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Yes, yes, I am a complete freak. I think the screech/scream of the Nazgûl is both AWESOME and terrifying at the same time. I love it even though it makes me shiver!

How was the sound of the Nazgûl composed? What sound effects or samples went into creating the final version of the Nazgûl's scream?

For example, the movie Twister uses numerous combined samples to create the sound of the tornadoes. The noise in Law and Order (the BUH-BUH sound; surely anyone who's seen L&O knows which sound I'm referring to) The Nazgûl's scream has a very metallic sound to me; I'd love to know how it was created.

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Its actually Peter Jackson's wife, Fran Walsh, screeching, layered with the sound of a horse orgasm and if I remember right, a pig squealing. I never thought I'd type that sentence...

Seriously, he talks about it in the special features of the Fellowship of the Ring Extended edition, the name of the documentary is "Soundscapes of Middle Earth," IIRC.

For reference: short clip of the scream

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    ... and an additional +1 to Peter Jackson for creative use of a spouse.
    – Josh
    Commented Mar 14, 2012 at 2:29
  • Not sure about the modulated, mixed in sounds indicated in this answer, but other sources indicate it was Fran Walsh (Jackson) as well. Man ... would hate to make her angry on a Sunday morning. For reference: short clip of the scream
    – Josh
    Commented Mar 14, 2012 at 2:35
  • Maybe modulated is the wrong word. Layered is probably better.
    – Gabe Willard
    Commented Mar 14, 2012 at 2:52
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    I never thought I'd ask the question to elicit that trio of sound effects as an answer! I don't know what else to say except +1 :)
    – Slytherincess
    Commented Mar 19, 2012 at 17:43
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    apparently there's a joke behind saying it was the sound she made when told they'd be making a Silmarillion movie next
    – IG_42
    Commented Jun 9, 2014 at 20:42

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