Tolkien explains why the Fellowship didn't fly the Eagles to Mordor

[@hanke11]

Because they were recording “Hotel California”

[@RainintheBrain]

I hate the f***in eagles question man- JRR Tolkein

[@SavageHenry777]

@@RainintheBrain We don't like your type here in Malibu.

[@bigNoseoftheCotton]

Kkkkkkkkk you killed this man

[@gallantmon4]

I understood that reference.

[@polyhistorphilomath]

At that time the Eagles were way too high to retrieve the fellowship from the ground

[@Voltlighter]

An entire paragraph for what could be said in two words. Certified Tolkien moment

[@tupsicojose]

out of all comments, yours is the one that made more sense! I actially laughed! :D

[@joshuapike619]

Same here 😂

[@realtruth4804]

Peter Jackson approves and intends on making this video into 3X 20min segments

[@tim.noonan]

He certainly loved language

[@user-hz5uz4pj7n]

Leo Tolstoy moment

[@kurtdewittphoto]

As the playbar got closer and closer to the end, I was growing increasingly curious how he was going to explain it in such a short time. 😆

[@professorx3060]

I was looking for this comment, describes me perfectly

[@imbaelk]

Same here!)

[@mindbomb9341]

Hahahaha ME TOO!!!!

[@CybermanKing]

A man of few words speaks most loudly.

[@cliftonjames785]

Lmao dude I was thinking the exact same thing but after awhile I just figured he was gonna say something short and funny

[@Deciheximal]

"Fell beasts patrol the skies" "So can you take us halfway?" "Shut up"

[@user-fr1ys2wn4t]

Stealth isn't their greatest asset. Im sure Sauron's Spies would spot them within an hour.

[@controlflix]

What if they only took 48 minutes tops?@@user-fr1ys2wn4t

[@paulmayson3129]

They almost got tracked by crows of Isengard when they were halfway through the way from Imladris to Moria. And that is within the territory of Elrond (for all of Eregion is probably under his control, even nominally, for the first White Council decided that the Elves' centre in Eastern Eriador would be Imladris rather than a rebuilt Ost-in-Edhil). @@user-fr1ys2wn4t

[@marquisdesade3025]

@@user-fr1ys2wn4tyet his response was… “shut up”

[@czos9239]

"Does my future look good?" Tolkien 8 ball says SHUT UP lolol

[@TRUTHANDCONSEQUENCESWILLNEVER]

It's like people forget that a huge part of why the hobbits carried the ring was for stealth and misdirection, they weren't announcing where they were for a reason.

[@user-xh4hy9np4i]

Planes r stealth too

[@indig0283]

​@@user-xh4hy9np4iplanes, not eagles

[@TeensierPython]

Carrying by bird is far more stealthy than walking where everyone can see you.

[@user-xh4hy9np4i]

@@TeensierPython for real thyre just mad cause tolkien didnt think of it till the bool was finished and was like eh, ppl t stupid its fine. And he was right. So many stupid accident babies walking around that r just half conscious

[@andreykotovsky]

​@@TeensierPythonyeah, who can notice giant eagle in the sky? Not like there is some giant eye on the tower and bunch of patrolling flying creatures

[@Dreadly]

It's like people don't realize that Sauron had his own air force. "Shut up." Is a brilliant and obliged response.

[@nate3866]

It's like people totally forgot all the fell beasts patrolling the skies, not to mention a few out of place eagles in the sky isn't hard to spot for literally thousands of units on the ground that haven't yet lost their leader or morale and are fully mobilized.

[@avielp]

I think with enough eagles, radagast birds and a suicide mission mindset it could easily be done..but the eagles maybe didn't care enough to risk their lives and meddle. And Radagast?..idk..was it even known where he was? Anyway I guess since it's a story Tolkien just went "shut up"

[@EliasKaydanius]

@@avielp the idea of a "suicide mission" is that only a tiny portion of your force has to survive long enough to complete the mission. And any unit can complete it. The hole in the "Mordor suicide mission" plan is that you have only one unit that can complete it, being the one carrying the ring. And if that unit goes down - it's over, no matter how much of your force is left.

[@nate9198]

Equally though have few means doing it stealthily and being seen much less during the journey on average. A larger crowd would attract more attention and could result in the plan being up much sooner, especially if it caused the enemy to recruit larger forces to go and address the threat. The two hobbits were not perceived as as anything to threatening hence they got away with it many a time.

[@goranmilic442]

"Shut up" is never a good answer. It's funny that Tolkien can't answer this question, but some people in comments here actually gave logical answers. Writers sure don't like when someone points out illogical things in their stories.

[@sunnyday237]

I am not disappointed in his answer lol! What a gem! Best answer ever!!

[@AFGuidesHD]

Yeah I actually can't tell if this is AI, an impressionist or actually real.

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

You stoopid

[@SoggySlopster]

It’s AI

[@Kintah]

​@@SoggySlopsterit's not AI, not everything is AI. It's an impression, OP does impressions and confirmed that this was him in another video.

[@protectoroflight5895]

An impressionist, eh? May be an embodier / an implementer / an incarnator? How might the impressionists / expressionists be connected with this?

[@AFGuidesHD]

@@protectoroflight5895 It's not very hard for someone to be able to be an impressionist and then add some effects to make the recording sound old.

[@YourContentSucksDlck]

0:47 for the theatrical release, 0:00 for the extended edition.

[@scrimpmster]

LMAO🤣

[@ViolentMessiah666]

Well played 😂 👏👏

[@ohifonlyx33]

best underrated comment!

[@nataliehammerle6893]

GREATEST COMMENT OF ALL TIME

[@SHVideografie]

Golden comment!

[@LynchMobster47]

In all seriousness, weren’t they trying to avoid being seen by Sauron? A bunch of massive flying eagles isn’t exactly inconspicuous to someone who has spies everywhere. What are Frodo’s chances of surviving an aerial battle between the eagles and Nazgûl?

[@MonkeyChessify]

The explanation i've heard is that the eagles are not imply eagles, they're demigod creatures like Gandalf and had the same fears of being corrupted by the ring

[@LynchMobster47]

@@MonkeyChessify I’ve heard that explanation as well, and I also believe the eagles are considered to be proud, so that would exacerbate that fear. But I think the simple logistical problem does enough work. It certainly isn’t a plot hole at the very least.

[@maninthemask6275]

I mean flying a giant ass bird would most like you get you spotted and shot down by a sea of arches.

[@luisoncpp]

@@MonkeyChessify that makes sense, but Tolkien himself responded that he just didn't want to use the eagles too much because they are a plot device too powerful.

[@emberdragon4248]

They're also pretty conspicuous considering he is a GIANT EYEBALL

[@petehobson1054]

Can you imagine how disappointing the story would have been if they had? "They shall be called the Fellowship of the Ring." The newly formed fellowship followed Gandalf to the edge of Rivendel's great mountains, where huge eagles were perched waiting to aid the brave travellers. Nervously, Frodo and his Shire kin looked up at the grand, majestic creatures. They were helped onto the beasts and, with a deafening flap of might wings, the Fellowship took off and headed for the dark lands of Mordor and it's Mount Doom. When they were above the firey mountain, Frodo dropped the ring down into its molten birthplace where the Fellowship watched it disolve and the eye of Sauron explode. They then flew back in time for tea. "What a great adventure!" Fodo said with a smile. "It sure was, Mr. Frodo." Sam replied with a chuckle. The End. Mind you, Peter Jackson could have still made a trilogy out of it!!

[@RevanReborn3950BBY]

If that last bit is referring to the hobbit trilogy, I would like to mention that it was Warner Bros who demanded a trilogy

[@SvanMagic]

@@RevanReborn3950BBY Yeah Jackson originally resigned because they wanted him to do two movies. Then the director he chose resigned, so he had to do it. Then WB wanted a trilogy and of course ruined the Hobbit.

[@cryptosporidium01]

Yup. How to train your giant eagle the trilogy

[@hazardeur]

sometimes, the simplest and fastest solution is the best one.

[@RuneKatashima]

Yeah but with less spelling and grammatical errors.

[@NateK-MN]

Congratulations on the breakthrough Asher. Good to see good folk like you posting good content for other people. I was at the sem while you were there some of the time.

