What Makes Legolas So Special? | Lord of the Rings Lore

Legolas Greenleaf is the legendary Elven member of the Fellowship of the Ring. But what made him so special? We look at this today!
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Timecodes:
00:00 - Intro
02:18 - What made Legolas the Elf he was?
06:03 - Why Was Legolas Chosen?
10:41 - Conclusion
11:47 - QotD & Thank you’s.
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Legolas and Gimli visit Fangorn - alystraea
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#lordoftherings #legolas #lotr

[@TheBrokenSword]

🎁 Remember to keep an eye on our community tab over the next couple of days to find out the winner of our Azog the Defiler Mini Epic Giveaway! 🎁 💚👍 Also, if you enjoyed this video, why not give it an extra share to help us with that difficult youtube algorithm 😁💚

[@Cauin450]

Sam!

[@alexstrickland8536]

Love y’all’s videos!!! AZOG THE DEFILER

[@sicknote1558]

Yes a like your videos I always learn more they help me understand more about the world 🌎 of Middle earth and all its carecters there like mini stories. Much appreciated thanks

[@alphabogeyman7462]

Then there is also the fact that he charmed Katy Perry.

[@kishla2827]

At Ren faire this time I saw him at rensfaire in Harveyburge

[@melanieknight6597]

Honestly, I also believe that Orlando Bloom’s portrayal of Legolas helped accelerate the character’s popularity….

[@howdareyouexist]

the movies definitely made him a bigger deal than in the books

[@christinaw9807]

Yup, Orlando Bloom. 😍

[@josefraaf6031]

Agreed on that one! Peter Jackson choised the right person.

[@Rhewa]

Agreed. He understood the assignment given by Jackson.

[@ToudaHell]

He was hot

[@TheTeutonicPlague]

*Legolas attaches the Ring to an arrow in Rivendell and fires. The arrow falls into Mount Doom and the Ring is destroyed. Barad-Dûr falls, the Orcs either scatter or are slain, the Nazgûl are obliterated* Gimli: That still only counts as one!

[@debralenkovskis3656]

🤣🤣🤣🤣❤❤❤❤

[@dinnojaiviews6941]

😂😂❤ i love their friendship.

[@cindyknudson2715]

😂👍

[@fionarodgers4806]

I'm dying 💀

[@ethans9379]

I think Merry is the most underrated member of the Fellowship. Everyone else seems to get more love, but it should not be forgotten that Merry helped Eowyn to slay the Witch King of Angmar, one of the most powerful enemies in Middle Earth

[@MrBarnettcm]

Merry dropped the bones down the well, this I can never forgive

[@ethans9379]

@@MrBarnettcm That was Pippin

[@dontgetmarried]

THIS!! The Witch King is probably around number 5 in terms of power on the Evil side of things. 1) Ungoliant the Spider, 2) Melkor/Morgoth, 3) Gothmog the Balrog, 4) Sauron, 5) the Witch-King of Angmar

[@aperson9847]

Merry was a stud from the very beginning honestly.

[@spirittammyk]

Then do a video on him, (and Merry is my favorite of the Hobbits) but this video is for Legolas.

[@thomassmith6232]

"He was tall as a young tree, lithe, immensely strong, able swiftly to draw a great war-bow and shoot down a Nazgûl, endowed with the tremendous vitality of Elvish bodies, so hard and resistant to hurt that he went only in light shoes over rock or through snow, the most tireless of all the Fellowship." ― Tolkein’s description of Legolas in The Book of Lost Tales Part Two

[@patrick9865]

Judged strictly on battlefield prowess, Legolas may be the most valuable member of the Fellowship. You've got a deadly sniper with superhuman vision who can stand in relative safety and pick off any enemy he wants. Then, when he's out of arrows, he's about as good in melee combat as Aragorn or Gimli. At that point in Middle-earth, the list of warriors more skilled than Legolas probably is pretty short - maybe Aragorn and a couple other Dunedain, probably Thranduil, Glorfindel and Elrond, the Witch-King, Gandalf and Galadriel.

