Top reasons why you enjoyed the movies. - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Elladan and Elrohir · 12-13-2004, 10:34 PM

Let's see. The acting, the music, the scenery, the special effects, the cinematography, the plot. THE GREAT BOOK IT WAS BASED ON!!!

Other than all that, it was three terrible movies.

mark12_30 · 12-13-2004, 10:44 PM

I loved the movies because they cast the books into sharp relief, and both became clearer by the contrast. And (generally speaking) I value them both highly.

I think the soundtrack is magnificent, especially the vocal work (and especially the soprano work.) And when the soundtrack and the scenery comes together you get the lighting of the beacons (I cry.)

But I think the main reason I love the movies is that they gave me the books back after having been away from them too long. (THe movies also were the catalyst for many treasured friendships.)

Turin · 12-14-2004, 03:58 AM

I enjoyed the movies for their entertainment value, and that's about it.

However, more importantly, I realised just how important the book is to me and how it is a dangerous road to take to adapt Tolkien.. I think i'll revert back to my own imagination whilst reading the book.

Essex · 12-14-2004, 07:12 AM

Not a surprise coming from me, but what did I like about the moives?

Everything.

PS, hello Turin. I see you're very protective of the old bard and his works. Is it because he may have been a neighbour of yours?

Turin · 12-14-2004, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Essex

Not a surprise coming from me, but what did I like about the moives?

Everything.

PS, hello Turin. I see you're very protective of the old bard and his works. Is it because he may have been a neighbour of yours?

Thanks for the welcome, Essex.

In fact, I actually live in Moseley, around the Sarehole Mill area, though I didn't realise that Tolkien was a Brummie until after i'd read The Hobbit when I was about 8. Though it does help

for my further interest and passion with regards to the Prof's works was sparked when I realised that he used his childhood experiences of the West Midlands area for much of his inspiration.

Boromir88 · 12-14-2004, 11:10 AM

That's some interesting info Turin, you should post here and give a little introduction, or info, about yourself, to the rest of the downs. (If you haven't already).

ivo · 12-14-2004, 11:49 AM

I think the movies are great. They are almost exactly as I pictured them in my head.

Having said this, I do think there are some crucial aspects not presented in the movies, which made me appreciate the book so much.

That is: a sense of majesty and a feeling of the spirit world.
Some examples.

When Frodo puts on the Ring to escape Boromir, and flees on top of an old watch tower for the Kings of old, Tolkien describes a black hand moving over the plains of Gondor, strechting out to grasp the ring.

When Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli meet Eomer, who speaks to them sternly, Aragorn seems to rise to kingly stature with silver flames on his eyebrows when he replies.

The mind battle between Gandalf and the Witch-King at the Gate.

Tolkien describes the siege of Gondor in a very specific way: the ballistas, orcs and trolls are guided by a strong will, that gives their assault a direction (maybe hard to portray on screen, but I think it could be done. And actually Sauron isn't scary at all. When the Barad-Dur collapses the blinking eye looks kind of hilarious)

PJ did it in part One for example, when Bilbo has to leave the Ring for Frodo. When he's getting angry, Gandalf rises, the room shrinks and is filled with a sense of a terrible power (his voice lowers, it gets darker). I just loved that scene!

To wrap this up: yesterday I saw the documentaries on ROTK EE, and it turns out that finishing part III for the deadline was a very hasty job. The people at Weta digital had to make 16 hours a day. You can't tell that didn't effect the movie. Maybe if PJ had more time, he would have added the majestical extra's that I miss in ROTK. But that's just a wild guess. (And it doesn't stop me from doing a marathon on Saturday, all EE, 12 hours long, wow.)

12-13-2004, 10:34 PM	#1
Elladan and Elrohir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Halls of Mandos Posts: 332	Let's see. The acting, the music, the scenery, the special effects, the cinematography, the plot. THE GREAT BOOK IT WAS BASED ON!!! Other than all that, it was three terrible movies. __________________ "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." THE HOBBIT - IT'S COMING

12-13-2004, 10:44 PM	#2
mark12_30 Stormdancer of Doom Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Elvish singing is not a thing to miss, in June under the stars Posts: 4,349	I loved the movies because they cast the books into sharp relief, and both became clearer by the contrast. And (generally speaking) I value them both highly. I think the soundtrack is magnificent, especially the vocal work (and especially the soprano work.) And when the soundtrack and the scenery comes together you get the lighting of the beacons (I cry.) But I think the main reason I love the movies is that they gave me the books back after having been away from them too long. (THe movies also were the catalyst for many treasured friendships.) __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve.

12-14-2004, 03:58 AM	#3
Turin Animated Skeleton Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Birmingham, England Posts: 37	I enjoyed the movies for their entertainment value, and that's about it. However, more importantly, I realised just how important the book is to me and how it is a dangerous road to take to adapt Tolkien.. I think i'll revert back to my own imagination whilst reading the book. __________________ Master of Doom!!!

12-14-2004, 11:49 AM	#7
ivo Newly Deceased Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 10	I think the movies are great. They are almost exactly as I pictured them in my head. Having said this, I do think there are some crucial aspects not presented in the movies, which made me appreciate the book so much. That is: a sense of majesty and a feeling of the spirit world. Some examples. When Frodo puts on the Ring to escape Boromir, and flees on top of an old watch tower for the Kings of old, Tolkien describes a black hand moving over the plains of Gondor, strechting out to grasp the ring. When Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli meet Eomer, who speaks to them sternly, Aragorn seems to rise to kingly stature with silver flames on his eyebrows when he replies. The mind battle between Gandalf and the Witch-King at the Gate. Tolkien describes the siege of Gondor in a very specific way: the ballistas, orcs and trolls are guided by a strong will, that gives their assault a direction (maybe hard to portray on screen, but I think it could be done. And actually Sauron isn't scary at all. When the Barad-Dur collapses the blinking eye looks kind of hilarious) PJ did it in part One for example, when Bilbo has to leave the Ring for Frodo. When he's getting angry, Gandalf rises, the room shrinks and is filled with a sense of a terrible power (his voice lowers, it gets darker). I just loved that scene! To wrap this up: yesterday I saw the documentaries on ROTK EE, and it turns out that finishing part III for the deadline was a very hasty job. The people at Weta digital had to make 16 hours a day. You can't tell that didn't effect the movie. Maybe if PJ had more time, he would have added the majestical extra's that I miss in ROTK. But that's just a wild guess. (And it doesn't stop me from doing a marathon on Saturday, all EE, 12 hours long, wow.) Last edited by ivo; 12-14-2004 at 11:59 AM.

12-14-2004, 07:12 AM	#4
Essex Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Essex, England Posts: 886	Not a surprise coming from me, but what did I like about the moives? Everything. PS, hello Turin. I see you're very protective of the old bard and his works. Is it because he may have been a neighbour of yours?

12-14-2004, 11:10 AM	#6
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,521	That's some interesting info Turin, you should post here and give a little introduction, or info, about yourself, to the rest of the downs. (If you haven't already).