I feel the exact same way; I can't open Lord of the Rings without feeling as though I'm reading about real things that actually happened, real places, real events. I remember the last time I was reading through the trilogy and got to Weathertop. Aragorn spoke about the history of the place, I was so caught up that I started wondering about the history of that place as though it were Gettysburg or Agincourt. Even The Hobbit, which is a much "lighter" read, captures an essence of magic and faerie stories that few authors can hit. Imagine combining a novel perfectly with folk tales. Who else could have done it?
I don't think there's a "wrong" order for the films. The Two Towers might be the "worst" for me, but that's on a continuum, and it's still pretty darn great. The battle of the Hornburg is one of the best cinematic battle scenes I can think of. It might even be the best in the trilogy, since Pelenor Fields has a bit too much CGI. I think you're right about Return's flaws - the bulging battles, the pacing problems in the denouement, and lack of battle strategy are all fair gripes. I don't mind them because the long ending feels mostly earned and hits emotionally hard, and the mighty charge at the end is more about symbolic heroism than legitimate medieval battle tactics.
Bombadil would be really tricky. The tonal shift is too intense. We might get Bombadil with the new series, and it might work. Shifting over the course of a couple of episodes into the Old Forest and the Barrowdowns, combined with Tom, might actually be workable where it would just bog a film's narrative down.
Favourite character is tricky. They're all wonderful.
Gandalf's wisdom and power are balanced by his flaws (like his temper) and for an almighty sage, he comes off as surprisingly relatable. I think I might go with Gandalf.
More and more, though, I find myself really coming back to Frodo. The innocence is there, the resolve, and the strength of character that allows him to take the Ring as far as he does before succumbing to its influence. All of these are great traits. We also get a wonderful arc from naive and content to his suffering and earning wisdom and insight by the end. Some of this is a bit of a reaction to all the people piling on-board that Sam was the "real" hero, and I love Sam, but I think Frodo represents a quieter heroism than even unassuming, humble Samwise.
Honourable mention to silly, fun Pippin, who amused me from when I read the book much younger and I still find his antics joyful.
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Boromir (9712)
8 months ago
Tolkien wrote in one of his letters that even the good have flaws,but they still remain good. I find myself sympathizing with flawed characters like Boromir and Frodo. While some may debate Sam's status as the "real" hero, he certainly fulfilled his destined role. Sam displayed unwavering loyalty and love for his master, adeptly assuming a secondary role without ego. I doubt if Frodo could have done the same. Nonetheless, ultimately, it was Frodo who bore the tremendous burden of carrying the ring.
Some point out that Frodo's collapse under the ring's weight at the end could be seen as a failure. However, Tolkien clarified in two letters that he did not view Frodo's succumbing to the ring's immense power as a failure. To paraphrase him, it's a failure akin to a skull failing to withstand the impact of horns colliding.
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Ace_Spade (9367)
8 months ago
The nuances to Tolkien's characters make them very interesting, relatable, and so much fun to revisit every few years.
I have long felt that Sam would also have been beaten down by the Ring had he possessed it as long as Frodo.
Well, this should be no shock, but I more-or-less agree with Tolkien. I mean, he wrote the darn thing, after all. But I agree that Frodo's failure was so inevitable that it is hardly to be held against him, in terms of character. That "failure" is about the impossibility of a mortal going up against pure evil. That Frodo held out as long as he did - it is this endurance and faithfulness that makes Frodo such a beautiful, quiet hero.
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