Concerning Christopher Tolkien

[aglarien]

Excellent article on Christopher not allowing further licensing of any more of his father's works - or why Gandalf had to forget the names of the two blue wizards in The Hobbit.

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/01/07/68174-concerning-christopher-an-essay-on-tolkiens-sons-decision-to-not-allow-further-cinematic-licensing-of-his-work/?fb_source=pubv1

Comments

[phyncke.livejournal.com]

Interesting but too bad. I would love to see films of the chapters of the Sil.

[aglarien1.livejournal.com]

Yes - perhaps thing may change in the future.

[keiliss.livejournal.com]

I read the Le Monde interview a while back and he sounds very determined to protect his rights. In a way I have sympathy - I'm not sure I want to see all those First Age elves played by tall, skinny boys with thin, straight hair. Still, as many have said, the Silm would make a great TV series.

[aglarien1.livejournal.com]

As much as I'd like to see some of the stories on film, I have to think it's a right decision to protect JRRT's writings from the re-writing that a filmmaker would do.

[chaotic-binky.livejournal.com]

How many people saw the trilogy and afterwards bought all the books they could find concerning Middle-earth - quite a few I would guess. Without the influx of fans the Tolkien Estate would probably have trundled along quite happily, perhaps comfortably off but not having the exposure that ensured the increased sales of the books since the release of FOTR.

CT protests too much. Increased sales of the books means that people are buying them and some, at least, will appreciate the 'beauty and seriousness of the work'. Perhaps he holds certain views about people who read the books only after watching the films - there was a tiny suspicion in my mind that he might. Art is for everyone, after all :D

I am prepared to believe, no matter how unlikely it seems, that CT was taken by surprise at just how huge the phenomenon became. Maybe he is overwhelmed by it all. I will be an old lady by the time the Silm movies are made but I believe that one day I will see them.

[aglarien1.livejournal.com]

Really good points, Binky! I suspect that things may change in the years to come - perhaps after Christopher.

[noadvertising.livejournal.com]

What I won´t live to see: Tolkien´s Silmarillion passing into Public Domain (2047?). What Mr. Tolkien will eventually live to see: his father´s works cast aside, because there´s always something more thrilling, more hip circulating. It´s the generation born before the eighties flying the flag, not the young ones, who watch the films first, then in the best case buy the books. "The world is changed." Didn´t Galadriel quote this?

[aglarien1.livejournal.com]

Very good points too! You guys are convincing me to change my mind.

[princessjune.livejournal.com]

I agree with Christopher Tolkien! I love The Lord of the Rings movies and I love The Hobbit but I also don't want them to commercialize J.R.R. Tolkien's works anymore. He is not going too far in my opinion and he's doing the right thing by his Father.

On Tumblr I see all of the inane and insipid meme's and graphics that the teenagers and young adults of this generation make of J.R.R. Tolkien's works and his characters and it's disgusting.

[aglarien1.livejournal.com]

Really? I'm glad I'm rarely on Tumblr. I think JRRT was a genius.

[mistressminx-13.livejournal.com]

That's a great article. Thanks for sharing.

[aglarien1.livejournal.com]

You're welcome!