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Isildur

Isildur was a prominent Númenórean leader in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium, the eldest son of and a key participant in the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men against in the late Second Age. He is best known for using the shards of his father's Narsil to sever from 's hand during the siege of Barad-dûr, thereby temporarily vanquishing the Dark Lord but claiming the Ring for himself rather than destroying it in the fires of Mount Doom. This act marked Isildur as the first notable bearer of the Ring after Sauron, highlighting themes of temptation and corruption central to Tolkien's mythology. Following the war, Isildur assumed the title of of the , ruling both Arnor and after Elendil's death in battle, and he sought to preserve the as a for his line, believing it could aid in the restoration of his people. However, in the , while traveling north from with a company including his sons, Isildur was ambushed by orcs in the Disaster of the Gladden Fields along the Anduin River, where he perished and the slipped from his finger into the water, remaining lost for over two millennia. His lineage continued through his surviving son Valandil, eventually leading to , the central hero of , underscoring Isildur's enduring legacy as both a victor over evil and a figure whose choices perpetuated its threat.

Fictional biography

Early life in Númenor

Isildur was born in the year S.A. 3209 in the island kingdom of , as the eldest son of , leader of the Faithful, and his unnamed wife. He had at least two younger brothers, Aratan and Anárion, and grew up in the eastern haven of Rómenna, a stronghold of the Faithful Númenóreans who remained loyal to the and the Eldar amid rising divisions on the island. His family descended from the line of Elros through the Lords of Andúnië, a noble house that upheld the ancient traditions against the growing influence of the King's Men. During Isildur's youth, faced deepening corruption under King Ar-Pharazôn, who ascended the throne in S.A. 3255 after usurping it from his cousin Tar-Palantir through a to the rightful heir, Míriel. Ar-Pharazôn's reign marked a shift toward tyranny, exacerbated by the captivity of , whom the Númenóreans had brought to the island as a prisoner in S.A. 3261 following Ar-Pharazôn's conquest of . Far from being subdued, manipulated the king as his chief counselor, promoting the worship of , persecuting the Faithful, and sowing discord that alienated the Númenóreans from their ancestral allies among the Elves. Isildur's upbringing in this environment reinforced his commitment to the Faithful's opposition to these influences, as his father and grandfather Amandil prepared for potential exile by building ships in secret. A pivotal event in Isildur's early life occurred in S.A. 3262, when urged Ar-Pharazôn to fell Nimloth, the White Tree of Númenor that stood in the King's court in Armenelos as a sacred symbol of the island's bond with the and a descendant of the tree Telperion in . In response, Isildur undertook a daring nighttime mission to preserve its lineage, scaling the tree in the darkness of late autumn when it bore no bloom but one final fruit. He succeeded in claiming the fruit but was gravely wounded seven times by the alerted guards before escaping, an act of bravery that demonstrated his loyalty to the and earned him renown among the Faithful. Isildur delivered the fruit to Amandil, who planted it in secret, where it sprouted and grew, safeguarding the sacred line until it could be carried into exile. This incident highlighted the intensifying persecution of the Faithful and foreshadowed Númenor's impending doom.

Establishment in Middle-earth

Following the Downfall of Númenor in Second Age 3319, Isildur, along with his father and brother Anárion, escaped the cataclysm aboard nine ships—four commanded by Elendil, three by Isildur, and two by Anárion—fleeing before the tempestuous winds that carried them eastward to the shores of . The fleet was scattered by the upheaval, with Elendil and his followers landing in the northern havens of Lindon in Eriador, while Isildur and Anárion arrived in the south near the mouths of the Anduin River. In Second Age 3320, established the Kingdom of Arnor in the north, constructing the royal city of Annúminas beside Lake Nenuial as its capital and erecting towers such as Weathertop (Amon Sûl) for defense and vigilance. As Elendil's elder son and heir, Isildur played a key role in these northern foundations, overseeing the settlement of the Faithful Númenóreans who preserved their loyalty to the amid the ruins of their island homeland. Concurrently, Isildur and Anárion jointly founded the southern realm of , building the white city of Minas Anor on the slopes of Mount Mindolluin, the black-towered Minas Ithil in the Ephel Dúath, and the strategic stronghold of Osgiliath astride the Anduin to serve as the initial capital. These new kingdoms faced immediate threats from , who had returned to and sought to subjugate the exiled Númenóreans. In Second Age 3429, 's forces invaded Ithilien, capturing Minas Ithil and advancing to Osgiliath, where Anárion led a vigorous defense, repelling the enemy and fortifying the Anduin crossings with palisades and watchtowers. Isildur, from Arnor, dispatched aid southward and coordinated with to strengthen the northern borders against scouting parties from , while messengers were sent to the Elves of Lindon to forge an alliance against the growing darkness. These early skirmishes tested the resolve of the Realms in Exile, prompting and his sons to prepare for a united stand that would culminate in broader resistance.