[@offshorecomedy]

The fact that he spent a full minute on the narration makes the pay off even more with it. A true craftsman this guy

[@peeeepthis]

a full minute is longer than you seem to believe

[@eddielopez2373]

@@peeeepthis hey buddy, it’s 2022. Get out of here with your Babylonian, sexagesimal-normative time constructs.

[@broadd001]

@@eddielopez2373 huh

[@stalwartoffender9292]

Norm Macdonald would be proud.

[@MrNuts70]

LOL no not really hahaha

[@rust1_]

The slow build up, the rising tension as an old man who *seems* incapable to finish the sentence, the crafted sensation there’s no time left for a convincing, coherent and full disclosure of the question… just to finish with an abrupt, breathtaking finale where everything concludes the only way it could. Magnificent.

[@thorfinn518]

@Daniel Jaramillo Not really.

[@rust1_]

@Daniel Jaramillo Who? Tolkien or me? lol

[@DreadedEnding]

Yeah, Einstein. We watched the video. We get the joke.

[@rust1_]

@@DreadedEnding 0:47

[@DreadedEnding]

@@rust1_ 0:47

[@aidanjulian]

I think the most compelling reason for why they couldn’t use the eagles is that the ring would’ve turned the eagles against them in the same way it turned Boromir and eventually Frodo.

[@mrblah1765]

I've been saying this for years 😂

[@koalabrownie]

If Eagles had carried them even part of the way the journey would have been shorter and they would have been near the ring for less time than Boromir was, making it unlikely they would be corrupted. Especially as the Eagles are said to be more akin to Gandalf than a simple a man.

[@user-rm7nh1ek2z]

@@koalabrownie and Gandalf is so afraid to touch the ring even for a very brief moment. The ring is more corruptible to the being/person with power, ambition etc, hence hobbits are more suited to hold it an a prolonged time

[@apimpnamedslickback5936]

@@koalabrowniethe eagles king is like Gandalf level in the hierarchy or at-least up there and you know beings like that don’t want to touch the ring at all for fear of immediate corruption

[@mattwhite5900]

The fellbeasts would have defeated the eagles. The only way to get the ring into Mordor was to be sneaky.

[@GaveMeGrace1]

That answer made me laugh and hearty gut laugh! Thank you and thank you JRR Tolkien.

[@andraspongracz5996]

A perfectly built up story with measured suspense and a very rewarding ending. The Lord of the Rings is pretty good, as well.

[@sensuscommunis2526]

LOL

[@pseudonym7180]

This comment actually put a smile on my dumbass face lol

[@skylee5029]

The Lord of the Rings is one of the most boring series of all time with a spectacular highlight reel of some of the best scenes of all time

[@lunari6301]

@@skylee5029 good that its not a series but a movie

[@jessehaskins7849]

@@skylee5029 you’re objectively wrong, but okay

[@tubey84]

1. The Eye would have saw them coming. The whole point of the mission was to do it by stealth and have Sauron not suspect a thing as the idea was so implausible - flying big eagles into his territory would have been a bit of a dead giveaway. 2. He has the Nazgul in the air to counter the eagles. And countless archers and other projectile throwers. Even if they tried one eagle carrying the ring in a pouch and tried to drop it right in the volcano, the risk would have been obscene; if it's shot down Sauron has the ring and it's game, set and match. 3. The eagles, as described in the Hobbit and even alluded to in LOTR, don't often leave their eyries and certainly don't often act as an aerial taxi service. They did it for the dwarves once out of necessity and in LOTR due to Gandalf. 4. They couldn't really have 'got a lift' from Rivendell to say Gondor/Ithilien either, because the mission was taken on in secret. The eagles would have to have been told the purpose of flying there. They are sentient beings in that universe, so it's possible they could have been enticed by the ring itself too. 5. Even if they did do it, and somehow got airlifted as a fellowship to the Crack of Doom, it would have been defended en masse - the reason Sam/Frodo got in secretly was solely because the entire army of Mordor had gone to the gates to fight Aragorn's 'assault'; without that they'd have landed in the midst of thousands of Mordor's best troops who'd have seen them coming and prepared. Remember Gandalf the Grey wouldn't have went through Moria and 'died' and been 'reborn', so he'd be the wizard who got stuck up a tree on fire with the dwarves, unable to fight a few orcs - they'd have no chance whatsoever in a fight. 6. "Shut Up" - JRR Tolkien.

[@alperenuretmen2633]

in lotr path, they got seperated by frodo's decision, captivated by orcs. So a detailed eagle plan still sounds a lot more reasonable.

[@DavidL1986]

Also.. surely the psychology of the Ring would not let you destroy it. It took everything they had been through, all the near death experiences, survival and then finally Gollum trying to steal it back (even Frodo was not going to throw the ring) - to then Finally throw it away… simply flying the eagles there would achieve nothing

[@diabologe]

Sounds good, except for 1. The eye is on top of Barad-dur is an invention of Peter Jackson, not by Tolkien.

[@tubey84]

@@diabologe It's mentioned in the book several times.

[@diabologe]

@@tubey84 If I recall it correctly, the red eye is only his symbol (used on orc shields, banners, etc.), not the form he has taken on at the time of the war. But I may be mistaken.

[@dylanfoster7138]

I was expecting him to say “Because that’s how I wrote it”

[@retepeter2305]

I would give everything i had to sit down and Just watch the trilogy with this man.

[@bn5055]

He would have hated it. He'd have much rather read you the books.

[@adamspacek6507]

@@bn5055 are you absolutely sure? Because (apart of some parts) I think that the LOTR trilogy did a pretty good job of conveying the spirit of the books.

[@bn5055]

@@adamspacek6507 and in other parts, completely f"#@ed it. But regardless, Tolkien always wanted the books to remain books. The only reason he sold film rights (for an animated version) was because of financial difficulties.

[@dragom2009]

IT is answered in the hobit actually. When the eagles carry them to the carrock and not further it is say that they fear the arrows of men. The would be shoot down by men thinking they would steal their sheeps. And indeed they do so from time to time. Mordor have thousands of orcs and arrows.

[@MikoGot]

And flying beasts also

[@thenethralking6032]

Not to mention fell beasts and an all seeing dude who’ll see you coming long before you arrive.

[@morothane]

Not to mention the actual scale from the Black Gate to Mount Doom was something like 100 miles. Surely even the Great Eagle couldn’t fly with determination for that long, let alone with what has been mentioned… orcs, arrows, and the dreadful spirit of Mordor as a whole. Noticed for sure.

[@ghrosenb]

@@morothane They flew that far to pick up Frodo and Sam after the quest was complete.

[@morothane]

@@ghrosenb yes, *after* Sauron was destroyed. My point of distance was related to the main bulk of the journey.

[@calebfuller4713]

"Our enemy is a giant eye in the sky, atop the highest tower our architecture permits us to build. It scans constantly for the One Ring, the one thing we need to get close, with supernatural vision capable of sensing it thousands of miles away if attention is drawn to it. Also it has 9 wraiths on flying beasts under its total control, also able to sense the one ring, just flying around the area on patrol. Any ideas?" "Yeah let's mount up on a flying eagle and make a straight line to it. What could possibly go wrong?"

[@jacobhederstrom8198]

lets not forget that it can corrupt (almost) any living thing on arda, and the closer you get to mordor the stronger that power grows, so that would be a massive problem

[@nataliejanepeterson]

That’s awesome 🤣

[@lumierenoire4154]

A straight line riding giant eagles x) In a time of war, where any bird or living thing stands watchful. And even if it was a safer plan it would be asking too much from the eagles

[@m0nlo]

Shut up!

[@JMiskovsky]

Why 😭 not the nap the earth tactic.

[@graveyardgary4482]

All that build up for an epic punch line 😂 bravo, mr. Tolkien, bravo 👏

[@programmingwithc5267]

The catapult with the guided FrodoTM system was the best way to go.

[@Gyfrctgtdbhf]

What people don’t realize is the Middle Earth FAA had very tight altitude restrictions , especially around the Mordor no-fly zone , and incredibly severe penalties for non-compliance. The Eagles had already tried their patience one time too many and were on notice.

[@strangelic4234]

Right! They were also afraid that Mordor would see the intrusion of eagles as an act of aggression. Mordors ambassador to the ruins of Osgiliath made clear that they would treat it as a declaration of war.

