The channel is nearing 600K SUBS!! I'm thinking of doing a giveaway to celebrate. What would you like to see in a NOTR giveaway? A HUGE thank you to all who have watched and subscribed over the past two years! You've made this a wonderful UA-cam community to celebrate the world of Middle-earth.
Outstanding Gollum impression! Does anyone else feel the nazgul are actually creepier on horseback? They're more recognisably corrupted humans then, which helps the overall uncanny feel.
Yep, as black riders theyre meant to inspire fear. But as the Winged Nazgul theyre designed to inspire terror. Just as he went from a hood to a crown, once the war starts, they take on a new role.
Yeah, they are creepier in horseback. Them being winged meaning they sort of carried more powerful administrative duties in Saurons army then before when they were seen as hunters...
The moment in the books where frodo looks up at night sees the sees the stars briefly flicker, then Aragorn is like "yeah I saw it too, it's going fast and moving against the wind" was definitely the spookiest moment in the entire trilogy for me.
I really enjoyed the feeling of terror and mystery when reading about the fell beasts for the first time. The corrupted eagle theory sounds really interesting but I'm guessing it's something else.
One of Sauron's most mysterious and terrifying weapons. I love how when the Nazgûl ride them, they almost seem to become one, a single shadow of primal terror that seems to defy the laws of nature. Great video as always, Nerd!
"Primal terror" that dies to single arrow or sword hit by a girl. Tolkien utterly sucked at writing strong opponents, when one elf can solo nine nazgul at once you wonder how evil dudes were ever a threat, Sauron collects armies from half a continent after centuries of work and yet still fails to conquer crumbling, half dead state that is a mere shadow of its old power...
@@KuK137 He was not. You are only considering physical strength, but Sauron mostly relied on spreading fear (which many underestimate). You can also see this in the Nazgûl themselves. They where mighty warriors and sorcerers, but not beyond human power. If you could conquer your fear, you could drive them off. The same for the Fell Beasts. They don't need to be strong and sturdy, when their mere presence terrifies you so much, you can't resist. Legolas was able to shake of his fear (he was even immune to the fear of the Human Spirits), the same for Éowyn who's love for her uncle was stronger than the fear of the Nazgûl and it's Fell Beast. Heck the Nazgûl where semi-immortal as long as the One Ring hold dominion over them (which connection to the Witch-King was broken, thanks to Merry's anti-undead enchanted dagger. Which in turn allowed Éowyn to slay the Witch-King).
Sauron himself had at one time been a bat. I think this is where he got the inspiration to take, deform and grow bats into the monsters that could carry the Ulairi.
@@keyboarddancers7751 Well thank you. I've been a fan since I was 12. That was 48 years ago. There's nothing of Tolkien's I haven't read at least 8 times, and it's still interesting to me. I was hoping the new TV series would be good, but it looks like it's going to be a wokefest. But it doesn't change anything about Tolkien himself so...
You forgot one moment of their appearance in the books. When Pippin had sworn his servitude to Denathor II and had been questioned by him, and was eating a late breakfast with Beregond. One of the winged creatures and a Nazgul flew high over head causing Pippin to cower and Beregond's blood to run cold with fear. As for their origins, I think the Eagle theory fits best. Morgoth and Sauron could not create, but only corrupt. Corrupting a couple of captured eagles into the Fell Beasts makes perfect sense.
@@shrillchicken57varietychan66 Every creatures of Morgoth are a "part" of himself as he use his own power to transform them. But no, they are not his own creations as he can't create, even from himself. That power come from Eru only. Middle-Earth was once home to many formidables creatures whose memory fell into oblivion and are not named in the chroniques of Men or even Elves. It is said that many species have disappeared because of him. It's likely that Dragons are like the Great Eagles and Ents: spirits that took a physical form and bred, becoming a new specie. Only then, thoses spirits were corrupted by Morgoth, that how Middle-earth got Balrogs, Giant Spiders, Werewolves and Vampires after all.
Nazgul were really scary while riding horses from the darkness, but mounting a winged beast, now that is trully terrifying! Nerd as always you make my sathurday better with every video you upload! Great video!
You know, as a kid reading the books when I was about 9 years old, somehow the fact that they flew made then _less_ scary. They seemed more distant, more out of reach. Whereas in the first half of Fellowship, they were right up in your space, mere yards away... _sniffing._
"Terrifying" beast that dies to single arrow or sword hit by a girl. Tolkien utterly sucked at writing strong opponents, when one elf can solo nine nazgul at once you wonder how evil dudes were ever a threat, Sauron collects armies from half a continent after centuries of work and yet still fails to conquer crumbling, half dead state that is a mere shadow of its old power...
I like how you put emotion and passion into your narrations, but still keep them mellow and listenable; got a raging headache right now and I just need someone to talk to me 😂
Here’s a theory. The Fell Beasts may have been a secret project that Morgoth had been working on. A bird-like creature made in mockery of the Eagles. But as it states, Morgoth and Sauron could not create. Only twist and corrupt. So maybe these birds may have already existed, and Morgoth had been secretly corrupting them into a creature that looked a little similar to the Eagles, bearing a small resemblance to the Dragons, but with all the evil of both Dark Lords. However since nobody has seen them until the War of the Ring, it would only make sense that Sauron had been secretly finishing the project his master Morgoth never got finish and unleash on the world. But he only had to wait until the right time to actually use them. And when the Nazgul lost their horses, that’s when Sauron had to result to a more faster, and less subtle means of travel for his greatest servants. Never the less these creatures spread despair and darkness across Middle Earth. Which is what makes them one of the most terrifying creatures in all of Arda.
