The Scouring of the Shire | Tolkien Explained

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Күн бұрын

The Lord of the Rings book ends much differently from the Peter Jackson films. In reality, the hobbits return home to find the Shire ravaged. The battle for Middle-earth may have been won, but the battle for the Shire is about to begin!
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Leaving the Shire - Ted Nasmith
Storming the Bank - Ted Nasmith
The Shire - Ralph Damiani
Saruman of Many Colors - Tolman Cotton
Isengard - Ivan Cavini
Saruman is Overtaken - Ted Nasmith
Overtaking Saruman - JG Jones
Saruman - Catherine Karina Chmiel
Saruman - John Howe
Shire Map - Maxime Plasse
The Scouring of the Shire - Tolman Cotton
The Floating Log - Matej Cadil
Crickhollow - Matej Cadil
The Hobbits - CK Goksoy
Scouring of the Shire - Donato Giancola
Saruman - Steve Airola
Bag End Door - Matej Cadil
Frodo's Dream of Earendil - Anke Eissmann
Saruman Corruption - Donato Giancola
The Shire - John Howe
Saruman with the Palantir - Kuliszu
Gandalf, A Light in the Dark - Matthew Stewart
Frodo and Boromir - Anke Eissmann
Saruman and Palantir - Angus McBride
Frodo - Alan Lee
Frodo - Soni Alcorn-Hender
Battle of Dol Guldur - WETA
Saruman's Doubt - Donato Giancola
Frodo and the Witch-king - John Howe
Wormtongue - Steve Airola
Death of Saruman - Ivan Cavini
Sam's Garden Box - Matej Cadil
Hobbiton - Aronja Art
Sam's Mallorn Tree- Matej Cadil
The Shire: A View of Hobbiton from the Hill - Ted Nasmith
Arrival at Bag End - Anke Eissmann
#tolkien #lordoftherings #hobbit

Пікірлер: 761

@NerdoftheRings 2 жыл бұрын

Nerd of the Rings is now on TWITCH! Follow me at twitch.tv/thenerdoftherings for all kinds of nerdy gaming & streaming!

@cabenmckendrick5163 2 жыл бұрын

Yay! I cant wait to catch some streams

@speedyspeeds 2 жыл бұрын

Are you able to share the source of the music used for your videos? I reallyyyyyy love that one deep violin song.

@frankbarnwell____ 2 жыл бұрын

What if.... Samwise Gamgee kept The Ring? Bill, his carnivorous pony?

@ffxiarcadius 2 жыл бұрын

do one on "the Drums in the Deep . ."

@mediaman271 Жыл бұрын

What is the music at 1:37-4:02?

@concertunes156 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite bit in "The Scouring of the Shire" is when the Chief Shirriff darkly threatens Our Heroes with being thrown into the Lockholes. Our Heroes, who have faced cosmic horrors, simply laugh in his face, much to his confusioin.

@theharper1 2 жыл бұрын

It also wasn't mentioned in the video that the shirrifs were made to follow the ring bearer in embarrassment.

@mcdaveyt666 2 жыл бұрын

My fav too

@MrClickity 2 жыл бұрын

For real, the whole bit is pretty funny. They'd all faced more danger and hardship than most people could even begin to comprehend and made it out the other side, only to have some pompous little idiot try to order them around. Of course their reaction is going to be "Haha, okay. Whatever you say, dude, now get out of my way."

@brandtbollers3183 Жыл бұрын

Being Mounted and Armed in Armour Helps.Always.

@Restil Жыл бұрын

@@theharper1 No, he made all the sheriffs march up front while they followed on ponies.

@starry-mantle 2 жыл бұрын

The Scouring also features the redemption arc of Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, who got thrown in jail for whacking a ruffian with her umbrella.

@marionbaggins 2 жыл бұрын

Forget Gollum, Lobelia had the Best Character Arc!!!

@TheLordAnnatar 2 жыл бұрын

and also given Bag End back to Frodo after she was released.

@CantankerousDave 2 жыл бұрын

Lucky for him that he wasn’t a scallywag.

@Raz.C 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLordAnnatar I don't know if that part was an act of redemption, or merely a sign of defeat.

@Omnilatent 2 жыл бұрын

@@TheLordAnnatar AND donated all her other belongings for healing the Shire!

@justanothervoice2538 2 жыл бұрын

As much as I appreciate the purpose of the Scouring of the Shire in the books, I have always defended its omission from the movies. Not only was it the only practical decision, but the way Jackson showed the heroes returning to an extremely underwhelming homecoming and finding themselves so changed by their experiences that their home is no longer home to them is just as tragic as if that home had been taken away. Both endings speak to the experiences of different war veterans of different times, but both are equally poignant.

@mbryson2899 2 жыл бұрын

The only practical decision? How so?

@yeahyeah3atweb 2 жыл бұрын

@@mbryson2899 lord of the rings is already know to have a ludicrous long screen time over all 3 films, the scouring would have added another 30-45min.

@mbryson2899 2 жыл бұрын

@@yeahyeah3atweb It's ludicrously long because PJ added scenes and padded battles. He was far, far worse with The Hobbit, though.

@NathanCassidy721 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah The Critical Drinker did a podcast on the LOTR trilogy and pointed out that the Scouring would have just been too bleak for the high of the movie. And I always found it a weird inclusion in the book as it seems like the only reason it was there was to give Saruman and Grima an ending.

@gianna526 2 жыл бұрын

I enjoy reading it in the book, but I agree. I absolutely love when they come back to the Shire and they realize it hasn't changed in the slightest, but they're all too traumatized and changed to go back to their old selves, especially Frodo and Sam. Tolkien is able to still have that even with the Scouring of the Shire but he has a lot more space and room to talk about it. He can literally write exactly what the character is thinking, that's how books work so it's easier to get insight into how they're feeling. In movies the character either has to think it to themselves, like a voiceover, or tell it to someone else. That doesn't always make sense and sometimes it looks very odd. I'm glad they didn't try to do it, as I'm glad they didn't attempt Tom Bombadil. He's just too unique and Tolkienish for just anyone to adapt, even Peter Jackson who adapted nearly every other character very well.

