Could Smaug Have Survived His Fall in The Hobbit Movie Series?

Set against the backdrop of Middle-earth during the Third Age, The Hobbit and the eventual rise of Smaug, the mighty dragon known for his attacks on Laketown and Erebor, have been a fascinating part of Tolkien's mythology. Questions about Smaug's survival after his fall at the end of the movie series have been circulating among fans, particularly following his dramatic demise at the hands of Bard’s arrow. This article aims to explore the feasibility of Smaug surviving his fatal plunge and delve into the physiological aspects that might have influenced his fall.

The Fall of Smaug: Evidence from the Book

According to J.R.R. Tolkien's detailed records, Erebor fell to Smaug's attack in the year 2770 of the Third Age. Smaug thrived after his raid on Erebor and Dale, yet his fall in 2941 at Laketown marked the end of his reign. In the chapter "Fire and Water" of The Hobbit, it is clearly mentioned that Smaug only fell once, and that was to Erebor in 2770. Furthermore, Sauron’s forces did not attack Dale, supporting the narrative's consistency.

Dragon Physiology and Mortality

The key to understanding Smaug's survival—and more importantly, his death—lies in examining the physiological characteristics of dragons. In The Hobbit, Bard is described as shooting Smaug in his one weak point, the breast, where the arrow penetrated him fatally. This attack led Smaug to dramatically reposition himself in mid-air before spiraling down into the Lake town.

It is important to note that while falling from a great height would be fatal to most living beings, dragons like Smaug are depicted with exceptional resilience. The Hobbit provides no specific information on dragons' ability to recover from such falls, but considering Smaug's unique attributes, it is plausible that numerous factors could have contributed to his final slaying.

Factors Contributing to Smaug's Final Fall

Unconsciousness and Mortality: The text strongly indicates that Smaug was already dead upon his fall. Bard's arrow, fired with the intent to end Smaug's life, struck a hidden, vulnerable spot. Immediately following this, Smaug's actions suggest a paroxysm—a series of violent movements indicative of death's proximity. His involuntary rearing and subsequent spiral down into the lake are not actions of a living creature fighting for survival.

Fall Dynamics: While Smaug may not have experienced significant trauma from the fall itself, certain dynamics of water landings can be lethal. A dragon of Smaug's size, with metal scales and possibly heavy weaponry, would create a massive impact on entering the water. The combination of surface tension and force could potentially drown the dragon or cause fatal vibrations internally. Additionally, the water's resistance could have caused Smaug to be incapacitated, especially once he hit the surface.

The Role of Water and Death Throes

The account from The Hobbit states that Smaug “suddenly reared up into the sky and then spiraled down and hit the lake.” The description of his “spiral down” and final impact on the lake suggests a swift and fatal sequence of events. This downward spiral was not a flailing but rather the last twitchings of a dying creature. In the context of Smaug being already dead from the arrow's impact, these movements were likely his death throes, not a last-ditch effort to survive.

Conclusion: The Unlikelihood of Survival

Based on the evidence from J.R.R. Tolkien's writings and the depiction of Smaug in the Hobbit, it is highly unlikely that Smaug could have survived his fall following Bard's fatal shot. The arrow struck a critical point, instigating Smaug's immediate death, and the subsequent actions were simply the vestiges of a dying creature.

Despite the mythological and fantastical nature of dragon lore, the narrative of Smaug's death in The Hobbit is consistent with these principles. The combined factors of the arrow's fatal effect and the subsequent impact of entering the water suggest that Smaug's fall was not merely from a physical injury but a culmination of injurious events leading to his demise.