BBC Tolkien in Oxford - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

davem · 08-16-2010, 02:26 PM

Yep - the Beeb have finally gotten around to making one of the most important pieces of Tolkieniana available.

Tollers himself on film.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/writers/12237.shtml

narfforc · 08-17-2010, 09:08 AM

Anyone who has not seen this before, should now do so. It is strange now to watch the people in the film, and listen to their ideas of pre-Silmarillion or latter day Tolkien released literature. If only one who had read all we have today could have interviewed him.

Thanks for showing the link Dave.

Can anyone find the link to the Christopher Tolkien Interview?, I have it on disc, but would like others to watch it.

Inziladun · 08-17-2010, 07:37 PM

Great link! It's actually the first time I've seen that.
"I'm very fond of beer", he says. I can't help but agree.

And while watching him smoke, one is very reminded of Gandalf.
The narrator of the book passages sounds a great deal like the late actor, Tony Jay.

Lalaith · 08-18-2010, 08:42 AM

That is brilliant - I'd never seen that before, although I had seen the clips of Tolkien watching fireworks in another documentary.
I loved Tolkien composing the Ring's Black Speech inscription in the bath, and kicking the sponge out when he'd finished, and also quoting Simone de Beavoir from a clipping he carried around.
Less impressed with some of those awful Oxford students, particularly that pair who thought they were leftie radicals but were in fact patronising misogynistic gits going about secretaries who like Tolkien...quite slappable.

radagastly · 08-18-2010, 12:43 PM

Was it just me, or did the guy with the glasses and mustache that didn't like Tolkien because it was escapist and did not address today's social problems look like Eric Idle doing a Monty Python sketch?

narfforc · 08-18-2010, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radagastly

Was it just me, or did the guy with the glasses and mustache that didn't like Tolkien because it was escapist and did not address today's social problems look like Eric Idle doing a Monty Python sketch?

The one with the red tie and red views. Britain was rife with these mad trade unionists in the sixties and seventies. I see what you mean though.

Lalaith · 08-18-2010, 01:37 PM

That's exactly what I thought, and thus I also assumed that he must be Roy Strong. But I don't think he is - too macho and robust. However, Mr Lalaith has I think fairly conclusively identified the fairly cheery pro-Tolkien chap with the side parting - it's AN Wilson.

08-16-2010, 02:26 PM	#1
davem Illustrious Ulair Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In the home of lost causes, and forsaken beliefs, and unpopular names,and impossible loyalties Posts: 4,240	BBC Tolkien in Oxford Yep - the Beeb have finally gotten around to making one of the most important pieces of Tolkieniana available. Tollers himself on film. http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/writers/12237.shtml __________________ “Everything was an object. If you killed a dwarf you could use it as a weapon – it was no different to other large heavy objects."

08-17-2010, 09:08 AM	#2
narfforc Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Muddy-earth Posts: 1,297	Anyone who has not seen this before, should now do so. It is strange now to watch the people in the film, and listen to their ideas of pre-Silmarillion or latter day Tolkien released literature. If only one who had read all we have today could have interviewed him. Thanks for showing the link Dave. Can anyone find the link to the Christopher Tolkien Interview?, I have it on disc, but would like others to watch it. __________________ [B]THE LORD OF THE GRINS:THE ONE PARODY....A PARODY BETTER THAN THE RINGS OF POWER.

08-17-2010, 07:37 PM	#3
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,039	Great link! It's actually the first time I've seen that. "I'm very fond of beer", he says. I can't help but agree. And while watching him smoke, one is very reminded of Gandalf. The narrator of the book passages sounds a great deal like the late actor, Tony Jay. __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

08-18-2010, 08:42 AM	#4
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	That is brilliant - I'd never seen that before, although I had seen the clips of Tolkien watching fireworks in another documentary. I loved Tolkien composing the Ring's Black Speech inscription in the bath, and kicking the sponge out when he'd finished, and also quoting Simone de Beavoir from a clipping he carried around. Less impressed with some of those awful Oxford students, particularly that pair who thought they were leftie radicals but were in fact patronising misogynistic gits going about secretaries who like Tolkien...quite slappable. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling

08-18-2010, 12:43 PM	#5
radagastly Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Washington, D. C., USA Posts: 299	Was it just me, or did the guy with the glasses and mustache that didn't like Tolkien because it was escapist and did not address today's social problems look like Eric Idle doing a Monty Python sketch? __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before, I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.

08-18-2010, 01:37 PM	#7
Lalaith Blithe Spirit Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,779	That's exactly what I thought, and thus I also assumed that he must be Roy Strong. But I don't think he is - too macho and robust. However, Mr Lalaith has I think fairly conclusively identified the fairly cheery pro-Tolkien chap with the side parting - it's AN Wilson. __________________ Out went the candle, and we were left darkling