@grandadmiralzaarin4962 2 жыл бұрын

The Scouring of the Shire is my favorite part of the LotR. Specifically because it shows how you can't ever really go home, that change affects everyone eventually and it's particularly important for showing just how far the Hobbits have grown as characters in that they free the Shire on their own efforts rallying those around them without aid from the outside.

@71simonforrester 2 жыл бұрын

Very true, it was bittersweet. They go home as heroes but not as the people they were. Forever apart from their people due to such different life experiences.

@legion6211 2 жыл бұрын

@@71simonforrester If the dunadil rangers didn't leave the shire wouldn't be sacked

@Smallpotato1965 2 жыл бұрын

it was also a great observation about the world Tolkien lived in, at the moment he wrote that chapter. After WWII, Britain had won. The 'Mordor' and 'Sauron' of its day defeated. But Britain still had NINE YEARS of food rationing while it donated money to Germany to rebuild and feed it while many a British city had bombed ruins from the Blitz until well into the Fifties. The desillusion of the citizens and returning soldiers, seeing their beloved homeland in tatters, their economy bled dry, their citizens on a rationed diet, and their country paying off debt for the next seventy years must've been real bitter.

@pickerpete7701 Жыл бұрын

Well said! Push forward!

@RandomVidsforthought Жыл бұрын

@@Smallpotato1965 It's disillusion not desillusion

@CreeperIan02 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, it's crazy how truly evil Saruman was by this point. Feeling no guilt.

@Eowyn3Pride 2 жыл бұрын

"All you have to decide is what to do with the time that's been given to you..."

@untruelie2640 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, he had fallen down the same abyss as Melkor and Sauron before him. They all wanted to rule over others and to decide the fate of the world. An endless hunger for domination, tyranny and destruction, that's how Tolkien defines evil. It begins with Melkor's uprising in the Ainulindalë and it ends with Saruman's demise, but it really doesn't stop there, as Tolkien wrote. The evil brought to the world by Morgoth and Sauron and their servants is still there...

@Eowyn3Pride 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrRenanHappy He has become worse than Gollum in the quest for the ring. Gollum just wanted the ring, Sauruman wanted power and dominion. He wanted to be THE most powerful...perhaps like Eru Illuvatar...

@SlashinatorZ 2 жыл бұрын

Since count dooku had a video explaining how he was the good guy I'm hoping to hear how saruman was secretly good

@TemperedMedia 2 жыл бұрын

Yet it still saddens me reading the cold eastward wind rejecting the spirit of Saruman. A terrible end for a once-noble Maiar.

@coolbrotherf127 2 жыл бұрын

I think it's worth mentioning that the "cold wind from the West" was meant to show that Saruman would never again enter the undying lands or exist with the other Istari in the spiritual realm because of his betrayal. He would either exist as barely a spirit forever on middle earth or just pass into the void like Morgoth did.

@painlord2k 2 жыл бұрын

His doom was, like Sauron, to be a spirit forever unable to influence the world he is trapped in.

@srccde Жыл бұрын

@@painlord2k Sauron's spirit is nothing more than a cloud of evil easily blown away by even the weakest of winds. He can't even form one coherent thought. Saruman, however, is probably experiencing his fate rather consciously which, arguably, is much worse.

@thegamingpigeon3216 11 ай бұрын

Meh, I'm kind of torn. If they could give Morgoth of all people another chance, who isn't worthy of one? It's true, Saruman did some dastardly, despicable things, but I can see after a period of exile and damnation, his spirit being allowed to go into the west to atone for what he had done.

@chrismessy1002 10 ай бұрын

@@thegamingpigeon3216honestly. That's an age old question. Do we give the person who did horrible things a second chance or do we cut off their ability to because of how bad whatever they did was?

@nordvestgaming1238 4 ай бұрын

@@thegamingpigeon3216 I'd argue its because he already was given many second chances, but threw them all away. He was given the chance to repent and walk free at Isengard by Gandalf, which he refused. He had a chance to change when he convinced the Ents to let him leave Isengard, he could have at minimum just dissapeared to some far corner of Middle Earth never to be seen or heard from again, didn't even neccessarily need to become a good guy again, but instead he goes on to take over and start corrupting the Shire. And then finally Frodo gives him another chance to once again just leave despite the pain and suffering he caused, which he pretends to take but instead attacks Frodo and procceeds to tell him how much he hates him for having pity on him. Saruman not only discarded multiple chances to at bare minimum just leave and not bother anyone again, but also hated that in the end he was shown mercy and given a chance to leave instead of having revenge taken upon him by the hobbits, he didn't want redemption or another chance he just wanted to continue a cycle of seeking revenge. Its hard to give someone another chance when they have repeatedly denied such an offer already.

@thekiss2083 Жыл бұрын

Don't forget the ways in which all 4 hobbits grow into their post-war roles as capable leaders! Merry and Pippin use their military experience to win huge victories and save hobbit lives. Sam organizes the community and motivates everyone which foreshadows his role as mayor. And Frodo advocates for radical kindness, even when revenge would be easier and more popular, because even his horrifying journey hasn't robbed him of his moral goodness.

@anakinskywalker8859 2 жыл бұрын

What I like about this is how mature Frodo has become. His empathy and mercy for Saruman reflects on his mercy and empathy towards Smeagol/Gollum. He recognizes that not everybody can be saved; learning from that he couldn't gave Gollum even when he tried and realized that without him, the ring wouldn't be destroyed.

@KS-xk2so Жыл бұрын

All Frodo wants now is peace.... shame he can never truly have it in Middle Earth.

@sandal_thong8631 Жыл бұрын

Who knows what dreams of domination the Ring gave him as he carried it? I would think that's why he doesn't want to fight either, and helps stop hobbits from killing those who surrendered.

@Sproeikoei Жыл бұрын

I bet you hated the sandy bits though

@frankshailes3205 Жыл бұрын

Gandalf recognised in (some) hobbits not just physical hardiness., but incredible mental resilience and potential.

