The White Council

Re: Why I don't worry about the movie(s)

Tolkien and Inklings Discussion

: It seems that every time someone writes a new concern about the impending movie(s) that there is an instant division of the board into two distinct camps. Those who are adamantly opposed to the movies, and those who have adopted a wait-and-see attitude.

: I must admit that I have done my share of supporting the movies from my wait-and-see camp. The reasons are pretty simple and straight forward:

: 1- We just don't know. Despite the rampant rumors that have been running like wildfire as soon as they hit the electronic world, we currently don't have much to go on. Yes, the movies are being made. Yes, Arwen has a much expanded role. Yes, Tom Bombadil has been cut for the umpteenth time. But above and beyond that, there isn't much else to go on. We can, and will speculate on the performance, the sets, the scope ad nauseum. But at the end of the day, and without a released film, we just don't know if this movie will stand or fall.

: 2- The movie(s) will be released. Despite what this board may or may not like, and even more so, what Tolkien purists may or may not like, the movie(s) are being made. The scripts have been aproved, the cast is on location, the monies have been dolled out, and production is in full swing. There is very little that complaining will accomplish.

: 3- The book will always be the book. The Backshi and Rankin-Bass movies, whether you liked them or not, did very little to change the text within the books. As a matter of fact, I am pretty certain that the text remained entirely unchanged for all the movies accuracy or lack thereof. We, the readers, haven't lost our love for the original books. And once the movie(s) are released, I doubt if a one of you reading this will walk out, shake your collective heads, and burn your collection of Tolkien.

: 4- PJ is an excellent director. I had never heard of the man until I read about the impending movie(s). Then, I went out and rented everything I could by him. Turned out that I had already seen "Frighteners". His work with the actors and the CG was very good. I watched "Dead Alive", despite the terrible acting and the cheesy content, the overall direction was good, and showed the promise of an early director. In "Heavenly Creatures" Jackson received his first Academy Award nomination. This was an excellent script, well filmed, and truly revealed PJ as a director with passion and direction.

: 5- I want to see these movies. Regardless of how much changing that PJ is/will be doing to the original story, I really want to see the inside of Moria and the Battle of Helm's Deep, and especially the death of Boromir. Those images were what I enjoyed in the Ralph Bakshi movie, and I can't wait to see them in this version. I would think that even the purists would like to see these images brought into full technicolor in digital dolby surround sound, even if Arwen has to hack a few orcs to draw audiences. And won't that be great? To see the sword made whole again and put to use, Gimli and Legolas laughing about their macabre game? Gandalf standing toe to toe against one of the greatest horrors every released? Even if the worst is true, and we have another "Starship Troopers" to contend with, I still enjoyed seeing the bugs in the flesh (so to speak). I still enjoyed the cinematic spectacle. I own the Bakshi version as it was the most agressive in its scope (Bakshi lost his bid on the Return of the King, thus he couldn't finish the movie).

: While I know this won't sway most people, I do hope that some people will keep these things in mind. PJ is doing the best he can with what he has been given. He and New Line Cinema are not in charity work, and must appeal to a wider audience. And finally, why not? Why not wait and see? Worry is only interest paid on a debt that may never come due.

: -RobRoy

Well said. Regarding your point #1, we will have much, much more to go on when the trailer is released in a few days. I predict that the debates/discussions will grow much more heated once everyone has a look at PJ's versions of Middle Earth and its inhabitants. Starship Troopers was an affront.