[@alimehboob8908]

I'm a pilot and I know exactly what u mean

[@RCFlyBoy314]

Sounds about right

[@luisangelgonzalezmunoz2417]

@@strangelic4234 In fact Sauron considered his invasion of Osgiliath only a special military operation. If he had declared war, the invasion would have been much, much more lethal. That's why they didn't send the eagles. That would have pissed off Sauron to the point of actually declaring war, and employing his weapons of mass destruction.

[@koolkoo111]

"Tower, this is the White Rider requesting a flyby..."

[@krokodil5659]

Did anyone just forget that a man with one arrow shot killed a dragon with gem studded scales out of the sky in it's one small vulnerable spot? And they think that bunch of eagles are going to make it past the millions of orcs and evil men with bows (as well as fell beasts) into Mount Doom.

[@asherpuls7462]

Exactly!

[@ezerratchaga]

That dragon was flying low because it wanted to attack the village and the arrow shot thru the part without scales. Eagles can fly at 10k feet or even higher... most modern rockets can't even reach them.. much less some medieval arrows lolz

[@asherpuls7462]

@@ezerratchaga The Eagles would still have to fly low by the time they reached Mordor. They would easily be spotted then and shot down. But the eagles never WOULD carry the Fellowship because A. The forces of Mordor, including the Nazgul and their fell beasts would have seen them from far off. B. The ring would corrupt the eagles which could make for a horrible new foe. C. The eagles are proud creatures. Not a taxi service. D. Sauron could not fathom the idea that anyone would want to destroy the ring, so it was imperative that the mission be a secret.

[@ezerratchaga]

@Asher Puls not really... mordor is like the US.. extremely large... mount doom is not monitored everywhere.. the eagles fly high behind the clouds... then just dive down into the lava fields and drop it... easy peasy... Honestly that's not a great excuse for why u can't fly it.. the better reason I heard is more logical... which is the ring of power will corrupt the eagles as well.. thats why even Gandalf can't handle it... and so, the only people who can withstand its corruption long enough was the Hobbits...

[@asherpuls7462]

@@ezerratchaga You expect giant eagles to dive into a volcano?

[@DoubleNN]

I showed this to my brother and for a while he genuinely thought this was real.

[@l0ker507]

I was under the impression that the eagles could've heard the ring whisper "Yo, drop these bozos and you can have me all to yourself"

[@genzcurmudgeon8037]

Imagine running into Tolkien at a pub, asking him why they didn’t just fly the eagles to Mordor and him responding “oh shut up” 😂

[@mattmarzula]

I couldn't imagine ever talking to any writer and completely undermining their work with one question. Nor could I imagine them being so put off that they can't muster a decent answer. Also, it's fiction.

[@Kironius]

I couldn't imagine you in a pub

[@ATROFlAR]

@@mattmarzula dont forget to tip your fedora at the end

[@genzcurmudgeon8037]

@@mattmarzula Yeah it’s a stupid question about a make believe world written for the enjoyment of teenage boys.

[@genzcurmudgeon8037]

@@Kironius Where do you think I met your Mom??

[@anamkhan2603]

"Courage is not knowing when to take a life, but when to spare one." --Gandalf how I wish I could meet Tolkien just once and thank him for giving us this beautiful world with beautiful characters.

[@Black_Dark_Grey]

Deadpool : throw up

[@d.ryanwebb1166]

@@Black_Dark_Grey Deadpool is a stupid character for stupid people.

[@mirkogiljaca1051]

True Power over Life. Yes. :D

[@christopherdean1326]

A friend of mine actually DID meet him! She was at St Andrews University studying Medieval History, and attended a lecture by the great man. She remains something of a fan....

[@anamkhan2603]

@@christopherdean1326 she is so lucky omg

[@lexmusiclab]

Someone mentions (I think in the movies it was Boromir) how basically the air in Mordor is toxic/foul, so that alone would stop the eagles. Also saving the eagles for the end ties into the symbolism of birds representing higher or positive consciousness that we see in mythologies all around the world 🌎 🦅

[@puliturchannel7225]

But the eagles flew around there in the end anyways.

[@kona8832]

@@puliturchannel7225 After it fell yes, blowing away most of the poisonous fume/fog that sauron had conjured, note that sauron could blow the volcano at will too, something most people forget or don't know, so flying the eagles there first would just kill them anyway since they would be seen, and the the ring would be in the hands of the enemy, mission failed.

[@mycontentcreation5264]

That shut up at the end caught me off guard

[@loganteague5805]

He explained it in the book very clearly. When Gwaihir rescued Gandalf from Isengard, the first thing he (Gwaihir, the Eagle) said was 'you're too heavy to carry far, I'll need to set you down soon', so Gandalf had him drop him in Rohan to get a fast horse. Eagles aren't distance flyers, they'd wear out in minutes carrying a bunch of people in armor and with weapons and supplies.

[@CheJord]

How about 1 hobbit with a ring, I'm sure they could manage that

[@spacemanbill9501]

@@CheJord bird bones are hollow, I imagine it’s very rough on the back to carry anything. I figure a hobbit weights about 100 pounds max, 50 pounds minimum. I doubt a bird could go more than 30 minutes flying like that. Probably takes 4 hours to fly to Mordor, plus do you think Mordor just has zero air defenses?

[@loganteague5805]

@@CheJord Again, not just the weight, it's the distance involved. Eagles are already coming a LONG way from their home mountains when they help out, and it's not like they can just carry food to snack on 'cause the increased weight burns about as many calories as they can hold. If you ever watch an eagle fly, like in real life, you'll notice they just kind of drift in slow circles most of the time. If the hobbits want an airlift to Mordor, they'd need like a giant duck or something (they're actually great at distance flying, like the Energizer Birdie-keep going and going and going)

[@Sherlock245]

Wrong eagle can carry small goats off so a large eagle will be able to carry something that big. Beside eagles cant grow that large any where.

[@spacemanbill9501]

@@Sherlock245 yea to a nest that’s near by, less than 10 minutes by air.

[@masaguy453]

This guy can speak nearly every Middle Earth languages and he chose the most appropriate one to fans. What a genius.

[@robertlukacs4954]

This is fake.

[@SapphireTempestCandleOfStories]

@@robertlukacs4954 Tolkien did have recordings of himself, and this one does sound an awful lot like something he would say. But after watching those Batman and Master Chief motivation videos I can agree that it isn't as certain anymore.

[@robertlukacs4954]

@@SapphireTempestCandleOfStories This isn't him. It's fairly obvious that it's not actually him.

[@SapphireTempestCandleOfStories]

@@robertlukacs4954 Then that is how it is. It grieves me though, this has become one of my favorite Tolkien lines of the month!

[@robertlukacs4954]

@Bill Kennedy No its not.

[@hampshirenutjob6746]

I clicked this knowing that the awsner was gonna be some kind of joke due to the runtime, but that bit at the end still caught me completley off guard LMAO

[@121slayer]

Hahaha, I don't know why that response got a giggle out of me, but it did.

[@shepik]

My father actually ran into Tolkien once and had a chance to ask him this exact question. Tolkien replied with "Who are you and what are you doing in my house".

[@SkywalkerSam64]

LOL

[@L0kias1]

Good

[@Chropoles]

"Ran into Tolkien" ROFLMAO good one

[@SkywalkerSam64]

@@WW2SolitaireBoardGameChannel No need to repeat me in my sophisticated word-essay!

[@medleysa]

“I’m a locksmith, and I’m a locksmith”

[@jaceyking5015]

That Tolkien impression was spot on! I'm pretty sure he must have said this to someone at some point. With all the thousands of letters with questions he got, I am SURE this had to have come up.

[@juice2307]

Not necessarily. He was Catholic, and while that does not automatically mean that he constantly striver for virtue, it does mean he ought to have. He was fairly devout, so devout that when the mass changed to the vernacular he would still say the Latin because he preferred it.

[@ezeqeel8352]

@@juice2307 oh shut up

[@user-zv7yb4yp9g]

@Ezeqeel Why should he? Everything he said is true

[@rubber_face8410]

@@user-zv7yb4yp9g it is a part of the joke

[@formyownedification3879]

This sounds absolutely nothing like him

[@rempseaheinamies9414]

What a brilliant and thorough answer, Tolkien got served there. Real reason is of course that it would have made only one and very short book.

