Is Elvish for Sissies?

bropous · 02-14-2002, 03:56 PM

I was reading an article with the Elven coach for the LotR films, and he relates this anecdote:

"We are walking from one set to another, and John Rhys-Davies (who plays Gimli) thunders by. He is a large man, and clearly on an errand of some urgency. We catch up and pace him, and I am introduced together with my role on the film. "Elvish???" he bellows, "A language for sissies!!! You should learn Dwarvish! Now there's a language for you!!!" And he quickens his pace, and is gone."

Interesting!

http://www.lordoftherings.net/bweld/bweld_text.html

bropous · 02-14-2002, 03:59 PM

Hmmm. Another couple of interesting paragraphs:

"Later, we sit and watch the filming, in the top room of the tower of Cirith Ungol. The scene is trimmed to its essentials. The dialog is not always Tolkien's, but I have to return to the book to be sure, the spirit is so close. I get to hear one of my favorite lines: "You can't go walking in the Black Land in naught but your skin, Mr. Frodo." The essence of Sam. Peter gives the dialog a subtext. Sam is thinking, 'I'm going to destroy that thing that's causing you so much pain -- by myself if that's what's needed.'

"They spend all day on this bit, so critical to the emotional arc of the story. In the end, Sean Astin as Sam delivers the line with weariness, grief, determination, courage, and love. I leave with tears in my eyes."

LuthienTinuviel · 02-14-2002, 04:04 PM

isn't that same thing in the "how-they-made-the-movie" officail book thing?

i remember reading it somewhere, but i can't remember where, and i know it's not from the net.

hmm

spidersbane · 02-14-2002, 10:57 PM

It depends on whether one considers being intelligent the same as being a sissie. John Rhys-Davies should perhaps consider the intricicity of Elvish compared to Dwarvish, which shows Tolkiens
love of the language, then ask if he consideres Tolkien a sissie?

FrodoFriend · 02-14-2002, 11:01 PM

NO languages are for sissies! Learning an language are an total hard thing! C? One gotta is tough!

Arathorn · 02-15-2002, 01:14 AM

i believe this is unfair. elvish is for non-sissies as well! Why should they have all the fun?

***anduin*** · 02-15-2002, 01:59 AM

Perhaps he was just staying in character.

bropous · 02-15-2002, 03:11 PM

I agree, anduin. John Rhys Davies realy makes a character come alive, and boy howdy did he ever do a great job as Gimli! I jsut thought his statement that elvish is for sissies to be such a perfect quote from the actor chosen to play Gimli! Loved the scene in Rivendell at the council where he yells, "I will die before I see it in the hands of an elf! Never trust an elf!" and spittle goes flying all over. also loved the part of "eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox.....oooo! oooo!"

Davies is a fantastic actor, and a guy with a good sense of humor!

Arathorn · 02-15-2002, 08:31 PM

I wonder how he'll do treebeard's voice. I imagine it to be deep yet smoother than gimli's which was nicely done. I liked the way he talked about Balin's hospitality just bfore his angquish at Moria ("Malt beeeer")

Starr Polish · 02-16-2002, 12:54 AM

I agree, he was probably trying to stay in character. I want to be an actress (yeah, yeah, I know...) and have acted some minor parts, but you still try to get into them.

My last role was a neurotic, stupid chicken. Yes, an actual literal ANIMAL chicken.

aldesign · 02-16-2002, 11:06 AM

Arathorn.... is John Rhys Davies going to do Treebeards voice?

Arathorn · 02-16-2002, 11:15 AM

yup! Saw a text excerpt on one of the other sites where he explains how difficult it is to talk that slow after doing Gimli.

