how long would the movies take if they where true to the books 100% - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Mithalwen · 01-16-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thewichtking

how long would the movies take if they where true to the books 100%?
i would think about 9-12 hrs per movie please post

just to be weird

100% percent? Every last parcel left by Bilbo for his multitude of grasping rellies? That would be too much even for me ... I don't think it need be anything like that long. The radio series was much closer to the books and took less than 13 hours. Remember that because the Jackson films were geared to those who like lots of battles and violence some things were expanded hugely compared - the battle with the cave troll was just a couple of lines in the book but took about the same time as Lorien which occupies 3 book chapters and there is an awful lot of description. I can't imagine that you would need anything like 3 to 4 times the screen time ot make it uber-faithful even if you include Gildor, Bombadil, all the tooing and froing across Rohan, Imrahil, Faramir and Eowyn properly and the journey home and scouring.

I would guess 16 hours would do - 20 max even if you include the stuff even I am
not bothered with

Gwathagor · 01-16-2009, 04:37 PM

However much people may defend PJ, the radio series is proof that a time-economical adaptation that remains true to the story is possible. Maybe when I am an old man it will happen. *sigh* I hope the next filmmaker who takes on LotR chooses to make it a television miniseries rather than a feature film trilogy. Anywhere between 13 and 15 hours ought to do it.

Lalwendë · 01-16-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwathagor

However much people may defend PJ, the radio series is proof that a time-economical adaptation that remains true to the story is possible. Maybe when I am an old man it will happen. *sigh* I hope the next filmmaker who takes on LotR chooses to make it a television miniseries rather than a feature film trilogy. Anywhere between 13 and 15 hours ought to do it.

I agree with all of that! Especially doing it on TV - it can be done, Gormenghast was a fantastic production with very high values. And imagine tearing home from work on the day the next episode was screened - that would be something to really look forwards to

But yes, each one would probably be about 12 hours long if it stuck exactly to the text. And I'd flippin' well love it.

What was that German film which followed the life of a village and it was around 10,000 hours (slight exaggeration....) long? Was it Heimat? It was eventually shown in chunks on TV here. And wasn't Das Boot originally a mega-long film?

Mithalwen · 01-17-2009, 10:47 AM

Oh Gormenghast was wonderful...must try and get the DVD.. but I think I have most of das Heimat on tape.. the one with the musicians anyway...

The Might · 01-17-2009, 07:46 PM

I have always hoped for an animated series, because you still have all the fantastic effects you would need with a lot less difficulty. Would love it if Pixar did it, then again I would not expect of them to want to keep it true to the book...

I was thinking on episode is one chapter of the book, that way you get an entire series together.

thewichtking · 01-19-2009, 02:41 PM

I was thinking on episode is one chapter of the book, that way you get an entire series together.[/QUOTE]

i like that idea

Rumil · 01-20-2009, 05:54 PM

How long before the tech is there to sample all the film images and CGI everyone to your hearts content on your home computer, 5 years? 10 years? 8th Age?

01-16-2009, 04:37 PM	#2
Gwathagor Shade with a Blade Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A Rainy Night In Soho Posts: 2,512	However much people may defend PJ, the radio series is proof that a time-economical adaptation that remains true to the story is possible. Maybe when I am an old man it will happen. sigh I hope the next filmmaker who takes on LotR chooses to make it a television miniseries rather than a feature film trilogy. Anywhere between 13 and 15 hours ought to do it. __________________ Stories and songs.

01-17-2009, 10:47 AM	#4
Mithalwen Pilgrim Soul Join Date: May 2004 Location: watching the wonga-wonga birds circle... Posts: 9,461	Oh Gormenghast was wonderful...must try and get the DVD.. but I think I have most of das Heimat on tape.. the one with the musicians anyway... __________________ “But Finrod walks with Finarfin his father beneath the trees in Eldamar.” Christopher Tolkien, Requiescat in pace

01-17-2009, 07:46 PM	#5
The Might Guard of the Citadel Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oxon Posts: 2,205	I have always hoped for an animated series, because you still have all the fantastic effects you would need with a lot less difficulty. Would love it if Pixar did it, then again I would not expect of them to want to keep it true to the book... I was thinking on episode is one chapter of the book, that way you get an entire series together. __________________ “The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike.” Delos B. McKown

01-20-2009, 05:54 PM	#7
Rumil Sage & Onions Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Britain Posts: 894	How long before the tech is there to sample all the film images and CGI everyone to your hearts content on your home computer, 5 years? 10 years? 8th Age? __________________ Rumil of Coedhirion

01-19-2009, 02:41 PM	#6
thewichtking Animated Skeleton Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 42	I was thinking on episode is one chapter of the book, that way you get an entire series together.[/QUOTE] i like that idea