Balin, the Little Gandalf

Post by **Passdagas the Brown** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 3:45 pm

One interesting aspect of DOS that I believe improved the film was Balin's role as information depository, negotiator and counselor to Bilbo. In other words, he essentially took over where Gandalf left off (though he did display some of these qualities in AUJ as well, he does more of it, and in a more prominent way, in DoS after Gandalf leaves). This had two main benefits: 1) giving Gandalf a break; and 2) Letting Balin shine - which he does, due to Ken Stott's extraordinary acting.

Though I am sure to miss a few details, here's where I saw Balin essentially filling Gandalf's shoes (note that all quotes are paraphrased from memory):

1. Information dspository: "These are no orc dungeons. They are the prison's of the elves of Mirkwood, and noone leaves them without the Envenking's consent."

2. Negotiator: "Did you make a deal?....No....A deal was our only hope..."

3. Negotiator: Haggling with Bard over gaining access to the barge, entry into Laketown, and acquiring weapons and supplies

4. Information depository: Narrating the backstory of Girion and the dwarvish wind-lance

5. Information depository: "The Desolation of Smaug!"

6. Information depository: "You cannot open it by force! There are strong spells on that doorway!"

7. Information depository: "You have lost the light."

8. Information depository: To Bilbo: "The Arkenstone."

9. Counselor to Bilbo: "You don't have to do it...there's no shame in turning back...

10. Counselor to Bilbo: "It never ceases to amaze me...the courage of hobbits."

11. Counselor to Bilbo: "Oh, and if there is, in fact, a live dragon down there...don't waken it."

12. Information depository: "That, my lad. Was a dragon. Duh!"

I know that's not a lot, and the lines are generally consistent with Balin's character. But...he's quite the little Gandalf, isn't he?

Post by **Dave_LF** » Fri Dec 20, 2013 4:32 pm

The question is, once they make friends with the elves in part 3, will Legolas take over the role?

Post by **Passdagas the Brown** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 9:15 am

Legolas to Bilbo: Do not be too quick to deal out death in judgement, for not even the very wise could have foreseen the resurrection of Smaug by the Necromancer.

Post by **Smaug's voice** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:37 am

A few from AUJ:

Narrates the Moria flashback (and even an exchange of glances with Gandalf when Thorin talks about Azog being dead.)

The "swords are named" sequence in Rivendell.

Balin welcoming Bilbo to the company with a wink. Pure Gandalf-y.

Balin explaining the terms and conditions to Bilbo.

Balin talking about a life of peace and plenty, of value above all the gold in Erebor.

Post by **Passdagas the Brown** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 5:29 pm

He truly is a mini Maia.

Post by **kzer_za** » Sat Dec 21, 2013 11:46 pm

There's a nice little bit of parallel dialogue between Balin and Bilbo.

Dwalin: *Some grumbling about "the bargeman."*
Bilbo: Bard. His name's Bard.

Thorin: I won't risk our lives for a burglar.
Balin: Bilbo. His name is Bilbo.

Post by **Passdagas the Brown** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 1:52 am

Balin comes closest to being a hobbit himself, really!

Post by **anthriel** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 3:50 pm

Passdagas the Brown wrote:He truly is a mini Maia.

I see what you did there.

I LOVED Balin in this movie. PJ made him a much more robust character than I remember from the book, although the foundation of him as counselor was certainly there.

I think I'm a bit of a Balin fangirl, actually.

Post by **Passdagas the Brown** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 4:19 pm

I'm with you, anthy! And I feel it's a bit more of a respectable fan club than Leggy's.

Balin (and Ken Stott, the actor who plays him) is my favorite character, and actor (respectively) across all five films.

Reminds me of my grandma, actually. Just want to give him a big hug!

Sun Dec 22, 2013 4:34 pm

I would say it would make the scene in FOTR more moving, but I wish that it was done with the subtly that Jackson showed in this film.

Post by **Passdagas the Brown** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 4:42 pm

Right - Gimli's frantic crying in Mazarbul didn't do much for me, and that 's doubly a shame in light of how wonderful Balin has been in these films. Tolkien's description of Gimli casting his hood over his head was much better.

Almost makes you want PJ to go back and reshoot it!

Post by **anthriel** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 4:53 pm

Passdagas the Brown wrote:I'm with you, anthy! And I feel it's a bit more of a respectable fan club than Leggy's.

Yep. And it's just like me to fall for the dwarf who was not prettied up for de Fans. Always a rebel, that's me.

Balin (and Ken Stott, the actor who plays him) is my favorite character, and actor (respectively) across all five films.

He is quite perfect.

Post by **Pearly Di** » Sun Dec 22, 2013 4:57 pm

Movie Balin is wonderful.

Don't go to Moria, Balin!

Or you, Ori.

Post by **narya** » Thu Dec 26, 2013 6:39 am

I'm watching the appendix material in the AUJ EE right now - where they are discussing what distinguishes each of the dwarves. Ken Stott says of his character, "Balin is the concierge, he's the adviser." PJ says "You're sort of telling it as it is, you're the voice of Wisdom." Sounds like he got that right

Post by **Passdagas the Brown** » Thu Dec 26, 2013 3:12 pm

narya wrote:I'm watching the appendix material in the AUJ EE right now - where they are discussing what distinguishes each of the dwarves. Ken Stott says of his character, "Balin is the concierge, he's the adviser." PJ says "You're sort of telling it as it is, you're the voice of Wisdom." Sounds like he got that right

I enjoyed that bit. Though Stott says "consigliere" (advisor) not "consierge."

Which is appropriate, given Stott's Italian background (on his mother's side, I believe).

Post by **axordil** » Thu Dec 26, 2013 3:55 pm

Passdagas the Brown wrote:
narya wrote:I'm watching the appendix material in the AUJ EE right now - where they are discussing what distinguishes each of the dwarves. Ken Stott says of his character, "Balin is the concierge, he's the adviser." PJ says "You're sort of telling it as it is, you're the voice of Wisdom." Sounds like he got that right
I enjoyed that bit. Though Stott says "consigliere" (advisor) not "consierge."

Which is appropriate, given Stott's Italian background (on his mother's side, I believe).

That's funny--I don't have the EE, but I thought "consigliere" when I read "concierge." Then I imagined Robert Duvall as Balin.