BBC Tolkien in Oxford - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

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.

davem · 08-18-2010, 02:45 PM

Fairly sure this is from the same 'shoot' http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/new...561405&bbcws=1 - seems to be an out-take (probably because of its 'obscurity' at the time) & there're other clips of Tolkien in the Newsnight feature on CoH http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/new...news=1&bbcws=1

Can't help wondering what other 'out-takes' may be gathering dust on some shelf in Broadcasting House....

narfforc · 08-19-2010, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davem

Can't help wondering what other 'out-takes' may be gathering dust on some shelf in Broadcasting House....

Yes mate, something along the lines of.....The Prof turns to the camera at the end and says......................'The Balrog had no wings and Gandalf would have thrashed The Witch-king'.................... maybe sitting on a shelf somewhere.

Eönwë · 08-19-2010, 04:44 PM

I also hadn't seen this before. It really is interesting to see what people thought about LOTR before the days of the Silm and the films (they came out when I was 7/8, so I didn't really have the experience of knowing what people thought of them before the films).

Quote:

Originally Posted by narfforc

Gandalf would have thrashed The Witch-king'

Didn't he already?

On Weathertop? Ok, I'll stop now...

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 08-24-2010, 06:13 PM

Just got around to watching this now. It was really great, I think. And it made me feel ridiculously nerdy in the process, because my parents walked in and asked what it was about when I was watching it.

I guess all I have to really say about it is that Tolkien was quite entertaining and was somebody who I would have really loved to meet.

08-18-2010, 08:42 AM	#1
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	#2
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	#4
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

08-18-2010, 02:45 PM	#5
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	Fairly sure this is from the same 'shoot' http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/new...561405&bbcws=1 - seems to be an out-take (probably because of its 'obscurity' at the time) & there're other clips of Tolkien in the Newsnight feature on CoH http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/new...news=1&bbcws=1 Can't help wondering what other 'out-takes' may be gathering dust on some shelf in Broadcasting House.... __________________ “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."

08-24-2010, 06:13 PM	#8
TheGreatElvenWarrior Mighty Quill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walking off to look for America Posts: 2,230	Just got around to watching this now. It was really great, I think. And it made me feel ridiculously nerdy in the process, because my parents walked in and asked what it was about when I was watching it. I guess all I have to really say about it is that Tolkien was quite entertaining and was somebody who I would have really loved to meet. __________________ The Party Doesn't Start Until You're Dead.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode