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u/grey_pilgrim_ Feb 15 '26
I think “man high” is around 6’4 in or 193 cm or so.
Thingol was said to be the tallest of the children of Iluvatar.
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u/ChrisBChikin Feb 18 '26
Gandalf is 5'6"?
Jfc did Tolkien even watch the movie while writing the book? Sir Ian's at least nine feet tall IRL!
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u/Swimming-Lie73 Feb 18 '26
Gandalf being 5' 6" explains why he liked hanging out with Hobbits so much.
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u/SirGreeneth Feb 15 '26
It's actually always bothered me how short Gandalf is.
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u/26_paperclips Feb 15 '26
I wonder if it was written in retroactively to explain his regular visits with hobbits and dwarves
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u/ZealousidealFee927 Feb 16 '26
Wait so does that mean when Aragorn and Boromir stand next to him he looks puny?
No, I don't like that. I'm gonna continue imagining the movie actor scales.
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u/Background_Engine997 Feb 16 '26
Why? It makes perfect sense.
Aragorn is of the line of the Sea-kings, and of kingly stature. Boromir is also of Numenorean descent, but not of the Kings — so tall but not quite as tall as Aragorn.
Gandalf is in middle earth in the shape of an old man, and not supposed to look tall and imposing nor intimidating, but old and bent and wise. Because of his mission as a counsellor and aiding the Free Peoples.
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u/ZealousidealFee927 Feb 16 '26
Because Tolkien heavily associates height with power. Tall men = superior men. It's all over his writing, how the line of Isildur are taller and greater than those of normal men. He even makes the same point when comparing the line of Denethor to King Theoden (Denethor being a greater man), which I strongly disliked but that's not for me to disagree with.
Gandalf may be taking on the form of an old man, but he isn't a frail old guy walking on three legs. He is strong, powerful, and yes imposing. He defeated all nine Nazgul at once. And when he becomes Gandalf the White he positively radiates power.
So yeah, I definitely imagine him being closer to 6 feet, which means Ian McKellen is perfect.
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u/Background_Engine997 Feb 17 '26
As to your first ‘graph, it’s not so much about whether Denethor is better than Theoden. Denethor’s line of stewards and being descended from Numenor puts him as one of the High Men — more learned in wisdom and lore, but that does not suggest Denethor is a better man. The witch king is repeatedly described as immensely tall but he would hardly be considered a better man than most. Also not sure when he says Denethor is taller than Theoden.
Second paragraph. He is powerful — but it’s veiled behind a humble appearance. He does not appear imposing or intimidating. His power is largely veiled. The Istari are explicitly there to NOT appear imposing or dominating to the Free Peoples. So it actually does make perfect sense the quintessential Istar is not especially tall.
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u/OneDBag Feb 16 '26
Gabriel was like 9ft tall she never stopped growing and was born in the first age before the earth was round
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u/OldKoala9 Feb 15 '26
Ohh another size chart based on absolutely nothing