Myth Meets Real Life (Lord of the Rings and the Present Crisis)

Breakpoint ^ | Dec 16, 03 | Charles Colson

[sweetliberty]

.

Now what we need is that same picture only with Hillary's face instead of Saruman.

[sweetliberty]

Excellent!

Ping to post #24. LOL!

[Mr. Silverback]

As I read your post, a thought immediately occurred: "So what?"

[Mr. Silverback]

I understand why the thread I posted was locked up, but why was this thread moved to chat? It's not just some stupid movie thread, there's some very profound stuff about the WoT in here.

Respectfully request that this be moved to news/activism or that my thread be unlocked.

[af_vet_rr]

Good place to post, there is a new bio of Tolkien that just came out, here at Amazon although I found it at a local bookstore.

Tolkien and the Great War : The Threshold of Middle-earth

"To be caught in youth by 1914 was no less hideous an experience than in 1939 . . . by 1918 all but one of my close friends were dead."

So J.R.R. Tolkien responded to critics who saw The Lord of the Rings as a reaction to the Second World War. Tolkien and the Great War tells for the first time the full story of how he embarked on the creation of Middle-earth in his youth as the world around him was plunged into catastrophe. This biography reveals the horror and heroism that he experienced as a signals officer in the Battle of the Somme and introduces the circle of friends who spurred his mythology into life. It shows how, after two of these brilliant young men were killed, Tolkien pursued the dream they had all shared by launching his epic of good and evil. This is the first substantially new biography of Tolkien since 1977, meticulously researched and distilled from his personal wartime papers and a multitude of other sources. John Garth argues that the foundation of tragic experience in the First World War is the key to Middle-earth's enduring power. Tolkien used his mythic imagination not to escape from reality but to reflect and transform the cataclysm of his generation. While his contemporaries surrendered to disillusionment, he kept enchantment alive, reshaping an entire literary tradition into a form that resonates to this day.

[Budge]

I have been trying to remember the first film I saw John Rhys-Davies in, and am drawing a total blank. I do know he co-stared in two of the John Clavell 'made for TV' movies, "Shogun" and "Noble House," and he cemented my admiration as an actor for him in both.

Now to read this, it (my admiration) has jumped even more.

Good for you, John Rhys-Davies!

[Britton J Wingfield]

ping :)

[af_vet_rr]

To give a perspective on the Battle of the Somme

Went on for about five months.

420,000 British casualties
200,000 French casualties
500,000 German casualties.

Land gained = 12km at deepest points.

[sweetliberty]

Sounds like worthwhile reading.

[MarkL]

I do know he co-stared in two of the John Clavell 'made for TV' movies, "Shogun"

He was great as the Portugese navigator in Shogun. Wasn't he also in the TV show, "Sliders," and also in at least one James Bond movie?

Mark

[Flying Circus]

His homosexual orientation is what I've heard him talk about most in interviews. He seems quite happy to work through the list of actors he worked with who he also had sex with or wanted to have sex with. Now when I see him in interview, I am double fast to turn the channel and move on. No arguing, he is a good actor though.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Joey Ivansco /AJC In Atlanta and elsewhere Tuesday, costumed 'Lord of the Rings' fans lined up to see the trilogy.

[SkyPilot]

Wow. Always did like this guy.

[SLB]

When I passed a local theater on the way to work this morning (6:15 AM) there was a short line, but the temperature was 25F, with a windchill of around 15. That might keep a few away.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

You'd think so.

[redhead]

"I do know he co-stared in two of the John Clavell 'made for TV' movies, "Shogun" He was great as the Portugese navigator in Shogun. Wasn't he also in the TV show, "Sliders," and also in at least one James Bond movie? Mark"

don't forget he was also in at least two of the Indiana Jones movies.

[cateizgr8]

Good article :)

[Argh]

Actually, Miss Liberty, I believe those are the Nazgûl.

[sweetliberty]

They are all personifications of evil, so I guess it doesn't matter much how they're protrayed. Point taken though.

[AgThorn]

...under assault by radical Islam.

This comment by the English actor is somewhat borne out in the film itself by the creators, in my opinion, at least from my viewing it yesterday on opening day.

First, there is a comment early about "they have already taken the West Bank!"

It may have been minor by itself, but I quickly made a Palestinian tie in my head as I continued to watch the movie.

Second, I could not help to notice the "allies" of the Orc's, that came by ship, sure looked and were dressed like Muslim Pirates, headdresses and all.

Lastly, the riders of the "Oliphants", these huge elephant beasts that came and swept the good guys like so many blades of grass with their tusks. If anyone wants to tell me that all the guys writing these beasts weren't Muslim lookalikes as well, please do ..

I don't know, perhaps it's me, but I think there was some strong not only Christian message in this film but also a very strong tie on the Muslim world as being the home, creator and host of so much evil.

Perhaps there may be some political correct up cry about this from our Muslim cousins. Personally, I applaud the writers and directors for these insertions and do hope they were made intentionally!!!

Anyone catch any others?

By the by, a very enjoyable movie!!!!