@derrickbartledoo2680 11 ай бұрын

"You are under arrest for breaking of rules!" Sam: "I could break the president in two with my bare hands"

@untruelie2640 2 жыл бұрын

In this year, many Hobbit children with blond hair were born as well, although this hair colour was quite rare in the Shire. Galadriel was blond as well... I think it's a nice thought that (effectively) the last thing that Galadriel did with her powers and her ring in Middle Earth was to heal the Shire and its people and to make them prosper. She couldn't save Lórien from its final decay, but at least she made the life of the Hobbits better for generations to come.

@llamatreee Жыл бұрын

Aryan hobbits rise up.

@haileeraestout5567 Жыл бұрын

@@llamatreee I Believe The Hobbits Were In Hyrule When Sauron's Power Was Growing

@julielevinge266 Жыл бұрын

But how did the soil of Lorien retain any of its elvish power???

@untruelie2640 Жыл бұрын

@@julielevinge266 Why did the elvish rope Frodo and Sam used retain its power? How did the elvish boat prevent Boromir's body from being crushed after the fall from the Rauros? Because elves can create extraordinary things (well, extraordinary for us, the second-born children) and Galadriel was a particularly powerful individual, with the help of a ring or without.

@frankshailes3205 Жыл бұрын

@@julielevinge266 Magic.

@anotherhuman8173 2 жыл бұрын

Saruman the White, greatest of the Istari, loremaster, Lord of Isengard and would-be rival of Sauron, reduced to vengeful pettiness and a nasty end. Tolkien does a masterful job of showing where pride leads. I also like how Saruman's death is almost like a mini-version of Sauron's, giving further evidence that the wizards are Maiar.

@bladeandsoulandnetmarble136 2 жыл бұрын

Someone is request a picture 😽

@MrClickity 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, it really shows just how far he fell before the end. Reduced to a petty bully with nothing but pointless revenge left.

@bladeandsoulandnetmarble136 2 жыл бұрын

😏 : Hmm.. So.. Is it the same?? 😼 : I will not make the same for my story 😽 Yuhuhuh... Why I must following this story for make my own story?? This story is been take by the lord of the rings.. But my story?? Will be claimed by me!! 😼.

@bladeandsoulandnetmarble136 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrClickity 😼 : Listen to me!! Don't use another story for telling my story!! If you want to see my method, then try to find and read it.. 😽 Yuhuhuh...

@bladeandsoulandnetmarble136 2 жыл бұрын

@@MrClickity 😏 : So.. Did you right or left??

@marteeoh 2 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite things about frodo is how he is a man who has tasted corruption and seeing how that affects the way he treats other antagonists. It is, of course, most prominent with his empathy for gollum, but his mercy for Saruman also reflects that understanding of corruption and his desire to see it undone

@ricj101 2 жыл бұрын

Good point, never thought of this: the empathy that comes with coming to the edge of abyss.

@WasabiSniffer 2 жыл бұрын

As much as I can appreciate this portion of the novels, as a reflection of their own growth and newfound strength, a reflection of their sense of forgiveness, their return in the films to a place untouched is still well done as well. Like anyone returning from war or any traumatic experience, finding your home, once a familiar place rendered unfamiliar still seemed very effective. For a place you fought so hard to save remained so. The scouring of the shire is like finding no corner of the world was safe from the war of the ring, but it also feels like one last desperate attempt at a long lost cause.

@ricj101 2 жыл бұрын

I agree. I like both versions. I think by the time of the release of the films it was also very politically relevant for the audience.

@lytsedraak 2 жыл бұрын

I agree with that. While the movies show a very different ending, it was also a good one.

@timber72 Жыл бұрын

Cannot disagree more. The greatest act that Frodo ever did was to show Saruman mercy. It was the capstone of Frodo's arc. He very nearly destroyed all of Middle Earth under the power of the One Ring, and mere chance...and mercy...saved them all. But this was personal to Frodo. The world he knew was lying in ruins, his kin murdered, his home invaded and defiled. This was the final test, the last great challenge that Frodo faced...and he did it without the influence of the Ring. He showed Saruman mercy, after Saruman had done all these things AND tried to kill him. Even after all of that...Frodo showed him mercy. That was Frodo's greatest test, and Tolkien's proof that he had passed and could go to the West, having triumphed over himself. The films...among many other things...robbed us of that.

@niftygrower2745 Жыл бұрын

@@timber72 And then there was Tauriel 😂

@CathieSoli Жыл бұрын

I disagree. Putting this in the movie would have been much better.

@IndyCrewInNYC 2 жыл бұрын

I remember seeing a glimpse of it in "Fellowship" in Galadriel's mirror and being super excited about seeing it...then I realized it was but a tiny sliver of meat dangled before me.

@jeromebirth2693 2 жыл бұрын

I thought the same thing about the scenes Frodo saw in the water (mirror), but was disappointed when none of those visions came to pass.

@CybershamanX 2 жыл бұрын

I think if they did it, it would have made the loooong ending in RotK better. Oh, well. 😕

@_Hamler 2 жыл бұрын

@@CybershamanXNo. Just no. The ending in ROTK was already long as hell.

@CybershamanX 2 жыл бұрын

@@_Hamler Of course it would definitely need further editing to trim down the long loving looks and soft focus scenes of things that could be shortened or removed entirely. 😉

@takatamiyagawa5688 2 жыл бұрын

@@jeromebirth2693 Galadriel framed it as something that would happen in the event of failure. What did you expect?

@GabePlaysYT 2 жыл бұрын

Theres something so incredibly sad and petty of Sarumon that, with so many of his ambitions foiled by Hobbits, he would travel to The Shire just to stir up trouble one last time. He has nothing really to gain any more with The One Ring gone, Saurons defeat and Aragorns rise. Gandalf, Galadriel and company literally pass him on the road and dont bother with him. Had he chosen to adopt a new life in the Fourth Age, he may have earned forgiveness from the Free Peoples or at least made a small measure of peace for himself. Instead, he burns even that chance and is karmically killed by Grima and is forbidden from returning to the West. What a fall from grace from who was supposed to be one of Middle-Earth's greatest champions.

@painlord2k 2 жыл бұрын

Remember the Witch-King spared Grima life because he senses he had an important part to play in the future.