Agreed, maybe they escaped Angband right before its destruction. Who knows what else Morgoth had been working on, his 'creations' (or rather, corruptions) just seemed to be unleashed upon the elves out of nowhere
What creatures would Morgoth corrupt to create such beasts? We have never seen lizards in middle earth or reptiles so how did the dragon become a thing.
The whole thing of 'could not create' is dumb. Dragons, ogres, fell beasts, spiders, werewolves, wights, there are dozens of evil creations in middle earth that have no 'good' equivalent, sounds like usual religious BS trying to justify why far more creative side that did more new things than all of the good guys combined is somehow weak, ugly and stupid...
I've been watching most videos on this channel for a while now but I think it's the first time I've heard Gollum's voice. Now I don't know what amazes me the most: the detailed stories or that surreal impression. Well done, Sir. Well done.
NOTR is the most accurate, the most dedicated, and the most fun to watch of all lord of the rings channels. I don't subscribe to almost anyone, but this channel is worth it. You are awesome. I will forever be a fan of yours. Thank you.
I've thought the Fell Beast was a Pterodactyl of some sort. Also, when the fellowship sets out from Rivendell, there's a night where they "feel a shadow pass over the high clouds," and it was moving faster than the wind. I've wondered if that was the nazgul flying over them.
I find their appearances in the books very very unnerving. There's one which appears to attack the Fellowship when they are on the river but Legolas drives it off with arrows. And yet another which turns up at Isengard to collect Pippin after the palantir incident.
Technically, pterodactyl is a specific species of pterosaur, and a small one at that. If they were a real variety of pterosaur, they would most certainly be quetzacoatlus.
The excerpt preceding Theoden’s encounter with the fell beast makes it sound like these beasts could potentially be the product of something older that lasted longer than nature intended, and that Sauron “nurtured” into these great beasts. Maybe they were initially some kind of bird or beast that Melkor created in his initial experiments to taint the living things of Arda- it makes sense that he might need some practice on other living creatures before mutilating and warping elves into orc abominations. Or maybe they’re decendents of early prototypes of Melkor’s first winged dragons, stunted and deformed so he couldnt use them
My thoughts exactly. It took him hundreds of years to make the dragons but there was clearly a long time of experimentation before hand. I think there simply a failed dragon. It would make more sense to Morgoth to try and turn birds into dragons than reptiles. It was clear that he had the image of dragons in his mind and he didn’t have our conception that dragons are reptiles. At the same time, he was clearly successful as he produced very power creatures with immense magic that strikes fear into who ever it comes across, similar to the first dragons ability to inspire fear, unless of course when they chose to disease the mind of the enemy. I think Morgoth realized they could not be used in battle as there skin was to weak without scales, likely why he switched to turning reptiles into dragons. Chances are he would have used them to create dark shadows, similar to those made of bats in the battle of five armies. Tolkien hints to this use as well as a steed for the Nazgûl when Gandalf forces the them to retreat and the sky seams brighter. They switched to bats instead as they were harder to hit, bread in large numbers and would have less of an effect on the shadow when shot down
@@stefanbecker7394 I think Tolkien specifically chose to not call them dragons, because dragons are sentient, note Smaug speaking and Glaurung toying with Niniel. These beasts are on the level of animals.
This would fit nicely with Tolkien's theme of entropy, or diminishing strength over time and generations. Morgoth was capable of corrupting the nature of beings directly, where it seems like sauron is more disposed toward corrupting beings through object proxy (via the rings of power).
I like the idea that these were great eagles corrupted by Morgoth. Great Eagles are emissaries of Manwe, so I question whether Sauron would have had the power to corrupt them. I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that these were a failure of some sort. They may have been created as flying mounts from the start. Dragons are very vain and proud creatures. Jumping on their back and treating them like a horse is a good way to get eaten. While certainly powerful, dragons do leave something to be desired as a form of transportation.
Great video, I've always been interested in the fell beasts and one of my favorite scenes from the movies is when the nazgul are chasing the riders from osgiliath, there so terrifying and cool at the same time.
Watching your videos is not just informative, but an absolute joy. I really enjoy when you read from the book and use different voices, that Gollum voice gave me chills. You really do deliver magnificent content
Here I am finishing up a late breakfast. I know it's not very novel in this day and age, but I will never get over the fact that people from all over the planet can come together at the same time and enjoy the same thing. I still remember the first time I went into an AOL chat room in 1995. It blew my mind talking to someone in Europe in real time.
5:40 Your Gollum voice has gotten god tier! I always imagined them to be a relic to those evil "creatures of tooth and horn" that were hunted by Orome.
Also very good. Very good indeed. That's a 100 out of 10 for your videos sir. These interesting enough that I sit and watch 1 or 3 a day when I'm not at school
I honestly wish UA-cam hadn't changed the rating system, because you are terrific. I especially like your version of Gollum. You sound like Andy Serkis, but you give him even more flavor. Wretched and foul, yet sympathetic and sad.
There was also a winged shadow over Meduseld in Edoras: „For it stooped upon Meduseld, and as it came low, almost to the gable, there came a cry that stopped our hearts. Then it was that Gandalf counselled us not to assemble in the fields, but to meet you here in the valley.... Naught has been seen in Harrowdale of these evil things.'
