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Thread: What do you like better, the book or the movie???


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I HATE the movies.....I LOVE the books! J.R.R. Tolkien RULES!!!! All hail to our old master!
I'd have to say the books... the movies were great as movies but OK as representations of Tolkien's Middle-Earth (*cough* Faramir), and since I have seen the movies too much I find that my previous opinions and reflections on the book have been overwritten; I can no longer remember details from the book while I vividly remember scenes from the movies. So, I'm re-reading the books, and I'm discovering things I had either totally forgotten or never read (why do I skim whole paragraphs?). Summing up what I just said: I like the books better than the movies; but the movies were good as well (as long as you can still imagine Middle-earth as you did before seeing the movies).
I think Aul’ put it as well as anyone could.
Oh pls what a stupid question. i love the books, i hate the movies.
What we got here folks is apples and oranges. I love the movie for being the best representation of the book that we have been given to date; however, it can never replace the book, as Tolkien's world of words will always remain at the top, there is nothing penultimate about it.
Yes this is surely a very weird question Wink Smilie ... For now I agree with aule and Vir, although I liked the movie more than they did Big Smile Smilie
But still, you can't compare a 14 years long work and a film done in 3 years. Smoke Smilie
I find it hard to say I prefer one or the other really because you are comparing two mediums. At certain times I prefer watching films to reading, at other times I prefer reading. After the Silmarillion, I think LotR is the best book I have ever read. I also think FotR is my favourite film. Tolkien wrote incredible detail into his work and created a masterpiece of literature. Although certain individuals will disagree, I also feel PJ created a masterpiece in his own media. He may have diverged from the Tolkien story somewhat, but I still really like what I see on the screen.
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I find it hard to say I prefer one or the other really because you are comparing two mediums. At certain times I prefer watching films to reading, at other times I prefer reading. After the Silmarillion, I think LotR is the best book I have ever read. I also think FotR is my favourite film. Tolkien wrote incredible detail into his work and created a masterpiece of literature. Although certain individuals will disagree, I also feel PJ created a masterpiece in his own media. He may have diverged from the Tolkien story somewhat, but I still really like what I see on the screen.


Well said Val, and as usual, I couldn't agree more. The Silmarillion is my favorite book, and then LOTR. I would have to say that for me personally, those are without a doubt the best two books I’ve ever read. Funny enough, my favorite film of all-time has become the SEE DVD edition of FOTR. I also feel (my gripes and nitpicking aside) that overall; PJ has done an outstanding job of bringing LOTR to the big screen. Obviously the books are by far superior, but if nothing else PJ does deserve credit for having the guts to attempt something that was darn near impossible.

As Val mentioned, films and books are two different mediums. In order to be able to fully appreciate one or the other, one must have the ability to separate, and distinguish the working differences between the two.
Elf Smilie


Both the movies and the book are totally different from one another and cannot be treated as similar. Both r gr8 in their respective fields ( no comments Ross, Virumor & co.). I do enjoy both. One is a visual treatment while the other relaxes the mind.
(that is nless I start fantasising bout Middle- earth which drains my energy drastically. And how do I recharge myself? U guessed it, LOTR!!) Big Smile Smilie
Im glad that you all are giving me your opinions because I just wanted really to do survay to see which people like better. Once again Thanks!


Wooffy_elendil
I like the book better. Every true fan will tell you so. If you liked the movies better, it’s probably because you haven’t read the books. Still, one has to say that the movies brought to life characters only imagined by many. A good source discussion on this topic is freshly cooked in the Thread named "Will LOTR forge the way for new Fantasy films?" But your question is an interesting one. I guessed many people didn’t even like the movies, and found them boring and unworthy of all the hype built arround them.
anyone who dont agree with u should be roasted on a spit
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anyone who dont agree with u should be roasted on a spit

Why? Are you hungry? Or do the thought of other beings with *gasp!* different opinions than yourself scare you? Paranoid Smilie
no different opinions annoy me (my being hungry though true is irrelevant to this thread)besides who r u to critisize my bad temper and lack of social skills?VAE VICTIS! So Angry Smilie So Angry Smilie Bad! Smilie
Oo! Flames! *gets out the hot dogs* May I borrow your forky thing for a while?

