Morgoth
01-09-2004, 02:57 PM
Over the holidays I had the pleasure of seeing RoTK with some friends, one of whom I had turned on to The Silmarillion when we were in high school. Going out for some beers later, we ended up hashing out - in a fan-boy kind of way - our opinions about the potential of a highly unlikely film-version of that book.
We ended up deciding that, while the book might be best served as a mini-series, it could probably be produced as a fairly coherent trilogy with some creative license taken in the filming process and story-telling.
For instance, the first film could set the stage for the Great War. A introductory prologue could trace the creation of Middle Earth, the rift between Melkor and the other Valar, down through the birth of the Eldar and the creation of the Two Trees. The plot would follow the creation of the Silmarils by Feanor, the plots of Melkor and the soap-opera like drama between the sons of Finwe (Fingolfin and Feanor). Then, of course, the poisoning of the trees, the murder of Finwe, the rebellion of the Noldor and the very dramatic, dark episode of the Kinslaying. Essentially, it could follow a pretty basic dramatic plot of war and conflict to the death of Feanor and the rescue of Maedhros from Thangorodrim, the establishment of Fingolfin as the High King and the setting of the Siege.
A second film could focus on primarily on the story of Beren and Luthien with cuts to the war, the death of Fingolfin etc. The meeting of Thingol and Melian could be a flashback scene. You could introduce Sauron in the beginning as he hunts down the outlaws of Dorthonion. It could end with the Battle of Unnumbered Tears -- leaving an audience with the sense of loss and ruin. You could set the stage for the final movie by showing the final parting of Huor and Turgon of Gondolin.
The final film would centrally follow the exploits of Turin and Tuor, the downfalls of Nargothrond and Doriath, the quest of Earendil and the final battle to overthrow Morgoth.
Anyway, we ended up agreeing that it would be nearly impossible to make a really intriquing film out of the book, though we'd love to see an effort made.
Barring that, we both agreed that there were a few stories that could almost be concieved as stand-alone movies. Certainly the story of Beren and Luthien is one. The story of Turin Turambar would be a very dark tragedy, but worth telling. The entire episode of the fall of Gondolin and Doriath would be harder to concieve on film, but might be done.
It was an interesting conversation...
We ended up deciding that, while the book might be best served as a mini-series, it could probably be produced as a fairly coherent trilogy with some creative license taken in the filming process and story-telling.
For instance, the first film could set the stage for the Great War. A introductory prologue could trace the creation of Middle Earth, the rift between Melkor and the other Valar, down through the birth of the Eldar and the creation of the Two Trees. The plot would follow the creation of the Silmarils by Feanor, the plots of Melkor and the soap-opera like drama between the sons of Finwe (Fingolfin and Feanor). Then, of course, the poisoning of the trees, the murder of Finwe, the rebellion of the Noldor and the very dramatic, dark episode of the Kinslaying. Essentially, it could follow a pretty basic dramatic plot of war and conflict to the death of Feanor and the rescue of Maedhros from Thangorodrim, the establishment of Fingolfin as the High King and the setting of the Siege.
A second film could focus on primarily on the story of Beren and Luthien with cuts to the war, the death of Fingolfin etc. The meeting of Thingol and Melian could be a flashback scene. You could introduce Sauron in the beginning as he hunts down the outlaws of Dorthonion. It could end with the Battle of Unnumbered Tears -- leaving an audience with the sense of loss and ruin. You could set the stage for the final movie by showing the final parting of Huor and Turgon of Gondolin.
The final film would centrally follow the exploits of Turin and Tuor, the downfalls of Nargothrond and Doriath, the quest of Earendil and the final battle to overthrow Morgoth.
Anyway, we ended up agreeing that it would be nearly impossible to make a really intriquing film out of the book, though we'd love to see an effort made.
Barring that, we both agreed that there were a few stories that could almost be concieved as stand-alone movies. Certainly the story of Beren and Luthien is one. The story of Turin Turambar would be a very dark tragedy, but worth telling. The entire episode of the fall of Gondolin and Doriath would be harder to concieve on film, but might be done.
It was an interesting conversation...