Hey all, thanks for boosting the channel with so many subs. I will try to make movie/gaming related videos although I am quite lazy with this channel, however I have made a new LOTR video which you might enjoy, with rare interviews from the cast and crew. Enjoy - ruclips.net/video/t09Vc4zK2m8/видео.html ps is there some type of content you would like to see from this channel?
I'd like to see Viggo play that yucky Ruzzian Peskov when some brilliant film maker does the epic film about the Russo Ukrainian war. Hate Peskov. Love Viggo ❤❤
@@spanishflufilms2103 That is laughable. Viggo was good in the role, but the role was not written better that Tolkien. In many scenes it seemed like a caricature of Tolkien (for example beheading the Mouth of Sauron was so dumb).
Indeed. Although I think I could always notice there was a change between Strider and Aragorn. Strider was more misterious, darker, Aragorn had a softer yet charismatic tone.
Man of integrity? Rumour has it he stole the money out of a tramps begging hat in broad daylight and then proceeding to take down his trousers and do a shit in the hat and said “keep the change homeless filth”
He hadnt read then, but i dont know about know, considering how much knoledge and love He showed in interviews about the story and caracthers, even stuff that is not in the books like beren and luthien, but even if He still havent, he is so talented and put so much effort in his job the it was amazing and perfect for the role
It was his kids who were into LOTR, they got him to sign on to the role of Aragorn. We need to thank them. LOL, he probably thanked them as well since it led him to his break through role and he got life long friendships from filming. Seeing the behind the scenes footage, it looks like he had fun filming them.
PERFECT casting, I cannot imagine anyone else playing the role so perfectly. Aragorn should be the standard for all of humanity, and the fact that Viggo is so much like his character is just the cherry on top. Love this man ❤
When he started singing, he instantly tapped into such depths of nostalgia... 😢 This is one thing books don't have, the music. It makes moments stay with you forever. The music starts playing and *click* - you're back.
I was amazed he still remembered the melody let alone the lyrics. Judging by the grey hairs that interview must have been quite a few years later. Very impressive.
A very learned and intelligent gentleman, who also speaks 7 languages. His questions regarding America's involvement in Iraq were 💯 percent correct! (And still are today.) A multi faceted and multi talented man! (Apparently he makes furniture too! go figure) So No there could n never really be another to play the role of Aragorn. What an incredible embodiment of a role!! (Thank you Viggo).
@chrismadison305 what makes you think they assume anything? There's enough material published on the subject, including from Iraqi sources, for people to make their own judgement.
Unfortunately, the inhumane American actions against Iraq have essentially tainted public perception - and now there are people who essentially have warped logic to the point that they now find themselves agreeing with an actual Sauron (ie: I’m talking about Putin supporters in the West.)
I wish I could remember that guys name, but he wasn't just some random interviewer. The man pressuring Viggo was one of the top tier journalists in U.S. broadcasting (which is probably why it didn't get more hostile than it did. Journalists back then had more journalistic integrity than they do today. They would hit you hard, but not for the purpose of insulting you.) But this is also why I admired Viggo holding his own. He had a skilled, experienced, top-of-the-line professional coming after him, and yet he still did quite well.
@daximil Charlie Rose wasn't a journalist. I get your drift with regards to his perception and prestige but as an acceptable personality on corporate mainstream networks he suffered from the religion of Americanism
He wasn’t pressuring him. Viggo wore the shirt so obviously he wanted to talk about it and charlie rose gave him a platform to speak is mind. I’m sure viggo appreciated Charlie rose for giving him time.
Wow, America after 9/11 was wild. Huge respect to Viggo, standing up for what is right at a time where you're being called a 5th collumnist for doing so is very brave.
Americans had the right to be angry, but their anger was used to help fund the military-industry complex and their fat cat lobbyist in Congress. I have two American friends who wanted revenge against those behind it, but got blindsided by two pointless decade+ long wars, and deaths of thousands of young American men, and over a hundred-thousand dead Iraqi and Afghani innocents. Now both my American friends truly despise war and the Neo-conservative philosophy of “nation building” and global policing. Of course the cycle continues, just with different countries (Syria, Ukraine, etc.)
Huge disrespect actually. Very shallow thinking, just one step ahead: US bombs = US bad. Completely forgetting the entire world of that time, namely Irak being a dictatorship and sacrificing millions of its citizens in pointless wars, and also harboring terrorists and attacking kuwait, etc... Yeah, ignore all that, be completely ignorant of history of irak, but complain about US.
@@aeldin131 Exactly. Average Americans always say, "That war was unjust," "The government hid that from us back then," but they never ask themselves the same questions in the present: "Are we in an unjust war right now?" "What is the government hiding from us now?"
Actor, Christopher Lee wanted to play Gandalf, but was put into the role of Saruman. He met Tolkien. His life’s story is breathtaking. Bravo Viggo, for such a wonderful talent! ❤
@@Hadrian77 for a while I thought that but would Viggo and Aragorn want that ? To all the people to be like him even if they aren't. Guy is right be the best of yourself not the other guy
I love Viggo Mortensen. He is such a down to earth man, such a handsome man's man, & an incredible actor! One thing that strikes me about him is that, although his smile is beautiful he doesn't have perfect teeth...and yet, he doesn't feel the need to have his teeth redone, to have a more toothy smile & make them perfect. I love that about him. He looks fantastic just as he is!
I love this guy. This interview happened in 2002, anti-islamic sentiment and American nationalism were at an all time high. Questioning the US's involvment in Iraq wasn't just the kind of thing that would lose you jobs, it was the kind of thing that got you attacked in the street. Viggo Mortensen went on air, with a T shirt he had made and engaged in discussion with the interviewer (Charlie Rose)about it. As a lot of the comments on this video are saying, history proved him right.