War of the Last Alliance

The War of the Last Alliance began in S.A. 3430 when , of the in , and , of the , formed a grand coalition of Elves and Men to counter Sauron's growing dominion and conquests in the South. This alliance united the forces of Arnor and Lindon, drawing upon the exiled Númenóreans and the Elves of and Lindon, with Isildur, Elendil's eldest son, serving as a key commander alongside his father in the northern contingent. The host assembled in Imladris (), where strategic preparations were made before marching south in S.A. 3431. By S.A. 3434, the allied armies reached the plains of Dagorlad, where they clashed with Sauron's vast forces in a decisive battle known as the Battle of Dagorlad; though costly, the prevailed, scattering the enemy and enabling them to advance into . Isildur played a prominent role in these engagements, leading troops from the northern realms and coordinating with to maintain the momentum of the advance. The victors then laid siege to Barad-dûr, Sauron's dark tower in , initiating a grueling seven-year blockade that strained both sides amid harsh terrain and relentless assaults. During this period, Isildur's brother Anárion defended the southern approaches from but was slain in S.A. 3440 by a projectile from the tower, prompting Isildur to reinforce the siege lines with fresh forces from the North. The conflict reached its climax in S.A. 3441 when emerged from Barad-dûr to confront the besiegers directly. In the ensuing battle before the tower's gates, and fell to after a fierce struggle, but Isildur seized the broken shards of his father's sword, Narsil—snapped beneath 's body—and struck at , severing the hand bearing . This act maimed , causing his spirit to flee in defeat and shattering his physical form, thus ending the war and securing a hard-won victory attributed to the valor of Men under Isildur's leadership.

Claiming the One Ring

During the climactic phase of the War of the Last Alliance in Second Age 3441, on the slopes of Mount Doom, emerged to confront the leaders of Elves and Men. and perished in direct combat with him, but Isildur seized the opportunity to take up the broken shards of his father's sword, Narsil, and severed the from 's hand, thereby defeating the Dark Lord's physical form and claiming the Ring for himself. Elrond and Círdan, witnessing the event, urgently implored to destroy the by casting it into the fires of Mount Doom, where it had been forged, to ensure 's permanent defeat. However, Isildur refused, declaring the his rightful —compensation—for the deaths of his father, , and his brother, Anárion, emphasizing that it was he who had delivered the fatal blow to . This decision marked the beginning of the 's corrupting influence on Isildur, as its inherent power began to ensnare him, though he did not yet fully recognize its malevolent hold.

Reign as High King

Following the death of his father at the end of the War of the Last Alliance in S.A. 3441, Isildur ascended as of the , succeeding to the rule over both Arnor and as sovereign lord of the Realms in Exile.) He established his primary seat at Annúminas, the capital of Arnor in the north, from which he directed the governance of the northern while maintaining oversight of in the south through his nephew Meneldil, son of Anárion. This arrangement reflected the divided geography of the realms, with Isildur's authority as paramount, though Meneldil administered under his guidance. In T.A. 2, Isildur traveled south to , where he formally relinquished direct rule of that kingdom to Meneldil, committing its stewardship to Anárion's line while retaining the High Kingship and direct control of Arnor for his own descendants. This division formalized the separation of the southern and northern realms, allowing for more localized administration amid the post-war recovery, though Isildur remained the overarching sovereign. During this visit, Isildur instructed Meneldil in the arts of and emphasized the need for vigilance against any resurgence of evil. Isildur's reign, lasting only two years, centered on efforts to restore order and rebuild after the devastations of war. Accompanied by Meneldil and a company of trusted companions, he toured the bounds of , surveying its defenses, settlements, and lands to assess the extent of damage and plan reconstruction. Among these initiatives, Isildur planted a sapling of the White Tree—saved from the destruction of the original in Minas Ithil—in the court of Minas Anor as a to his fallen brother Anárion, symbolizing renewal and the enduring line of . He also constructed a hidden tomb for on the summit of Amon Anwar in Anórien, ensuring a place of honor for the first away from potential desecration. These actions fostered political stability and alliances among the , reinforcing unity between the divided realms through shared symbols and oversight. Throughout his rule, , which Isildur had claimed as for the deaths of and Anárion, began to exert its subtle corrupting influence. He refused counsel from and Círdan to destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom, instead declaring it an heirloom of . In a written , Isildur described the Ring's beauty and power, noting that it was "precious to me, though I buy it with great pain," revealing his burgeoning attachment and possessiveness despite recognizing its perilous nature. This growing bond marked the early stages of the Ring's hold over him, complicating his leadership even as he focused on reconstruction.

