Rarely Seen Paintings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Post by wolverine876 » Thu, Jun 16, 2022, 4:57 AM UTC

bombcar wrote: post #13

falcrist wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Despite the Peter Jackson movies, The Hobbit was actually written as a childrens' story rather than a grand epic. I'd wager a lot that the cartoonish nature of his pictures was an accurate reflection of how he saw that story. If you haven't seen the 1977 animated Hobbit film (often called Rankin-Bass after it's creators), you're doing yourself a disservice.

Online you can find a PDF detailing the differences between the pre-LotR Hobbit and the second edition (Tolkien rewrote comparatively small parts of the Hobbit to make it fit and actually didn't expect the publisher to release a second edition with the changes, hence the preface to the Lord of the Rings and Bilbo himself apologizing for "a different version of the story"). You can even see the "Hobbit-esque" writing…

Post by wolverine876 » Thu, Jun 16, 2022, 5:05 AM UTC

stevekemp wrote: post #36

metroholografix wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I found the LOTR movies completely missed the essence and magic of the books and I see them as little more than cliche-ridden hollywood garbage. I can't possibly imagine Tolkien being happy about such depraved debasement of his life's work. The only adaptation of Tolkien's work that I think does justice to it and captures part of Tolkien's spark, are the albums of the Austrian black metal band "Summoning".

In the "Letters of Tolkien" you see a couple of references to screen-plays where he's very critical of changes, condensing, etc. But also a memorable entry in which he says: "Stanley & I have agreed on our policy : Art or Cash. Either very profitable terms indeed; or absolute author’s veto on objectionable features or alterations."

Post by haroldp » Thu, Jun 16, 2022, 6:36 AM UTC

User23 wrote: post #37

swayvil wrote: post #17

Tolkien would have been a good friend. Maybe he was Tom Bombadil. I mean, because that happens so often, the author is mirrored in a character. Tom is kind and generous, but with a serious hidden side. Deep and a bit scary. Maybe Tolkien had a hidden side. I'd like to have known him. His craft, 1000x polished, we see that. But the man. To talk with him. That must be honey and cream. Tolkien, Lewis and Lovecraft all w…

Dunsany is wonderful too. The King of Elfland’s Daughter is charming and a masterpiece. Oh to go beyond the fields we know.

Post by big_curses » Thu, Jun 16, 2022, 6:55 AM UTC

jonnycomputer wrote: post #15

falcrist wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Despite the Peter Jackson movies, The Hobbit was actually written as a childrens' story rather than a grand epic. I'd wager a lot that the cartoonish nature of his pictures was an accurate reflection of how he saw that story. If you haven't seen the 1977 animated Hobbit film (often called Rankin-Bass after it's creators), you're doing yourself a disservice.

I'm a fan of Jackson's LOTR, but his Hobbit was almost a complete failure (in my opinion). Radical departures from feel, and yes, plot, of the book.

Post by rightbyte » Thu, Jun 16, 2022, 8:17 AM UTC

dasil003 wrote: post #34

ghotli wrote: post #27

I've been listening to the audiobook of the Silmarillion while on a run or doing chores. At first I thought "this has to be the worst idea" since I found myself going back constantly and re-listening to bits to find out who was being referenced in some long description or I'd lose track of what happened entirely. However, I've since decided that this must be the best way to enjoy all the little detail. Each re-listen…

I first read the Silmarillion 20 years ago and then re-read it last year. What struck me is how short it actually is, compared to the sense of scale that I remembered. Of course the Silmarillion is cherrypicked from decades of manuscripts, so I guess it shouldn't be surprising that it conveys a sense of mythological world-building depth beyond its page count.