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Compa_Mighty
Tol Eressea
May 19 2008, 1:26am
Views: 782
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From Balin, Smaug’s look, Bard’s introduction, Fellowship connections and more
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Can't Post
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So, as some of you know, I have been reading The Hobbit once again. A couple of days ago, I presented a thread in which I talked of what should be changed about Beorn and his introduction in the story.
Now, I wish to talk to you about several things that dawned on me while reading from the arrival to Esgaroth until Smaug’s death.
First of all, we have talked about how 13 dwarves might be too much for available screentime, however it seems as if, apart from Thorin, there are four other dwarves that play a prominent role: Balin, Dwalin, Fili and Kili.
Fili and Kili are always scouts, and are killed in the Battle of the Five Armies, so the audience should be able to relate to them, so their deaths are meaningful.
Dwalin is the first one of the dwarves that interacts prominently with Bilbo. (of course that could be changed to Balin to reinforce the following) Balin is the one that becomes the fondest of Bilbo. Since he sneaked through his watch, he increasingly respects him, and even he is the one that visits him periodically after their adventure. This, has a huge advantage: if Balin is shown prominently and as a likeable character, Gimli’s pain in Fellowship becomes all the greater and relatable to the audience, adding an extra dimension, to an already excellent Moria sequence.
Next matter: Guillermo’s views in Smaug were a little clearer now that I’ve read all there is to read about Smaug in The Hobbit. I don’t know I it was mentioned when we discussed it at length, but Smaug’s glow might be just what Guillermo was talking about. It is said he glows even outside the Mountain, so, from the text, I would gather he possesses some kind of self illumination, which is would be interesting when you add the jewels on his belly. As for his appearance within the Halls under the Mountain, there might be an additional thing to consider: The Arkenstone, which is mentioned to break light into the colors of the rainbow. It is also said to have been on top of the treasure, making this effect quite noticeable, probably. That could affect his look and glow further.
That brings me to the third matter itself: The Arkenstone. I was thinking it would help for I to be mentioned since Bag End, to make clear how much Thorin wanted it, and dramatize Bilbo’s actions even further.
An earlier presentation, takes me the fourth matter at hand: Bard’s introduction. It has been mentioned here, and noted by Guillermo himself, that Bard is strangely and abruptly introduced in the middle of Smaug’s attack.
This is actually of the issues that could be addressed in the easiest fashion: introduce him during Thorin’s first arrival to Esgaroth, at the feast. Have Bard interact a little with Thorin, have them have a deep conversation while overlooking The Mountain, telling him how his mother talked about Thror and Thrain… make him a little more familiar to both Thorin and the audience. After that, keep him unchanged, and his character would make a lot of sense.
In further connections to The Fellowship, it should be made a solemn moment the one in which Thorin gifts the Mithril to Bilbo. Nice connection, again, makes Frodo’s survival against the cave troll more important and meaningful.
Next matter: The Great chamber of Thror. It very much reminded me of Moria, with the light coming in, and the halls being so high, that one could not see the ceiling. Corpses lying around also help the image. How should I be alike to Dwarrowdelf? How should it be different?
Another thing that got me wondering is the armor the 13 dwarves will be wearing towards the end of the movie. It is said they took armors from the walls of the Halls, and that “Royal indeed did Thorin look, clad in a coat of gold-plated rings, with a silver-hafted axe in a belt crusted with scarlet stones” Nice image, one that probably will inspire one of Arwen’s Daughter’s Did you ever notice… costume? threads way into 2011. J
As for narrative elements that have to be lloked into for the movie adaptation, I have a few:
It is noticeable that the narrator is less and less childish as the book moves forward, having fewer and fewer notes directed at the reader. This seems quite appropriate, and I hope the tone of the narrator is uniform to that of the last chapters throughout the whole movie.
Second and important change: the exploration of the Halls by the Company takes place (chronologically) after Smaug’s death, but comes a chapter before. Given what Peter did with the timelines of Two Towers and Return of the King, I am guessing these matters will be shown chronologically on screen, as opposed to following the book’s structure. I really hope so, since that would benefit the story telling, ridding us of unnecessary flashbacks. I don’t have anything against them, when they help tell the story, but I do not see a strong reason why to have Smaug’s death shown later.
A concern I could not voice elsewhere: the spider scene lasts only 13 pages out of 276… it is indeed and important and good one, but Guillermo has said it is one of his favorite ones. How long do you think he will stretch it? Will he give it too much importance, as compared to that it actually has in the book?
