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[Onikaan]

Watched it for the 2nd time last night. Such a great adaptation.

So they needed a chaser, a threat for the company throughout the first film. They fulfilled that need with Azog. But why Azog? It seems to me Bolg would have played that part, considering he's at the end of the book and Azog was killed in the Battle of Azanulbizar.

Any thoughts?

 

[Loxley]

Watched it for the 2nd time last night. Such a great adaptation.

So they needed a chaser, a threat for the company throughout the first film. They fulfilled that need with Azog. But why Azog? It seems to me Bolg would have played that part, considering he's at the end of the book and Azog was killed in the Battle of Azanulbizar.

Any thoughts?

Using Azog gave Thorin a far more personal connection to the antagonist, given that Azog killed Thrór.

Also, there are a couple of theories that Azog still being alive will be explained in one of the next two films.

 

[Candeldandel]

Oh dear, I hope everyone doesn't mind me showing off again! I sent my NZ friend some Portland swag last month, and her return care package finally arrived this week--

--and these are the Hobbity things she sent! <3 The keychain went on my backpack, but I'm utterly terrified of using the pin because I'm afraid of losing it. It'll live with my other Hobbit memorabilia for now

Needless to say this has not helped my crippling desire to visit New Zealand.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Oh dear, I hope everyone doesn't mind me showing off again! I sent my NZ friend some Portland swag last month, and her return care package finally arrived this week--



--and these are the Hobbity things she sent! <3 The keychain went on my backpack, but I'm utterly terrified of using the pin because I'm afraid of losing it. It'll live with my other Hobbit memorabilia for now

Needless to say this has not helped my crippling desire to visit New Zealand.

Lovely stuff.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

John Boorman discusses his discarded LOTR film

The interview starts a few minutes in.

http://www.empireonline.com/podcast/


Lest we forget some of his ideas:

After the destruction of the Ringwraiths at the Fords of Bruinen, Frodo is carried into the sparkling palace of Rivendell, where in a vast amphitheatre full of chanting elves he is laid naked on a crystal table and covered with green leaves. A thirteen-year-old Arwen surgically removes the Morgul-blade fragment from his shoulder with a red-hot knife under the threatening axe of Gimli, while Gandalf dares Boromir to try to take the Ring.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Wow. Thanks for posting that. At first I only read the highlighted stuff... man.

Now that is some HBO Lord of the Rings stuff.

Ah, Boorman.

His worst idea was the seduction of Frodo by Galadriel.

There's a lot more info on the three pre Peter Jackson scripts (Conkling/Beagle, Boorman and Zimmerman) here:

http://faculty-staff.ou.edu/C/Janet.B.Croft-1/three_rings_for_hollywood.htm

 

[Edmond Dantès]

What's interesting about the analysis of the three scripts noted above is that Janet Brennan Croft is the Tolkien scholar for The Hobbit trilogy.

She has this to say in conclusion to her analysis:

What is the solution to the problem of writing the perfect adaptation of Tolkien?  Would a twenty-hour miniseries be long enough to cover all the nuances of his work, or would readers still be disappointed? Readers may dream about the day when a filmmaker will be daring enough to stick to Tolkien's unusual structure, dialogue, and original story, yet creative enough to add the touches that make a great movie more than just a literal transcription from page to screen. But it may be impossible, and perhaps even undesirable. Tolkien may have been right in saying that a film can never capture all the nuances of a work of fiction. The film playing in the reader's mind, after all, is the one that reader really wants to see.

I think we can see her influence on An Unexpected Journey's script shining through at times in the film.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

My favorite part from the Boorman stuff noted above (thanks again, this stuff is gold):



The analysis of the treatments continues:

I noticed that one too. One can only imagine how traumatizing that scene would be to younger viewers and fans of Dwarves.

Gandalf doesn't come across very well in Boorman's script. With a friend like that who needs enemies.

 

[Candeldandel]

Unfortunately I don't have time this morning to craft a proper reply about those scrips, but wow. The things that have been highlighted in this thread? Kinda make me sick to my stomach, honestly. How brutal And the comments in the article about the roles of the already sparse women were either greatly reduced, or changed in a sexualized manner? (Though they mention Arwen being a "warrior princess" in PJ's adaptation, the only time I see her as such is when she brings Frodo back to Rivendell) It sounds like I would have passed on watching these movies at all.

