Ava Monroe
Saruman, the iconic antagonist from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, is known for his distinctive appearance, including his long nails. While it is not explicitly stated in the books why Saruman has long nails, some fan theories and interpretations have emerged. In the films, Saruman's long nails were a source of annoyance for actor Christopher Lee, who portrayed the character. The prop nails were necessary to complete Saruman's eerie look, which included a long face, a high forehead, deep darkling eyes, and a white beard with strands of black. The White Hand, often depicted with long nails, was a symbol used by Saruman's Orc soldiers during the War of the Ring, appearing on their armour, shields, banners, and even painted onto their faces.
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What You'll Learn
Saruman's long nails were painted red
Saruman, the primary White Wizard, adopted the symbol of the White Hand of Isengard, also known as the White Hand or the Hand, after he became an agent of the Dark Lord. The emblem was used by his army of Isengard and featured on banners, helms, and the faces of the Uruk-hai of Isengard during the War of the Ring. On the road to Isengard, there was a tall black pillar with a stone carving of a long white hand, its fingers pointing north, and its nails painted red.
The White Hand of Isengard was an intimidating symbol, and Saruman's long nails, painted red, added to the overall menacing appearance. The red nails stood out against the white hand, creating a striking and fearsome image. This symbol was a reflection of Saruman's character and his descent into darkness as an agent of the Dark Lord.
Saruman's long nails, painted red, also held a deeper significance. In some cultures, red nails are associated with power, strength, and even a hint of danger. By painting his nails red, Saruman may have been emphasizing his power and dominance over others. The colour red has also been associated with blood and violence, further enhancing the intimidating nature of the White Hand symbol.
Additionally, the act of painting his nails could be interpreted as a form of self-expression or even a way for Saruman to set himself apart from others. In Middle-earth, it is uncommon for characters to adorn themselves with such distinctive features, making Saruman's choice of nail colour a unique and memorable aspect of his character design.
Overall, Saruman's long nails, painted red, served as a visual reminder of his power, influence, and descent into darkness. The unique appearance of his nails added to the overall intimidation factor of the White Hand symbol, making it a fitting emblem for Saruman and his army during the War of the Ring.
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The nails were part of Saruman's costume
The nails were indeed part of Saruman's costume, and the actor Christopher Lee was not a fan of them. Lee greatly resented having to put on the nails every day, so much so that executive producer Mark Ordesky had to convince him to wear them.
Saruman's costume, including the nails, was designed to reflect his characterisation as it evolved throughout the story. Saruman's character and role continued to emerge as J.R.R. Tolkien wrote 'The Lord of the Rings'. The author had been working on the book for several years when Saruman was created as a solution to a long-unresolved plot development.
Saruman's costume is also symbolic of his character. The long nails, for instance, could be seen as symbolic of his greed and lust for power. In the story, Saruman is consumed by these desires, which ultimately lead to his downfall.
The nails, along with the rest of Saruman's costume, were designed to visually communicate his character to the audience. The costume design, therefore, played a crucial role in bringing Saruman to life on screen, enhancing the characterisation described in the books.
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Actor Christopher Lee resented having to wear the nails
Christopher Lee, the actor who played Saruman in "The Lord of the Rings" series, was displeased with the omission of his character's death scene from the theatrical release. Lee, an avid fan of the books, was surprised and frustrated by the decision to exclude the scene, which he described as a crucial final confrontation between the Fellowship and their greatest enemy, Saruman.
In addition to his disappointment with the omitted death scene, Lee also expressed frustration with the film's director, Peter Jackson. Lee's resentment towards Jackson was due to the omission of Saruman's fate from the theatrical release, which left fans questioning what happened to the character. Despite his initial resentment, Lee later reconciled with Jackson.
While it is not certain if Lee resented wearing the nails, it is known that he greatly resented having to put them on every day. Executive producer Mark Ordesky had to convince him to wear the nails. Lee's displeasure with the nails may have been due to the inconvenience of having to wear them daily, or perhaps he found them uncomfortable or restrictive.
Lee's portrayal of Saruman in "The Lord of the Rings" added to his legacy of playing iconic villains. With his deep and commanding voice, Lee became known for bringing to life sinister characters, including Count Dracula, Scaramanga in "The Man with the Golden Gun," and Count Dooku in "Star Wars."
Lee's talent for portraying villains extended beyond his voice, as he stood at 6ft 4in tall, further enhancing his commanding screen presence. His height, combined with his baritone voice, secured him roles as authority figures, such as James I of Aragon in "The Disputation" and the Comte de Rochefort in "The Three Musketeers."
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Saruman's hand was referred to as the White Hand
Saruman, also known as Curunír in Elvish, is a powerful wizard in J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world, Middle-earth. He is introduced in The Lord of the Rings as having a long face, a high forehead, and deep, darkling eyes. His hair and beard are described as white, with strands of black around his lips and ears. Saruman's original robes were white, but they changed to a mix of colours, giving him the name "Saruman of Many Colours".
The symbol of a hand, referred to as the "White Hand", was used by Saruman's Orc soldiers. It was predominantly used during the War of the Ring, appearing on armour, shields, banners, helmets, and even the soldiers' faces. The symbol was intimidating to Saruman's enemies. On the pathway to Isengard, there was a tall black pillar with a stone carving of a long white hand, its fingers pointing north and its nails painted red. This symbol was recognised by Eomer at the First Battle of the Fords of Isen, reiterating its notoriety among Saruman's enemies.
The White Hand symbol was also found on the shields of Isengard's warriors, as witnessed by Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. This symbol was a representation of Saruman's power and influence, striking fear into the hearts of his opponents. The White Hand is thus a significant emblem in the world of Middle-earth, reflecting Saruman's presence and influence over his followers and striking fear into the hearts of his enemies.
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The White Hand was used as a symbol by Saruman's Orc soldiers
Saruman is a unique character in the Lord of the Rings series. One of the oldest and wisest beings in Middle Earth, he is consumed by greed and a lust for power. Saruman's jealousy of Gandalf and his desire for dominance lead him to breed an army of Uruk-hai and half-orcs, who are more human-like and less affected by sunlight.
Saruman's Orc soldiers used the symbol of the White Hand, a reference to Saruman himself, who is described as having long nails. This symbol was used extensively during the War of the Ring, appearing on armour, shields, banners, helmets, and even the faces of the Orc soldiers. A tall, black pillar with a stone carving of a long white hand, with its fingers pointing north and its nails painted red, stood on the pathway to Isengard, intimidating all who approached.
The White Hand symbol was a powerful tool for Saruman's Orc soldiers, striking fear into the hearts of their enemies. Its presence on the Orc soldiers' armour and shields served as a warning to all who opposed Saruman, a visual representation of their allegiance to the White Wizard. The symbol was so well known that it was instantly recognised by Eomer at the First Battle of the Fords of Isen, highlighting its effectiveness as a symbol of Saruman's power and influence.
The use of the White Hand as a symbol by Saruman's Orc soldiers further emphasises the corruption and evil associated with Saruman. The red-painted nails, in particular, add a sinister element to the symbol, reflecting the bloodshed and violence that Saruman's greed and ambition have unleashed upon Middle Earth.
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Frequently asked questions
Actor Christopher Lee, who played Saruman, had to wear long nails for his role. Lee greatly resented having to put the nails on every day.
Lee greatly resented having to wear the nails and executive producer Mark Ordkesy had to convince him to put them on.
No, Lee resented wearing the nails and needed convincing from the executive producer.
Yes, Lee also had to wear a beard and hair that were white, although strands of black showed around his lips and ears.
