a Balrog

[@darkkaizoku8008]

@@aaronokafor1354 crazy how gandalf had to solo the equivalent of sauron that early in the films

[@hafirenggayuda]

Then he able to defeat the optional boss alone, which give him massive level up and also class upgrade

[@jirifejks1798]

@@darkkaizoku8008Balrog is significantly lesser then Sauron

[@haroldino13]

"I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountain side" Most badass line ever.

[@anotherhappylanding4746]

Pretty close to the exact line from the book too

[@BigJohnMCOC]

Untill At last.

[@iwaswrongabouteveryhthing]

said in a J peterman style from Seinfeld

[@sudanemamimikiki1527]

What I wanna know is how exactly did these two fight their way from the bottom of a pit on to the mountain top...

[@dominicvahling6407]

The Balrog knew of an ancient staircase from the very bottom to the the very top and Gandalf followed him up@@sudanemamimikiki1527

[@josephcola9662]

So this man fought the Balrog the whole way down, fought him underwater in the giant lake, pursued him through tunnels dug at the at the dawn of time, dug by things even Sauron can't comprehend, for TEN DAYS, all the way BACK UP to the TOP of the mountain, and then fought him at the snow capped peak for ANOTHER TWO DAYS, before killing it. That does it. Gandalf is the official archetype for Fantasy world badass.

[@reallyWyrd]

I'm not a Tolkien expert, but Gandalf and the other wizards aren't actually fully regular humans. They're like angels sent to Earth to guard the realms of Men against... basically against leftover military assets from the insanely High Magic past. The Balrog? Sauron's boss used to have an *army* of those. The Balrog is like a leftover nuke or something. Gandalf was doing his duty. He has that moment where he kind of hangs his head -- because he knows he can *probably* take the Balrog. But it could likely finish him as well. Either way, he won't be there when the party needs him. Gandalf didn't know the Valor would send him back.

[@nightfalls5462]

Gandalf also isnt human, so yeah, it does add up why he can do such stuff

[@nathancarabajal8271]

Gandalf got all the experience points for killing the Balrog and came back new gear and stronger magic

[@jacobwiren8142]

Gandalf is basically an angel, sent from heaven. He was NOT sent to defeat Sauron, rather, he was sent to teach mortals how to do it themselves. He isn't allowed to show his full angelic strength in front of normal people, that's why he turns into a badass the moment they can't see him. Fun fact: Gandalf didn't want this assignment. He thought he was too weak to help anyone. When he died, he thought he was going to be disgraced. Instead, the gods went, "You're doing great Gandalf! We're sending you BACK IN! GO GET IM!" That's why he becomes more confident as the white wizard...

[@therealelderking5830]

@@jacobwiren8142 The Valar has said “Don’t fight Sauron head on”. If he had wanted to, he could have built up an army like Saruman but fought Sauron directly. Gandalf wasn’t even supposed to be fighting a Balrog - totally outside his job requirements. But because he did good Eru sent him back, and gave him an upgrade.

[@black-lungmorgan8343]

This movie is almost 20 years old and the Balrog looks more real than some CGI villains from modern film

[@HokutoNoJiHaiGie]

Ikr, the scary part about this is tha the movie came out in 2001 but they started filming and doing set in 1999

[@JR-ju3kj]

It's all about the time,effort,quality and hard work. So that's why the effects still hold up 20 years later.Jurassic Park is almost 30 years old and Terminator 2 IS 30 years old as of this year and they STILL hold up to this day!

[@digiquo8143]

@@JR-ju3kj To be fair, Jurassic Park used an absolute fuck ton of practical effects that were then hybridized with just *some* CGI. The raptors in the kitchen scene for example, those are actual people in specially designed suits that were then touched up with CGI. The T-Rex was almost entirely an animatronic except for perhaps the chase scene and the T-Rex vs raptor scene. In fact I think the only full CGI dinosaurs in the entire movie are the brachiosauruses at the very beginning.

[@nvmfirezactaylor6035]

@@ChicoDusty oh piss off. The CGI in avengers is fine

[@clxwncrxwn]

@@digiquo8143 when they lift up and fall back down after getting some leaves I could almost feel that.

[@seanwilliams823]

I love how the Balrog's roar sound more like a being of shadow and flame instead of a typical monster roar

[@tirohtar]

I just love how at first on the bridge, when Gandalf turns around and shouts "You cannot pass!" the Balrog seems kinda... confused. He stands up and turns up his flame, it nearly feels like his body language expresses "Hold up, that little thing isn't scared?" Then Gandalf makes his declaration: "I'm a servant of the secret fire [..]", revealing himself as a fellow maia, a loyal servant of Eru/God, and the Balrog just IMMEDIATELY goes into attack mode and draws his fire sword and slashes at him. That Balrog did NOT expect to enter into a death match with a servant of Eru himself when he woke up that morning 😂

[@ethanalspencer7294]

"Uhhh... hello? Is it blind?" "OH SHIT REALLY NOW?"

[@tramachi7027]

Neither off them wanted to fight each other because both were scared off of each other. the Balrog now had to fight an eternal enemy he usually wanted to avoid since...Well fighting Maia really isnt a great time for them.

[@joefish6091]

@@tramachi7027 It took seven balrogs to fight and defeat Ungoliant and save Morgoth from ruin death. she was really nasty. deadlier than Morgoth.

[@ginjaedgy49]

@@joefish6091 isnt ungoliant something beyond even eru? a nameless thing or a god before eru came along and made the music?

[@generalantilles2586]

@@ginjaedgy49 Ungoliant is something like the Watcher in the water. The closest I can equate it to is a byproduct or glitch of the song of creation, spawned from in part from Morgoth's discordant song.

[@MasterFatness]

Also, can we all just appreciate Ian McKellen's facial acting here. He truly conveys the feeling of "this was the one thing I really feared would happen in Moria and it is coming our way".

[@jruth77]

It’s kind of crazy that the fellowship of the ring has been grounded in reality, yes there’s orcs and Nazgûl, but like it’s realistic fantasy, then all of a sudden there’s a ginormous demon. It really makes the balrog more menacing in my opinion

[@theenderdestruction2362]

​@@jruth77 it's literally a fallen angel that's even more terrifying because they arnt facing some random beast their facing a being that help sing creation into existence

[@jruth77]

@@theenderdestruction2362 yeah that’s really crazy. One of the last survivors from the war of wrath and he emerged from his deep slumber

[@WYJAFAK2]

I don’t know the lore. Could you explain why he didn’t want to fight it and avoid it? Is it a case of, if he saw it then he HAS to try and kill it?

