did the movie do the books justice ? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Lily Ahern · 12-01-2002, 02:52 PM

I personally think that the movie brought the books incredible justice as far as movie books are concerned I mean sure books are always better than movies but this movie was great I love it [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

12-01-2002, 03:12 PM

I think that reading 'The Fellowship of the Ring' was infinitely better than watching it. What the film seemed to do was jump from fight to fight, the fights being shown in graphic detail, where as the truly fantastic bits, such as Tom Bombadil, and when Aragorn, Gandalf etc talk about legends, seemed to be somewhat abbreviated, or not appear at all in the case of Bombadil. It took a lot of persuading to get me to read the books, but now I have, I think they're great!! Not an expert yet, I've got lots more to go - Silmarrilion, Unfinished Tales etc

TealDude3 · 12-01-2002, 05:30 PM

I have a friend (and fellow Barrow-Downer) who said he didn't like the movie because the Balrog had wings. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!! For the last time... Tolkien spicificly described the Balrog having wings! But I believe the movie was incredible. A maserpiece.

Quote:

Rolling Stones says "two thumbs way up"

That's not really saying much because Rolling Stones gives everything two thumbs up but still. A Beautiful Mind didn't desurve Best Picture.

TTT ALL THE WAY!!!

the witch king · 12-01-2002, 05:32 PM

i think i was as good as a film of a classic book can be

Voralphion · 12-02-2002, 05:23 PM

I think the movie was not nearly as good as the book but it was still a good movie. As to whether the movie did the book justice, I think the movie was different to the books. Many parts were changed, such as Aragorn not wanting to be king because he doubted his strength, and these will lead to many parts of the later movies to be different as well. I think the changes were made in order to make it simpler to those who were not Tolkien fans and had never read the books. As a result of the changes, I think the movie and books can't be compared as the storyline is different.

Lily Tussle · 12-02-2002, 06:06 PM

I think the movie did more than do justice to the books, and I can't wait for TTT! It was obvious that they'd have to cut things out, I mean, the movie is almost three hours long as it is! Also, be glad it isn't just ONE movie! Miramax was suggesting that before PJ and co. made the move to New Line. Another thing, after watching all the interviews and such on teh extended DVD of FotR, PJ clearly states that he, Fran, and, Phillipa were tryng to make the movie focus on Frodo, and when you get right down to it, a lot of the stuff in the books, while being really good in the literary form, have no major impact on things that happen later in the movie. Although I, like many other Tolkien Addicts, were disappointed about the absence of Tom Bombadil, i got over it! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Merri · 12-03-2002, 05:29 PM

Personally, I don't think the movie ever brings justice to the books: There is nothing quite as powerful as your own imagination. Still, they did a pretty good job of bringing the books to life, I think. Just the scenery itself made the movie good . . . now I truly understand the meaning of the word 'breathtaking' [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Arathiriel · 12-03-2002, 05:37 PM

I love the books as much as the next person but I also loved FOTR for what it was! PJ and company did a spectacular job bringing to life the characters as well as the wonders and horrors of ME to life! I don't think that the fans could have asked for a better adaptation of the books we all love so much, nor could we have asked for a better director than Peter Jackson!

Elvenglass · 12-03-2002, 05:42 PM

I both loved the movies and the books. It's hard to compare the two because books do leave everything to your imagination. However I thought PJ's take on the fellowship was great, obviously he cares enough about the books to try and stay true to JRR Tolkien's original vision, even though he knew not everyone would agree with what he was doing. What can I say? finally a director who cares about the fans! They are both great. If you have seen the movie but not read the books, read! They are both great experiences.

MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie · 12-03-2002, 06:15 PM

I agree with everyone here. That may seem odd, but I do.

I have mixed feeling for the movie and whether or not it did justice. I love the movie and I do think it did a lot of justice for the books but in a way, it also did injustice for teh book.

