Why Hollywood Butchers Tolkien

[TrollinSun]

Indeed. The one thing you may have left out (intentionally) is right after "flashy special effects" you might add "fleshly pursuits."

Sex sells

Oh the outrage when the first rumor of nudity in RoP came out in 2019ish. Glad it was finally put to rest at SDCC by the directors.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

It hasn't stopped the pearls-clutching over "Wet Galadriel".

Where are my smelling-salts? 😳

 

[Ent]

Sex sells

Oh the outrage when the first rumor of nudity in RoP came out in 2019ish. Glad it was finally put to rest at SDCC by the directors.

Indeed again.
And sadly, many of the 'outraged' would be there just to see if it 'was really so'. Then of course, they would be outraged all the more, while still returning to see 'if it had gone away yet.'

And if it did, THAT would be when they stopped watching.

One often wonders at the "outrage" of many. It 'seems' to be a cover up for many a hidden vice. (Did I say that??)

However, this is far off topic. Sorry.

 

[ZehnWaters]

Indeed. The one thing you may have left out (intentionally) is right after "flashy special effects" you might add "fleshly pursuits."

Ah, yes. I just forgot it was even going to show up in this show. *shudders* Though apparently it's not going to be nearly as prominent as rumoured? I guess we'll see. I can't imagine GoT levels of "intimacy".

 

[Ent]

Ah, yes. I just forgot it was even going to show up in this show. *shudders* Though apparently it's not going to be nearly as prominent as rumoured? I guess we'll see. I can't imagine GoT levels of "intimacy".

"It matters not"... (Boromir, PJ LoTR).

you've put your fingers on the most significant difference between Tolkien's work and the rest.
he worked and wrote from and about life of an entirely higher plane of thought and existence.
the rest derive their desires and efforts from the baser elements of humanity's gluttony.

"you have a way of hitting the nail with your head." (usurped from Paul Harvey, for those who know - or don't as the case may be.)

 

[TrollinSun]

Paul Harvey,

If someone can listen to so God made a farmer and not feel an iota of appreciation afterwards, I'd say they're not human. That man could evoke emotion so well from listeners.

 

[Ent]

If someone can listen to so God made a farmer and not feel an iota of appreciation afterwards, I'd say they're not human. That man could evoke emotion so well from listeners.

Indeed.
"In the 'For What It's Worth' department" - He was my daily listening fare WAY back in the day, on the way to, and home from, work..!

 

[Elthir]

Good Day.

P. Harvey used to say that

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

So Erestor Arcamen, in this matter I believe you are a fool of a Took! Especially of the younger generations, which is the future of Middle Earth's consumers, will watch this Amazon show, and whatever happens in this show, will be taken as canon.

Cool, glad a random stranger online thinks I'm a fool. If you'd bother to read anything I've ever said about the Amazon series you'd know that I know it won't be canon and I could care less. It's not going to change what Tolkien wrote or published. If young fans think it's canon (incorrectly) then we'll welcome them to TTF with open arms as we do all members and show them how the show isn't canon. We have more than enough members here who know Tolkien's works (myself included, thank you very much) who can help them see what or why not the show's story is canon. And if they have differing opinions that us about whether they like the show then that's fine. I'll respect their opinions. What I won't respect are nutjobs who think the show has some evil agenda to change the world or actually rewrite Tolkien's original stories. So keep posting and criticizing the series, and just like turning off the TV if I don't like it, I just won't let myself be bothered by random Internet strangers with a different opinion.

 

[Olorgando]

It hasn't stopped the pearls-clutching over "Wet Galadriel".

Where are my smelling-salts? 😳

A rip-off of "Titanic", yet ...

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

"Hollywood" seems a broad term given that it applies to so many films made over so many years by several studios - and of varying quality.

 

[Ent]

"Hollywood" seems a broad term given that it applies to so many films made over so many years by several studios - and of varying quality.

OK.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

Indeed again.
And sadly, many of the 'outraged' would be there just to see if it 'was really so'. Then of course, they would be outraged all the more, while still returning to see 'if it had gone away yet.'

And if it did, THAT would be when they stopped watching.

One often wonders at the "outrage" of many. It 'seems' to be a cover up for many a hidden vice. (Did I say that??)

However, this is far off topic. Sorry.

Too late -- you've reminded me of the old story of the policeman responding to a call from an elderly lady about a naked man in a window across the way. After looking out her bathroom window, he said "I'm sorry, ma'am, I can't see anyone."
"Oh, you need to stand on the toilet and use these binoculars."

 

[Halasían]

The statement is based on a survey of fan sites across the globe. Certainly individual fans will each have their own opinions. But I am not the only observer that Tolkien fan sites have been generally distrustful of the show runners for Rings of Power.

Ah, so a poll of like-minded fans on Tolkien sites. I can safely say that 100% of "fans" who say they hate Rings of Power on fan sites hate Rings of Power. Got it. 🤣

It hasn't stopped the pearls-clutching over "Wet Galadriel".

Where are my smelling-salts? 😳

A wet-silk Morfyyd Clark? That settles it! I'm watching it!

So reminds me if when I went to see Logan's Run at the theatre to see Jenny Agutter get all wet and strip down)

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

Better see Walkabout, then. 😉

 

[Halasían]

Seen it.

 

[Amon Rudh]

I have simple views. The books are fantastically written and storytelling at its best. I am not religious so see no allegory relating specifically to Christianity (to my secular mind, and with multiple deities in the books, it appears more akin to pagan systems). However others will no doubt disagree as they are entitled to do. I don't treat them as a life lesson but there are naturally a lot of good vs evil, loyalty and love and other elements. I have not read the HOME books yet but expect some further insight on the thinking of the author at the time of writing. I expect this to inform my view of any subtext and perhaps change my mind.

As for film versions, I really like all of the ones I have seen so far including LOTR, TH and ROP.
The key words are 'based on' the works of JRR Tolkien. Anything that keeps or generates interest in the texts is for me at least, a good thing. Reading is not for everyone after all.

To answer your prime question, I believe the reason is to raise revenue, investment and to secure future film making opportunities after previous successes. In my experience, faithful representation of a good story never got in the way of the above for any media.

 

[Vorondil]

Tolkien fans worldwide already greet it with cynical derision.

Cynical he says. I think the series is loathsome.

 

[Annatar]

Rings of Power's Collapse Explained: Did Execs and VIPs at Amazon IGNORE Warnings from Focus Groups?​

 

[Deimos]

...

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was once asked which of his major literary works would be his legacy. To the surprise of many, his answer was neither Lord of the Rings, nor the Hobbit, nor his seminal English translation of Beowulf, nor his coursework text of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. He cited his role as “assistant etymologist” on the Oxford English Dictionary. Words, especially their derivation, usage and changing meaning, were Tolkien’s greatest fascination.

...

Where did you learn this? I'm not questioning the veracity of it.
But I looked through his Letters (going by the index), and tho' he mentioned the OED I couldn't find (or missed) any comment about it being the most important work in his legacy.
FWIW I think that is great.... I have that particular edition of the OED 🙂 (the full 20 vol set)