Did Aragon ever give a speech in the books riding in front of his men on a horse like Mel Gibson’s speech in Braveheart? How about in the movies?
Nope. Off the top of my head, really the only time someone would have had such a chance in LOTR is the Ride of the Rohirrim, which takes place while Aragorn is very far away. King Theoden would have given it, maybe Eomer.
Oh, there’s a chance Aragorn did at the Black Gate, but it’s been a while since I’ve read the books.
No, it’s not in the book.
Is it in the movies?
Books – nope.
He makes a tiny little speech to the Orcs just before the climax of Helm’s Deep, and calls forth the Oathbreakers with some small rhetoric, but that’s the only speeches he really gives.
Movie – Can’t remember if he was riding, walking, or standing but he gave a short speech in the movie, in front of the Black Gate.
“The day may come when the courage of men will fail.
But this is NOT THAT DAY!”
I thought it was, amazingly, a good addition on the movie’s part, and even sounded a bit Tolkien-esque.
Not to mention a great line to whip out on everyday occasions.
No doubt QtM or his DVD equivalent will be along to quote it exactly.
On the way to the Black Gate for the Final Battle, Aragorn does address a small group of very young Rohirrim who are fretful, and tells them it’s OK to go back home… and, BTW, drive the enemies out of someplace on your way back.
I wonder how often an “address to the troops” was given in real life, for that matter? In the days before microphones and amplifiers, how many people would have heard it? … assuming you didn’t want your whole army crowded into one small little space, but spread over a larger area? I suspect that’s an invention of plays (St Swithin’s Day) and then movies because it’s very dramatic, but not very practical in real life.
C K Dexter Haven - I disagree to some extent. Long ago, battle formations were much tighter than they are today. WIth no guns, most battles relied on swords and pikes, with the occassional calvary charge and volley from archers. The armies fought in tight formations, for a long time in a square. They all moved together maintaining their formation, protecting one another with their shields. And because the battles were more regulated, there was time to gather the troops and talk to them before a battle which would begin at dawn. However, you’re right in that it would be difficult to pitch your voice to be heard by many.
StG
I think they had people shout the commands down the line, right? Why not do the same for pep speeches? And I’m sure some battlegrounds have nice acoustics.
In the books, doesn’t Gandalf make a speech along the lines of “Stand, Men of the West - now is the hour of your doom”?
I seem to remember that line, but I can’t find it in the books.
That’s after the destruction of the ring, and the shadow of Sauron spreads over the battlefield before fading away. The armies of the West are about to pursue the rout of the orcs, etc. after their master’s will has been broken, but Gandalf has them stand fast to watch Sauron’s casting out.
At least that’s how I recall it.
Yes he does, in chapter 4 of ROTK (The Field of Cormallen), but it is after the arrival of the Eagles and so well into the battle. It’s not really a speech, more an order: “Stand men of the West! Stand and wait! This is the hour of doom.” Mordor then begins to fall, the Ring having been destroyed.
Thanks! I was waiting to see it in the movies and was disappointed when he didn’t say it. 
Doesn’t mean it won’t be on the Extended Edition. I have a feeling there’s a large chunk missing from most of the Black Gate scenes that will be included.
Didn’t you ever play the “telephone game”?
Aragorn “The day may come when the courage of men will fail. But this is NOT THAT DAY!”
Soldier on far far far left flank - “What did he say?”
Other oldier on far far far left flank - “Idonno…something about being gay…”
Well, if you stand with the wind at your back – either above them or below them as they stand ranked on a hillside – you’re getting a natural ampitheater effect and the sound can travel suprisingly well.
Remember, many greek theaters held 15,000 people and they used no artificial amplification.
People were also more often trained to project their voices well - a talent that’s largely disappeared with the ubiquitous presence of microphones. I remember being at a production of Les Mis in high school when Valjean’s mic went out - about two lines into “Bring Them Home.” It took the (very well-trained and old-school) actor about 5 seconds to realize he couldn’t be heard before he just shifted into a different singing technique, and all of the sudden I could hear him all the way back in my nosebleed 2nd balcony seat of a huuuuuge auditorium known for it’s terrible acoustics. It was awe-inspiring hearing the actual singer’s voice without electronic interference. *And * he maintained the delicate falsetto of a truly moving prayer. I was actually disapointed when they had his mic fixed for the next song! I’d have easily heard him if he’d been shouting a stirring pre-battle speech up a hill.
Well, yes, but that was in a theatre, constructed to take advantage of acoustics, with the audience all sitting up a hill in a round cone-shape, etc. The army on the field had no such luxury.
“OK, the army meets at the amphi-theatre for a pep speech, then over to the fields where the Medes are patiently waiting…”
The guys at the back of the crowd for the Sermon on the Mount (From The Life of Brian):
“Blessed are the cheesemakers? The Greek shall inherit the earth??”
Well, that’s not so unbelievable if you consider that the rules of engagement were probably set up by a mede-iator.
:: Ducks and Runs ::