Random Thoughts of Members (anything goes...well with in forum rules)

[Taegin Roan]

This is the Size comparison I always use. I'm not entirely sure how accurate it is (because Ancalagon is never given a definitive size), but it it is pretty impressive.



There is also this one, but I really don't think this is quite accurate. I'd love it to be though. Smaug isn't even as big as one of Ancalagon's teeth.


The point being that Ancalagon is one stupidly gigantic dragon, and I'm all for it.


EDIT: and for the first time since 2017, I changed my computer background. It is not that picture of Ancalagon, and it looks spectacular.

[Cyclops942]

\If only someone could be trusted with the Silmirillion for a film.....A Dragon so large it darkened the sky with his wngs....Balrogs Riding lesser Dragons...a Spider the size of the Pentagon.  Definition of Epic.

You’re EVIL for even suggesting that such a thing should leave the pages of a book and appear on a movie screen.  I shudder just typing that.

[Infinit01]

Good Morning and happy Friday, everyone!

[Darth Logos]

Good choice because that is indeed an illustration of Ancalagon the Black.  The dragon of which we speak.  The light going towards him is Eärendil (Father of Elrond) in his blessed ship accompanied by eagles to face ancalagon and the drake's.

It's hard to understand Elvish phonics at times. Is this the same Eärendil that Galadriel spooke of when she gave the bottled light to Frodo?

This is the Size comparison I always use. I'm not entirely sure how accurate it is (because Ancalagon is never given a definitive size), but it it is pretty impressive.



There is also this one, but I really don't think this is quite accurate. I'd love it to be though. Smaug isn't even as big as one of Ancalagon's teeth.


The point being that Ancalagon is one stupidly gigantic dragon, and I'm all for it.

That is what all my research pointed to: Ancalagon basically made Smaug look like an insect by comparison. And that simultaneously made me excited and crap my pants at the thought. AWESOME. I think the first one is probably pretty accurate, otherwise Ancalagon would be so huge, there'd be almost no place in Middle Earth that one couldn't see a part of him.

You’re EVIL for even suggesting that such a thing should leave the pages of a book and appear on a movie screen.  I shudder just typing that.

I'm no fan of spiders either, but if it has to be a total package to get the Silmarillion on the big screen, I'll take it. May strategically have to a few "well timed" pee breaks, but.....uhuhuhuhuhuhuh the epicness-est.

[Darth Tepes]

This is the Size comparison I always use. I'm not entirely sure how accurate it is (because Ancalagon is never given a definitive size), but it it is pretty impressive.



There is also this one, but I really don't think this is quite accurate. I'd love it to be though. Smaug isn't even as big as one of Ancalagon's teeth.


The point being that Ancalagon is one stupidly gigantic dragon, and I'm all for it.


EDIT: and for the first time since 2017, I changed my computer background. It is not that picture of Ancalagon, and it looks spectacular.

Speculation of course exists about Ancalagon's size.  A drawing by Tolkien of the three Volcanic Mountains Ancalagon crushed when he fell..which he's shown grabbing in the picture...was estimated (just going by scale and guess work) to be approx  35,000 ft high and five miles across for each mountain.  Extrapolate from there.

It's hard to understand Elvish phonics at times. Is this the same Eärendil that Galadriel spooke of when she gave the bottled light to Frodo?

One and the Same.  Earendil took a Silmiril into the sky and it became one of the elves most beloved stars.

[TheDutchman]

Good Morning and happy Friday, everyone!

Thank you and likewise!

This is the Size comparison I always use. I'm not entirely sure how accurate it is (because Ancalagon is never given a definitive size), but it it is pretty impressive.



There is also this one, but I really don't think this is quite accurate. I'd love it to be though. Smaug isn't even as big as one of Ancalagon's teeth.


The point being that Ancalagon is one stupidly gigantic dragon, and I'm all for it.


EDIT: and for the first time since 2017, I changed my computer background. It is not that picture of Ancalagon, and it looks spectacular.

Admittedly, when I read the Silmarillion it was almost 30 years ago and I didn't finish it.  I'm not sure if it could translate well for film (especially after how disappointed I was with "The Hobbit" movies).

[Darth Logos]

Speculation of course exists about Ancalagon's size.  A drawing by Tolkien of the three Volcanic Mountains Ancalagon crushed when he fell..which he's shown grabbing in the picture...was estimated (just going by scale and guess work) to be approx  35,000 ft high and five miles across for each mountain.  Extrapolate from there.

That's higher than Everest. Seems a bit too far fetched.

One and the Same.  Earendil took a Silmiril into the sky and it became one of the elves most beloved stars.

Further supposition: The book is all about the events leading to this trip?

Admittedly, when I read the Silmarillion it was almost 30 years ago and I didn't finish it.  I'm not sure if it could translate well for film (especially after how disappointed I was with "The Hobbit" movies).

