silmarillion mini - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

thephantomcredits · 08-16-2003, 09:18 AM

When I think of the challenges of putting a movie together from the silmarillion, it would seem to make alot of sense to breakup the work into a miniseries like band of brothers on HBO. That way each tale can have its own focused hour while still remaining part of a huge portrait of the history of middle earth. Im not sure how many parts would be needed or if it would be achievable finiancially. If it were, How would you break up the book into miniseries type segements? What episode would be your favorite?

dancing spawn of ungoliant · 08-16-2003, 12:30 PM

Hi thephantomcredits! Welcome and enjoy of being dead I think there's no point of making a movie from the WHOLE Sil but maybe the tale of Beren&Lúthien or Túrin would be interesting (or them would sell). I don't think that the creating of the Eä should be turned into a movie. There are too many guestions and problems: how does the music sound, would they show Eru and Valar to us, is the place like Heaven...In the worst case Eru would look like an old bearded man and Valar would have white dresses and wings. It could easily turn too religious(?) and then maybe even offensive.I'm not sure if I understood your idea about the miniseries but it doesn't sound very nice...it sounds cheap.The movie wouldn't maybe be as commercial as LotR trilogy but Tolkien fanatics (like us?) might prefer it eventhough there's no Legolas [ August 16, 2003: Message edited by: dancing spawn of ungoliant ]

Kaiserin · 08-16-2003, 07:25 PM

Maybe it's just me, but I think the Silm might be a little uninteresting to watch. It could be rather dragging in some parts, and too much talking has to happen to explain everything to non-reader veiwers. It would take a really good director and team, if ever, to make it appealing for mass media.

08-18-2003, 09:02 PM

I really think that a movie of Beren and Luthien would be great. It could be called something like The Lay of Luthien like the song. It could have a prelude in it similar to that in the Fellowship of the Rings movie. I also think that a mini series of all of the Silmarrilion would be cheap and it wouldn't go over too well (no offense.) But the tale of Beren and Luthien is essential to the partial tale of Aragorn and Arwen in the movies. (Btw, I liked how Elrond foretold part of the tale of Arwen and Aragorn that is told in the appendices of the one volume book... It really seemed to work for TTT.)

Arwen Eruantale · 08-19-2003, 02:29 PM

Welcome to the Downs, Beren! "..we are akin from afar.." I hope you enjoy it here. Kaiserin: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> The Handramits of Thulcandra<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I love those books!I agree with Beren though, on point that Beren and Luthien would be nice, but I don't know if the whole Silm would work. It seems a bit too complicated and deep or vague in some places to be adapted successfully. But it is a great book. Frodo Lives! Revive the slogan!

Thalionmar · 08-22-2003, 03:10 PM

Hmmm, I personally do not believe it would work. It seems to me to be far too epic a tale.However it would be very cool (if they got it right) to see a visualisation of the War of Wrath!!

Arwen Eruantale · 08-22-2003, 04:21 PM

Welcome to the Downs, Thalionmar! Enjoy being dead! :

08-29-2003, 01:29 PM

I would love to take on the task of directing, staring or being art directer or somthing in a CG of the Silmarillion, the Hobbit and LOTR, maybe more, this is a dream of mine. I think it would be great but I would'nt trust anyone but a real Tolkien fan to do this if my dream isn't to come true.

Lyta_Underhill · 08-29-2003, 02:20 PM

Actually, it might be interesting to tell the Silmarillion in an episodic way, much like the original Heavy Metal movie links episodes with the glowing green ball that loosely ties them together theme wise. There would be the creation of the Silmarils, the crimes of Morgoth, then the Kinslaying and crossing, where we can tie into Beren and Luthien's tale concerning the Silmarillion quest for Thingol, then the war with the Dwarves over the Sil in the Nauglamir, then perhaps the final attacks made by the Sons of Fëanor to regain the jewels, the voyage of Earendil, the War of Wrath and how the jewels are finally lost. Leaves out a lot, but would be directly tied to the Silmarils themselves and provide a theme, on a longer timeline, much like following the history of the One Ring. Just a thought! Would probably take about 20 hours of screentime though! Cheers, Lyta

Frodo2968thewhite · 08-29-2003, 03:51 PM

I think that the Silm should be made into a movie, but it has to be done by The BEST crew possible! The Silm CANNOT be missing ANY parts(Like Tom Bombadil in FOTR!)! I think if PJ does it, he has to give it MORE time & energy than LOTR (even though that is hard to do!). The Silmarillion is A VERY complex book! I think that if it is somehow blended together, it would be UNBELIEVABLE! But if PJ doesn't make the Silm, The Hobbit is Mandatory!

thephantomcredits · 08-30-2003, 10:03 AM

when i see how hbo handled band of brothers which was not a cheap miniseries to produce, i could see how a silm mini series could be feasable, especially if it could be tied into the groundwork already laid down by weta for LOTR. It would be expensive, but it might draw enough subscribers to a network like HBO to make it worth the risk. I feel a high quality project could be done in this manner. I would join HBO to see a silm mini series- ten to twenty hour episodes, something like that. Maybe Tony soprano can play Feanor LOL.