[@freddyray629]

What he really says: I know I screwed it up, dont remind me!

[@bomouth142]

There are several reasons why. The idea was dismissed pretty quickly during the council of Elrond, the Eagles are massive and would have been quickly spotted by the Nazgul patrolling Mordor on their winged steeds, there was no way to fly the eagles into Mt Doom since the only way in was the tunnel Frodo and Sam walked through so they would have had to walk there, there was a massive army inside of Mordor, and, crucially, absolutely no one would have had the strength of will to throw the ring into Mt Doom with it exerting all of its influence at the place where it was most powerful. Flying the eagles into Mordor would have been hand delivering Sauron his victory. Also, the eagle who rescued Gandalf from Orthanc stated quite clearly that they bear messages, not burdens, and the Ring is always described as a burden. They were sent to Middle earth by Manwe, Gandalf's master, as observers, not errand Eagles or Taxis. The Eagles would never have agreed even if they were asked to.

[@HittokiriBattousai17]

I'm sorry but walking to Mordor from Rivendel is even more stupid. The eagles should have dropped them somewhere closer to Mordor, at least.

[@spangelicious837]

@@HittokiriBattousai17 The eagles could be spotted from miles away. The closest they could've gotten without being spotted was Lothlorien. Then Gandalf is still the Grey and not as powerful, and the Balrog is still in the Misty Mountains and comes out with the orcs when Sauron summons his armies to attack up there. Not a good thing.

[@HittokiriBattousai17]

@@spangelicious837 Walking to Mordor is stupid and worked only 'cause of heavy plot armor. Period. This book can't be examined under the prism of realism.

[@spangelicious837]

@@HittokiriBattousai17 That's why it's fantasy.

[@spangelicious837]

@@HittokiriBattousai17 Also, flying the eagles into Mordor, where they have aerial defense systems and would be able to spot them from miles away, wouldn't have worked unless you use a lot of heavy plot armor. It'd also be a very short book, and it wouldn't have room to examine any themes that resonate with peoples all around the globe and over multiple decades. 🤷‍♀️

[@cluckendip]

thought this was real for a sec lol nice

[@specie44]

It is u damn fool

[@frost.0707]

Tolkien does not stutter

[@daggerbc3023]

Damn I wished I stopped going to comments and watch the vid first, would have caught me off guard

[@godhandvoid9795]

@@specie44 well there's a picture of him on the screen so it HAS to be him, right?

[@specie44]

@@godhandvoid9795 I know what he sounds like

[@scottgm321]

That’s the hardest I’ve laughed in ages. Brilliant

[@philipsoutherton]

Besides all the solid comments listed about the practical improbability of it working, I think the biggest thing against it is simply that that's not how Middle-Earth works. Maybe the biggest theme I get from the books is the idea of fate, so many people making tough moral and responsible decisions in Middle-Earth culminates in the destruction of the ring. When Elrond is talking at the council he says something like Sauron will expect us to take the ring West, that is the easiest path which is why it should be shunned, we (Elves) have too many times taken the easy path. Frodo gets this too which is why he chooses Emyn Muil over going to Gondor, as does Gandalf with Moria, Galadriel denying the ring and pretty much every decision GOAT Sam makes. The easy and more pleasing option goes against fate on the other hand which is why Saruman, Denethor and Boromir fall, (Boromir's fall being redemptive as he regrets the momentary weakness). Shut up is the perfect response as anyone who appreciates the journey of the books wouldn't even consider a low effort Hail Mary worth examining.

[@jygb7092]

Why tho

[@readsomebooks666]

Or, as Tolkien teaches us, “Shut up.”

[@McBernes]

Poor Boromir, I always felt like he was the most tragic character. The weight of his whole people as responsibility on his back, an asshole father adding more pressure, it's no wonder the ring took him and at the end his redemption cost him his life.

[@buecherdrache1]

Gwaihir, the strongest of the eagles, tells Gandalf, that he can't fly him very far (because he just isn't physically able to) when he picks him up from the top of moria. So apparently the eagles are just not that strong, that they can carry people for long distances, or are weakened by the influence of sauron and saruman (which is why they can help save Sam and Frodo in the end). And using giant, very visible eagles, who often need to take breaks, while your enemy is literally looking everywhere for you and has nine hunters on flying monsters, that don't need to take as many (if even any) breaks, seems kind of even more suicidal than the alternative.

[@lightwalker222]

If it’s hobbits on birds vs. demons on wyverns then I’ll give you ten to one

[@grantkeller4634]

The answer for me has always been the exact same reason that the hobbits wound up carrying the ring. The Eye of Sauron would have spotted eagles flying towards Mordor and sent Naz’Ghul after them instantly. The hobbits were able to slip past Mordor’s defenses because they were too small to be noticed by the eye. It’s the same reason Gandalf chose a Hobbit to be his burglar to rob Smaug.

[@user-vr8qd4hk6y]

That is also somewhat realistic. Flying is becoming more and more hard with your size/weight. Biggest flying animals that existed, had enormous wings in proportion for not such big body. And they could not carry too much really. And still they could have more problems with flying like with taking off. Same if you just look at the biggest birds today. Common phantasy visions of creatures like big flying dragons and others, often also as mounts are completely absurd, in contradiction with simple physics. Maybe they also screwed our common sense in this matter. Airplanes are different matter using more energy, just like cars have different capacities than horses. Still, on the other hand, there were Nazguls... But wait, they were more ghost-like beings, right? Maybe they didn't weight much and not taking heavy weaponry while flying on unnamed beasts. That makes perfect sense. Using this eagle-tactic as too risky because Sauron would spot it quickly is a very reasonable argument. Eagles could be actually very strong, at least according to some examples from Sillmarilion such as eagle that put up a good fight against a balrog... but not sure about eagles of those times. One thing we know, it's eagles were maybe helpful but kinda neutral. And maybe they could be not such willing to be used in suicidal mission... Gandalf could be already thankful for their help and didn't want to ask for more. If you think about eagles as warplanes, then yeah, there it's kinda good question why not use them, but they were sentient beings, practically fraction on their own and more neutral, just like Ents. And it doesn't make much sense to expect suicidal mission to the centre of Mordor on their own, not mentioning risk of capturing Frodo and ring in the process.

[@ScrapKing73]

It’s probably less a strength thing for the eagles, more a question of endurance.

[@thatonetitan8456]

@@grantkeller4634 But hear me out here.. ring lord eagle and

[@sigmascrub]

This is 1000× more satisfying than any fan answer

[@donjorge8329]

No. It is not.

[@SuperCrazyEstonian]

@@donjorge8329 Yes it is. Now shut up you.

[@sigmascrub]

@@donjorge8329 oh shut up 🤣

[@JunebugTheGoodra]

@@donjorge8329 it actually is, and I’m all for it

[@donjorge8329]

@@JunebugTheGoodra Then this is obviously your morbid fascination for getting kicked in your a**. Chacun à son goût.

[@CoranceLChandler]

" how am I supposed to know? Ask Gandalf!"

[@Colaris99]

This is great, I was not expecting that! :)

[@peterlohnes1]

You're also forgetting that one of the main reasons Frodo and Sam was successful is that Sauron was aware that two hobbits were carrying the ring, but when Pippin grabbed the Palantir, it made Sauron think the 2 hobbits holding the ring were far away in Rohan. That's the only reason they succeeded, Sauron didn't suspect they were so close. Eagles had no chance.

[@davadh]

Shut up

[@pinchevulpes]

Fool of a took!

[@SirBeekers]

@@pinchevulpes Tool of a fook!

[@sabastianleisek396]

I get that they couldn't go right up into Mordor, but they traveled months after the eagles dropped them off. That's like trying to sneak up on someone, so you get out of your car 50 miles away and start walking, cuz they'll hear if you get close. That's why even the writer jokes about it by telling people to "shut up". Honestly, great series, but like most, plot holes.

[@usffan5775]

@@sabastianleisek396 or doesn't feel like explaining to you in this clip

[@mightylad2197]

Sauron has thousands of orcs with arrows. He has winged Nazgul and other abominations. He has dominion over Mordor and could easily block off the entrance to Mt Doom as soon as he saw Eagles coming. Until he saw Frodo in mount doom, he had no conception anyone would destroy the ring instead of wielding its power. Even when Frodo was captured they thought him a mere spy. The fellowship succeeded because they were discreet and hobbits are sneaky. No other reason.

