Tolkien Reads The Ride of the Rohirrim

[@discordlexia2429]

If you ever feel like you can't ever create anything worthwhile, remember that Tolkien thought this sequence was kind of weak and considered scrapping it.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Great point! Haha

[@jdeckape]

I mean, he was really lucky on that editorial decision because that sequence just barely salvaged the entire trilogy.

[@jonathanlindstrom347]

@@jdeckape what

[@jdeckape]

@@jonathanlindstrom347 sarcasm

[@jonathanlindstrom347]

@@jdeckape *embarassed noises*

[@humungus3]

God I love hearing his pronunciations and cadence. The part where he says spears shall be shaken. Shields be splintered sounded for all the world to me like it was from the Beowulf intro.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

It’s magic

[@lordoftherings999]

Totally, but Tolkien’s Beowulf 😍

[@nancyhayes9958]

Beowulf and the Wanderer were definitely i spiration.

[@modernoverman]

What is brilliant about Tolkien's prose here, is that there really isn't detail about the actual fight itself, more of the epic and poetic nature of what it felt like to have witnessed such an event. Mythic.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Epic

[@remconoordermeer7015]

This was beautiful. J.R.R. Tolkien was indeed as masterful linguist. Imagine listening to him reciting the entire trilogy as an epic ballad.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

It gets to me too

[@TRivan-kx2bi]

As story-tellers go, Tolkien is up there with Homer, Shakespeare, and whoever wrote Beowulf.

[@kalleh6400]

Never before and again was a mortal man compared to one of the Valar, a middleman none the less. I hope that Bernard Hill is now sitting next to the Valar and his forefathers in peace. Rest In Peace

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Amen

[@Horse_In_A_Bookcase]

@@Pop_Culture_Podcast "I go to the halls of my fathers but even in their grand company I shall not be ashamed" rest easy Bernard Hill

[@Rauruatreides]

Not with the Valar, as they are bound to the circles of the world, unlike men. If he were to be with someone other than his forefathers, it would rather be with Illuvatar.

[@HatakeKakashi603]

And so passes Théoden, King of Rohan, Lord of the Riddermark, Last of the second line of Kings and first of his name. May he find honor in the halls of his fathers.

[@captainpacifist6128]

Hail the victorious dead.

[@maryhales4595]

Hail!

[@seacowxxx]

Hail Théoden King!

[@annatar1139]

I love how Tolkien slowly builds up the metaphor of the water breaking the dam, at first just "pouring in slowly but steadily" and then when charging they "roared like a breaker foaming to the shore": As one could say: The dam of uncertainty is breached and the full force of light and horse and bravery is sweeping over the orcs... So amazing...

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

So awesome

[@lordoftherings999]

Yes! Even more, he continued the tidal metaphors during Éomer’s charge, in the next chapter, when the Rohorrim go berserk and charge the enemy recklessly crying “Death! Death!”

[@jameszimmerman1069]

Water is a metaphor for a lot of things in Lord of the Rings. Everything is about water in a way. And it all has connections back to Frodo.

[@MusicEnjoyerSLS]

It's because The Sea is Always Right

[@vaahtobileet]

@@MusicEnjoyerSLS lol

[@JDL0021]

The fact you can see Theoden on snowmane out pacing the army in the movie was absolutely amazing you can tell Peter Jackson cared about bringing those books to life.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

@@JDL0021 agreed. true art. And appreciation for the source material

[@DadsBud11]

@@Pop_Culture_Podcast my personal favorite is during the Battle at the Black Gate Merry and Pippin immediately follow Aragorn into the charge before even the men or Gandalf do, showing their courage and reinforcing the theme that sometimes the smallest make the biggest impact.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

@@DadsBud11 wow. Great observation! I agree that was awesome

[@ryanfox5747]

RIP Bernard Hill

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

I go to my fathers in whose mighty company, I shall not now feel ashamed

[@concept5631]

o7

[@Jayako12]

"Even as Örome the Great in the Battle of the Valar" upgrades the scene to a whole new level. Rereading this chapter after having read the Silmallirion was a completely different experience.

[@PavelDGromnic]

That portion of the speech where Tolkien speaks - "there came rolling over the fields a great.... boom" is a piece in itself. The very short, almost undetectable. pause before the "boom" really discloses how viscerally attached the author was to his drama. I'd wager he felt that "boom" in his heart. I read the books almost sixty years ago, but never in my wildest imagination would have thought to actually hear him.

[@sageofcaledor8188]

“I go to my fathers, in whose mighty company I shall not now feel ashamed…” King Thoden of Rohan

[@elevatormusicirelia9043]

I cry every tim.....

[@schawdaya]

The man survived world war I, lost several of his best friends in the process, and instead of drinking himself to an early grave and beating his family out of grief he chose to create one of the most beautifully crafted stories of our time. I wish I got to meet him

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Well said. Here here!

[@concept5631]

Tolkien was one of a kind.

[@Will-md3tt]

He certainly was. I love his books

[@taitano12]

Now I wish we had an audiobook with Tolkien reading his own works like this. What a WONDERFUL voice he had for narrating.

[@alexk8599]

Something AI will be able to do within a couple of years probably

[@taitano12]

@@alexk8599 If not already. I wonder if anyone has yet petitioned his estate on the matter.

[@rook9714]

​@@alexk8599that would be orc-work indeed

[@Cailus3542]

@@alexk8599 Hopefully not. AI can not replicate something like this, nor should it.

[@intraum]

does the good professor get so caught up in his own prose that he slips into an almost welsh accent? i love it. what a unique recording

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

@@intraum interesting observation!

[@RBv195]

If only Tolkien had narrated his entire work

[@johnathonclayton6964]

What for, then no one would want to watch Lord of the Rings lol

[@ij1376]

I'm with Ryan, it would've been marvelous.

[@NikoHL]

​@@johnathonclayton6964 what do you mean watch. Read it, scoundrel.

[@Storm_Crown]

@@NikoHL He means it would be so good that nobody would watch the movie.

[@Grivian]

I love how Tolkien gets caught up in the moment while reading this

[@johnord684]

And why wouldn't he ,he never saw it in motion picture as he died in 1973

[@robinruckewold2593]

Thanks John for ruining a relateable comment

[@goyonman9655]

He was a bard

[@blueshit199]

he was the closest person ever alive to have been there

[@MichaelDavidson-x3y]

"Too late was worse than never." Hits hard

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

I once read someone’s comment: “A soldier who has been through war knows that feeling”. (Or something like that). I think about this every time I hear that phrase. Brings me to tears most times

[@Tax_Collector01]

Rather a man have not seen the grim reality of the situation, than to have bear witness in person.

[@Orbowitz]

Being a veteran myself, it's very true ​@Pop_Culture_Podcast

[@Intreductor]

"Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before:" "Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young." Bernard Hill embodied Theoden to legendary levels.

[@susanahoakenshield1293]

When I watched this for the first time in the cinema, I was crying. It was as if I were reading the book. Such a milestone in modern cinema! Oh, and did I mention the music? Howard Shore's music made me levitate during that scene.

[@concept5631]

I'm sure Oromë wouldn't complain about the comparison.

[@justinsmit6139]

The eloquence. The Dignity. It is truly art

[@vulpesinculta9578]

Indeed.

[@ajsabourin]

The comparison of Théoden to Oromë *chef's kiss*

[@Klongu_Da_Bongu]

It might have also hinted that the spirit of Oromë was with him when he charged that day, in fact giving him that boost he needed.

[@CatSculptor]

You think nothing can ever be more epic and powerful than the film version of the Ride of the Rohirrim. Then you hear the Original Text in the words of the Master himself.

[@wilhufftarkin8543]

For real. I got goosebumps listening to this.

[@MrFlejon]

I think the movie actually almost improved the original text. But they got Lucky, they casted the real King Theoden for the role

[@FourthFloorParkour]

It’s honestly a toss up for me. They have different qualities and are both done flawlessly. Easily the best scene in both movie and book

[@charlesemerytookeiii6632]

@@wilhufftarkin8543 I get tears. And I bow my shoulders and back just a little, and tense up, preparing for battle.

[@frykate1]

Gives me goosebumps. It feels like an ancient myth passed along through oral tradition.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Very cool 😊

[@ventusbruma1039]

Fun fact, it's what Tolkien was going for. He was always upset that because of it's history and the various groups who'd conqured it in the past, Britian had lost most of its mythology. So he made the Lord of the Rings to be that. He even went so far as to joke that he got the story from a red book he found buried in an old ruin.

[@SaulOhio]

It was Tolkien that taught me to love to read. I still remember being completely engrossed, lost in these very passages, the narrative of this battle. I wish I could speak to Tolkien, and thank him.

[@mushroomcloud1]

He brought to the page, tales that live in our very blood.

[@TheShurikenZone]

The sentiments of a great many of us; well said, friend.

[@darthmeta6445]

Whoever paired each notable scene in the reading with its counterpart scene in the movie did one hell of a job synchronizing them. I couldn't believe how well they were paired together.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

I cannot find the original. If you do, please share!

[@darthmeta6445]

@@Pop_Culture_Podcast This was the first time I've ever heard of this - I didn't even know there was an original... If by some miracle I do stumble over the original, then I'll try to share it.

[@Little_Donut1]

A man who had spent WW1 in the trenches and seen unbelievable sadness and pain could pour out all his imagination and feelings into dozens of books. I wish I had as much determination and creativity as JRR Tolkien

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Well said. Here here!

[@BrianWhitakerZBC]

One of the joys of this reading is that, when you listen carefully to Theoden's speech, starting when he says "shield be splintered", you hear Tolkien change his accent to an accent reminiscent of Old English, the language he used as inspiration for the culture of the Rohirrim. It's marvelous to hear him step backwards into a deeper time -- come to think of it, I wonder if he was conscious of doing it.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Really cool observation!

[@etienneporras7252]

The gravity with which he reads the word "boom". I legit shiverred.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Same yo

[@mikedicewrites]

This brought me close to tears, to actually hear the voice of the writer himself *with* the movie. 😭Beautiful.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

It hits me too man

[@TRivan-kx2bi]

"I will not say do not weep. For not all tears are evil"- Gandalf

[@EkaridonGaming]

The parallel between Hurin saying "The day shall come once more" back in the first age in the battle of many tears, and Theoden saying " 'Ere the sun rises!" in the third age. Beautiful.

[@blankisblind9474]

Never noticed that before. That makes this so much better. Thank you!

[@concept5631]

Theoden definitely participated in Dagor Dagorath.

[@colmoconnor4465]

Our boy Théoden snatching a horn and blowing it so mightily it breaks in two. That would pump you up to charge headfirst into the host of Mordor

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Hell ya!

[@Wax_Man]

I read that as horse not horn. I was like, "uh, we watching the same thing?"

[@huyxiun2085]

It actually would have suck. I understand why they didn't keep that for the movie, it's not cinematic and anticlimactic. When you read it, it's fine (if you lack imagination). When you listen to someone telling it (like here), it sounds epic. But if you had witnessed it... hearing it (barely seeing anything), that would just have been the beginning of a horn, a blast, a big dude doing "pfffrrt" with his lips, and a terrible omen.

[@edgarulisescespedeschew4279]

"But Theoden could not be overtaken", IMO is right next to "and Morgoth came." as most epic lines in the Legendarium.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Chills

[@puniopenetrante]

"Too late was worse then never" I'm not expert and correct me, but that line is something a soldier could say.

[@Cailus3542]

No correction needed. That is a line that a soldier could say. He says it in this recording.

[@ImperatorSupreme]

It would make some sense. J.R.R. Tolkien fought in World War One.

[@richh.2803]

This is a reference to something Merry overhears Eomer say a few pages earlier in the chapter, when Eomer is reciting a old addage, "'Need brooks no delay, yet late is better than never'... And mayhap in this time shall the old saw be proved truer than ever before since men spoke with mouth."

[@Jim-Mc]

​@@richh.2803It's an old adage too, and Tolkien definitely pokes holes in it here. To him it's better (for you) not to come at all than live with knowing you arrived too late to help. Very anxiety producing and real.

[@AndrewBray-zw8ps]

I think its in reference to the battle of the somme in which tolkien fought.

[@MisterLambda]

His cadence and the pace at which he reads it makes the text all that more palpable, I imagine he knew in an out exactly how each line in the book should be read. - No Audiobook will probably ever compare. The only one who knows would be his children, they could probably reenact how they remember him reading it to them, but I don’t think we will ever get to see that.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Chills

[@cobchob]

For what it's worth, I am an elementary school teacher and I am reciting an abridged version of the story for my students, little by little, each day. These stories work exceptionally well when spoken aloud, and to a room of enraptured students, each story beat rings out clear and true. It is near impossible to recount these events in front of an audience without being swept up in the momentum of the story. Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!

[@Ataraxia462]

I’m reading return of the king every night for my 10 year old and this was the one chapter I absolutely could not wait to read. I’m not shamed to admit I choked up. Theoden being compared to Orome is the epitome of the word epic.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Incredible. I hope to have the same experience some day. Thanks for sharing!