[@Kaloshen]

@@WYJAFAK2 It's more like Balrogs are insanely powerful. They helped create all of creation, they're fallen Angels. Gandalf himself may be a divine being, but he obviously has doubts on his ability to not only fight it but protect the one thing he was brought onto middle earth to do, which was destabilize Saurons power and try to destroy the ring. None of the Hobbits/Humans would have really stood a chance. If it helps, you can rank the Fellowship in terms of power like this 1. The Balrog 2. Gandalf 3. Legolas 4. Aragorn (Aragorn is one of the better Human derivatives, and is around like, 200 years old if I recall?) 5. Everyone Else. Gandalf specifically did not want to go into Middle-Earth because he was goddamn terrified of Sauron, so essentially fighting a fallen angel (The Balrog) is similarly goddamn terrifying.

[@jasperhunt596]

I love how the Balrog's roar isnt that of an animal, but the roar of a blast furnace.

[@EhFrank]

Its roar sounds like the layers of the Earth griding against itself, it's the sound of a volcano screaming.

[@Avoxxii-Rosey]

It is an ancient demon I believe

[@1TakoyakiStore]

Iirc in the making of they only used sound effects made from stones, rocks, gravel, and concrete for the Balrog.

[@Mrpersonman0]

​@@Avoxxii-Rosey a foe beyond any of us?

[@Leisurelee53]

From what I remember they drug slabs of concrete on concrete to record the base. That deep, heavy rumbling.

[@muddafaka6911]

That scene of them running along the bridge with the aerial view and the music playing always gets the goosebumps to pop up. Amazing work... 🥶👌

[@ycleptubi8935]

Gandalf falling into the abyss while fighting the Balrog has to be one of the most epic scenes in cinema to this day.

[@richmondlandersenfells2238]

It is mine friend.

[@DirtyDingo419]

@@richmondlandersenfells2238 Heh... and they call it a mine. A MINE.

[@richmondlandersenfells2238]

@@DirtyDingo419 well if I was a dwarf, everything is MINE!

[@ph4tboy]

When I saw this in the theatre I was totally blown away

[@zencreature]

Totally agreed. My number one beginning of any movie today. Little old man, fighting and destroying a 50 foot fire demon.

[@lucasdeyton8842]

The balrog's roar doesn't sound like a normal sound. It literally sounds like the gates to hell opening up and the explosion of heat that comes with it. These movies are irreplaceable.

[@clinttaylor4032]

It sounds like a blast furnace roaring at full blast.

[@Phloxnova]

It's great sound design. I wonder if they used lion or tiger roars for it, I hear a bit of that in there.

[@92edoy]

@@Phloxnova no lion's roar. In a comment above, they say they took concrete bricks, and dragged them on the floor. The resulting sound, after being heavily modified, is this iconic roar.

[@KarusMBII]

@@92edoy Really? Wow. Never thought it'd have been bricks being dragged along the floor.

[@billholder1330]

Well yeah, what'd you think? Our boy Balrog hasn't brushed or flossed since before the First Age! lolz :D Nothing like "Balrog Breath".

[@just_cade]

Legolas' face whenever Gandalf says "Balrog". He has to have known how many great elves have died in battle with Balrogs throughout history.

[@Solais1019]

It's interesting to note that, of all the Fellowship, Legolas is probably the only one with an inkling of what's actually going on with this battle. He knows the power of Elves, and has heard of Balrogs, and he knows somewhat that the Wizards are more than they seem...but even he probably doesn't understand the sheer gravity of willpower and magical contest underlying what looks like just flashy swords and light and shadow. To the others this probably just looks like an old man against a monster, but Legolas knows there's more at play even if he doesn't know what it is.

[@erikspencer2396]

His ol man would know...

[@DE-rd1zl]

True. I think in the book it's Legolas that mentions it's a Balrog. Nevertheless, these 3 movies were awesome when they first came out and still are too.

[@bumpet4017]

@@Macebigi No. Legolas says it first, "Ai, ai, a Balrog", followed by Gimli calling it "Durin's Bane". Then Gandalf says that now he understands what it is.

[@DmDrae]

​@@Solais1019 i believe legolas predates the wizards by at least 900 years or so, maybe a few thousand more. important to note these are human years, not valar years. we see his grandfather is present in the second age. his birth isn't recorded, as is usual of elves only born in the first age, but i take the evidence of his grandfather appearing in a battle and not him as evidence he was yet to be. Plus his father and Elrond were born at roughly the same time so I put their children within a few thousand years of each other in my headcannon

[@Officerpranky]

1:24 I love the face he makes. Besides Gandolf, Legolas is probably the only member of the fellowship to have even heard of a Balrog. He probably thought it was just a myth.

[@thedarklight9082]

It's like Gandalf got so many experience points defeating the Balrog so he leveled up to Gandalf the white.

[@manictiger]

Gandalf the Grey uses lightning sword. It's super-effective! Balrog fainted! What's this? Gandalf the Grey is evolving! ... ... ... Your Gandalf the Grey has evolved into Gandalf the White!

[@raicattivo]

Congratulations your Gandalf the grey has evolved into Gandalf the white

[@smartalec2001]

Multiclassed to cleric.

[@rubislight7375]

@Fluff Your Garfield Olorin did not die. He just lost consciousness as he was evolving into White Olorin.

[@simul8rduude]

@@manictiger Gandalf the White is trying to learn Holy, but Gandalf the White already knows 4 moves. Should a move be forgotten to make space for Holy?

[@konnorrockkonnoisseur4970]

1:24 the look on Legolas says it all. His father lived through the First Age and all its wars, and no doubt told his son of his stories. He knows exactly what is coming for him.

[@marlonquintana3466]

Legolas was like: 😫

[@danielelunardi9812]

The monsters that scared you when you was a child in other words

[@draochvar9646]

And the hobbit films imply Thranduil was there for the Dagor Bragollach or the Nirnaeth Arnoediad , so he knows PERCISELY what Balrogs can do.

[@viridisxiv766]

imagine going for a walk one day and actually finding an actual goddam dragon. ...and then grandpa sqaures up to it!!

[@TheOyeoye000]

A demon of the ancient world

[@AugustBreak]

It would’ve been so easy for the roar of the Balrog to be a standard monster roar and none of us would’ve cared. But the sound design is unique and impeccable. The roar sounds like the roar of a blazing fire. It sounds like heat. Like hell. The sound is of burning and destruction. You can even hear crackling, like a log on a fire. So unique, fitting, and perfect. These movies are perfect.

[@Kingfisher501]

This a million times, the roar is absolutely incredible

[@eao89]

It’s a rock being dragged on the ground.

