Having been (years ago) one of the few who opposed the movies here, I think CT was right. I did finally break down and see them: once. Books are
always superior to movies in my opinion, but this work in particular misses much in the translation. As has been said, the wonderfully descriptive language and dialogue is sacrificed for mass appeal, the characterizations seem rather stilted and dull, and many of the changes were done for no reason I can fathom.
JRRT himself said in 1955
Quote:
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I think the book quite unsuitable for 'dramatization'.
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though it is debatable if he thought this about movie adaptations.
I'm not one of those who believes the movies have forever ruined my special, imaginative view of Middle Earth and its denizens. I wasn't hurt by seeing the movies, but I didn't gain anything by it.