*TTT - Gríma Wormtongue (Brad Dourif)*
 

What do you think of Wormtongue and the actor who plays him?

Gríma was done very good throughout. But there was the one point when he was standing on the balconey with Saruman and a tear fell from his eye. That was so out of character for the movie much less the book that it made me do a double take.<P>Otherwise he was wonderfully disgusting and evil.

Agree Diamond, he was quite disgusting. His face was PERFECT! Grima Wormtongue, he made me shudder, which is good!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>But there was the one point when he was standing on the balconey with Saruman and a tear fell from his eye. That was so out of character for the movie much less the book that it made me do a double take.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Now that was one of my favorite scenes in the movie, Diamond! It summed up exactly what kind of character Wormtongue was. A small, petty, flawed human being who got himself involved in events much too big for him, in order to give himself a modicum of power over people who obviously despised him - probably long before he fell in with Saruman. <P>But he is a human, after all. When Saruman stands gloating that he will destroy all Mankind, that tear represented to me all the regrets, fears, and horror that Wormtongue must have been feeling at that moment. You can almost hear him silently screaming "Oh, what have I done! What have I done!" <P>One of the better moments in the whole film, if you ask me.<p>[ December 19, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

I agree. I thought that was a wonderful scene. His voice was fantastic.

<Reposted from my own thread><P>I noticed a poster on another thread (I believe it was on the general impression thread) mentioning that the character missed something, though s/he wasn't sure what it was.<P>I partially agree - I think I felt he was too obviously 'bad'. I would have liked him to be, 'fairer on the outside & evil on the inside'. On the other hand, that wouldn't have been more like the book than this one is - the 'book-Grima' isn't exactly mr Universe <P>But I couldn't help but wonder why someone hadn't taken up a sword & chopped this guy's head of long ago! It would have been nice to see Eowyn do exactly that.

<B>Birdland:</B><P>Thanks for the explanation of Wormtongue's tear. I honestly could not figure it out. * bows *<P>As for my opinion on the character portrayal, it was just fine by me.<P>Gandalf the Grey

Wormtounge was GREAT!<P>BUT! I'm not buying that explanation of the tear. <BR>Sure it's probably right and all but the process from beeing a total evil, pain in the *** to a sensitive guy with an unfortunant look was too short.

OH BIRDIE!<P>I don't need to say anything else because you sidd it all! Grima's tears was my favuorite scene. You could amos't se "Oh no! What have I done?" written on his face! I really felt very sorry for him then. I could almost taste th fear and regret then.<P><BR>(not to mention Brad Dourif is a PHENOMENAL actor!)

I thought Wormtongue was wonderful. Excellent portrayal by Brad Dourif.

I liked the scene when he shed the tear.<P>I wanna know why he did that though. I guess it was probably what Birdland said but could it have also been for Eowyn?<BR>He did like her after all...maybe it had something to do with her...:/<BR>I don't really know, I think Birdland was right but perhaps Wormtonge also felt that Eowyn would be killed.<p>[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: Frieda ]

Now, that I can buy. Much better. never thought of it. It would all be a mix of all theese feelings ofcourse.

I agree with <B>Birdie</B> about the tear and I really liked that part. <P>Then the fact that Brad Dourif is one of my favourite actors, doesn't hurt.<BR>He was brilliant for the part and I think he handled the character perfectly. So mean. You just gotta love him! <p>[ December 20, 2002: Message edited by: Maikadilwen ]

I would agree with most here that Brad Dourif gave a very fine performance as Wormtongue--facial variations, nuances of voice in tone, volume, pitch, physical movements not steroptypical but cloying, a hint of intelligence in his manipulation of Theoden, garnering almost pity for his forlorn attraction for Eowyn. His was the most interesting performance, dancing on the edge of evil and deceit, in all of TTT, IMHO.<P>Yet what seemed a detriment to me was the makeup. The pasty white face and stringy hair reminded me of Darth Vader once Luke has unmasked him in <I>Return of the Jedi</I>. Why the physical insignia of Saruman's malevolent control? Because we need a sign of that control removed once Gandalf rids Theoden of his subservience?<P>Bethberry

I thought the tear was PJ's best 'adaptation' yet. <P>remember that gandalf was wondering who Wormtounge really threw the Palantir at Saruman or G. as he did not think he could decide who he hated more. And in the RotK wormtounge almost takes the Hobbit's up on there offer of temporary sanctuary.<P>He was really a dark grey and egotistical charachter more than a black one and Dourif did well.<p>[ December 23, 2002: Message edited by: lindil ]

I thought it was a job well done, and I actually did pity him when he put on a few of those great facial expressions. Oh, and thanks for explaining the tear. I, like Gandalf, couldn't understand it for some reason.

