HOB - Chapters into Scenes Weekly - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Sauron the White · 12-31-2007, 01:27 PM

Folwren... my mind has been working along the same line as yours in this regard. The only thing I wonder about is the similarity between the opening of FOTR in 2001 and the next movie in three years. Consider if they did this as the opening:

- we get a historical prologue telling us some of the history of the Dwarves in Middle-earth. We could see how Sauron created the rings and gave them to the Dwarves with Durin III getting the first. We are told that while this failed to control the Dwarves the same way it did the kings of Men, it did inflame them for treasure and riches. We see some of their great cities and wealth and then part of the War of Dwarves and Orcs. We see the climactic moment with Azog and his eventual death. We see the Dwarves bringing prosperity to Dale and the Mountain and then the arrival of Smaug and how he emptied the Mountain of Dwarves. Maybe the last thing we see is Thror and Thrain escaping with their lives and a reference to the secret door.

Then from that we go into the Shire of Bilbo and the arrival of Gandalf.

Would this be too similar in format to what we saw earlier in FOTR? Would that matter? Are we seeing too much history too soon? Should some of that be held for later when Gandalf and Thorin can explain it with flashbacks?

Folwren · 12-31-2007, 01:35 PM

Interesting thoughts. But I think...I think it would be too much history for the beginning of The Hobbit. If they intend to do just the story of the Hobbit and not the story of kicking the Necromancer (sp) out of Mirkwood, all that history should not be included. However, if they do have the White Councel and kicking Sauron out of Tol Brandir, then they may want some history on it....

But I was thinking that some of the history should be saved for Thorin and Gandalf to tell Bilbo, as you just said.

That's why I suggested stopping with Thorin and his friends running off, so that later, Thorin can tell about meeting his father and grandfather, and Gandalf can tell about the map, the key, and possibly the ring.

Sauron the White · 12-31-2007, 01:50 PM

So, the film should open in the Shire with Bilbo and let all the history come later in tales from Gandalf and Thorin?

How do others feel about that?

Quempel · 12-31-2007, 02:56 PM

I think its a good tie into the rest of the movies. And having the prolouge like the FOTR would be good too. Have Gandalf in his wagon slowly going through the shire as Bilbo is fussing around the house.

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 12-31-2007, 05:28 PM

I think that it should open with Bilbo smoking at his door step and have Gandalf come up. Once the dwarves enter, they start talking about their situation along with the history of their perdicurment. All being flashbacks of Thorin.

Folwren · 12-31-2007, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheGreatElvenWarrior

I think that it should open with Bilbo smoking at his door step and have Gandalf come up. Once the dwarves enter, they start talking about their situation along with the history of their perdicurment. All being flashbacks of Thorin.

I thought of that, too...but it almost seems to tame a beginning for movies no adays and for such a movie. A dragon coming and wracking ruin and destruction seems a perfect beginning! ... in my opinion, that is.

But a hobbit smoking a pipe in front of his door step just as Tolkien intended would be fine, too.

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 12-31-2007, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Folwren

I thought of that, too...but it almost seems to tame a beginning for movies no adays and for such a movie. A dragon coming and wracking ruin and destruction seems a perfect beginning! ... in my opinion, that is.

But a hobbit smoking a pipe in front of his door step just as Tolkien intended would be fine, too.

Well, I thought about the draqgon factor, but it just seemed too, well dramatic. I guess that it was also that dramatic in FotR when the prologue goes straight to the Shire( in the EE, which is what I have open up to Bilbo and his little speech about Concerning Hobbits) but the thing is, I always skip that part and is waisting valuable time.

I don't know, maybe it's just me.

12-31-2007, 01:35 PM	#2
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	Interesting thoughts. But I think...I think it would be too much history for the beginning of The Hobbit. If they intend to do just the story of the Hobbit and not the story of kicking the Necromancer (sp) out of Mirkwood, all that history should not be included. However, if they do have the White Councel and kicking Sauron out of Tol Brandir, then they may want some history on it.... But I was thinking that some of the history should be saved for Thorin and Gandalf to tell Bilbo, as you just said. That's why I suggested stopping with Thorin and his friends running off, so that later, Thorin can tell about meeting his father and grandfather, and Gandalf can tell about the map, the key, and possibly the ring. __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

12-31-2007, 02:56 PM	#4
Quempel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In a flower Posts: 97	I think its a good tie into the rest of the movies. And having the prolouge like the FOTR would be good too. Have Gandalf in his wagon slowly going through the shire as Bilbo is fussing around the house. __________________ Lurking behind Uncle Fester

12-31-2007, 05:28 PM	#5
TheGreatElvenWarrior Mighty Quill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walking off to look for America Posts: 2,230	I think that it should open with Bilbo smoking at his door step and have Gandalf come up. Once the dwarves enter, they start talking about their situation along with the history of their perdicurment. All being flashbacks of Thorin. __________________ The Party Doesn't Start Until You're Dead.

12-31-2007, 01:27 PM	#1
Sauron the White Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 903	Folwren... my mind has been working along the same line as yours in this regard. The only thing I wonder about is the similarity between the opening of FOTR in 2001 and the next movie in three years. Consider if they did this as the opening: - we get a historical prologue telling us some of the history of the Dwarves in Middle-earth. We could see how Sauron created the rings and gave them to the Dwarves with Durin III getting the first. We are told that while this failed to control the Dwarves the same way it did the kings of Men, it did inflame them for treasure and riches. We see some of their great cities and wealth and then part of the War of Dwarves and Orcs. We see the climactic moment with Azog and his eventual death. We see the Dwarves bringing prosperity to Dale and the Mountain and then the arrival of Smaug and how he emptied the Mountain of Dwarves. Maybe the last thing we see is Thror and Thrain escaping with their lives and a reference to the secret door. Then from that we go into the Shire of Bilbo and the arrival of Gandalf. Would this be too similar in format to what we saw earlier in FOTR? Would that matter? Are we seeing too much history too soon? Should some of that be held for later when Gandalf and Thorin can explain it with flashbacks?

12-31-2007, 01:50 PM	#3
Sauron the White Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 903	So, the film should open in the Shire with Bilbo and let all the history come later in tales from Gandalf and Thorin? How do others feel about that?