Ian McKellen: Gandalf
Photos
Quotes
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Frodo : I wish the ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Gandalf : So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world Frodo, besides the will of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the Ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.
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[Gandalf is standing on the bridge, in front of the Balrog]
Gandalf : You cannot pass! I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, Flame of Udun! Go back to the shadow. You shall not pass!
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Frodo : [of Gollum] It's a pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance.
Gandalf : Pity? It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand. Many that live deserve death. Some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them, Frodo? Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. Even the very wise cannot see all ends. My heart tells me that Gollum has some part to play yet, for good or ill before this is over. The pity of Bilbo may rule the fate of many.
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Gandalf : [to Frodo] Keep it secret. Keep it safe.
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Gandalf : Fly, you fools!
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Elrond : His strength returns.
Gandalf : That wound will never fully heal. He will carry it the rest of his life.
Elrond : And yet, to have come so far, still bearing the Ring, the Hobbit has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil.
Gandalf : It is a burden he should never have had to bear. We can ask no more of Frodo.
Elrond : Gandalf, the enemy is moving. Sauron's forces are massing in the East; his eye is fixed on Rivendell. And Saruman, you tell me, has betrayed us. Our list of allies grows thin.
Gandalf : His treachery runs deeper than you know. By foul craft, Saruman has crossed Orcs with goblin men. He's breeding an army in the caverns of Isengard. An army that can move in sunlight and cover great distance at speed. Saruman is coming for the Ring.
Elrond : This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the Elves. We do not have the strength to withstand both Mordor and Isengard. Gandalf, the Ring cannot stay here. This evil belongs to all of Middle-Earth. They must decide now how to end it. The time of the Elves is over, my people are leaving these shores. Who will you look to when we've gone? The Dwarves? They toil away in caverns, seeking riches. They care nothing for the troubles of others.
Gandalf : It is in Men that we must place our hope.
Elrond : Men? Men are weak. The Blood of Numenor is all but spent, its pride and dignity forgotten. It is because of Men the Ring survives. I was there, Gandalf. I was there three thousand years ago. I was there the day the strength of Men failed.
Elrond : [scene switches to a flashback of Elrond and Isildur] Isildur, hurry, follow me.
Elrond : [voiceover] I led Isildur deep into the fires of Mount Doom, where the Ring was forged, the one place it could be destroyed.
Elrond : Cast it into the fire! Destroy it!
Isildur : No.
[walks away]
Elrond : Isildur!
[cuts back to present]
Elrond : Isildur kept the Ring. It should have ended that day, but evil was allowed to endure. There's no strength left in the world of Men. They're scattered, divided, leaderless.
Gandalf : There is one who could unite them. One who could reclaim the throne of Gondor.
Elrond : He turned from that path a long time ago. He has chosen exile.
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[holding the Ring out to Frodo after dropping it in the fire]
Gandalf : Hold out your hand, Frodo. It's quite cool.
[drops the Ring into Frodo's palm]
Gandalf : What can you see? Can you see anything?
Frodo : [twists and turns the Ring amongst his fingers] Nothing. There's nothing.
[Gandalf sighs in relief]
Frodo : Wait.
[markings on the Ring glow bright orange]
Frodo : There are markings. It's some form of Elvish.
[shakes his head]
Frodo : I can't read it.
Gandalf : There are few who can. The language is that of Mordor, which I will not utter here.
[turns to face Frodo]
Frodo : Mordor?
Gandalf : In the Common Tongue, it says: "One Ring to rule them all. One Ring to find them. One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them."
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Gandalf : My dear Frodo. Hobbits really are amazing creatures. You can learn all there is to know about their ways in a month, and yet after a hundred years they can still surprise you.
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Frodo : Before you came along, we Bagginses were very well thought of.
Gandalf : Indeed?
Frodo : Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected.
Gandalf : If you're referring to the incident with the Dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door.
Frodo : Whatever you did, you've been officially labeled a disturber of the peace.
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Gandalf : You shall not pass!
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[Gandalf picks up a book that the skeleton of a Dwarf was holding]
Legolas : [to Aragorn] We must move on, we cannot linger.
Gandalf : [starts reading from the book] They have taken the bridge and the second hall. We have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes, drums... drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow lurks in the dark. We can not get out... they are coming.
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[Gandalf snatches Sam, who was sneaking around]
Gandalf : Confound it all, Samwise Gamgee. Have you been eavesdropping?
Sam : I ain't been droppin' no eaves sir, honest. I was just cutting the grass under the window there, if you'll follow me.
Gandalf : A little late for trimming the verge, don't you think?
Sam : I heard raised voices.
Gandalf : What did you hear? Speak.
Sam : N-nothing important. That is, I heard a good deal about a ring, and a Dark Lord, and something about the end of the world, but... Please, Mr. Gandalf, sir, don't hurt me. Don't turn me into anything... unnatural.
