Here’s something cool for you to watch that I recently came across. This is a deleted scene from Ralph Bakshi’s 1978 animated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, and it features Gandalf battling the Barlog.
Bakshi’s adaptation of The Lord of the Rings is a bold, ambitious animated retelling of the epic fantasy. The film condenses the first half of Tolkien’s trilogy, blending elements from both The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers.
The film was made using a rotoscoping technique, which combines live-action footage traced over with animation. The film creates a gritty, surreal aesthetic that captures the dark, mystical essence of Middle-earth.
Bakshi’s adaptation of this classic holds a cult status for its animation style and for bringing Tolkien’s vision to the big screen years before Peter Jackson’s iconic live-action trilogy.
The deleted scene from Bakshi’s adaptation features a longer, more intense battle between Gandalf and the Balrog, which is an ancient fire demon, in the Mines of Moria.
This scene was meant to showcase Gandalf’s heroic stand and the ferocity of the Balrog, visually emphasizing the gravity of the sacrifice he makes for his companions.
In the cut footage, Gandalf’s struggle with the Balrog was animated to show their fight in greater detail, highlighting the wizard’s power before he ultimately falls with the demon into the chasm.
You can watch the scene below!
