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demnation
Nargothrond
Jun 15 2013, 6:43pm
Post #2 of 38
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It has been my understanding that most actors tend to not be interested in reading source material regardless of any perceived quality. I'm thinking that some get the same feeling that students get towards required reading in school.
My Sam Gamgee is indeed a reflexion of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen I knew in the 1914 war, and recognized as so far superior to myself- J.R.R. Tolkien
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ShireHorse
Nargothrond
Jun 15 2013, 6:44pm
Post #3 of 38
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that it's always delightful and satisfying when you discover that an actor is a Tolkien nerd like Richard Armitage, I don't think Sir Ian had read LotR or even knew anything about it before or during filming. He just went from the script he was given and did a marvellous job, I must admit.
I also think that many of the actors in TH know very little about Tolkien and perhaps have not read the book because of the blank expression on their faces whenever the book is discussed in interviews and their ignorance when a question about the book is asked..
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Otaku-sempai
Elvenhome
Jun 15 2013, 6:56pm
Post #4 of 38
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I'm not sure why you find this shocking...
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By this point we have learned that there are hundreds of actors (at least) who have been cast in major roles in film adaptations and who have never read the original source material. It isn't remotely unusual.
'There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world.' - Gandalf the Grey, The Fellowship of the Ring
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Voronwë_the_Faithful
Doriath
Jun 15 2013, 6:59pm
Post #5 of 38
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I don't believe that is correct
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My understanding is that while Sir Ian had not read LOTR before being cast, he read it avidly, and made several suggestions based on his reading. One example that I can think of is that he suggested that it was important that Sam take Frodo's hand when he sees him awake in Rivendell, and that therefore that was added to the script.
'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'
The Hall of Fire
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Runk Snusgrop
Ossiriand
Jun 15 2013, 7:07pm
Post #6 of 38
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Not suprised at all. If I know Fry as well as I think I do, he probably went straight to Oscar Wilde the day he learned to read. He doesn't strike me as someone who's ever read childrens' books, even as a child.
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trqn13
Nevrast
Jun 15 2013, 7:11pm
Post #7 of 38
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imagine Peter Jackson took a similar approach to the hobbit too,, read a few bits and invent the rest
"Give me your name, Horse Master, and I shall give you mine"
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dubulous
Nargothrond
Jun 15 2013, 7:12pm
Post #8 of 38
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That's what I remember reading as well.
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He hadn't read the book before he was cast, but he definitely read it later in preparation for the role.
I think it was the same for many, though not all, of the LOTR cast. They came in not having read the book but read either before or during the filming. I remember a similar quote from Cate Blanchett (re:LotR) that she hadn't read the book when she got the role but had "subsequently read it, of course".
But different actors have different ways of preparing for roles. Especially if you only have a small role, you can probably get away with playing the character even without reading the book. I am a little surprised that Stephen Fry of all people hasn't already read the Hobbit ages ago, long before this role even, because I have this impression of him as a man who reads a great deal, but maybe fantasy just isn't his cup of tea. It isn't for everyone.
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demnation
Nargothrond
Jun 15 2013, 7:12pm
Post #9 of 38
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I think it's harder for actors already familiar with the source material
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I'm trying to imagine how difficult it is for Richard Armitage, who has to contend with his own, vivid image of what's in the book and what is in the script that is given to him. Personally, It doesn't really matter to me what any of the actors think of the source material-positive or negative or if they haven't even read it-so long as they do a good job. And so far, the acting is the one thing I have zero complaints about in these films. (LOTR included)
Btw, it is my understanding that Sir Ian became quite a fan of the book and even made small suggestions that the script writers had forgotten about. ( ah, somebody beat me to this!)
My Sam Gamgee is indeed a reflexion of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen I knew in the 1914 war, and recognized as so far superior to myself- J.R.R. Tolkien
(This post was edited by demnation on Jun 15 2013, 7:18pm)
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Ham_Sammy
Dor-Lomin
Jun 15 2013, 7:18pm
Post #10 of 38
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He did not read the Hobbit until he was preparing for the role and has no interest in reading LOTR although he has seen and liked the films. It doesn't shock me at all and I don't have a problem with it.
Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13
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jimmyfenn
Nargothrond
Jun 15 2013, 7:25pm
Post #11 of 38
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darling, he could read the hobbit in his sleep he probably knows the story just by looking at the cover.
i trust him exsplicitly , i thinkits almost more shocking that pj read the lotr when he was younger and didnt think much of it.
"You Tolkien to me?!" - Hobbit de Niro
(This post was edited by jimmyfenn on Jun 15 2013, 7:30pm)
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Lusitano
Dor-Lomin
Jun 15 2013, 7:27pm
Post #12 of 38
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you might be on to something. 