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Elrond : Strangers from distant lands, friends of old, you have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle Earth stands upon the brink of destruction; none can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the ring, Frodo.
Boromir : [Frodo puts the ring on a stand for all to see] So it is true. In a dream, I saw the Eastern sky grow dark. But in the West, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying, "The doom is near at hand, Isildur's Bane is found."
[reaches for the Ring]
Boromir : Isildur's Bane...
Aragorn : Boromir!
Gandalf : [speaking the words engraved on the Ring] Ash Nazg Durbatuluk, Ash Nazg Gimbatul, Ash Nazg Thrakatuluk, Agh Burzum-ishi Krimpatul.
[the light darkens and the air rumbles; Boromir backs away from the Ring]
Elrond : Never before has anyone dared utter words of that tongue here, in Imladris.
Gandalf : I do not ask for pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West! The Ring is altogether evil.
Boromir : It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him.
Aragorn : You cannot wield it. None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.
Boromir : And what would a Ranger know of this matter?
Legolas : This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance.
Boromir : Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?
Legolas : And heir to the throne of Gondor
Aragorn : [Elvish] Sit down, Legolas.
Boromir : Gondor has no King. Gondor needs no King.
Gandalf : Aragorn is right. We cannot use it.
Elrond : You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed.
Gimli : Then what are we waiting for?
[He strikes the ring with his axe; the axe breaks, leaving the ring intact]
Elrond : The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. The ring must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this.
Boromir : One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. The great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, ash, and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten-thousand men could you do this. It is folly.
Legolas : Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The ring must be destroyed!
Gimli : And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?
Boromir : And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?
Gimli : I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf! Never trust an Elf!
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Gandalf : There is one other who knew Bilbo had the Ring. I looked everywhere for the creature Gollum, but the enemy found him first. I don't know how long they tortured him, but through the endless screams and inane babble, they discerned two words:
Gollum : SHIRE! BAGGINS!
Frodo : Shire? Baggins? But that would lead them here!
[Cuts to a Ringwraith cutting off a Hobbit's head]
Frodo : [holding out the Ring] Take it Gandalf!
[Gandalf backs away]
Frodo : Take it!
Gandalf : No, Frodo.
Frodo : You must take it!
Gandalf : You cannot offer me this ring!
Frodo : I'm giving it to you!
Gandalf : Don't... tempt me Frodo! I dare not take it. Not even to keep it safe. Understand, Frodo. I would use this ring from a desire to do good... But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine.
Frodo : But it cannot stay in the Shire!
Gandalf : No. No, it can't.
Frodo : What must I do?
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Gandalf : I think you should leave the ring behind, Bilbo. Is that so hard?
Bilbo : Well, no.
[frowning]
Bilbo : ...and yes. Now it comes to it, I don't feel like parting with it. It's mine, I found it. It came to me!
Gandalf : There's no need to get angry.
Bilbo : Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault.
[to himself]
Bilbo : ...it's mine... my own... my precious...
Gandalf : Precious? It's been called that before, but not by you.
Bilbo : Oh, what business is it of yours what I do with my own things?
Gandalf : I think you've had that ring quite long enough.
Bilbo : You want it for yourself!
Gandalf : BILBO BAGGINS! Do not take me for some conjuror of cheap tricks! I am not trying to rob you. I'm trying to help you.
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[Bilbo enters his house, satisfied because of his escape from his own birtday party]
Gandalf : I suppose you think that was terribly clever.
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Gandalf : This *is* the One Ring, forged by the Dark Lord Sauron in the fires of Mount Doom. Taken by Isildur from the hand of Sauron himself!
Frodo : Bilbo found it... in Gollum's cave.
Gandalf : Yes. For sixty years, the Ring lay quiet in Bilbo's keeping, prolonging his life, delaying old age... but no longer, Frodo. Evil is stirring in Mordor. The Ring has awoken. It's heard its master's call.
Frodo : But he was destroyed. Sauron was destroyed.
[the voice of the Ring whispers in Black Speech]
Gandalf : No, Frodo. The spirit of Sauron endured. His life force is bound to the Ring, and the Ring survived. Sauron has returned. His orcs have multiplied. His fortress of Barad-dûr is rebuilt in the land of Mordor. Sauron needs only this ring to cover all the lands in a second darkness. He is seeking it. Seeking it. All his thought is bent on it. The Ring yearns above all else to return to the hand of its master. They are one, the Ring and the Dark Lord. Frodo, he must never find it.
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Gandalf : I think there's more to this Hobbit than meets the eye.
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Gandalf : Well, what can I tell you? Life in the wide world goes on much as it has these past age, full of its own comings and goings, scarcely aware of the existence of Hobbits... for which I am very thankful.
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Gandalf : [to Pippin] Fool of a Took. Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity.
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Gandalf : Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world.