[@gamesarefun6728]

yeah, I too watched the behind the scenes. It was a cinder block and some fire sounds. Works perfect for the Balrog

[@charlyrob7334]

The appearance of the balrog is one of my best cinema memories that I have. By that time in the movie, 2 hours had passed, the epic fight with the cave troll just happened and I was like well this was a good movie, I'm satisfied if it ends here. The scene with orcs running away from the light, seemed like a perfect cliffhanger for the next movie. But then, this motherfucker jumps and roars like anything that we have ever heard before and Gandalf faces him. My mind was blown away into the stratosphere.

[@free_spirit1]

I never even noticed that, thanks for pointing it out!!!

[@Absurdistpath]

I love how the fellowship and beginning of two towers scenes are edited together so it's one continuous scene, perfection 👌

[@thomasgray8488]

It's worthwhile to appreciate the buildup leading to the Balrog's appearance: 1. Gandalf's hesitation to enter the mines; it's really the last resort 2. Saruman noting that the dwarves "Dug too greedily and too deeply" and showing the picture of the monster - stylized enough that you get just a hint. 3. The horde of orcs immediately fleeing on hearing it coming 4. The Balrog's growls/roars and the light approaching the party, getting closer as they flee

[@rdcruick]

It's also worth noting in the books that Aragorn warns Gandalf specifically about Moria, as he senses Gandalf may not make it out alive.

[@kkandsims4612]

How did it get there tho the balrog I get so into game of thrones history it takes a second for me to switch back into lofr history .

[@CountryLifestyle2023]

@@kkandsims4612 I can't remember if that was ever explained. I am not an expert. But the Balrogs were servants to Saurons master, the true dark lord. And the Balrogs had a head Balrog as well. But when the heroes defeated the Dark lord and his armies they killed both the dark lord and the head Balrog, scattering the remaining Balrogs to dark places and to hibernated until awakened.... Sauron wasn't their master so he needed the one ring to bend them them to his will. They could still be useful like Shelob and Smaug were but not controlled.

[@rossl5908]

@@CountryLifestyle2023 The Balrogs retreated into the deepest, darkest recesses of Middle Earth and awaited a more evil hour. There were 7 in total and Gothmog their chief was slain as well as 4 others during the fall of Morgoth. That left Durin’s bane and another unknown Balrog slumbering deep under Middle Earth somewhere. Maybe the last one went back to its original home of Utumno, where the tunnels were dug to such a level that some of Morgoth’s monstrosities could still be lingering there.

[@CountryLifestyle2023]

@@rossl5908 Yup, what I said.

[@btfabian1]

I love how this is the only moment in the whole trilogy where Legolas looks genuinely afraid. Even in situations where he is hopelessly outnumbered and probably facing almost certain death, he almost takes joy in battle. But here -- there is real terror on his face. It's the only scene where he shows that. Really great acting on Orlando Bloom's part, and great filmmaking choice by Jackson to use that to drive home how deadly the Balrog was.

[@levyan4718]

Elves are terrified of morgoths creations

[@pustulio81]

Likely because he's the only one, aside from Gandalf, that's old enough to really know the history behind the Balrogs

[@thejohnson2328]

@@donpula6349 so there are still 2 or 3 out there???

[@Bragglord]

Yeah, and in the book, Legolas straight up wails after hearing it's a balrog, and claims they are doomed.

[@Ensaymadaah]

@@donpula6349 why they hid themselves? Are Balrog also afraid of sunlight like the Orcs??

[@hitrapperandartistdababy]

I love how the camera very purposefully show us Legolas’s reaction to the Balrog. For movie enjoyers it shows that even the stoic and wise elf is beyond terrified. For Book readers and nerds its basically Peter Jackson and his crew acknowledging they did their homework of the lore and knew Legolas would have DEF heard about the Balrogs from the elves around him who survived the first age

[@KororaPenguin]

And while Gimli was the first Dwarf to learn WHAT Durin's Bane was, he realized that this horror had to be it.

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

"we are fucked" - Legolas

[@holypaladin4657]

⁠@@KororaPenguin Yes, the dwarves of old also fought Balrogs in Beleriand but those generations were far removed, and on top of that they were not Longbeards (Durin’s folk) but rather different dwarven clans descended from different original ancestors (the Broadbeams and Firebeards) who eventually lost their kingdoms and were taken in by the kingdoms of the Longbeards. Meanwhile Thranduil was born in the First Age and would have been well aware what a Balrog was, not to mention any other elven veterans from the First Age.

[@aaronhuff2813]

In the book it was Legolas who cried out "Balrog!!!"

[@-V-_-V-]

He was also scared of it in the book

[@user-bz6gh5ng2m]

“This foe is beyond any of you” Gandalf low-key flexing his strength I know people think this is weird, but i have to say its nice to see so many people with a similar opinion to mine. Thanks for the likes =P

[@Pianoman999]

He wasn't wrong though

[@ibertshanka]

Where is the lie!?🥴

[@mitchmcginn4250]

@@ibertshanka I detect none here hahaha. Gandalf was tooting his Maia status like a horn signaling a calvary charge lol

[@silviuionescu6945]

OMG you american zoomers with your stupid phrases "low key"...

[@CrniWuk]

And not one cellphone in sight. A felloship just enjoying the moment.

[@MetalSynthLegend]

A lot of people don’t realize that when the balrog swung his sword at Gandalf and the explosion happened it blew the balrogs sword up, pissing him off. Hence why he roared afterwards and pulled out the whip.

[@Flaeren]

4:13 props to the cameraman for jumping after gandalf just to bring us this epic fight scene.

[@Miketheratguy]

Kind of sad that he yanked the editor down with him though.

[@nightfalls5462]

this time, he did not survived

[@theringoffinance]

I thought it was a falcon with a camera taped to its head.

[@navylaks2]

And to the guy who lit himself on fire to play the Balrog 🙃🙃

[@mikeywilliams4136]

Cringe Overused, Unfunny joke

[@plottwist3364]

Gandalf reached Level 50 Skill unlocked: clean clothes

[@dragonrider1736]

And a new staff

[@threeomgthree]

You win the internet

[@sandreid87]

lmao

[@suziechapstick8236]

Immunity to dirt

[@dragonrider1736]

Nokle​ dude this is fantasy time not a future time

[@sabalghoo]

Ian McKellen brought So much life and personality into this character it's insane!

[@laurenc5306]

He really did. It was perfect casting.

