The White Council

Re:Rebuttal

Tolkien and Inklings Discussion

: I watched the Rankin Bass version before I realized that they had been books. I was rather young at the time. I enjoyed them emensely and went on to find out they were books, which I then enjoyed even more. I have actually found that to be the best formula for books-turned-movies. Watch the movie first, be enlightened by it, enjoy it for the vision the director gives you and then read the book. I sympathize with people who do it int he reverse order, since the movie is rarely directed by the author, and thus the author's vision is replaced by a director's interpretation. But I know for a fact that both of those movies have inspired many of my friends and associates to pick up the books and discover the true depth of Tolkien's work.

- I think that you are the exception to the rule, and if your friends actually READ books even after seeing movie adaptations, keep those friends!!

: My other concern for this project is the shameless merchandising that is building up around this. Another neat two hour package of entertainment to be consumed and exploited, which is far from any vision Tolkien would have wanted for his work.

: Jackson actually said that he had written the script sometime before and had gotten approval to do a two movie series, which he rejected, since he would have to do a lot of cutting in order to make the timeframes. Instead, he waited, eager not only to direct the movie, but to do it in a fashion that would best translate to the screen. This is the reason why there will be three movies roughly two hours in length EACH.

-OOOOHHH. Three movies! Cha-ching! More money, more money! Believe it when I see it. Talk is cheap. I can only pray that the first movie will reveal the shortcoming of this whole idea and that we wont have to suffer through the bastardization of the rest of the work. Still up for that Middle Earth T.V. series. Could be almost as good as Planet of the Apes!

: Jackson is a rather young, but talented director. Kindly review his previous works: Frighteners, Heavenly Creatures, Meet the Feebles, and even Dead Alive. The earlier stuff shows his spark, Frightners reveals his ability to create suspense on the screen and work with CGI characters (the cowled "Death" is very believable). Heavenly Creatures should dispell any concern over Jackson's ability to direct drama, and to tell a worthwhile story. All in all, (IMHO) I believe that Jackson is one of the upcoming greats. He has a passion for his chosen profession, and that will be carried into his latest work.

(Reply) So what are you, his agent!? Give me a break! This response sounds like some kind of canned corporate script. (works well with CGI characters?? What the hell does that mean!? Lke he is the guy doing the work.) Although I admit to being very impressed with "The Frighteners", the other works are unknown, and if he is such a great talent I think the case would be otherwise. He has a knack for quircky, off beat material, but that, by no stretch of the imagination makes him qualified to pull off a tale of this depth. We will see if he makes a "classic" or just another cheap spectacle. I give no one benefit without proof of their ability, and I just do not see that yet. I think he would do better to steer clear of anything to do with Xena as well. Casting actors from a low grade New Zealand made TV series is the kiss of death for this project. Think outside of the 'box'.

: : My prediction is that the work will be visually interesting at the least, and completely souless, with all the camp of a Xena episode, complete with hooting fan boys. It will at least be easily forgotten, but not before ruining the experience of LOTR for future generations. We can only hope that Tolkiens literary legacy to all of us will live on IN SPITE of the perversion being launched. (Order now and get your Gandalf coffee mug free.)

: There has always been action figures, RPGs, alternate books, artwork, pewter figurines, poster prints, ad nauseum. This occurs around any major work, be it a painting, a novel, or a statue (ever see the "Posable David"? very funny next to the "Dressable David"!!). Point being, I (IMVHO) believe that the work will always stand on its own, just as Starship Troopers the book is significantly different from the movie, to the point that the only things the two have in common is the name.

(Reply) This response in particular tells me that this is some soul sucking corporate backed money machine. If you're telling me that it is O.K. to make a movie that only has the name in common with the original work, why dont these clowns just write their own movie and leave Tolkiens work to his real fans? (The answer here is that J. R.R.Tolkien already has name recognition, so the marketing is much easier...) Seems to me that you're putting the cart before the horse. Lets see if this thing doesnt stink to high heaven before starting to worry about merchandising Tolkien$ work to death. (Some loser actually suggested a Middle Earth theme park! I can just feel the magic OOzing from that capitalist enterprise! Who gets paid 6.25 an hour to stand in the heat wearing the Orc suit? Great job opportunity for little people...Who wants to be a Hobbit? Okay, now put on your furry feet and get out here and sell!!)

: I, for one, as I have stated before, and will state again, will put my faith in a man who has professed his love for Professor Tolkien's work. Until evidence to the contrary is show to me (such as a movie) then I will continue to wait with anticipation.

: -RobRoy

And finally, all this guy loves is money. Time to cleanse the Shire.