I haven't been paying much attention to following the development of the Lord of the Rings trilogy into films. I didn't think they'd be able to do justice to the books. However, I saw part of "The Making of LOTR" on Discovery, and now I can hardly wait! The clips look FANTASTIC.

I "discovered" The Hobbit and LOTR in college when the books were released in paperback (library services in my hometown were non-existant and pretty slim at my high school). My cousin/roommate and I devoured the books. Everyone read them and discussed them. When that cousin had a son, I made certain that he got the series to read. For many years, I re-read them probably once a year. It's been awhile now, probably at least five years, since I've read them, and I'm kind of glad. I want to go into seeing the movie without thinking too much about the images I built in my mind.

Already one disappointment: Christopher Lee plays Saruman, but I would rather have seen him as Gandalf. I'm a Christopher Lee fan, and though I agree he makes an excellent villain, he is quite capable of being the hero. Ah well, perhaps he has to do the villains because other actors can do heroes but not villains? I am curious to see how they have dealt with the hobbits supposedly being about 40" tall. They've chosen actors of short stature, but they're still a lot taller than that!

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001

Answers

Oh yeah, [babble,babble], they filmed all three of the books/movies at the same time. Julie says she heard that the second and third movies will be released at TWO YEAR intervals! Arrrghh!

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001

When I was a kid I used to sit in the back pew in church and read Tolkien during the sermon. That probably explains a lot about me! :) I even took a class on Tolkien in college, but I haven't touched the books since then so I've forgotten a lot of it.

They've supposedly used computer tricks to make the hobbits and dwarves look the proper height. Hopefully the technology has improved since "Willow". They were supposed to release one movie every year, but the second one may be delayed a few months so it doesn't compete with the next "Matrix" movie.

Speaking of "The Matrix", the guy who played Agent Smith is playing Elrond in LOTR. I saw a production still of him in the makeup and it looks good, just the right blend of mystical and creepy. I'm still not sold on Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, but Liv Tyler looks like she was born to wear pointy ears.

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001

Now we know what happened to you Sherri!!!!! LOL.....what was the name of the little guy that loved "prettys"??? I love sparkly things and think of him every time I add to my collection.

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001

I saw the interviews with stars on "Live with Regis..." and they said that they would all be released WITHEN two years.

I and my DH can't wait. Sure looks good to me, and I love a good read. Am usually disappointed when books become movies, but not always. :-)

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001

Diane, are you thinking of Gollum?

I agree with you about Liv Tyler, Sherri -- I'm not sure she doesn't already have slightly pointed ears. Actually I knew a couple of guys (brothers) who had tiny little points on the top of his ears. Julie, if you're wondering who I mean, Max and Rex.

I hope you guys are right and they'll be coming out one per year!

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001

Caught something on TV and they said that when they tried to deviate from the books but ended up going back to them again and pretty much did the books word for word.

By the way, I saw Harry Potter and thought it was good. Remember when Hocus Pocus first came out and it was outrageous that the cat talked? Then again, remember when pong first came out, my son can't famptom that as an exciting game.

-- Anonymous, December 13, 2001

Oh, I rarely ever get out to movies...it's such a haul, after dark, when I'm headed in the other direction, things like that, but I am going to make a real big exception on this one! GOT to see it! I've seen a number of clips of the special effects and that alone would have me salivating.

I heard just the other day that Tolkein's trilogy has been declared 'The' Book of the previous century -- and that it is not only the most purchased, but also the most often not finished by readers. Huh. I read my paperbacks so many times through that the pages started falling out and I had to rubberband the books together. I finally popped for hardcover.

I believe that the actor's name is Hugo Weaving (not positive) -- anyway, the guy who plays Elrond. He was also in 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert'. I'm going to have a hard time not thinking about that whenever he is on screen. (by the way Sherri, I knew that was your post after the first sentance! Yep, it sure explains some.)

The Ring Wraiths are really neat, they look CGI (Computer Generated Image), I was trying to peer closely at their horses, but they were too tiny on the screen. THey showed the crossing of the river into Rivendell, with the white foam horses cresting the waves -- then I really started going bonkers and hopping around the room in excitement. I'm for special effects like Gollum for 'Precious'....

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2001

Oh yeh, I'm gonna brave a dark, cold theater for this one. The last time I was in a movie theater was "Dances with Wolves". That's how long it's been. Joy, if I were an actor I think I'd prefer playing the villian. Lots more fun.