I'm going to leave PJ out of it because he did his job which was to make LotR into a movie. He had to please the movie makers first, the newbie fans, and of course, the old die hard fans. PJ did the best he could and I'm sure it was hard for him at some parts in the movie. But the overall result was a success on all three levels.

I think that it did justice for the books because it opened up the audience of LotR to many more. It even changed how people felt about LotR. It gave the books more attention because the newbies wanted to read it since they realized how good the book should be and is. Since the movie was changed to allow people new to middle earth to enjoy it, it resulted in the people new to ME liking it and most likely going to read the books. Also if anyone ever talked sh*t about LotR before the movie, once they saw it, they changed their minds about it.

The movie however did do some injustice to the book. Since it did give the book more attention, more people read it. But some read it for the wrong reasons. I know some people who read it because everyone else was reading it. If you want to read the book, then read it, but if you don't, then don't. To me, reading it for that reason was a slap in tolkien's face. Also, although the movie was good, it didn't follow the book and it didn't include all the parts either. I was really hoping for the barrow downs to be in it [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] . The movie had to be made in a time limit also. That's just sad. You want to make a movie about a timeless novel and yet you can't include all that there is because of the time limit. I wish it followed the book completely and thoroghly. Oh well. The movie had to be changed from the book to suit all viewers, not just the fans who loved it before the movie. Those are the downfalls of making a movie about a great novel. You can't accomplish all that there is. There were some other injustices too but I can't remember them any more.

The movie satisfied me so I'm happy. And think about it, we always have the books to read and our own visions of middle earth.

12-06-2002, 02:41 PM

*** Ask Ur sis who I am but it's great 2 c u here, hun! Hint 4th yr @ Colaiste!! Sit next 2 her!! Totally agree.... major justice!! LOVE THEM ALL!! esp Aragorn!! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

12-06-2002, 02:46 PM

I dont think that anything is as good as reading LotR but I will conceed that Peter Jackson did an amazing job in bringing the books to life.

12-06-2002, 03:11 PM

I agree with Moraine, Peter did a fab job, he deserves loads of credit for his work!

Amathoronion · 12-06-2002, 07:59 PM

Seeing how grand and amazing the whole movie was I can honestly say it is my favorite of all time there is no movie that comes near in story scenery sheer beauty.The books are powerfull amazing worlds that Tolkien brings us all into.But to see all of the beautifull things Jackson brought to life is truly aw inspiring.

I never even heard of TLOTR before. But the movie is so inspiring I had to read it all to better undstand the movie.So when I finsished all the books I was amazed that the book where a literary Simiril by themselfs.
They are almost two differnt things the book and the movie.But they both are masterpieces that inspire and stir the soul.

Now I have a joy I never knew before for nature and the beauty of it.The movie and the book gave me that after reading and amigining the places I want to find my own Rivendale or Lothlorien a beautifull place that feels truly powerfull when your in it.

So I think the movie gave the lord of the

ring justice in a powerfull amazing

awinspiring experice of another world

created by tolkien isn't that the point.So

if things get cliped it still gets the

message across

HammerTime · 12-07-2002, 05:53 AM

I think the movie was great, but in terms of doing the books justice... As has been said the film featured much more heavily on the fighting, and action sequences. I know people say that that isn't what the book is like, and I quite agree, but this film, while made to please readers, was also made to make money (as most things are in our capitalist society). To make a film that smashes box office records in today’s film going world, people want action.

All in all I think Peter Jackson did a fantastic job, and I'm certainly looking forward to the siege of Gondor in TROTK.

12-01-2002, 02:52 PM	#1
Lily Ahern Pile O'Bones Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Rivendell, cork Posts: 20	did the movie do the books justice ? I personally think that the movie brought the books incredible justice as far as movie books are concerned I mean sure books are always better than movies but this movie was great I love it [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] __________________ lady Alakmundoiel of rivendell

12-01-2002, 05:32 PM	#4
the witch king Wight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Minas Morgul, Morgul Vale, Mordor Posts: 201	i think i was as good as a film of a classic book can be __________________ 'Whenever death may surprise us, let it be welcome if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear and another hand reaches out to take up our arms.'~ Che Guevara.

