**RotK - The Dead Army - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Oroaranion · 12-21-2003, 07:10 AM

Was anyone else amzed and impressed at the way the Dead were portrayed by Jackson? They had the aura of ghosts. My disbelieving friend claims it was a really crappy way of winning the War, which to me is insulting his exulted one, Tolkien.[ 8:08 PM December 21, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ]

Phervasaion · 12-21-2003, 10:16 AM

Ye i also thought they were realy well portrayed by Jackson. I realy loved the way they all charged at the orcs at pelennor next to Aragorn Legolas and Gimli.

steve · 12-21-2003, 11:34 AM

I Enjoyed the Way he portrayed the Dead as well, I would have liked it to have had them, well, not green and used a Peligir instead of Minas Tirith like there suposto, but In liked them none the less

Raefindel · 12-21-2003, 12:26 PM

I expected the dead to be really morbid or really disgusting the way most horror films portray the dead. I was pleasantly surprised that they were neither. Jackson did an AWSOME job.

Arothir · 12-21-2003, 01:14 PM

When they attacked at the Pelennor they looked too much like M+M minies.

Kalimac · 12-21-2003, 01:22 PM

I wish they'd been a little less Standard-Horror Green, but otherwise they were very good, and very effective. The part in the cavern when the dead voice mockingly repeats the door inscription back at the three travelers was particularly attention-getting.

Luthien_ Tinuviel · 12-21-2003, 01:44 PM

I expected them as ghostly shadows of men, but they were okay. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I wish they'd been a little less Standard-Horror Green, but otherwise they were very good, and very effective. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>The green surprised me , at first, too, but to quote burra from another thread: "All dead things are green. Didn't you read the books?"

burrahobbit · 12-21-2003, 04:12 PM

I liked the dead in all of the scenes until they took Minas Tirith. But re: the green, cf the Barrow Downs.

FairLadyGoldberry · 12-21-2003, 04:42 PM

I liked the way PJ portrayed the dead but I would have liked to see some close-ups of them fighting. Their quick sweep of the field was cool, but I wanted to see them fight up close!

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 12-21-2003, 04:47 PM

I would have preferred to see them terrorising the Corsairs. I think there were a couple of good shots which showed the terror of the Men of Gondor when faced with a Ringwraith. I would have liked to have seen the Dead with that kind of power.

Luthien_ Tinuviel · 12-21-2003, 04:47 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> But re: the green, cf the Barrow Downs. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I know, but it still applies. Don't forget about Minas Morgul. It makes sense.

Iris Alantiel · 12-21-2003, 06:52 PM

I thought the army of the dead was impressive close up (like on the Paths of the Dead) but when they descended on the battle, they looked like a plague of locusts just sweeping over everything, which I thought was a little bit ridiculous. I would have preferred to see at least a little bit of close-up action of them fighting.

**The Saucepan Man** · 12-21-2003, 07:18 PM

Since there wasn't previously an official thread for the Army of the Dead, this topic has now been designated as such. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> I would have preferred to see them terrorising the Corsairs. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I suspect that this will be in the EE, perhaps with an extended cameo by Jackson. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> I thought the army of the dead was impressive close up (like on the Paths of the Dead) but when they descended on the battle, they looked like a plague of locusts just sweeping over everything, which I thought was a little bit ridiculous. I would have preferred to see at least a little bit of close-up action of them fighting. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I entirely agree, Iris Alantiel. Close up, the Dead were amazing. I loved the way that one minute you were looking at a face, and the next you were looking at the skull behind it. And the Army worked very well, I thought, when not shown too much from afar, such as in the cavern where Aragorn meets the King of the Dead, and the attack at Harlond. But from afar they just looked like a bubbly green mass (ie the "green virus" as they have become known ). I too would have liked to see one or two close up sequences of them attacking at the Pelennor, perhaps routing a few Southron ground troops (who were noticeably lacking, now I come to think of it).

doug*platypus · 12-21-2003, 07:31 PM

Gimli "What's that inscription say? These are the Paths of the Dead. The way is shut. The dead keep it." King of the Dead "I'm dead. The way is shut. The dead keep it. That's them over there. Yes, the dead ones. We're all dead don't you know?"Aragorn "So have you seen the Army of the Dead? That's why we came to the Paths of the Dead."KOTD "Yes, this is where the dead live. That's us. You can tell because we're the dead ones."Aragorn "Captain Obvious, would you like to add anything?"Legolas "No. My job is done."

Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1 · 12-22-2003, 08:08 AM

Doug*platypus! That was so funny!!! I can't say I imagined them as skeletons...and to be perfectly honest with the music and everything, I did suspect Orlando had brought them back with him off the set of Pirates!!! Oh well, the green virus did a great job...(it must be called the GREEN virus to differentiate from the Hobbits- you know, Agent Elrond "Gandalf, your hobbits are a virus"....oh never mind).

Jjudvven · 12-22-2003, 11:20 AM

:PI thought they did a good job with the undead army, although I thought it was a little extremem having them come all the way into Minis Tirith... however, I really liked it when Aragorn released them and they all blew away.

drigel · 12-22-2003, 11:47 AM

I always thought that the image of Aragorn unfurling the flag on the Cosair ship as one of the more memorable moments of the ROTK book. In the movie, it seemed too easy to have them roll up Saurons army at and in Minas Tirith....

12-22-2003, 12:47 PM

It would've been cool if PJ had included a cameo of the 'Rat Monkey' from his film Braindead as one of the undead soldiers pets :0)

Elennar Starfire · 12-22-2003, 01:24 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> and to be perfectly honest with the music and everything, I did suspect Orlando had brought them back with him off the set of Pirates!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes, they did look a bit like those cursed pirates, other than being glowing and green. I think it's a good way to show dead/cursed things, though.

Raefindel · 12-22-2003, 01:55 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Their quick sweep of the field was cool, but I wanted to see them fight up close! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I know it's been a while since I read the book but I don't remember them actually "fighting" in the book, just terrorizing the armies away as they advanced. Maybe I need to go re-read.

Arcuwen · 12-22-2003, 08:58 PM

The paths of the dead really suprised me. I thought that they would make it really hokey, but they portayed the dead well. I too can't imagine them as skeletons. Although I pictured the paths more as a dark valley than a pitch-black cavelike place. The Minas Tirith attack seen wasn't quite what it should have been, with the "green virus" and all. I think everyone would have liked to see the dead fight up close. As for being green, it didn't bother me. I had pictured them as a grayish-blue color before but that's O.K.

12-21-2003, 07:10 AM	#1
Oroaranion Haunting Spirit Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Dol Amroth Posts: 94	**RotK - The Dead Army Was anyone else amzed and impressed at the way the Dead were portrayed by Jackson? They had the aura of ghosts. My disbelieving friend claims it was a really crappy way of winning the War, which to me is insulting his exulted one, Tolkien.<p>[ 8:08 PM December 21, 2003: Message edited by: The Saucepan Man ] __________________ I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed. I felled the black serpent. A grim morn, and a glad day, and a golden sunset!

12-21-2003, 10:16 AM	#2
Phervasaion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The wilderness of Middle-Earth Posts: 306	Ye i also thought they were realy well portrayed by Jackson. I realy loved the way they all charged at the orcs at pelennor next to Aragorn Legolas and Gimli. __________________ Phervasaion

12-21-2003, 11:34 AM	#3
steve Wight Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Edoras... er, Philadelphia Posts: 191	I Enjoyed the Way he portrayed the Dead as well, I would have liked it to have had them, well, not green and used a Peligir instead of Minas Tirith like there suposto, but In liked them none the less __________________ MAGIC SHOP! Spells of Mass Destruction 20% off! Today Only!

