Was Christopher Tolkien right?

[greyhavener]

I actually liked the movies, with some reservations and certainly some battered preconceptions. That said, I do not think there exists a medium at present that replaces the experience of reading this particular book. That is not true of all books.

I think a movie can be enjoyed as an interpretation in the way Shakespeare has been subject to interpretation by actors, directors, set artisans, etc. thoughout the years. We may see several people play Hamlet or Othello in a variety of settings and enjoy all of them on some level. We may read Shakespeare then read a modern retelling and enjoy both.

Seeing the movies has enhanced some things about the story for me. Reading it aloud changed the experience as well. Reading it at 40 was different than reading it at 16 or 25. It is a great story and I'm happy to see it made accessible to those who aren't up to reading the book.

[ December 31, 2002: Message edited by: greyhavener ]