How Ian McKellen Acts With His Eyes 

"The ring has awoken. It's heard its master's call" THAT'LL COMPLICATE THINGS

Nerdwritter new video: clicks Sir Ian Mckellen eyes: *CLICKING INTENSIFIES*

nobody: nerdwriter1: you ever notice ian mckellens eyes?

Had the pleasure of meeting Sir Ian in person. A very humble, genuinely brilliant human being! Took out ten minutes of his private time to have a chat with me and the LOTR trilogy and his other work!

Me: i got so much stuff to do Me: How Ian McKellen Acts With His Eyes ... fascinating.

"And then you see it... White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise." *Into the West starts in the background* Dammit man, I'm at work, I can't be crying right now.

Nerdwriter: Hmm, I need an example of bad exposition/dialogue *The Phantom Menace automatically starts playing*

"Into the West" motif starts Tears immediately form

I never really appreciated sir Ian's acting before, he just, was, is, Gandalf. but wow, now I really am staggered by his mastery, awesome video.

_"If you’re going to make a mistake, don’t make it in the eyes. Because everybody’s looking at the eyes."_ - Glen Keane

Anyone: Gives LOTR appreciation Me: *BURSTS THROUGH DOOR* I WILL LISTEN TO EVERYTHING YOU HAVE TO SAY

You just needed an excuse to watch Lord of the rings again, didn't you?

"The kind of acting that eliminates the need for bad dialogue..." Take that George Lucas!

Gandalf as portrayed by Sir Ian McKellen is the father figure I never had. He warms my heart and comforts me with these facial expressions. I sometimes watch LOTR just to feel that warmth again...

"You cannot pass! I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn. Go back to the Shadow! YOU! SHALL NOT! PASS!"

I love this, I just rewatched the entire trilogy and it reminded me how much I missed watching it because even an ordinary banal scene brought me to tears and at the end of the day, Gandalf and Sam are the heart of the franchise in my mind!

"It's the kind of acting close ups are made for" ~nerdwriter,2019 Thank you for some statements that you say it hits you at all the right places

First Jack Nicholson, then Anthony Hopkins, now Ian McKellen. Three truly amazing actors, three of your best videos 👍🏻👍🏻

this is beyond science

4:09 "In real life we're not always aware of the faces we're making." tell that to my social anxiety.

When 'What makes him a great actor?' came up on screen, I thought of the scene in Extras when he says: "How do I act so well?"

Literally looked at his eyes for the entire duration of the video after reading the title.

Omg why am tearing up right now ?! That ending, ugh!

You put it into words!! I’ve always felt that Ian Mckellan’s performance is so striking in those movies. His looks make me cry consistently. The things he does with his eyes are just incredible.

The Lord of the Rings movies will always be the best movies ever made. Like Nerdwriter himself i tear up because of so many scenes, not because they are sad but because i FEEL them.

I remember having watched TFOTR in theaters. My reaction when Gandalf 's eyes closes, as Frodo declares he will take the One Ring to Mordor was only tingles. It was something that I could never forget. When I watched this, I was just expecting how would you talk about this scene. And you did it marvelously.

Your video makes me appreciate LOTR even more!!

The kind of acting that close-ups were made for....that is one of the most profound and beautiful way to praise performance

@nerdwriter1 you talk about how Gandalf closing his eyes makes you emotional in the council of elrond scene. I agree but also don't think enough can be said for how Elijah Woods reaction shot primes you for that moment as well.

I’m a second year actor at the drama school Guildhall. I can tell you in an actors training/ process we would never consider, choose or practice a particular facial expression. It is the connection to the text, the emotion you feel which is conveyed THROUGH the eyes. Ian Mckellan is a great actor not for his ‘choice’ of facial expressions but for his incredible ability to connect to stories or texts and allowing that to be seen

why did this make me cry??? Sir Ian McKellen, you're way too good

😍 (But still a tiny little disappointed you didn't include McKellen's work as Magneto in your piece. Great "eye acting" there too)

Called up in work today....sayed im "sick" because i have to re-watch LOTR ...FOR GONDOR!

“Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian” *action* “Wizard you shall not pass!” *cut* “Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian”

from the first second i saw ian mckellen on screen, i knew there was something so endearing about his acting, particularly on his face, but i could never place it. this video helped me realize it is in fact the eyes. they convey something beyond words

When hes looking into space, I'm just imagining him trying not to forget his lines

There’s some brilliant footage of Sir Ian analysing Shakespeare on RU-vid, specifically Macbeth. “Analysing” is the most accurate term, but it suggests a dryness and a lack of humanity that is misleading. He walks the audience through a speech, line by line, word by word, to open up exactly what it means and create a journey through the imagination...a voyage of images the actor gets to go on in their mind as they speak. He knows that if the actor sees it, the audience will see it. I have no idea what Sir Ian is seeing when he is Gandalf, but I know what he makes me see for myself, and that is an actor’s job. Beautiful video.

