If the Children of Húrin was filmed... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Sauron the White · 03-28-2007, 09:53 AM

If and when a film is made I predict that it will quickly divide followers and readers of Middle-earth into the same two camps that formed over the LOTR films. It is obvious to me that there are many things in COH that are simply death to a good money making successful film. The incest angle plus the complete downer of a story simply is not what epic fantasy films are made about. I would guess that a filmmaker would play that down - or eliminate it altogether. The epic heroic aspects would be emhpasized. You then get what may make for a better and more marketable film (see boxofficemojo.com for grosses of LOTR films) but incur the wrath, anger and ire of the purist community. And thus the entire thing continues on and on an on.

It would be very nice if people would accept that a book and a film are different. What makes for a great book does not necessarily make for a great film. And vice versa.

CT can take the position that he wants Middle-earth to be the books and not what is seen on the big screen. It is easy to take that position when you made millions of dollars out of increased revenue from the actual books sale due to film tie-ins including CT approved covers with film photographs. Yes, CT and the Estate did not join in film profits. But lets not fool ourselves that they did not profit greatly from the films spurring greatly increased book sales. He has been able to have his cake and eat it too. I wonder if the subsequent heads of the Estate can afford to do likewise without a revenue stream like CT has enjoyed over the last five years thanks to the LOTR films.

03-28-2007, 09:53 AM	#11
Sauron the White Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 903	If and when a film is made I predict that it will quickly divide followers and readers of Middle-earth into the same two camps that formed over the LOTR films. It is obvious to me that there are many things in COH that are simply death to a good money making successful film. The incest angle plus the complete downer of a story simply is not what epic fantasy films are made about. I would guess that a filmmaker would play that down - or eliminate it altogether. The epic heroic aspects would be emhpasized. You then get what may make for a better and more marketable film (see boxofficemojo.com for grosses of LOTR films) but incur the wrath, anger and ire of the purist community. And thus the entire thing continues on and on an on. It would be very nice if people would accept that a book and a film are different. What makes for a great book does not necessarily make for a great film. And vice versa. CT can take the position that he wants Middle-earth to be the books and not what is seen on the big screen. It is easy to take that position when you made millions of dollars out of increased revenue from the actual books sale due to film tie-ins including CT approved covers with film photographs. Yes, CT and the Estate did not join in film profits. But lets not fool ourselves that they did not profit greatly from the films spurring greatly increased book sales. He has been able to have his cake and eat it too. I wonder if the subsequent heads of the Estate can afford to do likewise without a revenue stream like CT has enjoyed over the last five years thanks to the LOTR films.