Death and loss of the Ring

In T.A. 2, after spending a year in instructing his nephew Meneldil in governance, Isildur departed from Minas Anor to return to Arnor and establish his rule as there. Accompanying him were his three eldest sons—Elendur, Aratan, and Ciryon—along with a bodyguard of 200 warriors mounted on horses, carrying the shards of Narsil and other heirlooms. The company followed the eastern bank of the Anduin northward, planning to ford the river near the Gladden Fields before proceeding to and then Annúminas. On October 5, T.A. 2, as the group approached the Gladden Fields—a marshy region where golden irises bloomed along the Anduin—they were suddenly ambushed by a band of approximately 3,000 orcs, remnants of Sauron's forces from the War of the Last Alliance seeking revenge. The orcs attacked from concealed positions in the reeds, launching a volley of arrows that decimated the horses and front ranks. Despite the Dúnedain's valiant defense, forming a shield-wall and fighting on foot, the overwhelming numbers turned the skirmish into a disastrous battle known as the Disaster of the Gladden Fields. Isildur's youngest son on the journey, Ciryon, was struck down early by arrows while attempting to rally the rear guard. Aratan, rushing to aid his brother, received a mortal wound from an orcish spear but managed to slay several foes before succumbing. As defeat loomed, Elendur, Isildur's heir and eldest son, returned from the fighting line to his father's side, where the king stood defending the royal standard. Recognizing the peril, Elendur urged Isildur to don —kept on a chain around his neck—to render himself invisible and escape to preserve the royal line, even offering his own armor for the king to wear. Isildur, grief-stricken and initially unwilling to abandon his men, finally relented and placed the Ring on his finger, vanishing from sight. He then plunged into the Anduin to swim downstream and evade the orcs. Elendur resumed his heroic , holding back the enemy with a few remaining guards until he was overwhelmed and slain. Though invisible, Isildur's escape was betrayed when the waterlogged slipped from his finger, catching on the links of his as he surfaced near some rocks. Visible once more, he was spotted by archers on the eastern bank and pierced by black-fletched arrows. He sank beneath the waves, his body carried away by the current. Of the original company, only three survived: Ohtar, the who bore of Narsil and escaped by hiding in the marshes; Estelmo, Elendur's companion who was stunned but revived; and a third unnamed warrior. These men later recounted the tragedy to Valandil in Arnor. In the days following, Elven hunters from Thranduil's realm recovered the bodies of Isildur, Elendur, Aratan, and Ciryon from the river, according them honorable burial. , however, was lost forever in the silty depths of the Anduin, abandoned by its own malevolent will and vanishing into the riverbed.

