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08-02-2002, 02:49 AM

Shadow of Udûn suggested that you cannot compare the two, Gorothlammothiel suggested that you can. This is a classic example of arguing the wrong point. People these days are too involved in seeing whether or not they can, they do not stop to think whether they should. A valid, fair, and comprehensive comparison of the two works may well be possible, but why even attempt it? What would be gained from the analysis?

Surely the two deserve to be judge on their own merit? Considering the time Tolkien put into LotR it should be judge as an individual’s unique work; conversely, considering the thousands of people involved in the creation of the LotR film (the actors, film crew, make-up artists, musicians, designers) it should be judged as a unique group effort. In my view a comparison of the two is moot.

I agree that you can judge the film on its reflection of the book, Tolkien did this himself with the Ralf Bakshi film (and was rather scathing). This is not a comparison, rather a critique. What Tolkien did was give his (authoritive) opinion on where the film failed in its portrayal of his book, he did not do this in order to announce that “it wasn’t as good as the book”, he was simply judging the film on its own (poor) merits.

Mystra makes a perfectly valid point, she(?) just doesn’t make it very well. For me, LotR stands the test of time because of the story and the values inherent within, not because of the writing style. I am as big a fan of Tolkien as anyone here but I only read it now (I’ve read it every year for the past 8 years) out of loyalty and love of the story. If I were honest I enjoy reading the latest King/Herbert/Koontz/Pratchett/Lumley/Reilly more. I would be insterested in learning what exactly Mystra did not understand. I would deduce however that the LotR was purhaps a little too mature for her(?).

Fandom is a strange thing; it makes us almost irrational in our analysis of anything even slightly related to the world we have adopted. Remember that he who breaks a thing just to find out how it works has left the path of wisdom…

[ August 03, 2002: Message edited by: TheGentleman ]

08-02-2002, 02:49 AM	#26
TheGentleman Guest Posts: n/a	Shadow of Udûn suggested that you cannot compare the two, Gorothlammothiel suggested that you can. This is a classic example of arguing the wrong point. People these days are too involved in seeing whether or not they can, they do not stop to think whether they should. A valid, fair, and comprehensive comparison of the two works may well be possible, but why even attempt it? What would be gained from the analysis? Surely the two deserve to be judge on their own merit? Considering the time Tolkien put into LotR it should be judge as an individual’s unique work; conversely, considering the thousands of people involved in the creation of the LotR film (the actors, film crew, make-up artists, musicians, designers) it should be judged as a unique group effort. In my view a comparison of the two is moot. I agree that you can judge the film on its reflection of the book, Tolkien did this himself with the Ralf Bakshi film (and was rather scathing). This is not a comparison, rather a critique. What Tolkien did was give his (authoritive) opinion on where the film failed in its portrayal of his book, he did not do this in order to announce that “it wasn’t as good as the book”, he was simply judging the film on its own (poor) merits. Mystra makes a perfectly valid point, she(?) just doesn’t make it very well. For me, LotR stands the test of time because of the story and the values inherent within, not because of the writing style. I am as big a fan of Tolkien as anyone here but I only read it now (I’ve read it every year for the past 8 years) out of loyalty and love of the story. If I were honest I enjoy reading the latest King/Herbert/Koontz/Pratchett/Lumley/Reilly more. I would be insterested in learning what exactly Mystra did not understand. I would deduce however that the LotR was purhaps a little too mature for her(?). Fandom is a strange thing; it makes us almost irrational in our analysis of anything even slightly related to the world we have adopted. Remember that he who breaks a thing just to find out how it works has left the path of wisdom… [ August 03, 2002: Message edited by: TheGentleman ]