[@Finraen]

All of the Nazgul. And the sons of Elrond would be more skilled than Legolas. Celeborn as well. Though he is not listed as performing any specific martial deeds, he was a major contributor in driving Sauron out of Dol Guldur. Celeborn is also as old or older than Thranduil, and is of nobler blood. He is older than Elrond. Probably many of the elves of Lothlorien are as skilled as Legolas. Who knows what types of Elven warriors might be living at the Grey Havens still. That is where the High King of the Noldor (Gil-Galad) had dwelt, and there are probably veterans of the Last Alliance who fought in Mordor there. Boromir was a more formidable warrior than Legolas - he was recognized as the greatest champion in all of Gondor, and perhaps the greatest warrior for many generations in Gondor. Sean Bean is ok and all, but he didn't convey how much of a beast Boromir was supposed to be. They should have gotten a body builder or a strongman athlete to play him. He was a warlord, the chief captain of all of the armies of Gondor, with probably a little Numenorean blood in him. Legolas and Gimli in the books were respectable warriors each, but not especially remarkable ones. Gimli was probably an above average fighter among Dwarves, but I doubt he was the best of their whole race. King Dain for example was still alive, and he was a truly legendary Dwarf warrior. Gimli was more or less even with Legolas in effectiveness, so perhaps dozens or hundreds of Dwarves would be equal to Legolas in combat.

[@tyree9055]

But, if you notice, all of those elves that have been listed are leaders, etc. Legolas was the right elf for the job. He was available, free, and the others were needed to guard their realms (the war was just beginning and Dol Guldor had just been defeated, too).

[@azazelsiad3601]

@@FinraenI’d agree on your take on Boromir. I mean in the books my guy straight up challenged Durins Bane and even made him hesitate with the Horn of Gondor. I think where Sean Bean did Boromir real justice is his death scene where he dies protecting the hobbits. I mean the guy took three lethally placed arrows before he finally went down and that’s after he killed countless Uruk hai while bleeding out. Peter Jackson only had so much to work with but I think he managed to pick a dope cast for their respective roles. He did after all pick the perfect actor for a character who dies. Sean Bean is the master of big screen death scenes.

[@azazelsiad3601]

@@Finraenas for your take on Legolas’s skill I’d have to disagree. I’d say that Legolas compliments his team on what they lack. His battle prowess and archery are better than the entire fellowships. What he lacks is durability unlike Gimli and Aragorn that’s why he prefers more elusive fighting. And they make up what he lacks in physical power. And Gandalf is essentially the magic carry as he’s the only one of the group who can actually use magic. They all have their roles and their fighting abilities differ greatly but it was because of that variety that made them so formidable. If you put Legolas in close range against a dwarf he would likely lose as that’s where all dwarves thrive and are at their most dangerous where as Legolas is at his most lethal at a distance. In fact I think only another elf like Celebrimbor, Feanor, or Gil-Galad or a Miyar could beat Legolas’s skill.

[@robertherman2453]

@@azazelsiad3601 if I may, I have some slight disagreement to what you said. The only time I recall the Professor mentioning a particular skill at archery to the elves it was specifically to the Elves of Mirkwood. The other elves you mentioned are Noldor, not Sindar.. Celebrimbor was a craftsman, Feanor, if my memory serves me, used a sword, and Gil-Galad was a spearman. not to say they could not be skilled with a bow, but just noting that the elves ofGreenwood the Great, and later Mirkwood, were known, even among the Elves for their skill at archery

[@kipcianmelgar1622]

In my opinion, Legolas was not underrated, just that most of the spotlight in the movie was on Aragorn. But then as I have remembered, Legolas' character is more popular to most of the non LOTR book readers or non LOTR fans. The display of archery skills in the movie were just amazing.

[@MegaGandalf12]

He doesn't obey gravity!

[@markengesser5293]

walking on snow make the same sense as walking on falling bricks.

[@pc4mlc451]

​@Mark Engesser Slightly different. Dispersing your weight carefully across a mass like snow isn't the same as pushing off of already falling objects.

[@SKRRTCOBAIN00]

@@pc4mlc451 no shit Sherlock

[@skaraturbo]

@@pc4mlc451 True actually some animals can walk on snow without sinking!

[@thallus23]

That made me check out of the film. Absurd! Still a fan of Legolas though😎

[@dietricklamade7417]

100% because he used a shield as a skateboard while still firing.

[@aalishnhashmi7363]

underrated comment

[@dontgetmarried]

Plankton's Voice: "CORRECT!"

[@TheNomad2727]

Snowboard

[@ambersummer2685]

One of my favorite scenes

[@TETASARAIVACS]

I think Pippin is also very underrated! They make him look silly and even stupid. But Pippin was playing stupid for most part of the time, in the beginning of the story. He knew about Frodo and the Ring since the start, and fooled Frodo on that. And he managed to take care of himself and Merry when they were being taken to Isengard.

[@hendrickson3414]

Fredegar too! He was one of the conspirators and knew Frodo had the one ring and helped him escape the Shire undetected.

