LOTR: Book vs Movie and a Giveaway

Over on The Edge of the Precipice I wrote another Book vs. Movie comparison for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which you can read by clicking here, where I discuss some of the biggest changes that Peter Jackson made to the book while adapting it to film. Also on Hamlette's blog, The Edge of the Precipice, she is hosting a giveaway where you can win the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy on DVD! If you already own the films, you can also enter to win a vintage LOTR poster featuring art from James Cauty or a journal with more classic LOTR drawings. For details about the giveaway and how to enter, you can click here. Thank again to Hamlette for the opportunity to guest post, and at some point in the future, she will write a guest review for J and J Productions.

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Return of the King: Book Vs Movie: Part 1.

It is time for some more Lord of the Rings: Books Vs. Movie posts! Similar to how I did the previous Two Towers: Book Vs. Film, you, the reader, will post in the comments (or Twitter and Facebook) what differences you want me to discuss in the post series. Make your comment as long as necessary covering as many differences that interest you the most. More differences to cover means more posts and remember if you have seen the Extend Edition of the Lord of the Rings films, note any differences you may have noticed in those since I own those as well. One point that will definitely be covered is the Scorching of the Shire, because that is obviously different from the movie. On other news, the actor who will be playing the 12th Doctor will be revealed on Sunday!

 

Two Towers: Book Vs Movie: Part 5.

Two Towers: Book Vs Movie: Part 4

Two Towers: Book Vs Movie: Part 3.

Two Towers: Book Vs Movie Part 2.

Two Towers: Book Vs Movie Part 1.

Fellowship of the Ring: Book Vs Movie.

 

 

 

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LOTR: Two Towers: Book Vs Film: Part 5.

Here is the final part of the Lord of the Rings: the Two Towers Book Vs. Film. After I finish the Return of the King I will try and write a similar type post.

     Arguably one of Peter Jackson’s most controversial changes from the book to the film is the scene where Frodo commands Sam to leave his company and return to the Shire on their journey up the Stairs of Cirith Ungol. While, the entire event was moved to the third film, The Return of the King, this had little effect on the actual plot because The Lord of the Rings is one epic story split into three books for marketing purposes. In the book, Frodo and Sam are tricked by Gollum/Smeogal to travel up the Stairs of Cirith Ungol to Shelob’s Lair, where the giant spider named Shelob dwells. After reaching Shelob’s Lair Gollum sneaks away and leaves the Hobbits for Shelob to devour. Frodo and Sam are chased by the spider and Frodo is encapsulated by Shelob’s web and is poisoned by her paralyzing venom. Sam follows close behind and fends off the creature to save Frodo. However, in the movie on the journey up the Stairs of Cirith Ungol, Gollum/Smeogal takes the last piece of Lambas Bread, the Hobbit’s only food, and throws it off the cliff while the Hobbits are sleeping. Additionally, he places crumbs on Sam thus framing him as the culprit. Because of this, Frodo forces Sam to leave and return home since Frodo believes that Sam betrayed him. This is completely out of character for Frodo compared to the book; their friendship is much too strong for Frodo to even consider dismissing Sam. However, this might be due to the more powerful nature of the Ring as previously mentioned. Clearly, in the scene that Frodo is entranced by the power of the One Ring, thus clouding his judgment. The most likely cause for this change is to add drama and suspense when Frodo enters Shelob’s Lair. While the change is somewhat understandable from a film making perspective, it was an unnecessary alteration to Frodo’s character.

      Although devoted fans of The Lord of the Rings books may be annoyed by changes made in the film adaptations, many of these alterations are reasonable. While the books retain their respected position in fantasy literature, the director had to be guided by his goal to produce a suspenseful and visually stunning film. The enormous popularity of the three Lord of the Rings films is ample evidence of his success in this endeavor.

