Galadriel Quote

[Sami]

"The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air. Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it."

What does nobody remember? Aren't there lots of characters in middle earth who remember pretty much everything that has gone on for the past 3000 years? including galadriel herself.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Good question.

The line is taken out of context. As I recall, Treebeard uses the first part of it --water, earth, air -- in the book to suggest that the light is returning to Middle-earth (proven correct with the defeat of Sauron).

The film uses it awkwardly, and it's exacerbated with the additional line about no-one now living who remember things that are lost. It's a meaningless sentence which amounts to: certain things that some people used to know were not passed on to other people and are thus lost to current knowledge. Might as well say: people die.

In a film featuring several characters with extra-long life, it's particularly odd.

[Folwren]

She couldn't just say, "People die." How good would that sound? I think it would have been more appropriate to have written the line, "For few now live who remember it" because, as you say, there are couple characters who remember it first hand - Galadriel, Elrond - and several who know of it second hand or more - Aragorn, Gandalf, Saruman, Denethor. Several had forgotten it, but it wasn't lost altogether.

But, really, a lot of times, the main purpose of cool sounding quotes in a movie is purely for how cool they sound, and not for any other purpose. Think about half of Legolas' lines - "A diversion!" "This is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, you owe him your alliegance." (How was Boromir supposed to know who on earth Arathorn was?)

Just my thought.

[Puddleglum]

Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim

The line is taken out of context. As I recall, Treebeard uses the first part of it --water, earth, air -- in the book to suggest that the light is returning to Middle-earth.

You're certainly right that was taken out of context (PJ did that a fair amount).

I think, however, that Treebeard's intent was sadness at the changing, not hope in returning light. In the fuller quote Treebeard is speaking to Galadriel & Celeborn

It is sad that we should meet only thus at the ending. For the world is changing: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, and I smell it in the air. I do not think we shall meet again.

To which Celeborn says he doesn't know and Galadriel says not until the lands under-the-wave (ie, Beleriand) are lifted up

Then in the willow meads of Tasarinan we may meet in the spring.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

You're right, Puddleglum. I was posting without checking the book.

Folwren, I wasn't suggesting using that line - the point was that both are just as bad!

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Folwren

But, really, a lot of times, the main purpose of cool sounding quotes in a movie is purely for how cool they sound, and not for any other purpose. Think about half of Legolas' lines - "A diversion!"

I think those "Captain Obvious" lines are meant to be for the benefit of audience members who haven't been paying attention.

But as for your main point– no, it's not unusual in adaptations for "cool" lines to be given to a different character, sometimes in a context which changes the meaning altogether.

[jcarry]

HY every one how are you here i am sharing some information with you.

Galadriel: It began with the forging of the Great Rings. Three were given to the Elves; immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Seven, to the Dwarf Lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of Men, who above all else desire power. For within these rings was bound the strength and the will to govern over each race. But they were all of them deceived, for a new ring was made. In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret, a master ring, to control all others. And into this ring he poured all his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life.

[Morthoron]

I find failed spam the most amusing of all.