Left out the bit where he reacts to the trolls bursting through the door in Minas Tirith. That by far is the best :P

The scene when Frodo is saying he will take the ring and Gandalf closes his eyes, that scene always gets me, because you can definitely feel how Gandalf is feeling.

Is NordVPN able to hide my Internet activity from Gandalf's eyes ?

What a great example of an actor who cares about the main source reading the books through the filming time. Not like other actors that don't care and don't know anything about a franchise before applying for a role in a film.

Martin Freeman is also a master, in his filming in Sherlock, it's said he just got rid of whole lines of dialogue and said "I can just do that in a look" and NAILS it

He's just mesmerising. I could watch him all day.

No doubt Ian McKellan is a tremendous actor. I do not want to diminish his ability and range, but i can't help but feel Nerdwriter is not giving the production team equal credit in capturing these emotions and presenting information. The director and cinematographer are the other two points in this golden triangle. Include the screenwriters to make it a golden square.

Never told this before to anyone: back in 1992 I saw "Last Action Hero" (starring Arnold Schwarzenegger) and Ian McKellen did the Death, coming out from a movie screen, walking in streets, killing with a touch. That scene made me think: " wow he is great, superb, his eyes look supernatural....He could do a perfect Gandalf, would love to see it". Eight years later my wish became true. Thanks Peter Jackson !!!!

“A step closer to divinity is a step further from humanity”. Thanks for this.

Wow, a stunning analysis of my favourite film performance. Thank you.

Beautifully done. Thank you!

2:11 - 2:35 just finished that amazing section and I gotta say, you are brilliant Nerdwriter, just brilliant. I'm never displeased watching one of your vids. I knew lotr was good and it had something to do with the shots Jackson chose but never noticed the escalation of eyes. Wow, so powerful. Edit: 3:05 -- heck yes!! that reaction shot gets me too! Completely agree; acting can save a script (and that implies right choice of camera shot too)

This is such a good essay, Evan. You mentioned that having an actor with this level of 'facial range' allows a writing team to avoid adding bad or useless dialogue, and I could not agree more. The only other performance I can think of that feels the same way is Peter Capaldi in Doctor Who. DW is a great show, but it has definitely had bad dialogue at times. The recent seasons have been rife with telling instead of showing. But for three seasons with Capaldi we almost never had that, because the writers were able to just let him use his expressions to portray more than most monologues would. It was a masterclass on acting. I wish he got more recognition. Excited to read your book next week! Congrats again.

He’s the kind of actor the director goes to for advice.

I felt the same way as you during the meeting where Frodo chooses to carry the ring. Gandlaf closes his eyes you get the full force of Frodo's decision to light.

That scene between Gandalf and Pippin always make me cry.

You should do an analysis on Russell Crowe's acting. He's also fantastic at acting with his eyes

This is a wonderful and careful analysis. What I especially appreciate about it is that the focus on the eyes was exceedingly important to J.R.R. Tolkien as well (note, for example, how many characters have grey eyes, which happens to have been the color of Tolkien's wife Edith's eyes). Gandalf's eyes in particular are given a noteworthy description: “In his aged face under great snowy brows his dark eyes were set like coals that could leap suddenly into fire.” (Tolkien, Fellowship of the Ring, II, i, 220.) Ian McKellen is cerainly able to convey the living quality of Gandalf's eyes that can leap suddenly to fire-and every other emotion.

One look can convey a myriad of emotions and express a thousand words.. truly, "the eyes are the windows of the soul"... keep the light burning Sir Ian🔥

This is fantastic. Would love to have seen how it applies to Ians other film roles as well

I wish it'll never happen, but if one day sir Ian McKellen pass away this is the video that we'll all come back to and cry

Great great video! You said some things that I always felt and did not know how to describe, specially in that scene where Gandalf closes his eyes after Frodo says he would carry the ring. That always breaks my hearth!

Ok but the best one about eyes in this movie is Sauron! Just a joke, great video ;)

Background music: "Trust this" Gandalf: "The Ring has awakened. It heard its Mater's call...!" Me: "We'd better dial the eagles..."

Short of asking Ian himself, this is about as close a description of what he was up to that we can get. Great job Nerdwriter1. 1st class honours with distinction.

3:16 that just did it for me. I saw so much care almost what a father feels for his son when he may become a man

I always loved that shot of Gandalf as Frodo announces that he'll take the ring. All the shouting and clamor just vanishes for Gandalf in that moment, and the gravity of what's about to begin hits home; his little friend, innocent, selfless, having no idea of what he's going to face, will be quite literally carrying the future of the world on his little shoulders, and will very likely die along the way. I'd love to see you do a video about ALL the subtle reactions and expressions from the various characters in the trilogy. There are so many of them! Another favorite moment is when the Balrog is approaching, and it's so very quiet, just that distant growling, and everyone's hushed and waiting for Gandalf to explain what this new monster is. And he's just standing there with his head bowed a little, and his eyes closed, and his face is pinched with pain. Just *looking* at him makes you terrified, because for something to affect Gandalf this way, it *must* be a horrible threat! In the same scene, we get a shot of Legolas' face, and he's just as petrified, he knows just as well as Gandalf what the Balrog is, but instead he's standing straight and tall, pale, and wide-eyed with horror. Two opposite reactions, but both so powerful! Also, the moment Eomer drops the orc helmet before spellbound Theoden, and you see the white hand painted on it. The look on *Eowyn's* face is so powerful. Her expression is grim, stony. Her eyes are on the helmet, and then without moving her head, they flick up to Grima, and her stare is just so cold and powerful. I could ramble on forever, so I'll stop there :)

Truly, McKellan brought me to tears more times than I could count with those expressive eyes.

