5th Anniversary of TTT release - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Gwathagor · 12-30-2007, 11:22 PM

Well...TTT is my favorite film artistically, but is my least favorite as an adaptation. There are a number of silly things: Aragorn floating down a river, the Ents being old and backwards, Eowyn/Aragorn flirting, etc.
I think TTT definitely benefited the most from the extended scenes. While I didn't feel any better about Faramir behaving like an idiot, at least the extended version motivates his idiocy. That, and the Huorns at Helm's Deep appeased my righteous indignation somewhat.
Like I said, I do really like the artistic elements of TTT. The color scheme and the soundtrack and the cinematography all complement each other splendidly.

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 01-01-2008, 04:16 PM

Well, as I said TTT was my favourite movie, but now I can't decide, they are all good movies! But Gwathagor, my friend said that TTT was her favourite movie too, not because of the adaptation, but because how ot was put together!

TheLostRanger · 01-02-2008, 05:07 AM

When I'm not in the mood for a movie marathon of all 3 (which I haven't done in a long time) I find myself watching either Fellowship or RotK. Obvious reasons being that they are the beggining and end of the saga. Immediately after seeing TTT all I could think about was how great RotK was going to be and not really appreciating TTT as much as I should have. Like Gwathagor said it was the worst adaption, though it does have a great feel to it. Overall a great movie... the 3rd best movie ever made...

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 01-03-2008, 12:32 PM

What's the second and first best made?

Mithalwen · 01-03-2008, 12:42 PM

Nope - it is still teh film in which Aragorn appears struggles to distinguish being snogged by a horse with being kissed by Arwen (but then in a poll I conducted at the time 90% thought that the horse was probably the better kisser)

Legate of Amon Lanc · 01-03-2008, 02:45 PM

(Warning: the content of this post is a personal opinion and it may seem offensive to someone who likes the Two Towers movie. If you strongly like the movie, rather don't read it.)

Maybe I should watch the TT once more, for I did not do so for a long time (the movie I've been watching the most times since seeing it for the first time was FotR, I even saw it once in the last year, in January - and TT I haven't seen for who knows how long). Yet I still don't have any good reasons to watch that movie, as I can't think of anything that would please me. We were on the premiere with two of my friends. The beginning was interesting, then it went in the scheme of anticipation followed by disappointment, and from the scene when Gandalf called Shadowfax to him, the horror unfolded. I remember me and my friends gave looks to each other as if we gave condolences to each other, and after the movie ended, we spent more than an hour standing on the Wenceslas Square (it was about 1 AM) and discussing all terrible things we saw, starting with Legolas' quotes (as always) through Gimli's joke scenes and ending with Aragorn's death. And the Orc who arrives to Helm's Deep carrying the Olympic Fire, you know what I mean? Gandalf's almost vertical descent with the reinforcements to Helm's Deep. Not to mention that Éomer was there. Osgiliath, of course. Faramir's desire to take the Ring, oh my. Shadowfax and his slow motion appearance (that was the breaking moment, and we all agreed with my friends that we were all close to vomit at that place). Treebeard and his phlegmatism. No visit of Isengard. "Exorcism" of Théoden and the kung-fu film scene that preceded (Gandalf proceeding through the hall and his bodyguards kick the Rohirrim soldiers). The ride of the Rohirrim out of the gate of Helm's Deep over the bridge, literally pushing down the Orcs. Some 300 Rohirrim reinforcements victorious over what still had to be thousands of Orcs down there (not to mention that the cavalry rode directly on the spears). Théoden who remains coward even when healed and escapes to Helm's Deep(!!!).

The things they called Wargs. Legolas and his skateboard. The "count of frags" between Gimli and Legolas degraded to several shouts in the end. "Haleth, son of Háma, my lord" and these horrible children, what a silliness!!!
And was it also in this one when Arwen wanted to leave Middle-Earth? Resp. Elrond wanted her to leave?

Now that I think of it, I have to say there were several good things. The flashes and rain at Helm's Deep when the Orcs come - it was a nice picture. Erm... and... that's it, probably.

Hm, haven't I already posted such a rant here somewhere? I got the feeling I've done that before.

William Cloud Hicklin · 01-03-2008, 03:42 PM

I hear ya, Legate.

For a really, really intelligent and perceptive evisceration of Two Towers: Peter Jackson's Version, by a pragmatic Purist who also happens to know his cinematic art, check this out:

http://oddlots.digitalspace.net/arth..._promises.html

I can recall about three good things about TT/PJV. Arwen at Aragorn's tomb with Elrond's voiceover (Genuine Tolkien Text(tm); Wormtongue's observations about and to Eowyn (GTT(tm) again, even if 'borrowed'); and Theoden's arming scene (remarkably, GTT(tm) again).

12-30-2007, 11:22 PM	#1
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	Well...TTT is my favorite film artistically, but is my least favorite as an adaptation. There are a number of silly things: Aragorn floating down a river, the Ents being old and backwards, Eowyn/Aragorn flirting, etc. I think TTT definitely benefited the most from the extended scenes. While I didn't feel any better about Faramir behaving like an idiot, at least the extended version motivates his idiocy. That, and the Huorns at Helm's Deep appeased my righteous indignation somewhat. Like I said, I do really like the artistic elements of TTT. The color scheme and the soundtrack and the cinematography all complement each other splendidly. __________________ Stories and songs. Last edited by Gwathagor; 12-30-2007 at 11:25 PM.