To (for once) post on topic, I might go for the book. Although I find it an impossible comparison.
Gotta be the books. Nothing compares to Tolkien's own work. But I did enjoy the films.
I'm 100% with Vee on that... no need for further comments from me!
Difficult question.... i think i'll say i prefer the movies right now.
What!?!?! Super Wow Smilie
Well, not everyone likes you either, and that is not your fault. Ha Ha Ha Smilie
First, and before I get into it, let me congratulate all new Forum posters for merely existing. Then, a particular Kudos to Vee for the cool self spawned Avatar. Vee, Invasi’n Extraterreste! Now, when Ar-Edain said roast on a spit, I thought Spit as in Hgggrh Thwup! And your attitude is not welcome here. Poor and defenseles GrevBukMcJern is still crying about being no one important to critizice your thoughts. Even though we had a blast with your Flamy thingies. You should have added some drinks as well. The next time I’ll bring the beers. No! I’ll bring the flames! For if someone dares to question and criticize anyone’s elses bad temper and lack of social skills You Will Answer To Me! Bad King Smilie
On the other hand, I am glad everyone supports everyone elses ideas. As marvelously demonstrated by F’anor’s remark. Magistrally done, my friend. I still think the mind (yours, for example) renders whole ambiences and people, and smells, and sights, and feels, and thoughts in a completely diferent way when you are reading the facts. If you are to be shown those facts, and able to even touch them, your reality about them is altered. The way I imagined Elrond, to say something, would have never been confused with the way I imagined an Agent. Even if the movies were completly different (which I believe they aren’t), the representation and character should brood in your mind something that would Never be confused for the other. Does this make sense to you? If you read about something, and you read, then, about something that completly alienated from the first thing, you could feel both with the same passion, but never mistake one for the other. Grond said it better: Apples and Hamburger. That is what we are comparing. That is why it’s sooo interesting. It Is interesting, don’t you think?
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Then, a particular Kudos to Vee for the cool self spawned Avatar. Vee, Invasi’n Extraterreste!


Why thank you.

My avatar was produced for me by Milabar and he has been good enough to supply it in a variety of colours to use depending on my mood.

I want to know what they have done with the real Vir?

Paranoid Smilie
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I want to know what they have done with the real Vir?

Hahahahaha, april fools! Very Big Grin Smilie

I like both, but if I had to pick 1, the books were better because when I saw FOTR for the 1st time, it didnt have a clue what was going on u ntil I actually read the books!!!!!! ever since then I have been a Tolkien fan!!!!!!


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Posted Tuesday 30th March 2004 by Virumor

Difficult question.... i think i'll say i prefer the movies right now.


Hmmm... not posted on April Fools Day... must be true. Archived for ever!
Nice flaming V avatar Vee... sweet!


I likeses da Lord of da Ringz cos its got lots of nice people in it, innit.
I think almost everyone here, whether they like the movies or not, would prefer the books. Don't you agree?
Oh sweet! Wooffy elendil is my old user name! Cool well I have to say I like both. THe movies really did a lot with the specail effects and it made them look realistic. I dont see why ppl hate the movies so much (Aule). I am glad that they took out the random parts in the books
Lord aelric, I have deleted your post. Please don't use that kind of language.
There is Harry Potter thread in General Discussion > Harry Potter, go there (I have a post on the issue on page 11). Then write what you wrote here without cursing and things will be fine. Smile Smilie

I love the books, I also love the moives but while watching I can't stop thinking "ooooh... yes that looks pretty but it's not the way it's suppose to be!" But they are good movies.
Why couldnt you have PM'd me, and i would have made the amendment or deletion myself, it's seems to paint what i posted as some singular attack on Rowling, when other things were mentioned that pertained to the thread, besides I dont think it was a swear word, a curse yes. Now you make it sound to everyone that I've made an illicit remark - when i didnt, and that i use threads inappropriately - which i dont... Pffft.

Well its done now... Shame you couldnt have at least given me the opportunity to make my point or rectify the situation, instead of resorting to high-handedness.

I Bet this post is deleted too, so as to not start some sort of quarrel? Dont worry you wont get one.
It doesn't matter how may swear words you use Aelric. You know this is a no swearing site and I can not PM you and sit around hoping you might see it befor the week is over so you can edit it yourself.

Half your post started out thread related, and I will post it here (yes I did save it). I still think you need to see some other pionts of view on Rowlings writing befor you say what you said in your post. If you still feel the same then by all means say it, but don't swear ok? Good. Smile Smilie

Lord aelric posted Monday 5th April 2004 (11:26am)
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Now i think that requires some explanation, i wasnt aware of Tolkien randomly throwing in chapters, characters or plot threads, that sounds more like a Rowling to me!
wait im confused,im confused more,how come grev always corrects me and not some1 dummer like well um,darkicewarrior(dont think im insulting any1 hes my best friend and thats just how we joke around, he has a genius i.q. or somethin like that) and whoever agreed with grev um well sry i didnt include drinks,but how come grev always corrects me and not the people that do off the site like diw or the person whos site name i cant remember,thats gotta be the 3rd time uv randomly pcked me to correct,i cant even remember whether or not i should do something about something that i fergot about win my head hit that katana,or wall,or rock,or even the chandilier,hey i spelled chandilier,did i spell it right,anway the movies are good,i just like Tom Bombadil and the Barrow Wites, i just always say stuff like that when i agree with people,when i disagree i usually either argue until they walk away or change the subject,and if the flames and trident were mine were why didnt i get any marshmallows?anyway i dont no what time it is were u r,but its 11:30pm here,and i had a long day so im tired and cant tell if i was trying to apologize, rant,make a point,or more than 1 of these,anway i need to get a massage as part of my anger management plan,which includes a massage and using up all my bullets on targets,well i just accidently flickedmyself in the eye while typing so im either drunk or just tired,and i havnt had any alcohol at all so i should probly get some sleep and edit this in the morning,whatever i said,so anyway,if i was making an apology sry,if i was making a point tell me what it was later,and if i was ranting ignore it and move on
[Walking Away]
sry,when im tired i ramble on like a drunk,can u ever forgive me?

and since u enoyed the fire last time So Angry Smilie So Angry Smilie So Angry Smilie So Angry Smilie So Angry Smilie So Angry Smilie Jumping Flame Smilie Jumping Flame Smilie Jumping Flame Smilie Bad! Smilie Bad! Smilie Bad! Smilie
heres the drinks u wanted Alcoholic Smilie Alcoholic Smilie Alcoholic Smilie Shocked Elf Smilie Alcoholic Smilie Alcoholic Smilie Alcoholic Smilie Alcoholic Smilie
Azadhel u get marshmallows,grev u get hotdogs
LOve the use of Smileys!
Stay on topic folks, this has nothing to do with neihter the book nor the movies, it is only waste of peoples time.
Back to the topic then, and since I seem to have missed this thread earlier, here we go...

I don't think any movie can ever be better than the books, and I will not go back to those old arguments of seeing the movie as the movie, etc. etc. I would only like to tell you that thanks to the movies, my 12-year-old nephew is now a huge fan of LOTR, and watching the movies has encouraged him to read the Hobbit (which he thought was fantastic) and he's now going to read Fellowship and the rest of the books as well. If it hadn't been for the films he would never *ever* have started reading the books because he doesn't normally like reading.

Wiggle Smilie
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I don't think any movie can ever be better than the books, and I will not go back to those old arguments of seeing the movie as the movie, etc. etc. I would only like to tell you that thanks to the movies, my 12-year-old nephew is now a huge fan of LOTR, and watching the movies has encouraged him to read the Hobbit (which he thought was fantastic) and he's now going to read Fellowship and the rest of the books as well. If it hadn't been for the films he would never *ever* have started reading the books because he doesn't normally like reading.


Very good points Tommie! I absolutely agree with you that any movie adaptation of a book will never be as good as the book, and I think it’s safe to say that the vast majority of us out there know this to be true.

However, there always seems to be an exception to the rule, so maybe one day, who knows, some movie might actually be better than the book, but I can’t think of one case where it’s happened yet.