[@Ensign_Nemo]

When Pippin drops the pebble into the deep part of Moria, and alerts the Balrog that there are intruders, he appears to be under some sort of compulsion from the Valar. It's a subtle and understated divine action, but a careful reading supports this idea. The "fool of a Tuck" set in course a chain of events that led to the destruction of arguably the second greatest evil of the age, Durin's Bane. He then "accidentally" runs into Fangorn, or Treebeard, and sets in motion a chain of events that leads to the defeat of Saruman, arguably the third most powerful evil of the age. He appears to be an agent of divine will not once, but twice, as it's highly improbable that a random tree in a forest is actually the oldest Ent alive. He also 'borrows' the Palantir and misleads Sauron into thinking that Saruman has the ring (maybe a third divine intervention), saves Faramir from death, and stops Saruman a second time during the Scouring of the Shire. Not bad for a hobbit.

[@enigma9971]

He's not stupid, per se, just young. He's the youngest member of the fellowship

[@sajedulhoque8666]

Pippin was the youngest member of the fellowship. in human standard, he was just a teenager. That's why he often acted a bit childishly. Because, he was one.

[@America_is_now_Mexico2.0]

Orlando played this role so well! Its crazy that after so many years, Peter Jacksons choices were spot on for everyone!

[@katieo1126]

I couldnt agree more! Legolas is the most underrated member of the Fellowship. Orlando Bloom's portrayal capitvated the screen without even having much dialogue. He grows to be more understanding, caring, and generous to the other members of the Fellowship who become his friends. He is my favorite!

[@williamconway1287]

Being an Elf and royalty Legolas has had the ability to master many weapons and travel extensively through out Middle Earth . But in my opinion because he traveled sooo much he was able to go where needed !

[@svenlauke1190]

he isn't traveled at all. he never really left Mirkwood until the war of the ring. he has never visited loth Lorien, or seen the ocean. now he might have made it to Rivendell before the council, but there is no proof of that.

[@sarahsheldon3887]

I totally agree that Legolas is the most underrated member of the Fellowship.

[@jamoskohlenklau9493]

i hate him

[@rangerofthenorth1970]

I think Boromir is the most Underarted member of the Fellowship, but from the very first time Legolas was just Legolas, so special so awsome in everything and I think that I've never been happier than when I saw his return in Desolation of Smaug, I know he wasnt in the books but I just loved him! James as always great and interesting video you guys always make my day better with Middle-earth content!

[@leebtheloser]

Agreed with Boromir. Be at peace, son of Gondor x

[@selenemarin7994]

Book Boromir is top tier

[@Gokkee]

Was gonna say Boromir would have been the most interesting underrated character since his potential, if he had not fallen, would have been suuuper fun to see 😀

[@Finraen]

Sean Bean is OK. But he didn't really convey how much of a *beast* Boromir was supposed to be. They should have gotten a body builder or strongman athlete to play him. Boromir was recognized as the greatest champion and warrior in all of Gondor. He was a warlord and chief Captain of all of the armies of Gondor, and was high born. Sauron and the Witch King were literally more preoccupied with Boromir than anyone else except maybe the White Council prior to the Council of Elrond happening. Gondor had already been at war with Mordor, and so-far it was basically Boromir vs. Sauron in that war. He was successful at first, but when Boromir and Faramir lost control of East Osgiliath he went north to find allies for the war effort to aid Gondor.

[@timcarpenter2441]

I find it hard to choose the most underrated. Each character was instrumental, each had their own pivotal role, and that is the beauty of Eru/Tolkien's creation, showing how we can each play a part in making a difference for the good.

[@ToudaHell]

Eomer is my choice but I'm a huge fan of the actor

[@JV-yq4tz]

Content creator: What makes legolas special? Fans: he's legolas.

[@erglelergle8476]

He looks so sweet and innocent and then thoroughly enjoys killing orcs.

[@judygreenwood4696]

"What Makes Legolas So Special?" He is a beautiful man. Period.

[@primal1233]

Legalos always loves to do things the cool way

[@DragonoidBerserker1]

Legolas and Arwen always came across to me as bodhisattva types. They delay/reject enlightenment (Valinor) to be with suffering/lesser beings (mortals in Middle Earth)

[@german.ae77]

What a beautiful comparison! 😍 I think we could say the same about Círdan, the Shipwright

[@TETASARAIVACS]

@@german.ae77 yes, and about Galadriel herself, who had even seen the Trees and the Powers of the Undying Lands (even harder temptation)

[@dontgetmarried]

I genuinely never thought of it that way, solid comparison!!

