Would Gollum have been better unanimated? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 11-20-2007, 01:59 PM

I really wasn't keen on the movie gollum - perhaps I had seen one too many "how it was done programme" but I found it impossible to suspend my disbelief with Gollum and his "active fit" loincloth (bet it beats pampers for a nappy that stays in place regardless of what the wearer does).

Peter Woodthorpe is unbeatable for me too ( the Sam/Frodo/Gollum trio is perhaps the aspect of the Radio version that most decisively better than the film - though even I (!) prefer somethings in the film (Aragorn perhaps being the most decisive winner) and some characters / handling are different but not inferior but different (Christopher Lee was a powerful Saruman but the radio actor caught the poisoned honey charm of his voice so well.

Yes I know some things are easier on the radio, but I have also seen the musical and the handling of Gollum played by a real person (acrobat Michel Therriault) was amazing.

Thinlómien · 11-20-2007, 02:09 PM

Now I can't see the movie Gollum as anything else, but I used to see a big problem with how he was made and now that I think of it, I can still agree with what I first thought when I saw the movie Gollum: he's too cute.

I mean, he is more like a wronged awwwy little creature than a many-layered dangerous ex-hobbit. With those huge blue eyes and cheerful voice, he seems like something cute and little, not treacherous, murderous and cunning. I don't mean that there's nothing good in Gollum, just that he really shouldn't be, of all things, cute. Just consider his age, for example.

davem · 11-20-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

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 · 11-20-2007, 02:25 PM

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 · 11-20-2007, 02:35 PM

Quote:

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 · 11-20-2007, 02:57 PM

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 · 11-20-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

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 · 11-20-2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

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.

11-20-2007, 01:59 PM	#1
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	I really wasn't keen on the movie gollum - perhaps I had seen one too many "how it was done programme" but I found it impossible to suspend my disbelief with Gollum and his "active fit" loincloth (bet it beats pampers for a nappy that stays in place regardless of what the wearer does). Peter Woodthorpe is unbeatable for me too ( the Sam/Frodo/Gollum trio is perhaps the aspect of the Radio version that most decisively better than the film - though even I (!) prefer somethings in the film (Aragorn perhaps being the most decisive winner) and some characters / handling are different but not inferior but different (Christopher Lee was a powerful Saruman but the radio actor caught the poisoned honey charm of his voice so well. Yes I know some things are easier on the radio, but I have also seen the musical and the handling of Gollum played by a real person (acrobat Michel Therriault) was amazing. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace Last edited by Mithalwen; 11-20-2007 at 02:35 PM.

11-20-2007, 02:09 PM	#2
Thinlómien Shady She-Penguin Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: In a far land beyond the Sea Posts: 8,093	Now I can't see the movie Gollum as anything else, but I used to see a big problem with how he was made and now that I think of it, I can still agree with what I first thought when I saw the movie Gollum: he's too cute. I mean, he is more like a wronged awwwy little creature than a many-layered dangerous ex-hobbit. With those huge blue eyes and cheerful voice, he seems like something cute and little, not treacherous, murderous and cunning. I don't mean that there's nothing good in Gollum, just that he really shouldn't be, of all things, cute. Just consider his age, for example. __________________ Like the stars chase the sun, over the glowing hill I will conquer Blood is running deep, some things never sleep Double Fenris

11-20-2007, 02:25 PM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	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. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

11-20-2007, 02:57 PM	#6
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	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. __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace