The Hunt for Gollum

[Rumil]

Hello all,

A new, independently made web-film on 'The Hunt For Gollum'

http://www.thehuntforgollum.com/trailers.htm

Looks interesting!

First 2 trailers online, release date 3rd May,

Looks in impressive for 'film-fan-fic-film' sort of thing from the trailers!

[Erendis]

Yeap,I 've found it in December and since then,I can't wait the 3rd of May to come!

[Rumil]

Hi Erendis,

too right, looking forward to this (though a little gingerly in case it turns out awful).

I must say the trailers look as if a lot of work has gone into making them look compatible with the PJ films.

[Rumil]

Blimey,

this gets better and better, there's another film coming out at the end of 2009 called 'Born of Hope', looks like a biopic of young Aragorn,

see here-

http://www.bornofhope.com/Welcome.html

And both shot around the UK (thought I recognised some bits of North Wales!)

[Kuruharan]

Wow...I had no idea these were being made.

It looks pretty good.

Good find!

[Bêthberry]

Thanks, Rumil, for the links. These look fascinating, especially (to me) because they are fan-made. They are yet more evidence of how readers invest Tolkien with something special, something very few other authors inspire.

Quite extraordinary.

[Tuor in Gondolin]

The quality of the trailers is better then I
thought it would be, although perhaps a
bit too much PJish (not enough of an
individual style and feel). Still, not an
uninteresting or unworthy effort.

[skip spence]

I can only mirror sentiments already expressed here. It seems a very ambitious project but apparently they've copied PJ:s visual style almost to every last detail, which to me is a shame, as a copy will always pale in comparison to the original. The biggest eye-opener though is the sheer quality of that trailer: sweeping birds-eye views of snowy mountains, fighting-scenes with lots of fully and ably costumed actors, a believable CGI-Gollum. Very impressive indeed. Perhaps it won't be long before we see a fan-filmed Silmarillion or Children of Hurin as well...

[Bêthberry]

Originally Posted by skip spence

Perhaps it won't be long before we see a fan-filmed Silmarillion or Children of Hurin as well...

Or even a fan-filmed Hobbit before the PJ/GDT one?

[Kuruharan]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Or even a fan-filmed Hobbit before the PJ/GDT one?

Talk about a treat.

I do agree that the copying of the PJ visual style is a disappointment (to say nothing of the lack of dwarves in these films...such a scandal), but I'm hoping that if these projects are successful there will be more like them by individuals who are willing to break from the PJ mold.

Who knows, maybe *we'll* get inspired to make our own film.

[Thinlómien]

We watched those trailers with Noggie last night... amazingly well made, both of them, but I must say I was a little disappointed still. The Hunt for Gollum looked so good, but they had copied the characters to the last detail (imitating PJ's cast's voices etc), so I could not really enjoy it (like, I can enjoy PJ's stuff most of the time, but a bad copy of it... no ).

Born of Hope looked better in this regard, but some things in it made me raise my eyebrows a bit... I guess that what you get in originality you lose in canonicity... Anyway, it seems more interesting to me out of these two films, also because it seems to have a lot more of a plot than the other one.

Originally Posted by Kuru

Who knows, maybe *we'll* get inspired to make our own film.

Give me the time, the money and the skill I know I would...

[Kuruharan]

*makes note*

We'll hold you to that!

[Erendis]

Well,I have to admit that I liked the PJ-ish look of the trailers.It brings me back to the good days of December 2003...Former glories...
This feeling is exactly what ''Born of hope''mishes.I wish them luck as well,though!
Oh,by the way,was Gilraen fair-haired?

[Rumil]

Hi all,

well, Hunt for Gollum is in the news, see here-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8022623.stm


Cheers all,

[Bêthberry]

Thanks for the link, Rumil.

But what's this! They have anticipated--possibly upstaged-- the "bridge" film that PJ et al were rumoured to be writing!

The 40-minute story is set between The Hobbit and the Fellowship of the Ring.

It is interesting the emphasis put on the "love" that went into the making, as opposed to money-making.

[Rumil]

Hi Bethberry,

sort of an interesting choice of subject for the film, perhaps not an obvious one, even given that LoTR and The Hobbit are 'taken'.

Though I did hear somewhere that JRRT once woite something on 'The Journeys of Aragorn' that has sadly been lost.

I wonder if they found the Aragorn/Viggo looky-likey chap before deciding!

Cheers,

Tim

[Kuruharan]

Originally Posted by Rumil

sort of an interesting choice of subject for the film, perhaps not an obvious one, even given that LoTR and The Hobbit are 'taken'.

I think it is nothing short of a brilliant choice, precisely because it isn't obvious but at the same time does maintain that tie with the stories that people are the most familar.

I am secretly hoping that the next step in this what will hopefully become a developing saga will be somebody making something regarding Aragorn's travels in Rohan and Gondor.

I guess its not such a secret hope now...*has fevered visions of seeing Aragorn burning the Havens of Umbar on film*

(hopes somebody with a passion for filmmaking and a ton of time on their hands is reading...)

