Is Aragorn as you pictured him?

[MatthewM]

What are your opinions on the representation of Aragorn? I'm not talking personality or motives, I'm talking strictly apperance. Did you picture Aragorn like Viggo?

[narfforc]

A really strange thing has happened, I find it hard to remember how I visualised Aragorn, the only previous images were mainly calenders and they were very diverse. When I first read LotRs there weren't any images at all, the first I remember was the poster by Jim Cauty who also did the album cover for The King of Elflands Daughter featuring Christopher Lee as The King of Elfland (singing). So I cannot now see Aragorn without thinking of Viggo, or for that matter Gandalf without Sir Ian.

[Bêthberry]

Well, I know Aragorn is no outlaw, but I have to admit that I often got my images crossed and thought of him as similar to Richard Green's Robin Hood (http://www.whirligig-tv.co.uk/tv/children/robinhood/robinhood.htm). Yes, I know that Aragorn is no bowman, but Robin Hood did also carry a sword, hide out in the woods, keep the place safe for the good local yomen against a nasty usurper, and harbour a love he could not have. A bit of Erroll Flynn with English nobility--I think that's how Green's Robin Hood was described and that fit my sense of Aragorn too.

Designer stubble just didn't fit into my mental image, nor short stature.


A really strange thing has happened, I find it hard to remember how I visualised Aragorn,. . . .So I cannot now see Aragorn without thinking of Viggo, or for that matter Gandalf without Sir Ian.

I'm so terribly sorry, narfforc that you've lost your early imaginings about the characters. Does this mean that your parody work owes more to the movies than to Tolkien?

[Finduilas]

Viggo did not at all fill my thoughts on Aragorns looks. I was very disapointed. :(

A bit of Erroll Flynn with English nobility

That's really funny, because when me and my sister have discussed on who we would have liked to see play Aragorn, we agreed that Erroll Flynn would have worked well.

[Beleg Cuthalion]

A really strange thing has happened, I find it hard to remember how I visualised Aragorn, the only previous images were mainly calenders and they were very diverse. When I first read LotRs there weren't any images at all, the first I remember was the poster by Jim Cauty who also did the album cover for The King of Elflands Daughter featuring Christopher Lee as The King of Elfland (singing). So I cannot now see Aragorn without thinking of Viggo, or for that matter Gandalf without Sir Ian.I have the same problem.

I don't think I ever really had an idea what I thought he looked like before the movies.

[Boo Radley]

I... always pictured Aragorn as somewhat taller.
Not that Viggo is short, mind you, but "Strider" had very long legs and I viewed him as being a bit older looking and... dare I say it? (Oh, why not?) a bit more gaunt.
Just my opinion. YMMV.

[The Sixth Wizard]

Aragorn's just about exactly right in appearance for me. I usually pictured him with the same shape face, hair colour and length, and beard. Although I always picture him as sort of "striding" due to his name. And Boromir should be shorter.

Of course, the character is the bit that's messed up. ;)

[narfforc]

The one thing I remember about the calenders and the artists (especially the Hildebrandts) was their insistance of showing Tolkiens characters as if they were in some Robin Hood or Three Musketeers movie , I hated them with their pointy hats, lincoln green and lots of buckling of swash, even the films that Errol Flynn appeared in drove me crazy, for Hollywood had some strange ideas about english history, no lets make that any history, their motto was 'Don't let the truth get in the way of rewriting history'. Jackson shows Aragorn as a man that spent a lot of his life in the wild, he looked the part, I never saw an inch of dirt on a Hollywood Robin Hood and as for some of the calenders, some of the people in them looked more like they were going to a ball than a battle.

I agree with the comments of Boo and The Sixth Wizard 100%


Hi Bethberry, when I first started the parody, I imagined the characters to be like Monty Pythons, now I have a whole list of people that if a film was made of The Lord of the Grins would be ideal for their part. I will PM you with some more info.

[Volo]

No, I deffinitely didn't imagine Aragorn anything like Viggo. I imagined Aragorn as "All gold does not glitter" - not handsome, but rugged. The Viggo Aragorn for one thing didn't look like he had been in the wild for years.

I'd say Alan Lee had effect on my Aragorn. This picture (ftp://anduin.eldar.org/tmp/pixs/468.zip) from my precious illustrated version of the Two Towers.

[Finduilas]

Strangely, I can't exactly picture Aragorn, or any other character in the books. While I am reading it, pictures do form in my mind, but not in ways that I can explain, or even remember later on. But as I afore said, Viggo was not what I consider a very good Aragorn.