02-14-2002, 03:56 PM	#1
bropous EIDRIORCQWSDAKLMED DCWWTIWOATTOPWFIO Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 1,176	Is Elvish for Sissies? I was reading an article with the Elven coach for the LotR films, and he relates this anecdote: "We are walking from one set to another, and John Rhys-Davies (who plays Gimli) thunders by. He is a large man, and clearly on an errand of some urgency. We catch up and pace him, and I am introduced together with my role on the film. "Elvish???" he bellows, "A language for sissies!!! You should learn Dwarvish! Now there's a language for you!!!" And he quickens his pace, and is gone." Interesting! http://www.lordoftherings.net/bweld/bweld_text.html __________________ "...[The Lord of the Rings] is to exemplify most clearly a recurrent theme: the place in 'world politics' of the unforeseen and unforeseeable acts of will, and deeds of virtue of the apparently small, ungreat, fogotten in the places of the Wise and Great (good as well as evil). A moral of the whole (after the primary symbolism of the Ring, as the will to mere power, seeking to make itself objective by physical force and mechanism, and so also inevitably by lies) is the obvious one that without the high and noble the simple and vulgar is utterly mean; and without the simple and ordinary the noble and heroic is meaningless." Letters of JRR Tolkien, page 160.

02-14-2002, 03:59 PM	#2
bropous EIDRIORCQWSDAKLMED DCWWTIWOATTOPWFIO Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 1,176	Hmmm. Another couple of interesting paragraphs: "Later, we sit and watch the filming, in the top room of the tower of Cirith Ungol. The scene is trimmed to its essentials. The dialog is not always Tolkien's, but I have to return to the book to be sure, the spirit is so close. I get to hear one of my favorite lines: "You can't go walking in the Black Land in naught but your skin, Mr. Frodo." The essence of Sam. Peter gives the dialog a subtext. Sam is thinking, 'I'm going to destroy that thing that's causing you so much pain -- by myself if that's what's needed.' "They spend all day on this bit, so critical to the emotional arc of the story. In the end, Sean Astin as Sam delivers the line with weariness, grief, determination, courage, and love. I leave with tears in my eyes." __________________ "...[The Lord of the Rings] is to exemplify most clearly a recurrent theme: the place in 'world politics' of the unforeseen and unforeseeable acts of will, and deeds of virtue of the apparently small, ungreat, fogotten in the places of the Wise and Great (good as well as evil). A moral of the whole (after the primary symbolism of the Ring, as the will to mere power, seeking to make itself objective by physical force and mechanism, and so also inevitably by lies) is the obvious one that without the high and noble the simple and vulgar is utterly mean; and without the simple and ordinary the noble and heroic is meaningless." Letters of JRR Tolkien, page 160.

02-14-2002, 04:04 PM	#3
LuthienTinuviel protector of orphaned rabbits Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kalamazoo... yes, its a real place! Posts: 1,236	isn't that same thing in the "how-they-made-the-movie" officail book thing? i remember reading it somewhere, but i can't remember where, and i know it's not from the net. hmm __________________

02-14-2002, 10:57 PM	#4
spidersbane Hobbit Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Shire Posts: 42	Is elvish for sissies? It depends on whether one considers being intelligent the same as being a sissie. John Rhys-Davies should perhaps consider the intricicity of Elvish compared to Dwarvish, which shows Tolkiens love of the language, then ask if he consideres Tolkien a sissie? __________________ For the less even as for the greater there is some deed that he may accomplish but once only; and in that deed his heart shall rest. — Feanor, from the Quenta Silmarillion. "Never give a sword to a man who can't dance" (Celtic Proverb) "Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't."

02-14-2002, 11:01 PM	#5
FrodoFriend Halfwitted Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Eryn Vorn Posts: 1,659	NO languages are for sissies! Learning an language are an total hard thing! C? One gotta is tough! __________________ Fingolfin lives! ... in my finger! The Crossroads of Arda - Warning. Halfwit content. Not appropriate for people with IQ of over 18. The Fellowship of the Message Board Nyáréonié - The Tale of Tears

02-15-2002, 01:14 AM	#6
Arathorn Bard of Mangled Songs Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West of Middle Earth...oh alright...Manila Posts: 2,679	i believe this is unfair. elvish is for non-sissies as well! Why should they have all the fun? __________________ Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible. -Missionaria Protectiva, Frank Herbert *Accio, Ash Nazg!* Elennuru s?la lúmenn' omentielvo* (The Death Star shines on the hour of our meeting) - Darth Arathorn Put aside the ranger... Start looking for Mumakil action figures... Last edited by Arathorn : 02-15-2002 at 01:19 AM.