@KS-xk2so Жыл бұрын

Petty is the right word. Especially when you remember that by the end his men weren't even building things anymore, just chopping down trees and corrupting nature to truly poison and destroy the Shire as much as they could, as some kind of pathetic victory over the Hobbits when they returned. Saruman, the mightiest of the Istari, was reduced to this. Pathetic.

@sandal_thong8631 Жыл бұрын

He had done far worse than Gríma, Wormtongue, who might have accepted Frodo's mercy had not Saruman told them he killed Lotho.

@elainechubb971 Жыл бұрын

@@sandal_thong8631 And possibly eaten him ... I think Grima was too proud to accept Frodo's mercy; after ruling Theoden and through him Rohan. Grima was another character who thought he was great, but really was a nasty little worm.

@sandal_thong8631 Жыл бұрын

@@elainechubb971 Sadly, whatever Tolkien felt about life in the real world, in Middle Earth no one who turns to evil or wickedness (other than a moment's temptation) ever repents and turns back. The reasoning is that the shadow of Morgoth is still on Middle Earth.

@faustomadebr 2 жыл бұрын

If in the movie, we would see Merry and Pippin as tall and strong hobbits...

@petersheffer3482 2 жыл бұрын

Agreed! It would have been nice to see their evolution. Especially Pippen’s

@douglasharley2440 2 жыл бұрын

imo, the scouring of the shire is maybe the most important part of the "lord of the rings" trilogy...the hobbits had gone off to foreign lands, and literally helped save the world, but then they have to return home alone, and do all the hard and deadly work of cleaning-up the lingering messes, all by themselves, but empowered by their infinite growth. thanks, love this channel!

@ultrainstinctgrey9184 2 жыл бұрын

It's cheesy and doesn't fit at all,completly unnecessary

@douglasharley2440 2 жыл бұрын

@@ultrainstinctgrey9184 lol, it's a good thing no one gaf what you think.

@Ratchet2431 2 жыл бұрын

@@ultrainstinctgrey9184 Unnecessary? It's a vital part of the novel. I would dare to say that it is the most important.

@sandal_thong8631 Жыл бұрын

@@Ratchet2431 Yes. It was what Tolkien said he experienced coming home from World War One, and essential to his vision. Also important as the Hobbits must now grow up and watch their own borders while the Rangers who survived go home and work on the northern kingdom of Arnor.

@elainechubb971 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for bringing that up. There's the brief scene when Gandalf parts from the hobbits as he heads off to visit Tom Bombadil, and Frodo is dismayed--but Gandalf says they don't need him anymore, because they have basically been training to save and lead the Shire during all their adventures. They've been able to take off their training wheels!

@etinarcadiaego7424 2 жыл бұрын

Merry: "I should have killed you when I had the chance!" Saruman: "Butchya DIDN'T!"

@namewastaken2496 2 жыл бұрын

Frodo showing mercy to Saruman countless times, almost made me shed a tear. Nice video again my man.

@jessepollard7132 Жыл бұрын

should read the entire text - as Sam put one grain of dust with each tree he planted, and each tree grew as if 10 years had passed in one year, then took the rest of the dust to the farthing stone and threw it all into the air - which then spread the dust throughout the shire with the following year having the biggest harvests known.

@michaelleitner1245 2 жыл бұрын

Your 'Tolkien explained' videos are absolutely great. You just became my first membership channel.

@NerdoftheRings 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching and for your support!!

@jamesjoseph1249 2 жыл бұрын

This was always my favorite chapter in the book (especially after having served in the military). It's great to see the hobbits understand how much they've grown. It reminds me of the line about the ents, "The ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong." The hobbits realized that they had become formidable.

@ofb1583 2 жыл бұрын

That was well done. It is so good to hear Tolkiens work properly rendered, with his tinge of genuine sadness at a homecoming horribly marred by the effects of war. Just as he had been upon his return from war. I've always found the refusal of the maiar's return to Valinor in the west to be a wonderful ending. Whistful longing denied as an immortal tastes oblivion, so poignant. Only sorrow being the lack of an appendix with a full description of the re-uniting of Sam & Frodo plus possibly Gimli, Legolas & Bilbo in Valinor.

@untruelie2640 2 жыл бұрын

I think Frodo and Sam were already dead when Legolas and Gimli sailed into the west. Keep in mind that Frodo was already 50 years old at the time of the War of the Ring. His life and youth had been presevered by the One Ring, but this effect was over after its destruction. Legolas and Gimli departed Middle Earth in the year of Aragorn's death, 4A 120. Frodo (and the others) left in 3A 3021, 120 years earlier. Hobbits live long lives, but not THAT long. Sam left in 4A 62, when he was already 102 years old. I doubt that he lived to see the arrival of Gimli and Legolas 59 years later. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think that the Hobbits and Gimli were actually allowed to set foot on Aman. The undying lands are prohibited for mortals, regardless of their rank or achievements. I think they came to Tol Eressa, where they lived the rest of their lives before eventually dying. Except for Gandalf and the elves of course.

@theharper1 2 жыл бұрын

@@untruelie2640 I understood that as the ringbearers, Frodo and Sam were allowed to travel into the west to healing and immortality. I'm not sure what your basis is for a different conclusion. 🤔

@spangelicious837 2 жыл бұрын

@@theharper1 Healing yes, if it was possible; immortality no. A lot of people get confused because Valinor is also called the Undying Lands, but a mortal traveling there would not become immortal. In fact, it's unlikely Frodo would still be alive when Sam sailed, much less Bilbo.

@theharper1 2 жыл бұрын

@@spangelicious837 again, what's your basis for that? You may be right, but where did Tolkein write that?

@untruelie2640 2 жыл бұрын

@@spangelicious837 Exactly. When Arwen said "Go to the west in my place", she meant that Frodo would be allowed to travel the "straight path" that was only meant for the elves to leave the bent Arda. But while Valinor (or the whole of Aman) doesn't make you immortal yourself, it is still prohibited for mortals to set foot on it. Remember, this was the crime of Ar-Pharazôn and his army. The second children of Illúvatar (humans and Hobbits) as well as his adopted children (the dwarves) were given the gift of death, to be able to leave the circles of the world. The Valar couldn't take that gift from them simply because they had possessed a ring of power for some time.