[@hermaeusmora424]

Surely they can fly higher than an orcs arrow. Also ok lets say they dont enter mordor, they still could've brought them straight to the border. Would still have saved a lot of time.

[@hermaeusmora424]

@Alex doubt it.

[@erikdeeNOSPELLSNO]

I was expecting good old J.R.R. to have an amazing explanation, but I was more impressed with this one! "Shut up!"

[@elyisus8145]

and hobbits being understimated was another important part too

[@cammoblammo]

All of those objections apply to the Battle of the Morannon, yet the Eagles turned up there.

[@myrillionissilly]

I love how there's like a ton of both common sense and in-depth lore answers to the question, but he chose the answer that perfectly fits the intelligence of people who ask this dumb question.

[@jonathanprisbrey9473]

The best explanation I heard of was the Eagles are literally angels and it would cheapen life if the divine solved mortal problems they have more important things to do.

[@maniacalclefable1354]

Tolkien is potentially the most based man of all time. Wrote 5 legendary fantasy epics, plus appendices, and potentially the only plot hole I can think of in his masterful work is excused by stfuing everyone who brought it up. What a god amongst men.

[@diafam3662]

“Shut up” Understandable have a nice day

[@VindictiveDesign]

It’s not even a plot hole, they could not afford to be that brash in their attempt to defeat him as he was an extremely intelligent, cunning, and competent villain. He would have never have expected them to literally walk the ring in via the back door.

[@wulfheort8021]

Sauron would have seen it coming that way and would have had the Nine engage them putting it all at risk. Stealth was of the utmost essence and the Nine were constantly on patrol.

[@jordancook8511]

@@wulfheort8021 Nah the eagles could've flew above the clouds and dive bombed it into the volcano, then they'd lure the Nazghul into an ambush and murder them. Then finally they'd do a series of air strikes to finish off the orc. EZ clap it wasn't even worth their time.

[@wulfheort8021]

@@jordancook8511 Very typical argument again from someone that does not even have the slightest knowledge about the actual lore. The eagles of Manwë were no servants, the only reason Gwaihir saved Gandalf was because of a favor Gwaihir owed to Gandalf. When Gandalf convinced the eagles to search for Frodo and Sam at Orodruin he had to promise never to ask help from them again before they were willing to help. You can't just command the eagles at your will. Just like the Valar they did not want to influence the course of Middle-Earth and only in extreme exceptions would the eagles come to help. Relying on the eagles was simply impossible and it is not a plot hole.

[@ioanbugheanu6836]

Genuine answer: The quest required utmost secrecy, indeed, Sauron was not fully aware of what was transpiring until it was too late. The Eagles would've been spotted by the Nazgul or the Eye itself, and their help would've required more to know of the quest. Additionally, not anyone could be trusted to bear the ring, less so the closer it was to Mordor. Eagles are proud and noble creatures, and would've almost certainly been corrupted.

[@ashscott6068]

Tolkein's answer is the correct one. Dude simply didn't think about it. If he had, he'd have created an excuse and mentioned it in the story

[@2hot4u68]

Shut up

[@pwnmeisterage]

The eagles can only carry passengers short distances. In the books, the Windlord can only carry Gandalf as far as Rohan before he must rest - he is reluctant because it slows him down and forces him to rest often within range of Orc arrows. He laments how many eagles have already fallen so he exhausts himself moving swiftly. People who read the books are aware of that. Tolkien's answer was right ... the questioner should stop talking and start reading. In the movies, eagles appear in one scene and the hobbits are laughing in the next. The eagles are not characters, they're just vehicles which carry the story to the ending. No real effort to explain or avoid the eagles, just a little distraction to keep the audience from thinking. Tolkien did not write or direct the movies.

[@DudeRevolution]

You understand it's not an actual universe, right?

[@TheGamingDandy]

@@ashscott6068 no, he did think about it. The Eagles do talk about it in the book. They basically tell Gandalf that this war has nothing to do with them and they don't want to get involved. But they rescued Gandalf from the tower as a favor because they revere him personally.

[@jimyoung9262]

Gandalf tried to tell them..."FLY YOU FOOLS!!!"

[@7evenseas975]

Fun fact the day Tolkien went on the elf boat into the light was the same day my best friend's dad was born

[@MadMagyar13]

It’s simple, Mordor actually had sophisticated SAM defence systems as well as Phalanx C-RAM’s positioned strategically around their border

[@fbarbie]

Their SAM defense system wasn’t that good. I mean, he still got through, and even brought Frodo with him.

[@jeffreyrhoten8652]

We need a team of eagles to fly in low and fast, below the watchful eye of sauron, swoop into the volcano to drop the ring then make an incredibly steep climb to avoid hitting the mouth of mt doom.

[@Crk2784]

Top Hobbit: Maverick

[@Mars-1995]

@@jeffreyrhoten8652 It will be a 9+ g maneuver.

[@matthewbittenbender9191]

Superior air superiority with the ringwraiyhs.

[@miguelmartins9531]

To help who still doesn’t understand the whole plot is under the assumption that Sauron would never think someone would destroy the ring. Seeing a bunch of eagles fly straight to mount doom with the ring would pretty much reveal the plan and Sauron could just recall everyone to mount doom and wipe them out easily from there. Plus there’s always the chance the plan would not work and Sauron has a free ring to rule middle earth

[@antongerasin3871]

That still doesn't make any sense. But you tried at least.

[@connordarvall8482]

@@antongerasin3871 What he's trying to say is that throwing the Ring in Mt. Doom was a stealth mission and a bunch of eagles flying up to Mordor in plain view of Sauron's giant eye would make them easy to see.

[@antongerasin3871]

@@connordarvall8482 but still they were there right after hobbits throw it into lava.

[@seeinggrey7945]

@@antongerasin3871because Sauron was destroyed 🤦‍♂️

[@antongerasin3871]

@@seeinggrey7945 like less then a minute before.

[@paperclip9558]

I remember that war in the north game acknowledged this question and answered it

[@brandonbrokken5753]

The ring literally cannot be willingly thrown into the flames and destroyed. Tolkien stated in one of his letters. One of the rings powers is that it prevents anyone from actually destroying it willingly. Frodo failed when he tried and only because Gollum bit his fingers off and fell was it destroyed. The eagles cannot just drop the ring into the flames it would not allow them. There’s a video on KZbin that explains it much better. It’s called something like “What is the one ring” or “The one ring explained” it’s like 30 mins long.

[@delduvall]

Wait, that makes no sense? So what exactly did the fellowship have planned when they got to mount Doom then? Actually, I already know… I will qoute Elrond: “It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came.”

[@addisonwelsh]

@@delduvallNo one knew that the ring had that power. They knew it corrupted the person who held it, but they didn’t know it’s power became stronger the closer you got to the mountain.

[@clawsewitz4316]

I bet Tom Bombidil could have thrown it in.

[@clawsewitz4316]

​​@@addisonwelsh" the close you get to Sauron?

[@addisonwelsh]

@@clawsewitz4316 Tom Bombadil is widely assumed to be Iluvatar, the literal god of Tolkien's setting. He could have wiped Sauron out with a thought if he wanted to.

[@DMBlade4]

When Gwaihir saved Gandalf from Orthanc he told him he could not bear him far and would not bear the burden of their quest, essentially. If they would have asked, the eagles would have declined.

[@TheBigExclusive]

Basically the Eagles were saying "I'm doing you a favor just by driving you to the Airport on my day off from work. Don't ask me to drive you to another city too. "

[@justinah7400]

Yes sir

[@MegaSilverBlood]

Of all explanaitions written and given by Tolkien, this is the one that makes it clear, idk why people look for other stuff. That is pretty much it, and its fine by me.

[@miquando5033]

Um actually, they were on their way to eagles nests, just on the other side of Moria mountains. But only Gandalf knew Fellowship's destination. Why do you think he yelled "FLY, you fools!" when he fell? He was trying to communicate their method of further travel !

[@DMBlade4]

@@miquando5033 Uhhmmm ACKSHUALLLLLY...I think he said that because "fly" is another term for get the fuck outta here. By the way, have you ever read the books?

[@Pooltastik]

As much as I love the films, and consider them cinematic masterpieces, the eagles really did get the short end of the stick - especially in the hobbit films -, downgrading from a legitimate society to glorified magic Ubers.