I feel like the fell beasts could be some form of a wyvern. Much like how morgoth "created" the fearsome dragons, sauron likely "created" these wyverns as a lesser version but still an intimidating creature. This seems the most fitting concept to me since sauron was also morgoths most loyal/powerful servant so therefore he somewhat followed in his footsteps
Fell beasts do not fit the description of a wyvern at all and wyverns are not mentioned ever in Tolkien's writings there are simply races of dragons and thats it. Tolkien explictly describes these beings as being bird like or a type of bird using terminology like; Hell Hawk, Carrion Bird and the list goes on they are obviously some type of corrupted bird and he acctullay refers to them as vultures in his drafts.
I think the books would have mentioned if they are somehow related to dragons. Their description being more bird-like makes me think of the bats from the Hobbit or corrupted eagles.
Asked about the nature of the "steed of the Witch-King", Tolkien replied that the fell beast was not intended to be pterodactyl, but hesitantly acknowledge that it resemble a pterosaur and may have been a survivor of older geological eras.
@@magister343 I don't think we could pin it down as to species or genus, since most of them hadn't been discovered at the time of writing: just that Tolkien was clearly taking inspiration from (the contemporary perception of) pterosaurs - including the 'foul stench' which seems to have been associated with reptiles at the time of writing. So it would make sense to have them visually resemble pterosaurs; but I also think the most reasonable explanation for their creation within universe would be as some kind of corruption of eagles, since one can hardly expect Tolkien to be following modern phylogenetics and saying 'well actually, the most recent common ancestor would be... and if so the wings would be structured in this manner...'
When I read the books I imagined the fell beasts to be pterosaurs. I was quite surprised to see their appearance in the movies. When I first saw them flying I think I experienced a similar feeling of fear as the characters in the books!
Could it be that these creatures are another creation of the nameless things that existed in Middle-Earth like the Watcher in the Water? A creature that may have thrived in Mordor that Sauron discovered and twisted them to serve him and the Nazgul.
That's what I think. Tolkien suggests that they are some kind of ancient flying reptile or a reptilian bird left over from thousands, perhaps millions of years ago. I don't think dinosaurs and their like are mentioned in the Silmarillion, but I believe Arda is meant to be an alternative version of our earth, so there could have been an age of reptiles that didn't figure into Tolkien's histories. He was mostly interested in languages anyway.
Always makes me smile when I think that the events of LotR happen over MANY years, and that Sauron occasionally engaged in tasks like animal care, breeding, etc, with teams of professionals to assist him lmao. *wakes up* 'So...today I really need to sit with the vets and brainstorm some stuff. I really can't put this off anymore.'
Such A Great Video Matt! I learned a lot and was wondering about the Fell Beasts the other day! I learned a lot! Awesome! I think they are their own fell Creature of some sort. I think that's what makes them soo cool and Mysteries. Other Theories are awesome too!
Loved this video! I usually don’t go for audiobook, but I would love to see you make your Version of the actual lord of the rings trilogy with these amazing artworks
I think Tolkien gives a hint when he says the creature may have "outstayed its day." This seems to suggest a type of flying dinosaur----creatures which would have already had their day and become extinct by this time.
Oxford (where Tolkien taught) has a huge natural history museum with a huge fossil collection. I like to think Tolkien saw something there once that inspired him.
Except unless there was hidden zeroth era we know there were no dinosaurs or evolution in middle earth. Indeed, the series has rather stupid theme of DEVOLUTION because scientific progress, economic and population growth, accumulation of resources and the like can never happen, eh?
I always pictured them as large featherless carrion birds, except with webbed wings like a bat. Sauron probably used similarly means to how Morgoth created the dragons, by transforming existing creatures since evil can't create just warp what already exists.
Thanks for your hard working putting together your videos. I just finished reading LOTR for the first time and having watched a bunch of your videos first really helped with context for the book and enhanced the experience being able to understand all of Tolkien's references to earlier age events.
@@NerdoftheRings I did love reading LOTR. One of my favorite movie series, but the books take it to a whole other level. One of the best books I've ever read! I had previously read the Hobbit twice and am now looking forward to reading more Tolkien books.
Crank the end music volume up a little please Matt if you may 😊 Always a joy to hear when you conclude but could barely hear it in this vid. A forever Follower 👍
I like the Eagles being mutilated during the First Age theory because Tolkien was all about the corrupted side of a great being becoming a class of its own. I imagine these creatures can only have a rookery within the mountains bordering Mordor, the epicenter being where Barad-dûr is constructed.
as to their origin, i think the origin depends on the depiction. in the films, they seem more serpent and snake like, which might suggest something of a lesser dragon. the book description seems to describe something more bird-like, so maybe along the lines of what orcs are to elves, we have fel-beasts to eagles.
