True to Tolkien?

[mary_j_59]

It's been fascinating and disheartening to observe all the noise about the upcoming Rings of Power from Amazon. Honestly, it's a lesson in social media and how toxic it can be. There really does seem to be something horribly toxic about social media these days. People seek reactions, and outrageousness and cruelty get reactions. This happens on all

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[seductivedark]

I liked the films. Most of the skimping, IMO, had to do with run time, and if you watch the extended editions (which I do, and enjoy - I don't think I ever saw the theater versions of Two Towers or RotK) they're long enough without adding in Denethor having a Palantir, etc. I didn't care for Witch King knocking Gandalf off his horse or the shrinking of Sam's role as a ring-bearer. I do get that they did this for drama, which seemed to be going up in movies and TV shows at the time. Still not a fan.

I'm on the fence about the RoP series. One day I'm thinking I'll try the first couple of episodes, other days I think I'll skip. One thing I don't like is the way the cast just assumes racism/sexism/whateverism without engaging with detractors. Tell me why your character will enhance Middle Earth, not this earth. Seduce me. Don't denigrate me.

Anyway, I'm reading LotR all over again. :) Had to get a new volume, my old one disappeared. But, the new one's hardcover and has illustrations by Tolkien, so my loss was also my gain. It's a massive book, all rolled into one. A doorstop or a lethal weapon. Either way, that's how I'm spending my time with Tolkien right now and seriously, that's the best way to see Tolkien's vision. :)

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[mary_j_59]

Well, that's definitely the best way to enjoy Tolkien! There will never be a substitute for the books and nothing will ever detract from them.

My sister and I--both lifelong fans of the books--watched the new series last night and loved it. At least, the first two episodes. It wasn't just that it was gorgeous to look at and listen to; it also had the right feel and the right themes. I really enjoyed it--so far. And I hope it will go on as well as it's begun.

Thanks for your comment!

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[mary_j_59]

One thing I'd like to add: Right-wing people, including Eastern European Nazis, have embraced Tolkien as a battle of white Europeans against the invading Asiatic hordes. This is appalling, and Tolkien himself would surely hate it--we know he would, from his own words about Hitler. That, to me, is reason enough to include people of African and Asian descent among the "good guys".

I also believe there is textual support for brown-skinned proto-hobbits. Sam, as described in the books, could well be part-African.

As to the extended editions, I found them even more problematic than the theatrical versions, though I understand why you don't agree. See my earlier essay, years back, for exactly why!

My sister and I are among the book fans who are finding the TV show truer to Tolkien's themes and morality than the movies were--though, of course, we love the movies, too! And we're just at the start of the TV show, being three hours in.