But, I think that if the he had been better portrayed by the movie makers, he would have done fine. So even though I don't think he looked like Aragorn, he could have been made to seem to look more like Aragorn... if that makes any sense. :rolleyes:

[MatthewM]

I expected a mixture of responses on this, as everyone has their own imagination.

I am somewhere in between, I think, and like Finduilas said:

Strangely, I can't exactly picture Aragorn, or any other character in the books. While I am reading it, pictures do form in my mind, but not in ways that I can explain

While I am reading The Lord of the Rings, pictures form and faces of characters do as well but I do not know if I have a permanent image on any character. I have a hard time getting the movie images out of my head, sometimes I do not want to because I like the way some characters were portrayed- I like the way Aragorn was portrayed although I do not always picture Viggo as the character- and sometimes I can not get the images drawn by artists such as Anke Eissmann, Ted Nasmith, and Alan Lee out of my head...which sometimes, I do not want to either. I have some of my own imagination in there too.

The Lord of the Rings is one of those tales in which I can read a thousand times over and still pick up on different things and picture things differently because of reading something I did not pay as much heed to the previous time.

[Bêthberry]

The one thing I remember about the calenders and the artists (especially the Hildebrandts) was their insistance of showing Tolkiens characters as if they were in some Robin Hood or Three Musketeers movie , I hated them with their pointy hats, lincoln green and lots of buckling of swash, even the films that Errol Flynn appeared in drove me crazy, for Hollywood had some strange ideas about english history, no lets make that any history, their motto was 'Don't let the truth get in the way of rewriting history'. Jackson shows Aragorn as a man that spent a lot of his life in the wild, he looked the part, I never saw an inch of dirt on a Hollywood Robin Hood and as for some of the calenders, some of the people in them looked more like they were going to a ball than a battle.

I agree with the comments of Boo and The Sixth Wizard 100%


Hi Bethberry, when I first started the parody, I imagined the characters to be like Monty Pythons, now I have a whole list of people that if a film was made of The Lord of the Grins would be ideal for their part. I will PM you with some more info.

Oh I completely agree with you narf about the squeeky clean Hollywood types--well, excepting for Harrison Ford's Indiana Jones, who had the right balance of dust, sweat and gosh darn charm--but Richard Greene was English, that Robin Hood was English. I always thought that English heroes never broke a sweat.

Except for maybe Peter O'Toole as Henry. But then O'Toole is Irish. Come to think of it, I'll have to check that out when The Longest Day runs again this June.

But your Lord of the Grins as Pythons? Oh my. Strider as the Minister of Silly Walks. Cleese does have that sort of snooty patrician air about him when he's not Basil.

[The Might]

More or less. I think I had seen an Aragorn drawing by Alan Lee before reading LotR and so I imagined him more or less as that. But after seeing the movies it was hard to think about him as someone else then Viggo...but then again that more or less happened with all characters after I saw the movies.

[alatar]

Now that Viggo is Aragorn, I'm not sure who else would have done the character better, visage-wise. Viggo is not young looking, but nor is he old. He can dress up, when around his She-Elf, and he looks like a man that an elf would die for. When he's with his traveling buddies, he appears rough enough to handle his own. Viggo gave his battle scenes realism - he didn't appear fake.

My only complaint is his voice, as at times it doesn't appear kingly. Best (and most readily-available) example of his voice being off is when he says, "orc," at the end of FotR. It comes out too nasally, and to me kills the scene a bit.

And in regards to Viggo/Strider looking like he's walked the walk, I would note that Bear Grylls (http://www.beargrylls.com/), my new hero of 'Man vs Wild' fame, has lived the life of Aragorn and yet looks...don't know the best word...but handsome enough. If you see a picture of Mr. Grylls, you will note that he too has designer face scruff.

One of book covers (can't remember which), and the Bashki movie have Aragorn looking too 'Roman' to me.

Regardless, Peter Jackson's version has overwritten my original images on my organic hard drive, which is sad.

[Thinlómien]

Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn the Strider - Okay. Not the way imagine him by any standards, but not that bad.
Viggo Mortensen as King Aragorn Elessar - Awful. I mean, he might be the right man to play a charismatic rascal, but he just lacks the charisma and presence of a noble king or a valiant hero. He could be the leader of a little brigand/raider gang, but the leader of the old and glorious kingdom of Gondor!