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Viggo is such a class act and a mensch. He sounds like a great human being. Heart felt.
I think it's absolutely amazing how a man who is so chill and just has a down-to-earth vibe in real life has played one of the most intense characters ever to be portrayed in a film
Viggo talking about what America does in forein countries for profit gives me LIFE. It's not a nobble thing, it never was. War is about profit. If it wasn't, no one would do start one.
As far as I know from all the movies that I have watched ( and I have watched plenty) Aragorn is the most noble,down to earth and humble character that has ever been portrayed...
He was a great Aragorn. It's curious that he fit the description of him so well, and he was not the first choice. I am very glad they recast it. Had they kept Stuart Townsend, it would have been a huge mistake. He just didn't fit the leader that Viggo did. Viggo was born for that part.
The host trying desperately to make Viggo look "unamerican" because he doesn't support what we're doing in the middle east at the time, is absurd. We weren't in Iraq because of 9/11. Iraq had NOTHING to do with the attacks. That was all oil. That was all building bases, and establishing control. It was meddling at its worst. Afghanistan was for 9/11 but he's not wrong. We were WAY too heavy-handed and bombed far too many civilians. It's not unamerican to criticize America. It's HIGHLY patriotic to expect better from your country, to want better. To want the evils of war to end. The war in the middle east was one of the greatest mistakes in American History. It was botched from start to finish. Viggo was years ahead with his views on the subject. Only in hindsight are people coming around on this.
And some will never come around to it. Being willing to look at what your government does with an informed, rational and balanced viewpoint is not only patriotic, it's a citizen's responsibility.
It's bizarre how people can look decades back with total disdain for actions the government took, but can only praise and never question what they are doing in the present.
I can’t picture anyone else playing Aragorn. The casting for the entire movie was perfection. He was absolutely right about America’s involvement in the Middle East. Everyone should read War is a Racket by General Smedley Butler.
Excellent interview. Excellent commentary. Viggio is an absolutely brilliant actor. I am so happy that we got to know him better through this documentary.
I always thought I heard a hint of Irish accent at the Black Gate "Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth", may have been deliberate, pretty coooool
“This was such a fascinating watch! Viggo Mortensen’s insights into Tolkien’s world and his experiences filming LOTR are truly captivating. It’s amazing to hear how much passion and dedication went into bringing these iconic characters to life. Thanks for sharing this, MrDwarfBangityBang! 🌟”
His father was Danish, that's probably the reason why Viggo knows about the history of Scandinavia... The Sagas are unmissable when you grow up in that kind of environment.
@@tonyjordan5890 I’m Danish. 99% of Danes have not read any sagas and have no idea what they are about. People know some tidbits of information, like who Thor and Odin are and that Thor has a hammer and Odin has two ravens. Just trivia stuff.
@@tonyjordan5890 it should be like that. I grew up hearing anecdotes from the Sagas from my father and grandfather (I’m Norwegian). My grandfather had an excellent edition of Heimskringla (The Norwegian King Sagas) that my father has now. On the other hand, I mentioned Snorre Sturlason to a young guy I worked with and he didn’t even know the name. This should be unbelievable, but it’s the sad truth.
The elvish are based quite a lot in Finland, Tolkien even says it in the interview that is shot that he took inspiration from Finland. Well from Kalevala ofc which is like our mythology. That left aside I beleave the elvish are overall most based on the finnish history, vikings saw finnish as the best sorcerers in to them the known world aka rhe whole world (they had some trouble raiding us, just not worth the hazzle for the bounty). Finland also being the last in europe to turn from pagans to christianity, so those sorcery beleaves was kept heavily alive here for a long time. The oldest iteration of elvish language is heeeavily based on the finnish language and kinda sounds the same, but the language changes thru the times in middle-earth and doesn't so much sound like finnish when Lotr takes place. Still the rules on the language still have a lot of similarities. Tolkien was for a reason or another really fascinated in Finland (ww2 might also have something to do with it, since he fought and it's quite miracle Finland manouvered out of the war still as a country in almost impossible situation). Just saying since he keeps saying a lot is based in nordic myrhology. Which ofcourse first brings in mind scandinavian viking history and sagas.
I think what Viggo was saying is something like, if someone in a neighbourhood home is a violent criminal, does a Swap team hone in on the house, or do they just bomb the entire neighbourhood?
Hidalgo was a great western/ eastern? ...lol but "Lord of the Rings" was the ultimate movie series of our time. not just because of the material and story (which are really great) .. but because of the cast and crews commitment to presenting that material as nearly to the authors intent as possible.. watch the making of to understand the background work that Jackson did to exceed all expectations.
Love this comment..we need more of that healthy masculinity..do you think professor Jordan Peterson is really helping or the contrary..creating more divission? Im of many women who wants to support the change and my husband and i think the same 😀 but we are weirdos at society of now haha
@caroldelosangeles3621 I think Jordan Peterson merely speaks on grounds of common sense but many young men are lost and never had anyone in their life to teach them these simple lessons and so what JP has to say is rightly valued by them. However, he also comes across as very pretentious and people who aren't overly smart feel smart when they listen to him due to his flamboyant vocabulary and reluctance to speak plainly and straightforwardly. I also think he can oversimplify complex issues and make black-and-white statements in regards to things which require more nuance. I'm talking about Jordan Peterson here, NOT Viggo
I’ve loved Viggo since 85, and followed his career. When he accepted the role of Aragorn, one of my favorite literary characters in one of my all time favorite stories ,LOTR, I was ecstatic! He is my all time love of all actors. He’s a good human and a unique soul that I never tire of. His intelligence and his beliefs and convictions are admirable. He embodies a renaissance man and I’m so grateful to know of him and get to witness his gifts he shares with the world.
