A diversion!

A diversion!
Your favourite quotes from the books or the films.... bring them here! Once again, explain why you like them. Unless it's obvious, for example no-one could fail to love the title quote, right?! :shock:

Probably one of my favourite quotes of all time, and not just from Fellowship Of The Ring, is the one that Gandalf says to the Balrog on the bridge of Khazad-Dum... "You cannot pass. I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow! YOU CANNOT PASS!" For some reason, in the film version, they changed it to "shall not pass". I'm not sure which I prefer but the way that Ian McKellen speaks it in the film sends shivers down my spine. I think it's a fantastic piece of dialogue.

Two others worthy of mention, both from The Two Towers movie, that I think are delivered brilliantly. The first one is spoken by Wormtongue to Eowyn in the film (although in the book it is Gandalf who says it of Eowyn in Return Of The King) and I think it's probably his best piece of dialogue in the whole film. "But who knows what you have spoken to the darkness, alone, in the bitter watches of the night, when all your life seems shrinking, and the walls of your bower closing in about you, a hutch to trammel some wild thing in?" The second one is spoken by Gandalf to Wormtongue in both the book and film version of The Two Towers. It's just a brilliant put down and really puts Wormtongue in his place, another great piece of dialogue from Ian McKellen. "A witless worm you have become. Be silent, and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a serving-man till the lightening falls."

Probably one of my favourite quotes of all time, and not just from Fellowship Of The Ring, is the one that Gandalf says to the Balrog on the bridge of Khazad-Dum... "You cannot pass. I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. You cannot pass. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow! YOU CANNOT PASS!" For some reason, in the film version, they changed it to "shall not pass". I'm not sure which I prefer but the way that Ian McKellen speaks it in the film sends shivers down my spine. I think it's a fantastic piece of dialogue. I was going to include this, or the film version anyway. It was watching this scene, at about 5 in the afternoon, Wednesday, December 19th, 2001, that I knew I was watching my favourite film, something truly remarkable. The entire scene from entering Dwarrowdelf to leaving Moria is my favourite sequence from any film, but this particular moment is the standout. I also get shivers down my spice, it's just remarkable. I actually prefer the way it is in the film. "You cannot" seems to imply that the Balrog is simply incapable of passing, "You shall not" is Gandalf's way of saying he won't let him, it's more defiant. Two others worthy of mention, both from The Two Towers movie, that I think are delivered brilliantly. The first one is spoken by Wormtongue to Eowyn in the film (although in the book it is Gandalf who says it of Eowyn in Return Of The King) and I think it's probably his best piece of dialogue in the whole film. "But who knows what you have spoken to the darkness, alone, in the bitter watches of the night, when all your life seems shrinking, and the walls of your bower closing in about you, a hutch to trammel some wild thing in?" The second one is spoken by Gandalf to Wormtongue in both the book and film version of The Two Towers. It's just a brilliant put down and really puts Wormtongue in his place, another great piece of dialogue from Ian McKellen. "A witless worm you have become. Be silent, and keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a serving-man till the lightening falls." Two more great choices. Reading the first one. I can't possible imagine any scenario in which Gandalf would be a better choice to speak these words than Eowyn. This comes from not reading the books fully but it seems so perfect in the films, it will be interesting when I read it. That second one, again wonderful, and McKellen says the words with such hatred. I think I prefer this version to that in the film, it's even more insulting!

A few more of my favourites from the films. This one from Aragorn after Boromir has died. "They will look for his coming from the White Tower, but he will not return" I don't know why, I just think its lovely. It might have something to do with the fact that, by this time, I'm already weeping buckets, and it doesn't help that Aragorn is crying when he says this. It's just a fitting send off I think. Two more, the first from Theoden, the second said by Aragorn "Éomer, take your éored down the left flank. Gamling, follow the King's banner down the centre. Grimbold, take your company right after you pass the wall. Forth, and fear no darkness! Arise, Arise, Riders of Theoden! Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin, and the world's ending! Death! "Sons of Gondor, of Rohan, my brothers. I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day. An hour of wolves and shattered shields when the Age of Men comes crashing down. But it is not this day. This day we fight! By all that you hold dear on this good earth, I bid you stand, Men of the West!" Of course, a good speech, whether it be in books or films should inspire and rouse, not just the characters but the audience as well, and these do that wonderfully. With Theoden's speech, it's intercut slightly with Eowyn and Pippin, and at the end they both ride off shouting "Death", which helps with the overall effect of the speech, and the whole scene has The Ride Of The Rohirrim music playing, without a doubt one of the finest pieces of music I've ever heard. It all helps to create something that’s immensely powerful and moving. By the time Aragon gives his words, I'm just so wrapped up in the films he could have read the instructions for a dishwasher and I still would have been in awe. It's a great speech, showing, not for the first time but probably the most obvious time, just how Aragorn has changed since we first saw him, accepting his duties as King, united the lands of Gondor and Rohan and leading his men into battle and almost certain doom. I could go on and on, so I'll just mention one more. "For Frodo" Two simple words filled with unbearable sadness. Just thinking about it now is making me all emotional.