12-21-2003, 12:26 PM	#4
Raefindel Sword of the Spirit Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,323	I expected the dead to be really morbid or really disgusting the way most horror films portray the dead. I was pleasantly surprised that they were neither. Jackson did an AWSOME job. __________________ Blessed be the Lord my Strength, Who trained my hands for war and my fingers to fight. Psallm 144:1

12-21-2003, 01:14 PM	#5
Arothir Wight Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: the Realm of Nargothrond beyond Narog Posts: 163	When they attacked at the Pelennor they looked too much like M+M minies. __________________ Then Felagund upon the head of Arothir set it: "Nephew mine, till I return this crown is thine."

12-21-2003, 01:22 PM	#6
Kalimac Candle of the Marshes Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Flyover Country Posts: 780	I wish they'd been a little less Standard-Horror Green, but otherwise they were very good, and very effective. The part in the cavern when the dead voice mockingly repeats the door inscription back at the three travelers was particularly attention-getting. __________________ Father, dear Father, if you see fit, We'll send my love to college for one year yet Tie blue ribbons all about his head, To let the ladies know that he's married.

12-21-2003, 01:44 PM	#7
Luthien_ Tinuviel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2002 Location: A very lovely tree-hut in the Chunnel. Posts: 804	I expected them as ghostly shadows of men, but they were okay. <P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I wish they'd been a little less Standard-Horror Green, but otherwise they were very good, and very effective. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>The green surprised me , at first, too, but to quote burra from another thread: "All dead things are green. Didn't you read the books?" __________________ I am a nineteen-year-old nomad photographer who owns a lemonade stand. You know what? I love Mip.

12-21-2003, 04:12 PM	#8
burrahobbit Hidden Spirit Join Date: May 2000 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,430	I liked the dead in all of the scenes until they took Minas Tirith. But re: the green, cf the Barrow Downs. __________________ What's a burrahobbit got to do with my pocket, anyways?

12-21-2003, 04:42 PM	#9
FairLadyGoldberry Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: The Old Forest Posts: 20	I liked the way PJ portrayed the dead but I would have liked to see some close-ups of them fighting. Their quick sweep of the field was cool, but I wanted to see them fight up close! __________________ So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

12-21-2003, 04:47 PM	#10
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,916	I would have preferred to see them terrorising the Corsairs. I think there were a couple of good shots which showed the terror of the Men of Gondor when faced with a Ringwraith. I would have liked to have seen the Dead with that kind of power. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

12-21-2003, 06:52 PM	#12
Iris Alantiel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Valinor Posts: 97	I thought the army of the dead was impressive close up (like on the Paths of the Dead) but when they descended on the battle, they looked like a plague of locusts just sweeping over everything, which I thought was a little bit ridiculous. I would have preferred to see at least a little bit of close-up action of them fighting. __________________ Above all shadows rides the Sun and Stars forever dwell: I will not say the Day is done, nor bid the Stars farewell. -- Samwise Gamgee

12-21-2003, 07:18 PM	#13
The Saucepan Man Corpus Cacophonous Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: A green and pleasant land Posts: 8,436	Since there wasn't previously an official thread for the Army of the Dead, this topic has now been designated as such.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> I would have preferred to see them terrorising the Corsairs. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I suspect that this will be in the EE, perhaps with an extended cameo by Jackson.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> I thought the army of the dead was impressive close up (like on the Paths of the Dead) but when they descended on the battle, they looked like a plague of locusts just sweeping over everything, which I thought was a little bit ridiculous. I would have preferred to see at least a little bit of close-up action of them fighting. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I entirely agree, Iris Alantiel. Close up, the Dead were amazing. I loved the way that one minute you were looking at a face, and the next you were looking at the skull behind it. And the Army worked very well, I thought, when not shown too much from afar, such as in the cavern where Aragorn meets the King of the Dead, and the attack at Harlond. But from afar they just looked like a bubbly green mass (ie the "green virus" as they have become known ). I too would have liked to see one or two close up sequences of them attacking at the Pelennor, perhaps routing a few Southron ground troops (who were noticeably lacking, now I come to think of it). __________________ Do you mind? I'm busy doing the fishstick. It's a very delicate state of mind!