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2001

Well, that was dumb -- forgot to post the website: LOTR

Here's another one that I found by accident: LINK

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2001

Yes, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing LOTR. I'm hoping it will be better than the Harry Potter movie. HP wasn't bad, but I didn't think it lived up to the hype. Ruth loved it, though. She devoured all 4 of the books as soon as they came out, too. :-)

BTW, MTV did a half hour program on the making of LOTR, too - they showed some exclusive clips from the movie. The scenery is stunning - I can't wait to see it on the big screen.

The early reviews for LOTR look good:

''Lord'' runs rings around ``Potter'' - critics

-- Anonymous, December 14, 2001

So, have any of you seen it yet? Three of my friends went yesterday, I'll be seeing them tonight to get their report. The initial reviews look good, maybe we can knock little Harry Potter right off his broomstick! :)

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I'm hoping to see it this weekend - time permitting.

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

We went yesterday afternoon to see it. My husband was so excited to see it, he too off from work early. I met him there. We really liked it. I especially liked the scenery. The look and feel of the whole movie was great! I wish I lived in a hobbit hole!

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

I think I'm going to try next week. I suppose that won't be a great time, since the kids will be off from school. Do you think Christmas Day would be a good day? Would there be fewer there because it's Christmas Day? Or more? What about a late show on Christmas Eve?

-- Anonymous, December 20, 2001

Going tonight, going tonight!!! Yay!

-- Anonymous, December 21, 2001

I feel sort of like I'm talking to myself here, but I guess you'll all stumble in sooner of later . . . . .

I LOVED IT!!!! I think I'll go see it again soon. There just TOO MUCH too look at and see and enjoy in one viewing. Though I'll try to get in a cheaper matinee.

Went with a couple of friends, and one commented that a fellow from work saw it and thought it stunk. Thought Peter Jackson (director & producer) had 'ruined' the story. Well! It wasn't exactly like the pictures in my head. For ONCE, I can say -- they did a better job than I imagined. [sigh] I'm too jazzed over it to go to sleep. But I guess I'll go to bed anyway. If nothing else I can lie there in the dark and replay it in my mind!

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001

I'm glad you liked it Joy. My friends who saw it on opening day were raving too. I'm fighting off a cold and that's thrown a wrench in my plans (had to postpone my visit with Diane until Thursday boo hoo), but I'm hoping to get to see it next weekend.

-- Anonymous, December 22, 2001

Well, Joy; Jessie and Cory (latest beau) just got back from seeing the movie - they loved it; although they were griping about the end! I had gotten my set of the 4 books back in high school and was sitting there trying to answer their questions about what happened next - wasn't having much luck since I hadn't read the books since before Jes was born!! Finally gave up and went downstairs; only had to dig through 4 boxes before I found the books - woo-hoo!! I guess when she gets done with them, I'll have to read them again. I (very) vaguely remember seeing a cartoon version of the Hobbit when I was about 20; didn't remember it as being all that enthralling. Then again, that could have just been the date that wasn't entralling!

-- Anonymous, December 23, 2001

Oh, yes, at the 'end' it is quite obvious that there is more to come. I don't know how I can wait a whole year! [sigh]

I will probably re-read the books too, in a couple of months. There was stuff left out, but there is a limit to how much you can cram into 3 hours, especially since a lot of the scenes took more time to 'see' than to read. I don't want to say much more because I don't want to spoil any of it for anyone.

-- Anonymous, December 24, 2001

Well Joy, we went again! My husband insisted that we take the kids. I still really liked it. I picked up on a few things which I hadn't the first time around. But this will pobably be the last time for me for awhile. Six hours in a theater in the same week is plenty for me!

-- Anonymous, December 24, 2001

I'm trying to finish re-reading the Fellowship of the Ring today. We are planning on going to see it tomorrow after lunch. Somehow it seems easier to read the older I get. Wonder why that is? I remember not even finishing it the first time I read it, however I've read it at least 3 times since then. I'd love to live in a hobbit hole too! Actually I've tried to make my house look like something a hobbit would like. It is slow going, but fun.

-- Anonymous, December 24, 2001

If you get the National Geographic channel you may want to check out this TV show tonight, it sounds pretty interesting.

National Geographic Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings

National Geographic EXPLORER embarks on a journey to the far corners of the globe and back into time to explore the impact of cultural forces that inspired the current motion picture adaptation of the first book of J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy in National Geographic Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings.

EXPLORER examines how Tolkien's imaginary world of hobbits and wizards reflects today's world in conflict by delving into the parallels between ancient myths, events, and languages and those created by Tolkien and interpreted cinematically by director Peter Jackson in New Line Cinema's The Fellowship of the Ring.

