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Bêthberry · 06-16-2002, 09:38 PM

Mark12_30, I find it interesting to reflect on the differences between my first, long ago reading of LOTR and my second, last November. The first, I enjoyed LOTR for a fascinatingly done fantasy/ adventure yarn. The second, done by my mother's bedside while she underwent diagnosis of an incurable disease, was profoundly moving.

Profoundly so because of how much effort and clear focus is needed to accomplish what is needful. I remember being physically tensed and tired by Sam's and Frodo's struggles on Mount Doom and being thoroughly humbled by the discipline of Gandalf's efforts. It is a stirring depiction of how much effort is required to fight the good fight. And self-discipline isn't a highly acclaimed commodity these days.

The other feature which stood out for me on the second reading was the interconnectedness of all the characters' efforts. All had a significant part to play. It is a story about community knit together by incredible respect for the free will of individuals within the concept of duty and obligation.

To return more closely to this topic, perhaps I am unusual, but I was not particularly moved by movieFrodo, maternally or otherwise. (There are times when I want to respond to all the Legolaslovers and Frododroolers by starting what another fan suggested, a thread about Gimli as a sex god. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img])

The depth of bookFrodo's spiritual journey, to me, is missing in the movie because PJ went for a sense of hurriedness and immediacy to the events rather than the slow, inexorable turn of time. And while acknowledging the value and worth of child-like innocence, it seems to me that the story of LOTR is too solemn and serious to have Frodo played as child-like. To me, that is too much of a carry-over from The Hobbit. I cannot easily see a child comprehending the full nature of the transcendence which Frodo undergoes and that lessens his journey for me. Or might, pending next episodes!

Child, your reasoning about the better sense of Boromir's redemption in the movie is intriguing. I had felt that the film was more successful because Boromir's death was moved into the climax of FOTR, rather than the opening of TTT, so that dramatically it was more centrally placed.

Rushed and tired and suspecting that this does little to forward the discussion,

Bethberry

[ June 17, 2002: Message edited by: Bethberry ]

06-16-2002, 09:38 PM	#49
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Mark12_30, I find it interesting to reflect on the differences between my first, long ago reading of LOTR and my second, last November. The first, I enjoyed LOTR for a fascinatingly done fantasy/ adventure yarn. The second, done by my mother's bedside while she underwent diagnosis of an incurable disease, was profoundly moving. Profoundly so because of how much effort and clear focus is needed to accomplish what is needful. I remember being physically tensed and tired by Sam's and Frodo's struggles on Mount Doom and being thoroughly humbled by the discipline of Gandalf's efforts. It is a stirring depiction of how much effort is required to fight the good fight. And self-discipline isn't a highly acclaimed commodity these days. The other feature which stood out for me on the second reading was the interconnectedness of all the characters' efforts. All had a significant part to play. It is a story about community knit together by incredible respect for the free will of individuals within the concept of duty and obligation. To return more closely to this topic, perhaps I am unusual, but I was not particularly moved by movieFrodo, maternally or otherwise. (There are times when I want to respond to all the Legolaslovers and Frododroolers by starting what another fan suggested, a thread about Gimli as a sex god. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]) The depth of bookFrodo's spiritual journey, to me, is missing in the movie because PJ went for a sense of hurriedness and immediacy to the events rather than the slow, inexorable turn of time. And while acknowledging the value and worth of child-like innocence, it seems to me that the story of LOTR is too solemn and serious to have Frodo played as child-like. To me, that is too much of a carry-over from The Hobbit. I cannot easily see a child comprehending the full nature of the transcendence which Frodo undergoes and that lessens his journey for me. Or might, pending next episodes! Child, your reasoning about the better sense of Boromir's redemption in the movie is intriguing. I had felt that the film was more successful because Boromir's death was moved into the climax of FOTR, rather than the opening of TTT, so that dramatically it was more centrally placed. Rushed and tired and suspecting that this does little to forward the discussion, Bethberry [ June 17, 2002: Message edited by: Bethberry ] __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.