And finally, a couple of interesting things: it is said Smaug’s bones were visible many years following his death, as well as Lake Town’s ruins upon which they rested. It would be fun to see that image at least as concept art, and maybe as a scene in the sprequel. J
And when Bilbo tells the dwarves about Smaug’s weak spot, they say they start talking about stories of dragon-slaying… I wonder if that could be a way of including a tiny reference to Túrin Turambar.
So there you go, several things that came to mind when reading The Hobbit and thinking of its upcoming adaptation. Sorry for the length of the post, I thought it was pointless to post each of this individual random thoughts in its own thread.
Here's to Del Toro becoming the Irvin Kershner of Middle Earth!
Essay winner of the Show us your Hobbit Pride Giveway!
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Subject
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Time
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From Balin, Smaug’s look, Bard’s introduction, Fellowship connections and more
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Compa_Mighty
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May 19 2008, 1:26am
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Good points.
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ringers rock!
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May 19 2008, 2:53am
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Dori, Gloin, and Bombur of course
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sador
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May 19 2008, 6:47am
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Thanks for bringing this up:
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Compa_Mighty
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May 19 2008, 5:08pm
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Bard
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Empedocles
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May 19 2008, 5:35pm
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Distinguishing Dwarves
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merklynn
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May 21 2008, 7:07pm
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Thorin's company impossible with prosthetics?
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merklynn
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May 22 2008, 12:39am
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A rather though provoking topic overall, especially about the 13 dwarves
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Earl
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May 19 2008, 10:00am
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Truly Great Topic
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Empedocles
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May 19 2008, 1:50pm
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Has anyone asked about this in the "Unexpected Party" chat thing?
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Empedocles
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May 19 2008, 1:54pm
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Identifying Dwarves...
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Earl
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May 19 2008, 2:20pm
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I just realized...
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Earl
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May 19 2008, 3:43pm
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re: Var, Thulin and Vigdis
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Magpie
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May 19 2008, 4:11pm
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Wow! These are awesome pics!
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grammaboodawg
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May 22 2008, 4:39pm
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Wow! Awesome!! Thank you :D //
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grammaboodawg
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Oct 31 2008, 4:41pm
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I do think they'll do 13...
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Compa_Mighty
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May 19 2008, 5:05pm
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Gotta be 13
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grammaboodawg
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May 19 2008, 6:46pm
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Surely 13
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Rosie-with-the-ribbons
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May 20 2008, 6:28pm
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Fersher!
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grammaboodawg
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May 21 2008, 11:58am
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It has its pros and cons
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Mirabella_Bunce
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May 21 2008, 2:35pm
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To address some of your points
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grammaboodawg
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May 19 2008, 6:43pm
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Thranduil isn't part of the council Gramma
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AinurOlorin
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May 22 2008, 1:37pm
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Oh! I didn't realize that was supposed to be Glorfindel!
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Mirabella_Bunce
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May 22 2008, 7:58pm
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Is Elrond a member of the "great council of White Wizards"?
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squire
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May 23 2008, 3:50am
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Hmm, not sure why, but
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Mirabella_Bunce
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May 23 2008, 12:34pm
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Elrond
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N.E. Brigand
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May 23 2008, 1:27pm
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White Council vs Dol Guldur insignificant cinematically
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merklynn
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May 23 2008, 2:43pm
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Always trying to ruin the parade. What a raincloud! lol
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AinurOlorin
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May 23 2008, 2:24pm
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Why postpone Smaug's death?
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N.E. Brigand
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May 21 2008, 10:16pm
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Ding! Ding! Ding!
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N.E. Brigand
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May 22 2008, 3:22am
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Couldn't resist :-D
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Kelvarhin
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May 22 2008, 3:38am
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Woo-hoo! Thanks! //
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N.E. Brigand
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May 22 2008, 4:16am
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You're welcome :-D //
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Kelvarhin
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May 22 2008, 4:19am
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Lovely!
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sador
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May 22 2008, 6:02am
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Could be fun
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Kelvarhin
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May 22 2008, 6:21am
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100,000th post!? OMG! Congratulations!
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grammaboodawg
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May 22 2008, 9:25am
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I'm counting on you
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N.E. Brigand
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May 22 2008, 2:19pm
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That is so incredibly appropriate!
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dernwyn
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May 22 2008, 10:09am
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