@ransombaggins9301 2 жыл бұрын

The Scouring of the Shire is one of my favorite parts of the entire legendarium. I still listen to the audio version read by Rob Inglis regularly. Love it! Also, while it is a climactic "coming of age" for the Hobbits, it's an incredible account of the downfall of Saruman...especially for those who truly understand who he is and what he was. Talk about a fall.

@nerdyempress6745 2 жыл бұрын

Please give a listen to BBC’s radio drama. It’s the best rendition of LOTR I’ve ever heard. You’ll love it. 12 hours of awesome voice acting.

@ransombaggins9301 2 жыл бұрын

@@nerdyempress6745 I have that one, too! I think I have or have listened to all of them. Obviously it's abridged, but the performance and production are fantastic.

@johnboyer594 Жыл бұрын

I also listen to that part regularly!

@markusklein1029 Жыл бұрын

That's actually my favorite chapter in the book.

@johnquach8821 2 жыл бұрын

Scouring of the Shire: Saruman's Failed Second Attempt at Industrialization

@godocs11 2 жыл бұрын

I've always wondered what would have happened if Saruman repented and joined the Company.

@Duiker36 2 жыл бұрын

At what point? Because part of the tragedy of Saruman is that he had *so many* opportunities to turn from his path: when he first trapped Gandalf, when his staff was broken, and when they met on the road. He could have turned aside, and been a formidable ally. His help was less needed each time, but not for lack of want from Gandalf's party. Each time, he could have gained esteem by sacrificing his pride, and each time he declined.

@godocs11 2 жыл бұрын

@@Duiker36 A fun discussion to be had for certain. I think it would have to come once he was defeated at Isengaurd and had a showdown with Gandalf and perhaps instead of Grima throwing the palantir, Saruman turned it over and then he used his powers to deceive the ring wraiths or maybe he distracts Sauron to aid Frodo or in the end he sacrifices himself to save Fangorn or turn Isengaurd into a new haven or something.

@sandal_thong8631 Жыл бұрын

As more of his crimes were discovered, it would be difficult for the free peoples and hobbits to be around him. I think it was a mistake to allow Wormtongue to travel with him, because Saruman could still dominate his corrupted servant.

@hawkticus_history_corner 2 жыл бұрын

Im ok with Jackson's change to the ending. Not because I find the Scouring depressing or anything, but I like how The Shire is unchanged, but our four Heroes can't look at it the same way, making it very personal in how they can't really go home again. Like, the feeling is still there, just the presentation is very different.

@crhu319 Жыл бұрын

It's not clear enough and it doesn't affect the other hobbits.

@brooksboy78 Жыл бұрын

But that isn't Tolkien's story, nor are those the themes Tolkien was interested in exploring.

@freebandz4332 Жыл бұрын

The film version is a fairytale ending. The feeling is not the same at all.

@KonradvonHotzendorf 10 ай бұрын

The movie was 4.1 hours. Peter Jackson needed to cut the story

@mspionage1743 2 жыл бұрын

Love how fast the Tooks mobilized and came together to help. Fool of a Took it is said? I guess not when they are needed.

@Zacheize 2 жыл бұрын

The Tooks love adventure more than the average hobbit and Bilbo says in "The Hobbit" that Gandalf had a hand in sending many of their young lads and lasses off on journeys Bilbo's mother was a Took, which is part of why Gandalf chose him to help with Smaug

@mspionage1743 2 жыл бұрын

@@Zacheize What other adventures has Gandalf sent them on?

@Zacheize 2 жыл бұрын

@@mspionage1743 Bilbo says after hearing Gandalf introduce himself: "Not the Gandalf who was responsible for so many quiet young lads and lasses going off into the blue for mad adventures? Anything from climbing trees to visiting elves or sailing in ships to other shores."

@valentinkambushev4968 2 жыл бұрын

How was the Shire like after the war in the movie - How America was after the two world wars. How was the Shire like after the war in the book - How England (and entire Europe) looked after the two world wars.

@KonradvonHotzendorf 10 ай бұрын

Pretty sure America never got burned by anyone during WW1 or V2🤔

@thegrandpotato6014 Жыл бұрын

As someone who comes for Worcestershire (Tolkiens inspiration for The Shire) this chapter in the book really connects with me seeing all the business parks and houses estates popping up everywhere.

@ViriatoII 4 ай бұрын

I feel for you!!! Feel the same about my home land, and basicaly every land. Shoppings, highways, warehouses. Everywhere square and grey, dotted with street signs shouting at you. Oh, I hate it, and Tolkien would even more!!

@simoneluciani7063 Жыл бұрын

3:16 "you're arrested for gatekeeping, girlbossing, gaslighting and overall being toxic"

@TheCradM 2 жыл бұрын

It’s well deserved, but I still always feel a little sad for Curumo in the moment he stares westward.

@aaronwright6340 2 жыл бұрын

me too

@vakuankka9063 2 жыл бұрын

@@HowardLuken he is not dead his spirit wanders helplessly in middle-earth as much weakened

@Chris-fd9sg 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t. He made his choices.

@TheCradM 2 жыл бұрын

@@joshsemo4214 I call him Curumo because I sense in that moment what’s left of him seeks home. Saruman is a character who’s developed for over a thousand years, shrouding his original form, one free from his future corruption.

@TheCradM 2 жыл бұрын

@@Chris-fd9sg perfectly understandable.

@1adamantium1 2 жыл бұрын

This really boggles the mind. Tolkien is so impressive. After all the incredible epic battles and climax of the story, Tolkien still writes in more profound layers of story, character development and pushes the bounds of what evil and good really are. He must of learned so much actually going to war himself, enduring that, then coming home only to fight in a new type of war.

@sabinedouble07 3 ай бұрын

I wait till the very end as you read out the exotic names ......... and Debbie. You have an excellent reading voice and storytelling skills. Thank you for helping me to continue enjoying Tolkien's Universe each time I listen to one of your videos.