01-01-2008, 04:16 PM	#2
TheGreatElvenWarrior Mighty Quill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walking off to look for America Posts: 2,230	Well, as I said TTT was my favourite movie, but now I can't decide, they are all good movies! But Gwathagor, my friend said that TTT was her favourite movie too, not because of the adaptation, but because how ot was put together! __________________ The Party Doesn't Start Until You're Dead.

01-02-2008, 05:07 AM	#3
TheLostRanger Newly Deceased Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Guitar Town Posts: 6	When I'm not in the mood for a movie marathon of all 3 (which I haven't done in a long time) I find myself watching either Fellowship or RotK. Obvious reasons being that they are the beggining and end of the saga. Immediately after seeing TTT all I could think about was how great RotK was going to be and not really appreciating TTT as much as I should have. Like Gwathagor said it was the worst adaption, though it does have a great feel to it. Overall a great movie... the 3rd best movie ever made... __________________ Queen of Light took her bow, And then she turned to go, The Prince of Peace embraced the gloom, And walked the night alone. -The Battle of Evermore- The Lost Ranger

01-03-2008, 12:32 PM	#4
TheGreatElvenWarrior Mighty Quill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walking off to look for America Posts: 2,230	What's the second and first best made? __________________ The Party Doesn't Start Until You're Dead.

01-03-2008, 12:42 PM	#5
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Nope - it is still teh film in which Aragorn appears struggles to distinguish being snogged by a horse with being kissed by Arwen (but then in a poll I conducted at the time 90% thought that the horse was probably the better kisser) __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-03-2008, 02:45 PM	#6
Legate of Amon Lanc A Voice That Gainsayeth Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In that far land beyond the Sea Posts: 7,431	The anniversary one of the most horrible crimes against humanity? (Warning: the content of this post is a personal opinion and it may seem offensive to someone who likes the Two Towers movie. If you strongly like the movie, rather don't read it.) Maybe I should watch the TT once more, for I did not do so for a long time (the movie I've been watching the most times since seeing it for the first time was FotR, I even saw it once in the last year, in January - and TT I haven't seen for who knows how long). Yet I still don't have any good reasons to watch that movie, as I can't think of anything that would please me. We were on the premiere with two of my friends. The beginning was interesting, then it went in the scheme of anticipation followed by disappointment, and from the scene when Gandalf called Shadowfax to him, the horror unfolded. I remember me and my friends gave looks to each other as if we gave condolences to each other, and after the movie ended, we spent more than an hour standing on the Wenceslas Square (it was about 1 AM) and discussing all terrible things we saw, starting with Legolas' quotes (as always) through Gimli's joke scenes and ending with Aragorn's death. And the Orc who arrives to Helm's Deep carrying the Olympic Fire, you know what I mean? Gandalf's almost vertical descent with the reinforcements to Helm's Deep. Not to mention that Éomer was there. Osgiliath, of course. Faramir's desire to take the Ring, oh my. Shadowfax and his slow motion appearance (that was the breaking moment, and we all agreed with my friends that we were all close to vomit at that place). Treebeard and his phlegmatism. No visit of Isengard. "Exorcism" of Théoden and the kung-fu film scene that preceded (Gandalf proceeding through the hall and his bodyguards kick the Rohirrim soldiers). The ride of the Rohirrim out of the gate of Helm's Deep over the bridge, literally pushing down the Orcs. Some 300 Rohirrim reinforcements victorious over what still had to be thousands of Orcs down there (not to mention that the cavalry rode directly on the spears). Théoden who remains coward even when healed and escapes to Helm's Deep(!!!). The things they called Wargs. Legolas and his skateboard. The "count of frags" between Gimli and Legolas degraded to several shouts in the end. "Haleth, son of Háma, my lord" and these horrible children, what a silliness!!! And was it also in this one when Arwen wanted to leave Middle-Earth? Resp. Elrond wanted her to leave? Now that I think of it, I have to say there were several good things. The flashes and rain at Helm's Deep when the Orcs come - it was a nice picture. Erm... and... that's it, probably. Hm, haven't I already posted such a rant here somewhere? I got the feeling I've done that before. __________________ "Should the story say 'he ate bread,' the dramatic producer can only show 'a piece of bread' according to his taste or fancy, but the hearer of the story will think of bread in general and picture it in some form of his own." -On Fairy-Stories

01-03-2008, 03:42 PM	#7
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,330	I hear ya, Legate. For a really, really intelligent and perceptive evisceration of Two Towers: Peter Jackson's Version, by a pragmatic Purist who also happens to know his cinematic art, check this out: http://oddlots.digitalspace.net/arth..._promises.html I can recall about three good things about TT/PJV. Arwen at Aragorn's tomb with Elrond's voiceover (Genuine Tolkien Text(tm); Wormtongue's observations about and to Eowyn (GTT(tm) again, even if 'borrowed'); and Theoden's arming scene (remarkably, GTT(tm) again). __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it. Last edited by William Cloud Hicklin; 01-03-2008 at 09:29 PM.