[@svenlauke1190]

wow, never thought to compare western literature (at least fiction) with eastern philosophy like that. very nice.

[@svenlauke1190]

@@TETASARAIVACS though Galadriel did ti less so out of pity for mortals, and rather because she was actually quite power hungry.

[@Pumpkin.queen.666]

I can’t believe it’s been 20 years and I’m still noticing new places Orlando Bloom forgot to wear his contacts

[@marissabulso6439]

I do so wish Peter Jackson and his team had seen fit to give us more of Legolas’s dialogue from the book. I’ve never felt like the movies really captured the mix of solemnity and joy of Tolkien’s elves.

[@jacobhoff5070]

Faramir was a little underrated I believe. He was a good warrior and he was able to sympathize with people even those that were his enemy. " The enemy? His sense of duty was no less than yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he comes from, and if he really was evil at heart. What lies or threats led him on this long march from home, or he would not rather have stayed there... in peace? War will make corpses of us all"

[@DJ-dy2cc]

Legolas and Gimli: ‘they were very good friends… you might even call them… roommates!’

[@BrianMarrino236]

I was playing mostly as Legolas in the LotR TT and RotK Games when I was a kid and I still see myself as him to this day in the LotR and Hobbit Trilogies

[@otaku-sempai2197]

A part of me keeps hoping that someone will discover a lost genealogy or notes about Legolas' lineage that provides a bit more detail into his history (mother, possible siblings, other relatives, etc.). Tolkien's few notes about Thranduil and his father Oropher is pretty much all that we have outside of LotR. I remember that Iron Crown's Middle-Earth Role Play (MERP) gave us a name for and description of Thranduil's queen (Lady Arhendhiril). And The Heart of the Wild (an expansion for Cubicle 7's The One Ring) suggests that Thranduil had more than one son. Of course none of this is canon to the legendarium.

[@wafflecat32]

That quote from the Fellowship of the Ring when they were on Caradhras is so good. He's a joyful, witty character in the books and sadly this isn't shown very much in the films. I personally think the "shall I find you a box" quip is when his characterization in the films is closest to the books and it's one of my favourites.

[@Y0sh1no5am]

His way of mounting a horse is a unique one. I always feel like he about to kick Gimli's face while doing it. xD Which honestly had been so fun in the movies XD Tho why the hobbits invented golf, Legolas invented Skateboard with a shield. xD

[@michaelrae9599]

He's the John Wick of archery. I don't think he's ever missed

[@jerryweston7552]

He sure failed at taking down that orc with the torch in Helm's Deep though.

[@michaelrae9599]

@@jerryweston7552 but he never missed the Troll (I think it was a troll). Arrows and gunshots couldn't bring that monster down.

[@jerryweston7552]

@michaelrae9599 an arrow to the head would have stopped him lol. He did hit him but failed to take him out.

[@jpeterd92]

Reading the book I was always under the impression that gimli announced that he got 43 and then asked how many Legolas got who definitely had more than 43 but said 42 to let Gimli win because he was just glad he was alive

[@zohashahid30984]

Yes think so too

[@WillowsVeganBakery]

Yeah I definitely think that as well

[@spirittammyk]

In the movies, he was played by a handsome guy, and very well and was given neat little tricks for the ladies to swoon over. In the books as well as the movies, he also broke away from Elvish traditions and became best friends with a dwarf, which would be akin to a Kenyan tribesman becoming friends with a ranger from England.

[@vixendoe6943]

I saw the Trilogy ion the big screen. Legolas gained a standing ovation when he brought down the Oliphant. I do think he was underrated, especially in light of Tolkien himself saying something about of all the members of the Fellowship, Legolas accomplished the least. I don't think he meant to disparage all that Legolas did for the quest, but that no matter the outcome, the time of the Elves was over. And Legolas himself would be leaving Middle Earth. Befriending a dwarf was no mean feat, and being able to transport the one and only dwarf to ever see the undying lands, that was beyond remarkable.

[@ThatMainframeDude]

42 is the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything.

[@LordofFullmetal]

That little moment on Caradhras in the books is what made me love Legolas as a character.

[@veramae4098]

I never understood why L. didn't pick up the Hobbits, one or two at a time, and carry them ahead (as they were retreating) out of the snow.

[@fionarodgers4806]

@@veramae4098 Probably because the added weight would cause him to sink.

[@stephenleggett4243]

Legolas had to join the fellowship to learn diplomacy, humility, ability to forgive and move on, as well as the respect, that would be needed to forge the hugely important relationship with Gimli, from Gimli himself.

