Gandalf's 'You shall not pass' moment in 'The Fellowship of the Ring' is legendary, but is it his most iconic? I'd argue it's tied with 'Fly, you fools!' for sheer emotional impact. The Balrog scene is visually stunning, but that desperate warning to the Fellowship hits harder on rewatches—it’s the moment Gandalf accepts sacrifice. The internet meme culture definitely amplified 'You shall not pass,' though. It’s the one even casual fans recognize, often divorced from context. But book readers might champion his softer wisdom, like 'All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.' That line lingers in my mind during tough choices.
Honestly, iconic-ness depends on who you ask. Movie fans? Probably the Balrog line. Book lovers? Maybe his quieter musings. For me, it’s 'Fly, you fools!'—it cracks my heart open every time.