h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On the subject of political correctness I think Tolkien was pretty liberal, considering he was born in the 19th century when children saw black people as terrifying little "golliwog" dolls with huge red lips and women were meant to neither be seen nor heard. It is quite surprsing he gave any part at all to women, let alone having a 'shield-maiden' who was prepared not only to fight but also to die in the service of her country. As for blackness being associated with evil, I think this comes not from racial issues but from the natural human fear of the dark and whatever may lurk therin.

On the subject of political correctness I think Tolkien was pretty liberal, considering he was born in the 19th century when children saw black people as terrifying little "golliwog" dolls with huge red lips and women were meant to neither be seen nor heard. It is quite surprsing he gave any part at all to women, let alone having a 'shield-maiden' who was prepared not only to fight but also to die in the service of her country. As for blackness being associated with evil, I think this comes not from racial issues but from the natural human fear of the dark and whatever may lurk therin.

Errmmm... Don't you think that your reading a little bit much into it?
I'm pretty sure Tolkien wouldn't have thought of most of the things you mentioned when he wrote it.
And how about replying to the comments about accents?

Seeing as almost all the main (speaking) roles are being played by Poms and Yanks I don't believe the New Zealand accent will be a factor. Incidentally, most Australians think Kiwis sound a bit like Poms. What I think you are really asking is why is it being filmed in New Zealand? Pull up a chair and I will tell you.

How did Peter Jackson get the job? A tangled tale. The film rights to Lord of the Rings were held by legendary film producer Sail Zaentz, Now 79, Zaentz made One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest and Amadaus, and was involved with recording Creedence Clearwater Revival. To the point where Creedence leader John Fogerty was for several years legally stopped from singing in public the hits that he had written, Zaentz can be a good friend, but a bad enemy.

During filming of The English Patient, Zaentz got financial help at a crucial junction from Harvey and Bob Weinstein of Miramax. Jackson had a multi-picture deal, split between Universal and Miramax. When Jackson's King Kong film with Universal collapsed Miramax stepped-up to the plate. The Weinsteins could tap their warm relationship with Zaentz, and Jackson finally landed the project. Miramax then got cold feet and backed out.

At the last possible moment, New Line stepped in, reportedly paid $l0m fee (Zaentz and the Weinstein's retain executive producer credits on the films - for doing what?) and gave the green light for a three-film commitment. As New Line president Michael de Luca told Newsweek (September 9, 1999) "Maybe it'll stink. Or maybe it'll be Star Wars.

Since then, the budget has risen from an always unrealistic $US130 million (for three films?) to what Vanity Fair now reports as $US270 million. If true, at average $US90 million a film (before marketing and distribution costs) that looks like a major blow-out. On "runaway" projects (filmed outside the US) savings of around 25 percent are supposed to be routinely possible. New Zealand crews are paid less, special effects shots cost less, tax advantages exist and the US dollar goes further every day. So New Line must be starting to wonder what happened to the savings from filming in New Zealand.

Gooday Loonytunes,

Interesting. I've always considered Tolkien's stuff to be pretty much Beowulf II with a few Sagas for seasoning. By and large, I prefer Jules Verne, H G Wells or even (or especially) Lewis Carroll's versions of life under the surface. By the by, can't think of a better place than Enzed to make a film about a bunch of fairys (and quoting Ava Gardiner is not going to be counted as a proper response). Take care,

Walter.

Hi, I don't like to scary anyone but I heard a rumor that needs to be check.... I herd that Arwen would join Fellowship of the Ring
and there is some kind of Hollywood lovestory within the plot...? I hope that this was all a bad dream...

Lord Falk etc, read back a bit in the forum. Your points have already been discussed

*okay*
There's too many postings which I haven't read...

Okay, look. Lord of the Rings is being filmed in New Zealand because of the good scenery it provides, but also because the director is a New Zealander. Also, I really think New Zealand is the only place you could get away with filming it.

Okay wait. Lost....

Never mind. Feel free to disregard that last one....

Umh, the thing that scares hell out of me, is the filmography of that director...