02-15-2002, 01:59 AM	#7
*anduin* Entwife Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: louisville Posts: 3,718	Perhaps he was just staying in character.

02-15-2002, 03:11 PM	#8
bropous EIDRIORCQWSDAKLMED DCWWTIWOATTOPWFIO Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 1,176	I agree, anduin. John Rhys Davies realy makes a character come alive, and boy howdy did he ever do a great job as Gimli! I jsut thought his statement that elvish is for sissies to be such a perfect quote from the actor chosen to play Gimli! Loved the scene in Rivendell at the council where he yells, "I will die before I see it in the hands of an elf! Never trust an elf!" and spittle goes flying all over. also loved the part of "eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox.....oooo! oooo!" Davies is a fantastic actor, and a guy with a good sense of humor! __________________ "...[The Lord of the Rings] is to exemplify most clearly a recurrent theme: the place in 'world politics' of the unforeseen and unforeseeable acts of will, and deeds of virtue of the apparently small, ungreat, fogotten in the places of the Wise and Great (good as well as evil). A moral of the whole (after the primary symbolism of the Ring, as the will to mere power, seeking to make itself objective by physical force and mechanism, and so also inevitably by lies) is the obvious one that without the high and noble the simple and vulgar is utterly mean; and without the simple and ordinary the noble and heroic is meaningless." Letters of JRR Tolkien, page 160.

02-15-2002, 08:31 PM	#9
Arathorn Bard of Mangled Songs Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West of Middle Earth...oh alright...Manila Posts: 2,679	I wonder how he'll do treebeard's voice. I imagine it to be deep yet smoother than gimli's which was nicely done. I liked the way he talked about Balin's hospitality just bfore his angquish at Moria ("Malt beeeer") __________________ Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible. -Missionaria Protectiva, Frank Herbert *Accio, Ash Nazg!* Elennuru s?la lúmenn' omentielvo* (The Death Star shines on the hour of our meeting) - Darth Arathorn Put aside the ranger... Start looking for Mumakil action figures... Last edited by Arathorn : 02-15-2002 at 08:34 PM.

02-16-2002, 12:54 AM	#10
Starr Polish Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slow down and I sail on the river, slow down and I walk to the hill Posts: 2,389	I agree, he was probably trying to stay in character. I want to be an actress (yeah, yeah, I know...) and have acted some minor parts, but you still try to get into them. My last role was a neurotic, stupid chicken. Yes, an actual literal ANIMAL chicken. __________________ “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” –Bertrand Russell

02-16-2002, 11:06 AM	#11
aldesign Elven Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Uk Posts: 447	Arathorn.... is John Rhys Davies going to do Treebeards voice? __________________ The funniest story on the net, made by entmoot fanatics, visit it @ FOTMB.com FRODO LIVES!! GET FREE AVATARS HERE!

02-16-2002, 11:15 AM	#12
Arathorn Bard of Mangled Songs Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West of Middle Earth...oh alright...Manila Posts: 2,679	yup! Saw a text excerpt on one of the other sites where he explains how difficult it is to talk that slow after doing Gimli. __________________ Power attracts the corruptible. Absolute power attracts the absolutely corruptible. -Missionaria Protectiva, Frank Herbert *Accio, Ash Nazg!* Elennuru s?la lúmenn' omentielvo* (The Death Star shines on the hour of our meeting) - Darth Arathorn Put aside the ranger... Start looking for Mumakil action figures...

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