Crimes Against Tolkienity - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

pandora · 12-17-2003, 05:16 AM

Well I'm glad the thread's been defused!The role of religion in LotR and in relation to LotR is surely a new topic and a dangerous one given how many christians seem to use this board. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> the movies would seem to validate Tolkien's critics--It's just a movie/story for kids or immature adults who can't handle reality. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>That's pretty well how I feel and why it winds me up so much; the idea that this is the image of JRRT's work that will be regarded as canonical by millions of people.I have to say that the marketing hasn't bothered me one way or the other. It may be that the marketing annoys those that like the films because they see it as unworthy of the project. I, on the other hand, feel that it exactly suited to the films: flashy and fun to look at but with no substance.And lay off Bakshi. Leaving the technical issues aside which are a product of the budget not the director, if one compares the direction of the scenes shared between the animated version and FotR Bakshi is superior in just about every one. For a particular instance which is a "Crime against Tolkienity": the Frodo/Bilbo ring sequence in Rivendell. The fact that this is often referred to as the "Bug-eye scene" tells you everything you need to know about Jacksons version's cheap shock tactics. Bakshi, on the other hand, gives us a scene of pathos where Bilbo is transformed in a different way. He shakes and his face contorts with supressed greed and we actually see him become pathetic and contemptible from Frodo's point of view. The long shot then shows that, without even realising it, Frodo has made a fist which is raising behind him. Then Bilbo masters himself and turns away becoming the simple old man that everyone loves from The Hobbit again, weary and tired from his unnaturally long life.In this sequence Bakshi has shown us the devastating effect of the bearing of the Ring on poor old Bilbo and the fact that it already has its hooks into Frodo in a way that was moving and quite powerful, even offering some insight into the question of why death can be a gift rather than a curse. Jackson's version was a criminal waste of the situation.Bakshi's version failed dispite its director's abilities because the technology and budget weren't there; Jackson's failed (for me) despite the big budget and technology because the director wasn't ready for a project where characters are so important.

12-17-2003, 05:16 AM	#29
pandora Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 60	Well I'm glad the thread's been defused!<P>The role of religion in LotR and in relation to LotR is surely a new topic and a dangerous one given how many christians seem to use this board.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> the movies would seem to validate Tolkien's critics--It's just a movie/story for kids or immature adults who can't handle reality. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>That's pretty well how I feel and why it winds me up so much; the idea that this is the image of JRRT's work that will be regarded as canonical by millions of people.<P>I have to say that the marketing hasn't bothered me one way or the other. <P>It may be that the marketing annoys those that like the films because they see it as unworthy of the project. I, on the other hand, feel that it exactly suited to the films: flashy and fun to look at but with no substance.<P>And lay off Bakshi. Leaving the technical issues aside which are a product of the budget not the director, if one compares the direction of the scenes shared between the animated version and FotR Bakshi is superior in just about every one. <P>For a particular instance which is a "Crime against Tolkienity": the Frodo/Bilbo ring sequence in Rivendell. The fact that this is often referred to as the "Bug-eye scene" tells you everything you need to know about Jacksons version's cheap shock tactics. Bakshi, on the other hand, gives us a scene of pathos where Bilbo is transformed in a different way. He shakes and his face contorts with supressed greed and we actually see him become pathetic and contemptible from Frodo's point of view. The long shot then shows that, without even realising it, Frodo has made a fist which is raising behind him. Then Bilbo masters himself and turns away becoming the simple old man that everyone loves from The Hobbit again, weary and tired from his unnaturally long life.<P>In this sequence Bakshi has shown us the devastating effect of the bearing of the Ring on poor old Bilbo and the fact that it already has its hooks into Frodo in a way that was moving and quite powerful, even offering some insight into the question of why death can be a gift rather than a curse. Jackson's version was a criminal waste of the situation.<P>Bakshi's version failed dispite its director's abilities because the technology and budget weren't there; Jackson's failed (for me) despite the big budget and technology because the director wasn't ready for a project where characters are so important.