Genealogy and family

Ancestry in the House of Elendil

Isildur belonged to the House of , a branch of the ancient line of Elros that preserved the traditions of the Faithful amid Númenor's growing corruption and idolatry under the influence of the King's Men. This house traced its origins to the Elendili, the loyal adherents to the who resided primarily in western , particularly in the region of Andúnië, and opposed the imperial ambitions that led to the . As leaders of the Faithful, the Lords of Andúnië, from whom Elendil descended, maintained the elder lore, the use of the Elven tongues, and devotion to the Undying Lands, distinguishing themselves from the dominant royal line that had forsaken these ways. The line of the Lords of Andúnië consisted of 25 generations from Valandil (1st) to Amandil (25th and last). Isildur's direct paternal ancestry began with his father, , the founder of the Númenórean realms in exile in after the Akallabêth. Elendil was the son of Amandil, the last Lord of Andúnië, who attempted a desperate voyage to to plead for mercy as Númenor's doom approached. Amandil's lineage held the hereditary office of the Andúnië lords, a position of high nobility second only to the king, granted due to their descent from the senior line of the royal house. The House of Elendil's claim to nobility stemmed from its connection to Silmarien, the first instance in which the rule of the Faithful passed through the female line, diverging from the main royal succession that adhered to agnatic primogeniture. Silmarien, eldest daughter of Tar-Elendil (the fourth King of Númenor), received the heirloom Barahir's ring from her father, symbolizing the true inheritance of the line of Eärendil, though she was denied the throne due to her gender. Her descendants, through her son Valandil, became the Lords of Andúnië, upholding the Faithful's resistance to Númenor's moral decline and ensuring the survival of the elder traditions into the Second Age's end. This lineage extended further to Elros Tar-Minyatur, the first King of and progenitor of its royal house, who chose mortality despite his Half-elven heritage. Elros was the son of Eärendil the Mariner and Elwing, both Half-elven, with Eärendil descended from the union of Tuor—a Man of the Third House of the Edain—and Idril Celebrindal, daughter of Turgon and granddaughter of King Turgon of . Eärendil's plea before the against granted his sons, including Elros, the choice between the fate of Elves or Men, a privilege reflecting their mixed ancestry and pivotal role in the histories of both kindreds. The following outline traces the key generations in the female-line descent from Silmarien to Isildur, as recorded in the dynastic annals of :
  • Tar-Elendil (4th King of , b. SA 350, r. SA 590–740)

Immediate family

Isildur was the elder son of , founder and first of the Realms in Exile, Arnor and . His mother remains unnamed in Tolkien's writings, though she belonged to the Faithful of , the loyal adherents to the who resisted the growing corruption under the influence of . Isildur's younger brother was Anárion, with whom he shared the rule of after their arrival in , establishing a close fraternal bond in governance and military endeavors. Anárion played a pivotal role alongside Isildur in the defense of their southern kingdom against Sauron's forces. Isildur's wife is also unnamed, but she bore him four sons: Elendur, Aratan, Ciryon, and Valandil. Elendur, the eldest, served as his father's chief counselor, demonstrating wisdom and loyalty in matters of state. Aratan and Ciryon, the middle sons, were renowned as skilled warriors who accompanied their father on perilous journeys. Valandil, the youngest, remained in the care of in during critical events, ensuring the continuation of the family line. The immediate family of Isildur exemplified the steadfastness of the Faithful Númenóreans, who preserved the ancient traditions amid the island's moral decline and actively prepared for their exodus by constructing ships at the haven of Rómenna. This collective faithfulness underscored their unity and commitment to the elder ways, distinguishing them from the King's Men who embraced Sauron's deceptions.

Descendants and legacy

Following the Disaster of the Gladden Fields in T.A. 2, where Isildur and his three eldest sons—Elendur, Aratan, and Ciryon—perished in an ambush, Isildur's youngest son, Valandil, who had remained in , succeeded his father as the fourth King of Arnor in T.A. 10. Valandil's reign marked the continuation of the direct male line of Isildur, with the House of Isildur providing all subsequent rulers of the northern kingdom. The line endured through ten more kings after Valandil, but Arnor's strength waned over centuries due to diminishing population among the long-lived and growing external pressures. In T.A. 861, following the death of King Eärendur without clear succession, the realm fractured into three competing kingdoms: Arthedain in the north, ruled by Eärendur's eldest son Amlaith as the senior heir of Isildur; Cardolan in the south; and Rhudaur in the east. This division sowed discord among the , with Rhudaur and Cardolan falling under hostile influences, including infiltration by agents of the , while Arthedain alone preserved the pure line of Isildur and resisted the encroaching darkness. Arthedain survived longest among the successor states but succumbed in T.A. 1975 when the Witch-king overran Fornost, leading to the drowning of its last , Arvedui, in the Icebay of Forochel. Arvedui's son, Aranarth, rejected a claim to a fallen throne and instead became the first Chieftain of the in T.A. 1977, establishing a hidden order of rangers to safeguard Eriador and the remnants of their people. Under the Chieftains, who were reared in for safety, Isildur's bloodline persisted through thirty-nine generations of wandering guardians, culminating in II, born in T.A. 2931 as the fortieth Heir of Isildur. In the Fourth Age, , crowned Elessar, reunited the kingdoms of Arnor and , fulfilling the legacy of his ancestors by restoring the High Kingship of the and rebuilding Annúminas as the northern capital. The survival of Isildur's line through these trials ensured the continuity of Númenórean heritage in , though the initial loss of at the Gladden Fields allowed Sauron's eventual resurgence, compelling Aragorn's generation to confront the shadow once more.