[@Bobo011]

I recently watched the animated LOTR and it really show, how much a good actor can make a scene, the barlog scene in particular looks ridiculous in the animated version,

[@02091992able]

It helps when you are making a film adaptation of a book or in this case a series of them to get actors and actresses that are big fans of them which Ian McKellen was a huge fan.

[@clzm90]

It could have been Sean Connery. Imagine that.

[@killer92173]

I can literally see NO ONE playing as Gandalf than Ian McKellen!!

[@johnprimm35]

Sorry it took me 10 years to find this. Superbly edited. The comments are very informative and interesting. Blast furnace…concrete on concrete…great ideas for SFX. Forgot about Glamdring and the King of Gondolin. Nice hooking.

[@Jerorawr_XD]

The Balrog having a furnace for a mouth is to this day one of the coolest visual decisions an art team has ever made. That shit terrified me at 9 and it terrifies me today.

[@tallguy779]

same

[@davecrupel2817]

Makes my face feel hot as hell every time that roaring shot happens. The air distortion was a great touch, impressing upon us the *blazing heat* coming out of it's mouth. Only thing i ever see exhale similar blasts of hot air are military jets & rockets...

[@alisonpurgatory85]

@@davecrupel2817 one of the sounds they used to make the roar was that of two bricks being ground against each other, to get that cracking earthen tone. Genius. Really makes it feel like burning rock come alive

[@kkandsims4612]

Aww I was that age when this came out actually I think 9 when the second one came out .

[@homerinchinatown2]

Always liked this, too. The most unnerving things are not always the biggest/baddest/loudest. The sound of that heat is intense.

[@WingedBagels]

It's interesting to think that during the creation of middle earth, Gandalf and this Balrog probably knew each other

[@michaellorah9051]

Probably. It would likely be akin to Obi Wan fighting Darth Vader one last time, only this time, Obi Wan wins the fight (but still dies).

[@immortal_jairo88]

Bananarama probably yeah because in the beginning Eru taught the ainurs music which is call the Music Of The Ainurs and then visualize the beautiful Vision(middle earth, arda) that Eru showed to the ainurs to see for themselves what they sang, so the ainurs want it to be real and Eru made it real and he call it Eä but he told the ainurs that they are not coming back until the end of the world. The ainurs agree and enter Eä (including melkor)they turn into valars and maiars, that's was the beginning of arda, so yeah Gandalf, saruman,sauron and the balrogs they were once ainurs that enter Eä.

[@AnnaMarianne]

Even more interesting is that Gandalf knew the sun and the moon personally... the sun was likely this balrog's cousin or so.

[@Alejojojo6]

Sauron is the most powerful of the Maiar (Before falling into darkness he was said to be "the greatest smith of the house of Aulë" and was called Mairon), although Eonwë, Arien (the sun), Melian, Ossë and Uinen were similar to him in power. Then lower to them, come all the Istari (Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, Alatar and Pallando), the Balrogs, the Dragons and Tilion (the Moon) among others. Gandalf is at the same level as the Balrog he is fighting. The Balrogs are also Maiar, of the level of Gandalf and Saruman, so lower in Power than the high Maiar (Ossë, Eonwë, Sauron...), that felt into darkness like Sauron did. So yeah he most likely knew each other before the ages of the trees, in the ages of the lamps and before that, before the maia spirit that forms the Balrog was corrupted by Melkor and brought into his serving.

[@AndrewMRoots-et2ow]

Probably old mates who went down to the pub together all the time

[@TonyC2328]

After extensively watching and reading more about Gandalf's origins and the Balrogs, this scene becomes more and more epic. The Balrog seems like a large, unintelligible beast. But he is in fact, an equal to Gandalf the Grey and very much so understands exactly what Gandalf is shouting at him. 2:56 After Gandalf announces himself as a Maiar, the Balrog acknowledges his power and shortly after draws his sword, knowing full well that Gandalf is a great foe.

[@XDarkBrotherhoodHD]

Im starting the Silmarillion soon and hope to gain more info on the Balrog and Gandalf :)

[@Mithrandir1983]

@@XDarkBrotherhoodHD There is not that much of an info........... BUT......................... spoiler alert................... Gandalf and this balrog knew each other very well. For during the First Music of Ainur (basically the creation of world) all Valar and Maiar participated together. It was on the level of sharing their thoughts/motives they wanted to add to Iluvatar´s work. So at least at this point they had to be aware of each and evry one´s existence. Valar and Maiar alike. Some Maiar later became these fiery beasts/demons, serving under Melkor (later known as Morgoth Bauglir) and some his servants - like f. e. Sauron (Mairon). Gandalf (Olorin), Saruman (Curumo) or f. e. Radagast (Aiwendil) were sent to thwart Sauron´s conquering plans to dominate over Middle-earth. So this is (on a very base level) another meeting of old colleagues from work :) .

[@charleshodgdon6168]

@@XDarkBrotherhoodHD good luck. Tolkien died before he wrote much of it. Most everything in it is based on what his son wanted. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the only fully Tolkien stories. This is why some things don't seem to match.

[@gregorymyers3886]

@@Mithrandir1983 I know him! He's a friend from work!

[@gregorymyers3886]

@@charleshodgdon6168 silmarillion is still based on tolkien's notes. but yes, his son did fill some things in or assume some things, so there are some bits where things don't always seem to make as much sense as they should.

[@SamAceRothstein]

The score in this is fantastic! Especially as he's descending into the depths and reunites with his sword, the choir and orchestra come together brilliantly to highlight a truly epic moment

[@WillRock07]

The special effects in this film though... nearly twenty years later and this somehow still looks incredible.

[@detectivemarkseven]

Thats why its a timeless classic

[@schwartzy65]

Somehow... People back then put way more effort into cgi particularly because it was harder to make and used it as sparingly as possible.

[@detectivemarkseven]

@@schwartzy65 I think it was because CG effects were more expensive back then so they made real miniatures/props, use some perspective camera tricks and just put the CG on top of those. Now its reversed. Its more costly to build stuffs, so everything is CG and fixed post production. :(

[@JensenDKMG85]

I am re reading and wanted to see this part. And goddamn the whole sequence is so great. I know they had good material to work with from tolkien, but I can only imagine how delighted he would be to SEE A balrog himself. It's just fantastic work from the art department. Absolutely stellar. I really hope we can see more in the Amazon series.

[@Ihavehadmanynames7779]

Better than anything ive seen today.

[@Isaac-of2qi]

This entire comment section is a flexing challenge of Tolkien lore knowledge

[@Tumbleflop]

Something something silmarilion.

