WGTC Weekly Throwdown: Saddest Cinematic Deaths

Alex- Gandalf (The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring)

When it comes to cinematic deaths, usually the ones that tug at the heartstrings the most are the tragic losses of loved ones. The first deaths that will come to mind involve love for a spouse, or a pet, or a child, but what about the love that people have for their leaders and mentors? It’s inevitable that these older sages are going to die at some point, but that doesn’t make it any less sad when they do pass. And, it’s even sadder when the death comes much earlier than expected in the form of getting pulled into a bottomless pit by a Balrog.

Perhaps the saddest part of Gandalf the Grey’s death is the fact that now they’re out on this journey without their fearless leader. Not only was he comforting to the hobbits and the wisest of them all, but the journey was pretty much his doing. He was the one who decided the ring had to be destroyed. Now, they’re out risking their lives and they don’t even have the guidance of the only one with a plan.

The Fellowship hardly even has time to grieve properly. There’s no time to sit and reflect on their friend’s passing, especially not at first. His iconic final words are “Fly you fools!” That’s because if they took even a moment to mourn his death before getting out of the cave, there was a pretty good chance that they would all die as well.

Even once the group escapes out into the open air they still don’t have time to pay their respects, at least not properly. The scene where they do take a brief moment to cry is as heartbreaking as any. The music alone is enough to bring a tear to my eye, and that entire scene is sure to induce a good cry. But, they’re still in the middle of a quest with the fate of the known world resting in the balance. There’s barely a moment to remember how great Gandalf was before they have to get back on their feet and continue on for fear of being overtaken by orcs.

Sure, I get it. He comes back from death later on, and most characters who die don’t. But that doesn’t diminish his death in any way. When Gandalf first died, the characters didn’t have any idea that they’d eventually see him again, and people experiencing the story for the first time are just as unaware. Middle Earth is left without one of their best hopes for salvation, the Fellowship is left without their leader, and worst of all, they’re left without a true friend.