Literary development

Etymology and naming

The name Isildur originates from J.R.R. Tolkien's constructed language of , where it appears as Ísildur and translates to "Servant of the " or "Devoted to the ." This etymology breaks down into the elements isil (meaning "," literally "sheen" or silvery ) combined with the -(n)dur (indicating "servant" or "one devoted to"). The name reflects the celestial naming conventions common among the Númenóreans, paralleling that of his father , whose Quenya name means "Elf-friend" (elen "star" or "elf" + -ndil "friend" or "lover"), both evoking themes of and loyalty in contrast to Sauron's dominion of shadow. In Sindarin, the everyday tongue of Middle-earth, the name is rendered as Isildur without significant alteration, preserving the Quenya form as a mark of high lineage among the Dúnedain. Tolkien documented this nomenclature in his etymological notes, linking isil to the root SIL (shining like the moon) and dur to NDŪ (to serve or devote). Early manuscript variations include Ithildor (from drafts in The Return of the Shadow) and Árundil (from The Shaping of Middle-earth), indicating Tolkien's iterative refinement of the name before settling on Isildur; these changes briefly connect to broader developments in his writings but center on linguistic adaptation. Tolkien's appendices to The Silmarillion and etymological entries in The Lost Road further elucidate these roots, emphasizing the symbolic association of moonlight with faithfulness and guidance.

Evolution in Tolkien's writings

Isildur first appears in J.R.R. Tolkien's manuscripts during the composition of the "Akallabêth" or "The Fall of Númenor" in the mid-1930s, as a minor figure among the Númenórean exiles. In these early drafts, preserved in The Lost Road and Other Writings (part of The History of Middle-earth, Volume V), Isildur is introduced simply as the elder son of Elendil, accompanying his father and brother Anárion in their flight from the drowning of Númenor to establish havens in Middle-earth. At this stage, his character serves primarily to outline the founding of the Realms in Exile, with little emphasis on personal deeds beyond his role in the Faithful's survival. By the late 1930s and early 1940s, during revisions to The Silmarillion, Tolkien expanded Isildur's narrative in the concluding sections of the "Quenta Silmarillion." In drafts documented in The War of the Jewels (The History of Middle-earth, Volume XI), Isildur emerges as a key participant in the War of the Last Alliance, where he hews from Sauron's hand after the deaths of his father and the Elf-king . These versions briefly note his claim to the Ring as a for his father but omit details of his later fate, portraying him as a heroic warrior whose actions mark the transition to the Third Age. Influences from contemporaneous work on , including aborted novelizations in The Lost Road, subtly shaped his backstory by linking his Númenórean heritage to themes of fidelity and defiance against Sauron's corruption. The character received significant development in the 1950s during the writing of , particularly in its appendices. Appendix A to details the Disaster of the Gladden Fields, where Isildur, traveling north from in TA 2 with his sons and guards, is ambushed by Orcs; the account describes his use of the Ring's power of and its ultimate betrayal as it slips from his finger into the Anduin . This expansion transforms Isildur from a mythic founder into a flawed king whose refusal to destroy the Ring sows the seeds for future conflicts. Posthumous publications further illuminate Tolkien's evolving conception. In Unfinished Tales of Númenor and (1980), the chapter "The Disaster of the Gladden Fields" adds poignant details, such as the heroic deaths of Isildur's elder sons—Elendur, Aratan, and Ciryon—in defense of their father, and Isildur's final attempt to swim to safety while wearing the . Later volumes of reveal ongoing revisions: (Volume XII, 1996) includes essays like "The Heirs of ," which refine Isildur's role in the Last Alliance, stressing his reluctant possession of the amid grief and the need to rally the . These changes, compiled by , highlight Tolkien's late-life efforts to integrate Isildur's story more deeply into the moral and historical fabric of the legendarium.