[@patrickmackie2130]

This gave me a good laugh was thinking the same :-D

[@hawaiianlad1301]

(Laughs in Gimli)

[@tvn3905]

could hardly agree more lmao

[@mlight8443]

I'm cool with it. I haven't read the simirilion.

[@SaifKhan-uh6im]

This scene is the only time I’ve seen Legolas genuinely afraid in the whole series. And Gandalf’s sorrow and acceptance of doom, perfect acting!

[@TheEquus92]

Legolas knows exactly what a Balrog is and how screwed they are.

[@KororaPenguin]

@@TheEquus92 *Legolas:* Ai! Ai! A Balrog! A Balrog is come! *Gimli:* Durin's Bane!

[@thefanwithoutaface8105]

The Balrog is akin to a Fallen Angel, being only slightly weaker than Sauron, basically if you aren't a Wizard or someone of equal power to Sauron you don't fight a Balrog, you just die.

[@KororaPenguin]

@@thefanwithoutaface8105 Even if you do defeat the Balrog, you die. Look at Glorfindel, Ecthelion, and Olórin.

[@pedrocampos691]

Pminvto!

[@ApexGale]

I like that Gandalf discreetly informs the audience how much more powerful he is than the rest of the fellowship. He never says "This foe is beyond any of *us.*" He specifically says *you.* He was intending to hold off the Balrog from the start - likely also why he brings up the rear. It's a neat bit of storytelling without being overbearing.

[@ranger3576]

I just realized that when we see Legolas after Gandalf says that there’s a balrog, the wide expression he has is one of terror. Acceptable since the balrogs were one of the firercest foes in the history of the elves.

[@dbruh936]

I literally just read this passage in the book and it elaborates several times how terrified Legolas was when the Balrog appears. Just a great reminder how awesome these movies are (and the books even more so).

[@howielowis458]

Can u imagine that the elves of the past were so powerful that they killed Balrogs? I mean they usually died doing it like Gandalf but still. It's mad impressive

[@Nelsenna]

Fëanor alone fought against 50 balrogs, he died after that, but elves used to be one of the strongest beings on middle earth

[@ranger3576]

Nelson Senna I don’t remember reading that he fought 50 of them, I agree that the noldor elves that Feanor took with him were extremely powerful. If I remember correctly, either his brother or his nephew fought Morgoth in single combat and nearly one. So yeah, that first generation of elves were wicked strong. Which explains why Galadriel is so powerful compared to elves like Elrond and Legolas

[@unbelievablytrash9458]

@@ranger3576 Feanor fought many Balrog's at once with a portion of his forces, he never fought 50 on his own. Two were enough to kill him, granted one of them was the mightiest of their number and the second got a sneak attack on him. Also, no, his son didn't "nearly win" he did wound him seven times, which is impressive, but not enough to almost defeat Morgoth.

[@JettMann8]

Props to Orlando Bloom for portraying Legolas in that moment when he realizes exactly what is approaching them. An Elf would know just how HORRIFYING a Balrog is, and seeing the true terror in his eyes while one side of his face is cast in shadow is probably one of the most perfect moments in film.

[@jakealter5504]

The same could be said for gimli since he just came face to face with the most feared creature in the history of the dwarves. The dwarves of middle earth feared durins bane even more than they feared Smaug

[@MrGentilushi]

Feanor would have laughed in front of this Balrog. Legolas Weeksperm

[@CCgivemeawedgy]

@@MrGentilushi Bruh you can't compare third and fourth age elves, men and dwarves to those of the first age or even to the elves from the years of the trees, it's not fair ;/

[@control4050]

@Julius Gothmog.

[@MrPimpnation]

Legolas is actually the first one from the whole group to realize its a Balrog and he cries out a balrog!! And balrog is coming!! Read the books if you have time or watch Tolkiens work itself its so much more than the movies gives us

[@mattstenson8265]

The scene where gandalf catches his sword mid air and fights the balrog has been one the most badass scenes since i first saw it as a little kid

[@Iceman-135]

notice how the sword is pointing handle down then when he grabs it, its pointing front down? very subtle but not mnay people notice it.

[@jamiep9473]

@@Iceman-135 if you notice it rotates back just before Gandalf grabs it.

[@bigballer6198]

The sounds the sword makes always gives me chills

[@Holyinductor]

But remember...Hes a Wizard and how He catches the sword is a hint something deep the creator wanted this Fight and gives Gandalf what He needs...Run you fools!!! Why He calls them this?because they cant See what He Sees and knows...

[@Jen-Yueh_Hu]

All I was thinking is that Gandalf was more aerodynamic, achieving a higher terminal velocity than the balrog.

[@MathMan410]

Can you believe this came out 20 years ago. This looks better than most movies I’ve seen in recent years

[@jamesxiaolong2199]

Miniatures and practical effects hold up well.

[@bachhoangson]

Ah, the old conspiracy, Galdalf scare away his teammate, so he can take all the exp for himself, gain max level, plus some end-game loot and a pet

[@parkersummerlin865]

Woooow, Gandalf you glory hog.

[@HartyBiker]

You learn to create your own satisfaction other than xp when you play support.

[@jaredf.6532]

*are you sure you want to leave your clan?*

[@mammontustado9680]

What pet?

[@bachhoangson]

@@mammontustado9680 a white horse mate

[@TheLazyFusspot_3428]

To this day, the "you shall not pass" scene still remains as spectacular and iconic as ever, and no one could have ever pulled off that delivery of this line as perfect as Sir Ian Mckellen. Absolutely perfect scene.

[@ishmaelforester9825]

It's great lines for him. 'I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Arnor. Dark fire shall not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow...' Straight from the scene in the novel more or less.

[@renehenckens]

Can you imagine if Sean Connery was actually cast as Gandalf? (Peter Jackson's first choice for the role)

[@TheLazyFusspot_3428]

@@renehenckens The name's Dalf. Gandalf.

[@andrewwilliams2353]

Tolkien actually had Gandalf say "You CANNOT pass". It was said moreover with great authority but not shouted as McKellen does here, but then Jackson was always incapable of subtlety

[@courtneywalmsley8284]

After Gandalf commanded, “You shall not pass” to the Balrog, teachers had some fun with students. On a separate note, I named my car “Gandalf the Grey.” My car color is obvious.

[@dannymc92]

The Balrog only draws his sword once Gandalf starts to explain who he's dealing with.

