Harry Goatleaf

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Revision as of 17:03, 26 April 2021 by A Hobbit Gentleman (talk | contribs) (→‎Portrayal in adaptations: added entry concerning the early 2000s Slovak radio series)
Harry Goatleaf
Man of Bree
The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring - Harry Goatleaf.png
Harry Goatleaf from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Biographical Information
PositionGate-keeper
LocationBree
AffiliationRuffians
Physical Description
GenderMale
GalleryImages of Harry Goatleaf

Harry Goatleaf was a Man of Bree and a member of the Goatleaf Family. He worked as the keeper of the western gate in the great hedge that surrounded the township of Bree.

As such, he was the first of the Men (Big Folk) encountered by Frodo and his companions on their travels during the War of the Ring - he greeted them gruffly on their arrival at the town. He was later present in the Prancing Pony doing suspicious actions, as it was later discovered he was under the power of the Nazgûl.[1]

Some months after the hobbits' departure, Harry, together with Bill Ferny, joined with a band of brigands from the south, causing trouble that left five of the Bree-landers dead.[2] After that, he left Bree with other ruffians, presumably to join Sharkey's Men in the Shire.

Portrayal in adaptations

2001: The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003 Slovak radio series):

Harry Goatleaf makes a brief appearance early in the second episode of the radio series. He is portrayed by an uncredited actor (making him the only notable character in the entire series to go uncredited).

2001: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring:

Harry Goatleaf is played by Martyn Sanderson. Unlike the novel, he doesn't seem to be in league with the Black Riders. In fact, he is killed when the Black Riders knock the gate down and crush him underneath it as they storm Bree.

2002: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game):

Harry Goatleaf is first encountered as one of the patrons in the Prancing Pony Inn, where he warns Frodo that suspicious folk have been seen in Bree, and seemingly shows concern for Frodo's safety and well-being. He is later seen in a cutscene opening the town's gates and letting wolves loose into the streets. After this, he is never seen again. He is voiced by an uncredited Tom Kane.

References