Respecting Tolkien and Adaptations
This blog looks at the strange phenomenon of Lord of the Rings fans who hold up Jackson's films as an inviolable version, despite the criticism of their adaptation of the source material. It discusses how great stories accrue adaptations over time and suggests that Tolkien would be tickled to see his work adapted.
Chris Riedel
Medieval history professor. Researches religious reform c.1000CE. A greyhound named Malibu. Nerdy things. Personal acct, opinions mine not anyone else’s. he/him
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It’s strange to have so many fans of Lord of the Rings who hold up Jackson’s films as an inviolable version, when at the time they were made (& still today) many criticized their adaptation of the source material. But that’s what happens with time.
— Chris Riedel (@medievalhistory) April 16, 2023
I think they’re great, btw. -
All this “respect for Tolkien” nonsense is bizarre to me. He more than anyone understood how great stories accrue adaptations over time. & while he could be a stickler about it, I suspect he would be ticklrd to see his “canon” evolve & grow like the medieval Arthur legends
— Chris Riedel (@medievalhistory) April 16, 2023 -
And as someone four volumes into The Histories of Middle Earth, that’s how his canon grew even in his own mind. We don’t have his finished stories, he was constantly going back and tinkering with them. Had he lived longer I doubt he’d have left even The Lord of the Rings alone.
— Chris Riedel (@medievalhistory) April 16, 2023 -
To which you may say “but he can, he’s the author.”
— Chris Riedel (@medievalhistory) April 16, 2023
Publidhing forever puts a work beyond its author’s intentions. Once you share it, it ceases to be wholly yours. The author’s intention is interesting from an historical perspective, but it is only one facet of the work as art. -
If you don’t want people playing in your world, then don’t share it. But it will be a poorer world for it. Art is meant to be shared.
— Chris Riedel (@medievalhistory) April 16, 2023
Great art is great precisely because it provides the seeds to grow beyond its creator. -
Witness the issue of Gildor Inglorion in Fellowship. That character was a problematic anachronism with later developments of the Silmarillion.
— Chris Riedel (@medievalhistory) April 16, 2023
And don’t even get started with Gil Galad.