@grantmulder9914 2 жыл бұрын

I have an idea for a theory video: if Wormtongue did not kill Saruman, where would they both have gone after leaving the Shire and what would they do? Would they go to Bree and cause it’s downfall eventually? Would they wander the wild, always bickering and fighting? I’d be interested in seeing your thoughts on this

@Silent_Speaker 2 жыл бұрын

Good idea

@NANA-kf1cs 2 жыл бұрын

I too have wondered this and would love to see a video on it. Saruman would be best served using his greatest power at this point. His voice. To disguise himself and attempt to become an advisor to the ruler of Isengard, or work his way up or into the king's council in Rohan or Gondor, also in disguise. If he were to take Bree it would probably be only a matter of time until the forces of good, such as an army from Rohan, put an end to it. Or perhaps he could look to settle and build in secret in Mondor and attract former servants of Sauron. Saruman could also have sought refuge amount the Dunlendings and sought to sow distrust and discontent among the peoples of Middle-Earth.

@Spielkalb-von-Sparta 2 жыл бұрын

Usually I dislike such what-if considerations but here I join in. My guess is Saruman would travel to the east and build up his own cult. Although he was supposedly robbed of his magic powers he still has his manipulative voice which is not to be underestimated. We know he had been in Rhun before, possibly together with the Blue Wizards. So he knows the terrain and maybe could've advanced to a mighty ruler in that region and further a cult of Morgoth like Sauron did in Numenor before. There he could start anew building up an army to attack Rohan and Gondor in the fourth age, as a new dark lord.

@Morbos1000 2 жыл бұрын

Maybe he starts the same trouble as in the Shire, but both places fall under Aragorn's domain. I think that had the Hobbits not retaken the shire, or had Saruman started up in somewhere like Bree he would have sent in soldiers to take care of it.

@cammoblammo 2 жыл бұрын

Wormtongue: What are we doing tonight, Saruman? Saruman: The same thing we do every night, Gríma! We’re going to take over the world!

@robertJ14 Күн бұрын

Merry has always been my favourite character. He was truly the Strider/Aragorn/Elessar of the Hobbits. Could always see him a few years after the war of the ring striking a relationship with the rangers and wandering far outside of the Shire. Helping to clear the north for rebuilding of Arnor for one.

@dylanbaker691 2 жыл бұрын

I see the scouring of the shire as what Tolkien saw and experienced with soldiers coming home from war to see their country in shambles. I think I prefer this ending of the book vs the movie. It not only shows how our four hobbits matured and were able to defend the shire directly, but this also shows how all the other hobbits have the resilient quality seen in the main characters to fight for their land and people.

@ricj101 2 жыл бұрын

I love how the quality of the all the Hobbits is there, but it does take proper leadership to fully bring it to fruition.

@dylanbaker691 2 жыл бұрын

Exactly. It shows how much the four major hobbits grew in leadership and skill, evoking that same spirit within the hearts of all the hobbits.

@joshsalwen Жыл бұрын

When I reread the books before the movies, I had completely forgotten this part. I like how it gives the hobbits as a whole agency.

@southernlady5085 Ай бұрын

So very well done! A latecomer to the party here. I discovered Tolkien through his commentaries of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf. Now I’m totally obsessed with his writings of Middle Earth in LOTR. Reading LOTR now. It’s Your videos are amazing. Please continue making these wonderful videos! They are superb!

@BlahKDubstep 3 ай бұрын

Frodo despite suffering from the trauma of the ring he still retained his humanity. A pure soul

@RHODOAN Жыл бұрын

Having read these books more than a dozen times, it is my thought that the Scouring of the Shire was not only the culminating action of the story, a denouement, maybe; but actually is the point: that little people can learn to take care of themselves.

@dl_0002 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This is the most in-depth video on the subject I've seen. I love Tolkein's dialogue.

@StevenBlea 2 жыл бұрын

A speculation video on what Gandalf talked about with Bombadil could be interesting (since that's where he was going when he split with them). I noted you kept the asterisk about Saruman's comment on the origins of Sharkey, but there was no title further explaining that it likely comes from the Orcish Sharku, meaning old man.

@sweeperboy 2 жыл бұрын

My feeling is that after his trials and tribulations, and with the sustaining power of Narya ended, Gandalf probably felt great weariness and perhaps even sorrow for the hurts that he has seen over more than a thousand years. The home of Bombadil and Goldberry is the one tiny place in Middle Earth that is "heavenly" in its own way, that grief and weariness do not exist. Perhaps going there is something like therapy for Gandalf in the company of those without any cares at all and who delight in the simple pleasures of living. This is all assuming that Bombadil is nothing more than a magical oddity, or a personification of the world. If he's actually something much more profound like Eru's physical manifestation in Arda (as some have speculated), then Gandalf going there makes perfect sense too.

@eagleitalia 2 жыл бұрын

Nice one, Nerd. I understand why the Scouring was dropped from the Jackson trilogy, but it would have been served as a fantastic epilogue, and broken up those three endings.

@caibra88 2 жыл бұрын

This was beautiful. I am just a nobody who has seen the films. Thanks to you I am learning so much more about this incredible story. I really wish I could have seen this moment with Frodo and Sarumon. It's honestly the only time I've felt pity for the character. He sounds like he was a broken man inside. His words feel so painful, even more so when someone has shown him mercy, twice. I loved this! Thank you!

@Robliss Жыл бұрын

Saruman was spiteful in his last moment. He scoured the very thing that triumphed his belief, not physically. And in his last moment, he looked to his kin, and they told him: to get bent.

@Hawkster52 2 жыл бұрын

I fully understand why Tolkien wrote the Scouring. It's to show that even the passive and neutral are caught in the crossfires of war and the rise of evil. No one escapes it. The problem is it's a really, really down ending and would have made a terrible final act for the trilogy. Including it in that scene with Galadriel was enough of a homage to it.

@annaroselarsen4218 2 жыл бұрын

Aww I love the bitter sweet ending and the art is beautiful!

@TheOsmodius Жыл бұрын

What a massive segment that wasn't in the movies. I really need to read the books.

