For the readers of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, the books are very much like the One Ring. Tolkien has a way of casting a spell upon readers.
The novels — after years of reigning on best seller lists, and with movies based on them in theaters (“The Two Towers” topped the box office) — intrigue and lure innocent bookstore visitors into approaching them. Then, with their beautiful covers and decorative box-set packaging, they beckon to be picked up and more closely examined. At this instant of physical contact, all hope of escape is lost.
As the Ring must be worn, so “The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers” and “The Return of the King” must be read and seen. And the longer they are held, the harder it is to put them down. The trilogy and the Ring are very similar, except, of course, for that whole “evil and destructive” side of the Ring.
One of the many reasons Tolkien’s works are so irresistible is his power to describe the characters, settings and the world his mind created with such clarity and detail. Not only could he visualize this vast and ancient realm of Middle Earth, but through his lyrical and often poetic writing, he makes it possible for his readers to see it also. It is through these visions that readers fall in love with certain characters and scenes.
In “The Two Towers,” many fans favor the riders of Rohan and the battle of Helm’s Deep. Personally, my heart drifts in the shadows of the Ents.
Even for those who have not read the tomes, the special effects and scenery in both “The Fellowship of the Ring” and “The Two Towers” are by themselves worth the price of a ticket. Also, the Helm’s Deep battle scene in the movie is far more breathtaking, less chaotic and confusing, and more enjoyable than the Helm’s Deep of the book. Sacrilege, I know.
Those who vehemently abhorred Hollywood’s audaciously added romantic scenes between Arwen and Aragorn to a movie whose book never mentioned them should read the appendix. Tolkien used his appendix as many movies now use their DVD releases; it has a plethora of bonus material and deleted scenes. It is a nice touch that Peter Jackson chose to include some of it.
Now, those of us who are under Tolkien’s spell wait anxiously for next winter to bring the third and final installment, “The Return of the King.” Yet, I am apprehensive about it, too. There is so much material left to cover that it is impossible for the movie to include everything — even if it is more than three hours long. Scenes, chapters, even whole characters will, out of necessity, be cut, and I fear the ax. Peter Jackson and the screenwriters may not share the same love of certain aspects of the book that I do. And, given the success and quality of these movies, Tolkien’s epics most likely will never again be adapted to film. So this is their one shot. Tom Bombadil never made the silver screen. I fear others may join him in the darkness.
Yet, the beauty of it all is that even if these epic films do not portray the Middle Earth as I envisioned it, there will always be the books. Instead of plopping down in front of the television to watch the DVD, I can sit back with my old, bent, stained, broken-spined copy of “Lord of the Rings,” and suddenly be in the depths of Fanghorn forest, tipping my head back to drink the rain with the Ents.