 

[Platy]

The dude I posted on the female super hero redesign thread is making some Silmarilion stuff ...

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Unfortunately I don't have time this morning to craft a proper reply about those scrips, but wow. The things that have been highlighted in this thread? Kinda make me sick to my stomach, honestly. How brutal And the comments in the article about the roles of the already sparse women were either greatly reduced, or changed in a sexualized manner? (Though they mention Arwen being a "warrior princess" in PJ's adaptation, the only time I see her as such is when she brings Frodo back to Rivendell) It sounds like I would have passed on watching these movies at all.

Many would share your sentiment. These scripts should be held up as examples of how not to adapt a novel.

This one from the above summary is hard to fathom:



Oh riiiiight....A "Live action version".

...And to exactly no one's surprise, there was no further correspondence between the author and the young film maker.

Might just fire up Excalibur again as I haven't seen it for awhile. This definitely adds some new colour to it and thanks again for posting the article.

You're welcome. You should check out Loxley's all encompassing Tolkien thread if you haven't already. The One thread to rule them all.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

The dude I posted on the female super hero redesign thread is making some Silmarilion stuff ...

Not too shabby, not too shabby at all.

 

[Loxley]

I love that Manwë design (assuming that's him on the left).

 

[Edmond Dantès]

How the Hobbit team brought Radagast to life

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/how-the-hobbit-team-brought-radagast-to-life-154356687.html

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Overabundant eccentricities aside, I'm actually going to be quite sad if something untowards happens to Radagast.

 

[Candeldandel]

[illustration]

The dude I posted on the female super hero redesign thread is making some Silmarilion stuff ...

I really dig the clean lines and defined style he has as a comic artist. Galadriel looks badass! And Melian <3 I'ma have to learn more about her.

 

[Candeldandel]

How the Hobbit team brought Radagast to life

http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/how-the-hobbit-team-brought-radagast-to-life-154356687.html

This just puts such a highlight on how they did such a fabulous job casting everyone. Everything about him is so good. His voice, posture, attitude, expressions... yep. And here I thought wizards couldn't get more cuddly than Gandalf

That being said, if PJ crams just one

Spoiler

ultra-depressing character related incident

into his adaptation that isn't already in the book, I swear. I'm already bracing myself for There And Back Again, I don't need... well, not need, but want. I don't want to be surprised by extra unpleasentries. Which is, of course, just me setting myself up for a bad time.

 

[Loxley]

This just puts such a highlight on how they did such a fabulous job casting everyone. Everything about him is so good. His voice, posture, attitude, expressions... yep. And here I thought wizards couldn't get more cuddly than Gandalf

That being said, if PJ crams just one

Spoiler

ultra-depressing character related incident

into his adaptation that isn't already in the book, I swear. I'm already bracing myself for There And Back Again, I don't need... well, not need, but want. I don't want to be surprised by extra unpleasentries. Which is, of course, just me setting myself up for a bad time.

Sebastian

 

[Candeldandel]

Sebastian

Sebastian LIVES! We got lucky! I mean, he got lucky. For now.

(Artist)

 

[Loxley]

Oh right, I completely forgot that Radagast managed to revive him. Drinks all around

 

[B-Dubs]

Oh right, I completely forgot that Radagast managed to revive him. Drinks all around

I'd have been so sad if Sebastian died. Like inconsolable, easily my favorite character.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Sebastian will lead an army of hedgehogs against The Necromancer.

 

[strafer]

The Bluray version isn't full screen is it?

 

[Edmond Dantès]

The Bluray version isn't full screen is it?

It's 2.40:1

 

[strafer]

Just watched The Hobbit on Bluray.

dat picture quality

 

[Proelite]

Thought this might be the relevant thread to put it.

Friend showed it to me.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Thought this might be the relevant thread to put it.

Friend showed it to me.

Quite the tongue twister.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Viggo Mortensen still Hopeful for a return as Aragorn in The Hobbit trilogy

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=77542

Bugger off Viggo, Aragorn has no place in The Hobbit.