[@kyleshea384]

I never realized that

[@devilseyecry]

And it also happens when the Balrog tried to intimidate him with his size and flames. Like "I'm a Balrog" while Gandalf be like "I'm a Maia too, bitch"

[@philippemineau2015]

@devilseyecry My flame is bigger than yours lol

[@theshillneckedlizard8364]

I guess we'll never know, but it'd be interesting to speculate what was going through the Balrog's mind when Gandalf starts warning him just who he's dealing with. Like, he's all gangsta "I'm a Balrog" - did he pee his pants just a little when Gandalf goes "Please, bitch, I'm a Maia and a wielder of the Flame of Anor, take a seat!"

[@GrimRaiderandThird]

I also love that Gandalf shatters that very sword with minimal effort on its first strike. The pure will always have more strength than those who fell from grace into corruption.

[@ashen-one--x]

Ian McKellen has amazing range as an actor. Each of his characters seem completely their own! i am so glad you included Gandalf's return. I honestly was not expecting to see it, but I am so glad you did. Amazing.

[@tarikay93]

"A balrog, a demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you... run!" Gets me every time.

[@DK-xf1op]

That was one straight up dungeon master line

[@nightphilosopher]

Vatian Me too lmfao

[@peteallyn412]

Reminds me of the Dark Souls lore

[@DrownedInExile]

When the most powerful member of your party is scared shitless... run!

[@jakealter5504]

Vatian he wasn’t exactly wrong, he was the only member of the fellowship that had any chance against the balrog. The only other member that could’ve had any chance was Legolas but he would’ve needed both armor and a sword forged during the first age or the years of the trees

[@SutekhTheDestroyer]

I always loved that cocky little snort the Balrog gives just after Gandalf tells him he cannot pass. For a creature which only had a few minutes of screen time, he sure made an impact.

[@paleface171]

The Balrog is also one of the coolest looking demons I have seen in a movie so far. I wish I could have seen it in theatres.

[@sleepingdogpro]

@@paleface171 I'm hoping they rerelease it for the twentieth anniversary coming up in December. There are so many people who haven't seen it the way it should be seen.

[@darksoulsss2618]

@@paleface171 I have a statue of the balrog...

[@mrraven7445]

@@sleepingdogpro in the US at least it’s being shown on IMAX soon

[@blackfuel1]

@@sleepingdogpro I'm old, and saw these when they came out in the theatre, but I'm totally surprised that it hasn't seen a re-release since. So good in the theatre.

[@Guinorio]

Amazing how you can see the dread in Legolas' eyes in 1:23. He, as an elf, is old enough to know what kind of threat a Balrog is

[@firebert123]

Only one elvish generation away from someone that fought balrogs.

[@juanbolivar8327]

He heard of the balrogs since he was a kid from the people that actually fought them, so yes, he knew the mission completely changed at that point, if it wasn't for Gandalf that would be another story entirely

[@captainpotato5108]

I believe in the books that he is the one that actually points out what it is, not Gandalf who is more unsure actually if it is or isn't a Maiar.

[@Mapleman_9009]

Yes, I just finished reading that part. Gandalf sensed evil, but could not tell what it was. Legolas froze in place when he felt it coming, and he was the one to point out it was a balrog.

[@phew9418]

Was looking for this comment

[@FlymanStereophonic]

20 years and still breathtaking epic scenes far better than most movies and series that came later.

[@xlDeathlxJosey]

Aragorn's face when he realizes Gandalf is scared shitless is priceless. He does attempt to go and fight but you can see for a brief moment he is just completely shocked at how scared Gandalf is.

[@timesthree5757]

Gandalf a peaceful mia had no choice but face a servant of Morgoth. Yes he was terrified but Gandalf knew that if an Elf could defeat a Balrog of Morgoth then he could. So he drew up his courage and announced to the demon that Gandalf is also a Mia a servant of the Valar and Eru. Telling the Balrog that a righteous Mia will defeat the Demon of Morgoth. At that moment the Balrog knew his foe and responded accordingly. He knew this was no elf or man but a Spirit that sang the song of Eru in the time before Arda.

[@dirkdiggler5581]

@@timesthree5757 to be fair they killed each other

[@timesthree5757]

@@dirkdiggler5581 but one was cast adrift it's spirit no more than a mist. The other returned more powerful then before.

[@TheRedRaven_]

@@timesthree5757 Wow, very well explained thank you.

[@morpheussandman3984]

​@@timesthree5757 no elf could defeat a Maia, these were early versions of Balrogs

[@richerDiLefto]

I always loved how the Balrog’s roar sounds just like a raging flame.

[@Goatlikeitornot]

Yeah, it's refreshing to hear that kind of roar instead of those cringe godzilla roars for example.

[@durinsbane1334]

Thanks

[@jgoulden]

I have read that part of that sound is an actual erupting volcano.

[@NateB]

Weta Workshop had some serious artistry to it.

[@jruth77]

They actually made that sound by dragging a massive cement block across a cement pad

[@DevoneBrieWie_8797Amrn]

For the actor who's got his very first major role at that time, Orlando's performance on the delivery of sheer horror and glimpse of fear in his eyes is pretty outstanding.

[@kynandecoster3752]

And then he got a Razzie nomination for Will Turner in At World's End

[@jordangustafson1365]

@@kynandecoster3752 wait! He got a razzie for that!? It wasn't the best of films but it wasn't god awful.

[@NazJones2212]

Too bad he never really kicked on

[@juanlaise1059]

@@jordangustafson1365 I mean, at World's end isn't a bad movie. It's a fun movie which is what it counts.

[@Excalibursin]

@Ben Kenobi "He was taken by both shadow and flame: a Balrog of Morgoth." - Legolas

[@VivieneMara]

Nothing will ever compare to this. And I’m happy about it.

[@MasculineSunshine]

"From the lowest dungeon, to the highest peak" I love that line.

[@jejeakle]

Derek DarkHeart it’s true. They fell miles underground and climbed tens of thousands of steps to the highest point of the mountain

[@ChangeGonnaComeSoon]

jejeakle yup up the secret path in Moria

[@ondracekivo]

The true proof they were Maiar spirits. Common mortal would be killed just by all those steps.

[@Trevorious2010]

@@jejeakle Also referred to as the "Endless Stairs" A great place to burn some calories!

[@jejeakle]

Trevor Daniels true

[@benjin0311]

Ian McKellen absolutely smashed the role of Gandalf. His speech to the Balrog in this scene is epic. Gives me goosebumps. Awesome!

[@jansandman6983]

And his facial expression whilst looking at the Balrog is so epic that it gave out a hidden meaning that perhaps this Balrog before it became a demon was his angelic friend and it hurts him to see him that way.

[@ramithaperera7404]

"Sir. Ian McKellen": U peasant

[@spost1986]

You realize of course that he is NOT Gandalf. He was just pretending to be one. And how did he know what to say? The words were written down for him in a script.