[@dashadelightful8532]

I felt like we should have more screen time with Legolas. I feel like there were definitely some missed opportunities. But, I love the way he is presented either book or movie. Definitely my favorite character.

[@markusrobinson3858]

I have a number of quibbles with your analysis which at times I found bore little resemblance to the book. Among them; 1) Why was Legolas chosen to be a member of the Fellowship? Because he arrived for the meeting with the news of Gollum. All the members of the fellowship were originally travelers to Rivendell in what was a confluence of individuals more than coincidence. 2) The message from Galadriel to Legolas was far from mysterious. While he had been a member of the Silven Elves and so largely landlocked, it is well understood that the elves had a special relationship to the Sundering Sea and Valinor. Galadriel simply had the foresight to know that once Legolas heard the cry of the seagulls, he would sooner or later return across that Sundering Sea and pass into the west.

[@susanhaigh6005]

Legolas has always been my favorite. Since my ears have always had a slight elven shape, I fancy myself a very very distance descendant … that is… if you believe such things lol!

[@WaggaDaBagga]

What makes Legolas so special is the following: He is the son of an Elf lord (the Mirkwood king). And his bow hits the target with a 100% margin. And he is sweet and handsome. (and he has that from his birth mother). including his love for others. His fighting skills (he got them from his father).

[@tinabo7719]

I think Sam is the most underrated character. I see him as the true hero of the story. Frodo suffered the effects of the burden but it was ultimately that got him where he needed to be.

[@aperson9847]

I don't want to say Sam is overrated because he's a wonderful character so it's right that people love him, but this "Sam is the true hero" business is very tiresome to me. In the books, after Frodo was taken by the orcs to Cirith Ungol, Sam had the Ring for all of five minutes before he was already starting to royally screw things up. Luckily he had the "plain hobbit sense" to make it right and get the Ring back to its bearer. Frodo could never have asked for a more loyal companion than Sam, but Sam could never have done what Frodo did. I see appreciation for Sam everywhere but never see any for Frodo.

[@cristinaeowynfagone7663]

@@aperson9847 actually Tolkien himself said that Sam is the true hero of the lord of the Rings

[@aperson9847]

@@cristinaeowynfagone7663 He said "chief hero", which I interpret to mean "protagonist", and that makes some amount of sense considering that Sam is a much more relatable character to most people than the Chosen One. But when fans call Sam the "true hero", words Tolkien never said, they mean that he is actually more heroic than other characters, and many do it specifically to diminish Frodo. Tons of fans are bafflingly dismissive of Frodo, and that really pisses me off because of all the characters, he's the one who lost everything for the sake of his quest. And I want people to put some respect on that.

[@MrEagorath]

Sam indeed is overlooked by the story a little and how much his "lesser actions" add up. but people / fans have realized it and he is voiced as "the unsung hero". Which then means, that.. in one aspect, yes he is underrated but on the other hand.. he isn't :)

[@joshmcatee689]

Sam is in no way underrated. He is very heavily rated...he's just a simple person and was designed to be the servant who is so good at it that he becomes the master.

[@icehockeylover189]

I've been subbed to your channel since you launched it and I must say: you guys are the best, most fun, lighthearted and welcoming channel in this genre. I can tell you put a lot of research, toil and heart into every video you produce. Keep up the good work guys, you've earned every single subscriber you have and I, personally, enjoy every minute I spend learning more about the world Tolkien built. My thanks.

[@TheBrokenSword]

Wow, thank you! I really appreciate that 😁

[@aaronboyce6743]

Great video, great content. Keep the amazing videos coming 😀

[@TheBrokenSword]

Thank you! 😁

[@urb-traymontlegend-p.9168]

I think Legolas got his shine and we'll deserved it is. He is an excellent warrior who's skills are second to none. We 💘Legolas Greenleaf. He brought to this trilogy everything needed from a character such as himself. I'm forever grateful for Orlando Bloom

[@bencecseszko9576]

Can you imagine something? When he sailed to Valinor he was able to meet Beleg... just saying :)

[@millos0116]

Who is Beleg?

[@bencecseszko9576]

@@millos0116 best archer in the first age and a wonderful character :)

[@skaraturbo]

@@bencecseszko9576 Who died from hes best friend!

[@bencecseszko9576]

@@skaraturbo Túrin Turambar :(

[@skaraturbo]

@@bencecseszko9576 Yeah!

[@ChillinWithBrody]

The only thing that would make him more badass would be if he had Cauliflower Elf ears. 🤷‍♂️😂

[@salmamohammed8094]

I don't think he needed he olansy badass.