Howard Shore's score + Sir Ian McKellen's acting = cinematic perfection.

Watching this because my siblings rewatched LOTR without me and I'm sooo mad

The passion you have for the franchise is so pure that just this video could inspire people who may not have watched the films watch them. And, although I agree with almost everything in the video, the highlight for me in this video is the mention/analysis of the moment Frodo takes the task. I have such high respect for Sir Ian just for that scene since the first time I saw the film; I have always thought that he has not received the credit he deserves for his acting skills. Thank you for this.

Now I need to watch the extended version again.

There are many other performances by Sir Ian McKellen that would have been deserving of inclusion in this video. But I am very happy this was all about LotR :)

Loved his laugh at the end.

I've always felt the same way with that close up of him hearing Frodo's words. His reaction when he realizes the Balrog is coming is also gold.

Sir Ian gives a beautiful description of his acting technique in an episode of extras

1:38 --> now I'm imagining Gandalf saying in a dramatic voice with his eyes staring "The hyperdrive generator is gone, master" xD

I thought the same when he-as Magneto-raised the Golden Gate Bridge in X-Men 3. You can almost feel him having a micro-stroke when one of his expressive eyebags twitched when he did it.

"It's a layer of performance that eliminates the need for bad dialogue." Well said!

This video is a just a love letter to Ian McKellen and I for one am here for it.

who is here to listen HIS VOICE

you forget the most inventive eye acting ian mckellen offers in lord of the rings: when he's sleeping with open eyes and then wakes up. the shift he makes from the 'sleeping open eyes' till 'the waking open eyes' is astonishingly subtly performed, you realize immediately that he has actually awoken.

He is indeed an amazing actor.

I knew you gonna mention the moment of Frodo´s decision. One of the greatest (but hidden) moments of the entire trilogy. tks a lot man!

what a fantastic observation thank you for pointing that out to me. I have always enjoyed watching Ian McKellen do Gandalf now I can watch him do it all over again enjoying it more.

Thank you for making this video. When I watched LOTR for the first time back in 2005, I immediately got awestruck by Sir Ian McKellen's expressions in these movies. Surprisingly, no one ever talked about this earlier.

The cast of this movie was absolutely stunning. Literally my only complaints were the abscense of Tom Bombadil (understandable) and Galadriels attitude, they NAILED the movie in the emotional context and it gives me chills every time

Love it, this is why I felt so much every time Gandalf steps into a scene...thank you for the video

I also love the scene where they are in Moria, running from the orcs and then suddenly the orcs flee. And there is no relax in Gandalf´s face, just pure despair. It almost looks like he is about to collapse as he answers the question of Boromir. And then he regains his courage and gives the command to run. Pure gold this acting!

This video made me cry like a baby and I don't even know why.

YES!! I love this because his expressions/eyes are the most powerful aside from his words- just like the scene with Galadriel and the fellowship. The eyes!!

i remember in Hobbit when the party was hopeless, Bilbo start talking about his home and Ian look at him like you look to a child and the same time passing to the watcher a heart whelming feeling. Showing that Gandalf "feel in love" with the simplicity and courage of the hobbits, his face said all.

This was terrific. His work on The Hobbit is excellent as well. That scene on Battle of the Five Armies between him and Martin Freeman with no dialogue was masterful.

Nonverbal communication is often more effective than verbal. The LOTR saga is very dear to me, it holds a big place in my heart. Thank you for this video 🙏

I remember he was in The Graham Norton Show and lighted an imaginary cigarrette and those few seconds were a masterclass in acting, he did it so effortlessly and I was just amazed.

Absolute genius of an actor. Love to see him on screen.

Very emotional and profound thinking! I am touched. Thank you!

That look from Gandalf at the council may be the single best scene in a fantastic movie

Personally I think the mouth of sauron has the best acting chops of them all, I mean who else can gather so much emotion with their mouth??

Wait, WHAT?! Gandolf dies and comes back as the *Gandolf the White?!* Spoilers dude!

Grown men don't cry, unless they are watching LOTR.

I told my mother that what really sells an actor for me is how good they are at expressing emotions through their eyes. Ian McKellen is the master, but the rest of the cast of LotR are pretty good too, mainly Pippin and Frodo. *starts singing Into The West*

I needed this so much. The music and narration was so soothing. So great to have this wonderful part of my favorite film trilogy of all time explored