Lord of Angmar · 08-30-2003, 02:05 PM

An HBO miniseries of the Silmarillion would be impossible. The cost would be too high, the final product too unmarketable to the mainstream, and the profit margin (if there was a profit) too slim. Furthermore, New Line, who own the rights, would most likely not want to produce the Sil in that format.If they did do a movie, it would be almost as hard and unfeasible as doing a series. It would cost more money than Lord of the Rings did to adapt it, and even more Tolkien experts would be needed on board. Even with all that, they would still run a huge risk in drawing criticism from Tolkien loyalists. For many Tolkienites (myself included), the Silmarillion is more important than the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, and I would hate to have the Silmarillion ruined or the images I have in my mind of the characters changed.Since less people have heard of the Silmarillion than LotR, and since it would be a huge task to produce a movie (and it would have to be one long movie, or three our four LotR-length movies), and it would be a far greater gamble than Lord of the Rings, I cannot see New Line taking a chance on a project of this magnitude.That being said, I would greatly dislike a Silmarillion movie (since it would change the characters and landscape in my mind now matter how good it was). I hope they do not attempt it, but if they do I hope it is a project that many of us Tolkienites would be able to actively partake in. I would rather see a film about events that occurred in the Silmarillion, such as the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, seen through the eyes of an unknown character, perhaps a Man of Hithlum or Dor-lomin. It could still show Beleriand and Tolkien's fantastic creations, while only depicting a few of the main characters from the actual body of text.

08-16-2003, 09:18 AM	#1
thephantomcredits Animated Skeleton Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Posts: 33	silmarillion mini When I think of the challenges of putting a movie together from the silmarillion, it would seem to make alot of sense to breakup the work into a miniseries like band of brothers on HBO. That way each tale can have its own focused hour while still remaining part of a huge portrait of the history of middle earth. Im not sure how many parts would be needed or if it would be achievable finiancially. If it were, How would you break up the book into miniseries type segements? What episode would be your favorite? __________________ unity in what is essential, liberty in the nonessential

08-16-2003, 12:30 PM	#2
dancing spawn of ungoliant Mischievous Candle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: So near to Russia, so far from Japan, quite a long way from Cairo, lots of miles from Vietnam. Posts: 1,234	Hi thephantomcredits! Welcome and enjoy of being dead <BR>I think there's no point of making a movie from the WHOLE Sil but maybe the tale of Beren&Lúthien or Túrin would be interesting (or them would sell).<P><BR>I don't think that the creating of the Eä should be turned into a movie. There are too many guestions and problems: how does the music sound, would they show Eru and Valar to us, is the place like Heaven...In the worst case Eru would look like an old bearded man and Valar would have white dresses and wings. It could easily turn too religious(?) and then maybe even offensive.<P>I'm not sure if I understood your idea about the miniseries but it doesn't sound very nice...it sounds cheap.<P>The movie wouldn't maybe be as commercial as LotR trilogy but Tolkien fanatics (like us?) might prefer it eventhough there's no Legolas <p>[ August 16, 2003: Message edited by: dancing spawn of ungoliant ] __________________ Fenris Wolf

08-16-2003, 07:25 PM	#3
Kaiserin Wight Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cair Paravel Posts: 150	Maybe it's just me, but I think the Silm might be a little uninteresting to watch. It could be rather dragging in some parts, and too much talking has to happen to explain everything to non-reader veiwers. It would take a really good director and team, if ever, to make it appealing for mass media. __________________ The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

08-19-2003, 02:29 PM	#5
Arwen Eruantale Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: My Field of Paper Flowers Posts: 282	Welcome to the Downs, Beren! "..we are akin from afar.." I hope you enjoy it here. <P><B>Kaiserin</B>:<BR> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> The Handramits of Thulcandra<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>I love those books!<P>I agree with <B>Beren</B> though, on point that Beren and Luthien would be nice, but I don't know if the whole Silm would work. It seems a bit too complicated and deep or vague in some places to be adapted successfully. But it is a great book. <P><B>Frodo Lives!</B> <I>Revive the slogan!</I> __________________ And he became somewhat grim to look upon, unless he chanced to smile... Will you pay attention?

08-22-2003, 03:10 PM	#6
Thalionmar Pile O'Bones Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Memories of the wise. Posts: 17	Hmmm, I personally do not believe it would work. It seems to me to be far too epic a tale.<P>However it would be very cool (if they got it right) to see a visualisation of the War of Wrath!! __________________ Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens.

08-18-2003, 09:02 PM	#4
Beren Guest Posts: n/a	I really think that a movie of Beren and Luthien would be great. It could be called something like The Lay of Luthien like the song. It could have a prelude in it similar to that in the Fellowship of the Rings movie. I also think that a mini series of all of the Silmarrilion would be cheap and it wouldn't go over too well (no offense.) But the tale of Beren and Luthien is essential to the partial tale of Aragorn and Arwen in the movies. (Btw, I liked how Elrond foretold part of the tale of Arwen and Aragorn that is told in the appendices of the one volume book... It really seemed to work for TTT.)