Mortensen does not look like I imagine Aragorn to look. Even in his ranger's guise, I imagine Aragorn far more kingly and slightly less rag-tag. The Aragorn I know has a good bearing and stern face. He does definitely not have wavy hair (it's straight!) and his features are more "noble" than Viggo Mortensen's. (And he certainly doesn't have that kind of jaw...!!!)

Furthermore, I totally agree with alatar on Mortensen's voice.

[The Sixth Wizard]

Yes, I'll have to second Lommy's view on Mortensen as the king. He doesn't look right, there isn't enough power there. Especially in the crowning scene here (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/84/AragornCrown.jpg/250px-AragornCrown.jpg), he's not enough tall, proud Numenorean king as the books depict him as. Doesn't radiate wisdom either...

[Finduilas]

I too agree with Lommy. In fact, at my house we have several times stated that he makes a better cowboy than a king.

[Rikae]

I pretty much agree with what's been said. I had a very distinct image of Aragorn in my mind for a good 13 years before I saw the movies, and while Viggo did a decent job, he just wasn't Aragorn. He wasn't kingly enough; didn't look quite old enough and certainly didn't behave old enough, if you know what I mean. He seemed to lack depth, and had a sort of surfer-dude quality about him. While Aragorn could be sarcastic, etc, I always imagined him more intense and, in FOTR, slightly menacing even; and in the ROTK, just more dignified and powerful. Visually, I pictured him with a squarer jaw and darker hair.

Another thing...Viggo's running is hilarious...especially when he sees the beacon and runs up the steps of Edoras! It never fails to make me laugh...

[MatthewM]

Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn the Strider - Okay. Not the way imagine him by any standards, but not that bad.
Viggo Mortensen as King Aragorn Elessar - Awful. I mean, he might be the right man to play a charismatic rascal, but he just lacks the charisma and presence of a noble king or a valiant hero. He could be the leader of a little brigand/raider gang, but the leader of the old and glorious kingdom of Gondor!

Mortensen does not look like I imagine Aragorn to look. Even in his ranger's guise, I imagine Aragorn far more kingly and slightly less rag-tag. The Aragorn I know has a good bearing and stern face. He does definitely not have wavy hair (it's straight!) and his features are more "noble" than Viggo Mortensen's. (And he certainly doesn't have that kind of jaw...!!!)

Furthermore, I totally agree with alatar on Mortensen's voice.

Wow. Haha. I, for my part, think Viggo does appear kingly in his coronation scene and does show wisdom.

On the hair thing...are you going by your own imagination or fact from the book? I'm guessing imagination?

[Volo]

Hmm... Strange, I for one see Aragorn less kingly in the books... :D

[Folwren]

Viggo did not really meet my mental picture. Anke Eissmann's drawings are closer. Though not completely accurate (because her people are not completely perfect), the idea is I think how I pictured him.

In this link you can see one of her pictures. Aragorn's the dark haired man.

http://anke.edoras-art.de/cgi-bin/lotr2.pl?file=waiting_frodo.jpg

Mainly, I think he was clean shaven, high cheekboned, narrow face, very tall, skinny (skinny's not exactly the word I want, but oh well), and so on...

Here's another picture. It's actually Eissmann's Faramir, but I like the face for Aragorn. :)

http://anke.edoras-art.de/cgi-bin/lotr6.pl?file=last_counsel_72.jpg

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Fortunately, I hadn't seen any movies or calenders before my first reading of the story, and if I concentrate hard enough I can see the original image I had of him. Not at all the same as Viggo! He is older, broad, lean, earnestly weathered and with much more of a presence. And let's not forget the shaggy hair shot with gray! ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Folwren, those links don't work; here's the link to Anke Eissmann's website, where you can find a multitude of fantastic drawings and paintings of Tolkien's characters and world: Anke Eissmann (http://anke.edoras-art.de/anke_home.html)

I agree that her characters are often closer to my mental images than those of other artists, and her Aragorn has a good deal of depth!

As to Movie-Aragorn, well, Jackson could have done worse - and would have, had he stuck with his original casting of the character. I must admit that I find Mortensen a good-looking and interesting actor; still, he does not personify my inner image of Aragorn. He does lack that depth I'd like to see in him.

I'm not sure that any actor would fit my mental image, come to think of it; it's perhaps too vague, so that I can't say what he looks like - only what he doesn't look like!

[Folwren]

Nuts. So sorry.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Not your problem - the site doesn't allow direct linking, apparently.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

You know, I was wondering if Jackson, by his choice, was trying to convey the dash of Elven blood Aragorn had. Seen in that light, I can understand the casting better, as movie Aragorn seems a touch more like his elves.

