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[jett]

I waited a few days (to make time for any fan of the show to watch the ep) to make a thread about this honestly amazing scene, not just for television, but in general. I think it deserves to be showcased with a thread of its own. If you don't watch the show, it was basically two entirely different armies clashing, with the major difference being that one has a giant fire-breathing dragon.

The set piece in question

As a reader of the books, for the longest time I wonder how HBO was going to tackle dragonriding, since it seemed to me that it had no chance but to look ridiculous on screen. But man they nailed it somehow. The dragon is simultaneously awesome, imposing and terrifying, and you easily see the impact it makes on the battlefield.

HBO's Making Of featurette. This is a must watch, it shows how much actual stunt work and real pyrotechnics went into it. Most of it is real stunt work, even. I really appreciate the use of real locations and real people, it's perfectly combined with CGI. I think this is definitely the most impressive set piece I've personally seen in a long time, no matter the format, television or cinema. Certainly one of the most thrilling and awe-inspiring in recent memory. For me, anyway.

Bonus video: The Nerdwriter show the multiple cinematic influences behind the creation of the scene. Really cool video that shows how and where from did the showrunners borrow to construct the entire sequence.

 

[Fercho]

Yep, it was AMAZING, i also love the scene when the Dothraki are charging on their horses.

The scene is even more amazing if you are a long time fan of the show/books. Because of finally being able to see a dragon rider fucking up shit.

 

[DrForester]

"How can we make this fight sound lame?"

"Call it "the loot train scene"?"

"BRILLIANT!"

 

[Shalashaska]

Yeah i watched the behind the scenes last night, it always amazes me how TV/movies are able to put together something of this scale with the end result being as amazing as it was. I also didn't notice they set 20 people on fire :|, crazy.

Although Dany riding a dragon still looks fake AF and takes me out of the experience whenever they do a close up of it.

 

[Kayhan]

Yup. TV history.

Never seen dragons looking that good and real in a movie.

 

[Xando]

The moment when the Dothraki are charging and you start to hear the dragon is probably the best scene i‘ve seen

 

[duckroll]

The only thing that would have made it better would be if there was a real train in the set piece and they were also fighting on top of it as it was moving.

Come to think of it, are there any trains in Westeros at all? Does the technology exist?

Isn't it silly to name a set piece after something that doesn't even exist in that universe even as a figure of speech?!

DEEP THOUGHTS.

 

[Rhaknar]

so who are those guys, what happened to the Unsullied?

I am way behind on GoT

 

[Aurongel]

This show is seriously raising the bar when it comes to depictions of medieval/fantasy warfare, even when compared to film. There are a dozen analysis' online on The Battle of the Bastards alone showing just how tightly staged and directed that setpuece was. Last weeks episode continued that trend but weaved in more fantastical elements in a way that didn't make them look like they were from an entirely different show.

Even if GOT is no longer leading the medium of television in the script department, it is absolutely leading the charge with visual effects and camerawork.

 

[Vinc]

It was absolutely incredible. One of my favorite scenes in the show's history for sure, might even be my favorite one full stop. I had to rewatch it the next morning. That showcased better action directing that 99% of movies. It kind of reminded me of the battle scenes in Rogue One's third act in terms of how they make you feel close to the action. You get really great results when you combine great characters and storytelling with such action scene direction.

 

[Altazor]

it was amazing, seriously.

It's a small moment, but I loved when the Dothraki stood on their horses and started firing arrows. It was just... so badass.

 

[Rockandrollclown]

Khaleesi riding the dragon looked ridiculous to me any time they would show a close up of her, but I'm not sure that can be helped. It was an amazing scene.

 

[Kayhan]

Those scenes of Drogon going ham with his dragonfire were nuts. Little flailing guys on fire

 

[soundscream]

so who are those guys, what happened to the Unsullied?

I am way behind on GoT

Seeing as how the Dothraki are introduced in season 1 episode 1 ...........you might need to start over again.

 

[Pagusas]

so who are those guys, what happened to the Unsullied?

I am way behind on GoT

Why in the world would you watch that if you arent caught up????

 

[SlimySnake]

There are a few stunning shots during the sequence.

1) over the shoulder shot of the Dothraki charge. It lasts a good 7-10 seconds and i could tell the director and editors knew it was an amazing shot and let it play for a bit longer than they usually would.
2) The one shot take following Bronn as he avoids the Dragon, fire and kills a bunch of Dothrakis. Not as impressive as the Jon Snow one shot take from BoB but still very impressive.
3) the dragon sweeping in on the lake and his wings ruffling a tree. it's a gorgeous wide shot and the tree was a nice touch.
4) Side tracking shot of Jaime charging the Dragon. It doesnt last as long as the Dothraki shot but it captures the wreckage of the battle and really sells the scale.