Anyway, I really liked what you had to say about the LotR films inspiring your nephew to read Tolkien’s The Hobbit, and now LotR, and more importantly the fact that the films got him reading when he was never interesting in reading before.

People can say what they want about the films, you can love them, like them, or loathe them, but the undeniable, undisputable fact of the matter is that PJ’s LotR films have brought an enormous amount of attention to the works of JRRT, and they’ve influenced literally thousands and thousands of people out there to read Tolkien’s works who would have never before.

I can’t tell you how many of my friends (many of whom are not big readers) have now read Tolkien’s LotR directly because of the influence of the films, and now that they have, they all like the books better, and the films mean more to them because they pick up on all the little things that didn’t matter to them before because they hadn’t read the books or didn’t understand certain things the films didn’t have enough time to explain.

As I’ve also mentioned before, if it weren’t for the films, I probably would have never found PT (something that’s impossible for me to imagine now). Plus, the films are also encouraging, and influencing more people than ever to read The Silmarillion now too (it’s no small coincidence that The Sil. has been on the best selling list ever since the release of the film FotR)!

Again everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion about the films, but the undisputable fact is that they have brought more positive attention to JRRT’s works, world, and life than anything else has ever before, and this can only be viewed as a good thing, and a victory for Tolkien fans everywhere!
Elf Smilie
A Victory indeed! I’ll bring the Marshmellows! We can dip them in the drinks!
Alcoholic Smilie Just because Someone likes the smilies!
So, let me get this straight. We cannot party while discussing a matter as controversial as genetically mixing apples and pears. Or Magically even! The hype arround the movies was profitable for everyone. At least that is what it seems. Although the Tolkien House didn’t actually "Aprove" the movie. Who cares. I say it has opened a different look on the world for me. Over here in Guatemala not many people knew about Tolkien’s work until after the movie. Which, from my point of view, it really sucked. Back then, only a few people could understand what I meant by passion, and triumph, and epic adventures beyond time. But nooo. No one got it. Then the movies. Ka-Splash! Which, form my point of view, it really sucks! Now, everybody is a Tolkien Conoseur. Everybody (think they) knows everything about The Lord of the Rings, and about Elves, and Orcs, and magic and dragons and... No one gets it. I loooved the movies. Its my favorite Trilogy by far. But the fact that us long time book followers welcome gladly all the new comers in this marvelous world. We need to be guides and beacons. And the new readers and fans need to be quiet and thinking... also questioning, but that is human nature. Besides, the Movies are better because you are done with each one in 3 and so hours. You can eat while participating, and most importantly, you can Drink too!
Alcoholic Smilie
If you smoke Old Toby, I recomend reading instead. Smoke Smilie

I'm not thinking anyone still understands passion and epic adventure, Azadhel. I was talking to my friend Ellen who has only seen the movies, and she said she loved them. She said it was a good story. I asked her if she saw how it expressed virtues like loyalty, bravery, and so on. She said: "What? Like there was anything in that! You're getting weird. It's just a story. It means nothing. Don't you see?"

She is now reading the book, and she's starting to get it, once she gets past the "big words"
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People can say what they want about the films, you can love them, like them, or loathe them, but the undeniable, undisputable fact of the matter is that PJ’s LotR films have brought an enormous amount of attention to the works of JRRT, and they’ve influenced literally thousands and thousands of people out there to read Tolkien’s works who would have never before.

I can’t tell you how many of my friends (many of whom are not big readers) have now read Tolkien’s LotR directly because of the influence of the films, and now that they have, they all like the books better, and the films mean more to them because they pick up on all the little things that didn’t matter to them before because they hadn’t read the books or didn’t understand certain things the films didn’t have enough time to explain.


I Absolutely with you here Elfie. Very good points there. The films made the book more easier to grasp in a way. It makes you see things in the books you hadn't seen before. And if nothing else, at least they make you appreciate the book more.

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I was talking to my friend Ellen who has only seen the movies, and she said she loved them. She said it was a good story. I asked her if she saw how it expressed virtues like loyalty, bravery, and so on. She said: "What? Like there was anything in that! You're getting weird. It's just a story. It means nothing. Don't you see?"

