Would Gollum have been better unanimated?

[Mithalwen]

That looks a bit strange ot me - like a computer game. ACtually I think a lot of the visuals - in the films are great - the costumes and armour were lovely and I think here the influence of the obsessive Tolkien fans held sway . I would have like loved to see mallorn properly but I thought the Shire and Rivendell and Gondor were excellent.. and NZ does make a good middle earth. I would recast a few of the voices of the radio - Apart from Robert Stephens - the actress reading Arwen does sound as if she could be 3000 years old and maybe Boromir.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I would recast a few of the voices of the radio - Apart from Robert Stephens - the actress reading Arwen does sound as if she could be 3000 years old and maybe Boromir.

I know what you mean - I found Theoden a bit annoying occasionally (one review I saw described the performance as 'loud & grating'), but I wouldn't lose any of the actors - it would just feel wrong to me if any of them weren't there...

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by davem

I know what you mean - I found Theoden a bit annoying occasionally (one review I saw described the performance as 'loud & grating'), but I wouldn't lose any of the actors - it would just feel wrong to me if any of them weren't there...

I have a soft spot for Jack May - he was Nelson Gabriel in the Archers you know... but I was amazed by Bernard Hill - having thought I wouldn't be able to erase Yosser and Mr Shirley Valentine from my mind.

But you do get used to the voices - and it was mostly very clever casting - Merry and Pippin sound young, Sam sounds rural but not yoke,l Legolas distinctive but not camp.