You give a more accurate interpretation than others I’ve heard, but I just wanted to clarify: “fell beast” is not the thing’s name, it’s a descriptor for an unknown creature. Fell, in this context, means ferocious or deadly, so Tolkien is just calling it a ferocious animal.
awesome vid Matt always liked these cool Creatures of Evil in books and also i think they did them justice in the films loved to hear your opinion looking forward to your next vid as always
Morgoth never created the Dragons he corrupted and twisted an already existing thing into a more terrifying being. Morgoth has no ability to create only to corrupt and destroy and Sauron even more so he created the ring but it was using already existing properties that were created by the Valar and designed to be used by the Elves, Dwarfs, Men, Hobbits etc etc. In order to make it powerful he corrupted it by pouring a vast amount of his own being into it the other rings were of power that the Elves naturally had more or less enchantments the one ring is unnatural power being forged out of corruption. Sauron also wouldn't of tried to get back the dragons whatever creature they originated of they were too fond of they're independance and will to do what they want and probably only followed Morgoth out of fear since it was almost impossible that Morgoth would openly admit how diminshed he had become Sauron remember the days where Morogth solo'd alot of the Valar and they were both master liars so they probably bluffed about Morgoth's capability. Sauron could only make deals with them and by the third age only Smaug ( Who gets killed ) remained and Sauron had no power capable of controlling them even if he bred them. Also its possible the Dragons saw Morgoth as a parental figure who they swore loyalty to since in a sense he was the father of all Dragons. So this theory whilst would be cool is pretty much impossible to of happend Sauron wasn't stupid its the same reason he never went looking for Durin's Bane ( The Balrog of Moria ) it was beyond his power to control these great beasts and evil spirits their wills are simply beyond the powers of a Maia and even a Valar would have a problem controlling them.
I found a book about ancient paleoart once and I checked how pterosaurs were depicted in the 30's-40's by american and british artists. It's incredible how many would fit the Fell Beasts description and I wouldn't be surprise if Tolkien was inspired in a way or another after seeing one in a museum
Always impressed by the voices you do, sir. What a great Gollum impression in particular! About the fell beasts' origins, I can't point to source material for backup, but my sense is that they're somehow related to dragons, just maybe evolved on a different branch. Or maybe some corrupted crossbreeding of a dragon and a captured eagle.
One of my favorite scenes in return of the King when gandalf goes out to save the remaining army of condor being annihilated by the nazgul when the light hits out of the staff. Fantastic music and scene
the "A creature from an older world maybe it was" part and the way they are described always makes me think of Pterosaurs (maybe that was Tolkien's inspiration)
The channel is nearing 600K SUBS!! I'm thinking of doing a giveaway to celebrate. What would you like to see in a NOTR giveaway?
A HUGE thank you to all who have watched and subscribed over the past two years! You've made this a wonderful UA-cam community to celebrate the world of Middle-earth.
I've only been here since around 150K subs but its been amazing to see the channel grow and the videos improve
Loving the vids 👌
@@isaacthekkumuriel8435 Thanks so much! :)
@@baseball3164 Thanks!!
The Unfinished Tales, The Histories of Middle Earth are not available to me. Could you share the video for that?
Once again astonished at how accurate Matt’s Gollum impression is
😊
Oh, yes. It was amazing and i might say comparable with the original!!!
They probably used matt's voice as a template in the movies
This was my first time hearing any of his impressions! Glad to say I will be watching more videos like this one! Wow
I was just about to comment: God damn, that was a good Gollum!
Outstanding Gollum impression!
Does anyone else feel the nazgul are actually creepier on horseback? They're more recognisably corrupted humans then, which helps the overall uncanny feel.
Yep, as black riders theyre meant to inspire fear. But as the Winged Nazgul theyre designed to inspire terror. Just as he went from a hood to a crown, once the war starts, they take on a new role.
I do
Absolutely, thought of this lately too. Also more stealthy and silent.
Yes seem far closer, up in the air they seem far more remote??
Yeah, they are creepier in horseback. Them being winged meaning they sort of carried more powerful administrative duties in Saurons army then before when they were seen as hunters...
Witch King: "Can we ride dragons?"
Sauron: "We have dragons at home"
The moment in the books where frodo looks up at night sees the sees the stars briefly flicker, then Aragorn is like "yeah I saw it too, it's going fast and moving against the wind" was definitely the spookiest moment in the entire trilogy for me.
I really enjoyed the feeling of terror and mystery when reading about the fell beasts for the first time. The corrupted eagle theory sounds really interesting but I'm guessing it's something else.
Your impressions of Morgoth, Sauron Golem and other LOTR characters are truly outstanding! Thanks for bringing us so much joy with these videos.
One of Sauron's most mysterious and terrifying weapons. I love how when the Nazgûl ride them, they almost seem to become one, a single shadow of primal terror that seems to defy the laws of nature. Great video as always, Nerd!
"Primal terror" that dies to single arrow or sword hit by a girl. Tolkien utterly sucked at writing strong opponents, when one elf can solo nine nazgul at once you wonder how evil dudes were ever a threat, Sauron collects armies from half a continent after centuries of work and yet still fails to conquer crumbling, half dead state that is a mere shadow of its old power...
@@KuK137 He was not. You are only considering physical strength, but Sauron mostly relied on spreading fear (which many underestimate). You can also see this in the Nazgûl themselves. They where mighty warriors and sorcerers, but not beyond human power. If you could conquer your fear, you could drive them off.
The same for the Fell Beasts. They don't need to be strong and sturdy, when their mere presence terrifies you so much, you can't resist.
Legolas was able to shake of his fear (he was even immune to the fear of the Human Spirits), the same for Éowyn who's love for her uncle was stronger than the fear of the Nazgûl and it's Fell Beast.
Heck the Nazgûl where semi-immortal as long as the One Ring hold dominion over them (which connection to the Witch-King was broken, thanks to Merry's anti-undead enchanted dagger. Which in turn allowed Éowyn to slay the Witch-King).
