Tolkien - The Biopic - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 11-23-2013, 03:04 AM

Oh lawks isn't it enough for them to butcher his books? Now they will no doubt have some inane actor actor declaring à la Kate Witless and Iris Murdoch, that they are HUGE fans but they haven't read the books.. they haven't the time. Biopic? Codswallop, historical fiction more like.

Yes I know I am a grumpy old woman but I can't imagine this being other than deeply naff sentimental tosh like Finding Neverland.

Inziladun · 11-23-2013, 08:20 AM

Well, they're just following the money, aren't they?

Then again, would the demographic group for which shield-surfing Legolas and warrior-princess Arwen was intended really care about the man behind the actual stories? Who are they aiming for?

The thing may not happen, though. This quote from the article brings up a sticky point:

Quote:

However, previous projects have been scuppered by the Tolkien estate, which is known to be protective of the author's output.

If the Estate can quash this, I think they're likely to do it.

Mithalwen · 11-23-2013, 09:13 AM

But can they? They can refuse to cooperate refuse access to copyright and unpublished works but I doubt they can stop something from being concocted from stuff in the public domain and you can't libel the dead.

No doubt I am cynical but having seen article and interviews regarding the new film abou PL travers and Disney showing how beastly Travers was to quibble with the film makers treatment of her work in which she had retained rights. And the interviewer asking if Mary Poppins had been popular pre film...it had been hugely successful.

Inziladun · 11-23-2013, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

But can they? They can refuse to cooperate refuse access to copyright and unpublished works but I doubt they can stop something from being concocted from stuff in the public domain and you can't libel the dead.

I don't know what grounds they might use to obstruct it, but even the effort might set the project back for a while. As for any potential libel, in Letters Tolkien asks why he "must be made an object of fiction while still alive." I wouldn't construe that to mean he was all right with it after his demise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

No doubt I am cynical but having seen article and interviews regarding the new film abou PL travers and Disney showing how beastly Travers was to quibble with the film makers treatment of her work in which she had retained rights. And the interviewer asking if Mary Poppins had been popular pre film...it had been hugely successful.

I'm not all that hopeful myself about the faithfulness of the film to reality, but I guess time will tell.

Mithalwen · 11-23-2013, 11:42 AM

sorry

William Cloud Hicklin · 11-25-2013, 11:11 AM

Aside from his active role in WW1, Tolkien also acted as a code breaker during WW2.......

.......fellow author CS Lewis, with whom he studied at university

WTBF??????

11-23-2013, 03:04 AM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	Oh lawks isn't it enough for them to butcher his books? Now they will no doubt have some inane actor actor declaring à la Kate Witless and Iris Murdoch, that they are HUGE fans but they haven't read the books.. they haven't the time. Biopic? Codswallop, historical fiction more like. Yes I know I am a grumpy old woman but I can't imagine this being other than deeply naff sentimental tosh like Finding Neverland. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

11-23-2013, 09:13 AM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	But can they? They can refuse to cooperate refuse access to copyright and unpublished works but I doubt they can stop something from being concocted from stuff in the public domain and you can't libel the dead. No doubt I am cynical but having seen article and interviews regarding the new film abou PL travers and Disney showing how beastly Travers was to quibble with the film makers treatment of her work in which she had retained rights. And the interviewer asking if Mary Poppins had been popular pre film...it had been hugely successful. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

11-23-2013, 11:42 AM	#5
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,460	sorry __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace Last edited by Mithalwen; 12-09-2013 at 02:10 AM. Reason: oddly duplicated post

11-25-2013, 11:11 AM	#6
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,330	Aside from his active role in WW1, Tolkien also acted as a code breaker during WW2....... .......fellow author CS Lewis, with whom he studied at university WTBF?????? __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.