[Thenamir]

especially the Hildebrandts While for some reason I really enjoy the Tolkien-related artwork of the Brothers Hildebrandt, which most Tolkien purists deride, one picture I found almost laughable -- I forget the title of the painting, but it depicts a seated Galadriel presenting Aragorn with an elfstone. That picture affects my mental image of Galadriel to this day, but I could not get over the image of Aragorn -- it was as if he was being played by some scruffy version of Ringo Starr! His nose was the size of the snout on a fell beast! Utterly ridiculous!

That said, I found the Viggo Aragorn to be quite acceptable. He even cleaned up pretty well for the coronation.

[MatthewM]

I agree with the comments on the Hildebrants. Granted they had their own imaginations, but what were they thinking with that Three Musketeers stuff? I do have their Fellowship poster on my wall, though, as at one time I really liked it. It's not too bad. Not too good. I kind of like their image of Galadriel doused with stars, I believe she is holding her ring up in it. It's a typical blonde of the genre and time era, but nice nonetheless.

[Lalwendë]

When I first read LotRs there weren't any images at all, the first I remember was the poster by Jim Cauty who also did the album cover for The King of Elflands Daughter featuring Christopher Lee as The King of Elfland (singing). .

There's summat else by Cauty I'm going to have to hunt down!

Aragorn, well I always saw him as tall, dark and intense. But not long after I read the books for the first time a certain Robin Of Sherwood appeared on ITV and I grew to associate Aragorn's 'look' with Michael Praed's look in that, but a little leaner and taller, and with longer hair.

I worked with a 70s Rings fan around a year before the films came out and we'd discuss what Aragorn ought to look like. We agreed he just had to have long har and be dark - she said that Aragorn's 'look' had been a common pub argument when she was at uni in the 70s. ;)

Now I did like Viggo and my chief fault with him was his lack of eyebrows. On Aragorn they should be black and slightly beetling. And when he scrubs up Viggo does look a tad 'cheesy' like someone out of an early 80s 'mullet rock' band, but he's alright when he's grubbing round in his overcoat and stuff.

However, after I'd got an eyeful of the tasty Sean Bean as Boromir I was wishing he'd got the part instead. He's way more manly. ;)

[Thinlómien]

While Aragorn could be sarcastic, etc, I always imagined him more intense and, in FOTR, slightly menacing even; and in the ROTK, just more dignified and powerful.Totally agreed!

Another thing...Viggo's running is hilarious...especially when he sees the beacon and runs up the steps of Edoras! It never fails to make me laugh...Funny... A friend of my mother's once said that Viggo is good-looking but runs like a woman... :D

On the hair thing...are you going by your own imagination or fact from the book? I'm guessing imagination?You're right. Sorry for not making that clearer. :)

I admire Viggo's devotion to his role, but he still isn't Aragorn.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

However, after I'd got an eyeful of the tasty Sean Bean as Boromir I was wishing he'd got the part instead. He's way more manly. ;)

You know, I was thinking that Sean Bean might have been a better choice just other day. (And was reminded of it again last night while watching Patriot Games. I think he might have been able to carry it off quite well. (Now I'm just wondering if Viggo might have made a convincing Boromir... actually the book Faramir would be more likely.)

[Thinlómien]

Now I'm just wondering if Viggo might have made a convincing Boromir... Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, he wouldn't have. ;) :p

[Rikae]

I just can't see Sean Bean as Aragorn either. He's too...doofy looking. :p (Sorry...)

I mean; he just looks too young and not intelligent or wise enough, I'm afraid. Too well-fed, as well.

[Lalwendë]

I just can't see Sean Bean as Aragorn either. He's too...doofy looking. :p (Sorry...)

I mean; he just looks too young and not intelligent or wise enough, I'm afraid. Too well-fed, as well.

What?! :eek:

But he's as fine a chunk of man-flesh as might be found anywhere! And what's more he simply can't get rid of his Sheffield accent no matter how hard he tries and that would fit very nicely with Aragorn being a bit o' rough from Oop North. "Eeh, milady Arwen, fancy a tumble in t'Niphredil"...

;)

[Finduilas]

I think what Rikae meant in saying he was "too well-fed" was that Aragorn was supposed to be thin. On Carahadras it(the book) says something to the effect that Boromir had wider shoulders, and may even be stronger that Aragorn. Sean Bean isn't fat or anything, but he's is built larger that Aragorn was. I hope I worded that right, I mean like bigger bones, sturdier built, etc.

