Grishnákh

From Tolkien Gateway
Grishnákh
Orc
John Howe - Grishnakh.jpg
"Grishnakh" by John Howe
Biographical Information
PositionOrc-captain
LocationMordor
AffiliationSauron
Death29 February, T.A. 3019
Edge of Fangorn Forest
Physical Description
RaceOrcs
GenderMale
HeightShort
GalleryImages of Grishnákh

Grishnákh was a captain of Orcs from Mordor.[1] He was described as being a short, crook-legged creature, broad, with long arms hanging almost to the ground.[2]

History[edit | edit source]

On 26 February T.A. 3019[3] Grishnákh was part of a raiding party that captured Merry and Pippin at Parth Galen. He was the captain of a group of Mordor-orcs which had joined Uglúk's forces on the plains of Rohan during the War of the Ring. When Pippin awoke and heard the Orcs arguing he noted that Grishnákh's voice sounded softer but more evil than the others. Grishnákh threatened to report the doings of the mountain-orcs and of Uglúk to Lugbúrz (Barad-dûr).[2]

On 28 February[3] Grishnákh and his followers split from Uglúk's company to head east, but fell back in with the Isengarders when Éomer's riders drew near. In the nighttime when he had a chance, Grishnákh attempted to search the hobbits for the One Ring (how he knew about it is unknown; possibly he was present at the torture and interrogation of Gollum in Barad-dûr). After hearing Pippin imitate Gollum's croaking noise, he believed they had the One Ring and tried to escape with the two hobbits. Before he could accomplish this he was slain by the Riders of Éomer near the eaves of Fangorn Forest.[2]

Other versions of the legendarium[edit | edit source]

The earlier form of the name Grishnákh used by Tolkien was Gríshnák.[4]

Portrayal in adaptations[edit | edit source]

1978: The Lord of the Rings (1978 film):

No individual orcs are identified - or identifiable, but one orc yells "Grishnákh" to another when they are surrounded by the Rohirrim. Merry also tells one orc (as with the book) that if the Ring goes to Isengard there will be nothing "for poor Grishnákh".

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers:

Grishnákh is played by Stephen Ure. He is a common orc who is crushed by Treebeard after he attempts to kill Merry and Pippin.

2002: Pán prsteňov (2001-2003 Slovak radio series):

The voice of Grishnákh is provided by Eduard Vitek.

2004: The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring:

Grishnákh is a captain in the evil faction. He is voiced by David Lodge.

References

  1. J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age", "Of Other Races"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Two Towers, "The Uruk-hai"
  3. 3.0 3.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix B, "The Great Years"
  4. J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Treason of Isengard, "XXI. The Uruk-hai", p. 409. Cf. also Index
The Lord of the Rings film series
Source material: The Hobbit · The Lord of the Rings
Films The Fellowship of the Ring (extended editionThe Two Towers (extended edition) · The Return of the King (extended edition)
Music The Fellowship of the Ring (The Complete Recordings) · The Two Towers (The Complete Recordings) · The Return of the King (The Complete Recordings) · "May It Be" · "Gollum's Song" · "Into the West"
Tie-in books Official Movie Guide · The Making of the Movie Trilogy · Complete Visual Companion · Gollum: How We Made Movie Magic · There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale · Weapons and Warfare · The Art of The Lord of the Rings · Sketchbook
The Fellowship of the Ring Visual Companion · The Art of The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers Visual Companion · Photo Guide · The Art of The Two Towers
The Return of the King Visual Companion · The Art of The Return of the King
Video games The Two Towers · The Return of the King · The Third Age · Tactics · Conquest · Aragorn's Quest · Lego The Lord of the Rings
Characters Frodo · Bilbo · Gandalf · Sam · Merry · Pippin · Gandalf · Aragorn · Boromir · Legolas · Gimli · Elrond · Galadriel · Théoden · Éomer · Éowyn · Saruman · Sauron · Witch-king · Denethor · Faramir · Gollum · Gríma · Treebeard · Celeborn · Haldir · Lurtz · Sharku · Grishnákh