"Nobody tosses a dwarf!"

[Olo Gamwich]

One part that cracked me up during the movie was when Gimli shouts, "Nobody tosses a dwarf!" when the fellowship is jumping across the crumblinge stairway in Moria. I found this funny because I saw on 20/20 once, in "Give me a break!", about this bar sport called "Dwarf tossing". It's a contest where the goal is to see who can throw an actual dwarf the longest distance. Isn't that just funny....<BR>

[Tigerlily Gamgee]

It seems funny, but it also seems like cruelty to dwarves. I don't want to picture it!!!

[Olo Gamwich]

Actually, the dwarves agree to do it...they are in on it too. The Little People of America are against the sport, though

[Tigerlily Gamgee]

FOR REAL! Oh my gosh! That's horrible!

[Sîdhrîs]

This really isn't just a joke, take a look at these sites: <BR><A HREF="http://formen.ign.com/news/9005.html" TARGET=_blank>Dwarf tossing 1</A><BR><A HREF="http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWSWeirdNews0111/28_dwarf-ap.html" TARGET=_blank>Dwarf tossing 2</A><BR><A HREF="http://icg.harvard.edu/~mr22/assignments/Paper_1/Dwarfs.html" TARGET=_blank>Dwarf tossing 3</A><BR>I do agree it sounds weird, but they really seem to have fun. And I don't see why dwarf tossing should be banned, I think they can do whatever they like, as long as they do it voluntarily.

[Olo Gamwich]

Yeah, I also think that they should do what they want to, but in some cases I think the the dwarves dont want to be thrown.

[Sîdhrîs]

Yeah, Gimli for example But that wasn't a competition, that was a life-saving measure

[Birdland]

Gimli was a dwarf of independent means, and would never have to worry about where the next paycheck was coming from. Therefore; dwarf-tossing would have little appeal to him.<p>[ April 28, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

[Olo Gamwich]

Yeah...but I dont think Gimli was against them actually THROWING him, but more agianst the embarassment to dwarves it would cause. He considers himself a big, tough warrior who needs nobody's help.

[Amanaduial the archer]

omg i didnt realise the dwarf tossingwould actually be real people *being in high school and not even being 5ft 1 yet, i look about v nervously!*<BR>mind u if u check out the subject in Books I(i think, maybe Books II)called film quotes, ull c there is another meaning to tossing a dwarf....heh heh...<BR>lol<BR>amy

[Elven-Maiden]

Wow, that's amazing, but I agree; the only reason Gimli was against it was because he was a big tough guy.

[Aralaithiel]

I loved that line! And, I think dwarf tossing is perfectly fine as long as, like others have posted here, that the dwarves participate voluntarilly and enjoy it as much as the normal sized mortals.<BR>I am looking forward to TTT!

[Genandra of Mirkwood]

Never heard of dwarf tossing, I wonder if that was deliberate! (Maybe in John Rhys-Davies' research on dwarves he came across the sport?!)<P>I also thought it was funny that he says, "not the beard!!!" It made me wonder if that had been a joke during production, ie "don't mess with a dwarf's beard" etc.

[raefindel]

The "Not the Beard" I believe, has it's roots in the Hobbit. When the company of Dwarves descend into the Valley of Rivendell, the Elves start singing a song teasing them about their beards "all a-wagging". Because Elves have no facial hair they like to tease dwarves about their beards.<P>It was an irony, I think, that Legolas saved Gimli by his beard.

[Olo Gamwich]

He caught him by his beard??? Hmm...i didnt see that....ow!

[Mayla Took]

Ha ha! I enjoyed that scene in the film! I thought those were some of Gimli's best lines. Ha ha. But that Dwarf tossing sport is so funny! I think it is a fine sport, just as long as the Dwarves agree to get tossed! Lol

[NinjaFerret]

The line "Nobody tosses a dwarf!" was spoken with such clarity that one couldn't help but notice the humor in it. Its placement in the film (yes, according to most sources, LotR can SIMULTANEOUSLY be a Film and a Movie ) reminded me of Shakespeare's placement of his comic relief. Also, I get the feeling that the dwarven culture was very much like the ancient heroic cultures, especially the one protrayed in Beowulf. So by accepting help from another, Gimli would have owed him something, and also would have somewhat disgraced himself. <P>And as for dwarf tossing, if both parties agree, then why not? <P>May your luck exceed the stench of your oxters.

[Olo Gamwich]

Hmm...I never thought of it that deeply. It just cracked me up.<P>

[Maikadilwen]

I really felt a bit sorry for Gimli in that scene. It was certainly a blow on his pride. First, he almost became a participant in dwarf tossing. Next, he's saved by none other than an ELF!!!! And as if that wasn't enough, that elf drags him in by his BEARD!!! Poor Gimli. <p>[ April 28, 2002: Message edited by: Maikadilwen ]