Viggo was a geniius in the devil scene in 'The Prophecy'. Then there is 'Hidalgo', 'Green Book' and yes 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Bit of trivia, he broke his toes when kicking a helmet when thinking Merry and Pippin were killed with the Uruk Hai they hunted. He comes across like a genuine good guy.
@@AR-mu4zq I’m talking about his indirect interpretation of masks by his demeanor. Doesn’t sound like you possess those skills and anyone who does you just assume they’re imagining it. Moron.
3:23 I find adaptations interesting, because I appreciate it's incredibly difficult task to get right. Jackson was probably the best I've ever seen, and will ever see, but there's one point I'm unable to let go. I always viewed book Aragorn as completely lacking any self doubt, in a classic heroic manner. Such as when he meets the Rohirrim for the first time, and he grows in stature in an impactful manner as he pridefully announces himself and his great lineage. Meanwhile movie Aragorn always carried a heavy sense of shame of his own identity. Likewise, Book Aragon's goal was to reclaim the birthright of Gondor. That was his story arc. Meanwhile in the movies, he literally stumbled into Gondor and wanted to avoid it because of... guilt? Guilt was perhaps an expedient choice by Jackson(?), as doubt is more approachable to a modern audience. I think Jackson succeeded in making the movie approachable. Full credit on that, but I fear something profoundly valuable was lost when he made that sacrifice. For example, by making Aragorn feel guilty about taking the throne, Jackson had to create the idea that the Ring was about power. Movie Aragorn then felt guilty about his movie ancestor's hubris for power. In Tolkien's lore however, the Numenoreons wanted what the elves had, which was to live forever. They were already more powerful than the elves, but resentfully, they ultimately had to die like lesser beings. This directly echoes straight into Arwen's choice to be with Aragorn, binding the story together. This is why Arwen accepting a mortal life was so profound, jet it felt somewhat disjointed in the movie. It didn't really fit with the movie narrative. "Why can't she just go to the undying land when Aragorn dies? That doesn't make sense. What's the big deal?" It felt a bit unnecessary and robs her of a story arc. There's more, but you get the point of a slippery slope. It also made me laugh, for a different reason. Mankind's inescapable death was the bedrock which book Sauron exploited with his corruption of the island. JAckson's minor deviating choice further leads to the creation of Amazon's series. Amazon created an entire show wasn't about Mankinds envy of the elves. It wasn't about the undying lands, but power in itself. It's incorrect and devoid of Tolkien's meaning, so they had to twist themes around their narrative that lacked the weight of merit. Basically, the Amazon writers based a 1 billion USD $ on nothing more than a minor expedient choice by Jackson, not Tolkien. Knowing this, it's painfully obvious every time I see it: 😂The Rings of POWER. Have a good day and take care.
Such interesting info, so thanks for sharing! Personally, I always appreciated the addition of a character arc or journey for Aragorn in Jackson's adaptation. As you say, it makes him more relatable and human which is a distinction from Tolkien's works based on divine mythologies and infallible, epic heroes and so you could say that does make the LOTR adaptations a product of their time as 21st Century works, like any work of art will be. Which is very interesting from a film studies angle! But yes, I really enjoyed the way Aragorn had his own heroes journey in Jackson's version and it was only something I realised once I grew older as well. He starts out doubtful of Men and wishing to steer clear in case the same hubris as his ancestors takes root in him. But then he travels with Boromir and hears tales of Gondor and of hope despite the darkness, and after Boromir dies he takes his bracers with the White Tree on and vows to save Gondor on Boromir's behalf. I then see Aragorn's time in Rohan as him learning the dos and don'ts of kingship from Theoden. Aragorn spares Grima, an honourable but foolish move which leads to Helms Deep. And at Helms Deep Aragorn is told by Theoden that they must keep moral up as much as possible even if it is hopeless, and so afterwards Aragorn tells that kid with the rusty sword that his sword is good and there's always hope. Basically, in modern storytelling, a character without an arc makes for a boring story. So giving one to movie-Aragorn didn't harm the narrative whilst keeping his own journey interesting. I do love how you link it in with Rings of Power though. That is an excellent point. So much modern Tolkien-verse material is based on or inspired primarily with Jackson's work, not on Tolkien's own work itself. Which does lead to straying further and further from the original narrative vision. I'm hoping, for instance, that HBO's Harry Potter series will be a new adaptation based on the novels and will try not to copy anything from the WB movies. It should, ideally, pretend those movies don't exist. But I think this will be difficult as we are all so intrinsically familiar with the HP world in those movies. Often more so than even the books.
Well I think the movie Aragorn is more realistic, imagine being told you’re an heir to a kingdom that doesn’t want you. Everyone wants him to succeed and live up to the expectations of being a king, where it was easier and simpler to be the “strider”. He gradually accepts his role and become the King he’s meant to be but no body wakes up with that mindset whilst simultaneously trying to save the world. Also if I was royalty, I wouldn’t proclaim it to everyone I ever meet. That’s begging to be captured and ransomed also, since he’s a threat to Denethor’s rule of Gondor, they probably try to put him away.
Great comment! I like both the original representation of Aragorn and Jackson's interpretation, which is ideally suited to the format. It's easy to forget that for Aragorn, in the book, this "quest" was the culmination of decades of hard work. All of his personal growth and learning to accept his role and destiny, were done "off camera", so to speak. By the time he met the Hobbits in Bree, he was a man sure of his purpose and set upon his course. Jackson gave him a character arc, which is required to make the story telling work for film and did so really well.
@@sercravenmohead3631 Movie!Aragorn is a reluctant hero, a trope that did not exist in medieval literature (the very thing Tolkien was seeking to emulate). It's a modern trope, and thus movie!Aragorn feels... modern. It's an anachronism.
That's a great take that the first movie (extended) is his favorite due to having the most acting and storyline of the trilogy. I have to say I agree with that. TTT and ROTK are just battle after battle after battle it felt like. But all three each have wonderful scenes of course.