Interpretations and analysis

Role in the legendarium

Isildur serves as a crucial narrative bridge between the Second and Third Ages in J.R.R. , linking the downfall of and the establishment of the realms in exile to the events of the War of the Ring millennia later. As the elder son of , Isildur embodies the transition from the grandeur of Númenórean civilization to the diminished yet resilient kingdoms of Arnor and , where his actions at the end of the Second Age directly precipitate the central conflict of . His seizure of from Sauron's hand during the Last Alliance not only symbolizes the partial victory over the but also ensures the Ring's persistence, setting the stage for its rediscovery and the quest undertaken by . In this role, Isildur represents the heroism of the and the inherent costs of their triumphs against , as detailed in the annals of the Third Age. His leadership in the Last Alliance, alongside and , exemplifies the martial prowess and unyielding resolve of Men descended from the Faithful of , yet it comes at the price of profound loss, including the deaths of his father and brother Anárion. This duality underscores the bittersweet nature of victory in Tolkien's mythology, where Isildur's valor in wounding establishes him as a foundational figure in the lineage that culminates in Aragorn's restoration of the kingdoms. Isildur's interactions with Elves, particularly , highlight the fragile alliances between the Free Peoples that define much of the legendarium's history. At , the Elf-lord recounts Isildur's refusal to destroy the despite counsel to do so, illustrating the tensions and mutual reliance between Men and Elves forged in the Second wars. These encounters emphasize interspecies cooperation as a recurring motif, from the shared exile of the and the Edain to the fading of such bonds by the end of the Third . Positioned across Tolkien's major works, Isildur's story integrates the mythic scope of The Silmarillion with the epic realism of The Lord of the Rings and the supplemental details in Unfinished Tales. His journey from the planting of the White Tree in Minas Anor to the Disaster of the Gladden Fields weaves the threads of restoration and betrayal, ensuring that the shadow of Sauron lingers to challenge future generations. Through this, Isildur functions as a catalyst for the legendarium's overarching narrative of cyclical struggle and eventual renewal.

Moral and thematic significance

Isildur serves as a quintessential in J.R.R. Tolkien's , a noble Númenórean leader whose virtues are undermined by human frailty and the corrupting influence of . Despite his heroic role in defeating at the end of the Second Age, Isildur's decision to claim the Ring rather than destroy it exemplifies a fatal flaw rooted in pride and emotional impulse, contrasting sharply with figures like , who resists similar temptations through wisdom and selflessness. Central to Isildur's moral complexity is the theme of versus wisdom, as his refusal to cast the Ring into the fires of Mount Doom stems from a desire for vengeance and compensation for the deaths of his father and brother Anárion. This choice prioritizes —framed as rightful —over rational foresight, perpetuating Sauron's influence and underscoring Tolkien's critique of emotional overreach in the face of evil. Brian Rosebury, in his analysis of motifs, argues that Isildur's justifying words reveal Tolkien's nuanced moral judgement, where personal loss blinds the hero to broader consequences, transforming a moment of triumph into one of tragic irony. Comparisons to other Ring-bearers like further illuminate generational patterns of temptation, with both characters embodying the Dúnedain's inherited vulnerability to the 's seductive promises of power and restoration. Tom Shippey observes that the exploits the bearer's innermost desires, amplifying Númenórean pride in Isildur's case to mirror the that precipitated his ancestors' downfall, thus serving as a cautionary emblem of unchecked ambition. This scholarly perspective positions Isildur as a pivotal figure in Tolkien's exploration of human frailty, where noble intent falters against the inexorable pull of corruption.

Adaptations

Peter Jackson's film trilogy

In Peter Jackson's adaptation of film trilogy, Isildur is portrayed by New Zealand actor and director . Sinclair's most prominent role occurs in the prologue of (2001), where he depicts Isildur during the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men against . In this sequence, Isildur takes up the shards of his father Elendil's sword Narsil and severs from Sauron's hand, leading to the Dark Lord's temporary defeat. The prologue continues with a flashback to Mount Doom, where urges Isildur to destroy the in the fires from which it was forged, but Isildur refuses, claiming it as for his father and brother; this scene deviates from J.R.R. Tolkien's source material, in which does not accompany Isildur to the volcano. The 's corrupting influence is visually emphasized through close-up shots of its inscription appearing in flame as Isildur examines it. The epic battle of the Last Alliance was realized using groundbreaking digital effects by Weta Digital, including crowd simulation software MASSIVE to animate thousands of warriors, contributing to the film's Academy Award for Best at the . Sinclair reprises the role briefly in The Return of the King (2003), credited for a minor appearance tied to Isildur's legacy. Throughout , Isildur is referenced in relation to 's heritage, such as when presents with the reforged sword Andúril (originally Narsil) and invokes Isildur's failure with the . Behind the scenes, Sinclair, a longtime friend of Jackson, was cast partly for his "corrupt-looking" appearance, as noted by the director. However, Jackson found Sinclair's recorded dialogue too light and not sufficiently menacing, leading him to dub Isildur's sole spoken line—“No”—with the voice of , who played , creating an unintended instance of the actor addressing himself. Some battle sequences involved motion-capture elements to blend practical footage with digital enhancements.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