[@ZentetsukenVII]

My dad read these books to me when I was around the same age. I would build model airplanes with his help whilst he read to me. Truly one of the best memories I have with him. This entire section stood out to me so hard because I could hear the emotion in my dads voice reading just how epic this all was. Now that I'm a grown man now, I totally get it.

[@Ataraxia462]

@@ZentetsukenVIII finished the chapter and my son asked me if I was crying. “Why yes son, as a matter of fact I can’t help it.”

[@saladinbob]

There's a beauty about Tolkien's usage of language that is unparalleled by any other author.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Agreed

[@TRivan-kx2bi]

Indeed. Tolkien is up there with Homer, Shakespeare, and whoever wrote Beowulf.

[@DragonLover]

Yesterday the world lost a great man. Hail Théoden King, may you now rest forever in the halls of your fathers for the world is now just a little bit darker without your brilliance to shine upon it.

[@sbh_tx]

Hail Theoden King of the Mark. may you find peace in the halls of your fathers. Hail now Eomer, King.

[@maryhales4595]

Hail the victorious dead.

[@Rhovaniell]

Hail Theoden, king! May he rest in peace!

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Preach

[@aaronswords404]

One of the best scenes ever written. The scene where Aragorn bows to the hobbits is another one that gets me every time.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Yup!

[@pamelah6431]

That line from Aragorn gave me goosebumps just reading your comment!

[@schawdaya]

Tolkien survived WWI and lost several of his best friends and decided to do this with his life. Truly an amazing human being

[@roymcgilloway8519]

As a student of ancient Irish history, I know Tolkien the master of language knew how to speak/write like the poets of old, Lotr is the oral history of all European legend that was passed mouth to mouth

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

@@roymcgilloway8519 truly legendary

[@MajinBadat]

This brings tears to my eyes.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Same

[@danielreshef5299]

If it doesn’t, you’re either illiterate or simply not human.

[@Lorihian]

And goosebumps!

[@itaka92]

I literally just got tears in my eyes, came to the comment sections afterwards and saw your comment. Same brother, same.

[@rusenakman]

so say we all

[@vilisveidis]

For a mere man to be described as God's Huntsman... few could be given as much righteous praise as Théoden, in fiction or in reality...

[@wolftal1178]

The professor really had a way with words. He truly was the master of the written word. The way this has been done as absolutely astounding! Well done.👍

[@manuelramospetruchena4620]

still make my skin shivers. greatest writer in modern times. unmatched champion with a pen in his hand. true legend

[@marcomantovani7095]

It's incredible how I cry every time with emotion

[@austinwood468]

The battle-fury of his fathers ran like new fire in his veins.

[@calebraney1705]

I regularly read this and other passages from Tolkien to my young son for his bedtime story. He's currently 11 months old, I think by the time he turns 10 or so I'll be able to make it through without getting choked up.

[@therideroftheshadows]

❤

[@sharptakes1662]

You won't. And that's a good thing.

[@b.r.holmes6365]

The way Tolkien annunciated "BOOM". Chilling!

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

@@b.r.holmes6365 gets me every time

[@Eowyn3Pride]

My good Lord! 😢 THIS WAS AMAZING! Brought to tears at the sound of The Professor himself Mustering the Rohirrum!!!❤❤❤🧝‍♂️🧝‍♀️🧙‍♂️🍻

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

It hits me too!

[@bringerod5141]

I like the addition of shouting “death” before they ride to gain courage, it is a very Norse way of going into a fight

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Ya it was badass

[@joshf6136]

Jackson took that from later on in the battle - in the book, after Eomer finds Theoden dead and Eowyn wounded, he starts chanting "Death" and all the Rohirrim chant it with him until Aragorn arrives.

[@bringerod5141]

@@joshf6136 That's awesome! Currently listening to the audiobooks so I have that to look forward to :D (I'm on the two towers)

[@roarytheromanarcanine]

It’s a pity that Tolkien did not record his own narration of his magnum opus. The lord of the rings is narrated perfectly by its creator.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

This is him tho, no?

[@karlwilhelmmeinert7592]

@@Pop_Culture_Podcast Did he record all of the books though?

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

@@karlwilhelmmeinert7592 no idea

[@roarytheromanarcanine]

@@Pop_Culture_Podcast this is him, yes. I should have been more clear. Tolkien did not narrate every sentence in the lord of the rings, just this, Sam’s “troll song”, gollum’s riddles, and a few others.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

@@roarytheromanarcanine oh cool. I wasn’t aware of that!

