Denethor
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Denethor

London Times pose, on grey background


Denethor is a tragic cinema character.  He wears robes all in grey and black that emphasize the gloomy, somber atmosphere that Gondor has succumbed to.   He has three outfits but usually just changes the outer robe when necessary.


Denethor Index


Robes of State

Under-Robe

Costume galleries show the first underlayer, with V-shaped quilted inset and a high collar, has sixteen simple buttons (thirteen are visible onscreen). The rest of the underrobe appears to be ordinary black silk and falls to ankle length. The sleeves are very blousy and are much the same shape as Frodo's fellowship shirtsleeves; they are baggy and end in tight cuffs about three inches deep with four buttons. The sleeve material is crinkly. The quilted inset appears to be more black silk, possibly the plain stuff like the body of the robe, in a sunburst design. The front comes to a V-point, the back may be slightly rounded. The collar may be soft lambskin. invisible zipper down the back.

Open questions:
Are the buttons silver, black pearlescent, or possibly hematite? they are very shiny in the gallery stills, but dark and hard to see in pics.

Velvet Robe

The next layer is a sleeveless vest style robe that covers part of the under-robe's inset. The "V" of the vest is heavily embroidered in silver and encompasses a large silver star in the center. It is about two to three inches thick. The rest of the robe appears to be silk-velvet and is has a deep gray pattern; it is slightly uneven and mirrored on either side of the robe. It might be a burnout pattern a la Boromir's velvet cloak.

Over-robe

The top layer is black velvet lined with three-inch thick light grey wolf-hair.  When the over-robe catches the light it appears to be steel-gray in color, could it be silk-velvet?  The sleeves are deep and come to just past the wrist.  There is a two foot train in the back.

Picture Reference


Osgiliath Robes

Under-Robe

In the Two Towers Extended Edition we see Denethor arrive to congratulate Boromir.  Now he is wearing his battle-version of the Under-robe. There are now only fourteen visible buttons. According to the gallery stills the sleeves are also much trimmer, no longer blousy, with a tapered cuff to facilitate wearing the vambraces and gloves.

Open question: are these the same buttons as the other Under-Robe and just catching the light different, or are these a matte black?

Velvet Robe

This appears to be the same full length sleeveless garment worn with his Robes of State.

Over-Robe

This version uses the same rich velvet as the other two, but the fur lining the collar and front facing, and edging the sleeve cuffs  is completely different.  It appears to be a light grey and heavily mottled wool.  It starts at three inches from the ribcage level and spreads to about seven inches towards the top completely obscuring Denethor's shoulders.  The sleeves are split at the elbow, allowing for unimpeded swordplay should Denethor need to fight.  The overrobe is lined in a plum-grey satin, presumably to prevent Denethor's maille from rubbing against the velvet of the robe.


Picture Reference

BtS shot "family" pic w/PJ and other gondorian soldiers
http://www.warofthering.net/photoforum/showphoto.php?photo=6122&sort=1&cat=all&page=2


In His Maille

Under-Robe

Given that Denethor is wearing gloves and vambraces, it is likely that he is wearing the same 'battle' version of the Under-robe that he wore in Osgiliath: with the 14 buttons and tighter sleeves.

Velvet Robe

The middle layer has the usual yoke collar and the rest of the gown is a plain black fabric, probably cotton or light wool.

Armor

On top goes what appears to be huge maille hauberk  that is actually a short byrnie combined with a very long wrap-around skirt that  all laces up in the back with leather ties (like Eowyn and Aragorn's Black Gate armor do).  The maille comes up to  Denethor's collarbone and ends right above the wrists.  The skirt splits at groin level for riding.

Denethor wears vambraces with huge etched silver stars at the points and have embossed seagulls' wings on the top in the same style as Boromir's. 

Over-Robe

A third and different overrobe completes the ensemble.  Same black velvet used on the other two overrobes but this is edged in a fine, very dark grey or almost black fur, possibly bear.  Fur collar extends around the back possibly into a pleated hood. Again, the sleeves split at the elbow for unencumbered movements. This over-robe is lined in grey satin to prevent the maille from chafing.

Picture Reference


Editors: Judy &  Leland W


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This page was last updated 04/22/08