Is Aragorn as you pictured him?

[alatar]

What I liked about Sean Bean's Boromir is that the actor exudes a natural charisma that makes him appear 'approachable.' You could see yourself drinking or fighting alongside this Boromir. Viggo's Aragorn is less so. I like Viggo's work, but he comes off as reserved, as does his character. Note that it is he that sits and watches as Boromir interacts with the Two Fools when they learn a bit of swordplay while journeying south towards Caradhras.

Viggo couldn't be too young, as one would never believe that he was 87. Too old, and you start thinking that he's not really performing any of his own stunts, and is just too old to be tossing dwarves about.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Well, Tolkien opined that Aragorn would have appeared to be "a weather-beaten forty-five," so Viggo was probably about right age-wise.

I thought that he made a great Strider. Yet as a more kingly Aragorn it was not quite as convincing, but still pretty good. I was more impressed with his character than most others, and since most were good, that says a lot.

[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by alatar

What I liked about Sean Bean's Boromir is that the actor exudes a natural charisma that makes him appear 'approachable.' You could see yourself drinking or fighting alongside this Boromir. Viggo's Aragorn is less so. I like Viggo's work, but he comes off as reserved, as does his character. Note that it is he that sits and watches as Boromir interacts with the Two Fools when they learn a bit of swordplay while journeying south towards Caradhras.

However, book wise, both Boromir and Aragorn have a noble air about them, and most likely both of them would seem to the common folk less approachable - I credit Tolkien artist Catherine Karina Chmiel with this opinion that is now also my own. You could picture Boromir walking about the streets of Gondor, respected, but not somebody you could just go up to and pat on the back, as Jackson portrays Boromir in his Two Tower's deleted scene at Osgiliath. Same with Aragorn, he was definitely not approachable in Bree. Aragorn wasn't supposed to really be everybody's pal. Neither was Boromir.

On the subject of Bean portraying Aragorn- I can't see it working. I think Viggo fit the part better. Sean Bean did an amazing job with Boromir, I just can't see him as Aragorn. I like Viggo's portrayal, but if we are to start saying names on who would make a great Aragorn, I would suggest Liam Neeson. He has an Aragorn like face (from the books as I picture) and I think his acting would have been great for the character.

[MatthewM]

Check out Liam Neeson's biography and pictures here- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000553/

[Sir Kohran]

Originally Posted by MatthewM

Check out Liam Neeson's biography and pictures here- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000553/

Hm, choosing Qui-Gon Jinn for Aragorn might have generated too much gossip (remember the whole 'Agent Elrond' thing?).

[Morthoron]

The thing most everyone is missing is Aragorn's nickname: Strider. He was very tall and lanky as the name implies (his ancestor, Elendil, was said to be 6'11'' and tallest of all the Dunedain). This is not a physical quality Viggo posesses (I believe he's 5'11"). In fact, it seemed other characters were taller than he. Also, he did not portray the grimness Tolkien instilled in Aragorn (and the rest of the Dunedain, like Halbarad, for instance). Viggo came off wishy-washy and irresolute, which were not characteristics of Aragorn either (this I blame on the script mostly).

I would agree that Liam Neeson fits Tolkien's description much better, but unfortunately, Hollywood cuteness prevailed.

[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

The thing most everyone is missing is Aragorn's nickname: Strider. He was very tall and lanky as the name implies (his ancestor, Elendil, was said to be 6'11'' and tallest of all the Dunedain). This is not a physical quality Viggo posesses (I believe he's 5'11"). In fact, it seemed other characters were taller than he. Also, he did not portray the grimness Tolkien instilled in Aragorn (and the rest of the Dunedain, like Halbarad, for instance). Viggo came off wishy-washy and irresolute, which were not characteristics of Aragorn either (this I blame on the script mostly).

If interested, Tolkien gives a (pretty much) accurate height for both Aragorn and Boromir in an unpublished note located at the Bodleian Library in Oxford-

"Aragorn, direct descendant of Elendil and his son Isildur, both of whom had been seven feet tall, must nonetheless have been a very tall man…, probably at least 6 ft. 6; and Boromir, of high Númenorean lineage, not much shorter (say 6 ft. 4)." (p. 229 of The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion)

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by MatthewM

If interested, Tolkien gives a (pretty much) accurate height for both Aragorn and Boromir in an unpublished note located at the Bodleian Library in Oxford-

"Aragorn, direct descendant of Elendil and his son Isildur, both of whom had been seven feet tall, must nonetheless have been a very tall man…, probably at least 6 ft. 6; and Boromir, of high Númenorean lineage, not much shorter (say 6 ft. 4)." (p. 229 of The Lord of the Rings: A Reader's Companion)

Precisely. Thanks for the timely back-up (there is also a concise summary of Gondorion/Dunedain heights and measurements in the UT)! However, watch the movie...it seems several of the other characters are slightly taller or of the same height as Aragorn. I guess P.J. just wanted all the Hollywood-handsome faces in the same headshots, camera angle-wise.

[Hilde Bracegirdle]

Originally Posted by Morthoron

I would agree that Liam Neeson fits Tolkien's description much better, but unfortunately, Hollywood cuteness prevailed.

Ah, but Mr. Neeson is as cute as a rather large button, though perhaps not a stern enough or grim enough one.

[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by Sir Kohran

Hm, choosing Qui-Gon Jinn for Aragorn might have generated too much gossip (remember the whole 'Agent Elrond' thing?).

Lol, it's true. Although I still think he would have made a good Aragorn, looks and acting wise.