Nazguls vs. Eagles in the Black Gate

[Son of Númenor]

Personally, I don't think 9 Eagles could even hope to take down 9 fell beasts, perhaps I'm wrong, but that's always been my opinion.

I think you underestimate Gwaihir's host.

There came Gwaihir the Windlord, and Landroval his brother, greatest of all the Eagles of the North, mightiest of the descendants of Thorondor, who built his eyries in the inaccessible peaks of the Encircling Mountains when Middle-earth was young. Behind them in long siwft lines came all their vassals from the mountains speeding on a gathering wind. Straight down upon the Nazgûl they bore, stooping suddenly out of the high airs, and the rush of their wide wings as they passed over was like a gale.

But the Nazgûl turned and fled, and vanished into Mordor's shadows..." (The Return of the King, "The Field of Cormallen", 927)(italics mine).

I personally enjoyed the scene of the coming of the Eagles and their fight with the Nazgûl. It was one of the more exciting scenes, and the CGI Eagles were incredible.

Also, where did you get the idea that there were nine Eagles pitted against the nine Ringwraiths?

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Yes, I agree that it's not too important a detail. I quite liked the scene, it was an impressive visual. I didn't notice that the Wraith fell off though. Next time I see the movie that's going to bug me.

[piosenniel]

Here's an interesting little thread concerning the wingspan of Eagles:

Big Wings

[The Only Real Estel]

Also, where did you get the idea that there were nine Eagles pitted against the nine Ringwraiths?

No where in particular. In the movies, it appeared to be one Eagle per fell beast, but I assumed there were more. It was more of a comparitive term than anything, if (IMO) 9 eagles couldn't take out 9 ringwraiths, then why were the eagles whipping up with only (from what I could remember seeing) 1-1 odds?

There came Gwaihir the Windlord, and Landroval his brother, greatest of all the Eagles of the North, mightiest of the descendants of Thorondor, who built his eyries in the inaccessible peaks of the Encircling Mountains when Middle-earth was young. Behind them in long siwft lines came all their vassals from the mountains speeding on a gathering wind. Straight down upon the Nazgûl they bore, stooping suddenly out of the high airs, and the rush of their wide wings as they passed over was like a gale.

But the Nazgûl turned and fled, and vanished into Mordor's shadows..." (The Return of the King, "The Field of Cormallen", 927)(italics mine).

Oh I don't pretend to say that the eagles were wimps or wimpy fighters. Obviously Gwhair & co. would be an awesome addition to an army.
The main point here is: Behind them in long siwft lines came all their vassals from the mountains speeding on a gathering wind.

To me, this explains that the Nazgul turned & fled because they were severly outnumbered. I don't doubt that even just 15-20 eagles could do in all the fell beasts (not the wraiths of course), but, by what I saw in the movies, it was implied that there was roughly 1 to 1.

Hopefully I'll be checking again just to be sure tommorrow night (my copy is lent out to my sister & her friends so that they can watch all three of the lotr movies), & if I see more eagles I could be retracting the statements I've made. The EE might show (clearly) that there were more eagles as well. I just had a slight problem with how easily the fell beasts were dispatched of in the theatrical...from what I remember .

[gorthaur_cruel]

Hm...somehow nobody commented on the nazguls falling off the fell beasts, which was my main point.

To me, this explains that the Nazgul turned & fled because they were severly outnumbered. I don't doubt that even just 15-20 eagles could do in all the fell beasts (not the wraiths of course), but, by what I saw in the movies, it was implied that there was roughly 1 to 1.

They turned and fled because Sauron summoned them to try to take the Ring from Frodo, not because they couldn't beat the eagles. It is quite obvious if u quote the entire sentence...

But the Nazgul turned and fled, and vanished into Mordor's shadows, hearing a sudden terrible call out of the Dark Tower.

(italics mine)

If there's still any doubt, there's this line as well:

At his summons, wheeling with a rendering cry, in a last desperate race there flew, faster than the winds, the Nazgul, the Ringwraiths, and with a storm of wings they hurled southwards to Mount Doom

[Bombadil]

I didn't think the Eagles scene was good for those who hadn't read the books. I'm sure it raised many questions amongst movie-goers as to why the Eagles weren't helping prior to the storming of the black gate. And then you'd have to get into a huge discussion on the Eagles and how they stand in Middle-Earth. Headache!


By the way, what's up with the end of the movie when they are carrying frodo and sam away? The Eagle picks up frodo as he's lying on his back. Therefore Frodo is facing up. This is confirmed in the close up when his head is hung backwards. But somehow an eagle flies beneath frodo in that shot- from the looks of it belly up. This would mean the eagle is flying upside down!! Hm...

[Essex]

Also, weren't the Eagles created by Manwe as some form of 'spirit'. i.e. akin to Gandalf's Istari?

Just hunting in the Silmarillion and I've found this about Manwe:

Spirits in the shape of hawks and eagles flew ever to and from his halls; and their eyes could see to the depths of the seas, and pierce the hidden caverns beneath the world. Thus they brought word to him of well nigh all that passed in Arda

And also regarding Manwe again:

Did not thy thought and mine meet also, so that we took wing together like great birds that soar above the clouds? That also shall come to be by the heed of Ilúvatar, and before the Children awake there shall go forth with wings like the wind the Eagles of the Lords of the West.' Then Yavanna was glad, and she stood up, reaching her arms towards the heavens, and she said: 'High shall climb the trees of Kementári, that the Eagles of the King may house therein!'

Also, regarding the size of the Eagles (well ok, at least Thorondor)

For Manwë to whom all birds are dear, and to whom they bring news upon Taniquetil from Middle-earth, had sent forth the race of Eagles, commanding them to dwell in the crags of the North, and to keep watch upon Morgoth; for Manwë still had pity for the exiled Elves. And the Eagles brought news of much that passed in those days to the sad ears of Manwë. Now, even as Fingon bent his bow, there flew down from the high airs Thorondor, King of Eagles, mightiest of all birds that have ever been, whose outstretched wings spanned thirty fathoms; and staying Fingon's hand he took him up, and bore him to the face of the rock where Maedhros hung.

And finally,

Then men grew afraid. 'Behold the Eagles of the Lords of the West!' they cried. 'The Eagles of Manwë are come upon Númenor!'

So I think these few examples show that the Fell Beasts (and the Nazgul, without their Lieutenant) were NO match for the Eagles of Manwe………