I personally think that Sean could have done a better job than Viggo as Aragorn, but he was did really well as Boromir.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

It seemed that in the movie, Sean Bean was made to look more burly, and Viggo more lean. The costuming would have a lot to do with those perceptions. And of course a little hard living forgoing one's desserts might do the trick. ;)

[Lalwendë]

It seemed that in the movie, Sean Bean was made to look more burly, and Viggo more lean. The costuming would have a lot to do with those perceptions. And of course a little hard living forgoing one's desserts might to the trick. ;)

Yes, if you have the good fortune to see Sean Bean in civvies or (and think yourself lucky if you do) in real life - he drinks in the pub at the bottom of my road when t'Blades are at home - you will see he's actually quite a slender, fit bloke. He was very well padded out in LotR, whereas we usually see Aragorn in a tatty tunic and his flappy old coat (how that ensemble kept him warm wandering the perishin' Ettenmoors I have no idea).

[alatar]

What I liked about Sean Bean's Boromir is that the actor exudes a natural charisma that makes him appear 'approachable.' You could see yourself drinking or fighting alongside this Boromir. Viggo's Aragorn is less so. I like Viggo's work, but he comes off as reserved, as does his character. Note that it is he that sits and watches as Boromir interacts with the Two Fools when they learn a bit of swordplay while journeying south towards Caradhras.

Viggo couldn't be too young, as one would never believe that he was 87. Too old, and you start thinking that he's not really performing any of his own stunts, and is just too old to be tossing dwarves about.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Well, Tolkien opined that Aragorn would have appeared to be "a weather-beaten forty-five," so Viggo was probably about right age-wise.

[Famov]

I thought that he made a great Strider. Yet as a more kingly Aragorn it was not quite as convincing, but still pretty good. I was more impressed with his character than most others, and since most were good, that says a lot.

[MatthewM]

What I liked about Sean Bean's Boromir is that the actor exudes a natural charisma that makes him appear 'approachable.' You could see yourself drinking or fighting alongside this Boromir. Viggo's Aragorn is less so. I like Viggo's work, but he comes off as reserved, as does his character. Note that it is he that sits and watches as Boromir interacts with the Two Fools when they learn a bit of swordplay while journeying south towards Caradhras.


However, book wise, both Boromir and Aragorn have a noble air about them, and most likely both of them would seem to the common folk less approachable - I credit Tolkien artist Catherine Karina Chmiel with this opinion that is now also my own. You could picture Boromir walking about the streets of Gondor, respected, but not somebody you could just go up to and pat on the back, as Jackson portrays Boromir in his Two Tower's deleted scene at Osgiliath. Same with Aragorn, he was definitely not approachable in Bree. Aragorn wasn't supposed to really be everybody's pal. Neither was Boromir.

On the subject of Bean portraying Aragorn- I can't see it working. I think Viggo fit the part better. Sean Bean did an amazing job with Boromir, I just can't see him as Aragorn. I like Viggo's portrayal, but if we are to start saying names on who would make a great Aragorn, I would suggest Liam Neeson. He has an Aragorn like face (from the books as I picture) and I think his acting would have been great for the character.

[MatthewM]

Check out Liam Neeson's biography and pictures here- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000553/

[Sir Kohran]

Check out Liam Neeson's biography and pictures here- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000553/

Hm, choosing Qui-Gon Jinn for Aragorn might have generated too much gossip (remember the whole 'Agent Elrond' thing?).

[Morthoron]

The thing most everyone is missing is Aragorn's nickname: Strider. He was very tall and lanky as the name implies (his ancestor, Elendil, was said to be 6'11'' and tallest of all the Dunedain). This is not a physical quality Viggo posesses (I believe he's 5'11"). In fact, it seemed other characters were taller than he. Also, he did not portray the grimness Tolkien instilled in Aragorn (and the rest of the Dunedain, like Halbarad, for instance). Viggo came off wishy-washy and irresolute, which were not characteristics of Aragorn either (this I blame on the script mostly).

I would agree that Liam Neeson fits Tolkien's description much better, but unfortunately, Hollywood cuteness prevailed.

[MatthewM]

Hm, choosing Qui-Gon Jinn for Aragorn might have generated too much gossip (remember the whole 'Agent Elrond' thing?).

Lol, it's true. Although I still think he would have made a good Aragorn, looks and acting wise.

