The Barrow Downs was probably the only scene I really missed from the movies too Shadow (though not too desperately). I was prepared for the axing of Bombadil and the Scouring of the Shire as they seemed like Extra Narrative in the books to me. But the Barrow Downs seemed like a critical point on the journey to Rivendell. Perhaps if Jackson ever pulls a Lucas and revisits the movies, he can CGI in a or 10 or 15 minute Barrow Down scene .

GB

The Barrow Downs was probably the only scene I really missed from the movies too Shadow (though not too desperately). I was prepared for the axing of Bombadil and the Scouring of the Shire as they seemed like Extra Narrative in the books to me.

I didn't mind that they didn't put in the Barrow Downs or Bombadil. I was very upset that they didn't put in the scouring of the Shire. For me that is an important part of the story. It shows to the extent to which the power of evil had spread and how much the Hobbits owed to “outsiders.” The hobbits in the movie (except the ones who made the trip) were left unaffected by the darkness of the world but in reality none of the peoples of Middle-earth were untouched.

I understand where you are coming from Pattertwig, and I agree with your point . But in terms of Narrative Structure, I never really cared for the Scouring of the Shire scene. It always seemed anti-climactic to me. It would have been cool if PJ had worked out a way to show how the Wars affected the Shire within the body of the film. But at least the scene with Galadriel's mirror was a nod in that direction.

GB

I agree about the Scouring of the Shire, Gandalf's Beard. It did kinda seem like, "End of story. OH, this happened too." I also agree with Pattertwig. The Scouring did show how the War affected the Hobbits. But I don't think it really was necessary to put in the movie.

Now, as for the Barrow Downs and Tom, I am very glad they didn't put Tom in there. I don't really like him, and again, his part didn't seem to really affect the story very much in the first place. The Barrow Downs, now, that might have been cool to put. And I kinda like your idea, Shadowlander, about having Aragorn save them. But I suppose that would just deviate from the book too much. Strider's entrance was perfect.

Well, I tried to post earlier, but apparently I haven't got the new forums figured out yet, as my post did not appear.

I ducked in to ask about something I read in "Tolkein; Author of the Century".

Apparently there is a song-cycle of same name as this thread, fashioned from Tolkein poetry from the books. If it is really a musical composition, I'd be very interested in getting my hands on it.

Does anyone know anything about it? Where I could get a copy? If it's a music composition and not just poetry?

mm

Well I do know, Mother-music, that part of the poem (if not all) was set to music for the Movie. Gandalf and Bilbo both sing it in FOTR. Gandalf, when we first meet him, coming in on the cart, and Bilbo, when he leaves Bag End for Rivendell.

It is a very simple melody, one could listen to it in the movie and easily catch it. I do not know if music has actually been written for it or not, though my only guess would be to try googling it. Someone may have written it down on paper.

Hope that helps.

Great to see you here, Mother-Music!

I believe you may be referring to Donald Swan's composition. Here is one link and here is the info from his website (scroll down).

(Psst, and get a load of the news on Swann's homepage!—I believe lysander (??) mentioned this on the old forum—an opera based on Perelandra!!!)

But returning to the topic at hand : The Song Cycle should be readily available through Amazon. This is one Tolkien purchase I have not yet made ('though I have heard parts of the cycle, and it's lovely). I believe Tolkien and his wife, Edith, had part (or all) of it performed on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Tom Shippey's Author of the Century is one excellent book, is it not? Have you read Shippey's The Road to Middle-earth?

EDIT: Eru, I often find myself singing that endearing tune sung by both Gandalf and Bilbo in the first film. The tune is really quite hobbit-ish/Shire-ish, isn't it?: simple, singable, and very memorable. And of course the words ... pure Tolkien.

I finished Roverandom on friday and started The Hobbit that night, and today at the eye doctors (I was getting a speck removed, apparently it was a bit of rust, I;m glad I got my tetanus shot ) I read from chapter 3 through to half-way through chapter 6, bug read for a tired and painful eye, though not impossible

anyway, I really always like the road goes ever on and on its very awesome yet simple!

Great to see you here, Mother-Music!

I believe you may be referring to Donald Swan's composition. Here is one link and here is the info from his website (scroll down).

(Psst, and get a load of the news on Swann's homepage!—I believe lysander (??) mentioned this on the old forum—an opera based on Perelandra!!!)

