Eagles of The Hobbit (Spoilers)
- Thread starter Maxtro
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Haven't had the money to see it this month but I know exactly what films eagle rescues occour in and who complains of it.Maxtro said:
The book has been out for several decades, I think it's safe to assume that most people who want to watch the movies here have read the books. If they haven't, they deserve getting the spoiler because the books are awesome.
The only plausible explanation is that the eagles are obscenely proud as a race, and don't like being ridden. I think this was mentioned once or twice? Still doesn't explain why they couldn't hold the ring in the trilogy and take it to mount doom...no hobbits required.
The only plausible explanation is that the eagles are obscenely proud as a race, and don't like being ridden. I think this was mentioned once or twice? Still doesn't explain why they couldn't hold the ring in the trilogy and take it to mount doom...no hobbits required.
1. It's what happened in the book.
2. The Great Eagles are not wild beasts. They are very proud creatures, perhaps even vain. They certainly would not degrade themselves by acting as common mounts to be summoned whenever a person darn well pleases.
3. Ride the eagles to Erebor? Yes, that's obviously a smart thing to do when there's a bad tempered Dragon living there. Worth mentioning that the Company's quest(in the book) was actually burglary, not slaying Smaug. The latter was a desire, certainly, but not something that was considered a main objective.
4. That would be extremely boring.
2. The Great Eagles are not wild beasts. They are very proud creatures, perhaps even vain. They certainly would not degrade themselves by acting as common mounts to be summoned whenever a person darn well pleases.
3. Ride the eagles to Erebor? Yes, that's obviously a smart thing to do when there's a bad tempered Dragon living there. Worth mentioning that the Company's quest(in the book) was actually burglary, not slaying Smaug. The latter was a desire, certainly, but not something that was considered a main objective.
4. That would be extremely boring.
Probably because the Eagles would be just as susceptible to the Ring's corruption as anybody else. The bearer would certainly not have the will to destroy it(you could argue that nobody does), but rather claim it for itself.Esotera said:
I've heard the eagle pride thing mentioned before as a theory, but it's never talked about in the movie.Esotera said:
All I needed was one dwarf to ask, "Gandalf, why not start with the Eagles?"
"You silly dwarf, they'd eat you if you rode for too long."
That would have been enough.
1.Not an excuse.Mr Cwtchy said:
2. Not mentioned in the movies.
3. The whole reason for the trek to Erebor is that Smaug hasn't been seen there for a very long time, and could have left.
4. Agree with you there. IMO it would have been great if they started on Eagles, and were attacked by Smaug or a member of his brood if he had any. That would basically spell out that going by air isn't safe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_(Middle-earth)Maxtro said:
Seems to show they're a proud race, but Tolkien also thought that eagles suddenly turning up in the Shire would be stupid as they live really far away. And there's also the possibility that the flying Nazgul will obliterate them...they could probably have explained it better though.
1. Suit thyself.Maxtro said:
2. Doesn't stop it from being true though.
3. If that is what is said in the movie, fine(have not seen it myself yet). However, unless I'm much mistaken that is not how it went in the book. They knew Smaug was there, and they wanted revenge. But as killing a dragon is hardly an easy feat, they settled to stealing from him instead. Not the best thoughtout plan, but they are Dwarves. Don't exactly have the best history of decision making("Hey, let's mine to the deepest part of the Earth! Nothing bad could possibly happen!").
4. As I recall Smaug was one of the last of the 'Great Dragons'. Not sure exactly what that means, but it's possible that there were weaker dragons about somewhere.
2 is really important to me, because many people haven't read the books so the only lore to go by is what happened in the movies. And in them, the Eagles just show up, and then leave with no discussion.Mr Cwtchy said:
3. The books seem different than the movies in this part. There is no plan to fight Smaug and they keep mentioning signs that he might be away. That's how they finally decided to start the quest, that the dragon could be gone.
4. I'm sure that's entirely possible. And an attack from lesser dragons could still decimate the eagles.
Maybe the dwarves are afraid of heights?
Or they simoply feared a group of giant eagles might attract too much attention?
+ Eagles are proud etc...
Or they simoply feared a group of giant eagles might attract too much attention?
+ Eagles are proud etc...
2. Eagles never spoke in the films(maybe it was too hard to do the CGI), so I suppose it was hard to show their feelings about anything. Not sure how they could convey something like that non-verbally. An off-hand comment by Gandalf could work I guess.Maxtro said:
3. If that is the case then it's certainly different from the book. I suspect that was changed because stealing(even if it's from a thief) isn't very 'heroic'. Certainly not to the degree of 'reclaiming your homeland'.
4. Oh yeah, easily. Doubt eagles could even scratch them.
Apologies if I come off as a lore snob. It's certainly not the intention.
I like what you've done with your avatar, very subtle!Smolderin said:
On topic, As has been said, the Eagles are proud, and weren't going to let themselves be ridden like pack animals by a bunch of smelly dwarves, especially since they were on some foolhardy get rich quick scheme to piss off a dragon. Gandalf commanded some respect from them, being an extremely old and important wizard which is pretty much the only reason they bothered to help them out.
If that was not mentioned in the film then that's a bit of a shame, but I wouldn't call it a plot hole, it's easily explained elsewhere, and that explanation hopefully is not contradicted in the film (haven't seen it... yet.)
While Sauron was still alive he'd have seen them coming and sent the Nazgul after them or any of many minions. It's only after he's dead they can rescue the hobbits.Esotera said: