A Tolkien Bio-pic?

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

No, there's not going to be one!

But I was thinking about this and his life would make for an interesting piece of drama. Maybe not on the cinema screen, maybe a BBC drama - it'd fit in really well on BBC Four actually. Of course, it's doubtful the estate would permit such a thing, so it's a long way into the future if at all.

Would you like to see something like that? And who could star in it? I thought of Robert Hardy for the older Tolkien as he has a lovely resonant tone.

I actually think there's a lot in his life that would be interesting and people would probably find it interesting anyway - Jane Austen's life was pretty close to deadly dull, but all the dramatisations of it I have seen have been enjoyable and interesting. In contrast Tolkien had quite a few dramatic moments - going through the trenches, his forbidden love affair, and then his sudden success late in life, plus a number of documented funny moments.

It is one of those things that could be wonderful or could be a travesty. Maybe a documentary with dramatised episodes could be done. But I guess that Christopher has been so persecuted that he would be reluctant to do anything that might invade his privacy, though I hope perhaps privately he has recorded his memories for posterity. And of course there are all the letters - I think Carpenter had full access but concentrated on those that enlightened the works.
Of course he is no longer with us ... and I wonder if there is anyone that the family would trust enough. With two children still alive there is that balance between gaining the personal, first hand memories that you get by gaining the authorisation or cooperation of the family with perhaps slightly compromising objectivity.

However Adam Tolkien who seems to be "heir apparent" is a deal more "media friendly" (and savvy) and so it may happen eventually.