But returning to the topic at hand : The Song Cycle should be readily available through Amazon. This is one Tolkien purchase I have not yet made ('though I have heard parts of the cycle, and it's lovely). I believe Tolkien and his wife, Edith, had part (or all) of it performed on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary.

Tom Shippey's Author of the Century is one excellent book, is it not? Have you read Shippey's The Road to Middle-earth?

EDIT: Eru, I often find myself singing that endearing tune sung by both Gandalf and Bilbo in the first film. The tune is really quite hobbit-ish/Shire-ish, isn't it?: simple, singable, and very memorable. And of course the words ... pure Tolkien.

Oh, how very YUM!! I shall immediately look that up and probably purchase it. Is there a recording?

If it is in my vocal range, I shall purchase it and begin learning it. And an opera on Perelandra??? Well...right up my alley!

Thanks, Johobbit, very much for that information.

mm

Mother-Music, you can find information about the opera based on Perelandra here: http://www.perelandraproject.org/

I finished The Children of Hurin. It is really a tragic story.

I loved my first insight into a period of Middle Earth history different than LotR. I'll probablys stop my Tolkien reading a bit, a month or so, and then I will try to pick the Silmarillion again. I am enjoying it so far, but I prefer to read it slowly, leaving and picking it. I find it easier this way, it is too dense, but astonishing to see all this mythology coming out from the imagination of one single man!

I'm starting to read The Hobbit more slowly than before so I can finish on the 21st and start FotR on the 22nd and I'm going to pace myself so I can get to Weathertop on October 6th, shouldn't be too hard, I'm a slow reader when it comes to LotR, because I want to get as much info as possible!

Aslans_Jewel and Amira, I know what you mean about Tolkien: his books are simply asking to be read slowly and carefully, there is so much in them. That's cool about pacing yourself so you're at Weathertop on Oct. 6th, A_J. Are you also going to try to be at Oroduin/Mount Doom on March 25th? By the way, how did you like Roverandom? Cute story, hmm? (I need a re-read.)

Eru, I've been meaning to say I'm so glad you got to keep the accent on the final ë of your username! It just didn't look right without it.

Yes, it bothers me, Shadowlander, that Glamdring didn't glow when orcs were near. Why weren't they consistent in this?

Pattertwigs Pal, I appreciate your thoughts on Tolkien's books here. I've read bits and pieces of the HoMe books. I don't have them all in my collection and am purchasing them one by one as I'm able. Good question about whether Tolkien considered a different route for Faramir. I can't recall reading anything about this, but, as I said, I haven't nearly covered them all.

Tom Bombadil notwithstanding I wish they'd have put in even a 20 minute Barrow Downs scene, even with Aragorn rescuing the hobbits in lieu of Bombadil if need be.

Agreed! Although I do concur with Eru that Strider's intro in The FotR film was excellent. Referring to the missing Barrow Downs scene, it seems to me that this is something PJ would thrive in: the element of horror as the fingered arm creeps around the corner towards the naked sword lying across the three hobbits' necks. *shivers*

Ahh, thanks for that Perelandra opera again, Amira. I actually found I had it bookmarked from when you mentioned it on the old forum.

Also, the tale of Húrin and Túrin is a favourite of mine, albeit it very tragic. And Alan Lee's drawings which accompany The Children of Húrin compliment that epic, tragic, solemn Middle-earth atmosphere very well.

hehe thanks Jo. I rather like that ë myself.

That's what i would be afraid of too. I would be afraid that they would make the Barrow Downs some horrific thing and then kinda ruin it all. :/ Obviously it is a pretty scary thing, imagine being Frodo! But still.....

As for not being consistent on the glowing of the swords.. there are rather alot of inconsistencies if you look for them. Minor things, such as blood in the wrong area than the first and etc. it's just movie things sometimes, its get so overwhelming that some things get mixed up or forgotten. Now, not sure if this was the case with the swords, but Im hoping it was, instead of deliberate removal.

I have the Hobbit. My sister has the Fellowship of the Ring and the Children of Hurin, but I don't think I've read any of them completely. I've watched the movies. I'm just not good at reading books, but I can spend hours reading on the internet. I also skip around when I read, if I get tired of reading one part, I move to another part. Sometimes I start in the middle. I like Thranduil and the elves in Mirkwood. If I did start reading a Tolkien book, which one would you recommend?

Jo, I'm not going to wait that long to read LotR but as soon as Im done with RotK Im going straight to the library to get the Sil (Finally) and then Im going to see if we have the Children of Hurin available, there can't be a shortage around here