What a class act. He even found a way of being political without being preachy. The dude is just goodness. I am from Norway, and I am proud to have such a talented Danish brother :)
wonderful singing voice, as well. A man with true integrity. I agree with Viggo, in that,, there is way way way too much 'collateral damage' in these 'wars'. It always ends up people of one country hating people of another country, when it's their governments that are responsible.
Anyone who actually tries to remake the LOTR trilogy will be destroyed by the bar set in place by this original series… a ridiculous amount of awards for this trilogy. Just don’t even try to touch this.
this man played such an important part of my life and i will be forever greatfull. the whole cas and crew where perfect but as ive got older the more ive learnt of how much viggo impacted the lord of the rings is something i appreciate every day. him, orlando bloom, elighja wood and sir ian McKellen are what brought me to reading tolkien and changing my life
I've been a life long fan of Tolkien's books. I knew of Viggo from Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, and that was all I knew of him, but when I saw him as Aragorn in TLOTR, I thought, "This guy could sell a pair of shoes to a legless beggar." A brilliant actor. I can't read the books now without seeing his visage with that character.
Viggo is Aragorn...all the way! I feel this movie was perfectly cast in every way! I love all three films as well and I would have to say part 1 is my favorite also; but I would not want to pick one at all. These are excellent films and my all time favorite High Fantasy Trilogy!
This bloke is an artist. I doubt that he will ever encapsulate an 'Aragorn' role again, but he will always be admired for it. "Let's make an honest effort to get it right,". He said a gobful!
Hey all, thanks for boosting the channel with so many subs. I will try to make movie/gaming related videos although I am quite lazy with this channel, however I have made a new LOTR video which you might enjoy, with rare interviews from the cast and crew. Enjoy - ruclips.net/video/t09Vc4zK2m8/видео.html
ps is there some type of content you would like to see from this channel?
I'd like to see Viggo play that yucky Ruzzian Peskov when some brilliant film maker does the epic film about the Russo Ukrainian war. Hate Peskov. Love Viggo ❤❤
I see dorf, I rock & stone!
Viggo's portrayal of Aragorn is a timeless masterpiece.
The way he immersed himself in this character is fantastic. From carrying his sword on him all the time, to repairing his own costume, just epic
And bonding with his horse. He even slept in the stable with him and bought him after filming.
@@teachersusan3730 he bought the Hidalgo horse as well !!
I think he even broke 2 toes!
@@TokyoBlue587 DIDYOUKNOWHEACTUALLYBROKEHISTOE
Damn he stood up against the unjust wars. That's inspiring!
Especially back then. Quite brave.
Nothing but respect for this man. Highly talented, intelligent, educated, and wise.
No one could have been better as Aragorn than Viggo
He did it his way, which was great. Not much to do with Tolkiens creation, though.
@@BanjoSick And that is because Peter Jackson. He took freedom to change things in a manner that would work better as a movie
@@BanjoSickPeter and Viggo’s version of Aragorn was a categorical improvement on Tolkien’s written version of him.
@@spanishflufilms2103 Amen to that
@@spanishflufilms2103 That is laughable. Viggo was good in the role, but the role was not written better that Tolkien.
In many scenes it seemed like a caricature of Tolkien (for example beheading the Mouth of Sauron was so dumb).
Wow, that's fascinating. Everyone always memed on the Aragorn's voice changing through the course of the trilogy, but he did it on purpose. Wow.
Indeed. Although I think I could always notice there was a change between Strider and Aragorn. Strider was more misterious, darker, Aragorn had a softer yet charismatic tone.
I never even noticed his voice changed!
{:o:O:}
In the books I feel Strider was distrusted and feared. He slowly showed himself. Did a great job Vigo.
@@MrDwarfBangityBang Do you have a couple of examples of what you mean here? It would help.
Robert Stephens did it in the BBC Radio version of Lord of the Rings as well.
I absolutely love Viggo! Such a talented actor an an even greater human being. He is so much like Aragorn, an honourable man of integrity,
it's funny, in his private life Viggo has many of the same hobbies as Aragorn would have.
Man of integrity? Rumour has it he stole the money out of a tramps begging hat in broad daylight and then proceeding to take down his trousers and do a shit in the hat and said “keep the change homeless filth”
He's my favorite actor of all time. He's smart, mega-talented and has a beautiful heart. Not to mention... GORGEOUS.
Viggo was blessed with good genes; he remains so handsome all the years later.
He has Numenor genes
History proved him right
Definitely, it’s interesting to hear how defensive the interviewer was.. I remember that mind set in the early 2000s and it seems so foreign now
Common sense proves him right.
"No, I never read Lord of the Rings" ... "Nordic and Celtic folklore, which I am intimately familiar with." Haha I love this guy.
He hadnt read then, but i dont know about know, considering how much knoledge and love He showed in interviews about the story and caracthers, even stuff that is not in the books like beren and luthien, but even if He still havent, he is so talented and put so much effort in his job the it was amazing and perfect for the role
"No but I know the source material"
Its like if Ewan McGregor had never seen Star Wars but HAD seen Kurosawas Hidden Fortress and Flash Gordon
It was his kids who were into LOTR, they got him to sign on to the role of Aragorn. We need to thank them. LOL, he probably thanked them as well since it led him to his break through role and he got life long friendships from filming. Seeing the behind the scenes footage, it looks like he had fun filming them.
@@jawo8754literally the first interview in the clip is him talking about his son
and he remembered all th Elvish lyrics... amazing.
Aragorn on screen, Aragorn in real life.What a role model.BRAVO Viggo
PERFECT casting, I cannot imagine anyone else playing the role so perfectly. Aragorn should be the standard for all of humanity, and the fact that Viggo is so much like his character is just the cherry on top. Love this man ❤
Mr. Mortensen's comments aged like fine wine. He was a golden pick for these films and really put his best efforts towards it.
