Actors' politics pollute 'Ring'

USA Today ^ | 1/11/2004 | Michael Medved

[trajanus_red]

"If you want to send a message, call Western Union," said Hollywood pioneer Samuel Goldwyn to filmmakers and stars who sought to use their movie projects to advance some political agenda. Although the telegraph is a largely irrelevant alternative in this Internet age, the thinking behind Goldwyn's advice remains sane and solid: Political preachments, on or off camera, only interfere with the entertainment value of creative work by major Hollywood stars. Recent comments by some of the prime participants in the triumphal box-office hit The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King illustrate the uncomfortable implications of trying to impose timely messages on timeless fantasy.

[Hacksaw]

for free popcorn and bjs I may have to waffle a little.

Free popcorn, bjs, diet Pepsi and a can of Copenhagen would do it for me.

[StoneColdGOP]

I think Mortensen did an OK job too. And his final speech before the Black Gate of Mordor was decent enough.

I was more taken my Theoden (Bernard Hill) and his speech to the Rohirrim just before they charged into the Orcs besieging Minas Tirith.

I got a lump in my throat watching that, and hearing them shout "DEATH!" as they charged. Whew!

[justshutupandtakeit]

Totally agree.

[XJarhead]

Mrotneson has gone out of his way to make political statements in connection with the movie, and not just in interviews. As the original article said:

Viggo Mortensen, who plays the title character in The Return of the King, has used the publicity platform provided by his role to trumpet his anti-war and anti-Bush views. Since the release of last year's Rings installment, The Two Towers, he's turned up for numerous press interviews wearing a "no more blood for oil" T-shirt and freely offered his bitter critique of U.S. foreign policy.

The article also discusses him making public speaking appearances at ANSWER rallies, etc. That's putting himself forward to the public for purely political purposes.

Rhys-Davies answered a question that was asked of him in an interview. If he started attending Free Republic rallies in D.C., stepping up to the microphone, and making blatantly political speeches, you might be able to compare them more fairly.

That being said, Mortenson has the right to say whatever he wants, and other people have the right to make fun of him for it. I think what people sometimes object to is when a person takes an occasion intended for discussion of an apolitical movie, and uses it as an opportunity to make a political speech. That's why people don't like political speeches at the Oscars.

FWIW, there's nothing improper about Mortenson speaking at ANSWER rallies. He's certainly entitled to speak out on issues just like anyone else. But that also gives people the right to think he's an idiot. And if it affects their willingness to see him in movies, that's their choice. For me, I don't care because I think his opinions are inconsequential. I care more that he was a crappy Aragorn, and that was before I knew his politics.

[Itzlzha]

A closet Vogon?

"Hmm...I feel the muse upon me! I think I shall compose a poem..."

"O' Fetit Gruntbuggly...Thy Victurations are to Me..."

"Brilliant!"

Methinks Viggo doesn't know where his towel is!

[RaceBannon]

MY high school poetry was better than that!

The Ballad of Spike McGee

Once upon a time in a western town
When The football team was the worst around
The team was losing 33 to 3
When onto the field walked Spike McGee

He was big and bad and ugly too
But not one in the crowd would say boo
When the coach led him out on his own two feet
He was cracking his whip, and throwing him meat

With one big eye, he'd stare you down,
cuz the other eye just wasn't around
When the other team saw him, they began to yell
For they thought for sure that He'd come from hell

When the ball was snapped, he went out fast
And if you didnt watch out, your first step would be your last
He'd sack the Quarterback, the Fullback, too
And if you didn't watch out, he'd even sack You!

But the other team had some big guys still
Like Giant George, and Humungous Bill
They said the only way to get him was a double-team
Cuz if you tried Spike alone,
You'll surely get creamed

When the ball was snapped, they were off like a shot
But when they hit Spike McGee, all you heard was a pop!
There was a cloud of dust and dirt in the air
And when it cleared away, there was no one there!

Where could they be? Where could they go?
No one could guess, no one could know,
There was a path on the ground that headed for the fans,
When they followed it down, it went under the stands!