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Gandalf : [speaking the words engraved on the Ring] Ash Nazg Durbatuluk, Ash Nazg Gimbatul, Ash Nazg Thrakatuluk, Agh Burzum-ishi Krimpatul.
[the light darkens and the air rumbles]
Elrond : Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris.
Gandalf : I do not ask for pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West.
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Gandalf : Always remember, Frodo, the Ring is trying to get back to its master. It wants to be found.
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[Gandalf touches the stone surface of the walls of Moria]
Gandalf : Now, let's see... Ithildin. It mirrors only starlight and moonlight.
[moonlight shines on the wall, and the doors are revealed]
Gandalf : It reads: The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter.
Merry : What d'you suppose that means?
Gandalf : Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password, and the doors will open.
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Gandalf : [running from the Balrog] Lead them on, Aragorn. The bridge is near. Do as I say! Swords are no more use here!
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Saruman : The hour is later than you think. Sauron's forces are already moving. The Nine have left Minas Morgul.
Gandalf : The Nine?
Saruman : They crossed the River Isen on Midsummer's Eve, disguised as riders in black.
Gandalf : They've reached the Shire?
Saruman : They will find the Ring, and kill the one who carries it.
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Gandalf : [after failing to open the magical doors of Moria] I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves... Men... and Orcs.
Pippin : What are you going to do, then?
Gandalf : Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took! And if that does not shatter them, and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will try to find the opening words.
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Gandalf : [to Frodo] Is it secret? Is it safe?
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Gandalf : To the bridge of Khazad-dum.
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Gandalf : Here lies Balin, Son of Fundin, Lord of Moria.
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Gandalf : [in the archives of Minas Tirith] "The year 3434 of the Second Age. Here follows the account of Isildur, High King of Gondor, and the finding of the ring of power. 'It has come to me. The One Ring. It shall be an heirloom of my kingdom. All those who follow in my bloodline shall be bound to its fate, for I will risk no hurt to the ring. It is precious to me, though I buy it with great pain. The markings upon the band begin to fade. The writing, which at first was as clear as red flame, has all but disappeared. A secret now that only fire can tell.'"
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Frodo : He's gone, hasn't he? He talked for so long about leaving. I didn't think he'd really do it. Gandalf?
Gandalf : [emerging from his thoughts, he sees the ring in Frodo's hand] Hmm. Bilbo's ring. He's gone to stay with the elves. He's left you Bag End.
[as Gandalf offers an envelope, Frodo puts the Ring inside]
Gandalf : [sealing the envelope] Along with all his possessions. The ring is yours now.
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Gandalf : All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you.
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Gandalf : [urging Bilbo to stop possessing the Ring] All your long years, we've been friends. Trust me as you once did. Hmm? Let it go.
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Gandalf : You must leave. And leave quickly.
Frodo : Where? Where do I go?
Gandalf : Get out of the Shire. Make for the village of Bree.
Frodo : Bree. What about you?
Gandalf : I'll be waiting for you. At the inn of the Prancing Pony.
Frodo : And the Ring will be safe there?
Gandalf : I don't know, Frodo. I don't have any answers. I must see the head of my order. He is both wise and powerful. Trust me, Frodo. He'll know what to do.
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Gandalf : [describing Gollum] He hates and loves The Ring - as he hates and loves himself.
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[Gandalf leads Frodo and Sam deep into the woods]
Gandalf : Be careful, both of you. The enemy has many spies in his service. Birds. Beasts.
[looks down on Frodo]
Gandalf : Is it safe?
[Frodo looks up and puts a hand to his chest; Gandalf kneels down]
Gandalf : Never put it on, for the agents of the Dark Lord will be drawn to its power. Always remember, Frodo, the Ring is trying to get back to its master. It *wants* to be found.
[pats Frodo's shoulder, then rides away through the woods on horseback]
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Frodo Baggins : [having seen a shadowy figure at the bottom of the stairs in Moria] There's something down there.
Gandalf : It's Gollum.
Frodo Baggins : Gollum?
Gandalf : He's been following us for three days.
Frodo Baggins : He escaped the dungeons of Barad-dûr!
Gandalf : Escaped... or was set loose. He hates and loves the Ring, as he hates and loves himself. He will *never* be rid of his need for it. Smeagol's life is a sad story. Yes. Smeagol, he was once called, before the Ring found him... before it drove him mad.
Frodo Baggins : Pity Bilbo didn't kill him when he had the chance.
Gandalf : *Pity*? It was pity that stayed Bilbo's hand.
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Bilbo Baggins : Bilbo: No, wait. It's here in my pocket. Isn't that... isn't' that odd now? Yet, after all, why not? Why shouldn't I keep it?
Gandalf : Gandalf: There's no need to get angry.
Gandalf : Bilbo: Well, if I'm angry, it's your fault! It's mine, my own, my precious.