My brother. My captain. My king.
Always ❤
When he started singing, he instantly tapped into such depths of nostalgia... 😢
This is one thing books don't have, the music. It makes moments stay with you forever. The music starts playing and *click* - you're back.
I was amazed he still remembered the melody let alone the lyrics. Judging by the grey hairs that interview must have been quite a few years later. Very impressive.
A very learned and intelligent gentleman, who also speaks 7 languages. His questions regarding America's involvement in Iraq were 💯 percent correct! (And still are today.) A multi faceted and multi talented man! (Apparently he makes furniture too! go figure) So No there could n never really be another to play the role of Aragorn. What an incredible embodiment of a role!! (Thank you Viggo).
@chrismadison305 what makes you think they assume anything? There's enough material published on the subject, including from Iraqi sources, for people to make their own judgement.
Being as how he doesn't speak 7 languages I'm going to have to ignore everything you have said.
Unfortunately, the inhumane American actions against Iraq have essentially tainted public perception - and now there are people who essentially have warped logic to the point that they now find themselves agreeing with an actual Sauron (ie: I’m talking about Putin supporters in the West.)
Love Viggo’s comments about the war in Iraq. What a stellar guy!
Viggo is goodDude, I have only ever heard good things about him from everyone who knows or has worked with him.
Same. I think Viggo is a true artist!
Most based actor on Earth. I am fascinated about his moral behaviour and how he spoke about problems so openly. Much respect👏
Ooof that guy pressuring him about the war. Viggo is a gem
I wish I could remember that guys name, but he wasn't just some random interviewer. The man pressuring Viggo was one of the top tier journalists in U.S. broadcasting (which is probably why it didn't get more hostile than it did. Journalists back then had more journalistic integrity than they do today. They would hit you hard, but not for the purpose of insulting you.)
But this is also why I admired Viggo holding his own. He had a skilled, experienced, top-of-the-line professional coming after him, and yet he still did quite well.
@@daximil Charlie Rose
@daximil Charlie Rose wasn't a journalist. I get your drift with regards to his perception and prestige but as an acceptable personality on corporate mainstream networks he suffered from the religion of Americanism
He wasn’t pressuring him. Viggo wore the shirt so obviously he wanted to talk about it and charlie rose gave him a platform to speak is mind. I’m sure viggo appreciated Charlie rose for giving him time.
@@saskk2290so he was an American
To even comprehend LOTR without Viggo is unthinkable! It would never have been as great as it is!
Agree
Almost impossible to get an entire casting perfect.. LOTR stands alone in that department
If I could aspire to be anyone in life it would be Aragorn, if I can’t be Aragorn then I would be Viggo Mortensen
Wow, America after 9/11 was wild. Huge respect to Viggo, standing up for what is right at a time where you're being called a 5th collumnist for doing so is very brave.
Americans had the right to be angry, but their anger was used to help fund the military-industry complex and their fat cat lobbyist in Congress. I have two American friends who wanted revenge against those behind it, but got blindsided by two pointless decade+ long wars, and deaths of thousands of young American men, and over a hundred-thousand dead Iraqi and Afghani innocents.
Now both my American friends truly despise war and the Neo-conservative philosophy of “nation building” and global policing. Of course the cycle continues, just with different countries (Syria, Ukraine, etc.)
Huge disrespect actually. Very shallow thinking, just one step ahead: US bombs = US bad. Completely forgetting the entire world of that time, namely Irak being a dictatorship and sacrificing millions of its citizens in pointless wars, and also harboring terrorists and attacking kuwait, etc... Yeah, ignore all that, be completely ignorant of history of irak, but complain about US.
Still wild, just in a different context
Yeah it was so weird to watch the host turn on a penny and try to get Viggo to back down and justify murdering millions of people in the name of 9/11.
@@aeldin131 Exactly. Average Americans always say, "That war was unjust," "The government hid that from us back then," but they never ask themselves the same questions in the present: "Are we in an unjust war right now?" "What is the government hiding from us now?"
Actor, Christopher Lee wanted to play Gandalf, but was put into the role of Saruman. He met Tolkien. His life’s story is breathtaking. Bravo Viggo, for such a wonderful talent! ❤
Wow how true Viggo's words are about what his shirt says.
Vigo is one of the best actors of all time and a humble guy well-respected man of culture.
If you haven’t seen the highwayman you should check it out.
Viggo wasn’t the only one who changed his voice from his natural one. Liv Tyler did as well. She deepened her voice for the role of Arwen.
Viggo is what all men should aspire to be.
FALSE! You should aspire to be the best version of yourself.
@@jgappy5643 & the best version of yourself is Aragorn
half of what you say implies people can be that. Being handsome and smart and talented is genetic for the most part
@@Hadrian77 for a while I thought that but would Viggo and Aragorn want that ? To all the people to be like him even if they aren't. Guy is right be the best of yourself not the other guy
@@Hadrian77 hahaha you tell them lol awesome comment 😂Aragorn (Viggos) verison is amazing
I love Viggo Mortensen. He is such a down to earth man, such a handsome man's man, & an incredible actor! One thing that strikes me about him is that, although his smile is beautiful he doesn't have perfect teeth...and yet, he doesn't feel the need to have his teeth redone, to have a more toothy smile & make them perfect. I love that about him. He looks fantastic just as he is!
I love this guy. This interview happened in 2002, anti-islamic sentiment and American nationalism were at an all time high. Questioning the US's involvment in Iraq wasn't just the kind of thing that would lose you jobs, it was the kind of thing that got you attacked in the street. Viggo Mortensen went on air, with a T shirt he had made and engaged in discussion with the interviewer (Charlie Rose)about it. As a lot of the comments on this video are saying, history proved him right.
