Jackson Purists Deplore Tolkien Changes - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Elladan and Elrohir · 08-21-2005, 02:32 PM

Jackson Purists Deplore Tolkien Changes
By Viv Morter
August 21, 2005
www.allnewsallthetime.com

It's been nine months since the last of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" films was released in extended edition, but some of his more avid fans are now making waves about a new book, based on the movies and penned by British author J. R. R. Tolkien.

"I'm absolutely outraged," said Sean Johns, president of the internationally known "Peter Jackson is the Lord of the Rings Fan Club". "The changes that Tolkien has made to Jackson's work are thoroughly unacceptable."

Among the changes made in the book, which is published in America by Houghton Mifflin, are the addition of a lengthy storyline involving a new character named Tom Bombadil, the removal of the Two Towers storyline where Aragorn falls off a cliff, and the strengthening of numerous characters including Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, Faramir, Theoden, and others.

"No one will take this work seriously as a representation of Jackson's masterpiece," Johns said. "Arwen is only mentioned about five times. Faramir just lets Frodo and Sam go instead of taking them to Osgiliath. Sam joins Frodo for the journey into Shelob's lair. I could go on and on."

Amanda Locko, another prominent Peter Jackson fan, agreed with much of Johns' assessment but said she doesn't mind the changes as much. "Although Tolkien certainly doesn't follow the Jackson canon, his work is overall enjoyable. Merry and Pippin are less childish, the Ents never waver in their decision to go to war, and a strange event called "The Scouring of the Shire" is added. Not a big deal, in my mind. I'm the most unhappy about the removal of any swashbuckling stunts by Legolas."

Johns calls the book a "pretender to the throne," and says it will never be taken seriously. "Tolkien has done a fine job of writing, to be sure, but Peter Jackson's movies will forever remain THE Lord of the Rings."

Locko said she thought the book would do quite well. "As far as movie-based books go," she said, "this one is the best I've ever read. It even surpasses the Star Wars-based novels."

J. R. R. Tolkien was unavailable for comment, and Peter Jackson declined to comment as well.

David Flowers and Donny Boyce also contributed to this report.

08-21-2005, 02:32 PM	#1
Elladan and Elrohir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Halls of Mandos Posts: 332	Jackson Purists Deplore Tolkien Changes Jackson Purists Deplore Tolkien Changes By Viv Morter August 21, 2005 www.allnewsallthetime.com It's been nine months since the last of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" films was released in extended edition, but some of his more avid fans are now making waves about a new book, based on the movies and penned by British author J. R. R. Tolkien. "I'm absolutely outraged," said Sean Johns, president of the internationally known "Peter Jackson is the Lord of the Rings Fan Club". "The changes that Tolkien has made to Jackson's work are thoroughly unacceptable." Among the changes made in the book, which is published in America by Houghton Mifflin, are the addition of a lengthy storyline involving a new character named Tom Bombadil, the removal of the Two Towers storyline where Aragorn falls off a cliff, and the strengthening of numerous characters including Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, Faramir, Theoden, and others. "No one will take this work seriously as a representation of Jackson's masterpiece," Johns said. "Arwen is only mentioned about five times. Faramir just lets Frodo and Sam go instead of taking them to Osgiliath. Sam joins Frodo for the journey into Shelob's lair. I could go on and on." Amanda Locko, another prominent Peter Jackson fan, agreed with much of Johns' assessment but said she doesn't mind the changes as much. "Although Tolkien certainly doesn't follow the Jackson canon, his work is overall enjoyable. Merry and Pippin are less childish, the Ents never waver in their decision to go to war, and a strange event called "The Scouring of the Shire" is added. Not a big deal, in my mind. I'm the most unhappy about the removal of any swashbuckling stunts by Legolas." Johns calls the book a "pretender to the throne," and says it will never be taken seriously. "Tolkien has done a fine job of writing, to be sure, but Peter Jackson's movies will forever remain THE Lord of the Rings." Locko said she thought the book would do quite well. "As far as movie-based books go," she said, "this one is the best I've ever read. It even surpasses the Star Wars-based novels." J. R. R. Tolkien was unavailable for comment, and Peter Jackson declined to comment as well. David Flowers and Donny Boyce also contributed to this report. __________________ "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." THE HOBBIT - IT'S COMING