1978 animated - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Birdland · 08-29-2002, 12:48 AM

(Birdie the Oldster steps forward to try to put things in persepective.)I was there in 1978 when Lord of the Rings first appeared in the theatres. It was as eagerly anticipated as Peter Jackson's own version is today. Especially since Ralph Bakshi was considered to be a cutting-edge filmaker in his time, taking animation to a whole 'nother level. But there was much controvery surrounding the production as well. At that time, Bakshi was universally recognized as the film maker who brought the first X-rated animated film to the screen. (The imfamous "Fritz the Cat".) Also, based on Bakshi's last release, "Wizards" (1977. If you can find it, rent it! It was, and still is a cult favorite of mine.) the public was concerned that Bakshi would turn Tolkien's definitely G-rated fantasy into an apocalyptic bloodbath. With maybe some soft porn thrown in for good measure.Well, they were right. He did. Bakshi liked his gore as much as Peter Jackson. (He toned down the porn, though.) But most of the complaints about the "LoTR: Part One" were based on the nuts-and-bolts aspects of the film. Rotoscoping (the filming of actual actors, who were then "covered" by animated characters. First used in the 1930s.) had some decidedly mixed results in the film. To me it's as if the talents of the animators could not match the vision of the director. In particular, I can still remember the eyes of the characters "jiggling" in a most disconcerting fashion.And yes, we all hated Bakshi's version of Sam. It looked like Bakshi hired a Bud Abbot impersonator for the role, then melted him. Anyway, the rest is history. The film was a flop, both with hard-core fans and the general public, and Bakshi could not get the backing to film Part Two. It seems that Lord of the Rings was the death knell for Bakshi as a film maker. He lost all his "cred" as a director and an animator, and now is out of the film making business altogether. Every time I see the animated version at Blockbuster, I reach for it, then cringe away. I'm so afraid that it will be so horribly bad that I will sit there being embarrassed for a director who once was considered a major talent. But I think next time I'll go ahead and get it. If it is as awful as I mis-remember it, I can always pop my P.J. LoTR DVD in to wash away the bad taste.[ August 29, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]

08-29-2002, 12:48 AM	#13
Birdland Ghastly Neekerbreeker Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the banks of the mighty Scioto Posts: 1,751	(Birdie the Oldster steps forward to try to put things in persepective.)<P>I was there in 1978 when Lord of the Rings first appeared in the theatres. It was as eagerly anticipated as Peter Jackson's own version is today. Especially since Ralph Bakshi was considered to be a cutting-edge filmaker in his time, taking animation to a whole 'nother level. <P>But there was much controvery surrounding the production as well. At that time, Bakshi was universally recognized as the film maker who brought the first X-rated animated film to the screen. (The imfamous "Fritz the Cat".) <P>Also, based on Bakshi's last release, "Wizards" (1977. If you can find it, rent it! It was, and still is a cult favorite of mine.) the public was concerned that Bakshi would turn Tolkien's definitely G-rated fantasy into an apocalyptic bloodbath. With maybe some soft porn thrown in for good measure.<P>Well, they were right. He did. Bakshi liked his gore as much as Peter Jackson. (He toned down the porn, though.) But most of the complaints about the "LoTR: Part One" were based on the nuts-and-bolts aspects of the film. Rotoscoping (the filming of actual actors, who were then "covered" by animated characters. First used in the 1930s.) had some decidedly mixed results in the film. To me it's as if the talents of the animators could not match the vision of the director. In particular, I can still remember the eyes of the characters "jiggling" in a most disconcerting fashion.<P>And yes, we all hated Bakshi's version of Sam. It looked like Bakshi hired a Bud Abbot impersonator for the role, then melted him. <P>Anyway, the rest is history. The film was a flop, both with hard-core fans and the general public, and Bakshi could not get the backing to film Part Two. It seems that Lord of the Rings was the death knell for Bakshi as a film maker. He lost all his "cred" as a director and an animator, and now is out of the film making business altogether. <P>Every time I see the animated version at Blockbuster, I reach for it, then cringe away. I'm so afraid that it will be so horribly bad that I will sit there being embarrassed for a director who once was considered a major talent. <P>But I think next time I'll go ahead and get it. If it is as awful as I mis-remember it, I can always pop my P.J. LoTR DVD in to wash away the bad taste.<p>[ August 29, 2002: Message edited by: Birdland ]