Directed by Peter Jackson. Based on the novels by JRR Tolkien. Starring Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Bean, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis
I am definitely one of those "Catholic Tolkien enthusiasts" who enjoys a good eyeroll at these films, but your points here are all excellent, Joe! Since I'm currently rereading LOTR, this post was a very timely reminder for me to be grateful for all the good that these films do indeed exhibit and preserve. Thank you!
Thanks, Rachel! I get the eyerolling for sure; the books are definitely better and I will never deny that. But it's a great transfer of the story to a different medium, and I'm glad we can appreciate what it does!
The Lord of the Rings trilogy (the extended editions), for me, is second only to the Star Wars saga. Sorry if this irritates anyone, but I have to admit that I prefer the movies to the books. I like Tolkien but I am not a big fan. Speaking of the books, my two favorite chapters were, ironically, almost completely edited from the films (The Choices of Master Samwise and The Steward and the King). I'm actually ok with that though.
Been waiting for this article for a long time! Its a great read, Joe. Thank you for writing this.
You're welcome, Max! Glad you liked it.
I am definitely one of those "Catholic Tolkien enthusiasts" who enjoys a good eyeroll at these films, but your points here are all excellent, Joe! Since I'm currently rereading LOTR, this post was a very timely reminder for me to be grateful for all the good that these films do indeed exhibit and preserve. Thank you!
Thanks, Rachel! I get the eyerolling for sure; the books are definitely better and I will never deny that. But it's a great transfer of the story to a different medium, and I'm glad we can appreciate what it does!
Very true! Also, without the films, we would never have gotten Howard's Shore's absolute masterpiece, so that alone is enough to make them worthwhile.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy (the extended editions), for me, is second only to the Star Wars saga. Sorry if this irritates anyone, but I have to admit that I prefer the movies to the books. I like Tolkien but I am not a big fan. Speaking of the books, my two favorite chapters were, ironically, almost completely edited from the films (The Choices of Master Samwise and The Steward and the King). I'm actually ok with that though.