Middle-Earth Tours

Tour 1: The People of Middle-Earth

The Balrog
The ranks of the orcs had opened, and they crowded away, as if they themselves were afraid. Something was coming up behind them. What it was could not be seen: it was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape, maybe, yet greater: and a power and terror seemed to be in it, and go before it.
     It came to the edge of the fire and the light faded as if a cloud had bent over it. Then with a rush it leaped across the fissure. The flames roared up to greet it, and wreathed about it; and a black smoke swirled in the air. Its streaming mane was kindled, and blazed behind it. In its right hand was a blade like a stabbing tongue of fire; in its left it held a whip of many thongs. --FotR, "The Bridge of Khazad-Dum"
The Bridge of Khazad-Dum,
by Ted Nasmith

One of the great debates among Tolkien fans is whether the balrog's wings were real or metaphorical. Even the artists featured here disagree on how to portray this fearsome creature. But for my money, Rob Alexander comes closest to Tolkien's true intent.

The Balrog of Moria, by Rob Alexander
detail of a balrog, by John Howe
The Bridge of Khazad-Dum, from
the oldest version of the
official LotR movie site

At last, some images from the movie. As expected, the balrog looks quite a bit like John Howe's paintings of it. But I love the lava effect on its skin.

image from a Decipher
trading card
image from a logo on the
Decipher site
closeup of a
Sideshow-Weta figurine
Long time I fell, and he fell with me. His fire was about me, and I was burned. Then we plunged into the deep water and all was dark....He was with me still. His fire was quenched, but now he was a thing of slime, stronger than a strangling snake.
    We fought far under the living earth, where time is not counted. Ever he clutched me, and ever I hewed him, till at last he fled into dark tunnels....Thus he brought me back at last to the secret ways of Khazad-Dûm: too well he knew them all. Ever up now we went, until we came to the Endless Stair....Out he sprang, and even as I came behind, he burst into new flame.' --Gandalf describes his battle with the balrog, TTT, "The White Rider"
detail from "Gandalf Falls with the Balrog," by John Howe

below right: image from a
Decipher trading card
Zirakzigil, by John Howe

Full-size versions of these pictures are on display at Rolozo Tolkien and the official LotR movie site