[@Vasily_dont_be_silly]

"glorified magic Ubers" LOL

[@nicholasstehl6375]

They’re great in The Lord of the Rings: War in the North video game story

[@davidrichardson518]

It would have took 6 4 hour films to even come close to get everything from the books in the movies. Just for the lotr. Can’t people just be grateful that we ever got to see it . Also more to the point if the eagles did that there wouldn’t be a story . It’s like Superman he’s soo overpowered they always have to find some dumb reason to he’s not around just for him to show up and wreck everyone

[@nicholasstehl6375]

@@davidrichardson518 makes me think of Smallville where the only times ever that Clark couldn’t “handle himself”, there was kryptonite involved

[@davidrichardson518]

@@nicholasstehl6375 yeah Superman stories are a tough sell . Hardly anything can straight up fight him so it turn into a convoluted over complicated plot like Batman v Superman. Though as a teenager I read the death of Superman arc and loved it , but there again they had to make up a new badass enemy

[@vi0letcr1me]

I love this. 1. even one of the greatest writers of all time can sometimes be reduced to just saying 'shut up' 2. that even the greatest story ever written does still have at least one plot hole.

[@long_time_hiro8297]

lotr has plot holes for sure, but the Eagle thing isn't one of them

[@vi0letcr1me]

@@long_time_hiro8297 It sort of is though. If the goal was take the ring to the mountain and destroy it and the eagles could have flown there immediately that is a plot hole. I don't mind though because I know that is missing the point of the story.

[@asherpuls7462]

@vi0letcr1me it's explained in the books WHY they can't do it. Sauron cannot fathom the idea that anyone would want to destroy the ring instead of try to use it. So it's criticism that the mission remain a secret. If they flew, the spies of the enemy which include birds and other flying creatures, would send word to Sauron and it would be all for nothing. It's also worth noting that the eagles could be corrupted by the ring and that would end the journey real quick. Not to mention the eagles themselves are not invulnerable. They can be slain by arrows and the Fell Beasts of the Nazgul. There are just too many reasons to list.

[@vi0letcr1me]

@@asherpuls7462 shut up

[@jaermoo]

best response, tbh i didnt expect this answer haha :D gold

[@Kaito-jr]

“The Eagles aren't fucking taxis” J.R.R “Fucking” Tolkien

[@Babesinthewood97]

One could also ask ”why wasn’t everyone just nice to eachother ” and they wouldn’t have had to bother walking to mordor. No story left to tell.

[@lukeskywalker987]

In fairness I'd still read a 300 page book of nothing but Bilbo and Gandalf vibing in The Shire.

[@kody.wiremane]

Sauron would grow flowers in Mordor and send Galadriel a bouquet, and she would give him a cute pink unicorna^^

[@michaelnettles3059]

OK, but why wasn't everyone just nice to each other? If that happened the world would still be flat and the elves happy.

[@spk1121]

​@@michaelnettles3059: Because Melkor decided to take a few walks in the dark & became Morgoth Bauglir, Supreme Not-Nice Guy 😡

[@wildfire9280]

@@spk1121 He was mad Silksong hadn’t come out yet.

[@androidmk5987]

For a while i just assumed it was a case of the eagles didn't want to be ridden.

[@rohitdeshmukh929]

He could have given anything from the lore such as because of some magic or some restriction they could not. But instead he said “shut up” only because he hadn’t thought about it or at least did not create any prior lore for it.

[@_Master_Wolf]

I always assumed it was because the whole mission was dependant on secrecy. If they would just fly into Mordor, they would risk getting caught by fellbeasts, or shot dowm with arrows. Also, Sauron was searching for the ring, but he never imagined his enemies would try to destroy the ring. He probably thought it was too powerful and would corrupt anyone who holds it. Keeping the mission a secret was essential.

[@burningman1239]

This comment deserves a heart

[@MellowJelly]

saurons eye would see them from so far away they'd be caught right away

[@i3looi2]

"Shut up !"

[@christophilous4831]

Sauron was right

[@vegito9019]

This is totally accurate actually. Before the fall of Rauros it is said that Legolas spotted a winged beast (with an Nazgul obviously), what would have happened if that Nazgul spotted them first because of the eagles? That would've been a mess.

[@Justin23908]

That was not Tolkien, funny but not Tolkien for anyone who thought that that was him.

[@jenovahhelson5941]

Good impression, though.

[@joshgee7]

awww, damnit, you're right, The Professor would have had a whole book written on why ...

[@abrahemsamander3967]

I thought it was him at first. Then I realized it wasn’t at the end.

[@reimaginethesounds6694]

"SHUT UP"

[@addar1989]

I knew it wasnt hin cause i stand what he said cleary xd

[@outlawsamurai47]

J.r.r. Tolkien being that dude saying man shut the fuck up it's my story I love it a legend lost to soon

[@djpants]

"Shut up I didn't think of that"

[@josie4065]

Of all the explanations he could have made, he chose the way of the Sigma Chad. What a man.

[@vezertrojai]

*Giga Chad

[@Qvartz_Lite]

He's one of the original Chads after all

[@stromael7631]

That’s also what Frodo chose.

[@Titch-de2re]

I've never really understood why this question gets asked so often. Getting the ring to Mordor is supposed to be a covert operation. Flying multiple eagles across the sky and just swinging right in to Mordor in full view would be a complete suicide mission!

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

No no, because you see, the eagles could just fly them *close enough* to cut the journey down! /sarcasm Some people genuinely have no idea what the Black Gate scene was all about, apparently.

[@slendermuff]

Not that I agree, but i think the logic is that there would be no need for secrecy using the eagles

[@sayianin]

@@BradsGonnaPlay apparently i don't. Why they could not fly I'd say half the way at least? Use multiple eagles as decoys. Don't tell me sauron watched every flying creature 24/7 and imediatly know if one has a ring hidden somewhere on it.

[@BradsGonnaPlay]

@@sayianin sigh here I go again… The fellowship couldn’t fly themselves to Mordor because the Fellowship was about 12 people and Mordor/Mount Doom isn’t JUST a volcano; it’s a fortified stronghold of dark sorcery with a massive army of orcs and Uruk-Hai. They would have been slaughtered the exact hour (and I’m being very generous there) they were found. On top of the fact that if they skip the journey, they forgo having a plan AND they let Rohan and Gondor fall to darkness and lose their kings, including would-be king Aragorn. This isn’t that hard, the whole series is based on plans and contingencies. If they flew even just halfway, that’d be it- that’s their one, incredibly flawed, poorly thought out plan. Edit: actually reading back through this, I’m realizing it actually makes less sense for them not to go the whole way. But that again already has an in-universe explanation. Gwaihir could only fly with Gandalf by himself for a short distance, so even then it’s more than just “the eagles should have flown them” and more of “how would that even work without getting all the fellowship and these Demi-gods we’ve consigned to a fight they didn’t want to participate in anyway?”

[@tukkek]

@@slendermuff I love how you say "no need for secrecy" as if it counters OP's argument when in fact it doesn't even begin to address it lmao "So we need a key to open the door? But if we paint a banana red we wouldn't even NEED a key to begin with"! What?! Did you literally not read the comment you were replying to or did you just decide to completely ignore it directly (and all the context around it, indirectly, including the video itself)?

[@user-tu2xo3xm2w]

Same reason for the Odyssey. Its all about the trip not the destination

[@ryantudor9230]

Flying an Eagle into enemy territory would be like flying a jet in to enemy territory that you are currently at war with. They'd shoot you down, the dark lord had fellbeasts, catapults and trebuchet the Eagle were able to make a move at the end of the book because the enemy was weaker after the battle of Gondor and were also distracted, not mention they save Frodo and Sam pretty much after the battle was over and ring had bean destroyed.

[@jmwoods190]

And don't forget Mount Doom itself- That thing could've also acted as the ultimate 360° anti-aircraft battery. Remember how the lava bombs killing the fell beasts mid-air when Mt. Doom set off the Mordor self-destruct sequence after the Ring was destroyed?

[@benilak]

Damn, I was expecting something profound and that’s exactly what I got

[@Niksorus]

The much **deeper** answer he didn't want to give was "fuck you" XD

[@bjorn94]

Also, isn’t it told that the more powerful the creature, the easier the Ring corrupts it ? And Boromir was tempted by just being near it. Just saying, those eagles look pretty powerful to me, and the Ring could easily whisper thoughts of ruling the skies into what serves as ears for them.

[@hariman7727]

It's not simply that the one ring will corrupt anyone who holds it, but also that the eagles are some of the proudest in the whole of Middle Earth. Pride is one of the easiest inroads for the one ring, and the only way flying the ring to Mount Doom would work would be if the eagles fought each other over Mount Doom until the ring fell in with their last dead body. Which is kind of depressing.

[@CgullRillo]

How tf a giant eagle bout to wear a human sized ring lmao

[@hariman7727]

@@CgullRillo the One Ring can change sizes, as it expanded just enough to slip off the finger of one of its first holders so that it could escape him and he got killed.

[@jacks5463]

Not only that, the eagles are some of the oldest creatures in middle earth. So on the "hierarchy" of power, they are actually right below gandalf

[@WhirlwindHeatAndFlash]

their butts! Eagles hear thru their butts!

[@ianmunson324]

"THEY'LL WALK IF I TELL THEM TO."

[@gino7lord]

he is so real for that

[@crunchb3rry]

It's already established that Sauron has a lot of crows (Crebain) as sentries patrolling the skies. Anything they find would alert Sauron (who sees what they see), then he would send Fellbeasts (which he bred specifically to fight the eagles) after them. The eagles were able to get Frodo and Sam because Sauron was dead, so the skies were clear...permanently. Fellbeasts, much like the Crebain, were not under his control anymore.

[@Big_Bag_of_Pus]

The crebain were servants of Saruman, not Sauron. They were nowhere near Mordor. The rest of what you wrote was mostly fanfic.

[@juliabarrow-hemmings6624]

The Crebain were used by Saruman, not Sauron, they are merely an intelligent species of crow native to the hills of Dunland and, as a Maia, Saruman can talk to them as easily as he could talk to a dwarf or a human or an elf. Tbf, Sauron is *also* a Maia, an especially powerful one at that, so he could also have employed such a tactic, but its never specified that he does.

[@samramirez6679]

@@juliabarrow-hemmings6624Right…so the Uruk-Hai were at Saruman’s command not Sauron’s? They were ALL at Sauron’s command.

[@juliabarrow-hemmings6624]

@@samramirez6679 Did you... Read the books? Saruman was never actually working for Sauron, he wanted the ring for himself, he was actively *betraying* Sauron. Also Sauron did have his *own* Uruk-Hai, in fact his were around before Saruman's. He did not have Crebain though, he didn't really need them either, the Palantiri and his massive eye were honestly enough.

[@samramirez6679]

@@juliabarrow-hemmings6624 Of course but at the end of the day, Saruman played his part until he wasn’t needed. His desire for the ring played more into Sauron’s hand without Saruman actually ever getting what he wanted. I’m talking about big picture that I would believe Tolkien would agree if you read between the lines and not take it so literal.

[@MaximusProxi]

Multiple explanations: 1. The eagles are not almighty, they got exhausted from rescuing and carrying the dwarfs in "The Hobbit". So a long journey/flight would probably exhaust them a lot so they couldn't fight against the Nazguls. Also fighting while carrying the companions would've been impossible for them. 2. When flying the eagles to Mordor they would've also been seen from Miles away by the Eye and Sauron would've probably had enough time to defend the entrance of Mt. Doom. 3. In the book the "wyverns" the Nazguls are riding on are a species of their own and there are probably way more of them flying around and defending Mordor (not shown in the movies).

[@obiwanjagerman]

I always figured the eagles may be tempted by the ring. Then they'd probably have to scale a mountain to get it back.

[@UltimateThanos]

You mean “fellbeasts”.

[@Alex_Fahey]

​@@obiwanjagerman That is true, but also the great eagles are a more reluctant version of Ents. At their most involved, the eagles were only Manwe's messengers and they are very much a neutral party in the vein of the ents before the destruction of much of Fangorn's forest is revealed. The only reason the Eagles help as much as they do in the Hobbit and LotR trilogy is their great friendship with Gandalf. They simply would not do such a demanding and risky maneuver as flying a hobbit, a human, or god forbid, the entire fellowship across hundreds of miles of ash clouds or low above open terrain in Mordor. It cannot be done without resting some. It cannot be done without being spotted. It cannot be done without getting shot at by bowmen or even cut down with swords when they land to rest. It cannot be done without facing fellbeasts in combat while encumbered with their passengers. On and on we could list issues and their derivatives with that plan, but I doubt they would even be willing to be a quick ferry service to get the Fellowship across the border of Mordor or even the Misty Mountains. They only help Gandalf (as far as we know) and they only help Gandalf when he or his charges are in great danger. They are not a taxi service to help whenever the children of Eru Iluvatar are mildly inconvenienced.

[@lukasmiller486]

The eagles question is like the parachute question about 9/11. It’s simply a nice thought that sounds quick and convenient but in reality is not a practical solution.

[@Voltar78]

so eagles should be dressed in elven garments that give invisibility

[@maryhaddock9145]

Thank you for this, I love his voice. I could listen to it all day.

[@mkaleborn]

1. Sauron would stop/prevent them. 2. They would refuse. 2 is the more important. The Eagles essentially ‘worked’ for Manwe, Vala and Elder King of Middle Earth. And Manwe knew the ‘Eucatastrophe’ story being ‘written’ by Eru Illuvatar better then anyone. Manwe (and by extension the Eagles), knew it was not meant that the Ring be dealt with directly by The Powers. It was up to Men, and Hobbits, with aid from the Elves (firstborn of Eru), and Dwarves (adopted children of Eru) to fight for their claim as the inheritors of Middle Earth. And to make an end to The Story that was begun shortly after the final strains The Music of the Ainur echoed out of the Timeless Halls into The Void…. But I guess ‘Shut up’ makes a nice succinct summary of all of that.

[@jamesfitzgerald1684]

The whole point is that sauron would have seen them coming. They came on foot so they could travel secretly. Frodo and Sam went into Mordor unnoticed by Sauron. That's the only reason why the mission was a success. Even if the eagles were to agree to take them a bit closer MAYBE they'd get to Lothlorien before they are attacked. Remember they couldn't even get to Rivendell on foot without being noticed. Imagine seven horse sized eagles just flying around. You think sauron isn't going to notice that and send out his ringwraiths on flying mounts to stop them?

[@RoninDave]

It was a combined effort. Frodo and Sam went unnoticed partly because of the path they took with the help of Gollum but also because of the distraction caused both by Saruman and Aragorn. At first Sauron thought Saruman had the Ring or had it coming to him thru his Uruks then when Aragorn revealed himself in the Palantir, Sauron believed Aragorn had it which is why he released his army from Minas Morgul against Minas Tirith to prevent Aragorn having a base in which to launch an attack on Mordor. Had Sauron not done so the Witch King might have discovered Frodo. Then with the defeat of his army and the death of the Witch King, Sauron was sure Aragorn had the Ring so he moved the majority of his forces to the Black Gate never suspecting the Ring was already in his realm moving towards the place of its making and destruction. Had they done the Eagle route however Sauron's forces including the Witch King would all still be in Mordor. Sauron would not have attacked Minas Tirith when he did. It is highly unlikely in this world of spies, wizards, dark lords, and magic that a handful of big eagles carrying people from Rivendell all the way or part of the way or leap-frogging the whole way would not have spotted by the eyes of people, animals, birds, Palantir, or the Eye of Sauron. And once spotted Sauron would have known exactly where the Ring was and focused all of his Power on regaining it.

[@biohazard8295]

I just love that the story is so rich and inspiring that we are arguing like it were real life events lol

[@bobbobnz]

That, and, you know. The Nazgul would have torn them to pieces. There is that too.

[@Killopotamus]

@@bobbobnz Shit even the swarm that Sauruman sends would be pretty brutal haha

[@Jason608]

@@RoninDave Yes yes, this exactly. Stealth was the most important part of Frodo's mission. The whole reason the battered armies of Rohan and Gondor made a march on the Black Gate (almost certain suicide), it was a ruse to trick Sauron into believing that either Aragorn or Gandalf had the ring and wanted to become emperor of the world or whatever. The moment Frodo entered the cracks of doom, Sauron realized his mistake but it was too late. Had the fellowship taken Eagles, they would be spotted a long time before making it to even the outskirts of Mordor and their plans would be made evident. Sauron need only place a battalion to guard Mount Doom and then the end-run gambit would be forever lost.

