Which order do you prefer? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

ElentariGreenleaf · 07-04-2004, 05:51 AM

You have a good point there Estel. Having read TTT and RotK before having seen the films, there was less sitting on the edge of my seat, and more dissapointment with PJ's pointless changes or additions. Though, by the time I came to see RotK, I'd forgotten quite a lot of the smaller plot lines. I should really get round to reading the trilogy for the second time. I keep getting throught FotR, then forgetting I was reading it.

*~Tarser~* [click]

wilwarin538 · 07-04-2004, 11:09 AM

I would of much rather read the books before I saw the movies. When I first saw the preview for the movies it was the first time I heard of LOTR and I didnt know it was originally a book so I watch the first movie and then discovered the books and read them but having already a picture of what everything looked like in my head, which wasnt very fun.

Mad Baggins · 07-04-2004, 09:38 PM

I saw FotR before I read it.

But I read TTT and RotK before I saw the movies! And I'm quite glad, because that way I knew how the movies were supposed to be, and I wasn't brainwashed into thinking that they were right. Also, I didn't turn into a Leggybopper. Close call, though. Kinda like Frodo and the splinter of the Morgul blade.

Azaelia of Willowbottom · 07-05-2004, 01:03 PM

I read the books before seeing the movies, and I like it better that way. I have a vision of Middle-Earth in my head that is pretty much untouched by PJ's movies because I let my imagination do the work before I sat down and let PJ's take over. It's not that the movies are bad: they're the best I've ever seen, it's that I love having my own picture of the story. Also, I think it's *easier* to read the books first because your expectations aren't touched by what the movie was, and you won't get bored if things move a bit slow and the battles aren't as nonstop as they are in the movie. I say this because one of my friends tried reading FOTR after seeing the movie, and she couldn't make it past the chapter, The Council of Elrond. I think that the movie is, in part, an action movie. Things move right along and the battles are long and drawn-out. (I'm thinking specifically of Helm's Deep, which took up a huge chunk of TTT that could have been better used) Anyway, what I'm saying is that her expectations were made by the movie. Reading the books before the movie somewhat eliminates that.

There are problems with books before the movie... You may get mad when your favorite book scene is botched, the little differences add up and start to annoy. You know when something's been changed, and not necessarily for the better. I tend not to let this get to me, but my book-loving friend really was made angry by the movies. In general, the people who I've talked to (except for my friend the Council of Elrond quitter) who read the books after the movie seem to have the attitude that "the movie was good and the books were awesome", while some book fans seem to have the attitude, "The books were so much better than the movie!" Maybe that's just my experiance... I certainly don't mean to generalize... I just think it's easier to have the more positive opinion when you read the books second. Of course, I've met many like myself who have read the books before seeing the movie and still think that the movie is excellent while loving the books.

Silmiel of Imladris · 07-06-2004, 09:53 PM

Here is my rule of thumb. If the movie is based on the book I will read the book first. If the book is based on the movie, ie Star Wars novels, I will see the movie first.

Meela · 07-10-2004, 03:16 PM

I read most of the books first, but I prefer reading them after having seen the movies. This happens with most book/movie adaptations: I find the books easier to follow if I already know what happens. The movies are much clearer, and so I can grasp the plot more easily. This was the most clear with The Return of the King, actually. I had no idea what was happening at the end of the book, until I saw the movie. I had no real understanding of the Battle of Pelennor until just after The Two Towers was released, and Return of the King was being publicised. I think I actually just asked someone outright what was going on.

Boromir88 · 07-10-2004, 04:56 PM

My dad handed me the book when I was 17 (about 20 years ago) and I have loved it ever since. For me, probably the book (or atleast part of it). My nephew likes the movies but I suggested him to read the prologue or first couple chapters before seeing the movie, to give him some background. One doesn't have to do this to understand the plot, but I think it would help out if you knew a little bit about the stories before watching the movies (also, I was trying to sway him to get interested into the books). I will say PJ's movies has gotten a lot of people to read, but I've heard so many people who quit reading because it's boring, or Legolas isn't in it. There have been many people who have watched the movies first and then read and enjoyed, also people who have read but prefer the movies just because there aren't so many names or places to remember. I think it just depends upon someone's preference.

