Weird associations - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Manardariel · 12-23-2002, 07:31 AM

I´ll come to my point right away. Did anyone else think the Haradhrim looked like Islamic fundamentalists. I´m serios. All those guys you see on the news in Israel, with cloth over their face and holding up their guns... and the belts looked like bullet-belts. I know this souns really weird. But did anyone else notice??

LePetitChoux · 12-23-2002, 08:13 AM

Yes! But I think they were meant to look kind of middle-east-ish, as Harad is in the warmer regions of ME.

Bêthberry · 12-23-2002, 08:25 AM

Not really. All of Peter Jackson's 'bad guys' tend to look like 'bad guys' from George Lucas' Star Wars trilogies. That's the more likely association of images, IMHO.Bethberry

Birdland · 12-23-2002, 08:53 AM

One thing that I did notice about the Haradrim; all those critics who complained that Tolkien made the evil races of M-E dark skinned should have no problem with P.J.'s version. The Haradrim were all as white as white can be.And I thought their costumes looked vaguely Samuri-ish.

the mortal elf · 12-23-2002, 02:43 PM

I don't think it was a problem. They didn't make me think of the Middle East, I was in Middle Earth at the time! Actually, (embarrasing thing coming up) When it first showed a few of the Haradrim with the Oliphaunts, while my mind was wandering to other things, it looked like one was wearing a bagpipe! I know, a stupid idea, but it did look for one like a moment. Then it turned out to be some spikey mutilated weapon of death. My mistake

The Silver-shod Muse · 12-24-2002, 12:10 AM

Hehehe...bagpipe.They did appear to be just a bit Star Warsish, but I liked them anyway. The one that falls near the hobbits from the back of the oliphaunt looks distinctly Middle Eastern. Birdland, I'm sure the critics will find something wrong with PJ's ethnics anyway.

doug*platypus · 12-26-2002, 08:49 AM

Starwarsish bad guys in LOTR? eh? All the Star Wars bad guys are supposed to be dehumanised, identical killing machines. On the contrary, great lengths were gone to to make sure that no two Orcs looked alike. The Haradrim were one of my big disappointments of TTT. In the book they're these big, tough black guys with shiny bronze armour, red flags and gold rings in their ears. Much cooler than those sombre guys in the movie. Apparently they were supposed to look like Saracens (Muslims from the time of the Crusades), but you're right they looked like bedouins, or Iranian women, or something! Maybe PJ supports a war on Iraq??? And the movie is called the Two Towers as well - talk about bad timing! Public Relations Nightmare!

doug*platypus · 12-26-2002, 08:54 AM

...whoops, forgot something! I think the main reason they're all whiteys is just a logistical one. I live in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Probably only about 15% of the population could pass as book-Haradrim. And I think that most of TTT was done in the South Island, where you'd be hard pressed to find a hundred available brown faced extras to put into one shot! Regrettable but true. A real shame, though.

12-23-2002, 07:31 AM	#1
Manardariel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Rivendell Posts: 807	Weird associations I´ll come to my point right away. Did anyone else think the Haradhrim looked like Islamic fundamentalists. I´m serios. All those guys you see on the news in Israel, with cloth over their face and holding up their guns... and the belts looked like bullet-belts. <BR>I know this souns really weird. But did anyone else notice?? __________________ Love is a perky elf dancing a merry little jig and then suddenly he turns on you with a miniature machine gun. Blog :-)\|FanFic Dream City

12-23-2002, 08:13 AM	#2
LePetitChoux Vegetable of Doom Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: London Posts: 720	Yes! But I think they were meant to look kind of middle-east-ish, as Harad is in the warmer regions of ME. __________________ je suis une bonne odeur

12-23-2002, 08:25 AM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Not really. All of Peter Jackson's 'bad guys' tend to look like 'bad guys' from George Lucas' Star Wars trilogies. That's the more likely association of images, IMHO.<P>Bethberry __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

12-23-2002, 08:53 AM	#4
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	One thing that I did notice about the Haradrim; all those critics who complained that Tolkien made the evil races of M-E dark skinned should have no problem with P.J.'s version. The Haradrim were all as white as white can be.<P>And I thought their costumes looked vaguely Samuri-ish.

12-23-2002, 02:43 PM	#5
the mortal elf Wight Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away... Posts: 201	I don't think it was a problem. They didn't make me think of the Middle East, I was in Middle Earth at the time! Actually, (embarrasing thing coming up) When it first showed a few of the Haradrim with the Oliphaunts, while my mind was wandering to other things, it looked like one was wearing a bagpipe! I know, a stupid idea, but it did look for one like a moment. Then it turned out to be some spikey mutilated weapon of death. My mistake __________________ My imaginary friend says you have problems.

12-24-2002, 12:10 AM	#6
The Silver-shod Muse Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The shoulder of a poet, TX Posts: 388	Hehehe...bagpipe.<P>They did appear to be just a bit Star Warsish, but I liked them anyway. The one that falls near the hobbits from the back of the oliphaunt looks distinctly Middle Eastern. Birdland, I'm sure the critics will find something wrong with PJ's ethnics anyway. __________________ "'You," he said, "tell her all. What good came to you? Do you rejoice that Maleldil became a man? Tell her of your joys, and of what profit you had when you made Maleldil and death acquainted.'" -Perelandra, by C.S. Lewis

12-26-2002, 08:49 AM	#7
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 960	Starwarsish bad guys in LOTR? eh? All the Star Wars bad guys are supposed to be dehumanised, identical killing machines. On the contrary, great lengths were gone to to make sure that no two Orcs looked alike. <P>The Haradrim were one of my big disappointments of TTT. In the book they're these big, tough black guys with shiny bronze armour, red flags and gold rings in their ears. Much cooler than those sombre guys in the movie. Apparently they were supposed to look like Saracens (Muslims from the time of the Crusades), but you're right they looked like bedouins, or Iranian women, or something! Maybe PJ supports a war on Iraq??? And the movie is called the Two Towers as well - talk about bad timing! Public Relations Nightmare! __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.

12-26-2002, 08:54 AM	#8
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 960	...whoops, forgot something! I think the main reason they're all whiteys is just a logistical one. I live in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Probably only about 15% of the population could pass as book-Haradrim. And I think that most of TTT was done in the South Island, where you'd be hard pressed to find a hundred available brown faced extras to put into one shot! Regrettable but true. A real shame, though. __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.