[@mlblja]

Legolas was always my favorite. His skill and cheer in the books will always make him my favorite. Underrated yes by a great margin. I'm afraid the movie and streaming industry has gotten into the cost being more important that the story! I'm sure it's always been that way. I will relish the day the story takes precedence and the cost is nothing.

[@AodhanBeag]

Another noticeable difference between book and films are that Frodo and Legolas have more conversations and interactions with each other

[@scloftin8861]

Speaking as one who fell into the universe when I was 14, within the story, each character is valued and necessary. From Bilbo to the wizards to Grima Wormtongue to Denethor to Sauron himself. Translating a written work to a script and thence to a screen presence is difficult and the needs of the visual presentation are different than that of print, so, PJ made choices to keep viewers who did not know the story involved. Yes, there were changes, but they work. So, I don't really see any of the characters as being undervalued ... maybe Eomer because he comes across as "just a warrior with a good heart". Thanks for the presentation.

[@CyberUK]

Sam will always be the most under-rated member for me. I know he's already loved, but even so, I think more depended on him that most are aware.

[@joegalley2187]

He’s also the only member of the fellowship never to speak to Sam and Frodo

[@makennymaxime9328]

Lol. Of ALL PEOPLE Legolas is NO WAY the most underrated Characters! IMO he’s one of the most loved and Hyped characters of the WHOLE SERIES! 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@mariewagner5283]

The quote regarding Legolas' describing to Samwise their approach into Lothlorien as not being a surprise to the Elves reminds us too of the movie moment when the Elves ask "where is Gandalf?" ........

[@BananRadar]

I think either Merry or Boromir are the most underrated

[@moss830]

Legolas is my favorite but Merry I believe is the most underrated. His foolishness which caused chaos always led to something greater. It reminds of the scripture "God works in mysterious ways".

[@skaraturbo]

It was mostly Pippin who was the foolish one Merry was more grown up in the book atleast!

[@bioguy7070]

I did read the Book of Lost tales by Tolkien. If memory serves Legolas was a great warrior early in his life. Forget his early home, but Balrogs overran it and killed both king and queen. Legolas was part of the rear guard defending the evacuees and fighting Balrogs in the mountain passes. He was a skilled fighter even by Tolkien standards. I think his character in the Trilogy movies is the glue that binds the fellowship. Read the the lost tales if you are hungry for more Tolkien tales. The Children of Hurin is a great story as well but a little dark.

[@donlevoneshabanov4437]

I think you remember Glorfindel, not Legolas. Because it was Glorfindel who fights Barlog when the people fled Gondolin.

[@anetawelsh6026]

Dat Bloomin O Bloom,,,, so cute it hurts

[@janwitkowsky8787]

That Legolas was voiced by C-3PO is good enough for me.

[@King_Thranduil]

nice work man keep the good work up

[@DugLest]

Bill was the most under rated. In his short time with the party, he carried most of the load and never complained. Had he made it into Moria, they could have taken out the Balrog and the orcs without losing Gandalf.

[@jlj2138]

Legolas is very underrated!

[@QuietManUK]

What many commentators fail to realise, is Legolas's sheer joy of life.

[@mktf5582]

Great warrior + cool bad ass + loyal friend/follower,some of the reasons.👍👏

[@arnaudboisse-malervergne3133]

I think that Boromir might be the most underrated character. I have yet to read the books but I feel that in the movies, his reality is overshadowed by the more powerful people in the company.

[@frnt2bak]

In the books boromir is a great captain and had he been alive at battle of pelenor then gondor would have been prepared

[@papabird4425]

He had one of the best redemption arcs

[@skaraturbo]

Yes Boromii was a monster in the Books close to Aragorn in lengh (and Aragorn was 205 centimeters) But broader in his youth he liked to partake in Gladiator like combats which i think he never loose in his last fight he singlehandly killed about 20 orcs several Uruk-Hai included and he scared the orcs to retreat 3 times before they finaly brought him down

[@skaraturbo]

@@frnt2bak Gondor was prepared as good as possible they had so few men becuse they had to leave alot to the south to defend against the pirates of Umbar. Boromir had probably raised the morale if he was there though!

[@frnt2bak]

@@skaraturbo well you know he probably wouldnt have waited until the army was at the gate, he would have had trebuchets and arrows firing as soon as he could

[@kelleywheeler4478]

Unshakable courage in the face of grave danger❤

[@amielmariealcantara2184]

The way you described Legolas and Gimli's friendship sounded a lot like, "AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES"

[@daviddankelman2853]

Definitely Bloom's performance. He (and Jackson) turned an Elven prince into a mix of Conan and John Wick. And that's just badass, I don't care who you are.