Sauron himself had at one time been a bat. I think this is where he got the inspiration to take, deform and grow bats into the monsters that could carry the Ulairi.
Ulairi? Is that another name for the nazgul?
@@k9vendettathewolfofmordor529 Yeah, was just showing off my vast knowledge of the Tolkien Universe. 😄
@@keyboarddancers7751 Well thank you. I've been a fan since I was 12.
That was 48 years ago. There's nothing of Tolkien's I haven't read at least 8 times, and it's still interesting to me. I was hoping the new TV series would be good, but it looks like it's going to be a wokefest. But it doesn't change anything about Tolkien himself so...
@@k9vendettathewolfofmordor529 Yes
Digging the profile pic
You forgot one moment of their appearance in the books. When Pippin had sworn his servitude to Denathor II and had been questioned by him, and was eating a late breakfast with Beregond. One of the winged creatures and a Nazgul flew high over head causing Pippin to cower and Beregond's blood to run cold with fear.
As for their origins, I think the Eagle theory fits best. Morgoth and Sauron could not create, but only corrupt. Corrupting a couple of captured eagles into the Fell Beasts makes perfect sense.
How did morgoth create dragons then? Eagles too?
@@eabz1998 I'm thinking some type of lizards because the original Dragons couldn't fly.
He used his own power and essence. He did kind of “create” them, but they are more of parts of himself
@@shrillchicken57varietychan66 Every creatures of Morgoth are a "part" of himself as he use his own power to transform them. But no, they are not his own creations as he can't create, even from himself. That power come from Eru only. Middle-Earth was once home to many formidables creatures whose memory fell into oblivion and are not named in the chroniques of Men or even Elves. It is said that many species have disappeared because of him.
It's likely that Dragons are like the Great Eagles and Ents: spirits that took a physical form and bred, becoming a new specie. Only then, thoses spirits were corrupted by Morgoth, that how Middle-earth got Balrogs, Giant Spiders, Werewolves and Vampires after all.
@pieceofshit What?
Nazgul were really scary while riding horses from the darkness, but mounting a winged beast, now that is trully terrifying!
Nerd as always you make my sathurday better with every video you upload! Great video!
You know, as a kid reading the books when I was about 9 years old, somehow the fact that they flew made then _less_ scary. They seemed more distant, more out of reach. Whereas in the first half of Fellowship, they were right up in your space, mere yards away... _sniffing._
"Terrifying" beast that dies to single arrow or sword hit by a girl. Tolkien utterly sucked at writing strong opponents, when one elf can solo nine nazgul at once you wonder how evil dudes were ever a threat, Sauron collects armies from half a continent after centuries of work and yet still fails to conquer crumbling, half dead state that is a mere shadow of its old power...
I like how you put emotion and passion into your narrations, but still keep them mellow and listenable; got a raging headache right now and I just need someone to talk to me 😂
Here’s a theory. The Fell Beasts may have been a secret project that Morgoth had been working on. A bird-like creature made in mockery of the Eagles. But as it states, Morgoth and Sauron could not create. Only twist and corrupt. So maybe these birds may have already existed, and Morgoth had been secretly corrupting them into a creature that looked a little similar to the Eagles, bearing a small resemblance to the Dragons, but with all the evil of both Dark Lords. However since nobody has seen them until the War of the Ring, it would only make sense that Sauron had been secretly finishing the project his master Morgoth never got finish and unleash on the world. But he only had to wait until the right time to actually use them. And when the Nazgul lost their horses, that’s when Sauron had to result to a more faster, and less subtle means of travel for his greatest servants. Never the less these creatures spread despair and darkness across Middle Earth. Which is what makes them one of the most terrifying creatures in all of Arda.
Agreed, maybe they escaped Angband right before its destruction. Who knows what else Morgoth had been working on, his 'creations' (or rather, corruptions) just seemed to be unleashed upon the elves out of nowhere
What creatures would Morgoth corrupt to create such beasts? We have never seen lizards in middle earth or reptiles so how did the dragon become a thing.
@@arctic5475 Eagles
@@royalhero4608 yeah but they appear to be reptilian in appearance how do you change that from a bird to a more dragon like creature with scales.
The whole thing of 'could not create' is dumb. Dragons, ogres, fell beasts, spiders, werewolves, wights, there are dozens of evil creations in middle earth that have no 'good' equivalent, sounds like usual religious BS trying to justify why far more creative side that did more new things than all of the good guys combined is somehow weak, ugly and stupid...
Omg I thought Gollum was in my living room! Well done sir! You are a great storyteller ♥️
Jesus, that was great! Andy Serkis would be proud!
Gollum will get your dumplins
I would look around, just to make sure
He'd be a fantastic DM
Did anyone else pause right after 9:14 and just sit there and go, "wow...!"? Tolkein's writing is just so damn good.
I do that for any line of Tolkien.
I've been watching most videos on this channel for a while now but I think it's the first time I've heard Gollum's voice. Now I don't know what amazes me the most: the detailed stories or that surreal impression. Well done, Sir. Well done.
Wow, your Gollum impression is excellent!
Thanks so much! :)
5:31 masterful
The second "everything" gives me chills.
NOTR is the most accurate, the most dedicated, and the most fun to watch of all lord of the rings channels. I don't subscribe to almost anyone, but this channel is worth it. You are awesome. I will forever be a fan of yours. Thank you.
