How is it to have watched the movies first?

[MatthewM]

I'm one of those people as well. I always wanted to read the books, and I saw the Baski cartoon as well as a kid (and loved it...then) but not until Jackson's The Fellowship came out was I hooked. I read the books shortly after.

How significant or important are the movies for you today?

Very important. I watch them daily.

In how far has your reading been influenced by it?

In a lot of scenes that Jackson adopted to the screen, the actor's face definitely pops up. It happens often, but sometimes I envision my own version.

Did you have difficulties making your own picture of Middle-earth because of having Jackson's picture in the back of your head?

Not really, I usually saw the scenery in my own way, except for some places...like I said, I usually see the face of the actor, but I do often also see my own vision of the characters.

How do you like the movies now?

I love them just as much, and although I disagree on a lot of things Jackson decided to change, I still love them and I personally think they caught the essence of Tolkien. I think it was done greatly, with care and consideration. It was Jackson's own take, but it stuck to the book in so many ways, far more ways then most book adapted to movies do. Long live the trilogy!