Hallo and Welcome, <B>Saucepan Man:</B><P>* enters, with the pipesmoke circling upwards matching the grey hue of his cloak trailing behind, bows a friendly greeting *<P>The January 2003 issue of the <I>Catholic World Report</I> contains an article touching on this very topic, called "Genius and Betrayal."<P>Actually, what I find to be the most revealing part of the article is where it quotes from Time magazine. Below, for your review, please find a quote-within-a-quote:<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> In the <I>Time</I> magazine review of the film, director Jackson openly admits that he strayed far from Tolkien's original intent, and gives at least this reviewer the satisfaction of recognizing that his trespasses against Tolkien qualify as "crimes."<P>Here is what the <I>Time</I> reviewer wrote:<P>BEGIN QUOTE The director readily admits that of the three films, Two Towers departs most from Tolkien's work. "We were aware that we were making films for the hard-core Tolkien fan base as well as everyone else," says Jackson, who co-wrote the script with Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh. "In the beginning, it was a difficult tightrope to walk, but then we sort of abandoned thinking about it. If we make a good film, we'll be forgiven, whatever the crimes we commit to the book." END QUOTE<P>So there we have it, from Jackson himself. <P>The Two Towers is a great film by Hollywood standards. Yet Tolkien surely could consider Peter Jackson guilty of criminal negligence. One hopes in the expected "director's cut" DVD version of the film, Jackson will make amends.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <P>-- The Catholic World Report, January 2003<P>At your Service,<P>Gandalf the Grey
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