The Portrayal of Faramir - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

littlemanpoet · 01-18-2003, 04:49 PM

I pass on to you my brother's words, who at age 16 read Riddles in the Dark to me when I was age 8 (34 years ago). <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I'm sorry. I have to say that Philippa Boyen's comments are too similar to what many of the reviewers have had to say about many of Tolkien's own words: "Faramir's character is completely static in the books, and this wouldn't translate well filmically." The beauty of Faramir (in the books) is that he *IS* "sea-green incorruptible," and that Tolkien makes his "sea-green incorruptibility" work. He demonstrates that one *CAN* be a Wizard's Pupil (in the best sense of the words), that he can be soft (softer than Aragorn), vulnerable (ultimately smitten down on the Field of the Pelennor), and (ur-ultimately) almost preternaturally wise. In fact one could argue that he is, rather than Boromir's younger brother, Aragorn's younger brother, at least in spirit, and maybe even in his genes, since, like Aragorn (and Denethor), and unlike Boromir, he brings the line of the Half-elven back to life. And this is where I found the greatest lack in the films, one that almost brings me, sadly, to criticize them as ultimately having failed. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I would agree even if he weren't my brother. None of what was done to the Faramir character in the movie served any purpose that couldn't have been achieved with the words and character Tolkien gave him. If you want to make a true comparison, rent the video when it comes out, fast forward to the Faramir scenes, the stop it. Next, read Tolkien's scenes from the book. Then watch Jackson's scenes. You'll see the difference, because Tolkien's book has always read like a screenplay, it's that vivid.

01-18-2003, 04:49 PM	#1
littlemanpoet Itinerant Songster Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Edge of Faerie Posts: 7,066	I pass on to you my brother's words, who at age 16 read <I>Riddles in the Dark</I> to me when I was age 8 (34 years ago).<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I'm sorry. I have to say that Philippa Boyen's comments are too similar to what many of the reviewers have had to say about many of Tolkien's own words: "Faramir's character is completely static in the books, and this wouldn't translate well filmically." <BR> <BR>The beauty of Faramir (in the books) is that he IS "sea-green incorruptible," and that Tolkien makes his "sea-green incorruptibility" work. He demonstrates that one CAN be a Wizard's Pupil (in the best sense of the words), that he can be soft (softer than Aragorn), vulnerable (ultimately smitten down on the Field of the Pelennor), and (ur-ultimately) almost preternaturally wise.<BR> <BR>In fact one could argue that he is, rather than Boromir's younger brother, Aragorn's younger brother, at least in spirit, and maybe even in his genes, since, like Aragorn (and Denethor), and unlike Boromir, he brings the line of the Half-elven back to life.<BR> <BR>And this is where I found the greatest lack in the films, one that almost brings me, sadly, to criticize them as ultimately having failed.<BR> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I would agree even if he weren't my brother. None of what was done to the Faramir character in the movie served any purpose that couldn't have been achieved with the words and character Tolkien gave him. If you want to make a true comparison, rent the video when it comes out, fast forward to the Faramir scenes, the stop it. Next, read Tolkien's scenes from the book. Then watch Jackson's scenes. You'll <B>see</B> the difference, because Tolkien's book has always read like a screenplay, it's that vivid.