The winged Nazgul was an awesome visual in the movies. Twisted eagles sounds like a Sauron idea. Great video.
I keep coming back to this channel. Not because the other are bad, but I enjoy the narration. Good voice, calm and clear.
I've thought the Fell Beast was a Pterodactyl of some sort. Also, when the fellowship sets out from Rivendell, there's a night where they "feel a shadow pass over the high clouds," and it was moving faster than the wind. I've wondered if that was the nazgul flying over them.
I thought that was the crebain.
I find their appearances in the books very very unnerving. There's one which appears to attack the Fellowship when they are on the river but Legolas drives it off with arrows. And yet another which turns up at Isengard to collect Pippin after the palantir incident.
Technically, pterodactyl is a specific species of pterosaur, and a small one at that. If they were a real variety of pterosaur, they would most certainly be quetzacoatlus.
@@justthinkingoutloud2538 lol this guy with the knowledge
@@robertwokosin1293 Its literally one of the first things he talks about
The excerpt preceding Theoden’s encounter with the fell beast makes it sound like these beasts could potentially be the product of something older that lasted longer than nature intended, and that Sauron “nurtured” into these great beasts. Maybe they were initially some kind of bird or beast that Melkor created in his initial experiments to taint the living things of Arda- it makes sense that he might need some practice on other living creatures before mutilating and warping elves into orc abominations. Or maybe they’re decendents of early prototypes of Melkor’s first winged dragons, stunted and deformed so he couldnt use them
My thoughts exactly. It took him hundreds of years to make the dragons but there was clearly a long time of experimentation before hand. I think there simply a failed dragon. It would make more sense to Morgoth to try and turn birds into dragons than reptiles. It was clear that he had the image of dragons in his mind and he didn’t have our conception that dragons are reptiles. At the same time, he was clearly successful as he produced very power creatures with immense magic that strikes fear into who ever it comes across, similar to the first dragons ability to inspire fear, unless of course when they chose to disease the mind of the enemy. I think Morgoth realized they could not be used in battle as there skin was to weak without scales, likely why he switched to turning reptiles into dragons. Chances are he would have used them to create dark shadows, similar to those made of bats in the battle of five armies. Tolkien hints to this use as well as a steed for the Nazgûl when Gandalf forces the them to retreat and the sky seams brighter. They switched to bats instead as they were harder to hit, bread in large numbers and would have less of an effect on the shadow when shot down
@@stefanbecker7394 I think Tolkien specifically chose to not call them dragons, because dragons are sentient, note Smaug speaking and Glaurung toying with Niniel. These beasts are on the level of animals.
This would fit nicely with Tolkien's theme of entropy, or diminishing strength over time and generations. Morgoth was capable of corrupting the nature of beings directly, where it seems like sauron is more disposed toward corrupting beings through object proxy (via the rings of power).
I like the idea that these were great eagles corrupted by Morgoth. Great Eagles are emissaries of Manwe, so I question whether Sauron would have had the power to corrupt them.
I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that these were a failure of some sort. They may have been created as flying mounts from the start. Dragons are very vain and proud creatures. Jumping on their back and treating them like a horse is a good way to get eaten. While certainly powerful, dragons do leave something to be desired as a form of transportation.
Good theory
Love your voices that you do for their speech. Adds more immersion. Thanks again for your lore!
Your Gollum voice is so spot on it gives me shivers
This was the most epic video about the servants of Sauron that you have ever done. Hugely impressed :)
Great video, I've always been interested in the fell beasts and one of my favorite scenes from the movies is when the nazgul are chasing the riders from osgiliath, there so terrifying and cool at the same time.
You have a unique ability to always post videos on parts of the story I’m curious about - thank you for this great video! Can’t wait for the next :)
Watching your videos is not just informative, but an absolute joy. I really enjoy when you read from the book and use different voices, that Gollum voice gave me chills. You really do deliver magnificent content
Amazing. Yet another beautiful video posted by you. Very cool.
I just started watching this channel a couple months ago, and I can say this opened my eyes to how intricate tolkiens story telling was
I’ve been waiting for you to cover these for a long time
Perfectly timed video I was about to eat dinner
I’m about to have second breakfast
Here I am finishing up a late breakfast. I know it's not very novel in this day and age, but I will never get over the fact that people from all over the planet can come together at the same time and enjoy the same thing. I still remember the first time I went into an AOL chat room in 1995. It blew my mind talking to someone in Europe in real time.
Lunchtime here
Did you nurse yourself on fell meats?
Dude…your gollum impression is amazing!
Great Gollum impression Matt! Fantastic job!
Your impression of Gollum is impeccable 👌.
Yes please! The episode I didn’t know I was waiting for!
your gollum voice is amazing and so darn accurate
Oh man. That gollum impression! So good!
This video made my day 100% better!
Excellent! I’ve been waiting for this vid :)
And this is why The Fellowship didn't just fly to Mt. Doom on the eagles.
lol no
In fairness, nobody knew yet.
5:40 Your Gollum voice has gotten god tier!
I always imagined them to be a relic to those evil "creatures of tooth and horn" that were hunted by Orome.
Also very good. Very good indeed. That's a 100 out of 10 for your videos sir. These interesting enough that I sit and watch 1 or 3 a day when I'm not at school
Almost to 600 thousand!! Congratulations man, it is most deserved
I honestly wish UA-cam hadn't changed the rating system, because you are terrific. I especially like your version of Gollum. You sound like Andy Serkis, but you give him even more flavor. Wretched and foul, yet sympathetic and sad.
