Durin III was the name given to Peter Mullan’s character in the Lord of the Rings series . Durin III was portrayed as an old and wise king who ruled over the dwarven city of Khazad-dum. Though he took many turns during his time on screen, Durin III can best be remembered as one of the characters that rose from simple background filler to main character status. His role as king, father and friend made him one of the most memorable dwarves in film history, despite his short time on screen. This blog will explore these turns and what led to them. Peter Mullan as Durin III: A Journey Through the Rings of Power
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A Closer Look at Peter Mullan’s Role as Durin III
If you’ve ever seen the fantasy film The Lord of the Rings, you might be aware of how star Peter Mullan plays the role of Durin III, otherwise known as King of Khazad-dum and father to Gimli, who was portrayed by John Rhys-Davies in the epic trilogy.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
desires possession of the One Ring to usher in his reign. He is also a very powerful figure with deep knowledge in the arts and sciences which make him the ultimate power hungry villain. However, he’s not just evil for the sake of being evil. As we watch his interactions with Bilbo Baggins (Ian Holm) and Gandalf (Ian McKellen), we see that he does have a conscience. As one scene demonstrates when Gandalf visits the hall of Durin for a second time seeking aid from all races against Sauron, he denies such help because it would mean war within their own lands which could result in destruction for them all.
The Battle at Nanduhirion
Durin III, king of the Dwarven city of Khazad-dum, oversees an assembly with the dwarves in attendance. The purpose is to distribute the Rings. When it’s his turn to speak, he informs them that he will keep the most powerful and fair until Sauron is defeated. The dwarves give their rings willingly for the cause.
The Fourteen created by Celebrimbor were distributed in pairs so that one Ring would always stay hidden.
Glamdring
In The Lord of the Rings, Peter Mullan stars as Durin III, king of the Dwarven city of Khazad-dum. He appears throughout the film trilogy, interacting with the other dwarves and Gandalf. As Khazad-dum’s king, he follows his grandfather’s rule about taking all items from intruders alive and any items left behind must be handed over in ransom.
A Crown Fit for a King
The Dwarves are the oldest race in Middle-earth. They descend from the first smith, Khagaman, or Maker. The Dwarves forged some of the most powerful and magical artifacts ever created–the Rings of Power. Four dwarves–Durin I, II, III and IV–have been chosen by destiny to hold these rings throughout the centuries. But not all dwarven kings were made equal.
The Elessar
Peter Mullan is one the first to play a major role in The Lord of the Rings who’s not British. Unlike many other American actors, he holds his own against a host of Brits when it comes to portraying European or Scandinavian characters. His portrayal of Durin III in The Rings of Power is some fantastic acting. He’s got that gruff but kind voice that fits perfectly with Durin and you can see in his eyes how much love he has for Khazad-dum. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him act better than he does here and it only makes me wish we had more chances to see him like this.
…And Lasting Peace.
We know him best as the dwarf king Durin III from Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings, but we know little about his backstory. The Lord of the Rings lore on Durin is minimal, but Tolkien’s son Christopher has been quoted saying that ‘Durin awoke in darkness and was lonely.’ The children, who were born much later than their father after an unknown time without life or joy among the dwarves, left him feeling a deep sense of loss.
Making the Ring Come to Life
The film The Lord of the Rings is an extremely extensive and painstaking project, with a lot at stake for everyone involved. One way the filmmakers made their ambitious project come to life was through casting; Peter Mullan portrays Durin III, king of the Dwarven city of Khazad-dum.
Durin is a king that has an important rule in the lore of the books. In The Lord of the Rings, there are rings and other pieces of powerful objects that hold significant power. The rings are not just worn by people; they can also be worn by elves and dwarves (which is what happens with Durin). King Durin wore one such ring–the ring of power, which had immense powers.
How old was Peter Mullan when he started acting?
Older actors always face a certain degree of judgment about when it’s appropriate to call it quits, but for Peter Mullan, an actor who is best known for his acclaimed turns in films like My Name Is Joe and Ratcatcher, it must have felt like the world was telling him to stop.
Mullan turned fifty on November 15th, 2002. His best work was behind him; or so we thought.
Who is John Mullan?
John Mullan is a Scottish actor, director, and writer best known for his role in The Magdalene Sisters. He has since written and directed Gangs of New York and Goodbye Harry, among other films. His latest project is playing King Durin III in The Lord of the Rings. Here’s a brief summary of his work.
What kind of movies does Matthew Mullan appear in?
Matthew appears in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Young Adam, Braveheart, 28 Days Later, Red Road and Trainspotting. His films have ranged from family to horror. He is a skilled actor with versatility and depth that show in his roles.
