Cinematic Frodo: Victim of Downsizing? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Essex · 05-13-2004, 06:17 AM

Lucky for you all I lost my network connection as I hit reply earlier as I prattled on for ages re frodo's downsizing.

So a shortened version follows:

I see the movie as an adaptaion of some of the book. For me, I know why Frodo went into the West, as much as I know that he went through the Old Forest, met with Tom, rescued the Hobbits from us (!), etc.

I also know that the sword Merry killed the witch king with was from the Barrow.

And if someone hasn't read the books and doesn't know all this, then there's an easy answer, isn't there???!!!! Read them and then watch the movie with this in mind.

The audio transcription of the book runs at 54 hours. Jackon's (cinematic) versions run at 9 - 10 hours. ie a 1/5th - 1/6th of the material (not including all the time spent on battle scenes) could be used. So go easy on him. (ps I'm not defending Faramir or Aragorn's 'death' by the way - they were mistakes)

Just use what you know from the books to fill in the spaces. It works well, trust me!

PS what the books CAN'T convery that Film can is the acting/directing on certain points. for example, the look on Gandalf's face as he sits alone in Minas Tirith just before the attack. Or Frodo's face when he's picked up by the eagles. or Frodo's line to Sam in the Sammath Naur. 'I'm hear, Sam'. That line (mainly to do with the way it is acted) sends shivers down my spine every time I watch.

Look, we know the films can't beat the books, but they are flipping marvelous none the less! We can say that EVERY character was downsized. Think of a film that was adapted pretty much word for word (HP1) and see how boring it could have been if the same was done for lotr.

05-13-2004, 06:17 AM	#15
Essex Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Essex, England Posts: 886	Lucky for you all I lost my network connection as I hit reply earlier as I prattled on for ages re frodo's downsizing. So a shortened version follows: I see the movie as an adaptaion of some of the book. For me, I know why Frodo went into the West, as much as I know that he went through the Old Forest, met with Tom, rescued the Hobbits from us (!), etc. I also know that the sword Merry killed the witch king with was from the Barrow. And if someone hasn't read the books and doesn't know all this, then there's an easy answer, isn't there???!!!! Read them and then watch the movie with this in mind. The audio transcription of the book runs at 54 hours. Jackon's (cinematic) versions run at 9 - 10 hours. ie a 1/5th - 1/6th of the material (not including all the time spent on battle scenes) could be used. So go easy on him. (ps I'm not defending Faramir or Aragorn's 'death' by the way - they were mistakes) Just use what you know from the books to fill in the spaces. It works well, trust me! PS what the books CAN'T convery that Film can is the acting/directing on certain points. for example, the look on Gandalf's face as he sits alone in Minas Tirith just before the attack. Or Frodo's face when he's picked up by the eagles. or Frodo's line to Sam in the Sammath Naur. 'I'm hear, Sam'. That line (mainly to do with the way it is acted) sends shivers down my spine every time I watch. Look, we know the films can't beat the books, but they are flipping marvelous none the less! We can say that EVERY character was downsized. Think of a film that was adapted pretty much word for word (HP1) and see how boring it could have been if the same was done for lotr.