[Tuor in Gondolin]

And since it seems to be primarily about Strider, films
on early Aragorn/Arwen and her brothers journeys
to avenge their mum.

[Erendis]

Originally Posted by Tuor in Gondolin

films
on early Aragorn/Arwen and her brothers journeys
to avenge their mum.

Hi Tuor!

Well,this is an absolutely incredible idea!The story of Elladan and Elrohir is one I keep saying to those that know LOTR only from the film-especially from the cinema version -,as it is my firm belief they shouldn't have been excluded.So,for the audience of the net,those fan-films is a good way to expand their image of Middle -Earth to a far larger image.

Anyway,I' M COUTING THE HOURS TO THE PREMIERE!

[Boo Radley]

Making popcorn over here, Boss!

[Elmo]

I thought it was pretty entertaining, very well made. Could have been a little less wham blam though, a little more thoughtful perhaps? Amazingly done on that budget though, acting was surprisingly good. Could have been a LOT more original too much PJ for my liking, I'm scared about talking more until more people have seen it.
HD link

Low Def link http://d2xm3akt98wlh.cloudfront.net/player_film-low.htm

[Elmo]

Oh yeah Snowdonia is beautiful!

[Eönwë]

I would have gone with this link, but yeah, I'm going to watch it.

[Elmo]

Originally Posted by Eönwë

I would have gone with this link, but yeah, I'm going to watch it.

arrghhh that's much better

[Kuruharan]

I just finished watching it.

They definitely mimicked PJs style, right down to the style of cuts and everything.

I still enjoyed it though. Very impressive for what they had to work with.

I do have a few nit-picks.

*spoilers of a sort*

Gandalf was sure in the film, years prior to when he was in the books, that Bilbo's ring was the One Ring.

It seemed a little odd that the other ranger didn't know who Aragorn was.

Then there is the bag business, but that is forgivable because of their understandable desire to cut down on CGI.

[Elmo]

Highlight for spoiler
That scene with Arwen is identical the PJ one. Aragorn gets wounded, and sees her!

[Thinlómien]

Technics and costumes and pictures - wow! One wouldn't believe it's amateur work.

Acting - well... not good but some of PJ's actors were pretty bad too.

Script - *cries* There was no point in it, no plot and the dialogue was horrible! And the uncanonicity... *sigh*

But still, overall, quite nice. Not going into details before more people have seen it.

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

I have no problem with the bag, a clever way to do it (and it was cute at times ).

Otherwise, like Lommy said: effect - really brilliant. Acting: poorer. Script: basically, there was none, let's face it.

And it is basically an attempt for a PJ-clone.

Otherwise, UNCANONICITY level: horrible. "Where did you hear that rumour?" Why would somebody speak of that there? And how did HE get THERE anyway? Nonsense!!! Also things like that Gandalf (and the less Aragorn) did not know about the Nine before Saruman (even in the movies!)... and such.

Overall, I give it more points than to PJ: given that it was an amateur work, it is really amazing - especially the effects. Only it is so close to PJ and the way these "cool" movies are made nowadays that it hurts... (dialogue and such)

[Bêthberry]

Listening to that voice over narration, I receive an inspiration.

Perhaps we can have a Barrow Downs competition, on a separate thread, where each of us provides a version of the voice-over narration. And then we can entice Fordim Hedgethistle back to run a poll to see whose narration is the most popular, whose is the most canonical, whose is the most effective, whose is the most spine-tinglingly enticing, etc.

What say ye all?

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

What say ye all?

That'd be cool.

I'm still wondering why Aragorn speaks Czech, though. Cute!

[Pitchwife]

Very well done, great fun to watch, and very little that struck me outright as contradicting the book, at least at the first viewing. Nice job!

I was kind of reluctant to nitpick on premiere night, but as Kuru started it before me, I might as well go on:

* s*p*o*i*l*e*r*s *

Gandalf was sure in the film, years prior to when he was in the books, that Bilbo's ring was the One Ring.

This bothered me, too, so I checked the chronology in the Tale of Years:

3001 Bilbo's farewell feast. Gandalf suspects his ring to be the One Ring. The guard on the Shire is doubled. Gandalf seeks for news of Gollum and calls on the help of Aragorn. [...]
3009 Gandalf and Aragorn renew their hunt for Gollum at intervals during the next eight years [...]
3017 Gollum is released from Mordor. He is taken by Aragorn in the Dead Marshes, and brought to Thranduil in Mirkwood.

So the makers of the Hunt actually condensed 16 years into 40 minutes (much like Peter Jackson did with the time between Bilbo's party and Frodo's departure, and maybe with the intention to make their chronology match Jackson's?). According to the book, Gandalf may not have been sure about the Ring when he first talked to Aragorn, but he had a strong hunch. Altogether, I think the film's treatment of the matter is defendable.

It seemed a little odd that the other ranger didn't know who Aragorn was.

