OT The hobbit movie in 2012

Very much looking forward to them Tash!

Can't wait actually

 

Maybe not so good in their own right. Read the books, different experience altogether. One of the standout things I remember is the wraiths closing in on weathertop had me ****ting myself while reading the book. It was pure pants in the film.


Also, what the hell happened The Scouring of the Shire? About 4 chapters of the book totally removed from the film

 

<shudder>

yeh i was supprised about that as well. Always wondered why they didn't put it in

 

I'm not that much a fan of fiction, and have never been into fantasy in books or films. I prefer a certain degree of realism, although I do like James Bond which is about as realistic as LOTR .

 

You would love Robert Ludlum's books then. Some cracking ones when you go past his better known bestsellers (Bourne series etc...)

 

My dad has a load of them up in the loft, I'm going to give them all a read in good time. I'm making it my New Year's resolution to start finishing books though, I normally have anywhere between 5-10 books on the go at once, and never finish any of them!

 

I can understand where you are coming from but at the same time disagree (confusing I know).

I love Tolkien's works, my favourite author by a million miles. Read the Silmarillion when it first came out in 1977 and then read the Hobbit, Lotr and everything else he has done. Have probably read LOTR 30 odd times (pretty much once a year since I first read it) and like you virtually know it by heart.

With the fan pressure it was going to be impossible to please every fan all of the time and it is also nigh on impossible to re-create a book as a film and not change stuff. All in all I think they did a very good job. There were bits I hated; 1) leaving out the "Scouring of the Shire" and the whole return theme 2) leaving out Glorfindel and replacing with a beafed up role for Arwen and 3) wasn't to happy with the Frodo portrayal either (as somebody else has already said).

I understand the missing out of Tom Bombadil so no complaints there.

He managed to make it accessible to newcomers whilst still keeping a fanatic like me pretty happy, so I think that is a result for him. Just my opinion.

 

On this subject. Anybody that likes the film the Abyss. The book to accompany the film by Orson Scott Card follows a great concept. He wrote the book in conjunction with filming so mirrored the endcut as closely as possible. He also interviewed the cast after scenes so that he could write their thoughts and motivations into the book.

I watched the film, then read the book and on a re-watch my enjoyment of the film went up massively. Like I say recommended for fans of the film!

 

I enjoyed the LOTR Trilogy (i didn't read the books) and hope that he can do something similar with The Hobbit. If he just whacks out another King Kong style film (too long, VERY ****) then i'll be annoyed.

I really want to get into the LOTR books, i heard they explore all of the middle earth politics as well, and there is more explanation about the dwarves and other races. Could be a load of bollocks though (i can't remember where i heard it)

 

Yeh you do. If you really want to learn more about it all then there are plenty of other books set outside the War of the ring the LOTR is based on but personally i find them a bit to heavy reading

 

They do indeed get more into detail about the different races, however if you want to get a fuller history on middle earth, its battles etc. Then read The Silmarillion first. Starts from the start of middle earth, through the elf wars against Morgoth (Sauron was his lieutenant) then through to the rings of power and the third age of middle earth (LOTR trilogy).
Silmarillion is THE ultimate book, but is more challenging than the rest to read. The Hobbit sort of struck me as Tolkein trying his hand at writing a kids book

 

I might have to invest in some of them. Should have some money left over after Christmas, can't think of many better ways to spend it than some Tolkien

just noticed this!

 

I'll give that a go first then. Cheers for the advice.

 

Technically the Silmarillion is the best source for a good grounding in the races, politics and overview but as TLG said the writing style is quite heavy at first. I would class it as a marmite book ... you love it or hate it. I think it is absolute class personally. It was the book that almost single handedly (Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy being the other) started my love affair with reading. LOTR will flesh out you knowledge too but not on the same scale.

Edit: sorry Jacky I was too slow

 

so after watching your 'favourite series of movies', you didn't bother to read the prequel?


also, Brian Blessed is perfect casting

(p.s. the people that played the characters in the LOTR trilogy return for the same role in the hobbit? no ****)

 

Basically the Silmarillion will be heavy going for the first chapter as it goes through the valar, maiar (gods & demi - gods) and races of middle earth and their lineage. Then its a truely epic story from there on in. Just persevere through the first chapter or so

 

The Hobbit was written for his children in the 1920's. He had complained that there weren't any decent kids books around to read to his kids so he decided to write one.

If you can get hold of a copy (apologies if you already have one and i'm preaching to the converted) ... the Letters of JRR Tolkien is a really good read for an enthusiast. Just a book full of letters between Tolkien, his publisher and a number of friends discussing his works and thoughts. Loads of information in there that you will not find anywhere else.

Also quite alot of info about his time in the Etchings Club(?)* (writing club he was in at Leeds University about the time of WW1. C S Lewis was a member too and you get insight into their shared thoughts which influence both the Narnia books and Tolkiens own. Good stuff ... but like I said only for the enthusiast!

* Memory might be slightly wrong on the name of the club, been a while since I read it

 

Haven't read the letters, will make a point of doing so. Cheers for the heads up

 

The story of Beren and Luthien has blockbuster written all over it ... only a matter of time surely before somebody makes it into a film!?