Things that would not have happened if not for the movies

[Lalwendë]

I strongly suspect that without the film, any kind of film/TV fantasy would not have got very far. Fantasy films were very much a 'joke' before LotR was adapted for the screen, though from the first moment I saw Robin Of Sherwood I knew it was possible to make good screen fantasy that wasn't pure cheese or 'just for children'.

No LotR films - no Game of Thrones/Merlin/Narnia/Stardust etc.

I'd also argue that they made more women and girls realise that sci-fi and fantasy are actually great fun and that it's OK to admit in public that you are more interested in Hobbits than hairdressing. And the films managed this without even having to make Arwen swing a sword at Helms Deep.

[Rhod the Red]

Yep, the 2000s saw a big boost to the fantasy genre in film and books. Tolkein's influence has only grown with time, to the dismay of critics like Germaine Greer..............

[Elyna of Rivendell]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I'd also argue that they made more women and girls realise that sci-fi and fantasy are actually great fun and that it's OK to admit in public that you are more interested in Hobbits than hairdressing.

That is very true. I think it is great because even though nothing could stop me loving LotR, it would be annoying to be judged for it.

I also think that it would have been less well known among the general population. I mean yeah people who read this sort of stuff would know, but i do't think SO many people would have seen/read/heard of it.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Elyna of Rivendell

That is very true. I think it is great because even though nothing could stop me loving LotR, it would be annoying to be judged for it.

I also think that it would have been less well known among the general population. I mean yeah people who read this sort of stuff would know, but i do't think SO many people would have seen/read/heard of it.

Hard to quantify that sort of thing– “Lord of the Rings” was always the single most *recognisable* fantasy title around– very often the *only* one mainstream readers could name. (That has probably changed now due to the genre overall becoming more popular.)

[Mister Underhill]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Quite possibly meeting everyone on this forum.

That is most likely very true! I'm pretty sure the Wight started up the site after news of the movies broke. Anyway it was the movie news that made me pick up the books again after several years, which subsequently led me to "alta vista" (doesn't have quite the same ring, eh?) Tolkien.

Originally Posted by Nerwen

I think they simply stuck a different blade on the hilt of a movie souvenir sword. Very cheap flick, I take it?

Hey, not everyone has Avatar money to tell their tale with. Respect! At least they changed the blade around.

I figured this must have been a Netflix find, and sure enough: "A cruel empress rules over an ancient land where men are subservient to women. But conflict arises when a prophecy reveals that a boy will become king and bring back the male regime. Now, unlikely hero Char must restore equality between the sexes."

Hmm, an unlikely hero who is really a Chosen One, you say? How original! And he restores equality between the sexes... by bringing back the male regime and putting those cruel ladies back in their place? I withdraw that "respect" comment, even in jest.

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I strongly suspect that without the film, any kind of film/TV fantasy would not have got very far.

I don't know -- I agree that the success of the LotR movies kind of opened the floodgates, but it feels like as the Star Wars/videogame/D&D generation came of age, it was inevitable that fantasy would break through to mainstream success.

[Kuruharan]

Originally Posted by Mister Underhill

I don't know -- I agree that the success of the LotR movies kind of opened the floodgates, but it feels like as the Star Wars/videogame/D&D generation came of age, it was inevitable that fantasy would break through to mainstream success.

I tend to agree, although I will also add the fact that it was a movie trilogy created prolonged exposure that helped cement fantasy as a genre.

[Mornorngûr]

If it weren't for the movies, people would actually accept Sauron as being incarnate with an actual body, rather than foolishly believing how Jackson depicted him.

Also there wouldn't be thousands of threads and posts all over the internet with people arguing about it.