Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical Versions) - April 6, 2010

[threefiftyrocket]

Oh man oh man... Yes, LotR group... Yes, its my precious... great idea Grand Bob, man I need to find my copies of the books now, gotta start reading them again. For some reason, they are still packed away in a box from my move 2 frickin years ago!!!

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Fors*

I would join as well guys! I am about 2/3 rd's the way thru the Silmarillion right now.....I think I am past the real tough part (thankfully), as Tolkien obviously never meant for someone like ourselves to ever read the passages he wrote in this book.

It's all downhill now! The big battles, "really big" battle, Numenor, and the forging of the Ring of Power are within sight. You can see why it was never as popular as LoTR and why publishers were reluctant to have Tolkien finish it before "Rings". It seems obvious to me that Tolkien was exhibiting his faith in this story; the dark and hopeless endeavors and battles of the Elves against evil (Morgoth), and the fall of Men, were a result of abandoning the will of the Powers (Valar) and "God" (Eru), and Tolkien was devoutly religious. As we have noted before, the "density" of the material is the end result of one of the greatest scholars of the English language having about 50 years and only 300 pages to distill his passion. It requires familiarity to appreciate, and it was only on about the third reading (and references on hand) that I began to recognize it for the masterpiece that it is.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by threefiftyrocket

I need to find my copies of the books now, gotta start reading them again. For some reason, they are still packed away in a box from my move 2 frickin years ago!!!

Say it ain't true!

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by radagast

Have you seen The Annotated Hobbit? That's the best edition, in my opinion. How many editions of LOTR do you have? I have collected different editions over the years.

Yes, "Annotated" is an excellent edition. I prefer the Michael Hague illustrated edition, as his paintings seem to fit the "tone" of the story well. It is easier to show my editions rather than list them. Most of them are in the photo of post # 45 of this link: https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/128...vs-book-3.html. My favorite edition of LoTR is the Alan Lee illustrated edition from 1992(?). I would like to get one of the India paper editions published around 2000, but they go for about a grand. Hey, my birthday is coming!

[radagast]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

Maybe we should get a group going about the time the movies come out, there should be more interest at that time and potentially more of "the faithful" on the site. The History of Middle Earth books are a tough to get through, but rewarding, and you get to read the "actual" end of the story, the epilogue chapter that Tolkien decided not to publish in RoTK (few people have seen this). I'm glad that Trotter the Hobbit was replaced by Strider; one of the huge improvements that were made during development of the story.

That's right. it was Trotter. Although if I remember correctly, when it was changed to Strider, he was still a hobbit at first.

[radagast]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

Yes, "Annotated" is an excellent edition. I prefer the Michael Hague illustrated edition, as his paintings seem to fit the "tone" of the story well. It is easier to show my editions rather than list them. Most of them are in the photo of post # 45 of this link: https://forum.blu-ray.com/movies/128...vs-book-3.html. My favorite edition of LoTR is the Alan Lee illustrated edition from 1992(?). I would like to get one of the India paper editions published around 2000, but they go for about a grand. Hey, my birthday is coming!

Which editions are the "India paper"? One of the sets I have has LOTR and the Hobbit in 7 volumes. Is that the one?

I also have the Elvish dictionary, which is interesting.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by radagast

Which editions are the "India paper"? One of the sets I have has LOTR and the Hobbit in 7 volumes. Is that the one?

I've only seen it at this website: http://derhobbit-film.de/collecting-tolkien.shtml? It's about half-way down the page. Sometimes I get tempted because I do read it every year, but we still owe alot on the kids' college and now there's the grandkids... I also see that "Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien" is going for $200. Glad I got that one when it first came out!

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

I've only seen it at this website: http://derhobbit-film.de/collecting-tolkien.shtml? It's about half-way down the page. Sometimes I get tempted because I do read it every year, but we still owe alot on the kids' college and now there's the grandkids... I also see that "Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien" is going for $200. Glad I got that one when it first came out!

Speak, friend and enter.
What's the Elvish word for friend?
Mellon.
Aragorn: Are you frightened?
Frodo: Yes.
Aragorn: Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you.

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Frodo: What do you want?
Aragorn: A little more caution from you, that is no trinket you carry.
Frodo: I carry nothing.
Aragorn: Indeed. I can avoid being seen if I wish, but to disappear entirely, that is a rare gift.

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Boromir: [holding the ring after Frodo has lost it] It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing.

Why didn't Sean Bean get more love for this performance? I actually think he rivaled Sir Ian McKellen as Mithrandir.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

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Boromir: [holding the ring after Frodo has lost it] It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing. Such a little thing.

An absolute classic line and one of the most symbolism-filled scenes ever put in a movie. That "thing" he is holding on the chain as he is speaking those words is the actual physical manifestation of Evil and the most powerful object ever created.

[threefiftyrocket]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

Why didn't Sean Bean get more love for this performance? I actually think he rivaled Sir Ian McKellen as Mithrandir.

I totally agree, although I really enjoy just about everything I've seen Sean Bean in... Troy, Ronin, Equilibrium, National Treasure, Patriot Games... He is an AWESOME actor... Really liked him as Boromir

[Batman1980]

Aragorn: If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword...
Legolas: ...and you have my bow...
Gimli: ...and my axe.
Boromir: You carry the fate of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done.