Viggo is such a class act and a mensch. He sounds like a great human being. Heart felt.
Volsung Saga is exactly the right inspiration. Amazing
I think it's absolutely amazing how a man who is so chill and just has a down-to-earth vibe in real life has played one of the most intense characters ever to be portrayed in a film
Viggo talking about what America does in forein countries for profit gives me LIFE. It's not a nobble thing, it never was. War is about profit. If it wasn't, no one would do start one.
Totally agree, Maru. Wherever the UN and USA are, there's war taking place. Current example - Ukraine and Russia 😮😮
So well spoken and he defends his point about the war so well
Hanrej
As far as I know from all the movies that I have watched ( and I have watched plenty) Aragorn is the most noble,down to earth and humble character that has ever been portrayed...
a really well spoken thoughtful guy
Aragorn speaking like a King
He was a great Aragorn. It's curious that he fit the description of him so well, and he was not the first choice. I am very glad they recast it. Had they kept Stuart Townsend, it would have been a huge mistake. He just didn't fit the leader that Viggo did. Viggo was born for that part.
The host trying desperately to make Viggo look "unamerican" because he doesn't support what we're doing in the middle east at the time, is absurd. We weren't in Iraq because of 9/11. Iraq had NOTHING to do with the attacks. That was all oil. That was all building bases, and establishing control. It was meddling at its worst. Afghanistan was for 9/11 but he's not wrong. We were WAY too heavy-handed and bombed far too many civilians. It's not unamerican to criticize America. It's HIGHLY patriotic to expect better from your country, to want better. To want the evils of war to end.
The war in the middle east was one of the greatest mistakes in American History. It was botched from start to finish. Viggo was years ahead with his views on the subject. Only in hindsight are people coming around on this.
And some will never come around to it. Being willing to look at what your government does with an informed, rational and balanced viewpoint is not only patriotic, it's a citizen's responsibility.
It's bizarre how people can look decades back with total disdain for actions the government took, but can only praise and never question what they are doing in the present.
Well put.
Trump criticized Bush for these attacks.
I can’t picture anyone else playing Aragorn. The casting for the entire movie was perfection.
He was absolutely right about America’s involvement in the Middle East. Everyone should read War is a Racket by General Smedley Butler.
Excellent interview. Excellent commentary. Viggio is an absolutely brilliant actor. I am so happy that we got to know him better through this documentary.
You are greatly loved for the way you created your role and made us all love your character so dearly. ❤
I always thought I heard a hint of Irish accent at the Black Gate "Let the Lord of the Black Land come forth", may have been deliberate, pretty coooool
I’ve loved this guy since I first saw him in lotr when I was 13 and now I love and respect him even more.
“This was such a fascinating watch! Viggo Mortensen’s insights into Tolkien’s world and his experiences filming LOTR are truly captivating. It’s amazing to hear how much passion and dedication went into bringing these iconic characters to life. Thanks for sharing this, MrDwarfBangityBang! 🌟”
I want Viggo and Joaquin to collaborate at least once. They both got a measured vulnerability about them but in different ways.
Interesting he also read Saga of the Volsungs etc. This was all before the Vikings hype.
Its because tolkien's writings are largely based around Norse sagas and Anglo Saxon history.
His father was Danish, that's probably the reason why Viggo knows about the history of Scandinavia... The Sagas are unmissable when you grow up in that kind of environment.
@@tonyjordan5890 I’m Danish. 99% of Danes have not read any sagas and have no idea what they are about. People know some tidbits of information, like who Thor and Odin are and that Thor has a hammer and Odin has two ravens. Just trivia stuff.
@@tonyjordan5890 it should be like that. I grew up hearing anecdotes from the Sagas from my father and grandfather (I’m Norwegian). My grandfather had an excellent edition of Heimskringla (The Norwegian King Sagas) that my father has now.
On the other hand, I mentioned Snorre Sturlason to a young guy I worked with and he didn’t even know the name. This should be unbelievable, but it’s the sad truth.
@@boreopithecus 99% ? thats false , you are calming nearly the whole of the Denmark doesn't know which is false.
The elvish are based quite a lot in Finland, Tolkien even says it in the interview that is shot that he took inspiration from Finland. Well from Kalevala ofc which is like our mythology. That left aside I beleave the elvish are overall most based on the finnish history, vikings saw finnish as the best sorcerers in to them the known world aka rhe whole world (they had some trouble raiding us, just not worth the hazzle for the bounty). Finland also being the last in europe to turn from pagans to christianity, so those sorcery beleaves was kept heavily alive here for a long time. The oldest iteration of elvish language is heeeavily based on the finnish language and kinda sounds the same, but the language changes thru the times in middle-earth and doesn't so much sound like finnish when Lotr takes place. Still the rules on the language still have a lot of similarities. Tolkien was for a reason or another really fascinated in Finland (ww2 might also have something to do with it, since he fought and it's quite miracle Finland manouvered out of the war still as a country in almost impossible situation).
Just saying since he keeps saying a lot is based in nordic myrhology. Which ofcourse first brings in mind scandinavian viking history and sagas.
Self-sacrifice is so important… Galadriel from the rings of power- “No it’s not.”
What a wonderfully articulate and interesting guy. Great actor too
I think what Viggo was saying is something like, if someone in a neighbourhood home is a violent criminal, does a Swap team hone in on the house, or do they just bomb the entire neighbourhood?
He still remembers the language, impressive
I still cry every time at the coronation scene after I have seen it at least 50 times
I never do. Boromir's death always reduces me to tears though.
Hidalgo was a great western/ eastern? ...lol but "Lord of the Rings" was the ultimate movie series of our time. not just because of the material and story (which are really great) .. but because of the cast and crews commitment to presenting that material as nearly to the authors intent as possible.. watch the making of to understand the background work that Jackson did to exceed all expectations.