[@Thrillr]

😂 Legalos was awesome “He was twitching”

[@11cabadger]

Interesting. I aways thought of Legolas as the George to Gimli's Gracie. His one-liners may be subtle but you gotta admit, they make you smile. (As for book or movie, I so appreciate you always acknowledging that they are two different media with unique requirements and definite limitations.) Love your work🎉

[@TETASARAIVACS]

Oh! One last thing: am I the only one who tries to see logic behind Legolas’ eye colour changing in the movies? I’m like “when he’s sad or in face of Darkness, his eyes are dark; when he faces light, like Galadriel, Gandalf, the Sun etc, they shine in blue” 😁

[@123456789080988]

Orlando Bloom had problems with contact lenses so sometimes he had them sometimes he had to pass on them

[@babsbybend]

It is well that he had a kill of 42. 42 is the answer to ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.

[@meloralovesdarkness2495]

On Film Legolas is a wonderful Happy Dude and is an esxellant warrior! In book he is good too! Just like Gimli, and bothbecome Happy after the fall of Darkness! Elf & Dwarf who are HAPPY to have a Brotherhood, as they Sould!

[@loridresser9420]

While I am a devoted Tolkienite I feel Samwise Gamgee is underrated in the films. He does so very much, unfaltering and with full love.

[@christinaw9807]

Humble, loyal, perseverant. It all would have failed if not for Sam.

[@opticalraven1935]

Everyone and their grandmas praise Sam. Where have you been?

[@TETASARAIVACS]

Most of all about Legolas, he probably did not have golden hair. I imagine it was silver.

[@mariewagner5283]

I feel like in the FotR, TT, & RotK movies, the hair choice for him is one of those scenarios of "styles of the time effecting hair/makeup/costume design". 2001-2003 the "bleach blonde" highlighting and dying hair blonde as a regular style choice was back in spades. I agree, Legolas' hair in the books and just in general would not have been the type of tow-headed blond they choice for the movies.

[@TETASARAIVACS]

@@mariewagner5283 Yes, as Sindar Elves from Doriath, kin of Thingol, they probably had silver hair. We don’t know about Legolas’ mother and grandmother, for example, but they were probably off the Sindar or of the Silvan (Nandor), all of which had silver hair. I only imagine that if they were of the Noldor, for example, it would be stated by Tolkien.

[@nathanclark2600]

I’m sure others have pointed this out but Legolas and Gimli were both chosen for the fellowship because they were already going to be traveling that way anyway. Elrond says as much and that they are free to spilt off and go home wherever they want.

[@DanCreaMundos]

Or the short version of this video: he's better and more important because he's the only elf with more than 3 pages of character development

[@Yumakari]

Yes he is and I love how he really is . This is masterpiece

[@trullsengar2784]

The letters meaning was quite simple, As a Sylvan Elf Legolas doesn't feel the pull of Valar like the other elves. But Galadriel warned him that if he saw or heard the sea, his heart wouldn't be content in Middle-earth anymore and he would long to visit the undying lands like the other Elves. And indeed that's what happened. Also, Legolas wasn't the first choice. Glorfindel was the best choice, as he is one of the few Elves who are on par or even mightier than Galadriel with actual battle experience surpassing anyone living in Middle-Earth. However, he declined it because if anyone of his power were to move along with Gandalf, Sauron's sight would be on them instantly. Since the fellowships quest was to be secret, he wasn't suited for it.

[@seanmurphy7183]

Definitely if not the most underrated then one of

[@marcusdupree3517]

Sam is the most underrated bro. You know this

[@gerrypetty1272]

Each member of the Fellowship is equally important for if any of their stories had not happened exactly as they did the outcome would have been different.

[@shawnberry760]

Always my favorite character!

[@robinbrooks27]

Gimli for sure, is the most under rated character in the fellowship

[@haythamcorvo1459]

Mellon I love your videos so much I could cry.

[@kimmyibanez4747]

I think Samwise was very underrated. Everyone knew how special Aragorn & Legolas and the others were. But it was Samwise who got Frodo there in the end.

[@adamwent7184]

Boromir is undoubtedly the most underrated member, purely because the Ring took hold of him. But putting that aside, he's loyal, protective and honourable and defends the Hobbits even whilst being pierced by two arrows, and his last moments with Aragorn... I could type essays on that scene...

[@RissaFirecat]

Legolas was amazing. If he wasn't in the film it wouldn't have been as good!

