Drinking Contest: Any Support From the Books?

[Beanamir of Gondor]

Besides the four hundred screaming Legolas fangirls that would bomb PJ's house if Legolas passed out and PJ let Gimli win?

Anyway, when did PJ start caring about what happened in the book?

Sorry, that was a major dig. I know, it's all Fran Walsh's fault.

[The Saucepan Man]

Welcome to the Downs, Snorri Swifthammer. Do I detect in your name a vested interest here?

And I know that in the Hobbit, that the dwarves escape after the elven guards pass out drunk on wine.

Good point. I bet that Gimli could have outdrunk Galion.

Given that the EEs are supposedly meant to be a "bonus" for the Tolkien fans, it does seem strange that Jackson and co should include this totally gratuitous scene, which is clearly directed towards mass audiences rather than book fans, in the EE having chosen to omit it from the theatrical cut.

Then again, I did think that it was rather funny.

[Snorri Swifthammer]

Vested interest? Never!

Actually the interest is more in proving my friend wrong who seems to think elves should be immune to alll poisons (meaning they can't be drunk).

I found the scene funny too (Gimli's drinking song was great). That doesn't mean I think Legolas should have won though.

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Snorri Swifthammer

Actually the interest is more in proving my friend wrong who seems to think elves should be immune to alll poisons (meaning they can't be drunk).

Well, you can prove your friend wrong by reference to Elrond's wife, Celebrian, who was poisoned by Orcs after being captured by them. The poison affected her to the extent that it required Elrond's skill to heal her, although he was unable to heal her spiritual wounds and she departed to the Undying Lands shortly thereafter.

[Snorri Swifthammer]

Originally posted by: The Saucepan Man
Well, you can prove your friend wrong by reference to Elrond's wife, Celebrian, who was poisoned by Orcs after being captured by them.

I completely missed that! Thanks.

[Neithan]

Yes. This scene, even more than others, made me grit my teeth. It is so wrong. When PJ made these movies he apparently decided that he could do away with the personalities of both Legolas and Gimli. He decided to make Legolas into an action hero/heart throb who, is apparantly unbeatable and almost to the level of a god (mummakil). And Gimli they reduced to the comic relief character (as if a Dwarf were anything to laugh at!).

[Ainaserkewen]

My own feelings aside about this scene, the real questions is whether or not an Elf could beat a Dwarf at drinking.

What evidence do we have? Elf guards get smashed in the Hobbit, although I'm inclined to think it was probably really strong wine and they had a lot with the intent on getting drunk. I also remember Legolas mention his fondness of wine at Isenguard so I've come to the conclution that the Elves of Mirkwood, Silvan and Sindarin alike probably really like wine. So I could argue that Legolas would have a high tolerance after how many centuries of grand Elven parties.

Facts aside, I love that scene. Only because if you watch the cast commentary with it, you'll learn that most of Gimli's antics are improv and Orlando admits to being a "light weight" when it comes to drinking. I think Dominic says something like "He has a little and he's yours."

it does seem strange that Jackson and co should include this totally gratuitous scene

It's all in good fun Saucepan Man, didn't you like seeing the characters in this particular setting? It's like good fanfiction, only...you know, not written or done by amatures.

[alatar]

I didn't like the scene. It was another that had me thinking, "PJ, you can waste time on this drivel but you felt the need to cut real LOTR book content."

Plus, the Hobbit suggests that elves can get smashed, and though Dwarves drink, I can't remember ever reading of one getting toasted (except by a dragon, of course).