She is now reading the book, and she's starting to get it, once she gets past the "big words"


When the big words get in the way, the films move past them, and when you don't want to see them, you don't have to. If you just want to consider the films as a good, enjoyable story with nothing behind it, you can. But you can't do that with the books. The books evidently carry this meaning of loyalty, bravery, willpower, the strength of friendship, etc. And yes, it is a very good story, but there is so much more behind it. I agree with you that not everyone sees this, but maybe they don't have to. You don't have to understand everything in the book to enjoy it. And that's the great thing about Lord of the Rings: even if you don't see the meaning behind it all, you can still enjoy the story. The book loses a bit of its glamour then, but the overall story will always remain good.
NO! This has to be stopped!
The books have obvious mistakes. Anyone who start reading the books after watching the movies half as many times as I have will notice that Haldir doesn’t die in Helm’s Deep. What is up with that?!?! And why go aaall over what happens in Lothlorien. What you really need to know is that Galadriel gives a light to Frodo. All the rest of the gifts are useless. Anyone who sees the movies know that. Things are not the same in the books. You start reading knowing that Merry and Pippin lit a Dragon Sky Fire only to encounter that its not in the Books. What a rip-off! And then you waste a lot of time getting to know a Tom Bombadil Bombadillo, who isn’t even mentioned in the Magistral Movies by genious Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh. I could go on for ever pointing out mistakes that are in the book. That is why Movies Rule! Nice to see we understand each other.
Lol! And that's the other side of the story. Scary to imagine there are people out there who don't know the books and think the movies is all there is. Super Scared Smilie
Clicky
That's beautiful GrevBukMcJern! Back when I was in school we used Clasics Ilustrated Comic Books instead of reading the real books. Of course that was before LotR was published.
Nice one, Grev! Very Big Grin Smilie
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Scary to imagine there are people out there who don't know the books and think the movies is all there is.


That is a scary thought indeed, and a big reason why I always try and do my best to tell as many people as I can what actually happens in the books, and also to encourage as many people as I can to read the books if they haven’t!

Funny link Grev, and sadly too true for some of these kids these days. Elf Rolling Eyes Smilie
grevs link didnt work fer me,but the way i see it is if u like the movies but not the books the reason is probly that u think reading is work because that is the majority of what school is,and most people dont like school work,like me,so they dont want to read because it is work,i dont think that is true,reading is little more work than talking which most people dont say is work,even though some people dont like talking either but i think Tom Bombadil was a good character in the book because he represented many things,the changing of the world,how things r forgotten after time,and other things.
Nice one, Grev. The link is to a comic joke about there being a book and all the rest of media bombing after the movies. Also, reading is tedious. Yeah, right! I am surprised of all the people that rather watch the movie than read, in any genre. Of course it’s very common, and even I (who love to read), get bored sometimes with massive letters and extensive paragraphs. One cannot change the way most people appeal to the fact of reading versus sitting down, doing nothing but watching. It requires "less" effort. I recomend you read the book (any book). Be it work or not, your mind needs to create and invent. Otherwise imagination wouldn’t be default in our systems. As for which one is better, the book or the movies (and I have posted enough on the matter), I have to say that if you have no time to sit down, grab the book, flick the pages immersing yourself into another universe, go for the movies. They are as good as the book in story telling. Now, if you find or can acces the ideal enviroment for reading (even tedious school duty books), do it. You’ll find it gratifying in the long run. And isn’t life about the long run? Hey, there’s a new poll topic!
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I recomend you read the book (any book).

Or write a book! Elf Winking Smilie I agree whole heartily with you! Makes me sad that my mom didn't even know the Lord of The Rings movies are based on the book series.
It’s amazing how most people don’t even know about the books. I think what’s more amazing about it it’s that is very common. To instruct them is our lot in life. Rather, to let them be. Pitty them, perhaps.
In my opinion is is absurd to compare books to movies because of the entirely different medium of expression, movies express themselves thru images and sound. Books are less objective and require an active imagination on the part of the viewer who interprets the (hopefully well) chosen words to represent images, metaphors, ect.
Thats why I dont chose the books in a comparison of how accurate PJ did the films but because in all I enjoyed the books more. Smile Smilie
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