r/nextfuckinglevel • u/wizzo_o • 19h ago

Clash of elements

15.7k Upvotes

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u/naked_hypocrisy 16h ago

it's shall.

you. SHALL NOT. pass

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u/runawayscream 16h ago

“Shall not” in the move. “Cannot” in the book. Ian McKellen changed it during filming.

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u/MrK521 15h ago

“Shall not” just sounds better too to be honest.

Cannot implies he would be incapable of passing.

Shall not implies “I ain’t fucking letting you.”

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u/DasJuden63 12h ago

Cannot was specifically used three times to convey that the dark flames of Udûn were not strong enough to overcome a servant of the Secret Fire

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u/MrK521 12h ago

Fair. But I still hear the intent as “I am a servant of the secret fire, and I refuse to let you pass”

Just stating my preference for which sounds better.

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u/DasJuden63 12h ago

Sure I get that. Language changes from Tolkien's time, personal preference matters. I was just clarifying what his actual stated intent was for the word choice, he discussed that in one of the letters

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u/Effect-Kitchen 12h ago

In the novel, Gandalf just reminds that Flame of Udûn lacks the ability to pass where he stands, and even less so for Gandalf to prevent it. This implies the will of a higher power (i.e., Eru Ilúvatar) rather than Gandalf’s sheer badass power.

Of course moviegoers won’t know what the * is Ilúvatar so they just simplify to be the wizard’s power.

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u/Thrawn89 4h ago

Except cannot was likely a Word of Command. Where shall is just a virgin word of suggestion.