Happy Birthday, J. R. R. Tolkien

[filkertom]

On this date in 1892.

Been awhile since we discussed it, so: What are some of your favorite scenes from any of the books, or any of the various media adaptations? Yeah, I know, I know. I could just say "pretty much everything" and not be far off. But:

• In The Hobbit, I really love:
  • the dwarven-song at The Unexpected Party, especially in Nicol

Comments

[redaxe]

Several scenes come right to mind -- from the book, since they were changed or omitted on film:

The Prancing Pony scene, where the hobbits meet Strider. (I really hate the omission of almost all of the music from the books in the movie, and Frodo dancing on the table is a sore lack.)

Yeah, I'll admit it: Tom Bombadil and Goldberry. I understand why they were left out of the flick. That doesn't mean I don't miss them, or love them in the book.

The Ents, in both the books and Jackson's version. I cry for the Ents, and mourn the loss of the Entwives.

I love the Paths of the Dead scenes, in both written and visual versions, but, again, I think Tolkien told it better. (Tolkien was a terrific storyteller. Not so great as a writer, per se, but his tale is compelling, and many of the adaptations to film, though understandable, are weaker than the original.)

I'll leave the rest for the gang to come that will surely name the entire plot, among them :-)

[sveethot]

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort."

These words sucked me into the Tolkien universe. There am I yet content to abide.

[skunktaur]

I've always liked Beorn, and the way that the party had to be introduced to him in The Hobbit. I've heard the rumors that there will be an adaptation and I am REALLY curious to see the longhouse and the beehives... and Beorn.

[laurel_potter]

The lighting of the beacons -- it hardly registers in the book, but it's a huge, dramatic, way cool thing in the movie.

I love that part. I always look forward to it.

[sveethot]

This makes me think of the first time I read it. I got about 1/2 way through the final volume and started skipping huge chunks. I had to go back when I got to Frodo & Sam waking up in bed in Minas Tirith, having passed over the eventful scene in Mount Doom.

Although I can see where it wasn't necessary to the movie, I really missed the part in which Aragorn uses athelas to heal his friends. It really develops him as a nurturing character.