12-02-2002, 05:23 PM	#5
Voralphion Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Sharkey's End Posts: 267	I think the movie was not nearly as good as the book but it was still a good movie. As to whether the movie did the book justice, I think the movie was different to the books. Many parts were changed, such as Aragorn not wanting to be king because he doubted his strength, and these will lead to many parts of the later movies to be different as well. I think the changes were made in order to make it simpler to those who were not Tolkien fans and had never read the books. As a result of the changes, I think the movie and books can't be compared as the storyline is different. __________________ His sword was long his lance was keen His shining helm afar was seen The countless stars of heavens field Were mirrored in his silver shield

12-02-2002, 06:06 PM	#6
Lily Tussle Pile O'Bones Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Pincup, The Shire, Eriador, Middle Earth Posts: 14	I think the movie did more than do justice to the books, and I can't wait for TTT! It was obvious that they'd have to cut things out, I mean, the movie is almost three hours long as it is! Also, be glad it isn't just ONE movie! Miramax was suggesting that before PJ and co. made the move to New Line. Another thing, after watching all the interviews and such on teh extended DVD of FotR, PJ clearly states that he, Fran, and, Phillipa were tryng to make the movie focus on Frodo, and when you get right down to it, a lot of the stuff in the books, while being really good in the literary form, have no major impact on things that happen later in the movie. Although I, like many other Tolkien Addicts, were disappointed about the absence of Tom Bombadil, i got over it! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] __________________ "Reading? I didn't know you could read."

12-03-2002, 05:29 PM	#7
Merri Wight Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: The Shire Posts: 221	Personally, I don't think the movie ever brings justice to the books: There is nothing quite as powerful as your own imagination. Still, they did a pretty good job of bringing the books to life, I think. Just the scenery itself made the movie good . . . now I truly understand the meaning of the word 'breathtaking' [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] __________________ Knowledge is just opinion that you trust enough to act upon. -Children of the Mind, by Orson Scott Card.

12-01-2002, 03:12 PM	#2
luingon Guest Posts: n/a	I think that reading 'The Fellowship of the Ring' was infinitely better than watching it. What the film seemed to do was jump from fight to fight, the fights being shown in graphic detail, where as the truly fantastic bits, such as Tom Bombadil, and when Aragorn, Gandalf etc talk about legends, seemed to be somewhat abbreviated, or not appear at all in the case of Bombadil. It took a lot of persuading to get me to read the books, but now I have, I think they're great!! Not an expert yet, I've got lots more to go - Silmarrilion, Unfinished Tales etc

12-03-2002, 05:37 PM	#8
Arathiriel Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Blessed Realm Posts: 284	I love the books as much as the next person but I also loved FOTR for what it was! PJ and company did a spectacular job bringing to life the characters as well as the wonders and horrors of ME to life! I don't think that the fans could have asked for a better adaptation of the books we all love so much, nor could we have asked for a better director than Peter Jackson! __________________ 'I love him. He's like that, and sometimes it shines through, somehow. But I love him, whether or no.' - Samwise Gamgee

12-03-2002, 05:42 PM	#9
Elvenglass Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 55	I both loved the movies and the books. It's hard to compare the two because books do leave everything to your imagination. However I thought PJ's take on the fellowship was great, obviously he cares enough about the books to try and stay true to JRR Tolkien's original vision, even though he knew not everyone would agree with what he was doing. What can I say? finally a director who cares about the fans! They are both great. If you have seen the movie but not read the books, read! They are both great experiences. __________________ Cormamin lindua ele lle Elen sila lumenn omentielvo