I actually enjoyed the first 2 parts of the Hobbit. Never read the book, or watched the animated movie, but from research, hearsay, and just the overall vibe the 3rd movie just just a let down altogether. If we could get a true fan, someone that won't Hollywood it death, I think this would make an excellent addition to the movie franchise.

[PsychoSith]

That's higher than Everest. Seems a bit too far fetched.

I do just want to toss out that were talking about a fantasy world where dragons can grow to miles across and reincarnating wizards fight fire demons so hobbits can throw a magical ring into a volcano to keep the antichrist from coming back and taking over the world with genetically engineered war-pig people.

I'm gonna give them some leeway on mountain size.

[Darth Logos]

I do just want to toss out that were talking about a fantasy world where dragons can grow to miles across and reincarnating wizards fight fire demons so hobbits can throw a magical ring into a volcano to keep the antichrist from coming back and taking over the world with genetically engineered war-pig people.

I'm gonna give them some leeway on mountain size.

It's simple world building. Without being explained in the text, it is assumed that Middle Earth is based on regular Earth. So if those peaks are higher than Everest (29,029' = 5.5mi) by 16k ft (1.1mi), then the atmosphere would be so desperately thin that he wouldn't be able to breathe. Also at that elevation his fire would be rendered moot, as it too would not have enough oxygen.

[Darth Tepes]

It's simple world building. Without being explained in the text, it is assumed that Middle Earth is based on regular Earth. So if those peaks are higher than Everest (29,029' = 5.5mi) by 16k ft (1.1mi), then the atmosphere would be so desperately thin that he wouldn't be able to breathe. Also at that elevation his fire would be rendered moot, as it too would not have enough oxygen.

It is based on our earth but it is also stated the world was larger in those times. 

[Taegin Roan]

Further supposition: The book is all about the events leading to this trip?

You're not entirely wrong, though it is really more of the creation of Middle-Earth, and everything leading up the the Lord of the Rings. It has been described as the Bible for Middle-Earth, and that is actually a pretty apt description of it.

I actually enjoyed the first 2 parts of the Hobbit. Never read the book, or watched the animated movie, but from research, hearsay, and just the overall vibe the 3rd movie just just a let down altogether. If we could get a true fan, someone that won't Hollywood it death, I think this would make an excellent addition to the movie franchise.

I enjoy watching the Hobbit movies because they are fun, but when you look at them as anything more than that (adaptions of a Masterpiece), they fall utterly short. I absolutely recommend reading the book sometime, because it is incredible. If you don't like/have time to read, I recommend listening to it. Andy Serkis narrated it this past year, and though I haven't listened to much of it, he did an incredible job (no surprise there). Definitely worth checking out.

[Darth Tepes]

It's simple world building. Without being explained in the text, it is assumed that Middle Earth is based on regular Earth. So if those peaks are higher than Everest (29,029' = 5.5mi) by 16k ft (1.1mi), then the atmosphere would be so desperately thin that he wouldn't be able to breathe. Also at that elevation his fire would be rendered moot, as it too would not have enough oxygen.

Let me expand on my brief answer now I'm in front of my computer.  First, The Sillmirillion is not a story in the like of LOTR or The Hobbit.  As was stated before it is very much written like The Bible.  Some things are described in great detail..some are left vague....just like real history.  This was done on purpose of course.  So you can't look at the world building in the way we do Star Wars or Star Trek where things eventually get explained.  Tolkien never said how big Ancalagon actually was...only that he blacked out the sky and crushed the volcanos when he fell.  It's enough to give us an idea this bastard was a big (in every sense) threat.  Those measurements were made by a fan based on drawings by Tolkien so its all speculation.
                 Second, when considering things like this... don't even attempt to use natural laws...because they didn't exist there.  At least yet.  Anacalagon lived and died during the First Age of the Sun...called as such because the Sun was created then.  This is also when man first appeared.  Before the world was lit by two large Lamps...then when those were destroyed by Morgoth it was lit by two trees....which were also destroyed by Morgoth and Ungiloant (Giant Spider and mother of Shelob).  The world (Arda) was different..... natural laws were in flux.  Rage and powers of creation were being thrown around.  No rules basically until  Morgoth was defeated (well..temporarily.  He is supposed to return one day).  As well the structure and size of Arda were larger and was even Flat in the beginning.  It was made to accommodate those larger beings.  Anacalagon's death was a major catalyst in not only the War with the Dark Powers but how the world itself worked.

[PsychoSith]

                Second, when considering things like this... don't even attempt to use natural laws...because they didn't exist there.  .

This. This is my default when talking about fantasy unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[Jedi_Phoenix]

Just popping in to wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween.  Hope everyone is able to have a fun day.

[Darth Tepes]

This. This is my default when talking about fantasy unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Now I actually do agree with logos on principle.  Just not in this case since there is an explanation abeit one not just given to you on a silver platter.


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