In Amazon's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Isildur is portrayed by English actor as a young Númenórean soldier in the Sea Guard, emphasizing his early ambition and familial bonds during the series' depiction of the late Second Age. In Season 1 (2022), Baldry's Isildur joins his father and siblings Anárion and Eärien on Queen Regent Míriel's expedition to the Southlands to aid the faithful against orcs, showcasing his eagerness for glory and subtle hints of impulsiveness amid the volcanic eruption that engulfs the region. His storyline culminates in a during the return voyage, where he is separated from his family and presumed lost at sea, setting up a narrative of survival and isolation. Season 2 (2024) expands on Isildur's survival, depicting him washed ashore in the devastated Southlands, where he navigates treacherous landscapes filled with orcs and ancient perils. He reunites with his loyal Berek, who aids in escaping Shelob's and her offspring, highlighting moments of resourcefulness and vulnerability as he grapples with over lost comrades and his uncertain future. Interactions with are conveyed indirectly through a vision, in which Elendil glimpses his son's peril and , underscoring themes of paternal concern and destiny. The season portrays Isildur's internal conflicts, including his drive for heroism clashing with doubt and isolation, with subtle of his later susceptibility to power through encounters that test his moral compass. Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick have described Isildur's arc as one exploring the "susceptibility of men" to temptation, drawing from Tolkien's appendices to humanize his journey toward tragedy while building tension around his youthful flaws. noted in interviews that the portrayal aims to reveal the "fraught path" of Númenórean ambition, positioning Isildur as burdened by legacy and the looming shadow of . This approach integrates him into broader Second Age events, such as the forging of the Rings, without altering his canonical end. The series deviates from Tolkien's sparse canonical details on Isildur's pre-Alliance youth—limited to mentions in The Silmarillion and appendices—by granting him extensive screen time in Númenor's decline and the Southlands conflict, thereby humanizing his ambition, grief, and relational dynamics as precursors to his flaws. This expansion allows for deeper exploration of his character before the War of the Last Alliance, contrasting with ' focus on his later kingship. Reception of Baldry's portrayal has been generally positive for adding nuance to Isildur's early life, with critics and fans praising the actor's charisma in conveying vulnerability and drive amid the series' Second Age world-building, though some noted the storyline's limited integration with main plots. In reviews, his performance is highlighted for grounding the prequel's epic scope, effectively foreshadowing Isildur's tragic arc while expanding for television.

Video games and other media

In the Middle-earth: Shadow of War (2017), Isildur is portrayed as one of the , a spectral wraith corrupted by after his death at the Gladden Fields; voiced by , he serves as an antagonist and becomes playable in nemesis system encounters, delving into his tormented afterlife under Sauron's influence. Isildur appears as a (NPC) in Online (2007–present), primarily in flashback quests set in the Gladden Fields region of the Vales of Anduin expansion, where players witness events surrounding his and the loss of the , including the quest "Isildur's Last Journey" that recreates the of the Gladden Fields. In Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animated film , Isildur is briefly depicted in the prologue, where he claims after defeating in the War of the Last Alliance and later loses it upon his death at the Gladden Fields, as narrated by a character resembling . The portrayal emphasizes his role in the Ring's history through and simple animation, aligning closely with Tolkien's text but limited by the film's partial adaptation of the novel.) Audiobook and radio adaptations highlight Isildur's tragic role through voice acting in full-cast productions, such as the 1981 dramatization of , a 26-part series that includes his historical accounts in scenes like 's research in , emphasizing the moral weight of his refusal to destroy the ; this , featuring a ensemble cast including as Frodo and as , was later reissued as dramatized audiobooks on platforms like Audible. In other media, Isildur is referenced in tabletop games like War of the Ring (2004, second edition by Ares Games), where the Shadow player can deploy the event card "Isildur's Bane" to advance for the Ring and corrupt the Fellowship, simulating the Ring's discovery and its perilous influence; additionally, illustrated editions of Tolkien's works, such as those with artwork by Alan Lee, depict Isildur in key moments like claiming the from . As of November 2025, no major video games post-2017 have prominently featured Isildur, though a new third-person based on is in development, with potential for inclusion of historical figures like Isildur in its narrative.