What did the movie help you "recover" - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Linnahiril Tinnufinwen · 01-10-2005, 12:22 PM

I would have to say that the one thing the movies truly helped clarify for me was the role of Gollum. His look, his voice, his importance, everything. As I was reading the novel, I tended to imagine him as this sort of nasty, mean gnome-like thing. I had no sympathy for him, as was glad when he died at the end. Not to say that Gollum didn't have his "nasty" moments in the movie as well, but I think that the script helped me understand his torment and his "addiction" to the ring much better. I had much more sympathy for him while watching the films, and I now understand the true affect the ring can have on an impressionable mind, which was something I didn't quite grasp when I read the books.

Mithalwen · 01-10-2005, 12:44 PM

I also feel that Boromir came through the film strongly - I had always slightly dismissed him, having read the LOTR at a sufficiently young age perhaps not to fully appreciate the complexities of his situation and his importance to the plot. In fact on seeing the films, I though PJ might have actually have made him more sympathetic but now haveing gone back to the books I think it was a true portrayal, perhaps truer than any other main characters. Perhaps he was fortunate that his character was so pivotal to the main plotline. Perhaps because of the wise move of recruiting John Howe and Alan Lee, visually most of Middle Earth looked right and so I accepted the bits I hadn't visualised fully (the exception being Loth Lorien) and the bits I had were brought into clearer focus. I also think Rohan was a winner - in the booksit and its people seemed to play second fiddle in so many respects to Gondor .... the films gave them a dignity that I hadn't fully appreciated although it does exist in the books.

Oh and like so many others the films sent me back to the books which had been largely neglected for nigh on a decade. As a teenager I had all the Tolkien I could lay my hands on and collected the first four volume of HoME as they were issued in paper back. Then at A Level you got the impression that a passion for Tolkien was not something to be broadcast and by the time I started my BA in Lit, I was firmly in the closet. At first I didn't want to see the films because I didn't thinkI could bear it ... then I saw the trailer and I was lost ... I don't know if it was a factor that I was one of those people who used Middle Earth as an escape from a miserable adolescence and the films came out at a time I once again needed a refuge from my day to day world.

Bêthberry · 01-10-2005, 12:53 PM

The movies renewed my sense of curiosity and wonder about the creator.

I watched the movies looking for signs of PJ himself. They were fun to pick out. Now I'm wondering if I should go back to the books to try to find Tolkien in them.

Estelyn Telcontar · 01-10-2005, 03:05 PM

When I first saw the movie portrayal of Denethor's attitude toward Faramir, I thought it was one of the things PJ had over-dramatized. Now, after re-reading some of the passages concerning their relationship, I realize that it really was that bad!

I agree about Boromir - the movie improved my impression of him.

One more detail that I appreciated - the scene where Bilbo tells the children of his adventures reminded me that Frodo's friends in the book (Merry, Pippin, Folco and Fredegar) were young relatives who hung around at Bilbo's place in their childhood. Of course the movie doesn't allow for that time difference, so none of the little ones would be them - and they are shown at their older age at the party. Yet the scene echoed that bit of the book story for me.

mark12_30 · 01-10-2005, 03:31 PM

...simmering... great thread, Fordie. Simmering....

Movie-Frodo threw Book-Frodo into sharp relief, and so Movie-Frodo actually helped me see Book-Frodo in a completely new way... But I've gone into that elsewhere, in Child's 'Two Frodos' thread.

Still, lots and lots of Frodo stuff... mostly because Movie-Frodo was so often a center of controversy, and so Book-Frodo got discussed quuite often.

I shall have to keep thinking about this...

alatar · 01-11-2005, 01:01 PM

I liked the Boromir of the movies as portrayed by Sean Bean. He was no longer some muscle guy trying to grab the Ring for his own glory, but a tragic figure trying to help save his father and his people, yet not knowing how (except to use the Ring). Such despair! I felt for him when he died, and those arrows are still painful to watch.

Also, I finally understood what Tolkien meant by Boromir having 'conquered' and not 'failing.' After attempting to take the Ring from Frodo, Boromir could have slunk away to hide his guilt and shame. But he didn't, thinking of his friends and honor first before his own desires, and so he gives his life for Merry and Pippin.

Snorri Swifthammer · 01-11-2005, 01:42 PM

I have to say that Boromir role was defined in the movie much more as the tragic hero he was meant to be.

Also the other scene that did it for mw was when Merry (I think it was Merry?) makes a statement to the effect of " I know I can't save the world, but I just want to help my friends." That statement for me really brought home that the rather simple hobbits are suddenly thrust into the middle of a great conflict and have to try and survive. But the statement really shows the hobbit's center is really the relationship with their friends and that is what keeps them going.