[@guardianofthetoasters2323]

I didn't realize he passed away... may you find peace in your family's embrace sir Bernard Hill.

[@MajorLeeAwesome]

That horn added in has no reason to hit as hard as it does.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Hits so good

[@AnotherHistorianWargamer]

It's probably a reference to Roland, one of Charlemagne's Paladins, blowing his horn in his last battle so hard his temples bled.

[@elthionel]

@@AnotherHistorianWargamer and the charge of the Rohrimm inspired by the Winged Hussars of Poland breaking the Siege of Vienna

[@marvelnarniaarda6241]

"At that sound the bent shape of the king sprang suddenly erect. Tall and proud he seemed again; and rising in his stirrups he cried in a loud voice, more clear than any there had ever heard a mortal man achieve before: Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Fell deeds awake: fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! With that he seized a great horn from Guthláf his banner-bearer, and he blew such a blast upon it that it burst asunder. And straightway all the horns in the host were lifted up in music, and the blowing of the horns of Rohan in that hour was like a storm upon the plain and a thunder in the mountains. Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor! Suddenly the king cried to Snowmane and the horse sprang away. Behind him his banner blew in the wind, white horse upon a field of green, but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house, but he was ever before them. Éomer rode there, the white horsetail on his helm floating in his speed, and the front of the first éored roared like a breaker foaming to the shore, but Théoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers ran like new tire in his veins, and he was borne up on Snowmane like a god of old, even as Oromë the Great in the battle of the Valar when the world was young. His golden shield was uncovered, and lo! it shone like an image of the Sun, and the grass flamed into green about the white feet of his steed. For morning came, morning and a wind from the sea; and the darkness was removed, and the hosts of Mordor wailed, and terror took them, and they fled, and died, and the hoofs of wrath rode over them. And then all the host of Rohan burst into song, and they sang as they slew, for the joy of battle was on them, and the sound of their singing that was fair and terrible came even to the City."

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

I’m not crying, you’re crying

[@jihost2589]

All credit to Peter Jackson and Bernard Hill for capturing the absolute essence of this sequence. Yes many of the details are subdued and absent, but when you hear the reading over the scene it just clicks so well!

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

So great

[@Locahaskatexu]

@@Pop_Culture_Podcast As much as that is possible, perhaps I'm hearing something in Tolkien's voice, perhaps I'm merely imagining it, but the way Tolkien describes it? Jackson and Hill barely captured half of it in my opinion... what Tolkien reads is so much more powerful, it's beautiful!

[@FurnitureFan]

Bernard Hill is a great actor.

[@srbin12]

The book was just simply amazing. Movies were awesome as well, but the writing was a masterpiece

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

I agree!

[@elevatormusicirelia9043]

Theodan's last ride, and the death of the witch king of the nazgul is by far the best and most epic part of the entire trilogy. I can barely read it aloud without crying, and yet here the master does it so composed and eloquently! Truly the greatest of all time!

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

@@elevatormusicirelia9043 well said!

[@domusardet4961]

I agree, except that it's only one of the most powerful. Denethor's hatred of & then trying to kill Faramir - who was actually stronger & more noble than the favored Boromir - was heart-breaking. And Sam's final expressed determination to stay with Frodo all the way to the fires of Gondor was so heartrendingly beautiful. Truly, Tolkien was one of the most gifted storytellers the world has ever known

[@Charon.1]

Necromancy...

[@For0489]

The amount of passion that has gone into the books, movies, music, etc. is unparalleled

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

We may never see the likes of it again. Enjoy it 😊

[@KaiMagSchoko]

i can't explain why but i cried

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

It hits me too. No shame.

[@braquemar]

Blood memory

[@krischan67]

Wonderful. I think I have to read the books again. Ere the sun rises!

[@chrisburgett165]

A truly wonderful idea

[@unclebounce1495]

yes and remember what sjw dei trash the movies actually were, sadly. (theatrical releases, especially) nonetheless, they were a success better than nothing but a far lack of what they could've been without beddling propaganda and arrogant re-writes of the better's work by lessers

[@FrancT-]

​@unclebounce1495 SJW trash? Rings of Power is SJW trash, the Lord of the rings trilogy isn't.

[@moistmike4150]

@@FrancT- THIS!

[@magmablock]

Fucking inspiring. I almost cried a little.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

@@magmablock I cry almost every time

[@Sigma0283]

In Gondor’s darkest hour, Rohan came to its aid.

