[Sam Cree]

In the movie, the wraiths raise their sword hilts to their faces, with the blades up, just prior to their attack on the weathertop. I notice that Aragorn does the same before meeting the Uruk-Hai attack at the breaking of the fellowship.

Does anyone know where this gesture came from? It looks dramatic, but I didn't know if there is a real basis for it or not.

Just talked my wife into seeing LOTR for the 4th time with me, happily, it seems better and better on increased viewings.

[JenB]

Uh, well, no. It looks like something you'd do before a battle but I have no idea - my notions of sword battles come from books and movies, not necessarily the best places. I don't think it's an explicitly Tolkien thing, if that's what you're asking.

[doubled]

I don't remember it from the movie, but would it be like the salute to each other that fencers do at the start of a match, guard of sword to the nose then a swish down, then start the match?