I liked Dourif's voice and overall performance, but I think he looked more like a heavy metal rock star than anyone who would live in Middle Earth. I would have expected someone who had Theoden's ear to have been a bit more attractive and less overtly slimy.

lol. Well, he wasn't that ugly and unattractive....just weird I guess. :P<P>Hmm...and I saw a picture of him with a dagger in his hand earlier. I'm guessing that that must be from ROTK.

He was fantastic. The tear was great, the interaction with Eowyn was great, everything about him was outstanding. My only problem with him isn't really with him at all, but with PJ. I sort of thought he was rendered superfluous by Saruman's direct "demonic possesion" of Theoden. It really confused someone I was with, who hadn't read the books. Why is he there at all, if Saruman can do that?<P>But he was, IMO, a hugely bright spot in this movie. I liked that PJ chose to portray him as egotistical and self-centered rather than (as I had feared and half-expected) Saruman's evil little brother.

His voice really was amazing. It redeemed his greasy appearance. I could believe that he had fooled all of Meduseld with those rich, low cadences. It made one <I>want</I> to believe him. His poetic words to Eowyn ("...like a morning of pale spring still clinging to winter's chill") were enticingly discerning. It was a beautiful performance.<P>About that tear: I was under the impression that it was a tear shed for sheer, stunned amazement, but I like the idea of him being regretful and afraid.

Grima was great! Everything about him was great. <BR>He was just like I pictured him: creepy, disgusting, evil, but human. I don't remember the tear part, but no matter, I'm going to go see it again and I'm going to watch very closely. lol.

Hmm, thanks for the several different possible explanations about the tear. That really confused me in the movie. I just couldn't figure it out. I think Brad Dourif did a good job playing Grima. I can see how it would be a difficult part to play, but he managed to pull it off. I do wish they could have done something different for his makeup, though. He looked like he was moldy! I just always pictured him more outwardly fair, inwardly rotten kind of thing. But it was ok, i guess. I suppose they had to clarify it for people. but overall, he did great. My friends and i all visibly shuddered whenever he came on screen. Good Job, Brad Dourif!

For a freak with no eyebrows he was cool! But realy, Grima was well portrayed.

He was perfect! He was so desgusting! I liked the way that they showed him likeing Eowyn. Even to the tear in Orthanc. He was so gross! It was perfect!

kay this might be really late but i *think* i noticed him crying a lot in the movie and he's always got a little snot thing hanging out of his nose!! sorry i know thats really gross and stuff but i want to know why he was crying and boogerin' all the time. eww that is officially the grossest post i have ever made.<P><BR>okay oops yeah he did an awesome job playing Gríma<p>[ February 18, 2003: Message edited by: Lady_Báin ]

i havent read every post properly, so i dont know if i need to be corrected (i doubt i do...), but i seem to be the only person in the world who goes to the cinema, watches grima come on screen, and drool all over the place

Ah ha! I'm Psychic! I had a feeling that it was our dearest Meela who had revived this topic! Thanks Meela! <P>P.S. You aren't the only one that drools.<P><BR> *Gives Lady Bain a really confused and odd look wondering what in the name of the Shire she's insinuating.*<p>[ February 18, 2003: Message edited by: Frodo Baggins ]

np <P>im not the only one?? wowee!! fellow freaks!! come forth, fellow freaks!!!

Ack! I must have missed the scene where Wormtongue sheds his tear . . . I was probably lying down trying not to throw up. NOTE TO ALL: Never watch LOTR in the first row of a movie theater.<P>That said, I thought Brad Dourif was excellent- he made Wormtongue so deliciously nasty that just watching him gave me the shudders. I couldn't even understand how Eowyn could let him touch her . . . . *shudder* <p>[ February 18, 2003: Message edited by: Merri ]

if i were in eowyns position, it would be grima trying to get away from me! i wouldnt leave him alone!

