New Zealander builds Hobbit hole

Ananova / The Evening Post ^ | 1/26/02

[John Farson]

New Zealander builds Hobbit hole A New Zealand man has built a Hobbit house. Carl Gifford, a stonemason from Wellington, says he used a 10-tonne digger to make the hole. He's put rocks either side of the front door and plans to install a chimney and lantern on top. He told the Evening Post he was embarrassed as he was constructing the home. He said: "I must admit I was hiding as the cars were driving past. I thought, 'These people think I'm an idiot'." The house is part of a series of stonework mounds, designs and sculptures dotted around his land. "I'm just having a bit of fun. Things that were built by those ancient people like caves have always fascinated me."

[JenB]

But in between the depressing story of the Elves losing everything, there are a few high and beautiful moments that I wouldn't miss for anything... the story of Earendil and Elwing sailing to Valinor to save Middle-Earth for one, and then Earendil set to guard against the return of Morgoth, sailing his ship across the sky with the last Silmaril on his brow. Beren and Luthien facing incredible dangers for loving, Luthien following Beren beyond the grave and sacrificing her immortality for him. Fingolfin leading the host of the Noldor across the icey Helcaraxe - I could go on.

But then I have a great love for stories of struggles against insurmountable challenges. I prefer the valiant struggle and death to some lousy hero who never breaks a sweat. For myths, I read Kalevala and Beowulf, not The Odyssey or the Labours of Hercules - I love the heroism, and ultimate failures, of the first two far more than the pointless triumphs of the Greek myths. Like Tolkien, I am fascinated by North-myth, with its gods facing annihilation but going to Ragnarok anyway, with Beowulf giving his life for his people...

It sounds silly like that, but Tolkien really awoke something in me. There is something high, and noble, and heartbreakingly beautiful in the North-legends, and it's the same way with Lord of the Rings. I know they're stories, but they stir me more than any fiction, more than any stories at all except the truest story of all - you know the one I mean, about the Man who gave His life for me personally. That one is as far above any of the stories I like as those stories are above Dr. Seuss rhymes.

[BibChr]

Thank you for putting me at the head of the list. With my family accounting for thirty-two tickets, I think I've done my part. (c8

Dan

[Overtaxed]

I haven't really been much into Norse legends. The Odyssey was okay, but I didn't get very far in it before I decided that Odysseus (sp?) was a complete dork.

Growing up I mostly read historical fiction: Lots of Thomas B. Costain, Sir Walter Scott, Howard Pyle. LOTR was the first fantasy and mythic piece that I read.

[JenB]

Let's see. I've been 8 times. My sisters have been 12 and 13 times. My mother's been once, my father twice, my grandmother (!) once, and we've hauled friends along four times. Even counting just the family tickets... that's 37 tickets!

[HairOfTheDog]

Are you trying to make me want to leap into a fiery precipice? I am not nearly that old, and my Nordic features would never be described as leathery. Be nice to me!

[ecurbh]

Well, here's how many tickets I am responsible for:

First viewing: 8
Second: 15 (!)
Third: 2
Fourth: 2
Fifth: 4
Sixth: 1
Seventh: 1

That comes to 33 for me.

[Penny1]

Here's a handy theme-by-theme analysis for the film score:

The Themes of Lord of the Rings

[Penny1]

I just realized that the theme/motif they call Sauron's theme (that ominous music that we hear when we see Barad-dûr) is a variation of the "ring theme." I think it may even be the same pitches, just played in different rhythm with different instrumentation. "They are one: the ring and the dark lord."

-penny

[2Jedismom]

I saw that and thought of you! Glad you found it.

[DonnerT]

Mark for the morrow.

[ecurbh]

Penny1, thanks for the great score link!

For those of you that cannot see it any more, there is a very well done transcript of the film here.

[HairOfTheDog]

That is a great link! - I am downloading it now!

[2Jedismom]

I don't care, I just don't care. I think it's perian not berian. :-/

[HairOfTheDog]

hehehe - Probably just a typo.... - I wish her pictures were bigger! - She has some good ones! - but most to small for me to use.

[2Jedismom]

Well, I'd love to stick around and see in 2000, but my head is hurting. My hubby just called. FIL is coming home from the hospital for hospice care on Monday. That means hubby won't be home till probably middle of next week. sigh I miss him, but he's helping his mom prepare and I'm glad.

[HairOfTheDog]

Good night... Get some sleep... I am going to bed too.

[carton253]

He's a great hero... one of the best ever written in literature. My favorite literary hero is Sydney Carton from Tale of Two Cities.

[carton253]

I resemble the remark...

[carton253]

Now... now... don't be jealous just because I have exquisite timing... (it's a gift)

[JenB]

Good morning! It sounds like your FIL is doing better? I hope so....

Well, this is my last day posting for some time (ten days or so). Then I'll just be dropping in when I get a minute, perhaps, or maybe not dropping in at all. :-( So don't discuss anything too earth-shattering!

Anyway I have until tonight, so I might get to see 2000. If we think of anything really cool to talk about. I like the discussion of Bilbo's instant relief, once he gets rid of the Ring - I think Jackson was being kind there, he didn't want all of us who love the dear old hobbit to have to worry about him much. Sure, we know that by the time Frodo arrives in Rivendell he's pretty much ok, but now we have the idea that he's off to recover, and he's going to make it. Kind of like how Frodo is his old self again after the Ring is destroyed, and Sam notices right away. I think that's worth a finger, how about you?