One of the best castings in cinema.
I can't imagine anyone else as Strider/Aragorn.
viggo mortesen really represents healthy masculinity. he stands for what he believes but he doesnt condone those opposed to him in opinion
Love this comment..we need more of that healthy masculinity..do you think professor Jordan Peterson is really helping or the contrary..creating more divission? Im of many women who wants to support the change and my husband and i think the same 😀 but we are weirdos at society of now haha
Weirdos because we dont like the meanstream brainwashed massive that almost everyone is into....
"Healthy masculinity" is a tautology. Masculinity is normal and healthy, and furthermore NECESSARY thing in society. There is no harmful masculinity.
@caroldelosangeles3621 I think Jordan Peterson merely speaks on grounds of common sense but many young men are lost and never had anyone in their life to teach them these simple lessons and so what JP has to say is rightly valued by them. However, he also comes across as very pretentious and people who aren't overly smart feel smart when they listen to him due to his flamboyant vocabulary and reluctance to speak plainly and straightforwardly. I also think he can oversimplify complex issues and make black-and-white statements in regards to things which require more nuance.
I'm talking about Jordan Peterson here, NOT Viggo
I’ve loved Viggo since 85, and followed his career. When he accepted the role of Aragorn, one of my favorite literary characters in one of my all time favorite stories ,LOTR, I was ecstatic! He is my all time love of all actors. He’s a good human and a unique soul that I never tire of. His intelligence and his beliefs and convictions are admirable. He embodies a renaissance man and I’m so grateful to know of him and get to witness his gifts he shares with the world.
This guy is a great actor... Wanna see his range ? watch the green book
Watching this 20 years later is amazing
In 10 or 15 years when the LOTR movies are re-made, we all are going to hate the new Aragorn and praise the heavens for this man.
They better not remake this masterpiece
Horrors of horrors😢
Surely, there's copyright and plagiarism to prevent the remake? 😮😮
I don't think they will touch this masterpiece for a while how do you do beat perfection
Viggo is invencible in that argument about the Irak War
I just want Viggo to speak up. He speaks so softly.
It makes you listen harder, I think it's a great trait
Imagine yourself being a dentist...and a person walks in dressed like a warrior from medieval era
fucking legendary i did not know how against the war he was
These Movies are so well done and the Story is so Interesting
These Movies are all 5 Stars Movies
The Cast is included in
this Sucess
gosh he's amazing
Viggo was a geniius in the devil scene in 'The Prophecy'. Then there is 'Hidalgo', 'Green Book' and yes 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Bit of trivia, he broke his toes when kicking a helmet when thinking Merry and Pippin were killed with the Uruk Hai they hunted.
He comes across like a genuine good guy.
Looking at Viggo just makes me notice that we are both getting old!!!
I like how he talks about “masks” and how he makes it sound like a tool rather than something everyone should discard completely.
That's not what he said. He said he did drop the masks at the end. So the opposite of what you are saying was his meaning.
@@AR-mu4zq I’m talking about his indirect interpretation of masks by his demeanor. Doesn’t sound like you possess those skills and anyone who does you just assume they’re imagining it. Moron.
That's not what I got from the remark.
I got that masks are a tool one uses when needed, then sets aside when not.
3:23 I find adaptations interesting, because I appreciate it's incredibly difficult task to get right. Jackson was probably the best I've ever seen, and will ever see, but there's one point I'm unable to let go.
I always viewed book Aragorn as completely lacking any self doubt, in a classic heroic manner. Such as when he meets the Rohirrim for the first time, and he grows in stature in an impactful manner as he pridefully announces himself and his great lineage. Meanwhile movie Aragorn always carried a heavy sense of shame of his own identity. Likewise, Book Aragon's goal was to reclaim the birthright of Gondor. That was his story arc. Meanwhile in the movies, he literally stumbled into Gondor and wanted to avoid it because of... guilt? Guilt was perhaps an expedient choice by Jackson(?), as doubt is more approachable to a modern audience. I think Jackson succeeded in making the movie approachable. Full credit on that, but I fear something profoundly valuable was lost when he made that sacrifice.
For example, by making Aragorn feel guilty about taking the throne, Jackson had to create the idea that the Ring was about power. Movie Aragorn then felt guilty about his movie ancestor's hubris for power. In Tolkien's lore however, the Numenoreons wanted what the elves had, which was to live forever. They were already more powerful than the elves, but resentfully, they ultimately had to die like lesser beings. This directly echoes straight into Arwen's choice to be with Aragorn, binding the story together. This is why Arwen accepting a mortal life was so profound, jet it felt somewhat disjointed in the movie. It didn't really fit with the movie narrative. "Why can't she just go to the undying land when Aragorn dies? That doesn't make sense. What's the big deal?" It felt a bit unnecessary and robs her of a story arc. There's more, but you get the point of a slippery slope.
It also made me laugh, for a different reason. Mankind's inescapable death was the bedrock which book Sauron exploited with his corruption of the island. JAckson's minor deviating choice further leads to the creation of Amazon's series. Amazon created an entire show wasn't about Mankinds envy of the elves. It wasn't about the undying lands, but power in itself. It's incorrect and devoid of Tolkien's meaning, so they had to twist themes around their narrative that lacked the weight of merit. Basically, the Amazon writers based a 1 billion USD $ on nothing more than a minor expedient choice by Jackson, not Tolkien. Knowing this, it's painfully obvious every time I see it: 😂The Rings of POWER.
Have a good day and take care.
Such interesting info, so thanks for sharing! Personally, I always appreciated the addition of a character arc or journey for Aragorn in Jackson's adaptation. As you say, it makes him more relatable and human which is a distinction from Tolkien's works based on divine mythologies and infallible, epic heroes and so you could say that does make the LOTR adaptations a product of their time as 21st Century works, like any work of art will be. Which is very interesting from a film studies angle!