[MatthewM]

The thing most everyone is missing is Aragorn's nickname: Strider. He was very tall and lanky as the name implies (his ancestor, Elendil, was said to be 6'11'' and tallest of all the Dunedain). This is not a physical quality Viggo posesses (I believe he's 5'11"). In fact, it seemed other characters were taller than he. Also, he did not portray the grimness Tolkien instilled in Aragorn (and the rest of the Dunedain, like Halbarad, for instance). Viggo came off wishy-washy and irresolute, which were not characteristics of Aragorn either (this I blame on the script mostly).


If interested, Tolkien gives a (pretty much) accurate height for both Aragorn and Boromir in an unpublished note located at the Bodleian Library in Oxford-

"Aragorn, direct descendant of Elendil and his son Isildur, both of whom had been seven feet tall, must nonetheless have been a very tall man…, probably at least 6 ft. 6; and Boromir, of high Númenorean lineage, not much shorter (say 6 ft. 4)." (p. 229 of The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion)

[Morthoron]

If interested, Tolkien gives a (pretty much) accurate height for both Aragorn and Boromir in an unpublished note located at the Bodleian Library in Oxford-

"Aragorn, direct descendant of Elendil and his son Isildur, both of whom had been seven feet tall, must nonetheless have been a very tall man…, probably at least 6 ft. 6; and Boromir, of high Númenorean lineage, not much shorter (say 6 ft. 4)." (p. 229 of The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion)

Precisely. Thanks for the timely back-up (there is also a concise summary of Gondorion/Dunedain heights and measurements in the UT)! However, watch the movie...it seems several of the other characters are slightly taller or of the same height as Aragorn. I guess P.J. just wanted all the Hollywood-handsome faces in the same headshots, camera angle-wise.

[MatthewM]

it seems several of the other characters are slightly taller or of the same height as Aragorn. I guess P.J. just wanted all the Hollywood-handsome faces in the same headshots, camera angle-wise.

Perhaps...how tall was Legolas supposed to be, in the books? I believe Bloom is as tall as Viggo...not sure though.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

I would agree that Liam Neeson fits Tolkien's description much better, but unfortunately, Hollywood cuteness prevailed.
Ah, but Mr. Neeson is as cute as a rather large button, though perhaps not a stern enough or grim enough one.

[Lalwendë]

You guys would like the new entry I found while poking around on Encyclopedia of Arda t'other day to see what was new. This is about "Man-High":

An informal unit of height among the Dúnedain, referring to the height of a typical Man of Númenórean descent. It was based on the ranga, a Númenórean measure of length corresponding to thirty-eight inches, or a little less than a metre. A height of two rangar was referred to as 'man-high', so a typical Dúnadan would be 6' 4" in height, or 1.93m.

The term comes from later usage, when the Dúnedain of Middle-earth had dwindled somewhat. In earlier times they had been taller on average. Elendil, for example, was famous for his height (and indeed was often called Elendil the Tall). He was said to have been nearly half a ranga more than man-high, which would make his approximate height an incredible 7' 10", or 2.39m.

Fascinating. So the average height of a Ranger was two ranga.

Here's what they say for Ranga:

A measure used by the Númenóreans and their descendants in Middle-earth. One ranga was defined as the length of the stride of a man walking at ease, and seems to have corresponded to a length of thirty-eight inches, or 0.97 metres. A height of two rangar was conventionally referred to as 'man-high', representing (approximately) the average height of a Dúnadan as 6 feet, 4 inches, or 1.93 metres. The Halflings were named by the Dúnedain as being half their own height on average, so if two rangar were 'man-high', then one ranga can be considered roughly 'Hobbit-high'.

Measurements of longer distances were also based on the ranga. A distance of 5,000 strides was named a lár, signifying a point where a rest-stop should be held. By convenient coincidence, 5,000 rangar also corresponds almost exactly to three miles, so a lár described a distance essentially equivalent to a league.

Hilde - Liam Neeson cute? What about his big ol' broken nose? ;)

[Estelyn Telcontar]

...one ranga can be considered roughly 'Hobbit-high'.
...which must refer to Trotter, the Hobbit Ranger! :D

[MatthewM]

Fascinating. So the average height of a Ranger was two ranga.



Thanks for that info! That's quite interesting indeed.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

That is a wonderful and strangely imprecise measurement! As the long years drew down, did the lár become shorter, I wonder.

And I also wonder if a hobbit gait would be measured in halfrangas... or perhaps cubits are a corruption of hobbis, the length of a hobbit's stride. ;)

[ninja91]

Of course, I saw the movies before I read the books. But even if I had read the books, I pictured someone like Viggo playing him. Not necessarily and English noble warrior type, but more like a loner fateful type with something to prove. And I think Viggo fit that ticket quite nicely, if I do say so myself.