[@jansandman6983]

He probably mean how he brought the speech to life. You can't hear speeches on a script or books. You can only read. @@spost1986

[@savsongs1306]

Go back to the Shadow, Flame of Udun!

[@AgeDrain]

I remember after watching this movie as a kid , a friend of mine told me “You know the Balrog that fought Gandalf? Well that was just a soldier. There’s a army of them that used to exist.” It blew my mind and I wanted to know more and I’ve been hooked since.

[@aaronkenyon7112]

And it blew my mind to know that Balrogs used to ride dragons. How hard-core is that?

[@phillmoore1561]

Pretty sure that that was ret-conned by Tolkien who wasn't sure how many of them should have existed given how powerful they are. I believe only a handful existed.

[@justgermanpleasexcusemywri3618]

@@phillmoore1561 aren't they just normal lower gods like Gandalf and Sauron? I'm pretty sure Melkor had many of them on his side.

[@Henbot]

Yeah, it was so epic in the lore, like 8 of them and the fight they have with Ungoliath with Morgoth just so epic but just the idea of seeing Balrog and Dragons on a battlefield is just mind-blowing.

[@SleepyOcto]

@@justgermanpleasexcusemywri3618 Yes, they are corrupted Maiar, originally the same as Gandalf and Saruman but twisted and empowered by Morgoth's evil. It's actually a testament to Gandalf's strength that he could singlehandedly beat a balrog, as they are said to stronger than most Maiar being a super elite force for Morgoth during the war, there is not an exact number of how many existed in the original stories however there aren't many left after Morgoth's defeat.

[@Synoopy2]

This will never get old!!

[@Anuojat]

Literally Fallen Angel vs an Angel. BADASS and Glorious.

[@_im_stupid_]

Gandalf is not an angel. He is a god, albeit a lesser one

[@KingGhidorah777]

@@_im_stupid_ you're thinking of the Valar, the Maia were more like Angels than anything else

[@danielhamilton351]

Both the Valar and Maiar are angelic spirit beings known as the Ainur. The Valar are more powerful, the Maiar less so although still incredibly powerful in comparison to the mortal earthly races. The Valar were sometimes considered as "gods" although they weren't the one true God is because in comparison to the mortal races, they really were gods. Such was their power and might. Even the Maiar could be considered as gods and receive worship as one. Sauron being a prime example.

[@_im_stupid_]

@@KingGhidorah777 the Valar were the more powerful gods. The Maiar were the lesser god. Gandalf, Saruman and. Sauron could be considered lesser gods but still powerful compared to mortal races

[@johnroach9026]

@@_im_stupid_ There is only one true God in the legendarium, Eru Iluvitar and the Vala are his most powerful servants, followed by the Maia, servants of the Vala

[@TheDeviantLord]

Notice how Gandalf says “this foe is beyond any of you” he does not say “us” Gandalf was always much more powerful than he let other people believe he was. According to other Tolkien material, The beings that sent the five wizards to Middle Earth, had wanted to make Gandalf their leader, but he did not wish it so they gave it to Saruman instead

[@TheDeviantLord]

Belim Sajjad Gandalf had the power to defeat a balrog and he warned Frodo not to tempt him with the ring because through him the ring could have done terrible things. I believe that Gandalf did have the power to destroy an army. But I also think that the more power that he used either he less control over it and risked possible friendly fire or that the more power he used the more his physical form he possessed became weakened.

[@TheDeviantLord]

Belim Sajjad also according to the lore, when Gandalf and the other three wizards were sent to middle earth They were ‘forbidden to dominate the free peoples of Middle-earth or to match Sauron's power with power.’ So it is also quiet possible that the reason why we never see Gandalf use all the the power he is supposedly supposed to have, is because he is simply obeying the rules he was commanded to follow

[@victorbeauregarde1502]

TheDeviantLord In the Bible, the angels didn’t have much of a will of their own. They followed as God instructed. Since Tolkien was a devout Christian, I assume there is some correlation to this idea. Although powerful, he couldn’t use all of his abilities.

[@TheDeviantLord]

Victor Beauregarde according to the lore, of the five wizards, Gandalf was the only one who remained true to his mission and kept his vows regarding the use of his powers. So he was the only one who was allowed to return to the Undying Lands.

[@michaellorah9051]

@@TheDeviantLord i think Gandalf saying "don't tempt me" was his acknowledging his own weakness and remembering Sauron and how he and his predecessor succeeded in tempting the Maiar with power, hence Balrogs. If Gandalf had taken the ring, there was a good chance he would he tempted to ue its power for more than just defeating Sauron. It shows a human side of him.

[@AesirUnlimited]

“This foe is beyond any of YOU” -Gandalf knowing full well he’s sending this fool back to the depths personally

[@suchiuomizu]

No, he didn't. The point was no one else even had a slight chance and if the Balrog killed them all, the Ring sits in Moria and Sauron wins the war and conquerors Middle-Earth. Gandalf not only didn't know, he also died in the process and it took a literal act of God, which was not guaranteed, for him to return as Gandalf the White.

[@AesirUnlimited]

@@suchiuomizu didn’t ask.

[@MrDavidKord]

@@suchiuomizu Way to ruin the joke, bro. You did it.

[@keegandavey4996]

@Ben Kenobi ITS OVER 9000

[@wanderingpalace]

​@@AesirUnlimited and DIDNT ASK for YOUR reply to a NOT ASKED COMMENT too

[@tephra_]

Some of the most satisfying sequences ever put on film

[@TheNaktrah]

I love how Gandalf says "I'm a servant of the secret fire, wielder of the flame of Anor" as a direct threat for the Balrog letting him know that he´s an Istar and one of the first beings that participated on the Ainur's music

[@gcHK47]

I think the moment when the lightning charged his sword was when Manwë decided to aid him.

[@charliefarmer4365]

Oh I thought it might be the Ring of Fire he had

[@PatRick-zi3ok]

@@charliefarmer4365 no its not. balrog is not familiar with that useless ring. Fire he is talkin about is that the imperishable fire of Ilu Vatar

[@skylargray455]

Like Olorin, the Balrog Durin's Bane also participated in the music of the Ainur except that it got Corrupted by Morgoth later on.

[@warpcrafter]

The Balrog knew. But like all Demons it was consumed by hatred for all who serve the light.

[@deox4225]

Everybody gangsta until Gandalf starts saying his titles

[@TheRuddster95]

👀👀

[@MrPinkok]

Best comment in the section!

