[Mithalwen]

Royd Tolkien is the son of Joan Anne daughter of Michael. His father is not a Tolkien. In an interview about his appearance in the films he stated that while he enjoyed the experience he fully understood Christopher's wish to keep his distance from something over which he had no control.

He also stated that while Tolkien's descendents benefit from his works they all worked. I have had e-mail contact with him. He is a nice guy.

Given that Tolkien received a modest amount for the film rights I have no problem if hte family benefit indirectly from the film. The fact that they seem to have given it away is laudable. The films benefitted from plenty of people like me who go very seldom to the cinema going at least once and buying all the DVDs led there by the books.

Christopher Tolkien is not what I would call a public figure by any stretch. He is not in public office he is a private individual. His financial and family affairs are really noones business.

I really find it baffling that people delight in badmouthing him. I could understand it if he had truly cashed in in the way Lal suggested he might, and had spent his retirement endorsing trash and living ala Hugh Heffner but the fact is he has devoted 30 years to editing his fathers notes and drafts apart from his contribution during Tolkien's life time living quietly in France. For achieving this task I admire him greatly - and apart from the sheer scale of the task, I am finding it hard enough to simply type up my late mother's short memoir, so I can only imagine the emotional impact of working through his father's manuscripts. You only have to read the letters to understand how important all Tolkien's family was to him but there was a special bond with Christopher. I rather doubt his affection was so misplaced as some people clearly like to believe.