 

[Vashetti]

Viggo Mortensen still Hopeful for a return as Aragorn in The Hobbit trilogy

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=77542

Bugger off Viggo, Aragorn has no place in The Hobbit.

If they expand on Gollum's story they can have him in Movie 3.

 

[Loxley]

Viggo Mortensen still Hopeful for a return as Aragorn in The Hobbit trilogy

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=77542

Bugger off Viggo, Aragorn has no place in The Hobbit.

Hmmm.

If they expand on Gollum's story they can have him in Movie 3.

I suppose, but that would still be a serious stretch. Honestly I feel like it would come as just kind of a lame excuse to make another connection to the LotR trilogy and needlessly bring another character back.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Hmmm.



I suppose, but that would still be a serious stretch. Honestly I feel like it would come as just kind of a lame excuse to make another connection to the LotR trilogy and needlessly bring another character back.

Indeed.

I would have been okay with a reference to Estel in Rivendell while the party were there, but Viggo's Aragorn makes no sense considering the time period.

 

[Loxley]

One day my LotR collection will look like this guy's. I especially love his table with Bilbo and Frodo's belongings in it.

...one day

 

[#1 defender]

Wow, that table is awesome.

 

[Sushigod7]

I've never seen a collectors room done so well. It's not even something you can put into words.

 

[maquiladora]

Wow.

 

[Loxley]

Here's another one:

 

[SiegfriedFM]

Which doesn't help my idea of getting a sword, probably Theoden's. Speaking of which, I'm assuming that there's plenty of cheap copies. Where do I get one of proper quality that doesn't kill my wallet at the same time?

 

[Napalm_Frank]

Out of all the swords in the movies Theodens is easily the most recognizable. Was it ever named in the books, I can't remember.

Orcrist of course might rival it just with its distinct look.

 

[B-Dubs]

Out of all the swords in the movies Theodens is easily the most recognizable. Was it ever named in the books, I can't remember.

It's name is Herugrim I believe. If the LOTR wiki is to be believed.

 

[Loxley]

Which doesn't help my idea of getting a sword, probably Theoden's. Speaking of which, I'm assuming that there's plenty of cheap copies. Where do I get one of proper quality that doesn't kill my wallet at the same time?

Replica Dungeon sells it for $179.99. For comparison, my officially licensed replica of Orcrist was $199.99.

Out of all the swords in the movies Theodens is easily the most recognizable. Was it ever named in the books, I can't remember.

Orcrist of course might rival it just with its distinct look.

His sword was named Herugrim, which was never mentioned in the films.

 

[Megalosaro]

I'd say Sting is more recognizable. But that might be because it has the most shots solely of it, in order to bring attention to its blue.

Personally I think Glamdring is a pretty sexy piece of hardware, myself

 

[Napalm_Frank]

I'd say Sting is more recognizable.

Not actually sure it's a sword.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Not actually sure it's a sword.

More of a letter opener, really.

 

[B-Dubs]

More of a dagger really.

Are we sure it's even a dagger? I'm pretty sure Elrond was using it to butter his toast...

 

[Napalm_Frank]

Does Wormtongues dagger have a name?

Backstabvonvile or something?

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Speaking of weapons; the two greatest named weapons, excluding Rings of Power.

Grond: The Hammer of the Underworld and
Ringil, the sword of Fingolfin.

 

[B-Dubs]

Speaking of weapons; the two greatest named weapons, excluding Rings of Power.

Grond: The Hammer of the Underworld and
Ringil, the sword of Fingolfin.

That looks slightly miss-matched.

 

[Sushigod7]

That forum is so awesome thanks for linking that Loxley.

 

[Candeldandel]

Here's another one:

Hahahaha hoooly crap. That is an insane collection of one series' worth of swords. I wanna say I'm jealous, but there's no way, man. To collect that amount of memorabilia ... one kind of one series' memorabilia? Wow.

I would do... things... for that book of Bilbo's though. That's fucking gorgeous.

 

[Platy]

Parka Blogs posted a review of the Second artbook for the Unexpected Journey.
Includes a video of flipping throgh the pages

Some of the pics in the article :

and everyone's favorite character :