@alanmike6883 2 жыл бұрын

It's understandable why it wasn't in the movie the way it is in the books. Unfortunately while fans would've loved it being included fact is at that time most.. Normies after so many goodbyes at the end, wouldn't have stayed. What works in the book narrative sometimes doesn't translate into film form and vice versa

@Chris-fd9sg 2 жыл бұрын

You took my reply and nailed it. Well done.

@alanmike6883 2 жыл бұрын

@@Chris-fd9sg Difficult decisions. Have to appeal to the fans while having to appeal to a wider audience. Only problem is that most of the wider audience don't understand the nuance of the story. Such as the scouring of the shire and how Gandalf left the hobbits to deal with it because one his main job was to deal with Sauron and he had been defeated and two he knew the hobbits had grown and could take care of it themselves. Like the red book says. Gandalf was like a steward of middle earth. Representing the valar and eru when the latter sent him back to the land of the living. And with the job done, Gandalf was passing on the mantle to the denizens of middle earth 😉👍

@kaiszulborski6591 Жыл бұрын

Saruman coming at them like he just went 0-10 in a League of Legends Match.

@jakobbauz Жыл бұрын

I always loved how the four Hobbits are simply... not impressed any more.

@aaronliedka7242 2 жыл бұрын

This is truly one of the most riveting videos I've watched yet, and I've watched many on this channel. Well done!

@garytwinem5275 2 жыл бұрын

Saruman really was his own worst enemy, wasn't he?

@Thorinox 2 жыл бұрын

I have watched so many of these videos from you guys and I absolutely love the narration! I, and I assume, MANY others would absolutely LOVE if you did a narration of the entire series. Book to video, I know that would take an amazingly long time just for one, but it would be absolutely splendid to hear all the narrations, and voices. And then following Bilbo and friends, then Frodo and the gang and others on a map like you do, that would be well worth a watch.

@KombatantChampion 2 жыл бұрын

This was one of the aspects of Lord of the Rings I had very little understanding of, so this was extremely helpful. Thanks for putting this out.

@bettamom7593 Жыл бұрын

I love listening to your stories while I'm working. That was a good one! And I have to admit I cried at the end!

@jacobjames1171 2 жыл бұрын

You mean to to tell me Peter Jackson could potentially squeeze out another trilogy? 🙌

@johanspangberg7976 2 жыл бұрын

Now wait just a minute! He needs to make a trilogy of the omitted old forest chapter, meeting of Bombadill and encounter with the barrow wights first.

@expred 2 жыл бұрын

@@johanspangberg7976 It makes me laugh, thinking about a trilogy with mostly just Bombadil singing his songs and chilling out with the Hobbits. Edit: though the barrow wight encounter would truly have been amazing to see on screen!

@istari0 2 жыл бұрын

With everything that was left out or squeezed down, he could have made another 3 four hour movies and I still suspect there would be missing things.

@expred 2 жыл бұрын

@@istari0 Yeah that's true, there's just so much material to work with

@takatamiyagawa5688 2 жыл бұрын

I really hope every mention of Bombadill in the context of film is just a joke about what anyone should know to omit from an adaptation. How is he not one of the least cohesive elements of Tolkien's legendarium?

@Sevenigma777 2 жыл бұрын

We need to give a shout out to the awesome voice work always done on this channel. It really increases the immersion. Awesome job man!

@SparklingDracs Жыл бұрын

Such a great treatment of a bittersweet but beautiful part of the ending. Thank you!

@kill3stdayz910 2 жыл бұрын

One of my favorite chapters in ROTK! thanks for covering it!

@douglasblowe805 2 жыл бұрын

This was one part of the book that I was really pissed was left out. The description in the Return of the King is awesome.

@VoiceoftheRings 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome Video! I loved that you added the Happy news at end about the Shire being wonderful again the next year!

@rodrigoezequielneira 2 жыл бұрын

Just want to comment on how well you do the voices for the characters. Great job man!

@AndrewCarlisle11B Жыл бұрын

I thought I preferred the movie version (having not yet finished the books) but after watching this this version definitely captured my attention. Great work as always Matt!

@Hohnathan 2 жыл бұрын

Been waiting on this video ever since finishing the return of the king! Awesome!

@Hamfast33 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite part of the books. Thank you for covering it.

@mikefitzgerald9318 2 жыл бұрын

I watch Nerd of the Rings and understand maybe 10%. Literally the lore is above my understanding as I don't have the time to invest in it. Even so, I find it amazing to listen to.

@karlwschipul5079 Жыл бұрын

What I like about this section is that the other Hobbits see more firsthand how heroic Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin are.

@MrVvulf 2 жыл бұрын

My biggest complaint against the movies is the diminishing of the morality/character of some key characters. Primarily that of Faramir, but also Frodo. Their inherent nobility of spirit is sorely missing in the movies, as this explanation video illustrates in regards to Frodo.

@AnnaMarianne 2 жыл бұрын

I would agree so regarding Faramir, but for Frodo, his nobility wasn't inherent, it was something he learned during his journey. Remember he could be quite petty early on in the story, like when he left his dishes for Lobelia to wash. I also believe he was quite self-important, though secretly, even to himself, which is what the Ring got to torment him about. As Tolkien wrote, Frodo's weakness was that he *wanted* to be a hero. But he shed that off too during his journey. The pivotal moment was in the valley of Morgul when he though he was too late, and that even if he destroyed the Ring everyone would just die in the war and nobody would ever learn about what he did. But after despairing about it, he decided he'll do it anyway, whether anyone will ever know about it or not. So when they returned to the Shire, he really had let go of that sentiment, and it truly was irrelevant to him that the other Hobbits didn't regard him a hero.

@KS-xk2so Жыл бұрын

@@AnnaMarianne Its pretty heartbreaking that by the end of his journey Frodo has realized how truly priceless his comfortable little unimportant life in the Shire was, only to never be able to have it again due to his wounds.

@jaredjordan9863 2 жыл бұрын

Galadriel sure gave a lot of gifts to Sam. She seems to have liked him a lot.

@jessepollard7132 Жыл бұрын

ONly two - the rope, and the box with the dust. In the movies the box was turned into some seasoning... for roast chicken. best salt in the shire.

