(Untitled)

[semyaza]

I was going to construct a Tolkien 20 questions meme but I'd rather post the questions one by one.

1. Name one scene in the films (or more than one if you get carried away) that Tolkien would like, name one scene that he'd hate, name one scene he might prefer to the book version

Comments

[shirebound]

Ooooh, I'll play!

I think he would have liked the scene between Bilbo and Gandalf in Bag End ("I feel like butter scraped over too much bread"...) ending in the pipe-smoking outside.

I think he would have hated how long it took to get Anduril re-forged, and that Aragorn had to be almost forced to take it.

He might have preferred the "I will take it!" scene and how the Fellowship formed around Frodo. I know how much *I* enjoyed it. :)

[gentlehobbit]

Oh yes! I love the first answer. I adore that scene. And... I agree. That Anduril sequence was a bit silly.

[semyaza]

I'm glad we all agree on the Anduril scene. I guess it's part of the 'do I like the Aragorn-Arwen-Elrond dynamic' issue.

[semyaza]

Some of the non-canon scenes meld quite effectively with canon but the Anduril sequences feel tacked on and rather silly. Perhaps that's a test of the adaptation: 'does this bit make me laugh(when it shouldn't)?'

I should have added a Part B to the question and that is 'how would he have reacted to the characterisations?'

[gloria_scott]

Oh, interesting! I think perhaps:

1) I think he would have liked the Eowyn vs. the Witch King scene at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. That was pretty spot on to the books.

2) He'd hate the scene in the Prancing Pony when Frodo falls and the ring slips onto his finger. They did away with Frodo's song and dance, and I would bet JRRT would not be down with that.

3) I think he'd like Boromir's redemption and final scene with Aragorn better (not to mention, Aragorn's kick ass fight with the Orc captain).

[gentlehobbit]

Oh my goodness, yes! He'd hate the mucking around with the Prancing Pony scene. Given how much he had to constrain himself when writing hobbity talk and "foolishness", he'd be quite upset with the bit that did manage to stay in the book.

[semyaza]

Some (much) of the hobbit foolishness added to the films was more foolish than anything he might have written if allowed free rein. :D

[shirebound]

Boromir's redemption and final scene with Aragorn

I agree with you! That was a terrific scene.

[gentlehobbit]

Tolkien would like the lighting of the beacons

He would hate the argument between Sam and Frodo at Cirith Ungol

He might prefer the fancier platforms and staircases in Lothlorien. I say "might", because I think he would not like the monkeying around with the simplicity of the flets as he described them in the book. On the other hand, he might appreciate the creativity and interpretation of something done beautifully (if not accurately).

[shirebound]

Ohhhh, those beacons. *loves*

[gloria_scott]

Ugh, Cirith Ungol - yes! I had forgotten about that.

[semyaza]

I can't speak for Tolkien but I adore the lighting of the beacons. As implausible as it is on the screen - and far grander than what T. no doubt had in mind - it's incredibly cool and moving. And it gives Pippin something to do. :D

[shirebound]

Those are great choices.

Frodo dropping his sword! *shudders in disbelief*

[semyaza]

I agree about the Argonath scene. I don't think I'd ever imagined it clearly until I bought the calendar, in whatever year it was, that included John Howe's painting. I was amazed. And when you see the boats floating past the giant foot... Wow.

[chaotic_binky]

I think he would have loved the Argonath. I was impressed no end by them!

I think he would have hated Arwen rescuing the Hobbits because it was a major departure.

He might prefer the vision of Lothlorien in the films.

[semyaza]

We don't have a precise idea of how he imagined Lothlorien but I'd be surprised if that was it. It didn't look right to me on first viewing and it still doesn't. The light is wrong. It's wrong in Fangorn as well. Jackson's Lothlorien is beautiful though - and how, when all's said and done, can one imagine something which has no real life counterpart?