The National Geographic documentary explores the influences and events of Tolkien's lifetime, including the First World War, which greatly impacted the author. With combat footage, including some of the battalion to which Tolkien belonged, National Geographic journeys to the trenches of the battle of the Somme where the author witnessed the death of friends, the disintegration of rigid class boundaries, and the deeply scarred earth. It was in this setting that Tolkien began to imagine his epic story.

National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Wade Davis takes viewers to a remote village in Finland to meet one of the last "rune-singers," who sings the Kalevala. Composed from a collection of old ballads and lyric poetry, the Kalevala recounts the mythical history of the Finns— the creation of the world and the adventurous journeys of brave heroes. Finnish, the language of the Kalevala, is believed to have influenced Tolkien's invented language of the elves.

Featuring exclusive footage from The Fellowship of the Ring and interviews with the cast and filmmakers, National Geographic Beyond the Movie: The Lord of the Rings premieres on EXPLORER on Sunday, December 23, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on MSNBC. The program will be repeated on Friday, December 28, at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. It will be released on home video and DVD in February 2002.

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2001

Oops, I misread the article, the show is going to be on MSNBC, not the National Geographic channel.

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2001

Yeah, National Geo EXPLORER is apparently produced for MSNBC. I discovered this program was on Sunday night, after it was too late to see it. Then I forgot to look for future dates.

I'm going to tape it, in case I get interrupted. It's TWO hours, if anyone else is setting their VCR's. Thanks for the alert, Sherri!

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2001

We went to see LOTR last weekend and loved it! I had to initially drag Ruth to the theater to see it but she ended up liking it *much* more than the Harry Potter movie.

I wanted to add to Sherri's post that the MSNBC special on LOTR will also be repeated on Sunday, Dec. 30 at 5 p.m. CST in case anyone misses tonights showing.

BTW, Ruth has the hots for the guy (Viggo Mortensen)who plays Aragorn in the film. :-)

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2001

The show is also re-running tonight at midnight, central time, and it is only one hour on LOTR. The second hour is a different National Geo documentary about owls.

Viggo Mortenson appears to be quite a chameleon -- he certainly looks different in almost every photo I've seen of him. And though he is, physically, more like I pictured Boromir, he got the personality dead on -- In my opinion, that is! I thought Ian McKellan did a great Gandalf, but I still would rather have seen Christopher Lee in the role. I've been reading that Christopher Lee would have liked to have played Gandalf [sniffle].

Glad you both enjoyed it, Jim!

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2001

Viggo Mortenson appears to be quite a chameleon -- he certainly looks different in almost every photo I've seen of him.

Yeah, I've seen some pictures of him at the official movie web-site with just a mustache and he looks like a completely different person.

As for the film, I'd definitely see it again (I really can't say that for most films I see on the big screen).

BTW, I loved how they portrayed Bilbo Baggins' home in the movie - I'd *love* to live in something similar but it would have to be MUCH bigger or I'd have a permanent back-ache from the constant stooping! :-D

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2001

I forgot to mention that you can listen to the soundtrack of LOTR at this site (you'll need to install Apple QuickTime to stream the music):

http://www.lordoftherings.net/media/video/soundtrack_score.html

I'm surprised at how well it streams over a dial-up access. I first listened to it at work over our T1 line and thought it wouldn't work too well over my dial-up at home but I haven't experienced any problems as of yet...

-- Anonymous, December 29, 2001

Ok, not that I have anything terribly interesting to contribute, but daughter Ali, a male admirer, and Bren saw the movie last night. Said 16 year admirer person loved it, Ali and Bren hated it; found it too dark and violent. Told ya my family had no tolerance for violence! :) Actually surprised me that Bren didnt like it though; she often watches stuff when she's alone that none of us would.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2002

I really enjoyed it! Although it was so dark, I was surprized to see all the parents who brought their tiny kids to it! I had nightmares about it last night, myself!

Guess I'd hang with the elves. Hobbits are too round! Sorry that I pleged to lop off my hair, now! (I usually wear it long, down, and often with plaits and/or beads, etc.) Like I said on another thread....thought the blonde elf guys was pretty cool. (emphasis on "pretty" though!)

Excellent special effects. Haven't read Tolkien for over 30 years, so the story was a bit hazy. I was on the edge of my seat, heart pounding, for most of the time!

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2002

Ah, yes....Legolas...

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2002

Yeah, well, uh um, a whole BUNCH of the gentlemen in this movie were not that difficult to watch . . . . . . ;-)

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2002