If the Children of Húrin was filmed... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Thinlómien · 03-27-2007, 02:52 AM

We've all been so enthusiastic for the last months, because the book called Children of Húrin (consisting from J.R.R. Tolkien's notes and published things, edited by Christopher Tolkien - more on this thread) is to be published soon.

I read the Metro newspaper this morning. What caught my interest was a little article about CoH and this little statement by Chris Crawshaw, the chairman of the Tolkien Society: "It (The Children Of Hurin) would probably make a very good movie, if anyone can secure the film rights."

This made me wonder what kind of movie the story would make. I know it'll be easier to speculate once we have the book in our hands, but I think we can still discuss some things here now already. What (if something) things could be left out? What scenes would you definitely want to see? Who should play the main roles? Who should direct it? And so on... I'm interested to hear your opinions about these things.

The Sixth Wizard · 03-27-2007, 04:05 AM

I'm sure it would make a great movie, but we should probably do the Hobbit before we move on to something as big as CoH. The Hobbit though might not make such a great movie, because it was basically written for younger readers...

As for obtaining the film rights, that's about as probable as George Lucas not using any CGI

.

Legate of Amon Lanc · 03-27-2007, 04:49 AM

I think CoH, as a movie, basically, from what we know of the story, would very easily fall into the "normal story which is in every second movie". One main hero, who is sort of a rebel, ill fate, troubles with several women, totally wicked dangerous enemy, negatively portrayed ally-characters here and there, and tragic end, eee, if I didn't know the original story and saw a film, I'd probably kick to the television and walk away. It wouldn't be such a typical movie of our age (the typical is that the hero survives), but still... Which brings me to, here you can see that Tolkien's story must really be a masterwork, because the original plot is, if I exaggerate it, really quite "ordinary".

Thinlómien · 03-27-2007, 05:00 AM

Actually I slightly disagree with you, Legate. I think marrying one's sister and her becoming pregnant is not the kind of everyday-movie stuff. And even though the story wouldn't be that magnifiently portrayed, if the visual things would be well handled, it might still be worth the movie ticket. *thinks about a well-done movie-Glaurung and shivers*

Legate of Amon Lanc · 03-27-2007, 05:05 AM

Hmm... yes, you are right. But I wanted to say something like if I didn't know it is from Tolkien, I'd probably not bother to go to see it if it came to cinemas. I don't go very often to cinemas, though, but still, if it sounded like a really a good movie, I'd go. But this, probably not.

Of course, not speaking of the visual effects. But this, on the other hand, I think is not important for a Tolkien fan. Or at least I feel it like that.

The Squatter of Amon Rûdh · 03-27-2007, 06:58 AM

What would worry me is that the story of Turin is so at odds with the typical fantasy action blockbuster. Essentially it's about a man who wants to be a hero and champion of good, but who ends up destroying almost everything he touches. He kills his most loyal friend, gets his sister pregnant and helps to bring about the destruction of one of the chief Noldorin cities. Nearly everyone who follows him or helps him ends up dead, as do most of the people he tries to protect; and much of it is due to his headstrong and undisciplined pride, which is a virtue in action films. A film would probably feel it needed to make him more conventionally heroic, give him some more victories and mitigate his worst mistakes. The incest between Turin and Nienor would almost certainly be dropped to keep the age rating down. Finduilas would become the obvious replacement, so she would have to be kept alive at least long enough to take Nienor's place in Brethil; poor old Mim would be simplified into the archetypal treacherous comrade. Don't even get me started on what would happen to the dialogue.

Copyright expires eventually, so just make the most of what will probably be a great book. Perhaps by the time someone can legally film it the film industry will have grown up enough to do it justice. Maybe there'll even be support for a British production by then; a creative response from Tolkien's home country, although I doubt it. In any case I don't think I could bear to see Tolkien's most tragic hero turned into a marketing vehicle for action figures and console games. Beleg Strongbow Happy Meals, anyone? Spare me.

