The reaction of the author

[Partyman343]

What do you guys think would be Tolkien's reaction to the movies if he was able to see them?

[Mirokai]

I think first of all he would be amazing of seeing his masterpiece in a movie (and a very good one)….and for the money (just kidding) but I suppose he wouldn’t’ love the changes made to the movie, after all this is his creation (made of a life of hard work) and he would like to be exactly as he made it.

We also know that his son wouldn’t allow doing the movies because he think the work of his father is practically a religion so may be JRR Tolkien thought that to (like father, like son).

So who knows?

[The Moose]

i dunno, but i think that there would be some animosity created. Tolkien would on one hand probably be pleased that his work has had an effect and that a film has been made out of it, but on the other hand, he wouldn't be that happy, as some of what he spent years writing has just been left out

really, there's only one person who can answer this question fully, and that's JRRT himself, but he is no longer with us. Chrsi Tolkien would be able to give us some idea, but not the whole piucture.

As far as i know, CT signed away the rights to the film, and part of the contract was that the movie makers could make any changes that they wished to the story, which could show us some of CTs view on the matter

[DolAmroth]

I think he would like it, even though some things were changed

[Faithless Eye]

I think he'd be intelligent enough to recognise that some changes and omissions had to be made to make it into a film.

[PsYkOoOoO]

he will have a neutral feeling to it....

pissed coz of the changes

amazed coz of the CGs and stuff

[Fanible]

Chances are if Tolkien was alive today, he would of helped with the film, and the changes that were made wouldn't of happened, just because there wanted to be more screen time for certain actors. Just noting some of the scenes.

Other scenes changes sometimes have to be made. HP wasn't identical either.

[Rizor]

I doubt Tolkien would've helped with the film. He was opposed to a movie version and only sold the rights for cash. It's a stance his son still holds today.

I think he would've generally liked it but would have some complaints such as the films being more action oriented. Also, he'd probably be annoyed about some of the changes like the scouring being cut.

[Glordreen]

I think Toliien would be very impressed with it. As for helping wiht it, I dont think he would have, but he would have done a few interviews

[adt100]

I don't think he would have much time for it at all TBO. You have to take into account the type of person he was and the era he grew up in compared to the type of 'fans' we are.

He would be amazed by the visuals, the SFX and likely think the location, sets, costumes etc very authentic.

He would also likely have strongly opposed the changes, and seemed to far prefer straight cuts in a film adaptation rather than the merging or altering of storyline. He would also no doubt be unhappy that so much of the poetry, songs and language has been removed.

It seems from all reports I've heard that he detested all things Hollywood and had little time for any such movie versions. You only have to look at his sons opinions for example.

[scifi guy]

I heard that the rest of the Tolkien Family shuns Chris Tolkien for supporting the movies. Does anyone know if thats true?

[Samwise Gamwich]

Originally posted by Partyman343
What do you guys think would be Tolkien's reaction to the movies if he was able to see them?

Basing this very same question we also must assume that J.R.R. would also have to posess a modern mind set for modern filmmaking.....

I think he would be VERY proud!.....

P.J. is ALSO a Master Storyteller!!!

[Samwise Gamwich]

Originally posted by scifi guy
I heard that the rest of the Tolkien Family shuns Chris Tolkien for supporting the movies. Does anyone know if thats true?

Reverse that

Chris Tolkien is very much against the movies but not the rest of the family....

J.R.R. would be very proud!

[jeti]

Hmm, I seem to be the only one who seem to think that JRRT would have hated the movie - and especially all the related hype, marketing and merchandising surrounding it.

I am not particularly well versed in Tolkiens personal character, so I may be wrong, but I got the impression that he regarded moviemaking as an inferior form of art compared to literature. So I think he would consider PJ's work a degradation of his original work, especially since the poetry and lyrics seems to have been thrown out like garbage. He would probably have liked to hear the elven language spoken, though.

[Macbane]

I think Tolkein would have appreciated the effort put into these films. Plus, if he was alive I would like to think he would have had some input into the films and smacked PJ across the head for making all that Arwen nonsense in TTT. ;)

[The Moose]

adt made a good point, he would have wanted all those songs and poems to be in the film, an not just left out, as they would have taken a lot of work

[adt100]

Originally posted by jeti
Hmm, I seem to be the only one who seem to think that JRRT would have hated the movie - and especially all the related hype, marketing and merchandising surrounding it.

I am not particularly well versed in Tolkiens personal character, so I may be wrong, but I got the impression that he regarded moviemaking as an inferior form of art compared to literature. So I think he would consider PJ's work a degradation of his original work, especially since the poetry and lyrics seems to have been thrown out like garbage. He would probably have liked to hear the elven language spoken, though.

No I'm right with you there! All the evidence points towards that. I don't see why just because we love the film he should, however good a 'film' it is.

The only thing I think would impress him are the visuals of the whole film and how spectacular it all looks. Especially as so many of the key locations are just like Lee and Howe's paintings.

[PsYkOoOoO]

i you were tolkien of course u wld want yr work to be in the film..but then again..it is impossible to do that...after all LOTR is not like HP...

[adt100]

Not necessarily. A book is a book. It is the the definitive story. An author may not want this to be turned into a Hollywood blockbuster film at all. I don't think that is too surprising, especially as JRRT devoted half his life to creating Middle Earth and would want it to be appreciated on the page rather than the silver screen.

[Partyman343]

I think you guys make good points. I had forgotten that he probably would not like the changes in story - though I've gotta think he'd love to be able to "see" Middle Earth and all the visuals. Thanks for the input!

[Lothenon]

but I got the impression that he regarded moviemaking as an inferior form of art compared to literature.
&and all the others

Tolkien himself said that he is glad to inspire artist of every kind (music, drawings etc.) with his books. So I gues he would like PJ's Adaption of LotR. For a movie, it does follow the book quite close. And for the changes .. it was Tolkien who also said that in case of making LotR into a film, he would even cut out the Battle for Helm's Deep to focus on the siege of gondor. I think he was not as ''book-bound'' as most of the Anti-LotR-Movie-Guys are, and that he would accept and endorse most of them. (Source: J.R.R. Tolkien - Letters)

btw: Christopher Tolkien has got nothing to do with PJs LotR. Tolkien selled the Rights to Saul Zaentz. As far as I am informed, PJ did ask CT to support the filmmakers, in vain. It is Cristophers son Simon who supported PJ. At least thats what I've heard.

Edit:

I had forgotten that he probably would not like the changes in story

I think that Tolkien, as most of us do, knew that you cannot make LotR 1:1 into a movie. It's just not possible. There are reasons for most of the changes. Take the Arwen stuff: Arwen was important for Tolkien, but he could not include much of her, cause LotR is written "as seen by the hobbits", a copy of the red book. So he wrote "Aragorn&Arwen" in the appendix. The movie however shows much of that (like Aragorn meeting Arwen, conversaton Arwen<->Elrond), and I think Tolkien would've appreciated that.

[adt100]

'Inspired' is one thing, but making an action flick based adaptation of the novel is quite another IMO.

[PsYkOoOoO]

well..he'll probably like the casting..thats for sure...i think its perfect..

he will be surprised by the special effects..wouldnt it be fun if we lie to him that PJ and gang actually found 200 000 guys toa ct as orcs and built the real minas tirith and stuff...i bet he will believe it..

[The Moose]

that would be classic