It disappoints me when i hear actors say these things, but if the performance is what it should be, thats all we can ask, really.
Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!
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Shagrat
Mithlond
Jun 15 2013, 7:45pm
Post #13 of 38
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Of course I'm well aware many actors in these films haven't read the book. But Fry is a different case given his intellect and interest in literature. I'm a least surprised he didn't read the book when on the plane. I would have thought he'd have appreciated it.
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Kangi Ska
Gondolin
Jun 15 2013, 7:47pm
Post #14 of 38
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it is probably a good thing Mr. Fry ha not read the book.
Kangi Ska Resident Trickster & Wicked White Crebain
Life is an adventure, not a contest.
At night you can not tell if crows are black or white.
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Runk Snusgrop
Ossiriand
Jun 15 2013, 7:54pm
Post #16 of 38
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You know what I meant thouh. 
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ShireHorse
Nargothrond
Jun 15 2013, 8:09pm
Post #17 of 38
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On another point, I read The Hobbit with a class of 12 year olds after I had read and fallen in love with LotR in my teens. I was disappointed and, as an English teacher, saw many, many flaws in Tolkien's work. After numerous readings and discussions with pupils, I have come to enjoy and appreciate it BUT only because I have made excuses for Tolkien, coming up with reasons as to why he did the things he did, in the same way as I have learned to love PJ's films after trying to understand the reasons behind his decisions. Neither writer nor film-maker is perfect and it does Tolkien no favours treating him as a god and PJ as a blight upon this impossible perfection.
(This post was edited by entmaiden on Jun 15 2013, 10:20pm)
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jimmyfenn
Nargothrond
Jun 15 2013, 8:21pm
Post #18 of 38
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stephen fry narrated all of the harry potter audio books, which are fantastic.
"You Tolkien to me?!" - Hobbit de Niro
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demnation
Nargothrond
Jun 15 2013, 9:03pm
Post #19 of 38
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The making up excuses part, I mean. Can't something be flawed but be just fine the way it is? I mean, isn't every book, movie, etc. very flawed in it's own way? They are crafted by humans, after all, who are well known for being flawed. Three of my own favorite writers-Orwell, Austen and Tolkien-all wrote things that I consider to be very, very flawed, but I also think they are very, very good. I guess what I'm asking is if it's possible to accept something the way it is rather than making up excuses for it.
Sorry if I seem off-putting (and for drifting off topic) but I'm just trying to understand things from a different point of view.
My Sam Gamgee is indeed a reflexion of the English soldier, of the privates and batmen I knew in the 1914 war, and recognized as so far superior to myself- J.R.R. Tolkien
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malickfan
Mithlond
Jun 15 2013, 10:51pm
Post #20 of 38
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Can't something be flawed but be just fine the way it is?
I was just watching Die Hard with A Vegeance a dopey, seriously flawed action film, but I enjoyed it alot, becuase it does what it was intended to do-entertain me, if it were 'improved' in any way then it wouldn't be the same Die Hard, and then I might not be as entertained. A poor comparison I realise (never thought I mention Die Hard 3 on this forum) but I agree with your basic point.
This is not a very interesting signature is it?
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bborchar
Nargothrond
Jun 15 2013, 10:56pm
Post #21 of 38
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I don't see why it matters, truly...
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...as long as he can read the script :) It's not as if he has a huge part, anyway.
"Go on. Walk on. You must be destroyed."
"Good boy! That's the spirit! Bring my miserable line to an end. Up, up! Come, Scientist, destroy me! Destroy your creation! Come!"
~Frankenstein
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malickfan
Mithlond
Jun 15 2013, 11:16pm
Post #22 of 38
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Well Phillipa Boyens hasn' read The Silmarillion in 25 years, and I seem to Remeber Jackson admitting he hasn't read The LOTR the whole way through since his teenage years, it worked alright for them...
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Steven Fry, Martin Freeman, Aidan Turner, Billy Connoly, James Nesbitt...anyone noticing a pattern?
This is not a very interesting signature is it?
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Lusitano
Dor-Lomin
Jun 15 2013, 11:17pm
Post #23 of 38
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you made me wish i hadnt.
Vous commencez à m'ennuyer avec le port!!!
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Ham_Sammy
Dor-Lomin
Jun 15 2013, 11:26pm
Post #24 of 38
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Oh my God. This film is going to be a failure!!! They haven't read the stories! Quick! Get the guards and throw them off the set!
Thank you for your questions, now go sod off and do something useful - Martin Freeman Twitter chat 3/1/13
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malickfan
Mithlond
Jun 15 2013, 11:28pm
Post #25 of 38
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Steven Fry is always the voice I hear in my head when I read the Hobbit (i.e it's him narrating the story)-you can't get more english than Fry...
This is not a very interesting signature is it?
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