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Elrond: Nine companions. So be it. You shall be the fellowship of the ring.
Pippin: Great! Where are we going?

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Odd that my mother considers this the most boring movie ever...

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

Odd that my mother considers this the most boring movie ever...

She's not alone. There are many people who "just don't get it", just as there are many people that see only "2001" as the most boring exhibition ever put on film, without realizing the scope of the subject, which is the totality of human evolution and the reason for existence. Similarly, when asked for a short answer of "what is the 'Lord of the Rings' about", Tolkiens simple reply was: death and the desire for deathlessness.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

She's not alone. There are many people who "just don't get it", just as there are many people that see only "2001" as the most boring exhibition ever put on film, without realizing the scope of the subject, which is the totality of human evolution and the reason for existence. Similarly, when asked for a short answer of "what is the 'Lord of the Rings' about", Tolkiens simple reply was: death and the desire for deathlessness.

Hence -

Galadriel: It began with the forging of the Great Rings. Three were given to the Elves; immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Seven, to the Dwarf Lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of Men, who above all else desire power. For within these rings was bound the strength and the will to govern over each race. But they were all of them deceived, for a new ring was made. In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret, a master ring, to control all others. And into this ring he poured all his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life. One ring to rule them all. One by one, the free peoples of Middle Earth fell to the power of the Ring. But there were some who resisted. A last alliance of men and elves marched against the armies of Mordor, and on the very slopes of Mount Doom, they fought for the freedom of Middle-Earth. Victory was near, but the power of the ring could not be undone. It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the king, took up his father's sword. And Sauron, enemy of the free peoples of Middle-Earth, was defeated. The Ring passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever, but the hearts of men are easily corrupted. And the ring of power has a will of its own. It betrayed Isildur, to his death. And some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend. Legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand years, the ring passed out of all knowledge. Until, when chance came, the ring ensnared another bearer. The ring came to the creature Gollum, who took it deep into the tunnels under the Misty Mountains, and there it consumed him. The ring gave to Gollum unnatural long life. For five hundred years it poisoned his mind; and in the gloom of Gollum's cave, it waited. Darkness crept back into the forests of the world. Rumor grew of a shadow in the East, whispers of a nameless fear, and the Ring of Power perceived. Its time had now come. It abandoned Gollum. But then something happened that the Ring did not intend. It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable. A hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, of the Shire. For the time will soon come when hobbits will shape the fortunes of all...

Honestly, one of the biggest cinematic moments for me EVER, for the longest time all I heard was LoTR was unfilmable but I would say you would be very hard pressed to get someone to do a better job than Jackson did.

[DarkRider23]

I haven't seen any of these movies in about a year... I REALLY want to see them on Blu Ray, but I really want to see the extended versions. What am I to do?

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

I heard was LoTR was unfilmable but I would say you would be very hard pressed to get someone to do a better job than Jackson did.

I agree with you and think he did about the best anyone could expect, even though I like the books more. If you get a chance, it might be worth your time to read the humorous response of Tolkien to the first attempt to film the books. It is in "The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien", edited by Humphrey Carpenter, on pages 270 to 277.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by DarkRider23

I haven't seen any of these movies in about a year... I REALLY want to see them on Blu Ray, but I really want to see the extended versions. What am I to do?

The best course of action is probably to buy or rent the TE's when they are issued next month, and then commence the long wait. As for myself, there is no way I am going wait years to see them in HD, and I like the TE's anyway.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

The best course of action is probably to buy or rent the TE's when they are issued next month, and then commence the long wait. As for myself, there is no way I am going wait years to see them in HD, and I like the TE's anyway.

I haven't seen them since 2008 and I'm not waiting till 2012 to see them again. I honestly think seeing them in full 1080p HD will be like seeing them again for the first time, I may actually tear up a bit when it happens.
Aragorn: I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White City fall, nor our people fail.
Boromir: Our people, our people. I would have would have followed you, my brother... my captain... my king.
Aragorn: Be at peace, Son of Gondor.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

I haven't seen them since 2008 and I'm not waiting till 2012 to see them again. I honestly think seeing them in full 1080p HD will be like seeing them again for the first time, I may actually tear up a bit when it happens.

Regarding the TE's, one of my favorite moments is when the Fellowship leaves Lothlorien. As they sail by Galadriel (during her voice-over narration about the phial) - up to the Fellowship theme on the Great River, Howard Shore's score at that point combined with the visuals is one of the absolute best of the series. The score in the EE's was replaced with more humdrum music that disappoints me every time I watch it.

[Batman1980]

I know it bothered a lot of people, the way Jackson portrayed Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took but I loved it!
Aragorn: Gentlemen, we do not stop till nightfall.
Pippin: What about breakfast?
Aragorn: You've already had it.
Pippin: We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast?
[Aragorn turns and walks off in disgust]
Merry: I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.
Pippin: What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?
Merry: I wouldn't count on it.

[threefiftyrocket]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

Aragorn: I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White City fall, nor our people fail.
Boromir: Our people, our people. I would have would have followed you, my brother... my captain... my king.
Aragorn: Be at peace, Son of Gondor.

I absolutely LOVE that part... I kinda tear up a bit every time I see it (Yeah, I said it, not shamed to admit it!)