Why did Tolkien dislike Disney? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Inziladun · 02-09-2013, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I can't remember if this was brought up before, but what do you think about Disney's happily ever after endings? Would Tolkien have agreed?

I doubt it. A precious few of Tolkien's stories have a truly happy end, and even fewer have a definite end at all. Instead, they all seem to flow on, the end of one story becoming the beginning of another. Would Disney make a movie that has a somewhat sad ending... that's not really an ending? Can't imagine they would really make an effort with the endings here.

As originally conceived Bilbo Baggins experienced a storybook "happy ending".

Quote:

[Bilbo] remained very happy to the end of his days, and those were extraordinarily long.

The Hobbit

It was only when writing LOTR that Tolkien had to revise that somewhat, making the Ring a source of discontent and danger for Bilbo.

Morthoron · 02-09-2013, 04:16 PM

If Tolkien disliked Disney, just think how much he would utterly loathe Peter Jackson.

Ardent · 02-09-2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galadriel55

I can't remember if this was brought up before, but what do you think about Disney's happily ever after endings? Would Tolkien have agreed?
...

Disney studios were fairly typical for film makers of the time. The happy ending is what people want so that is what is still mass produced. Tolkien's writings contain happy endings too but not sanitised like Disney or Hollywood. 'Closure' in real life is never so neat and tidy as 'ever after', and JRR reflects this.

I wonder what Tolkien had in mind when watching Disney films. If he was hoping for someone with the resources and creativity to adapt his stories I do not believe he'd have seen any film up to the standards needed. Even studios that had the financial resources did not have the directors who could resist the tampering of their backers, while those like Disney and Ray Harryhausen, who might have provided the effects, would have been every bit as disapointing in their handling of mythology.

If Tolkien disliked Disney perhaps it was the result of disappointment.

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02-09-2013, 04:16 PM	#2
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,515	If Tolkien disliked Disney, just think how much he would utterly loathe Peter Jackson. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.