"It'll be spring back in the Shire... the fields will be blossoming, and the birds'll be nesting, and they'll be planting the summer barley in the lower fields, and they'll be eating the first of the strawberries with cream. Do you remember the taste of strawberries, Mr. Frodo?"; "No, Sam. I can't recall the taste of food, nor the sound of water, nor the touch of grass. I'm naked in the dark... there's nothing, no veil between me and the wheel of fire, I can see him with my waking eyes!"; "Then let us be rid of it! I can't carry the ring for you, but I can carry you!" I know it's obvious but I can't even read that without tears springing to my eyes. It's just Sam's strength and his desperation as he see what the Ring doing to the friend he loves. It's at this moment that Sam becomes a true hero, because he refuses to give up and stop hoping. I also like Frodo's line, I prefer it the way it's written in the book, but I find it a really powerful image. It speaks volumes about darkness and terror and it sums up Frodo's state of mind. "Go back Sam, I'm going on alone" "Of course you are, and I'm coming with you" "I made a promise Mr Frodo, a promise. Don't you leave him, Samwise Gamgee, and I don't mean to. I don't mean to" Another one that shows Sam as the hero he is. I love this scene.

"A pint? You mean these things come in pints!"

The Secret Diary of Legolas, son of Weenus Day One: Went to Council of Elrond. Was prettiest person there. Agreed to follow some tiny little man to Mordor to throw ring into volcano. Very important mission - gold ring so tacky. Day Four: Boromir so irritating. Why must he wear big shield like dinner plate all the time? Climbed up Caradhras but wimpy humans who cannot walk on snow insisted we climb back down. Am definitely prettiest member of the Fellowship. Go me! Day Six: Far too dark in Mines of Moria to brush hair properly. Am very afraid I am developing a tangle. Orcs so silly. Still the prettiest. Day Ten: Gandalf fell into shadow. In other news, I think I am developing a spot on my nose. V. serious situation, as Elven spots likely to last for 500 years or more. Still prettiest, despite blasted spot. Day Eleven: In Lothlorien. Suspect Galadriel may be prettier than me. Also, am quite sure she copied my hairstyle. I was wearing that same look at least 1,000 years ago. Silly bint. She was most annoyed that I used her mirrored fountain to take a nice bubble bath. I choose to ignore her claim that my hair clogged her drain. Not one strand of my hair has fallen out in 800 years, why would it start now? Still prettiest by far. Day 30: All this paddling about in boats is hell on my complexion. Aragorn obviously starting to find Frodo strangely attractive. Sam will kill him if he tries anything. Still the prettiest. Day 33 : Boromir tempted by Ring. So tedious. Cannot be tempted myself, as already have everything I want i.e. perfect hair and a butt like granite. Have been getting very strange letters from someone calling herself "Stacey" who wants to do obscene things to my elfhood. Fortunately have super-duper elf vision so can run away if I see her coming. Day 35: Boromir dead. Very messy death, most uncessesary. Did get kissed by Aragorn as he expired. Does a guy have to get shot full of arrows around here to get any action? Boromir definitely not prettier than me. Cannot understand it. Am feeling a pout coming on. Frodo off to Mordor with Sam. Tiny little men caring about each other, rather cute really. Am quite sure Gimli fancies me. So unfair. He is waist height, so can see advantages there, but chunky braids and big helmet most offputting. Forsee dark times ahead, very dark times.

I don't recall that in any of the films *gives stern look*

What? *looks innocent*

giggles butt like granite giggles

Hehe, there are secret diaries for all the Fellowship members aren't there? Maybe we should make a spoof thread in here, some of them are funny. I went to see the LOTR Musical the other night and I kept expecting them to sing "they're taking the hobbits to Isenguard!" :-P Another brilliant quote, sadly only in the Extended Editions. "Smeagol lied" I love that quote, in two words it sums up Gollum's tragedy, that he will never be free of the ring.

Hehe, there are secret diaries for all the Fellowship members aren't there? Maybe we should make a spoof thread in here, some of them are funny. I went to see the LOTR Musical the other night and I kept expecting them to sing "they're taking the hobbits to Isenguard!" :-P Another brilliant quote, sadly only in the Extended Editions. "Smeagol lied" I love that quote, in two words it sums up Gollum's tragedy, that he will never be free of the ring. You saw the musical! I'm jealous. I really want to see it, doubt I'll be able to though. But now that you've reminded me about that song I'm chckling away merrily. I think there are diaries for all the Fellowship members. I know I read a few a couple of years ago. Good fun. Gollum has some great lines in the film, helped greatly by the way Serkis provides the voice. His delivery is just fantastic.

"I was there 3000 years ago" No idea why really but I love the way Elrond delivers this line to Gandalf. Maybe because it sounds so ludicrous but is true!

A couple more from me that I think are worth including after re-watching The Two Towers recently... "Where is the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow; The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow." I think this is a wonderfully emotional piece of dialogue said by Theoden before the battle of Helm's Deep. The way the words are combined with the montage of scenes showing the effect that Saruman's plans are having on Middle Earth is a part of the film that seems to go largely unnoticed. "My business is with Isengard tonight, with a rock and stone. Rarum-rum! Come, my friends. The ents are going to war. It is likely that we go to our doom: The last march of the ents!" Treebeard's finest hour in both the book and the film. His lines in the film combined with Howard Shore's music are excellent and one of my favourite parts of the movie (even more so in the extended cut).

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