[@Raggmopp-xl7yf]

I wish Jackson would have emphasized the horns more. In the book it was something Tolkien used to spark hope into the breast of the people of Gondor. Saying that forever after tears would spring to Pippin's eyes whenever he heard a horn. "Horns, horns, horns, in dark Mindolluin’s sides they dimly echoed. Great horns of the north wildly blowing. Rohan had come at last.”

[@McDuffin]

I agree. They did a great job adding to the speech and I feel it the horns were used right it would have made theodan’s speech that much better.

[@davidx9901]

I wish a lot about what Jackson did…

[@Karthos1000]

Tolkien had a way with words. I love the movies, but the books will always be my first love... I need to read them again.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

I used to reread them once a year…it’s been a while tho. I may need to do that again

[@jeph630]

every time I see it, I click it. And every time I click it, I say "jesus fucking christ it's so good".

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

I’m with you my friend

[@ComicalHealing]

Only one other being in Middle-earth besides Fingolfin was ever compared to Orome, and that was Theoden.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Facts

[@xarmanhsh2981]

I have chills every time at that part

[@cashwalk7253]

I almost cried-this is beautiful. 🥹

[@michaelkay4464]

yeah same... uhhh "almost"... :P

[@stevolopez]

Something got in my eyes!

[@JayFunningham]

Hearing him read this makes me realise how his epic passages harness the spirit of great poetry/rap/spoken word. Their flow and force take the meaning of the words to a new level.

[@robertchabot5625]

Terrific. I could see the action happening strictly through his reading. The words painted as good a picture of the event as the movie scene did.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Hell ya

[@chrislittle8826]

White horse upon a field of green but he outpaced it. After him thundered the knights of his house but he was ever before them. Maaaannn I love how he read that part...this whole moment gives me chills & brings tears to my eyes...thank you Tolkien!

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Same. So powerful

[@TheNorthwestWind]

HAIL THE VICTORIOUS DEAD

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

HAIL

[@RazorIndustries]

Such raw power in his words, it's impossible not to be overcome by it. And why not, when not all tears are an evil. 🥲

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Well said

[@gamiezion]

i will never in my lifetime be able to explain how much this means to me

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

I’m happy I could share!

[@greensmurf221]

There is a reason why LotR is timeless.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Agreed!

[@khfan4life365]

When I got finished reading LOTR, it was like I was in a trance. My mind was in Tolkien's world while my body was still in the normal physical world here. Honestly, other books are paltry compared to Tolkien's works. You can tell it was a labor of love to him. I'm fortunate to live in a time where the books and the movies exist.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Well said!

[@jaysnowden7136]

I had the misfortune of the Lord of the Rings being one of the first works of literature I ever read for pleasure, and now nothing ever gets in the same ballpark, and it's disappointing. At least I have the Silmarillion and The Children of Hurin to enjoy.

[@helios6379]

Thank you, thank you! I was saddened to see that video gone. I wish I could help with crediting the original uploaders. Meanwhile, I thank you once again!

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

You are very welcome! Thanks for the comment!

[@KnightsOfCamelore]

Tolkien is the father of modern medieval fantasy. Yet despite all the great works inspired (in some form or fashion) by his own works, I have yet to see someone write like Tolkien did. e.g. This one extremely well detailed and descriptive part from the video.

[@BobbyBaloney]

Hearing / reading this once again, and although the scene gives me chills, it seems to me more emphasis could have been put in the movie on Theoden, riding in front of his host, his white horse galloping on a field of green and incarnating the banner of his house.

[@schawdaya]

He was hauling ass and was an amazing leader of his people

[@Robban.D.Jonsson.]

Easily one of my favorite characters.

[@Jelboo]

Yo this guy was a stone cold genius. No one will ever do high fantasy better in all of history to come.

[@Jrdn357]

Hard disagree. Tolkien absolutely is a genius but there have definitely been better writers and stories since his time, and there will be more in the future.

[@MidheimOfficial]

@@Jrdn357 Name one.