[Laurinquë]

I never really have a very clear pictures of book characters in my head, so they are easily replaced by movie characters. I suppose I thought of Aragorn as being, well, darker I guess is the right word, more mysterious-looking, rather aloof. I do however think that Viggo Mortensen is a great Aragorn, he is not quite what I thought I thought he would be but still, he is really good.

[Groin Redbeard]

I pictured Aragorn just as Viggo looks, but with a slightly thicker beard.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

I like to think of Aragorn more mysterious than Viggo!

[Laurinquë]

Mmm...yes...mysterious....

[Groin Redbeard]

I like to think of Aragorn more mysterious than Viggo!

In the Fellowship of the Ring he was really mysterious, but once you find out who he really is there's nothing left.

[Laurinquë]

Well yes, but in my mind he always retained an aura of mystic about him.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

One of the downsides of being young and watching the movies first because you couldn't read something of the awesome power as LotR, you start picturing Viggo as Aragorn... it really sucks! But I love the mysterious Aragorn, in fact sometimes Aragorn for me isn't even Viggo at all, but someone I cannot describe!

[Gwathagor]

I never pictured Aragorn with long hair. Shaggy, yes. Long, no. I also envisioned him as being significantly less greasy. And taller and leaner.

I had the good fortune to read the books first.

[Sauron the White]

From head to toe, the look of Aragorn in the films was extremely consistent with how a person would look having spent long periods of time in the wilds. Such social conventions as having ones hair properly cut and trimmed, or frequently washed and styled, or having their clothes looks as if they just were ordered from the Minas Tirith branch of Nordstroms are not in keeping with the realistic look of the films. Once upon a time, many decades ago, Hollywood would have given Aragorn a perfectly crisply pressed and cleaned outfit, had his hair looking as if he just did a commercial for Breck shampoo, and made sure he was a good four inches taller than all those he came in contact with to make sure the audience got the idea that he was a king. Thankfully, Cecil B. DeMille and his like are no longer around to give us that sanitized, very unreal version of a hero.

[Volo]

Hmm... You're right, Sauron, but to me Aragorn still looked too clean and properly cut. The whole film shows that long hair was in fashion, so Aragorn was no dirty exeption. Movie Aragorn wasn't wild enough.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

I like the fun side of Aragorn, the side where he laughs at jokes and in the Prancing Pony, there were times that he laughed and I liked that, he was a grim man yes, but he had to be, I of course like it when people are smiling a lot! So he needed more laugh lines!
That's my opinion!

[skip spence]

I think the casting of Viggo as Aragorn was spot on. He's just as I had imagined him: grim, resolute, serious and with the weight of the world on his shoulders, as he knows he has to accomplish more than anyone has done before to get what he desires, and that he's very unlikely to succeed. The extended interplay between Arwen and Aragorn was also great to better understand his character and what drove him on, although they meddled with the background story a bit too much. Viggo's rugged good looks and sword fighting skills are also fitting I'd say.

Whether he's tall enough is a small concern to me.

[Gwathagor]

Actually, a good hunter would clean himself regularly (e.g. bathe in stream) to reduce his scent, thereby making it more difficult for him to be detected by his quarry. The Native Americans, for example, were very conscientious about being clean before they went hunting; the sweat-lodge was part of this process. Aragorn, as we all know, was one of the greatest hunters of that time period in Middle-earth. It is therefore not unreasonable to assume that he would have managed his grime-levels better than he did in the films. He certainly did not have the same gritty, modernist sensibility that Jackson and Co. do, and would have had no qualms about tidying up whenever possible. (In fact, he probably thought: "Gee, I'm an important protagonist here. I should be more presentable before I go into town/meet other important protagonists.") Certainly he wouldn't have been impeccably clean; but you see my point.

[Mithalwen]

Viggo is not my idea of Aragorn but I accepted him as Aragorn in the films - his first appearance at Bree was one of the few things that tallied with my mental image. However Daniel Day Lewis is much closer to my mental image especially in this picture - though perhpas a little young

http://www.perfectduluthday.com/Daniel%20Day-Lewis%20-%20Bild.jpg

[Gwathagor]

Ah! Daniel Day-Lewis, of course! He'd be PERFECT, as anyone who has seen The Last of the Mohicans would have to agree.