[@andrewtitchiner1435]

In the book the kill tallies are 41 and 42. I never understood why Jackson changed it by one. I can only assume he mixed up the numbers. Not that it matters, the point is made regardless, it’s just an interesting discrepancy between the film and the book.

[@sallyreno6296]

Let's not forget that Legolas is the oldest characterin the Fellowship. By a lot.

[@aperson9847]

I love book Legolas so much. The movies definitely have a more dour tone than the books do and while I understand the reason (there are very dark moments in the story, and because the movies are condensed, they sort of need to keep a more constant tone to avoid whiplash) I do think it's to their detriment sometimes. Legolas is cool in the LOTR movies, but he is missing that loveable quality that he has in the books.

[@LynetteMcGrath]

I know it's an old argument, because Tolkein does not give a detailed physical description of Legolas, but I was kind of shocked and disappointed when early movie stills were released and he had blonde hair. The impression from the books is that all the elves have black hair, except for the line of Finwe and Indis (Galadriel's family line) who had golden hair. Of course I came to love our blonde Legolas - thank you Orlando Bloom!

[@aperson9847]

@@LynetteMcGrath Doesn't Thranduil explicitly have light hair in the books? I dunno, I always imagined Legolas with blond hair.

[@OctoberOctopusM]

Er, the lass played with Lego. This trained his agility and speed in lightly stepping over Lego on the floor. It shaped his ability to construct solid relationships with only a few bricks.

[@sharoncrimm]

I think Samwise is the most underrated member. Everyone always talks about Frodo and the ring but if not for Sam, Frodo would have long before succumbed to the power of the ring and that would have been the end of the story.

[@skaraturbo]

Nah thats not true evrybody loves Sam and thinks hes great hes one of the most talked character!

[@justifiablyhuman]

I agree. Sam may be a beloved character, but he is still vastly underrated. Everyone in the fellowship is either a prince or in Gandalf's case a literal demigod. That includes Merry and Pippen, btw, both are descendant of the ruling houses of the Shire. Only Frodo and Sam are different from them in this respect. Obviously Frodo had the ring, and is mistakenly considered the one whom destroyed it... arguable, at best. But Sam, he is just the apprentice of a gardener. Everyone else was born into greatness, even Frodo was born into great wealth for a Hobbit. Everyone except Sam is the definition of privileged, and yet without him the whole thing would've failed. I also think people forget that he was the final author and editor of the Red Book of Westmarch, practically the in-legendarium incarnation of Christopher Tolkien. Throughout the entire story he only ever acted out of love for Frodo. Merry and Pippin wanted to go on a great adventure, but Sam didn't want anyone to leave his beloved Shire, and yet he went all the way to Mordor out of just love. Underrated Indeed!

[@sharoncrimm]

@@justifiablyhuman Couldn't have said it better myself.

[@skaraturbo]

@@justifiablyhuman Yeah i guess you are right there he also became the Mayor alot of times after the war

[@zentzisz]

You guys are the best!

[@TheBrokenSword]

😁Thank you😁

[@waynemurphy4542]

Boromir has to be the most underrated member

[@ryana4419]

42 is also the answer to the ultimate question.

[@alyncook7315]

Glorfindel bowed out of the Fellowship so he could be a distraction elsewhere not a bullseye on them.

[@sicknote1558]

Nice lol the wood elfs don't seem to be able to hold onto there prisoners golum and then dwarfs and billbo the hobbit 😂

[@WeymouthSpacetime]

Didn't billbo use the ring to get the dwarfs out, and also, the gollum was helped to escape by orcs

[@sicknote1558]

@weymouthamv9868 yeah that's right 👍

[@fionarodgers4806]

11:21 I think Legolas killed more there and just couldn't count how many because he shot down the ladder, which probably crushed those on it and those who couldn't get out of the way.

[@mezafo2544]

Glorfindel knew more about Sauron and fighting the shadow. In the First Age he slew a Balrog (and was pulled to his death) protecting the elves fleeing Gondolin. After being reincarnated and sent back to Middle Earth he twice defeated the Nazgûl, first at the Battle of Fornost and again at the Last Bridge while he searched for the Fellowship. The Council of Elrond ultimately decided against Glorfindel joining the Fellowship because his power and glory would be a beacon to Sauron and Sauron’s wraith agents, not at all what you need for a secret mission. To put it shortly, Glorfindel was one of the most powerful elves ever to inhabit Middle Earth-far outstripping Legolas.

[@kishla2827]

One ring to rule the race of elves