But yes, I really enjoyed the way Aragorn had his own heroes journey in Jackson's version and it was only something I realised once I grew older as well.
He starts out doubtful of Men and wishing to steer clear in case the same hubris as his ancestors takes root in him.
But then he travels with Boromir and hears tales of Gondor and of hope despite the darkness, and after Boromir dies he takes his bracers with the White Tree on and vows to save Gondor on Boromir's behalf.
I then see Aragorn's time in Rohan as him learning the dos and don'ts of kingship from Theoden. Aragorn spares Grima, an honourable but foolish move which leads to Helms Deep. And at Helms Deep Aragorn is told by Theoden that they must keep moral up as much as possible even if it is hopeless, and so afterwards Aragorn tells that kid with the rusty sword that his sword is good and there's always hope.
Basically, in modern storytelling, a character without an arc makes for a boring story. So giving one to movie-Aragorn didn't harm the narrative whilst keeping his own journey interesting.
I do love how you link it in with Rings of Power though. That is an excellent point. So much modern Tolkien-verse material is based on or inspired primarily with Jackson's work, not on Tolkien's own work itself. Which does lead to straying further and further from the original narrative vision.
I'm hoping, for instance, that HBO's Harry Potter series will be a new adaptation based on the novels and will try not to copy anything from the WB movies. It should, ideally, pretend those movies don't exist. But I think this will be difficult as we are all so intrinsically familiar with the HP world in those movies. Often more so than even the books.
Well I think the movie Aragorn is more realistic, imagine being told you’re an heir to a kingdom that doesn’t want you. Everyone wants him to succeed and live up to the expectations of being a king, where it was easier and simpler to be the “strider”. He gradually accepts his role and become the King he’s meant to be but no body wakes up with that mindset whilst simultaneously trying to save the world. Also if I was royalty, I wouldn’t proclaim it to everyone I ever meet. That’s begging to be captured and ransomed also, since he’s a threat to Denethor’s rule of Gondor, they probably try to put him away.
Thank you for you comment
More content is on the way..
Great comment! I like both the original representation of Aragorn and Jackson's interpretation, which is ideally suited to the format. It's easy to forget that for Aragorn, in the book, this "quest" was the culmination of decades of hard work. All of his personal growth and learning to accept his role and destiny, were done "off camera", so to speak. By the time he met the Hobbits in Bree, he was a man sure of his purpose and set upon his course. Jackson gave him a character arc, which is required to make the story telling work for film and did so really well.
@@sercravenmohead3631 Movie!Aragorn is a reluctant hero, a trope that did not exist in medieval literature (the very thing Tolkien was seeking to emulate). It's a modern trope, and thus movie!Aragorn feels... modern. It's an anachronism.
That's a great take that the first movie (extended) is his favorite due to having the most acting and storyline of the trilogy. I have to say I agree with that. TTT and ROTK are just battle after battle after battle it felt like. But all three each have wonderful scenes of course.
I like the idea that he had to get copies and RE read the Nordic Sagas.
What a class act. He even found a way of being political without being preachy. The dude is just goodness. I am from Norway, and I am proud to have such a talented Danish brother :)
Hurray for Viggo’s son!!
‘Don’t wipe the blood off that’s continuity’ 👏 🤣🗡️
wonderful singing voice, as well. A man with true integrity. I agree with Viggo, in that,, there is way way way too much 'collateral damage' in these 'wars'. It always ends up people of one country hating people of another country, when it's their governments that are responsible.
What a wonderfully balanced person!
Anyone who actually tries to remake the LOTR trilogy will be destroyed by the bar set in place by this original series… a ridiculous amount of awards for this trilogy. Just don’t even try to touch this.
Viggo was completely right. And likely lambasted as a traitor at the time, so jingoistic had we been manipulated into being.
this man played such an important part of my life and i will be forever greatfull. the whole cas and crew where perfect but as ive got older the more ive learnt of how much viggo impacted the lord of the rings is something i appreciate every day. him, orlando bloom, elighja wood and sir ian McKellen are what brought me to reading tolkien and changing my life
This video went places i absolutely did not expect
I've been a life long fan of Tolkien's books.
I knew of Viggo from Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, and that was all I knew of him, but when I saw him as Aragorn in TLOTR, I thought, "This guy could sell a pair of shoes to a legless beggar."
A brilliant actor.
I can't read the books now without seeing his visage with that character.
"keep the blood on, that's continuity" xddd hes so good!
I love how Viggo sneaks in some solid critiques of Jackson throughout.
Viggo is Aragorn...all the way! I feel this movie was perfectly cast in every way! I love all three films as well and I would have to say part 1 is my favorite also; but I would not want to pick one at all. These are excellent films and my all time favorite High Fantasy Trilogy!
4:38 XD this interaction was hilarious to watch. Big props to this host who coaxed it out of Viggo.
He is,the forever Aragorn
This bloke is an artist. I doubt that he will ever encapsulate an 'Aragorn' role again, but he will always be admired for it.
"Let's make an honest effort to get it right,".
He said a gobful!
So glad Tom Cruise said no. He would have ruined this.
Oh me too. Cruise would totally not have made the role beloved and authentic. I feel like his Aragorn would be all ego.
@@joyfulyes All ego, imagine the meltdowns having to be near so many tall elves.
Thanks for this video, I loved listening to vigo
the pleasure is mine
My brother, My captain, My king...
It's truly horrible that even today many people in my country do not share Viggo's opinion about the war.
Viggo portrayed Aragorn so well coz he's a great human been and he shares many values and qualities with Tolkien's character.
Seems to be a well grounded person. Must be he did not attend schools in the USA.
Be a little bit more like Viggo.
What a wonderful guy Viggo is and how needed his kind of courage is! Numarie Mellon!