Poll: Two polls in one How do you feel about the Hobbit being re-adapted as a simple Childrens fairytale, independent on Tolkien’s wider mythology? Do what degree do you view it as part of Tolkiens mythology?
Yes, but as a TV special
Yes, in some other form (cartoon series, illustrated book etc)
Why not?-I like the idea of having two entirely different spins on the hobbit, why should PJ have monopoly on things?
Yes, it’s what I wanted from a film adaptation anyway
I was disappointed with PJ’s film, so would like to see another version
Yes, I doubt Tolkien would have been pleased with PJ’s spin on things, it would be nice to see a adaption that might actually carry the estate’s approval
Yes, I always liked The fairytale tone of the book and would like to see it replicated on screen
If it means no more Radagast/Azog then yes!
I have always viewed The Hobbit as a separate story, and would like to see a film replicate this
If it means Roac and the Talking purse get their moment in the spotlight, then yes!
It didn’t work in the 70’s cartoon, I don’t think it would work a second time around
I never liked the tone of the book, and was glad they changed things for the film anyway
No it wouldn’t improve on PJ’s film so I don’t see the point in doing it
Wasn’t PJ’s film close enough to the book anyway?
I think Tolkien always regretted the tone of the book anyway, so perhaps he would have liked PJ’s vision
I would say yes but I don't think it would work on screen
After three films by PJ I don't think it would be possible for a future film of the hobbit to be soley viewed in the conetext of the book
No there have been enough adaptions already
I'd rather they just left Tolkiens books alone
Why would less of Tolkiens world on screen by a good thing? (If you can call the bunny sled Tolkien that is)
I'm not sure
Other Reason
I'll get bak to you after There and Back Again comes out
Is the Hobbit really a childrens book?
I'd rather see PJ have a crack at The Silmarillion
Yes it is firmly part of Tolkien’s Legendarium along with LOTR and the Sil
Yes it is part of the legendarium but only partly
I view it as a separate Childrens fairytale
I view it as a LOTR Prelude
Yes, but the legendarium current to its initial writing (The Book of Lost Tales, the 1926 Quenta)
It was initially published and conceived as primarily a separate story so I believe it should be read as such
How Its relationship to LOTR etc is read by me, depends on my mood
If Tolkien truly felt it was a prt of his mythology why didn’t he complete the 1960 rewrite?
Hmm…didn’t Tolkien himself keep changing his mind on whether it was a part of the mythology?
I'm not sure how I view it in relation to the other books
Two polls in one How do you feel about the Hobbit being re-adapted as a simple Childrens fairytale, independent on Tolkien’s wider mythology? Do what degree do you view it as part of Tolkiens mythology?
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Personally I would. Even though I was introduced to Tolkien through the LOTR films, and read the hobbit after reading LOTR, I really enjoyed the fairytale, child friendly tone of The Hobbit (Though it was a little surprising!... if I’m honest in some ways I prefer it to LOTR), and even now (after reading and owning UFT, The Sil, The HOME, COH, The HOTH and Tales from the Perilous Realm) still view the The Hobbit as set apart from Tolkien’s wider mythology-The material in the appendices after all, was written decades later and varies enormously in tone and purpose, and the book can be read (as I do) as a totally individual story. The great differences in tone and pace notwithstanding, for me it stands apart too well on its own to necessarily fit into the mythology –the Thorin from the book being a different Thorin from the appendices-in reading room discussions on The Hobbit I tend to approach chapters soley from the perspective of the novel, not its relationship to the other books. I know that’s an odd way of looking at things, but why should I rewrite the Hobbit in my mind, when Tolkien never seemed entirely sure whether he wanted to?- I was therefore a little disappointed by PJ determination to rewrite The Hobbit into being a LOTR prequel (IMO)(the frequent nods to LOTR, the framing sequence, the reuse of music and over emphasis on the Necromancer were completely at odds with the tone of the book, and made the world feel a little smaller to me), and surprised people seem to have accepted him so readily for completely altering the perception and point of the book. Fair enough if the book wasn’t for you, but I do sometimes get the impression readers are too quick to dismiss as just another part of the legendarium, almost resenting it was never totally drawn into the mythology, not considering the way it stands quite adequately on its own two feet ot its original intentions. Whilst I won’t deny some aspects of the film certainly improved on the book (Thorin being more likeable, the dwarves being more than a collection of names) and the appendices material was pretty cool in places, it felt often like an overlong re-tread of LOTR, rather than an adaption of a something which has always worked as a virtually separate story, some of the additions *AzogRadagast* feeling so out of place I struggle to see how they could be defended in the context of the book. Granted this may just be a mixture of bias and unrealistic hopes for the film (which I only saw twice in December so my memories a little rusty), but I remain hopeful that The Hobbit is adapted again as, well The Hobbit, not an extension of LOTR. I was therefore wondering how anyone else felt about the tone of the book being replicated on screen in the future, and whether the book is viwed as part of the mythology or not. Furthermore, is anyone here a guardian/parent to young children who had read the book, then seen the film? I know it is a pretty personal question, but on other forums, I have seen user’s voice surprise at the length, and dark tone of the film in comparison to the book, stating they didn’t feel they could take their children to see the film, and was wondering whether anyone had experienced something similar, as this seems to have been a question largely skipped over in publicity for the film (or merely answered with ‘well Tolkien thought about rewriting it to be darker, so we are finishing the job’), and on this forum (Granted the children of Today grew up in a different culture to Tolkien’s kids).