Tall, wiry, scruffy - and that's just his hair. Frenetic, frantic, fabulous - and that's just his eyes. Yes, I suppose it must be scary to Americans that LOTR is being directed by a guy who has made classic, breakthrough movies. A guy who thinks outside the round, forget the square.

Of course the American money men may still dumb it down.

Yes, the bloody producers!!!
*tries to find nuclearmissile lauch-button*
I have seen many good movies ruined by these money-sharks... Oh, great do they have to ruin this wonderful story... Oh, the Monty Python joke is true... Money makes world go round...

The basis for the settings for the Lord of the Rings comes from the Saxon element of Britain which was pre The Normans of 1066. Tolkien was a specialist in Saxon english, and is the basis for most of the names and what little of the language of Middle-Earth we are given. He is famous in Litereary circles for his translation of Beowulf, the oldest text written in saxon english.

Hi Aragorn,

Now that you mention it, wouldn't Beowulf make a great movie? Roll over, Gladiator and Lord of the Rings.

Walter

Word has escaped that a big party is planned in Wellington, NZ, this Friday to farewell departing Lord of the Rings stars. Some of them, however, have already beaten the gun with private celebrations. We know the party of Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf) was a relaxed affair. The invites read: "Speedos, short shorts, singlets and T's most acceptable. Just in case the point be missed, it was headed: "Sir Ian... Queen of the Rings"

I always thought "The 13th Warrior" was really an adaptation of Beowulf. The mysterious creatures terrorizing the countryside, a foreigner coming to Scandanavia to vanquish it, etc. Of course they changed a lot, but that's pretty standard for Hollywood versions of classic texts. If that's the best they can do with Beowulf, I'm not overly impressed. And Antonio Bandaras doesn't make a very convincing Arab either. But that's just my opinion.

-Zarquon

I HAVE seen a copy of a movie called "Beowulf" in a video store, and it DID claim to be based on the original poem. Unfortunately, the story looked pretty bastardized, being set in some kind of nightmare future or something. I guess that for all its gore, the midieval text didn't have enough pyrotechnics for modern audiences.


I hate the commercial movie industry.

From New Zealand's Dominion newspaer - 23/12/00

There was only one kind of hangover worth having in Wellington, NZ, today - The Lord Of The Rings kind.

The wrap party marking the end of 15 months filming for director Peter Jackson's $650 million, three-film project was held last night in Shed 21 on Wellington's waterfront with more than 2000 guests enjoying an all-night shindig.

A scrum of media waited outside to catch a glimpse of stars and bit-players alike, but few members of the public took time out from their own festive celebrations to sightsee.

A polite but firmly worded sign spelled out what everyone knew - Private Function. Sorry, no ticket no entry.

Despite The Evening Post receiving a string of offers to buy tickets to the party for up to $1000, there was no sign of security problems.

Arriving in trademark T-shirt and shorts, Jackson declared "it's good to have it done". He was looking forward to a break before cutting the films in the studio early next year.

He was joined for the party by National list MP Max Bradford, Wellington Mayor Mark Blumsky and a host of very tired actors.

It's been an intense period for the cast and crew.

Actor Sean Astin, who plays Samwise Gamgee, declared himself "totally and emotionally fried, man".

Producer Barrie Osborne said "it's been quite an experience to have survived the last 15 months".

But perhaps the most well-known star of the movie, Liv Tyler, missed the big do. She was not thought to be in the country.

Orlando Bloom, who plays Legolas, and Dominic Monaghan, who plays Merry, both said they "really wanted to have a big night".

It was a night when everyone could play at being the star.

A constant stream of limousines dropped guests off for the evening, but largely they were behind-the-scenes staff celebrating a long year of long days.

The big-name stars and Jackson arrived in normal taxis.

The first film in The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, The Fellowship Of The Ring, is scheduled for release next December 19. The Two Towers will follow at Christmas 2002, and Return Of The Ring will screen over Christmas 2003.

This is going to be great, someone compared these Lord of Rings movies to be the Star Wars trilogy for this generation.