07-04-2004, 05:51 AM	#1
ElentariGreenleaf Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Look, I'm over there! Posts: 496	You have a good point there Estel. Having read TTT and RotK before having seen the films, there was less sitting on the edge of my seat, and more dissapointment with PJ's pointless changes or additions. Though, by the time I came to see RotK, I'd forgotten quite a lot of the smaller plot lines. I should really get round to reading the trilogy for the second time. I keep getting throught FotR, then forgetting I was reading it. ~Tarser~ [click] __________________ There is a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot. Website\|Art

07-04-2004, 11:09 AM	#2
wilwarin538 Fluttering Enchantment Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 2,508	I would of much rather read the books before I saw the movies. When I first saw the preview for the movies it was the first time I heard of LOTR and I didnt know it was originally a book so I watch the first movie and then discovered the books and read them but having already a picture of what everything looked like in my head, which wasnt very fun. __________________ Comme une étoile amarante Comme un papillon de nuit C'est la lumière qui m'attire La flamme qui m'éblouit Fenris Muffin

07-04-2004, 09:38 PM	#3
Mad Baggins Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: A place where after thunder golden showers come falling like a rain of flowers. Posts: 371	I saw FotR before I read it. But I read TTT and RotK before I saw the movies! And I'm quite glad, because that way I knew how the movies were supposed to be, and I wasn't brainwashed into thinking that they were right. Also, I didn't turn into a Leggybopper. Close call, though. Kinda like Frodo and the splinter of the Morgul blade. __________________ I like buying snacks from a vending machine because food is better when it falls. Sometimes at the grocery, I'll drop a candy bar so that it will achieve its maximum flavor potential.

07-05-2004, 01:03 PM	#4
Azaelia of Willowbottom Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: By the Sea Posts: 446	I read the books before seeing the movies, and I like it better that way. I have a vision of Middle-Earth in my head that is pretty much untouched by PJ's movies because I let my imagination do the work before I sat down and let PJ's take over. It's not that the movies are bad: they're the best I've ever seen, it's that I love having my own picture of the story. Also, I think it's easier to read the books first because your expectations aren't touched by what the movie was, and you won't get bored if things move a bit slow and the battles aren't as nonstop as they are in the movie. I say this because one of my friends tried reading FOTR after seeing the movie, and she couldn't make it past the chapter, The Council of Elrond. I think that the movie is, in part, an action movie. Things move right along and the battles are long and drawn-out. (I'm thinking specifically of Helm's Deep, which took up a huge chunk of TTT that could have been better used) Anyway, what I'm saying is that her expectations were made by the movie. Reading the books before the movie somewhat eliminates that. There are problems with books before the movie... You may get mad when your favorite book scene is botched, the little differences add up and start to annoy. You know when something's been changed, and not necessarily for the better. I tend not to let this get to me, but my book-loving friend really was made angry by the movies. In general, the people who I've talked to (except for my friend the Council of Elrond quitter) who read the books after the movie seem to have the attitude that "the movie was good and the books were awesome", while some book fans seem to have the attitude, "The books were so much better than the movie!" Maybe that's just my experiance... I certainly don't mean to generalize... I just think it's easier to have the more positive opinion when you read the books second. Of course, I've met many like myself who have read the books before seeing the movie and still think that the movie is excellent while loving the books. __________________ "Wherever I have been, I am back."

07-06-2004, 09:53 PM	#5
Silmiel of Imladris Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Looking into a crystal ball- still see nothing Posts: 395	Here is my rule of thumb. If the movie is based on the book I will read the book first. If the book is based on the movie, ie Star Wars novels, I will see the movie first. __________________ Legolas 20 ales later: I feel something, a slight tingling in my fingers. I think it's affecting me. Figwit on his name: Are you suggesting that I have the wit of a fig?

07-10-2004, 03:16 PM	#6
Meela Denethor's True Love Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mirkwood. With Thranduil... swoon Posts: 2,049	I read most of the books first, but I prefer reading them after having seen the movies. This happens with most book/movie adaptations: I find the books easier to follow if I already know what happens. The movies are much clearer, and so I can grasp the plot more easily. This was the most clear with The Return of the King, actually. I had no idea what was happening at the end of the book, until I saw the movie. I had no real understanding of the Battle of Pelennor until just after The Two Towers was released, and Return of the King was being publicised. I think I actually just asked someone outright what was going on. __________________ 'The Hobbit' 1st impressions: 1. Thorin is hot... Oh god, I fancy a dwarf. 2. Thranduil is hotter. 3. Is that... Figwit! 4. Does Elijah Wood never age? 2nd: It's all about Fili & Kili, really. 3rd: BARD! OMG, Bard.

07-10-2004, 04:56 PM	#7
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	Book My dad handed me the book when I was 17 (about 20 years ago) and I have loved it ever since. For me, probably the book (or atleast part of it). My nephew likes the movies but I suggested him to read the prologue or first couple chapters before seeing the movie, to give him some background. One doesn't have to do this to understand the plot, but I think it would help out if you knew a little bit about the stories before watching the movies (also, I was trying to sway him to get interested into the books). I will say PJ's movies has gotten a lot of people to read, but I've heard so many people who quit reading because it's boring, or Legolas isn't in it. There have been many people who have watched the movies first and then read and enjoyed, also people who have read but prefer the movies just because there aren't so many names or places to remember. I think it just depends upon someone's preference.