[@Jrdn357]

@@MidheimOfficial Of course it's very much subjective but in my opinion ASoIaF is better overall in terms of story, characters, and even world, because Middle-Earth isn't all-that fleshed out in the original books, you have to read the Silmarillion to get the full picture, and you shouldn't have to read a history book to understand the world. The Wheel of Time is definitely better overall as well, though it does have weak moments. It is one of the most expansive, in-depth worlds in fantasy and no other series has such well-written, developed cultures. The Aiel and Seanchan are easily the best cultures I've ever read about. I also vastly prefer The Stormlight Archive to LotR, my only problem with it being that the prose is fairly basic compared to Tolkien's poetic writing. The world of Roshar is by far the most awesome, unique, alien world I've read about. Everything about it is so strange and I love every bit of it, the worldbuilding in those books is some of the best out there. The flora and fauna are so unique and the way they've adapted to the environment is so cool. It truly feels like an alien planet, where as Middle-Earth feels very much like medieval Europe. And lastly, The Malazan Book of the Fallen is the greatest series I've ever read. The worldbuilding and story told is absolutely second to none. The scale of the world is insane, you span multiple continents throughout the series, and every bit of the world feels alive in a way that is truly rare. The author just throws you into it with very little infodumps which is part of what makes it feel so real. The battles in the series are by far the most grand and epic I've ever read, and that's saying something. Malazan is truly on another level, even compared to the other series I've listed. But it is very complex and hard to get into so I understand it's not for everyone. Hope this helps! :)

[@MidheimOfficial]

@@Jrdn357 If we judge Fantasy Authors by Mattle Bands inspired Malazan is not bad off but Tolkien will never be beaten, only Moorcock may come close ;) yes, obviously its a question of taste and priority. For me the worldbuilding is not what elevates Tolkien above the rest, but rather the "wrapping" of the ethos. I just find it very much compelling how he manages to develop characters believably on an Odyssey that ties is monumental ideas of Bravery, Sacrifice, and even Spirituality, embedding in a fabric of a world that ties together many believable Elements he derived from real European Sources, hence the medieval european coating. His ideas of Elves, Dwarves and Orcs very much are the accepted Blueprints for all relevant modern Fantasy for a reason, even if they are not strickly, purely of his design. Very few managed to define a Genre like he did, for Decades, perhaps Centuries (we will see). I do not seek to invalidate your opinion, from my perspective he is somewhat of a Godfather of fantastical Stories and great things that followed his inspirational work. And all that fails to mention his in Depth Work on the Languages he created just for Arda and his mastery of the English Language. I do really enjoy ASOIAF btw, but it is basically The War of the Roses with Dragons in some sense. Malazan is one i intent to pick up when i have the time, the Pen and Paper Background of it is very compelling.

[@Jrdn357]

@@MidheimOfficial I absolutely agree that Tolkien is a genius and the fact that it holds up so well even this far down the line is insane, but I do honestly think that the series I mentioned are superior. Of course none of these series could have existed without it, but I don't think that makes them lesser. They took the titanium foundation he built for all of fantasy and built something truly special off of it that I believe surpasses it. I will forever respect Tolkien and his achievements but it does make me sad when some people seem to not even be willing to objectively view other series because "they just copied Tolkien and will never be as good". Because there's so much more out there like Wheel of Time and the Stormlight Archive that are truly special in their own way. They may be very different, but that doesn't make them worse. All of these series do at least SOMETHING better than all the rest, in my opinion. I feel like reducing Malazan to a series that inspired Metal Bands is like reducing Tolkien to a 4th Grade French student learning about languages for the first time, lmao. Malazan has what is simply the biggest, most grand and epic world and story I've ever experienced, and it's not even close. Even LotR isn't in the same ballpark. It's actually insane and I think that someone like you who loves LotR for how expansive and thought-out and in-depth it is, will adore Malazan if you read it. It genuinely makes all other books feel like they're on an easier reading level.

[@genlob]

I imagine it being recited in a fire lit Mead Hall, the audience spellbound like we are. The rhythm of the words as the horses start to gallop is intoxicating. Impossible not to be moved by it.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Incredible

[@TheKoboldHoard]

I've listened to this countless times, here and elsewhere. I always felt bad for Guthlaf, the banner bearer. His horn had been borrowed by Theoden and so when "all the horns of the host were lifted in music", I believed Guthlaf had no horn to blow and join in. Silly me, I now think, because of course a banner bearer for King Theoden has more horns at hand! I like to think that once it "burst asunder", Guthlaf shrugs and grabs his spare.

[@aidanwotherspoon905]

Rule one for all heralds: one is none; two is one. I’m sure Guthlaf had a backup

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Lol. Poor Guthlaf. I’m sure he came prepared tho!

[@varelion]

So, it was not only the sudden impact of the Rohirrim with their thundering horns that broke the fighting spirit of the besieging ork army. It was the unexpected predominance of light which meant that Sauron's power had been overcome. The protective shield of darkness for the orks that also demoralized men was gone. This reminds me of the battle of Helm's Deep where the morale of the orks was mainly crushed not by the Rohirrim but by the unexpected appearance of a whole moving forest of angry huorns.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Very cool 😊

[@BM-wf9uf]

The subtle work of the Valar at play...