[Sauron the White]

Gwathagor

Actually, a good hunter would clean himself regularly (e.g. bathe in stream) to reduce his scent, thereby making it more difficult for him to be detected by his quarry. The Native Americans, for example, were very conscientious about being clean before they went hunting;

Is this something that all hunters would do in every culture that you know of?
How often do you think this process would have been used by a hunter?
Does this not go against what we know of bathing practices by people during the Middle Ages and agrarian times?
How do you know that Aragorn did not bathe? Even when he was doused in the river after going off the cliff in TTT he certainly did not have benefit of soap and shampoo, hair conditioner, and a good blow dryer.

addition: just had my daughter and her husband over for dinner and he is a big hunter who was raised in a family of hunters going back several generations. He also teaches science. He said that bathing is not going to get you any results because your normal scents begin to emerge almost as soon as you dry off. He said a good hunter uses wind and learns how to stay downwind of an animal. Or, old school hunters used to use anjmal urine to cover their scent with fox or skunk being the preferred scent.

[Gwathagor]

Gwathagor



Is this something that all hunters would do in every culture that you know of?
How often do you think this process would have been used by a hunter?
Does this not go against what we know of bathing practices by people during the Middle Ages and agrarian times?
How do you know that Aragorn did not bathe? Even when he was doused in the river after going off the cliff in TTT he certainly did not have benefit of soap and shampoo, hair conditioner, and a good blow dryer.

addition: just had my daughter and her husband over for dinner and he is a big hunter who was raised in a family of hunters going back several generations. He also teaches science. He said that bathing is not going to get you any results because your normal scents begin to emerge almost as soon as you dry off. He said a good hunter uses wind and learns how to stay downwind of an animal. Or, old school hunters used to use anjmal urine to cover their scent with fox or skunk being the preferred scent.


I agree. The wind is very important, too.

Did you really bring this up at the dinner table? :eek:

[Sauron the White]

pre-dinner conversation. And asking him a question about hunting is like asking Bill why Hillary should be president.

[Folwren]

Nope. 'Fraid not. Neither so hansome nor so rugged as I pictured Aragorn. Sorry.

EDIT: Just looked at the picture Mith linked to. That's a great pictures and very Aragorn-ish to my mind. :) Thanks for the link.

[MatthewM]

Viggo is not my idea of Aragorn but I accepted him as Aragorn in the films - his first appearance at Bree was one of the few things that tallied with my mental image. However Daniel Day Lewis is much closer to my mental image especially in this picture - though perhpas a little young

http://www.perfectduluthday.com/Daniel%20Day-Lewis%20-%20Bild.jpg

Yeah, I do agree. I like Viggo but each time I watch the films I think about how different the Aragorn I picture actually is. Oh well. That guy in the picture looks like he would have fit the part well.

[Alonna]

Viggo is not my idea of Aragorn but I accepted him as Aragorn in the films - his first appearance at Bree was one of the few things that tallied with my mental image. However Daniel Day Lewis is much closer to my mental image especially in this picture - though perhpas a little young

http://www.perfectduluthday.com/Daniel%20Day-Lewis%20-%20Bild.jpg

Daniel Day-Lewis was offered the role of Aragorn several times, but he turned it down. Unfortunately, Day-Lewis tends to be very picky about what roles he takes. He's only done four films in the last ten years. He would have been excellent in the role of Aragorn if he had taken it.

[Manwathiel]

when i first read the books i imagined him as a bit rougher looking than he was portrayed in the films, a bit older, more worn out looking.

[Eönwë]

[QUOTE=Alonna;546399]Daniel Day-Lewis was offered the role of Aragorn several times, but he turned it down. Unfortunately, Day-Lewis tends to be very picky about what roles he takes. He's only done four films in the last ten years. He would have been excellent in the role of Aragorn if he had taken it.[/QUOTE

And it would probably also have given him a good reutation (though I suppose he likes to be THE main character)

[HerenIstarion]

No

[Rikae]

Day-Lewis does have more of the right facial structure, but he's still not quite as I pictured him.

Actually, though, I think Macalaure should have played Aragorn. :p His eyes have more wisdom than Viggo's, and his goatee is scruffier!

[Snowdog]

Viggo did ok as 'Strider' but there should have been a scene where he challenged Sauron through the Palantir, and afterward appeared older, more strained, but more kingly. To me there wasn't enough difference between the Ranger and the King, but then I never could understand the movie's reason that the 'heir to the kingship of Gondor' ran away to the north, since there was no mention of the two sundered lines of Elendil.