01-10-2005, 12:22 PM	#1
Linnahiril Tinnufinwen Haunting Spirit Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: California Posts: 77	I would have to say that the one thing the movies truly helped clarify for me was the role of Gollum. His look, his voice, his importance, everything. As I was reading the novel, I tended to imagine him as this sort of nasty, mean gnome-like thing. I had no sympathy for him, as was glad when he died at the end. Not to say that Gollum didn't have his "nasty" moments in the movie as well, but I think that the script helped me understand his torment and his "addiction" to the ring much better. I had much more sympathy for him while watching the films, and I now understand the true affect the ring can have on an impressionable mind, which was something I didn't quite grasp when I read the books. __________________ The world is a great book, of which they who never stir from home read only a page

01-10-2005, 12:44 PM	#2
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I also feel that Boromir came through the film strongly - I had always slightly dismissed him, having read the LOTR at a sufficiently young age perhaps not to fully appreciate the complexities of his situation and his importance to the plot. In fact on seeing the films, I though PJ might have actually have made him more sympathetic but now haveing gone back to the books I think it was a true portrayal, perhaps truer than any other main characters. Perhaps he was fortunate that his character was so pivotal to the main plotline. Perhaps because of the wise move of recruiting John Howe and Alan Lee, visually most of Middle Earth looked right and so I accepted the bits I hadn't visualised fully (the exception being Loth Lorien) and the bits I had were brought into clearer focus. I also think Rohan was a winner - in the booksit and its people seemed to play second fiddle in so many respects to Gondor .... the films gave them a dignity that I hadn't fully appreciated although it does exist in the books. Oh and like so many others the films sent me back to the books which had been largely neglected for nigh on a decade. As a teenager I had all the Tolkien I could lay my hands on and collected the first four volume of HoME as they were issued in paper back. Then at A Level you got the impression that a passion for Tolkien was not something to be broadcast and by the time I started my BA in Lit, I was firmly in the closet. At first I didn't want to see the films because I didn't thinkI could bear it ... then I saw the trailer and I was lost ... I don't know if it was a factor that I was one of those people who used Middle Earth as an escape from a miserable adolescence and the films came out at a time I once again needed a refuge from my day to day world. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace Last edited by Mithalwen; 01-10-2005 at 12:57 PM.

01-10-2005, 12:53 PM	#3
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Author! Author! The movies renewed my sense of curiosity and wonder about the creator. I watched the movies looking for signs of PJ himself. They were fun to pick out. Now I'm wondering if I should go back to the books to try to find Tolkien in them. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

01-10-2005, 03:05 PM	#4
Estelyn Telcontar Princess of Skwerlz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: where the Sea is eastwards (WtR: 6060 miles) Posts: 7,500	When I first saw the movie portrayal of Denethor's attitude toward Faramir, I thought it was one of the things PJ had over-dramatized. Now, after re-reading some of the passages concerning their relationship, I realize that it really was that bad! I agree about Boromir - the movie improved my impression of him. One more detail that I appreciated - the scene where Bilbo tells the children of his adventures reminded me that Frodo's friends in the book (Merry, Pippin, Folco and Fredegar) were young relatives who hung around at Bilbo's place in their childhood. Of course the movie doesn't allow for that time difference, so none of the little ones would be them - and they are shown at their older age at the party. Yet the scene echoed that bit of the book story for me. __________________ 'Mercy!' cried Gandalf. 'If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you. What more do you want to know?' 'The whole history of Middle-earth...'

01-10-2005, 03:31 PM	#5
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	...simmering... great thread, Fordie. Simmering.... Movie-Frodo threw Book-Frodo into sharp relief, and so Movie-Frodo actually helped me see Book-Frodo in a completely new way... But I've gone into that elsewhere, in Child's 'Two Frodos' thread. Still, lots and lots of Frodo stuff... mostly because Movie-Frodo was so often a center of controversy, and so Book-Frodo got discussed quuite often. I shall have to keep thinking about this... __________________ ...down to the water to see the elves dance and sing upon the midsummer's eve. Last edited by mark12_30; 01-10-2005 at 03:38 PM.

01-11-2005, 01:01 PM	#6
alatar Doubting Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Heaven's basement Posts: 2,466	I liked the Boromir of the movies as portrayed by Sean Bean. He was no longer some muscle guy trying to grab the Ring for his own glory, but a tragic figure trying to help save his father and his people, yet not knowing how (except to use the Ring). Such despair! I felt for him when he died, and those arrows are still painful to watch. Also, I finally understood what Tolkien meant by Boromir having 'conquered' and not 'failing.' After attempting to take the Ring from Frodo, Boromir could have slunk away to hide his guilt and shame. But he didn't, thinking of his friends and honor first before his own desires, and so he gives his life for Merry and Pippin.

01-11-2005, 01:42 PM	#7
Snorri Swifthammer Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Erebor Posts: 49	I have to say that Boromir role was defined in the movie much more as the tragic hero he was meant to be. Also the other scene that did it for mw was when Merry (I think it was Merry?) makes a statement to the effect of " I know I can't save the world, but I just want to help my friends." That statement for me really brought home that the rather simple hobbits are suddenly thrust into the middle of a great conflict and have to try and survive. But the statement really shows the hobbit's center is really the relationship with their friends and that is what keeps them going.