 

EDIT: Despite what I have said in this series of posts, I would never want any second of The Lord of the Rings films to be changed in the slightest. While I there were parts in the film that could have been adapted more accurately, every change from book has a purpose, regardless of whether "purists" like or not. Peter Jackson created three perfect films that have few if any equals in the 21st Century.   

 

 

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LOTR: Two Towers: Book Vs Film: Part 4

Here is part of my Lord of the Rings: Book Vs. Film. Today I focus mainly on what is possibly the most controversial change, Faramir's character, or his character was in the movie, "Jerkamir" because he was a jerk to the the Hobbits. 

Faramir’s encounter with the Hobbits is one of the most significant changes made from book to movie. Not only did it redefine Faramir’s character; it vastly changed the sequence of events. In the movie Faramir is greatly tempted by the Ring and starts to take Frodo and the Ring to his father Denethor in Minis Tirith; conversely in the book he quickly decides to help Frodo and Sam on their journey. Faramir is shown to have great fortitude and character in the book However, in the movie he is an antagonist because the Ring quickly tempts him. Faramir’s character was changed for several reasons, one being: that the Ring in the movie is portrayed as being even more powerful of an evil influence than the more subtle evil of the book, which works much better in the visual medium of film. If Faramir were able to resist the influence of the Ring easily it would have undermined the power of the Ring without extensive exposition. Possibly the most important reason for the change, which was even said by Peter Jackson himself, is that Frodo and Sam needed some form of conflict in the second film, because the conflict at Shelob’s Lair was moved to the third movie (The Lord of the Rings, Blu-Ray). If there were no change, Frodo and Sam would have had a nearly uneventful journey to the pass of Cirith Ungol. Overall the change could have been handled better, but from a film making standpoint it is mostly understandable.

Despite what I have said in this series of posts, I would never want any second of The Lord of the Rings films to be changed in the slightest. While I there were parts in the film that could have been adapted more accurately, every change from book has a purpose, regardless of whether "purists" like or not. Peter Jackson created three perfect films that have few if any equals in the 21st Century.   

If you want to contact us or have any questions please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.

LOTR: Two Towers: Book Vs Film: Part 3.

Here is my Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers: Book Vs. Movie. In part one I will be comparing the chapter "Treebeard" namely, the changes made with "Treebeard's" personality. For this three part post, I have changed my typical writing format to more of a formal five paragraph essay just to give it a try. Due to the time it takes to write such a post, I most likely will not be continuing to write like this, however please give me your opinion of the post.

The Two Towers Book vs. Film

Although there have been many adaptations of books to film, few maintain accuracy to the original source material, which often frustrates the book’s fan base. While The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers is more accurate than most book to film adaptations, there are some changes that the director felt were necessary. Three prominent changes are Treebeard’s personality, Faramir’s nobility and Frodo’s betrayal of Sam.

In the adaptation of the chapter “Treebeard” from book to movie there were several changes. Most notable is Treebeard’s motive for later attacking the tower of Orthanc at Isengard. In the book, he is aware that Saruman is now affiliated with Mordor and that Saruman’s forces are cutting down Fangorn Forrest. Previously he planned an attack on Isengard and later gathered the other Ents at the Entmoot council to convince them to aid in the attack. On the other hand, in the film Merry and Pippin are rescued by Treebeard from the Orcs. Treebeard then assembles the Entmoot council to determine whether Merry and Pippin are Orcs. After determining that Merry and Pippin are not Orcs, Treebeard begins the journey to deliver the Hobbits back to their home. However, Merry and Pippin trick him into taking a route that leads them to the location where the other Ents were cut down by Saruman’s army, thus provoking his attack on the tower of Orthanc. Although the chapter could have been adapted better, it is understandable considering the limited time devoted to these events.

 

Please check back here tomorrow for my new Star Wars post about a up-coming Star Wars film. Also click on these links to read Part 1 and Part 2. of the Two Towers: Book Vs. Film posts.

If you want to contact us or have any question please send an e-mail to johnstarslayer@gmail.com.