Agreed - that whole scene was a little odd indeed. The other Ranger introduces himself as Arithir, son of Ar-whatsoever (btw, should they have the royal prefix in their names?). Aragorn introduces himself with "I'm Strider" - using his Bree nickname, not his Dúnedain name. Arithir says "I've heard of you" - now, is this the way the Dúnedain greet their chieftain, the Heir of Isildur???
Or did the makers assume that Aragorn used 'Strider' as a sort of incognito, and the fact that 'Strider' = Aragorn, the Heir of Isildur was known only to the top ranks of Dúnedain hierarchy?

Another point: Is it just me, or does anybody else also think that those Mirkwood Elves might have showed up a few seconds earlier? I almost expected them to applaud coolly and say something like, "Nice swordsmanship." (Aragorn smiles happily and collapses from exhaustion.)
And of course Aragorn looked even younger than Viggo, who looked way too young for my taste.

Good moments:
- Orc dialogue: exactly the right tone (cf Ugluk and Grishnakh, Gorbat and Shagrat);
- How Aragorn discovered the use of fire against the Nazgûl;
- That flower Aragorn reached for when he was poisoned - was that supposed to be Athelas? (I like to think it was.)

And the bag was a clever solution, as Legate already said. "Bagses! Bagses! We hates it, my preciousss!"

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Pitchwife

Agreed - that whole scene was a little odd indeed. The other Ranger introduces himself as Arithir, son of Ar-whatsoever (btw, should they have the royal prefix in their names?).

No, they certainly shouldn't, unless it is a forgotten cousin of Aragorn. Anyway, this guy is just horrible - what is he doing there? Apparently, all parts of Middle-Earth are full of traveling Dúnedain who have been everywhere from Rhun to Harad.

[Elmo]

Do you reckon that strange Dunedain is a spy for Sauron? Only reason he wouldn't know who his flipping chief was! Sauron didn't know about Aragorn so it is possible. Or maybe it was just simply bad plotting

[Rikae]

Well,I for one am disappointed. The one advantage amateurs have is the freedom to be original and creative, and these folks lifted every line and every shot directly from PJ. One could have gotten almost the same result by piecing together clips from LOTR, to be honest.

"By fans for fans" clearly refers to movie fans - I eagerly await something by and for book fans!

[Gwathagor]

Originally Posted by Rikae

Well,I for one am disappointed. The one advantage amateurs have is the freedom to be original and creative, and these folks lifted every line and every shot directly from PJ. One could have gotten almost the same result by piecing together clips from LOTR, to be honest.

That's exactly the same impression I got. *shakes head* Heck, I probably could have written a better script.

[Erendis]

Oh,you are all such mothers-in-law!
Yes,there were inaccuracies.
Yes,Arithir looked like the spy in "at the sign of the pancing poney"(and why wouldn't he be?)
Yes,I didn't like the Elves-coming-after-the-fight-thing too.
BUT:

All the drawbacks of these realy cute film are almost the same with PJ's.Does any of you dislike the trilogy?
Also,they might have been more original,but I sense that if they had,the film wouldn't have recieved the critics it has.Afterall,like I said in the past,films like that are a motif for the movie-only fans to search more about the books.Guess what would have happened if it turned out to be like the midieval scenes in BBC's documentaries
Come on,guys,we should be supportive!

And let us not forget it is an amateur film!
On my behalf,congratulations!

[davem]

Those disappointed in HFG may be interested in Channel 4's new drama 1066: The Battle for Middle-earth (see me post on it here http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showpos...97&postcount=1

[Legate of Amon Lanc]

Originally Posted by Erendis

All the drawbacks of these realy cute film are almost the same with PJ's.Does any of you dislike the trilogy?

Of course. I think that's our duty

But anyway, hey, I approve of this film. *points up to previous posts* I think they were better than PJ, the only unfair advantage he had in contrary to them were some really good actors and also having the script practically written down by Tolkien himself. Who knows if PJ's script would have been any better if he wrote it all by himself (And if you take the moments where PJ changed the script in contrary to the books and showed his own initiative, one may really wonder )

But hey, thinking about it now with a bit of distance, I like the movie - especially the bag. And even the shots were pretty good, the setting, the environment, even the camera (the fainting scene). Those guys did a good job. Showing too little initiative in making it un-PJish: well, no can do. Because, who knows what would be the reception of the setting if it looked completely different from PJ's way of portraying things; one might complain "but Aragorn surely did not look like this" and stuff like that, but this way, you just take it like a prequel to the movies and know on which terms you are.

[Rikae]

Originally Posted by Erendis

All the drawbacks of these realy cute film are almost the same with PJ's.Does any of you dislike the trilogy?

You must be new around here.

Originally Posted by Lommy

I'm still wondering why Aragorn speaks Czech, though.

I'm quite sure he was speaking German!

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Originally Posted by Erendis
All the drawbacks of these realy cute film are almost the same with PJ's.Does any of you dislike the trilogy?

Liked FOTR, (except for Frodo's wimpishness)

But the other two.....Way too much tampering by PJ. When he and his girls
stick to JRRT all three movies are rather good (and scenery and
actor selection is generally excellent).