There was also a winged shadow over Meduseld in Edoras:
„For it stooped upon Meduseld, and as it came low, almost to the gable, there came a cry that stopped our hearts. Then it was that Gandalf counselled us not to assemble in the fields, but to meet you here in the valley.... Naught has been seen in Harrowdale of these evil things.'
The Discription Tolkien uses for them being from an older time is such remarkable writing
The attention to detail you pay is astonishing. Great art with great reading. Like Tolkien, pretty good job of creating atmosphere and earth.
Your gollum impression was brilliant :D
Just amazing artwork. I love seeing different interpretations of famous monsters.
I feel like the fell beasts could be some form of a wyvern. Much like how morgoth "created" the fearsome dragons, sauron likely "created" these wyverns as a lesser version but still an intimidating creature. This seems the most fitting concept to me since sauron was also morgoths most loyal/powerful servant so therefore he somewhat followed in his footsteps
Fell beasts do not fit the description of a wyvern at all and wyverns are not mentioned ever in Tolkien's writings there are simply races of dragons and thats it. Tolkien explictly describes these beings as being bird like or a type of bird using terminology like; Hell Hawk, Carrion Bird and the list goes on they are obviously some type of corrupted bird and he acctullay refers to them as vultures in his drafts.
Wow have been waiting for a good in depth video about the fell beasts and here it is! Thank you so much Matt! Can't wait for 600K subs!
Wow, your impression of Gollum is awesome!
I think the books would have mentioned if they are somehow related to dragons. Their description being more bird-like makes me think of the bats from the Hobbit or corrupted eagles.
That Gollum impression though! 👍👌👏👏👏
I realize this has been said a thousand times already, but your Gollum impression really is top-notch.
Asked about the nature of the "steed of the Witch-King", Tolkien replied that the fell beast was not intended to be pterodactyl, but hesitantly acknowledge that it resemble a pterosaur and may have been a survivor of older geological eras.
I always pictured a pterodactyl (but giant and mutated) when i read the books
Pterodactyls are much too small to be the fell beasts, but other pterosaurs like Quetzalcoatlus or Hatzegopteryx are more than large enough.
@@magister343 I don't think we could pin it down as to species or genus, since most of them hadn't been discovered at the time of writing: just that Tolkien was clearly taking inspiration from (the contemporary perception of) pterosaurs - including the 'foul stench' which seems to have been associated with reptiles at the time of writing. So it would make sense to have them visually resemble pterosaurs; but I also think the most reasonable explanation for their creation within universe would be as some kind of corruption of eagles, since one can hardly expect Tolkien to be following modern phylogenetics and saying 'well actually, the most recent common ancestor would be... and if so the wings would be structured in this manner...'
When I read the books I imagined the fell beasts to be pterosaurs. I was quite surprised to see their appearance in the movies.
When I first saw them flying I think I experienced a similar feeling of fear as the characters in the books!
Could it be that these creatures are another creation of the nameless things that existed in Middle-Earth like the Watcher in the Water? A creature that may have thrived in Mordor that Sauron discovered and twisted them to serve him and the Nazgul.
That's what I think. Tolkien suggests that they are some kind of ancient flying reptile or a reptilian bird left over from thousands, perhaps millions of years ago. I don't think dinosaurs and their like are mentioned in the Silmarillion, but I believe Arda is meant to be an alternative version of our earth, so there could have been an age of reptiles that didn't figure into Tolkien's histories. He was mostly interested in languages anyway.
I think the nameless things hate everything, including evil and corruption
I think they are twitter giant eagle. If ents become trolls than it would make sense if eagles became fellbeast
It is mentioned by Gandalf that they are creations of breeding pits of Mordor.
You do great voices. It makes it more real.
Always makes me smile when I think that the events of LotR happen over MANY years, and that Sauron occasionally engaged in tasks like animal care, breeding, etc, with teams of professionals to assist him lmao. *wakes up* 'So...today I really need to sit with the vets and brainstorm some stuff. I really can't put this off anymore.'
Love it!
Your Gollum impression is spot on
Such A Great Video Matt! I learned a lot and was wondering about the Fell Beasts the other day! I learned a lot! Awesome! I think they are their own fell Creature of some sort. I think that's what makes them soo cool and Mysteries. Other Theories are awesome too!
That's a bloody good Gollum voice, I must tell ya!
That gollum impression was spot on!!
Thanks for this! Got to know more about the beasts of Middle Earth!
Loved this video! I usually don’t go for audiobook, but I would love to see you make your Version of the actual lord of the rings trilogy with these amazing artworks
I think Tolkien gives a hint when he says the creature may have "outstayed its day." This seems to suggest a type of flying dinosaur----creatures which would have already had their day and become extinct by this time.
Birds ARE flying dinosaurs.
Pterosaurs or something similar are probably what you were thinking of, though they were technically not dinosaurs.
@@TheRealE.B. exactly.
Oxford (where Tolkien taught) has a huge natural history museum with a huge fossil collection. I like to think Tolkien saw something there once that inspired him.
Tolkien confirmed in an interview that they are not nor were they ever intended to be pterosaurs
Except unless there was hidden zeroth era we know there were no dinosaurs or evolution in middle earth. Indeed, the series has rather stupid theme of DEVOLUTION because scientific progress, economic and population growth, accumulation of resources and the like can never happen, eh?