12-21-2003, 07:31 PM	#14
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 961	<I>Gimli</I> <BR>"What's that inscription say? These are the Paths of the <B>Dead</B>. The way is shut. The <B>dead</B> keep it." <P><I>King of the Dead</I> <BR>"I'm <B>dead.</B> The way is shut. The <B>dead</B> keep it. That's them over there. Yes, the <B>dead</B> ones. We're all <B>dead</B> don't you know?"<P><I>Aragorn</I> <BR>"So have you seen the Army of the <B>Dead</B>? That's why we came to the Paths of the <B>Dead</B>."<P><I>KOTD</I> <BR>"Yes, this is where the <B>dead</B> live. That's us. You can tell because we're the <B>dead</B> ones."<P><I>Aragorn</I> <BR>"Captain Obvious, would you like to add anything?"<P><I>Legolas</I> <BR>"No. My job is done." __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.

12-22-2003, 08:08 AM	#15
Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1 Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Up a tree somewhere in Caras Galadhon...or England Posts: 364	Doug*platypus! That was so funny!!! <BR>I can't say I imagined them as skeletons...and to be perfectly honest with the music and everything, I did suspect Orlando had brought them back with him off the set of Pirates!!! Oh well, the green virus did a great job...(it must be called the GREEN virus to differentiate from the Hobbits- you know, Agent Elrond "Gandalf, your hobbits are a virus"....oh never mind). __________________ '"Forweg can lead you no longer; for he is dead...I slew him...I will govern this fellowship now, or leave it." "As it was when he joined us, so it is again. He kills to make room."'

12-22-2003, 11:20 AM	#16
Jjudvven Wight Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Land to the West Posts: 154	:P<P>I thought they did a good job with the undead army, although I thought it was a little extremem having them come all the way into Minis Tirith... however, I really liked it when Aragorn released them and they all blew away. __________________ "I don't know all of you as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you, half as well as you deserve."

12-22-2003, 11:47 AM	#17
drigel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: commonplace city Posts: 518	I always thought that the image of Aragorn unfurling the flag on the Cosair ship as one of the more memorable moments of the ROTK book. <P>In the movie, it seemed too easy to have them roll up Saurons army at and in Minas Tirith....

12-22-2003, 12:47 PM	#18
Hithlum Guest Posts: n/a	It would've been cool if PJ had included a cameo of the 'Rat Monkey' from his film Braindead as one of the undead soldiers pets :0)

12-22-2003, 01:24 PM	#19
Elennar Starfire Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: May 2003 Location: Nowhere...now here Posts: 987	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> and to be perfectly honest with the music and everything, I did suspect Orlando had brought them back with him off the set of Pirates!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Yes, they did look a bit like those cursed pirates, other than being glowing and green. I think it's a good way to show dead/cursed things, though. __________________ Don't let me die!

12-22-2003, 01:55 PM	#20
Raefindel Sword of the Spirit Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,323	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Their quick sweep of the field was cool, but I wanted to see them fight up close! <BR> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>I know it's been a while since I read the book but I don't remember them actually "fighting" in the book, just terrorizing the armies away as they advanced. Maybe I need to go re-read. __________________ Blessed be the Lord my Strength, Who trained my hands for war and my fingers to fight. Psallm 144:1

12-22-2003, 08:58 PM	#21
Arcuwen Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: In your pocket Posts: 23	The paths of the dead really suprised me. I thought that they would make it really hokey, but they portayed the dead well. I too can't imagine them as skeletons. Although I pictured the paths more as a dark valley than a pitch-black cavelike place. The Minas Tirith attack seen wasn't quite what it should have been, with the "green virus" and all. I think everyone would have liked to see the dead fight up close. As for being green, it didn't bother me. I had pictured them as a grayish-blue color before but that's O.K. __________________ . . : Green-Eyed Monster : . . Melamin... Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au'