I still think Hardhome was better for many reasons. Battle Of Bastards and the Battle on the Wall were probably better as well. However, this one had a dragon and they fucking nailed it.

 

[The Elite]

I prefer the Battle of the Bastards but this is a close second for me.

 

[-griffy-]

The only thing that would have made it better would be if there was a real train in the set piece and they were also fighting on top of it as it was moving.

Come to think of it, are there any trains in Westeros at all? Does the technology exist?

Isn't it silly to name a set piece after something that doesn't even exist in that universe even as a figure of speech?!

DEEP THOUGHTS.

Wagon Trains baby.

 

[Skinny]

There's a final shot of Jamie riding his horse, sword in hand, charging towards Dany. It's cinematically beautiful.

 

[ahoyhoy]

Even if the setup made no sense I really enjoyed the scene.

One of the best battle sequences aside from the Blackwater and Battle of the Bastards.

 

[Kurita]

I don't know, doesn't look stunning to me, especially all the shots with the dragon/close shots of the girl riding it

 

[duckroll]

Wagon Trains baby.

I was showing off my shitpost and jiji told me how stupid I was already! RIP!

 

[MadLaughter]

The 14 minute stunt/SFX featurette is AMAZING. I knew filmmaking was a super tough undertaking, but this video left me in awe of the skill and work they had to put in to realize this thing.

The scene itself is incredible, from the ominous rumbling, the frantic assembly, the terrifying dragon, the reality of seeing the dothraki in action. It features two of my favorite characters (Jaime and Bronn) in one of the most desperate battles I've ever seen, and it's awesome.

 

[Timbuktu]

The making of is an interesting watch and confirmed some of my suspicions. With all the people complaining why Dany blew up all the wagons full of food when her army needs feeding... it's because that's where all the explosives and pyrotechnic stuff are.

 

[Vyrance]

I enjoyed it, but I still like Hardhome and Battle of the Bastards more

 

[Dabanton]

My fave shots are the ground eye shots of the Dragon flying overhead, so terrifying.

As you can see the sheer size and weight the creature would have and the sounds of it's wings flapping

 

[Kayhan]

The only thing that would have made it better would be if there was a real train in the set piece and they were also fighting on top of it as it was moving.

Come to think of it, are there any trains in Westeros at all? Does the technology exist?

Isn't it silly to name a set piece after something that doesn't even exist in that universe even as a figure of speech?!

DEEP THOUGHTS.

Wagon Trains baby.

omg how embarrassing

 

[Gin-Shiio]

I enjoyed it, but it's probably one of my least-favorite battle scenes in the show. The CGI of the canyon didn't wow me, I questioned Khaleesi not burning the men horizontally all at once, and Bronn was a bit too invincible for my tastes. He shot a fucking dragon and almost brought it down. It's okay to go out like that. It encapsulates a growing feeling in me that most players are now safe, and that takes away some of the thrill.

 

[Rhaknar]

Seeing as how the Dothraki are introduced in season 1 episode 1 ...........you might need to start over again.

As I watched more of the video I did recall the Dothraki.

Why in the world would you watch that if you arent caught up????

because I dont care about spoilers. Its so funny how shocked people are at this.

 

[Landford]

 

[Steejee]

I still think Hardhome was better for many reasons. Battle Of Bastards and the Battle on the Wall were probably better as well. However, this one had a dragon and they fucking nailed it.

It's a testament to how good the battle scenes have been that a scene like this one could *not* be the best in a TV series. Blackwater set the bar high, and they keep raising it.

I probably agree on Hardhome overall, but this one was fantastic. Makes me glad I don't watch previous and stay away from spoilery stuff - both this battle and the Hardhome battle were complete surprises to me (even as a book reader since several of the show's battles weren't portrayed in the books). I knew *something* had to be happening when Jon told Theon Dany was gone, but not specifically what.

During the loot train battle it occurred to me that this battle (and by extension the others mentioned) were better than the entirety of the Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies battle, which made me sad.

 

[Fuu]

Haven't watched the show since S3 and I'm probably being dense right now, but why is it called "loot train"?

 

[Skinny]

How in the world could someone have already painted that? It hasn't even been a week.

Amazing painting tho.

 

[jetjevons]

The only thing that would have made it better would be if there was a real train in the set piece and they were also fighting on top of it as it was moving.

Come to think of it, are there any trains in Westeros at all? Does the technology exist?