I always pictured them as large featherless carrion birds, except with webbed wings like a bat. Sauron probably used similarly means to how Morgoth created the dragons, by transforming existing creatures since evil can't create just warp what already exists.
Ever heard of Yi Lings? Id suggest checking out pictures of those birds.
Thanks for your hard working putting together your videos. I just finished reading LOTR for the first time and having watched a bunch of your videos first really helped with context for the book and enhanced the experience being able to understand all of Tolkien's references to earlier age events.
That’s so wonderful to hear! I love hearing that my vids help people read Tolkien for the first time. I hope you loved it!
@@NerdoftheRings I did love reading LOTR. One of my favorite movie series, but the books take it to a whole other level. One of the best books I've ever read! I had previously read the Hobbit twice and am now looking forward to reading more Tolkien books.
Great video and the voices are on point! Your acting skills are awesome!
Thanks so much! 😊
i always thought the fell beasts from the movies were so cute! i really wanted one as a pet!
Crank the end music volume up a little please Matt if you may 😊 Always a joy to hear when you conclude but could barely hear it in this vid.
A forever Follower 👍
I'm very impressed with your voicework
Was not expecting the perfect Smeagol impression haha! Well done as always.
I like the Eagles being mutilated during the First Age theory because Tolkien was all about the corrupted side of a great being becoming a class of its own. I imagine these creatures can only have a rookery within the mountains bordering Mordor, the epicenter being where Barad-dûr is constructed.
Can we appreciate the amazing Gollum voice NotR is doing here? Thank you!
as to their origin, i think the origin depends on the depiction. in the films, they seem more serpent and snake like, which might suggest something of a lesser dragon. the book description seems to describe something more bird-like, so maybe along the lines of what orcs are to elves, we have fel-beasts to eagles.
yes i always thought of them as saurons attempt to breed dragons like morgoth but they failed and became the fell beasts
Great narrator. Great video. Great content.
Damn! That's easily on of the best Gollums i've ever heard!
That Gollum impression was disgustingly good
Thanks! 😊
You do an outstanding Gollum impression
An excellent video. Great voice work as well.
You give a more accurate interpretation than others I’ve heard, but I just wanted to clarify: “fell beast” is not the thing’s name, it’s a descriptor for an unknown creature. Fell, in this context, means ferocious or deadly, so Tolkien is just calling it a ferocious animal.
awesome vid Matt always liked these cool Creatures of Evil in books and also i think they did them justice in the films loved to hear your opinion looking forward to your next vid as always
My theory for the fell beasts may be that Sauron attempted to recreate the dragons that Morgoth created but failed
Morgoth never created the Dragons he corrupted and twisted an already existing thing into a more terrifying being. Morgoth has no ability to create only to corrupt and destroy and Sauron even more so he created the ring but it was using already existing properties that were created by the Valar and designed to be used by the Elves, Dwarfs, Men, Hobbits etc etc. In order to make it powerful he corrupted it by pouring a vast amount of his own being into it the other rings were of power that the Elves naturally had more or less enchantments the one ring is unnatural power being forged out of corruption. Sauron also wouldn't of tried to get back the dragons whatever creature they originated of they were too fond of they're independance and will to do what they want and probably only followed Morgoth out of fear since it was almost impossible that Morgoth would openly admit how diminshed he had become Sauron remember the days where Morogth solo'd alot of the Valar and they were both master liars so they probably bluffed about Morgoth's capability. Sauron could only make deals with them and by the third age only Smaug ( Who gets killed ) remained and Sauron had no power capable of controlling them even if he bred them. Also its possible the Dragons saw Morgoth as a parental figure who they swore loyalty to since in a sense he was the father of all Dragons. So this theory whilst would be cool is pretty much impossible to of happend Sauron wasn't stupid its the same reason he never went looking for Durin's Bane ( The Balrog of Moria ) it was beyond his power to control these great beasts and evil spirits their wills are simply beyond the powers of a Maia and even a Valar would have a problem controlling them.
10/10 perfect timing man
Nice Gollum Voice Andy Serkis would be proud
wow. Your voice impressions are something to behold. You could do book tapes/audiobooks
I found a book about ancient paleoart once and I checked how pterosaurs were depicted in the 30's-40's by american and british artists.
It's incredible how many would fit the Fell Beasts description and I wouldn't be surprise if Tolkien was inspired in a way or another after seeing one in a museum
Always impressed by the voices you do, sir. What a great Gollum impression in particular! About the fell beasts' origins, I can't point to source material for backup, but my sense is that they're somehow related to dragons, just maybe evolved on a different branch. Or maybe some corrupted crossbreeding of a dragon and a captured eagle.
You are a great narrator! I wish there was a reading of Lord of the Rings by you one day!
It’s very weird how I was thinking about these creatures after one of your recent videos, then this comes up.
One of my favorite scenes in return of the King when gandalf goes out to save the remaining army of condor being annihilated by the nazgul when the light hits out of the staff. Fantastic music and scene
the "A creature from an older world maybe it was" part and the way they are described always makes me think of Pterosaurs (maybe that was Tolkien's inspiration)
Man, you're an actor!!👏👏👏
This thing is so cool!
Best channel on UA-cam!
Also thanks for all the fun lotr lore and tidbits as I work a long night shift. Helps a fella keep his sanity from mindless data entry.