But back out of the ground came Spike McGee,
With Bill on his shoulder and George on his knee,
Back onto the field in the middle of play,
"I'm Very mad now, Get out of my way!"

Onto the field he trudged and trumped,
And onto the backfield and flopped with a whump!
His cheeks were so red, his smile so merry,
The quarterback was dead, the halfback was buried!

You've just heard the story of Spike McGee,
his team was losing 33 to 3,
So if your football team is the worst around,
Just look up Spike for fractures compound!
Your opponents will hate you all through the year
Cuz with Spike on your team,
You've got nothing to fear!

[nutmeg]

Did you write that? (#106) That's pretty good, IMHO!

Maybe doug from upland or Mudboy Slim can set it to music? ;-)

[Mudboy Slim]

LOL...wish I could help ya out, but all I can do is mangle the lyrics sung to the original tunes.

FReegards...MUD

[ecurbh]

Ring Ping!!

There and Back Again: The Journeys of Flat Frodo

Anyone wishing to be added to or removed from the Ring-Ping list, please don't hesitate to let me know.

[GretchenEE]

Can we all say, Viggo, you are a hypocrite?

You earn your millions playing the baddest warrior (hello?) in Middle Earth, and bash your own half-country for going to war to keep your sorry hide safe from terrorists?

[GretchenEE]

"As for any inner meaning or 'message,' it has in the intention of the author none," Tolkien wrote. "It is neither allegorical nor topical."

What the author intends should be noted.

What posterity makes of the author's work is for posterity to decide.

The picture he paints is of today, which Tolkien could not possibly foresee.

[Alkhin]

Its why I always say nowadays :

Nothing says IDIOT like an Unearned Political Pulpit.

I tick off SO MANY people by saying that! There are some on a non-Freeper LOTR forum who ignore me now because i have that as a tag line...they were such good friends before!!

I dont care if an actor wants to support the other side. They just need to understand the consequences. JRD KNOWS there are people who will hate him for speaking up, and he is quite willing to face those consequences. Mortenson, however, wants to have his cake and eat it too by mouthing off the Marxist/Stalinist tripe he supports in ANSWER, but then gets all fluttered when he becomes aware that it doesnt make him quite as popular as he had hoped. On top of that JRD is EXTREMELY intelligent and learned, whereas Mortenson has flopped around this planet by exerting no more than his hormones will allow. He didnt get where he is now because of his political position. He got there because people thought he was a good actor. I was solidly convinced BY HIM in FOTR tat Aragorn was a neat character...but then he had to open his trap and spoil the picture. He should have at least waited until all three movies were out. But there again, hormones speaking.

Mr. Rhys-Davies is SO correct in his statements about Western Civilization. I think Tolkien would agree with him the most out of all the punditry that has come about because of these films.

[GretchenEE]

I really liked your rant!

Do you agree with my assessment that hunky Eomer (Karl Urban) would have been far and away a better, more convincing, manly Aragorn? All they had to do is put on make-up to age him a decade or so.

I was extremely chagrained when Viggo couldn't get past his reluctance to be king as he ascended the stairs to his throne. gag me What kind of "king" would that make?

[Deb]

The actors get nothing for the DVD. Trust me.

[Marie Antoinette]

That would be King Theoden of Rohan. His speech before the battle at the Pelennor Fields was VERY stirring. I was crying my eyes out!

The more I watch TTT DVD, the more I adore Theoden. We will again wait for the extended edition of the final film. Makes a great Christmas gift :-)

[McGavin999]

If the man was truely anti-war he would have turned down a part that glorfies it. He didn't.

[Marie Antoinette]

Fancy meeting you here, my fellow Eomer-as-King advocate!

[Alkhin]

HMMMMMMMM.....I'll have to think about that!!!!!!

right now, tho, my mind is so filled with Aubrey/Crowe its hard to see anyone else. David Wenham is a hottie too!

hmmmmmmmmmmm....yes, i do believe Karl *would* have been better!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[GretchenEE]

Hi Marie Antoinette,

and now there are three of us - see Alkhin's post @118!

[Taliesan]

Good to see you. You told us years ago that LOTR would do Tolkein justice, and you were right. Good work, one and all.