Clip from the Desolation of Smaug

[Glorthelion]

Nothing much, but I thought I would share with you.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfzl_...ature=youtu.be

[Zigûr]

I think the worst parts of these videos are always the Tolkien dilettantes in the comments who shout "Appendices!" as the magic word for anything seemingly divergent from the source material. I'd be curious as to how many have actually read them.
I'm already sick of Radagast. His presence and the invention of his adventures in these films in my opinion diminish the unique determination and heroism of Gandalf.
I can't help but feel that these "Ringwraith tombs" and similar plots exist because the filmmakers are too lazy to find ways to explain Middle-earth's history properly. History is so important to the story, and in The Hobbit especially when it is put into context with The Lord of the Rings. There must be ways of presenting it in a meaningful way. Professor Tolkien's view of history is so focused on the connection of events and how this is viewed and interpreted within the story, not just arbitrary supernatural occurrences popping up to renew characters' interest in some mystery.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Zigûr

I think the worst parts of these videos are always the Tolkien dilettantes in the comments who shout "Appendices!" as the magic word for anything seemingly divergent from the source material. I'd be curious as to how many have actually read them.

This may seem like a sweeping generalisation, but I'm going with: none. None at all. I'm pretty sure otherwise some of these people would give details (you know, like where in the Appendices they think it comes from). And that they would notice major discrepancies. And that they probably wouldn't bother with this line of argument at all in a case where the Appendix version consists of a few sentences that duplicate information given in the main text anyway.

That said, I think Gandalf's exploring Dol Guldur is a quite legitimate thing to include, and the scene does look nicely spooky and atmospheric– until Radagast shows up, anyway.

[Kuruharan]

Originally Posted by Zigûr

I can't help but feel that these "Ringwraith tombs" and similar plots exist because the filmmakers are too lazy to find ways to explain Middle-earth's history properly.

I suspect that part of the intent on the part of PJ is creating yet another tie to the previous (or subsequent...I'm getting to hate prequals) films with yet another incident of "oh yes, we saw those guys in the other movies."

I do agree with Nerwen that, at least from a cinematic standpoint, the scene was good until Radagast appeared and did his "who am I and what am I doing here?" That routine is getting old already. It is hard to have respect for the character as a wizard if they are going to continually go out of their way to prove Saruman right about him.

[Zigûr]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to a Dol Guldur plot per se. I'm just not keen on this interpretation of the Ringwraiths being entombed (which I believe is what is meant to be happening here). Is it just meant to simplify the evidence for Sauron's return, I wonder, or is it genuine misunderstanding on the part of the filmmakers? To wit, did they not realise that the Ringwraiths were busy doing things throughout the Third Age and thought the Professor had never said anything about it so it was up to them to fill the gaps?
It just seems so... sword 'n' sorcery to me.

[Bêthberry]

The clip is no longer available.

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

The clip is no longer available.

Which makes viewing it blessedly shorter.