I view it as a LOTR prelude. I think that was Tolkien's view in the end considering the efforts he put to link The Hobbit with the ''greater plot'' of LOTR and the mythology. I've heard he even tried to rewritte the Hobbit. So, It is true that the Hobbit was intented to be a children fairy tale back in 1938 and it is still a light fairy tale to read but it has been drawn towards something greater and darker as a prelude to LOTR which is more of an adult fairy tale.
So, I am not for the idea of making a children movie about it. Anyway it has already been done with the animated film in the 80'. While I think PJ's vision of The Hobbit is not exactly accurate, I believe it is in the tone The Hobbit was finally meant to be as part of the story of Middle-Earth giving more importance and place to the dark and ominous background of the tale.
(This post was edited by sam90 on May 17 2013, 11:52pm)
... and I actually appreciated the lighter tone. The events described are a part of the 'big' Middle-earth history, and if I think of the book as "written by Bilbo", I have no issues with some of the fairytaleish stuff like talking purses. I'd totally expect the old hobbit to lighten the tone, boast a bit, add a few touches, and not have an inkling of the bigger frame behind. Not to mention I find the book an extremely relaxing read.
As for the first question, it would be interesting to see such an adaptation, but I'd miss the references to the other works (Moria, Gondolin etc.).
Tauriel as the thirteenth Disney princess?
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I can see that.
Though I'd rather see a Zhang Yimou version of The Hobbit, or even a Ridley Scott version in the style of his 1985 Legend, though a version set in a Fascist 1930's Great Britian like Richard Loncraine's 1995 Richard III (which incidentally starred Ian McKellen) would be very cool.
And yes, The Hobbit is a part of the Legendarium, but much like the extremely biased Translations From the Elvish, it really shouldn't be taken too literally. In any study of Middle-earth literature it's vital to keep alert for hidden agendas.
the inclusion of two questions in one that create many interactions with eachother led to far too many options being listed that could still, for all there numerousness, not account for most of my reactions.
For starters, the children's movie thing has already been done. Secondly TH, mythology, and children's literature are each exhausting topics in and of themselves but putting them together made my brain explode just now!
Because I absolutely love those cartoons people have made (deviantart ad thumblr)
I think::: if they think the Hobbit is not childish enough for young children (I always though the book was more teen than childish but well, it is a fact it was writen as a children book, but it isn´t) so it´s better to make a comic book like those fanarts.
But rewritting the novel? Hummm nop.
As you said even Tolkien was confused and changed his mind his works, do not make it worse. We must leave that material as it is.
About the movie: Yeah definitely the movie is not for children, but I guess I am thinking in children of decades ago:: Maybe those dark things are for today children. *What they see in TV/ animes or cartoons these days are so much, WAY worse than the darkness of the Hobbit films* Anyway the darkness of the films look OK for me, I am expecting films to be like that (To me the films are not that far from the image I had of the book). It happens with all movie adaptations, Narnia films for example are darker than the books, some HP films are darker tan the books.
Maybe is our time, everything is darker, that´s the rule.
Even though I am happy this first film keeps the fun of the book, some people complain The Hobbit film is childish... (See, people who have not read the book) so I think they are doing a good job I could have been so much darker.
I read The Hobbit after reading LOTR and The Silmarillion, and I was a bit surprised as well of the light in the narrative but I absolutely loved it for it. Maybe it helped me to understand so much better the inner messages The Hobbit has, it helped me to understand Thorin, because The Hobbit is not that simple, The Hobbit is complex.
(This post was edited by Marionette on May 21 2013, 3:44pm)
Not to mention I find the book an extremely relaxing read. 
I could have been so much darker. 