Original artwork, not a still
Keep it secret. Keep it safe.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
It is the first instruction of the whole quest, given in six calm words by a wizard who knows exactly what Frodo is holding and cannot yet say it. The order cannot hold, since Sauron already knows the Shire, and that tension drives the first act. The phrase has since become a standard joke and a real slogan for confidentiality, turning up as the title of academic papers on secrecy and in office training.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingShow the scene
At Bag End, after Bilbo has slipped away from his eleventy-first birthday party and left the Ring behind, Gandalf tells Frodo the Ring is his now and that he should keep it out of sight. Frodo asks where he is going and why he has only just arrived. Gandalf answers that he has questions that need answering, and at the door he gives his parting order. He hurries out, leaving Frodo alone, and the film cuts to the sealed envelope, where the Ring hums and the Black Speech whispers before the scene jumps to Barad-dur.
Sources (2)
- IMSDb: The Fellowship of the Ring scriptBag End scene after Bilbo's departure (early script; wording of surrounding lines may differ from the final cut)Reference checked
- Wikipedia: The Fellowship of the RingPlot summaryReference checked
Context reviewed
