Gimli is the dwarven hero who joins the Fellowship of the Ring in The Lord of the Rings. He was imagined by Tolkien as a powerful warrior and a major ally in the war against Sauron. From his place in Tolkien's writings to his role in Peter Jackson's films and the Expanded Universe, here are 8 facts you (maybe) didn't know about Gimli.
#8 Gimli is no joke
The most dedicated readers of Tolkien's work have often criticized the frankness of Lord of the Rings for exaggerating Gimli's annoying and impulsive traits, while downplaying the deeper aspects of his personality. Indeed, dn the books, Gimli is a loyal, proud and quite romantic character. However, the adaptation work of Peter Jackson and his teams led to the modification of many details originally present in the text. For example, the choice to cross the caverns of Moria is attributed to Gimli in the film, while it reverted to Gandalf in the original work. If the comic touch brought by Gimli added lightness, it clearly did not pay homage to the wisdom of the character and the dwarf people as a whole.
#7 There is another Gimli in Tolkien's universe
Interesting fact: the name “Gimli” is linked to the idea of listening, with linguistic roots meaning “to hear” and “to listen attentively”. Gold, in Tolkien's universe, the name Gimli is not limited to the famous dwarf of the trilogy of Lord of the Rings. Indeed, there is another Gimli, a blind and elderly elf from the First Era, who appears in The Tale of Tinúviel (L'Histoire de Tinúviel) ainsi que dans The History of Middle-Earth. This other Gimli is a gnome/Elf (according to versions) from the Ñoldor people, captive and slave in the fortress of Tevildo (an ally of Morgoth).
Although he became blind over time, he developed an exceptional sense of hearing, which earned him a great reputation among the elves of Tol Eressëa. When a significant event occurred, Lúthien and Beren (two great heroes of Tolkien's lore discussed here) succeeded in freeing the captive slaves. However, only Beren and Gimli survived, and they escaped together. Gimli's gift of listening was so fine that it inspired songs.
#6 Gimli comes from a great family of heroes and adventurers
Most know that Gimli was the only dwarf to be part of the Fellowship of the Ring. But this particular status is actually a logical event in his life. Indeed, Gimli is simply the latest addition to a family of many heroes. legendaries of Tolkien's universe. So his father Gloin and his uncles and cousins Dwalin, Balin, and Oin participated in the Quest for Erebor, taking back the Lonely Mountain from the terrible dragon Smaug. Gloin, like his son Gimli, has a fiery character and shows boundless loyalty to his friends. Gloin is also present at the Council of Elrond with his son Gimli in the books (and originally in the films too, but the character has changed somewhat since The Hobbit films).
#5 Gimli's admiration for Galadriel hides a lot of information
Gimli's admiration for Galadriel In Lord of the Rings goes beyond simple fascination. As a dwarf, an expert in gemology, Gimli is naturally drawn to the beauty of gems and treasures. Yet, he calls Galadriel “a treasure greater than all the jewels of Earth”, revealing a deep and unique respect for the elf.
Galadriel's hair, evoking the light of the Sacred Trees destroyed by Morgoth, inspires a link with the legendary Silmarils, jewels created by Fëanor. The latter had begged Galadriel three times to offer him a lock of her hair, but she refused, perceiving the pride of his heart. Conversely, she grants Gimli three hairs, a gift symbolizing the purity of his intentions.
Some theories reinforce this link, suggesting that the very precious stone called Arkenstone, treasure of the Dwarves of Erebor and which fascinates all Dwarves, could be one of the Silmarils created by Fëanor. Thus, Gimli's attraction to Galadriel could be part of a fascination similar to that generated by the Arkenstone. At any rate, this gesture of Galadriel testifies above all to a reconciliation between Dwarves and Elves, emphasizing mutual respect and the depth of their relationships beyond prejudice. This elven-dwarf bond will be then consolidated by the friendship established between Legolas and Gimli.
