Zaentz countersues the Estate

[Morsul the Dark]

Hmmm interesting thought... I think it could be argued that the maintained interest is due to the efforts of the movie industry Indeed most of these machines depict the actors of the motion pictures and not fan art lifted from the book...

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Morsul the Dark

Hmmm interesting thought... I think it could be argued that the maintained interest is due to the efforts of the movie industry Indeed most of these machines depict the actors of the motion pictures and not fan art lifted from the book...

But "over the past four decades"? Undoubtedly the Lord of the Rings films created fresh interest in Tollkien- but they weren't made forty years ago, were they?

[Morsul the Dark]

Zaentz produced the baski films in 78 I think that's where they get the forty years

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Morsul the Dark

Zaentz produced the baski films in 78 I think that's where they get the forty years

Seriously, Morsul- Baski's Lord of the Rings was responsible for the success of the novel? C'mon!

[William Cloud Hicklin]

This is after all Saul Zaentz we're talking about- underhanded and sleazy even by Hollywood's non-standards.

[Elemmakil]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hicklin

This is after all Saul Zaentz we're talking about- underhanded and sleazy even by Hollywood's non-standards.

Quite an understatement. On Zaentz's Wiki page, mention is made of him taking legal action against businesses in the UK that use the name "Hobbit" in any fashion. This is similar to the action taken against Shire Post Mint over the excellent LoTR/Hobbit/Silm. coins they produced several years back. Zaentz really is a bully, and I wish he would reunite with his master Morgoth, sooner rather than later...

[Inziladun]

Originally Posted by Elemmakil

Quite an understatement. On Zaentz's Wiki page, mention is made of him taking legal action against businesses in the UK that use the name "Hobbit" in any fashion. This is similar to the action taken against Shire Post Mint over the excellent LoTR/Hobbit/Silm. coins they produced several years back. Zaentz really is a bully, and I wish he would reunite with his master Morgoth, sooner rather than later...

I feel like a broken record, but that sort of thing is exactly what I feared when all the movie-hype began flaring up prior to PJ's films. I never wanted Tolkien's works to be subjected to such indignities; modern marketing treats all artistic works equally as tools for profit. I don't particularly blame Zaentz, since I am certain whatever corporation with the movie rights would act much the same. It really is a shame though to see beloved books treasured less for intrinsic literary merit than for commercial potential.

[Morsul the Dark]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

Seriously, Morsul- Baski's Lord of the Rings was responsible for the success of the novel? C'mon!

I said no such thing, I said that's where the four decades comment was established.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Morsul the Dark

I said no such thing, I said that's where the four decades comment was established.

Yes, but- well, see my original comment. They're claiming it's "largely"" due to their efforts "over four decades". As the books were certainly famous and popular before the Jackson films, it follows that they must be talking about earlier adaptations or what-have-you (and associated marketing).

[Morsul the Dark]

Originally Posted by Nerwen

Yes, but- well, see my original comment. They're claiming that the fame and success of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit are "largely" due to their efforts "over four decades". As these were certainly famous and popular books before the Jackson films, it follows that they must be attributing their success to earlier adaptations or what-have-you.

They are they're claiming the popularity was maintained through films ec starting with the Bashki films in 78. I didn't say they were right, or that I even agree. I'm just saying That's the case they're trying to build.

Frankly I think they'll do pretty well considering the dominance over culture Television and film have had over the past 50-60 years. I don't think it's too hard a sell to say the films are more popular than the book. Like I said I don't agree, but they only need to get 12 couch potatoes on a jury to agree...