Would Gollum have been better unanimated?

[davem]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Peter Woodthorpe is unbeatable for me too ( the Sam/Frodo/Gollum trio is perhaps the aspect of the Radio version that is definitively better than the film -
.

In the radio documentary 'Fired by the Ring' Peter Woodthorpe was interviewed by Brian Sibley, one of the adaptors of the series, & he stated that they had asked him to do the voice in the movie, but they wanted him to go to New Zealand & he couldn't go (don't know how old he would have been at the time - he's passed away now). Can't help thinking that he would have made the movie.....

[Mithalwen]

He died aged 72 in 2004. And while some people are very active until much later
- Mr Lee being a good example- he gave the impression in later outings (eg Morse) of being someone who might not enjoy the best of health in later life But given what a cut and paste job the whole film was ..it is a pity they did't make it work.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

He died aged 72 in 2004. And while some people are very active until much later
- Mr Lee being a good example- he gave the impression in later outings (eg Morse) of being someone who might not enjoy the best of health in later life But given what a cut and paste job the whole film was ..it is a pity they did't make it work.

My dream adaptation of LotR would be a high quality animation using the radio series as soundtrack & just re-doing the sound effects - not beyond the wit of man, surely, after the latest Beowulf adaptation.......

[Mithalwen]

That looks a bit strange ot me - like a computer game. ACtually I think a lot of the visuals - in the films are great - the costumes and armour were lovely and I think here the influence of the obsessive Tolkien fans held sway . I would have like loved to see mallorn properly but I thought the Shire and Rivendell and Gondor were excellent.. and NZ does make a good middle earth. I would recast a few of the voices of the radio - Apart from Robert Stephens - the actress reading Arwen does sound as if she could be 3000 years old and maybe Boromir.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

I would recast a few of the voices of the radio - Apart from Robert Stephens - the actress reading Arwen does sound as if she could be 3000 years old and maybe Boromir.

I know what you mean - I found Theoden a bit annoying occasionally (one review I saw described the performance as 'loud & grating'), but I wouldn't lose any of the actors - it would just feel wrong to me if any of them weren't there...

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by davem

I know what you mean - I found Theoden a bit annoying occasionally (one review I saw described the performance as 'loud & grating'), but I wouldn't lose any of the actors - it would just feel wrong to me if any of them weren't there...

I have a soft spot for Jack May - he was Nelson Gabriel in the Archers you know... but I was amazed by Bernard Hill - having thought I wouldn't be able to erase Yosser and Mr Shirley Valentine from my mind.

But you do get used to the voices - and it was mostly very clever casting - Merry and Pippin sound young, Sam sounds rural but not yoke,l Legolas distinctive but not camp.