#4 Gimli's Ax is connected to the Hobbit trilogy
Gimli is inseparable from his axe, a symbol of power and heritage. In the books and Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animated film, Gimli carries a single axe. However, in Peter Jackson's films, he wields several weapons, ranging from a bearded ax to a double-bladed battle ax to throwing axes. Among these weapons, one particularly stands out: the ax he recovers in the mines of Moria.This weapon, often considered Durin's Axe, is an ancestral heirloom forged in the forges of Erebor, where steel and mithril combined to create legendary weapons that are as strong as they are elegant.
In the trilogy of Hobbit by Peter Jackson, we discover that this ax was initially in the possession of Gloin, Gimli's father, then Balin, Gimli's cousin. Balin had taken it during his tragic attempt to re-establish the dwarven kingdom in Moria (which is discussed in detail here). After discovering Balin's fate in Moria, Gimli picks up this ax during a fight against a cave troll. It therefore becomes his main weapon, a symbol of the bravery of the Dwarves and, obviously, a clever link between the two trilogies.
#3 Tolkien had a problem with Gimli's ending
The end of Gimli's story in Lord of the Rings has always perplexed people, including its own creator, JRR Tolkien. The dwarf, known for his crucial role in the Brotherhood of the Ring and his historic friendship with the elf Legolas, achieved an unprecedented feat: he became the first and only dwarf to be accepted into the Undying Lands, a privilege normally reserved for immortals, elves, and surviving Ringbearers to trial and corruption (Bilbo, Frodo and Sam). This surprising exception is mentioned in Appendix A of The Return of the King. Tolkien himself described this situation as “very strange”. The author attributed this honor to two factors: the deep friendship between Gimli and Legolas, and the dwarf's admiration for Galadriel, who would have pleaded his cause with the Valar.
Despite everything, Tolkien was unable to fully explain this deviation to a thousand-year-old rule. Gimli not only defied tradition by befriending an elf, but he also broke the cultural boundaries of Middle-earth. Its end, marked by a journey alongside Legolas towards Valinor, embodies a bond so powerful that it transcends established rules. This conclusion, although mysterious, also testifies to the fact that, despite its application to creating an ultra complete and coherent world, Tolkien liked to introduce gray areas to which he himself had no answer.
#2 The actor who plays Gimli thought the film would be a flop
John Rhys-Davies, who plays Gimli in The Lord of the Rings, revealed thathe initially doubted the success of Peter Jackson's adaptation. When he learned that the director, known at the time for modest films, was going to tackle Tolkien's monumental work, Rhys-Davies thought the project was doomed to failure. The actor confided that he had accepted the role of the dwarf largely to visit New Zealand, thinking the first film would fail and the next two would be released direct-to-video.
Rhys-Davies also feared the physical constraints of the role, notably the long hours of makeup required to wear Gimli's prosthetics. Despite these doubts, the trilogy established itself as a cinematic masterpiece, acclaimed by critics and adored by fans. Ironically, this project that he saw as an insane risk became one of the greatest successes in the history of cinema. Unfortunately, the actor made a much worse choice by agreeing to appear in King Rising : In the Name of the King by Uwe Boll, who wanted to be the new Lord of the Rings and whose two sequels, as it happens, were only released on video.
#1 John Rhys-Davies would only reprise his role as Gimli under one condition
John Rhys-Davies, the emblematic interpreter of Gimli in Lord of the Ringsrecently revealed thathe could consider reprising his role, but on one condition: the use of CGI to replace physical makeup and prosthetics. In an interview with Collider, the actor explained that he no longer wanted to go through the long and grueling makeup process that required him to spend eight hours a day in a chair, an experience that had affected his skin.
However, Rhys-Davies says he is open to the idea, particularly out of respect for Andy Serkis, who is directing the next film The Hunt for Gollum while reprising his role as Gollum, alongside Ian McKellen (Gandalf). With modern technologyhe considers that a return would be possible, while avoiding the inconvenience caused by the heavy armor and other physical challenges he faced during the original trilogy.
And if you still want to learn about dwarves, don't hesitate to explore our files dedicated to Thorin, Nori, Bilbo, Bombur or Balin and if you want to discover even more about the members of the Fellowship of the Ring, you can also explore our files on Aragorn, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Sam, Boromir, Legolas or Gandalf the Gray and Gandalf the White.