@benedicthammond7262 2 жыл бұрын

I have no clue why, but I always read it as the _Scoring_ of The Shire

@18edu 2 жыл бұрын

What a travel to the shire through your voice!! Perfect vídeo!!

@tomanders1 2 жыл бұрын

7:35 serious orb pondering

@thelostrealm8079 2 жыл бұрын

Video Idea: what if morgoth won the war of wrath

@jamiegregg9211 2 жыл бұрын

cool Video Matt loved looking forward to the next one

@rosetownstumpcity Жыл бұрын

i have been waiting for your sam gamgee video... he is my favorite character and you channel is one of favorites as well, so this is great. i love your readings of the text. thanks for the vid!

@kirkhepburnmiddleagedwhiteguy 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for covering The Scouring of the Shire. Having read and re read the Lord of the Rings from my youth, the epic tale of the Hobbit's return home was sorely missed in the motion picture. I imagine that Saruman's ruffians were no match for the battle hardened, fighting prowess of our four intrepid hobbit warriors, newly returned from epic adventuring abroad, armed as they were with elven blades, mithril mail, and the air of noble bearing, as if polished by the greatness of their feats of courage, bravery, and the harshness of their many trials and travels. It has been 50 years since I first read The Hobbit, then The Lord of the Rings and later The Silmarillion. Since then I have not found it's equal in the fantasy realm. I commend you, sir, on the quality of your presentations. I believe Mr. Tolkien would be pleased. The art, the narration, are excellent. Fine work lads. Very enjoyable.

@stephenorourke7005 2 жыл бұрын

The one aspect of the movies/ peter's adaptation is that there is just too much history and events to cover!! of course there's a bit of revision/ time compression!! if the entire movie series was to be TOTALLY accurate, we would STILL be waiting for a conclusion!!! Love Nerd of the rings!! -S-

@SpaceMonkeyBoi 2 жыл бұрын

The irony is that Saruman did this all to himself

@trickyricky4731 Жыл бұрын

Frodo: At least this harrowing journey is finally at an end. We can go back to a our lives and live in pea- Frodo: Finds the shire in chaos Frodo: SON OF A W-

@Oakshield2 Жыл бұрын

Quality video mate, it's been so long since I've read the books, gave me an itchin' to do it again.

@timber72 Жыл бұрын

Said this in a reply, but it bears repeating: The greatest act that Frodo ever did was to show Saruman mercy. It was the capstone of Frodo's arc. He very nearly destroyed all of Middle Earth under the power of the One Ring, and mere chance...and mercy...saved them all. But this was personal to Frodo. The world he knew was lying in ruins, his kin murdered, his home invaded and defiled. This was the final test, the last great challenge that Frodo faced...and he did it without the influence of the Ring. He showed Saruman mercy, after Saruman had done all these things AND tried to kill him. Even after all of that...Frodo showed him mercy. That was Frodo's greatest test, and Tolkien's proof that he had passed and could go to the West, having triumphed over himself. The films...among many other things...robbed us of that.

@kuafer3687 Жыл бұрын

It's crazy to think how far Saruman has fallen

@CaesiusX 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderfully presented. Thank you. 😊

@adventuresofavalon2477 2 жыл бұрын

Never mess with Hobbits!!!

@glydoughnut9432 2 жыл бұрын

Man I wish Christopher Lee could have had this dialogue. He would have been amazing at it

@tcgtonysamazingpulls 2 жыл бұрын

Sharkey was so manipulative and bitter to the very end, blaming everyone but himself.

@itayshorek6872 2 жыл бұрын

greatttt! awesome topic to cover and top level as always. thanks!

@jeromebirth2693 2 жыл бұрын

When Hobbits kick ass! A missed cinematic opportunity and a 👕 T-shirt!

@BlahKDubstep 3 ай бұрын

I am very glad Saruman never got his clutches on the ring. I can’t even imagine destruction he would have unleashed on the world.

@rafazepro8656 4 ай бұрын

10:30 Saruman: Well, Aman here I go Manwë: I think not

@andrewthomas891 Жыл бұрын

Another awesome video! Well done indeed! Thank you.

@bballjulien Жыл бұрын

Your Saruman voice makes me think of "the path is laid before us"

@actorman5000 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful. What an end. Saruman never makes it back to Valinor?

@eonwe3559 2 жыл бұрын

He did not.

@leonardofaber5823 2 жыл бұрын

Nope

@Zacheize 2 жыл бұрын

It's unclear what happened He can't actually die but there is still a chance that he may repent and face judgment, which was even offered to Sauron For now we must assume that he went to wander aimlessy, unable to interact with the mortal plane or return to the immortal

@incogneato790 2 жыл бұрын

I know what Tolkien said about allegory, but I still view the Scouring of the Shire as being a mirror of British soldiers returning from WWII and seeing the effects of the blitz on England. Likewise, the way the movie ends is more like what American soldiers experienced. Everything is the same except for them.

@valentinkambushev4968 2 жыл бұрын

Exactly. Tolkien himself experienced a similar thing when he returned after WWI and saw the countryside lends of England destroyed with factories all over it. But you are right as well. Almost all soldiers from Europe had no home to go back to. America was completely unaffected.

@noahsmith613 2 жыл бұрын

When I read the part where Saruman appears at Bag End, I almost jumped, it was the only time I've been startled by a book

@GCJACK83 7 ай бұрын

The movies... specifically the Peter Jackson version... Christopher Lee had wanted to do the Scouring chapters, but Jackson refused citing run time concerns. This led to a bit of a feud between the two and Jackson had Saruman killed by Wormtongue earlier than what should have been.

@Lethgar_Smith 7 ай бұрын

Jackson also said that The Scouring of the Shire was his least favorite part of the book. Probably because it does not follow a traditional story with a triumphant ending. The ending kind of meanders and the heroes have additional trials they must face after the main plot has concluded but this is more like how real life happens. We dont get everything tied up neatly with a bow and everything after that is perfect. There's always just a little more that needs to be done. In fact the story doesnt fully end until Legolas builds his ship and sails across the sea taking Gimli with him. The last two surviving members of the Fellowship.