08-22-2003, 04:21 PM	#7
Arwen Eruantale Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: My Field of Paper Flowers Posts: 282	Welcome to the Downs, Thalionmar! Enjoy being dead! : __________________ And he became somewhat grim to look upon, unless he chanced to smile... Will you pay attention?

08-29-2003, 01:29 PM	#8
Firiel Eledhwen Guest Posts: n/a	I would love to take on the task of directing, staring or being art directer or somthing in a CG of the Silmarillion, the Hobbit and LOTR, maybe more, this is a dream of mine. <BR>I think it would be great but I would'nt trust anyone but a real Tolkien fan to do this if my dream isn't to come true.

08-29-2003, 02:20 PM	#9
Lyta_Underhill Haunted Halfling Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: an uncounted length of steps--floating between air molecules Posts: 841	Actually, it might be interesting to tell the Silmarillion in an episodic way, much like the original Heavy Metal movie links episodes with the glowing green ball that loosely ties them together theme wise. There would be the creation of the Silmarils, the crimes of Morgoth, then the Kinslaying and crossing, where we can tie into Beren and Luthien's tale concerning the Silmarillion quest for Thingol, then the war with the Dwarves over the Sil in the Nauglamir, then perhaps the final attacks made by the Sons of Fëanor to regain the jewels, the voyage of Earendil, the War of Wrath and how the jewels are finally lost. Leaves out a lot, but would be directly tied to the Silmarils themselves and provide a theme, on a longer timeline, much like following the history of the One Ring. Just a thought! Would probably take about 20 hours of screentime though! <P>Cheers,<BR>Lyta __________________ “…she laid herself to rest upon Cerin Amroth; and there is her green grave, until the world is changed, and all the days of her life are utterly forgotten by men that come after, and elanor and niphredil bloom no more east of the Sea.”

08-29-2003, 03:51 PM	#10
Frodo2968thewhite Haunting Spirit Join Date: May 2003 Location: The Shire Posts: 95	I think that the Silm should be made into a movie, but it has to be done by The BEST crew possible! The Silm CANNOT be missing ANY parts(Like Tom Bombadil in FOTR!)! I think if PJ does it, he has to give it MORE time & energy than LOTR (even though that is hard to do!). The Silmarillion is A VERY complex book! I think that if it is somehow blended together, it would be UNBELIEVABLE!<BR>But if PJ doesn't make the Silm, The Hobbit is Mandatory! __________________ INAGURAL GOLDEN RING MARATHON, OCTOBER 20, 2005!!! FRODO LIVES!!!!

08-30-2003, 10:03 AM	#11
thephantomcredits Animated Skeleton Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Posts: 33	when i see how hbo handled band of brothers which was not a cheap miniseries to produce, i could see how a silm mini series could be feasable, especially if it could be tied into the groundwork already laid down by weta for LOTR. It would be expensive, but it might draw enough subscribers to a network like HBO to make it worth the risk. I feel a high quality project could be done in this manner. I would join HBO to see a silm mini series- ten to twenty hour episodes, something like that. Maybe Tony soprano can play Feanor LOL. __________________ unity in what is essential, liberty in the nonessential

08-30-2003, 02:05 PM	#12
Lord of Angmar Tyrannus Incorporalis Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: the North Posts: 833	An HBO miniseries of the Silmarillion would be impossible. The cost would be too high, the final product too unmarketable to the mainstream, and the profit margin (if there was a profit) too slim. Furthermore, New Line, who own the rights, would most likely not want to produce the Sil in that format.<P>If they did do a movie, it would be almost as hard and unfeasible as doing a series. It would cost more money than Lord of the Rings did to adapt it, and even more Tolkien experts would be needed on board. Even with all that, they would still run a huge risk in drawing criticism from Tolkien loyalists. For many Tolkienites (myself included), the Silmarillion is more important than the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, and I would hate to have the Silmarillion ruined or the images I have in my mind of the characters changed.<P>Since less people have heard of the Silmarillion than LotR, and since it would be a <I>huge</I> task to produce a movie (and it would have to be one <I>long</I> movie, or three our four LotR-length movies), and it would be a far greater gamble than Lord of the Rings, I cannot see New Line taking a chance on a project of this magnitude.<P>That being said, I would greatly dislike a Silmarillion movie (since it would change the characters and landscape in my mind now matter how good it was). I hope they do not attempt it, but if they do I hope it is a project that many of us Tolkienites would be able to actively partake in. I would rather see a film about events that occurred in the Silmarillion, such as the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, seen through the eyes of an unknown character, perhaps a Man of Hithlum or Dor-lomin. It could still show Beleriand and Tolkien's fantastic creations, while only depicting a few of the main characters from the actual body of text. __________________ ...where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defence.