The complexity of The Lord of the Rings began with J.R.R. Tolkien’s original writings. His world of fantasy is arguably one of the most detailed pieces of fiction. Tolkien delved into bloodlines, various communities, and quite literally everything in between. As such, Peter Jackson’s film adaptation included as much of the trilogy as artistically possible, upholding the excellence of Tolkien himself. The war in Middle-earth divided good and evil, with the latter falling under the command of the Dark Lord Sauron. As the films go on, the power of the One Ring is made evident. Boromir is the weakest of the Fellowship, finding it difficult to resist its pull, even though he wasn’t on Sauron’s side. But it’s Saruman who stands as the greatest example of what the influence of evil can do.

Gandalf and Saruman are both Wizards who were sent to Middle-earth by the Valor in a bid to help the Free Peoples (Elves, Dwarfs, Men, and Ents) to defeat Sauron and his armies. But of the five sent, Gandalf was the only one who stayed true to his mission. His motives were only to look out for and guide the side of good to defeat the dark side. However, Saruman wasn’t so capable of remaining so strong. Gandalf’s meeting with Saruman highlighted what Gandalf didn’t know, adding to the strain. With Saruman, Sauron’s forces were even stronger, and like with everything in The Lord of the Rings, there’s meaning and reason to every scene, always pushing the narrative forward to keep it fresh for audiences.

Gandalf Thought Saruman Was Still an Ally

In what became one of Gandalf’s greatest scenes, he truly showed his strength of character, demonstrating where his heart and loyalties are placed. Gandalf rode to Isengard to seek advice from his old friend Saruman. From the moment Gandalf arrives, viewers can see the difference between the two Wizards, even if Gandalf doesn’t yet suspect anything. Saruman’s confidence and dark superiority is exuded in Christopher Lee’s performance, while Ian McKellen’s softer interpretation of Gandalf depicts the possibility of him being at some kind of disadvantage. Saruman knew from the off that Gandalf was seeking his counsel. Gandalf admitted to Saruman that the One Ring was “under my very nose,” as it had been found in the Shire. Saruman’s facade begins to slip when he tells Gandalf, “You did not have the wit to see it. Your love of the halflings’ leaf has slowed your mind.” Gandalf attempted to remain positive, explaining that if they act quickly, they can still counter Sauron. At this point, Saruman shows himself to have more information than first thought. Once inside Orthanc, he goes on to tell Gandalf about Sauron’s form as the ever-watchful eye. Gandalf is shocked to learn Saruman knows that Sauron will soon have summoned an army, which will be large enough to take on Middle-earth. Slowly, Saruman begins to reveal who he truly is.

“We must join with him, Gandalf.” – Saruman to Gandalf.

Saruman seamlessly transitions into an evil presence. Up until then, Gandalf had no reason to believe that he was anything but an ally to Middle-earth since Gandalf hadn’t been in close, or consistent contact with Saruman. For all he knew, he could still rely upon his friend and leader. Saruman made a brief attempt to get Gandalf on the dark side; “We must join with him, Gandalf. We must join with Sauron. It would be wise, my friend.” Of course, and as would be expected, Gandalf had no willingness to turn his back on the good of Middle-earth. Their fight broke out after Gandalf went back at Saruman with the line, “When did Saruman the wise abandon reason for madness.”

Even though Gandalf understood what was going on at this point, he was taken off-guard by Saruman’s change. Gandalf had gone there with no thought of having to defend himself and was thrown into an unprecedented duel. What’s more, Saruman was in familiar surroundings, Gandalf wasn’t. Saruman was able to quickly close the exits when Gandalf attempted to flee. He knew Orthanc far better than Gandalf, giving him the upper hand. Saruman overpowered Gandalf until they were on Orthanc’s roof. Gandalf caught a moth, instructing it to fetch the eagle Gwaihir to save him. Gwaihir arrives, and Gandalf is flown away from Saruman’s tower. Unbeknownst to Gandalf, Saruman hadn’t become evil overnight. Instead, his darkness had been growing for some time, with a personality that made him more likely to turn away from good.

Saruman Was More Powerful

Although all five Wizards were sent to assist in the saving of Middle-earth, they weren’t all on the exact same level of power as each other. Radagast the Brown isn’t in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but in The Hobbit, he is displayed as being a little less competent than Gandalf or Saruman, with less focus and determination. Little is known about the two Blue Wizards, who don’t make appearances in any of the movies. When it comes to Gandalf and Saruman, it’s a closer call. However, Saruman had been appointed as leader of the White Council and was in charge of the Istari. Gandalf was still “the Grey” when he fought Saruman at Orthanc. Had he been Gandalf the White at that time, then he might’ve been a tougher opponent.

When the Fellowship went through the Mines of Moria, they were met with their own battle against the evil that lurked there. While the rest of the group fought Goblins and Orcs, Gandalf was left to face the Balrog, Durin’s Bane. It looked as though he defeated the creature before being dragged down with it, leaving everyone to presume Gandalf had died. They were wrong. After fighting the Balrog, Eru (the single creator of existence) brought Gandalf back as the White, giving him all the powers of the five Wizards combined. Only Gandalf had followed through with what he was tasked to do. The others had failed. Becoming “the White” happened after his fight at Orthanc. Saruman had also become unpredictable. Gandalf wasn’t aware of who he had become, so he wasn’t prepared to fight with his dark powers. Needless to say, Saruman didn’t remain the most powerful Wizard, nor did he enable Sauron to triumph.

Gandalf’s First Concern Was Frodo

When Saruman gave Gandalf the details of Sauron’s rising, he told him about the Ringwraiths. “The nine have left Minas Morgul…They crossed the river Isen on midsummer’s eve, disguised as riders in black…They will find the Ring and kill the one who carries it.” Gandalf was horrified to learn that the Nazgul had reached the Shire, immediately turning to leave Orthanc and help the Hobbit, which he was unable to do. Again, it’s another small element that might not have put Gandalf in the best position to take on Saruman. His mind was with Frodo and his safety, not his own. Frodo and Gandalf had a strong bond, which was depicted from the start of The Fellowship of the Ring. Upon hearing Gandalf’s voice in the distance, Frodo ran over to him. The two had a light joke before Frodo leaped into Gandalf’s arms, delighted to see his friend. Gandalf already knew Frodo’s Uncle Bilbo, and Gandalf a particular fondness for Hobbits. So Gandalf’s concern for Frodo wasn’t just because he’d sent him on a journey to Bree and felt responsible. His concern also came out of love and friendship.

The Lord of the Rings is inundated with intense scenes and large-scale battles or chases between good and evil are enthralling to watch, but it’s the meaning behind each of them that adds depth. Saruman and Gandalf having a fight wasn’t simply thrown into the narrative to add some action. The two Wizards had a history, which made it all the more gripping to watch. The fact that Gandalf wasn’t aware of Saruman becoming evil proved that even the wisest and most powerful beings in Middle-earth didn’t know everything, so almost anything could happen. The power and influence of evil were taking a stronghold. Saruman was an example of Sauron preying on those who could be weak to his control. Finally, Gandalf’s reaction was demonstrative of his firm choice to defend Middle-earth. Although there would’ve come a point when Gandalf wouldn’t have been able to resist the One Ring’s temptation, he was evidently the right being to guide Frodo on his treacherous path to Mordor.