12-03-2002, 06:15 PM	#10
MLD-Grounds-Keeper-Willie Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 573	I agree with everyone here. That may seem odd, but I do. I have mixed feeling for the movie and whether or not it did justice. I love the movie and I do think it did a lot of justice for the books but in a way, it also did injustice for teh book. I'm going to leave PJ out of it because he did his job which was to make LotR into a movie. He had to please the movie makers first, the newbie fans, and of course, the old die hard fans. PJ did the best he could and I'm sure it was hard for him at some parts in the movie. But the overall result was a success on all three levels. I think that it did justice for the books because it opened up the audience of LotR to many more. It even changed how people felt about LotR. It gave the books more attention because the newbies wanted to read it since they realized how good the book should be and is. Since the movie was changed to allow people new to middle earth to enjoy it, it resulted in the people new to ME liking it and most likely going to read the books. Also if anyone ever talked sh*t about LotR before the movie, once they saw it, they changed their minds about it. The movie however did do some injustice to the book. Since it did give the book more attention, more people read it. But some read it for the wrong reasons. I know some people who read it because everyone else was reading it. If you want to read the book, then read it, but if you don't, then don't. To me, reading it for that reason was a slap in tolkien's face. Also, although the movie was good, it didn't follow the book and it didn't include all the parts either. I was really hoping for the barrow downs to be in it [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img] . The movie had to be made in a time limit also. That's just sad. You want to make a movie about a timeless novel and yet you can't include all that there is because of the time limit. I wish it followed the book completely and thoroghly. Oh well. The movie had to be changed from the book to suit all viewers, not just the fans who loved it before the movie. Those are the downfalls of making a movie about a great novel. You can't accomplish all that there is. There were some other injustices too but I can't remember them any more. The movie satisfied me so I'm happy. And think about it, we always have the books to read and our own visions of middle earth. __________________ Do Not Touch -Willie

12-06-2002, 02:41 PM	#11
Manquesseiel Guest Posts: n/a	*** Ask Ur sis who I am but it's great 2 c u here, hun! Hint 4th yr @ Colaiste!! Sit next 2 her!! Totally agree.... major justice!! LOVE THEM ALL!! esp Aragorn!! [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/tongue.gif[/img] [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img] [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

12-06-2002, 02:46 PM	#12
Moraine Guest Posts: n/a	I dont think that anything is as good as reading LotR but I will conceed that Peter Jackson did an amazing job in bringing the books to life.

12-06-2002, 03:11 PM	#13
Manquesseiel Guest Posts: n/a	I agree with Moraine, Peter did a fab job, he deserves loads of credit for his work!

12-06-2002, 07:59 PM	#14
Amathoronion Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Saginaw MI Posts: 14	Seeing how grand and amazing the whole movie was I can honestly say it is my favorite of all time there is no movie that comes near in story scenery sheer beauty.The books are powerfull amazing worlds that Tolkien brings us all into.But to see all of the beautifull things Jackson brought to life is truly aw inspiring. I never even heard of TLOTR before. But the movie is so inspiring I had to read it all to better undstand the movie.So when I finsished all the books I was amazed that the book where a literary Simiril by themselfs. They are almost two differnt things the book and the movie.But they both are masterpieces that inspire and stir the soul. Now I have a joy I never knew before for nature and the beauty of it.The movie and the book gave me that after reading and amigining the places I want to find my own Rivendale or Lothlorien a beautifull place that feels truly powerfull when your in it. So I think the movie gave the lord of the ring justice in a powerfull amazing awinspiring experice of another world created by tolkien isn't that the point.So if things get cliped it still gets the message across __________________ THE MEMORY OF THE ANCIENT KNOWLAGE GUIDES ME

12-07-2002, 05:53 AM	#15
HammerTime Pile O'Bones Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Australia... yes down-under cringes Posts: 24	I think the movie was great, but in terms of doing the books justice... As has been said the film featured much more heavily on the fighting, and action sequences. I know people say that that isn't what the book is like, and I quite agree, but this film, while made to please readers, was also made to make money (as most things are in our capitalist society). To make a film that smashes box office records in today’s film going world, people want action. All in all I think Peter Jackson did a fantastic job, and I'm certainly looking forward to the siege of Gondor in TROTK. __________________ Truth! Justice! Freedom! And a Hard-boiled Egg!