[@Zykked]

To those confused! 1- Remember that the Eagles are not animals- they are literally Maiar, similar to Angels or demigods. The Valar (big gods/archangels) intentionally restricted divine intervention during the time of the Lord of The Rings. Asking about the Eagles is the same as asking why Gandalf didn't kill all the orcs, or kill the king of the Nazgul by himself (Could have done so, not allowed to.) 2- The eagles appear at their own opportunity- like a force of nature. Would you ask why Dorothy didn't ride the Tornado from munchkinland to the Emerald City in Oz? Would you ask why Frodo didn't get a surfboard and wait for a tidal wave to wash him to Mordor? 3- Shut up!

[@u.v.s.5583]

4 - see 3.

[@exantiuse497]

1. is false. Tolkien initially considered the Eagles as Maiar (literal children of Manwë) but later abandoned the idea (all Ainur in the final version of the legendarium are born in the beginning of time and cannot reproduce). The Eagles are animals, more intelligent and "higher" than ordinary animals but animals nonetheless

[@Pitau87]

@@exantiuse497 Check answer 3... It's perfect for you 😂👌

[@willnitschke]

@@exantiuse497 They are not strictly speaking Maiar, but are the agents of ManWe. Also it's not entirely clear if they are indeed animals or demi-god type creatures. Clearly they were fully sentient like Ents, Dwarfs, etc. That makes them more than animals. They were not like trolls, which you could classify as an animal.

[@Chibanah]

You failed with the nr. 1 explanation, because they saved Gandalf from the tower, which is clearly a divine intervention!

[@lavatahir]

Also people forget to mention, if Gandalf was afraid of the power the Ring could’ve had on him, what do you think the Eagles would do if they knew they were carrying it?

[@wowalamoiz9489]

What is it about slowly zooming in on a picture that is so delightfully amusing?

[@nekisrbin6375]

Well, in his defence, one can't just simply fly into Mordor. Mordor's airspace is heavily guarded and defended by flying beasts and war machines, and strictly observed and supervised by Sauron and his servants. It would actually be quite easy to spot and intercept a flying intruder.

[@NARKISDUDE]

True, the eagles came later for the rescue because it became possible. btw one of my favorite moments in the movie is the third eagle looking around in hopes (I assume) that Sméagol is also there, like think how amazing it is that they still wanted to save that lost soul

[@dominiccobb6470]

He could have said that tho. It's a good answer

[@xIr0nGuerillero]

and why not? sending two hobbits in the hope they don't get discovered sounds much more risky then sending literally flying demigods.

[@Cthulhu013]

Fly them to the fucking edge of Mordor then for christ sake. Save them a few thousand miles worth of time and effort. Ideally before Saruman sends his legions of Orcs to nearly annihilate all of Rohan.

[@NARKISDUDE]

@@Cthulhu013 Well that's not a very good story to tell is it?

[@GoodnessandTruth]

The books make it clear that this was a secret mission to Mordor. The whole point of hobbits going was that the all seeing eye would never 1) expect a hobbit, and 2) would never expect a hobbit to carry the ring into mordor through the front door. Even the war itself served as a distraction to keep the eye away from the hobbits. For if he knew he would unleash the whole of his strength upon the hobbits in an attempt to get the ring. Now imagine that majestic eagles are carrying the hobbits in to Mordor at essentially eye level. Sauron would release everything he had at them.

[@iayogsothoth]

I guess you think you commented some fucking savant status shit.... I'm not even going to point out the irony of your comment

[@generalzugs6017]

Wrong. Frodo volunteered. Nobody planned a hobbit to go nor did they plan how will he enter Mordor.

[@dbland1016]

@@generalzugs6017The Council of Elrond established a plan of sorts.

[@generalzugs6017]

@@dbland1016 Sure they did. It was: you have to go to Mordor and drop the ring in lava. You have my sword, my bow, etc.. None of which he had in the end. I should know. I was there.

[@okname5335]

but nobody knew bilbo had the ring for hundreds of years and when they flew on the eagles nobody saw them

[@forresth.6690]

Gandalf: Gandalf:

[@dh7314]

“Because I didn’t think of it…sorry”

[@mncdssctn9110]

Even though Gwaihir rescued Gandalf from Orthanc, I always figured that the eagles had a will of their own and wasn’t just some minions Gandalf could command any way he liked. The eagles probably weren’t willing to risk it. I mean, it took the ents a lot of extreme circumstances before they got involved and took down Isengard.

[@MechaLeo]

And that’s Isengard. Saruman had quote on quote “tens of thousands” of orcs bred there, and he barely has the right to be compared as a farmer to the mega corporation that is Mordor proper. I doubt the eagles would take on fellbeasts and Sauron’s gaze while toting the thing that would result in a full game over if Sauron had it.

[@jesseparrish1993]

The eagles were emissaries of Manwe and answered to him directly, so no, Gandalf had no authority over them whatsoever. In keeping with the attitudes of the Valar, they would not intervene in the wars against Morgoth/Sauron except to assist the efforts of the good peoples of Middle Earth. Much in keeping with Christian theology, they're more analogous to angels.

[@Jimarillion]

@@MechaLeo I think it was more about deception. If the Eagles had tried to fly Frodo to Mordor the game could have been over with them being intercepted in some way (as you mentioned) The point throughout the story was that Sauron think they wouldn't dare, that they would try to hide the One Ring, and that Sauron would have to fight conventional battles to win Middle Earth, thus clearing out Mordor, for one slim chance to sneak a couple of hobbits in to do something Sauron never expected.

[@IndigoIndustrial]

@@jesseparrish1993 This is the best answer.

[@juniordev2570]

Ya and a lot of Ents were also killed at Isengard. Asking the Eagles to embark on what would probably be a suicide mission to Mordor just isn't the same thing as a Wizard asking to get rescued from a tower.

[@-Galenas]

I'm impressed by your impression! Well done. Makes me laugh over and over again 😂

[@rattakornkarnchanah8714]

The more important question is... Why did Legolas not shoot an arrow with the ring straight into Mount Doom?

[@WreckinPoints11]

TLDR: "This is my book motherfuckers, they'll walk if I tell them to, get that weak ass bird shit out of here!"

[@RedZeshinX]

This isn't actually Tolkien speaking, it's an impression by the channel owner... the way people are seriously reacting gives me the impression nobody has noticed, so props to Asher for a convincing impersonation.

[@dave3429]

I just watched the actual Tolkien interview before this one and it is absolutely uncanny.

[@user-xt1fo4of6l]

I understood every single word he said so it's definitely not Tolkien

[@damsen978]

I noticed that as soon as he said "Shut up". I think it was pretty obvious lol

[@eugeniu89b]

Dude, just… shut up!

[@MokuTom]

it's not at all, it's just an old english chap who stutters a lot kinda accent.. @@dave3429

[@williammartin9612]

for those who actually wanna know: long story short, the eagles are very high ranking beings in middle earth. comparable to elves, not in power but in a celestial respect kind of way. thus, similar to how elves and gandalf and even men are all extra tempted by the ring, the eagles would've been as well. and given that they would fall to this temptation whilst our heroes are on their backs 1000 feet up, it wouldn't be hard to act upon it.

[@makinbacongreasyagain968]

Ok I upvoted this, but how the f is an eagle going to wear a ring

[@-roejogan-]

On his talon, obviously.

[@ariesaggressiv7569]

You know that we use to put rings on birds, right? I guess an eagles leg, specially the claws, are big enough to put a ring on it if the eagle itself is big enough to carry a full grown man in heavy armor

[@jasminschneider]

@@ariesaggressiv7569 Not to forget that the ring could adapt his size to the claws of an eagle.

[@ariesaggressiv7569]

@@-roejogan- so, I guess question answered

[@godofacorns]

The eagles were too busy being chained up as part of a quest for the main characters of LOTR: War in the North (2011).

[@Voodoomaria]

The Nazgul were still air born until the final battle and guarding the approaches to Mordor, it would have been too dangerous to attempt to fly the ring past them as they were attracted to it's presence. That's not too difficult to figure out.