Did LOTR need more action? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Galadriel · 09-10-2010, 03:36 AM

On the contrary. I think there were too many battle scenes. Jackson made good films, but he really messed up Tolkien's elegantly crafted dialogue. LotR is not meant to be an action-packed modern film. It has a message, and messages are generally not delivered well enough with battles.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 09-10-2010, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galadriel

On the contrary. I think there were too many battle scenes. Jackson made good films, but he really messed up Tolkien's elegantly crafted dialogue. LotR is not meant to be an action-packed modern film. It has a message, and messages are generally not delivered well enough with battles.

This discussion is about the book, mind.

I don't think anyone would argue that the films didn't labour the fight scenes.

Galadriel · 09-20-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim

This discussion is about the book, mind.

I don't think anyone would argue that the films didn't labour the fight scenes.

Oopsie O.O

But even in the book, I think there was enough action...

spirit_of_fire · 09-28-2010, 10:49 PM

I think LotR had just the right amount of action, and Tolkien's style was far more interesting and immersive than the standard blow-by-blow thirty pages for one fight style that a lot of fantasy authors use.
That might be what throws people: The quality of the action in Tolkien's books comes from dialogue, and the vivid description of the atmosphere of the story (like how you could almost feel the will of Sauron striving against the fellowship, or how the orcs only spoke of the Nazgul in whispers and they were at first only seen as a black shape blotting out the stars), and when the real "action" arrives, half of it is in the breaking of the suspense, and seeing how the characters react to the situation, so there is less emphasis on personal combat.

Personally, that's the way I prefer it, it was Tolkien's characters that stood out to me and made the book great - not the battles.

Galadriel · 09-29-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spirit_of_fire

I think LotR had just the right amount of action, and Tolkien's style was far more interesting and immersive than the standard blow-by-blow thirty pages for one fight style that a lot of fantasy authors use.

While I LOVE action in books, I think some authors tend to go overboard (George RR Martin, anyone?). Tolkien managed to hit the nail.

spirit_of_fire · 10-01-2010, 05:58 AM

He's the one that wrote the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series right? Hope he actually finishes that next book one day.

09-10-2010, 03:36 AM	#1
Galadriel Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: In Eldamar beside the walls of Elven Tirion Posts: 551	On the contrary. I think there were too many battle scenes. Jackson made good films, but he really messed up Tolkien's elegantly crafted dialogue. LotR is not meant to be an action-packed modern film. It has a message, and messages are generally not delivered well enough with battles. __________________ "Hey! Come derry dol! Can you hear me singing?" – Tom Bombadil

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09-28-2010, 10:49 PM	#4
spirit_of_fire Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 13	I think LotR had just the right amount of action, and Tolkien's style was far more interesting and immersive than the standard blow-by-blow thirty pages for one fight style that a lot of fantasy authors use. That might be what throws people: The quality of the action in Tolkien's books comes from dialogue, and the vivid description of the atmosphere of the story (like how you could almost feel the will of Sauron striving against the fellowship, or how the orcs only spoke of the Nazgul in whispers and they were at first only seen as a black shape blotting out the stars), and when the real "action" arrives, half of it is in the breaking of the suspense, and seeing how the characters react to the situation, so there is less emphasis on personal combat. Personally, that's the way I prefer it, it was Tolkien's characters that stood out to me and made the book great - not the battles.

10-01-2010, 05:58 AM	#6
spirit_of_fire Pile O'Bones Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 13	He's the one that wrote the "A Song of Ice and Fire" series right? Hope he actually finishes that next book one day.