Ten, and twenty and thirty years on..... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bêthberry · 09-14-2005, 09:50 AM

Most here are, I would think, assuming some kind of straightforward remake of the LotR. Yet once the copyright wears out--will it ever?--there could well be many different takes on how to re-imagine the story for film.

I can imagine a film made solely from, say, Eowyn's POV. It wouldn't begin with The Shire of course, but it would cover aspects of the story only lightly treated in the books and instead of glorifying a return of the king it could feature the problems peole in Ithilien and Rohan face in restoring some semblance of social order. What about the battle in Erebor and Dale? Would it be possible to create a film which so thoroughly eclipsed the story of the Ring? Now that would be a creative challenge.

Would a post-modern, sardonic version be possible which would focus on the long defeat rather than Frodo and Sam's heroism? How about a completely revisited version set in the Seventh Age? It's done with Shakespeare, as Alatar suggests.

Would that someone as creative as Zhang Yimou conceive of such a remake.

Neurion · 09-14-2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Most I can imagine a film made solely from, say, Eowyn's POV. It wouldn't begin with The Shire of course, but it would cover aspects of the story only lightly treated in the books and instead of glorifying a return of the king it could feature the problems peole in Ithilien and Rohan face in restoring some semblance of social order.

Interesting idea.

By the same the same token, I'd love to see a "grunt's-eye-view" film, showing the perspective of the average Gondorian soldier.

Mithalwen · 09-14-2005, 12:04 PM

In "my version" also would have a different viewpoint . One of the things that wasn't really tackled in PJ's version to my mind is the workings of destiny. I think I would have started in Gondor with the threat of war and Faramir's dream ....which summoned a son of Denethor to Imladris long before Frodo set out but more or less the same time as Gollum escapes the woodelves. Needless to say there would be lots more character development and a lot fewer tedious battle scenes.

Anguirel · 09-14-2005, 12:07 PM

Hmmm. Big surprise coming up; in my version...

...the entire story would be told through the eyes and voice of Maglor!

Neurion · 09-14-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anguirel

Hmmm. Big surprise coming up; in my version...

...the entire story would be told through the eyes and voice of Maglor!

With intermittent intervals for him to sing sad songs on his harp by the sea, no doubt.

Anguirel · 09-15-2005, 12:36 AM

Exactly, Neurion, you read my mind...

Lush · 09-15-2005, 01:22 AM

Maybe when I'm 85 my great-grandchildren are going to drag me to a re-make. I'm going to sit there and tell them that the old Legolas was much hotter than the new Legolas, and that back in my day we had to walk to the movie theater barefoot in the snow, uphill both ways.

Neurion · 09-15-2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anguirel

Exactly, Neurion, you read my mind...

Actually, that may not be a bad idea. A little "arty", mayhap, but rather poetic, I shouldn't wonder.

09-14-2005, 09:50 AM	#1
Bêthberry Cryptic Aura Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 6,003	Most here are, I would think, assuming some kind of straightforward remake of the LotR. Yet once the copyright wears out--will it ever?--there could well be many different takes on how to re-imagine the story for film. I can imagine a film made solely from, say, Eowyn's POV. It wouldn't begin with The Shire of course, but it would cover aspects of the story only lightly treated in the books and instead of glorifying a return of the king it could feature the problems peole in Ithilien and Rohan face in restoring some semblance of social order. What about the battle in Erebor and Dale? Would it be possible to create a film which so thoroughly eclipsed the story of the Ring? Now that would be a creative challenge. Would a post-modern, sardonic version be possible which would focus on the long defeat rather than Frodo and Sam's heroism? How about a completely revisited version set in the Seventh Age? It's done with Shakespeare, as Alatar suggests. Would that someone as creative as Zhang Yimou conceive of such a remake. __________________ I’ll sing his roots off. I’ll sing a wind up and blow leaf and branch away.

09-14-2005, 12:04 PM	#3
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	In "my version" also would have a different viewpoint . One of the things that wasn't really tackled in PJ's version to my mind is the workings of destiny. I think I would have started in Gondor with the threat of war and Faramir's dream ....which summoned a son of Denethor to Imladris long before Frodo set out but more or less the same time as Gollum escapes the woodelves. Needless to say there would be lots more character development and a lot fewer tedious battle scenes. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

09-14-2005, 12:07 PM	#4
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	Hmmm. Big surprise coming up; in my version... ...the entire story would be told through the eyes and voice of Maglor! __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

09-15-2005, 12:36 AM	#6
Anguirel Byronic Brand Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The 1590s Posts: 2,778	Exactly, Neurion, you read my mind... __________________ Among the friendly dead, being bad at games did not seem to matter -Il Lupo Fenriso

09-15-2005, 01:22 AM	#7
Lush Fair and Cold Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: the big onion Posts: 1,770	Maybe when I'm 85 my great-grandchildren are going to drag me to a re-make. I'm going to sit there and tell them that the old Legolas was much hotter than the new Legolas, and that back in my day we had to walk to the movie theater barefoot in the snow, uphill both ways. __________________ ~The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories. This is one of mine~

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