franchise has introduced entire generations to the classic characters and monsters straight from the pages of the books. It is no exaggeration to say that many genres of fantasy owe their existence to for laying the foundation for them, even when they exist to divert from the typical fantasy tropes. As a result of this fame, many characters have been imagined in new and unique ways. However, that doesn't mean they always get an accurate representation as they are shown in the books.
One famous monster from the books, in particular, is not depicted as it should be, both in movies and on television.
This, of course, refers to the Balrogs. Far from the imposing devil-like monsters seen on screen, the Balrogs are actually far more terrifying. This is not because they are hulking monstrosities that seem to have been born from Hell but because they are twisted echoes of once great beings, corrupted by an evil even darker than they are. It is for this reason that the Balrogs are actually done a disservice by presenting them as mindless monsters. They are ancient, terrifying beings whose minds and power are on the same level as people like Gandalf or Saruman.
Many fans will remember and treasure the classic moment when the Balrog, known as Durin's Bane, attacks the Fellowship of the Ring. The emergence of the devilish beast surrounded by flame and smoke has been a staple of the trilogy series for years now, as is the moment Gandalf seemingly sacrificed himself in the creature presented to his mortal friends. While the movie did an excellent job of showing how terrifying a Balrog could be, a representation of overwhelming force, it probably left fans who have read the book feeling slightly discontent because they didn't match their book description.
While the Balrogs do retain their towering stature onscreen and are properly wreathed in flame and smoke, what details can be made out about the creature actually don't align with the book's description at all. Fans can see a devilish creature with massive horns, claws, and wings that were unable to save it from plummeting to its death. All of which was not attributed to ancient menaces that lived through the very first darkness to befall the world of Arda.
As Tolkien described them, the Balrogs were indeed creatures of flame and shadow, standing at twice the height of Men or Elves. Yet that is where the similarities between their book selves and movie counterparts end.
The Balrogs are actually humanoid in appearance, owing to their true origins and how they turned into the monstrosities they are today.
Perhaps most significantly, the books never state whether the Balrogs have wings. The closest reference being that they cast dark shadows "like two vast wings." Considering that a handful of Balrogs have fallen from high places and were completely helpless to do anything about it, it can be surmised that they do not have wings. For all of Morgoth's transgressions, impracticality was not one of them. He wouldn't have given the Balrogs wings that were utterly useless.
That being said, they are still and become even more so when one is armed with the truth of their beginnings.
The Balrogs originally had a more noble purpose to exist. Before rose to power, the Balrogs didn't even exist. Back then, they were Maiar, powerful spirits meant to help the Valar shape the nascent world of Arda. They existed to help craft the world according to Eru Iluvatar's will, bringing light and perfection to the land.
In short, they were a force for good that had a noble purpose and destiny set out before them.
Then along came Morgoth, who proceeded to seduce a number of Maiar to his cause with and his vision for what Arda could become. For their loyalty, they were corrupted into the demonic horrors fans know today, becoming Morgoth's most trusted and dangerous soldiers. The Balrogs were instrumental in saving Morgoth's life when he picked a , a powerful spider spirit that nearly killed him in battle. Had it not been for the Balrogs arriving to support their master, Middle-earth might have been rid of its greatest threat before he could truly leave his tainted mark on the world.
So, in a way, the Balrogs are partially responsible for enabling evil's survival in the world, allowing it to flourish rather than perish.
In this lies the ultimate symbolism for what the Balrogs are: a mockery of everything that was ever meant to be good about the world of Arda. Morgoth promised a future of perfection, and the Balrogs are the truth of that aspiration made manifest. They are literal shadows of what they once were, spreading fear and darkness instead of hope and light.
It is this origin that makes the Balrogs so terrifying. Not because they are lava demons waiting in the depths to murder unwary travelers but because they are intelligent, powerful creatures with an arsenal at their disposal that makes the common warrior useless against them.
The symbolism of their existence alone serves to remind fans how long this evil has been plaguing Middle-earth and how even the world's mightiest are not susceptible to the allure of power. To depict them as anything less than the cunning entities they truly are is a disservice, not only to the creatures themselves but to the fans who do not get to witness them in all their terrible glory.
, the abilities of the Balrogs likely stem well past what has been jotted down on paper over the years. It has been confirmed that the Balrogs wield weapons made out of fire. Swords with blades that burn forever, maces seemingly made from lava and whips of pure flame to scorch the world around them. Yet, their origins as Maiar offer more to their arsenal than merely the demonic gifts bestowed upon them by their lost master.
As with much of Tolkien's deepest lore, the exact limits of a Maiar's powers are open to speculation, but given the context of their purpose for being created, as well as comparisons to other similar entities such as the Valar and the Ainur, some things can be surmised about the Maiar themselves.
First, they are powerful beings, meant to help shape the world around them, potentially giving them powers to enhance or manipulate their environments, something the Balrogs do by projecting an aura of terror when they appear.
Second, they likely possess a similar level of magic to their immortal counterparts. As Morgoth himself retained his magical abilities when he fell from grace, then it can be surmised that he would not have stripped the newly created Balrogs of their own magical talents. An immortal honor guard of magic-wielding monsters made of flame and smoke is too good an opportunity to pass up.
This, however, presents the biggest flaw in their depictions on screen, as they have been reduced from the magically potent and highly intelligent threats. They actually are little more than really intimidating guard dogs watching and waiting for someone foolish enough to enter their lairs.
The Balrogs could be so much more if the movies had been truthful to their depiction. Alas, because of how they were shown in movies, it seems unlikely that the Balrogs will be shown as their truest selves. Imagine beings once meant to assist in the progression of life twisted so thoroughly that they now do the exact opposite.
The Balrogs shouldn't just be mindless monsters; they are a representation of everything that went wrong with the origins of Middle-Earth itself. They should be demonic sorcerers whose very presence chokes the life out of their surroundings, leading vast hoards and smiting scores of enemies unfit to challenge them, let alone gain their attention. The Balrogs deserve the chance to properly terrify an audience, and it's a shame that it's unlikely to happen anytime soon.