[@GrimRaiderandThird]

I always get chills when he says "I am a servant of the Secret Fire, Wielder of the Flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you! flame of Udun!" Like bruh.. this old boy bout to fuck yo shit up from the bottom to the top of a huge mountain then die and be resurrected with a sweet new style and horse and you got what? a whip... pffft

[@theoneaboveall6768]

That might be the most iconic quote of the whole series apart from Aragon saying you bow to no one

[@meonkrishnanan5920]

This is very true. The balrog seems super scary and dangerous Then they square up and Gandalf immediately starts making him look like a little bitch

[@johng92]

“Until, at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountain side” is the most epic sentence ever spoken.

[@MountainFisher]

And came straight from the book.

[@atnasingetnamn2887]

@@MountainFisher Well, not quite! The way it's said in the book is "I threw down my enemy, and he fell from the high place and broke the mountainside where he smote it in his ruin." :) But it's still quite close! Their meaning is also slightly different (and I prefer the book one) because Gandalf is also saying that the mountains literally were broken apart where the Balrog fell in his death, which is cool as fuck.

[@montymont4192]

“Hello my name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare do die.” is better i’m sorry tolkien’s work is rivaled by none but this line cuts deep

[@rjmq433]

Watching the opening scene of two towers in theaters was incredible. Blew my mind as a kid.

[@codyking4848]

When the balrog first roared at 2:13 in the cinema, the whole room shook. It was awesome. I'd love to see the LOTR series make a comeback to theatres. It was a really awesome moment.

[@therageknight8546]

That will never happen, too many white men, Christian values…all the ‘wrong’ things they wouldn’t dare risk showing to children

[@darrylparkinson1991]

They are showing it in Vue cinemas in England now for its anniversary. Extended versions aswell!

[@brainrich1358]

Making the Balrog's roar sound like a roaring fire instead of just a typical monster roar was genius on the sound designer's part

[@chrismartindale7840]

This movie is timeless. No sex scenes, no vulgarity no excessive blood yet it still one a trophy room worth of awards. Take notes movie makers!

[@EchelonIV]

@@brainrich1358 exactly! It sounds like something burning VERY violently rather than a big monster or demon with vocal cords. I remember when it happened in the cinema and was like okay okayy this is something new and awesome.

[@trueredlucky954]

This is by far the greatest trilogy ever concieved, both the books and movies are unparalelled masterpieces.

[@tankythemagnorite9855]

You can't get much truer than that.

[@richmondlandersenfells2238]

Tolkien really knew what he was doing.

[@TheAce5399]

Saying that the books are simply a trilogy is blasphemy imo the Silmarillion is where its at.

[@trueredlucky954]

@@TheAce5399 silmarilion is an extra dish of lore, the trilogy works without silmarilion, silmarilion does not work without the trilogy.

[@NikiWonoto26]

agree

[@bobbyrebholz2183]

Seeing the LOTR trilogy in the theater was something I'll never forget. Those three Decembers were anticipated like nothing before. I remember taking my seat opening night for The Two Towers and thinking there's no way an opening sequence could top what I saw the year before. Oh was I wrong. Right out of the gate it was Gandulf vs. Balrog as they fell and the entire audience was in awe while gasping and clapping. I'll never forget it.

[@whiiir]

The audio as the camera did a pass across the mountain and the muffled dialogue of Gandalf standing off.

[@wraithking3749]

I saw all 3 movies in the theatre to best thing ever! Still to this day every year around december i have to watch the entire thing, now also with the 3 hobbit movies then after that the LotR trilogy.

[@jeremiahraika3803]

Me too, especially cause I’m from Wellington New Zealand the nearest city to where Peter Jackson was from, and where his weta workshop studio was, I was just a kid but I remember Wellington was buzzing because of the LOTR films and they had screenings on the local harbour and they had A massive Gollum statue in the Main Street and a bunch of sculptures of Orks and Wizards around the city.. good times

[@gabrielgiovanni69]

It was like a bday present for me since my bday is around the time the movies dropped!

[@Copycat_YT]

I’ll always remember when people booed at the end of the Fellowship of the Ring. Not because the movie was bad but because they wanted MORE

[@SnazzyZubloids]

These effects held up amazingly well.

[@Fluffyolphert]

Nothing will ever come close to how amazing Lord of the Rings was.

[@jogymogy3691]

Sadly. I also view it as the last Magic Cinema Experience. I never ever whitnessed something similiar again since. Blessed are those who saw them 2001-2003 in cinema.

[@Civ3Content]

I just saw it in San Jose! In theatres

[@darkslaerdark]

You sure? Cause Dark knight even better than lord of rings.

[@Lieutenant_Dude]

It was our generation's Star Wars Trilogy.

[@ocirontariocryptidinvestig8010]

@@darkslaerdark k kid

[@andrewf0784]

"I threw down my enemy and smout his ruin upon the mountainside." This is some badass, epic dialogue.

[@jonmarsh7914]

smote*

[@ThatCoolKidYouKnow]

I loved it. Rereading it over and over I have started working it into a song.

[@alformodoritos2076]

Translation: I kicked its ass. 😂

[@nochitlins]

I think McKellen chose to improvise for the sake of rhythm and brevity, but the line misses the effect of Gandalf's statement in the book: "I threw down my enemy, and he fell from the high place and broke the mountain-side where he smote it in his ruin."

[@r.s.3572]

👍

[@mattymessiah8165]

If I were one of the hobbits and heard Gandalf say “this foe is beyond any of you” with Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Boromir by my side I would shit myself.

[@VoiceOfTheEmperor]

Dude, you are literally fighting a Demon that is probably as old if not older than fucking Sauron.

[@zyomer6855]

@@VoiceOfTheEmperor As old; they are both Maiar of the Ainur.

[@hosenOne1]

@@VoiceOfTheEmperor the balrog is basically Sauron but take away his spells and tricks and the one ring. actually balrog is a pure warrior and would probably kill sauron too. it killed Durin and caused an entire race to flee. the maiar are crazy powerful... gandalf never shows his true power we all kno but even then he kicks ass.. in the defense for minis tirith we can see some of his sword skills .. killing the attack troll and so on. if only they showed him using his voice powers and true abilities.. would have been badass

[@rhoadesjerry9696]

@@hosenOne1 All through the trilogy, I was thinking, "C'mon, Gandalf, let loose with some of that wizard shit."

[@mbdulka]

@@hosenOne1 Yes, he was forbidden to use his full power (or limited by those who sent him). His mission was to provide wisdom, not muscle ...

[@juanjosequispe1387]

At that time I had a 5.1 channel home theater The sound of the crash of the Balrog falling with Gandalf was amazing. I still remember it. My house was shaking.