Isn't it silly to name a set piece after something that doesn't even exist in that universe even as a figure of speech?!

DEEP THOUGHTS.

I legit thought the same thing. Also my few encounters with Benioff he is a HUGE gamer. Loves Halo. So loot train was 100% a deliberate game reference.

 

[zeemumu]

so who are those guys, what happened to the Unsullied?

I am way behind on GoT

Spoiler

They're the Dothraki horde, one of several armies under Dany's control

The Unsullied were sent to attack Casterly Rock and succeeded due to a Helm's Deep strategy, but then they got flanked by ships and we don't know what happened after that.

 

[Kayhan]

Khaleesi riding the dragon looked ridiculous to me any time they would show a close up of her, but I'm not sure that can be helped. It was an amazing scene.

Yeah, her just hanging on instead of some kind of saddle and harness system as the way to ride the dragon is a bit ridiculous.

Girl got some amazing arm and grip strength.

 

[Kayhan]

Very beautiful.

Jaime = best character. Jon who?

 

[Skinny]

Haven't watched the show since S3 and I'm probably being dense right now, but why is it called "loot train"?

Cuz they looted highgarden and all the wagons formed a train.

 

[a Master Ninja]

I love Bronn, but for dramatic purposes he probably should have been roasted and what happens to Jaime could have been tweaked. Maybe the show will prove me wrong.

 

[Bobby Roberts]

I saw some other video had titled this sequence "The Field of Fire" which seems much more in keeping with the fantasy theme.

But "Loot Train" appears to be what the fans are grabbing hold of?

 

[jetjevons]

Yeah, her just hanging on instead of some kind of saddle and harness system as the way to ride the dragon is a bit ridiculous.

Girl got some amazing arm and grip strength.

Simpsons Lucy Lawless "Magic".gif.

 

[hoos30]

The only thing that would have made it better would be if there was a real train in the set piece and they were also fighting on top of it as it was moving.

Come to think of it, are there any trains in Westeros at all? Does the technology exist?

Isn't it silly to name a set piece after something that doesn't even exist in that universe even as a figure of speech?!

DEEP THOUGHTS.

"WAGON TRAIN"

Woah!!!

 

[Steejee]

Spoiler

They're the Dothraki horde, one of several armies under Dany's control

The Unsullied were sent to attack Casterly Rock and succeeded due to a Helm's Deep strategy, but then they got flanked by ships and we don't know what happened after that.

Spoiler

We know the Unsullied are still at Casterly Rock hanging out. The ships sunk most/all their fleet, but the Ironborn aren't soldiers and aren't going to try to take a castle away from 7-10 thousand Unsullied (who would have sealed the way they got in). They'll probably go back to the Greyworm and Co. storyline next ep.

 

[Rhaknar]

Spoiler

They're the Dothraki horde, one of several armies under Dany's control

The Unsullied were sent to attack Casterly Rock and succeeded due to a Helm's Deep strategy, but then they got flanked by ships and we don't know what happened after that.

ty sir

 

[Marvel]

Loved it.

 

[zeemumu]

And now after Bronn failed to defend Laketown from Drogon, he'll take the mountain from the dwarves and lay in wait for decades until a company of dwarves and a hobbit wake him from his sleep, and Bronn's ancestor will use the wound that Bronn inflicted to launch a 2nd black arrow into Drogon.

 

[-griffy-]

I saw some other video had titled this sequence "The Field of Fire" which seems much more in keeping with the fantasy theme.

But "Loot Train" appears to be what the fans are grabbing hold of?

It's what the filmmakers have referred to it as in official videos and articles, so it's stuck. The characters in the show surely won't ever say it.

Haven't watched the show since S3 and I'm probably being dense right now, but why is it called "loot train"?

Because it's a wagon train transporting the loot from the sacking of Highgarden that the army is transporting to King's Landing.

 

[Sidewinder]

It was epic, loved it!

 

[Addi]

It's really awesome. An other thing that is worth mentioning is the music. The music when the dragon arrives and when it burns the first soldier, when the dothrakis stand up on their horses, the sad version of rains of castamere when Tyrion looks at the carnage, the calm Daenerys theme when she flies over the water and then a sad version of the theme after the Dragon is hit etc. Really cool.

 

[JeffZero]

I love everything about this battle except for the name it's developed for itself. "Loot Train Battle" just sounds like some Destiny raid or something. I realize it's what the production staff called it too but ehhhh. Can you imagine cracking open The World of Ice & Fire and turning to page 37, wherein The Loot Train Battle is covered? Oi!