Lord of the Rings (movie)

[Satia]

For those of you who have seen the movies, I hope you will participate in a discussion of the story as told through cinema. Be sure to tuck any spoilers behind a tag just in case anyone in our group has not already read the novels and/or seen the movies.

[Kathy]

About 8 years ago, I had a hysterectomy. During my recovery, I watched the movies and read the books. For the first book, I saw the movie, read the book, and saw the movie again. I was still confused, but that may have had something to do with the drugs. Or it could be that it is just confusing.

I recently re-read the Hobbit, but I don't think I'll reread these. I'm sorry. I'll try to follow, and if I have something to say, I will. OK?

[Satia]

Kathy, That's fine. You've already added so much to the discussion and encouraged Barbara to read The Hobbit which is precisely where I would have suggested she start. Great minds think alike!

[Serena]

One thing I dislike about the movie is what Jackson did to the character of Gimli. He made him into a comic relief which was not what Gimli was in the book.

Gimli in the book was solid, strong, and powerful, someone you don't want to make an enemy of. The "dwarf-toss" scene made me cringe, the falling-of-horse-back scene did not make me laugh. For the sole character that represented the whole tribe of dwarves, especially when there weren't any other dwarf characters around, the movie certainly did not do justice to Gimli the character.

[Satia]

Serena, I never really thought about it but you are absolutely right in how Jackson sort of recreated the character to make him less formidable. His falling off the horse didn't make me laugh but I didn't think it was completely inappropriate because in The Hobbit they all travel on ponies--not horses.

I can't help but think of an interview I read with Peter Dinklage, talking about his role on Game of Thrones and the challenge of finding and taking intelligent roles in an industry that is more interested in tall and slender actors.

Of course, anyone who has seen him in the role, knows he's brilliant. I wonder if he would have been gracious about the tossing, that's for certain. I do remember cringing in that moment.

[Serena]

Hello,
So I've finally finished the trilogy, and it was just as good as I remembered it. Although throughout my reading, I had many instances where I saw the differences between the movies and the books, but because I wanted to keep reading now I've forgotten most of them. Should've taken notes...

The 2 things I remember from The Return of the King were, one, (view spoiler)[ how Arwen was brought to Aragorn. In the movie she was brought during his crowning ceremony among the many guests, or so it seemed. In the book, he had to wait many days after he was crowned for her arrival. I thought it was very touching how he waited eagerly and forelornly thoughout those days, the readers felt his story wouldn't complete until this piece of puzzle finally appeared. In the movie, things happened much faster and sort of jumbled together (and of course, for it was a time-limited format), hence we lost the anticipation.

Another was the revival of the White Tree. I believe in the movie, it was the old withered tree that came back alive. Was never removed nor replaced. While in the story, Aragorn with Gandalf, found a little sapling on the field of Mindolluin and transferred it back to the court. Removed the old dead tree and replaced it with the sapling. Once again, I understand why Jackson simplified this little side story, and frankly I do like the movie version of it better. (hide spoiler)]

[Satia]

Serena, Wonderful insights.

(view spoiler)[
That anticipation for Arwen's arrival. I adore what you say about this being because his quest would not be complete without her. It absolutely makes his being the king, everything he said and did leading up to this final part of the story, all the more relevant. He never felt worthy or had aspirations but once greatness was thrust upon him, even then it had less meaning for him than did the connection he and Arwen had. Such a love story.

I thought Jackson's version resonated with the deeper archetypal image of the land's life being connected with the king's health/morality/etc. Heal the king, heal the land. The Fisher King and all that stuff there.

With that said, Tolkien's version is more a coming of the new age, which is certainly meaningful in the context of his myth, more so than referring to the more Christian/Celtic archetype of a resurrecting tree.

And glad someone else read the books besides me. I thought I was alone in this. (hide spoiler)]

[Serena]

Oh god no, I was so happy to be reading the books again and was eager to finish them, and frustrated that I read so slow! I even started reading the appendix but did skipped a lot of it, essentially the parts that read like the Bible. Lol!

I agree that (view spoiler)[ Tolkien's version of the White Tree is more of coming of the new age. Thanks for pointing that out! The impression of the blossoming flower on the dead tree from the movie was so strong and straight forward–like you've said, the archetypal image of the land's life connected to the king–that I couldn't figure out why Tolkein had written it that way. But it makes sense.

Another part that the movie had simplified/omitted was the development of love between Faramir and Éowyn. In this part of the book, the character of Faramir truly came alive and full. And through his observation of Éowyn, her character as well. It's a great side story in my opinion. (hide spoiler)]

[Serena]

And also, 3 movies for The Hobbits? Really??

[Satia]

Serena wrote: "And also, 3 movies for The Hobbits? Really??"

I am so pissed. I mean, I could see needing two movies given that (view spoiler)[

Bilbo is unconscious when the War of the Five Armies occurs so Jackson is justified in stretching the one film into two but three? No. He and the studio are now jerking off the audience. And hello! There are other Tolkien stories that can be made into a film that take place in Middle Earth. Would it kill them to look into The Silmarillion?

(hide spoiler)]

Glad to know I'm not the only one who is unhappy with this. Oh. Rob too. Not thrilled.

[Satia]

Spoiler reply to Serena's spoiler.

(view spoiler)[I have to say that I love Faramir so much and the movie really lived up to my expectations. Eowyn too. Just love them. Love love love.

(hide spoiler)]

Really, I added nothing. Just wanted to exude a bit.

[Serena]

You voiced out loud what I was too shy to say, hahahaha! I love Faramir too! What a man!

Not sure if I want to see The Hobbits(es), my boyfriend thinks why not? Personally I am afraid they will taint my love of LOTR movies.

[Satia]

Well, if he drags you to the theater, you'll have to tell me your thoughts because I'll have to wait until they are out on dvd regardless and I've told Rob I may wait until all three are out before watching any of them.

[Serena]

He might have to knock me out and wheel me to the theater in a wagon...