If I was in Eowyns position, I would take that blade that I have so much talent with and hit Wormtongue over the head with it. <P>(What I am basically saying is that he played his role very wonderfully, he was spooky and weird enough for me)<p>[ February 18, 2003: Message edited by: Gorwingel ]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>But he is a human, after all. When Saruman stands gloating that he will destroy all Mankind, that tear represented to me all the regrets, fears, and horror that Wormtongue must have been feeling at that moment. You can almost hear him silently screaming "Oh, what have I done! What have I done!"<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>This is exactly what my mother said. Almost word-for-word.<P>I enjoyed Brad Dourif's performance, but it sure took me a while to figure out where I'd seen him before (in the X-Files episode "Beyond the Sea"). Grima was actually exactly as I imagined him in the books, which was one of the better things of the movie. My hat goes off to Dourif again.

i guess i was the only one who um notices that okay never mind then.......<P>but i thought (as i already said) that he was played wonderfully by Brad. <P>and he had an awsome coat to boot.

Maybe you aren't seeing things. Allergic to Theoden's fur robe perhaps?

Well today, I got to listen to Mr. Dourif speak, it was very intersting. I found out many things. One of the things that he talked about a lot was how he did not think that TTT was done as well as it could have been, and how he has worries about the next film and how it will turn out. He thought that they had not put a big enough empahsis on the relationship of the Rohan people and the horses. He also said that he actually got bored during TTT. He has not seen ROTK, and during that one scene where Wormtongue falls down the stairs, it was not him. Also he did not read the books before he got the role, and also he was not the first choice, he did the role because the other actor could not do it. He also talked a lot about how even though the films have made a ton of money, many of the actors have not been paid very much for the jobs they did. He looks very similar to his charater, you can see that he played Wormtongue. Very interesting, especially what he had to say about TTT though.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> He also talked a lot about how even though the films have made a ton of money, many of the actors have not been paid very much for the jobs they did. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>Are there some sour grapes here?<P>H.C.

I also enjoyed Brad Dourif's performance greatly. I have no problem with the tear. I have, however, no fixed interpretation of the tear. I look upon it as a striking reminder that Wormtongue once was an ordinary man, maybe an unsympathetic one, but still a regular guy with a thing for a woman he could never have. Now he suddenly finds himself next to an evil wisard looking over the army that almost certainly will destroy his country, which he has betrayed and left for good. The tear may be of fear, or sorrow, or longing. It is a delicate hint of emotion in an extreme situation that we may think Wormtongue did not quite suspect to arrive so soon or, indeed, at all. <P>I also liked the decision of having Wormtongue speak that paragraph to Éowyn, which was a mixture of Aragorn's thoughts and Gandalf's line from the book. It makes him much more dangerous, as it implies that he all too well knows and understands the characters of those he is playing against. Watch how Éowyn, as if in a trance, stands perfectly still until he touches her. Only then does she break away in disgust. It adds a manipulative side to his character that makes him a more worthy opponent to our heroes. I would have liked to see even more of him, though.

Yeah, he talked a lot about how it is hard for him and some of his friends to get work. One of the people asked him how he decides which roles to take, and he said how he gets so few right now that he really never says no to anything.<P>Oh and on the part about the actors not getting payed much, I missed a little bit of his response, but he was talking about the actors maybe getting together to try to get some more from the gross of the films.<BR>(the actors actually got payed way less than what they would have payed if they had not filmed the movies one at a time)<p>[ February 24, 2003: Message edited by: Gorwingel ]

Today, March 18th is Brad Dourif's birthday! Brad was born on March 1950 in Huntington, West Virginia. That makes him 53 today! Happy birthday Brad!

YAY! A day late and a dollar shot as usual but I'm glad someone besides me remembered it. Ok I'll say it too Hapy Birthday Brad Dourif (Like he's gonna read our silly little forum anyway.)<P> I'm surprised Meela's not here.......