03-27-2007, 02:52 AM	#1
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	If the Children of Húrin was filmed... We've all been so enthusiastic for the last months, because the book called Children of Húrin (consisting from J.R.R. Tolkien's notes and published things, edited by Christopher Tolkien - more on this thread) is to be published soon. I read the Metro newspaper this morning. What caught my interest was a little article about CoH and this little statement by Chris Crawshaw, the chairman of the Tolkien Society: "It (The Children Of Hurin) would probably make a very good movie, if anyone can secure the film rights." This made me wonder what kind of movie the story would make. I know it'll be easier to speculate once we have the book in our hands, but I think we can still discuss some things here now already. What (if something) things could be left out? What scenes would you definitely want to see? Who should play the main roles? Who should direct it? And so on... I'm interested to hear your opinions about these things. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

03-27-2007, 04:49 AM	#3
Legate of Amon Lanc A Voice That Gainsayeth Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In that far land beyond the Sea Posts: 7,431	I think CoH, as a movie, basically, from what we know of the story, would very easily fall into the "normal story which is in every second movie". One main hero, who is sort of a rebel, ill fate, troubles with several women, totally wicked dangerous enemy, negatively portrayed ally-characters here and there, and tragic end, eee, if I didn't know the original story and saw a film, I'd probably kick to the television and walk away. It wouldn't be such a typical movie of our age (the typical is that the hero survives), but still... Which brings me to, here you can see that Tolkien's story must really be a masterwork, because the original plot is, if I exaggerate it, really quite "ordinary". __________________ "Should the story say 'he ate bread,' the dramatic producer can only show 'a piece of bread' according to his taste or fancy, but the hearer of the story will think of bread in general and picture it in some form of his own." -On Fairy-Stories

03-27-2007, 05:00 AM	#4
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	Actually I slightly disagree with you, Legate. I think marrying one's sister and her becoming pregnant is not the kind of everyday-movie stuff. And even though the story wouldn't be that magnifiently portrayed, if the visual things would be well handled, it might still be worth the movie ticket. thinks about a well-done movie-Glaurung and shivers __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

03-27-2007, 05:05 AM	#5
Legate of Amon Lanc A Voice That Gainsayeth Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In that far land beyond the Sea Posts: 7,431	Hmm... yes, you are right. But I wanted to say something like if I didn't know it is from Tolkien, I'd probably not bother to go to see it if it came to cinemas. I don't go very often to cinemas, though, but still, if it sounded like a really a good movie, I'd go. But this, probably not. Of course, not speaking of the visual effects. But this, on the other hand, I think is not important for a Tolkien fan. Or at least I feel it like that. __________________ "Should the story say 'he ate bread,' the dramatic producer can only show 'a piece of bread' according to his taste or fancy, but the hearer of the story will think of bread in general and picture it in some form of his own." -On Fairy-Stories

03-27-2007, 06:58 AM	#6
The Squatter of Amon Rûdh Spectre of Decay Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Bar-en-Danwedh Posts: 2,178	Please not again What would worry me is that the story of Turin is so at odds with the typical fantasy action blockbuster. Essentially it's about a man who wants to be a hero and champion of good, but who ends up destroying almost everything he touches. He kills his most loyal friend, gets his sister pregnant and helps to bring about the destruction of one of the chief Noldorin cities. Nearly everyone who follows him or helps him ends up dead, as do most of the people he tries to protect; and much of it is due to his headstrong and undisciplined pride, which is a virtue in action films. A film would probably feel it needed to make him more conventionally heroic, give him some more victories and mitigate his worst mistakes. The incest between Turin and Nienor would almost certainly be dropped to keep the age rating down. Finduilas would become the obvious replacement, so she would have to be kept alive at least long enough to take Nienor's place in Brethil; poor old Mim would be simplified into the archetypal treacherous comrade. Don't even get me started on what would happen to the dialogue. Copyright expires eventually, so just make the most of what will probably be a great book. Perhaps by the time someone can legally film it the film industry will have grown up enough to do it justice. Maybe there'll even be support for a British production by then; a creative response from Tolkien's home country, although I doubt it. In any case I don't think I could bear to see Tolkien's most tragic hero turned into a marketing vehicle for action figures and console games. Beleg Strongbow Happy Meals, anyone? Spare me. __________________ Man kenuva métim' andúne?

03-27-2007, 04:05 AM	#2
The Sixth Wizard Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stuck under a rock in Valinor with Ar-Pharazon. Posts: 480	I'm sure it would make a great movie, but we should probably do the Hobbit before we move on to something as big as CoH. The Hobbit though might not make such a great movie, because it was basically written for younger readers... As for obtaining the film rights, that's about as probable as George Lucas not using any CGI .