[@varelion]

@@BM-wf9uf It's also the reward for the endless struggle of the good side. Team Aragorn with Legolas and Gimli dared to march to the Army of the Dead and called them for aid. After that the three, although completely exhausted gathered fighters from the coast, sailed inland and attacked the ork army from behind. That's where the light came from. Merry and Pippin managed to persuade the Ents to play an active role in the war which resulted in the change in the Helm's Klamm battle and in the conquest of Isengart. Also, their struggle paid off very well.

[@galandirofrivendell4740]

"Bless us and splash us, my precious!" I own a couple of vinyl LPS of Tolkien reading from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. His recitation of Riddles in the Dark is especially entertaining. I haven't listened to these recordings in years. Thank you for refreshing my memory of hearing the author himself reading excerpts from his magnum opus.

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Thats so cool!

[@vindolanda6974]

His reading/ singing of Sam's troll song is gold.

[@jeph630]

it's just too good, I keep coming back

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Can’t stop won’t stop…please share!

[@Mdevac]

Hail the victorious dead.

[@OG_G4m3r]

This was my favorite scene in the entire trilogy. Always makes me tear up 🥹🥺🥹

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

It hits me too

[@chily3519]

Bro, I got chills from hearing Tolkien read this scene

[@Smitty-hr2mg]

I wish Tolkien had lived to see these movies. I think he would've been proud. Hollywood will never reach the heights established by these films ever again. A book written with love and passion, translated to the screen with love and passion, and embraced by the whole world.... The current generation just has... Rings of Power.... Eww.

[@jeph630]

I'm back. It's always too good. It's just so good.

[@littlebrookreader949]

His voice is in his words. Wonderful to hear him.

[@ryangibson5462]

RIP to Bernard Hill

[@ec111-k6s]

The man sounds like a sports commentator. LEGEND!!!

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Haha. Facts

[@gamiezion]

no no, sports casters sound like him

[@noctusfury6918]

Sports commentators could only DREAM of sounding like him. 😂

[@random22026]

1:42 '...its topmost tower like a glittering needle..' Like an obelisk. Absolutely brilliant reading: thank you for this! 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

You are very welcome! Pls share 😊

[@random22026]

Delighted to do so! 😔😔💘💘@@Pop_Culture_Podcast

[@Rizu-kc3ze]

What was that anyway? Two trees from the land of Valar?

[@random22026]

It was something Theoden saw as he sat astride his horse, poised for battle, looking at the City before him. Obelisks have been described as 'needles' in the past--however, in this case, it is the topmost tower emerging from the City skyline, that Tolkien is describing. We can only guess at which tower he is referring to... An amazing reading! 🤗🥰@@Rizu-kc3ze

[@to0c0ol42]

Thank you for reuploading this! Nothing gives me chills like Theodeon's charge

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

You are very welcome!

[@Roseforever84]

This might be my favorite passage in the entire trilogy (and there are so many damn good passages). I get chills every time I read about how “Theoden could not be overtaken. Fey he seemed…” So good!

[@gabrielbarrera3835]

The first time I read this I was covered with chills and couldn’t believe something could be so epic. Hail Theoden King!!

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Hell ya

[@alvachr87]

This scene man… my heart

[@lionstigersbearsohmyanimal6741]

This man was there and fought. He won

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Truth

[@Smitty-hr2mg]

He lived one hell of a life. He was an officer in WWI. He saw rank upon rank of brave young men going to war. He saw death and slaughter the likes of which most men can never imagine. He went off to war with His closest friends, and came back alone. This is what you get when you combine Talent with hard work, love, and experience.

[@gabrielbarrera3835]

Fey he seemed, or the battle-fury of his fathers RAN LIKE NEW FIRE IN HIS VEINS

[@Pop_Culture_Podcast]

Chills

[@schawdaya]

He came out of world war I, you can tell Tolkien witnessed something like this in person

[@Crafty_Spirit]

@@schawdaya Battle Fury in the trenches of France in World War I? Are you joking?

[@LK041]

@@Crafty_Spirit There was lots of battle fury in trench assaults, and still is. Sometimes it pays off. cf. Donbass.

[@scottwallace5239]

​@Crafty_Spirit why wouldn't there be battle fury? It was war, you'd need fury to charge headfirst into no man's land