This is incredible. The Evening Post somehow was able to snap this photograph without security bearing down on them… Now, it’s rather dark, and I tried to bring out as much of the color and the highlights within the photo, but it’s still very impressive. The caption calls this a “giant featherless bird”–obviously they have no clue of the importance of this photograph–it’s only too bad Éowyn and Merry aren’t in there!
|
|
|
“A swift stroke she dealt, skilled and deadly. The outstretched neck she clove asunder, and the hewn head fell like a stone. Backward she sprang as the huge shape crashed to ruin, vast wings outspread, crumpled on the earth; and with its fall the shadow passed away…” — The Return of the King, Chapter VI
UPDATE 9:20am
When I saw this photograph reported by Jonathan, I was reminded of John Howe’s depiction of the Witch-king’s winged steed, and so I placed his artwork beside the photograph for comparison. No doubt the film’s winged steed is based upon Howe’s design. — David
UPDATE 3:00pm
Many people have voiced the opinion that the beast is really a dead Mûmak, pierced by arrows and burnt by fire. They point out what they believe to be a broken platform on its back and tusks. I have since looked closely at the “wing” material and it is starting to look more and more like tapestry to me, and I do remember reading a spy report last week about the production using large “elephant props”… — David
0 Comments