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.

[montag813]

In his forward to the work, the author insisted that the world of Middle Earth exists as an independent universe, with no connection to current events. "As for any inner meaning or 'message,' it has in the intention of the author none," Tolkien wrote. "It is neither allegorical nor topical."

Here is where Medved loses me. How naive to think the Ring can be separated from human allegory, despite what Tolkien might have said to insure people keep an open mind about his work. Clearly the story reflects the challenges of confronting evil and avoiding corruption, and has deep links with Christian spirituality.

[lawgirl]

and don't forget as Sullah in the Indiana Jones movies.

[montag813]

Rhys-Davies is a wonderful actor with a great voice; somehow his probable 6' frame is reduced to Gimli's for the movie. He was also very good as General Pushkin in Bond's The Living Daylights and as the pilot in the TV miniseries Shogun

Don't forget his role in Jones' Egyptian friend in "Raiders of the Lost Ark"...."Indy..Indy!"

[SWake]

HEY! Where's the warning to
strap yourself into a
Poetry Appreciation
Chair before
reading?

[dirtboy]

Ah, resorting to profanity when you have failed to make a point. Typically lame.

[Admin Moderator]

What the [bleep] ever you dumbass... Laughing my ass Off....

Before you start calling people "dumbass," learn to spell speech.

[dirtboy]

Must be from the Kerry campaign, given his unerring aim for his own feet.

[rintense]

Oh, no, no, no... Let me deal with this pompous windbag.

can you describe in detail how a person's political ideologies make them less credible as an actor? How does Viggio's role as Aragorn become less credible? Is it because that his beliefs in the world's failing political system entered into his mind while he was fighting the battle at Helms Deep?

If that is his 'motivation' for that scene, let alone the role, then you have proven that neither he nor you know the meaning behind Tolkien's works. You've also shown that when an actor takes his own personal views and applies them indiscriminately to roles, the 'art' suffers- especially when in direct opposition to the original author's themes and intent.

Do you actually think he played the role differently because he never would have actually fought the battle with such furor because he believes that war is wrong? Or perhaps the entire battle for Middle Earth would not have been politically correct because each opposing side has a valid point?

You've answered your own question. You assert that Viggo applied his own beliefs to the role he played. As such, he compromised the character as intended in Tolkien's books. If a man, let alone an actor, can not figure out that terrorists are evil, then he has a lot more problems than how to ‘play’ a role.

You see, these questions are as lame as your statement "I think his political views make him less credible as Aragon." It was a part. A role. A character which he was paid to recite lines in order to create a movie for public enjoyment of a fantasy world, a non-existent reality.

Aren't you the one who is mixing metaphors here? Did you not just in your statement above compare Viggo's reality to the make believe world of Middle Earth? Didn’t you type: ‘Is it because that his beliefs in the world's failing political system entered into his mind while he was fighting the battle at Helms Deep? ‘? Oh, I see. I paid money to see the film expecting a heroic King triumph adverse odds and personal demons to defeat evil. What *I* got was a performance based on his own political world views. Isn't that right? Because that's what you said above. And if so, then *I* was absolutely correct in my original statement that Viggo's political and world views directly affected his method of acting, and turned his character into a pathetic excuse for a would-be King.

I am sure that during the filming of the 3 movies Viggio sat down and took the time to contrast and compare his political beliefs to his character and the story line of the movie and spoke to Mr. Jackson on many occasion to say" I won't do it this way, I can't say this because it goes against my morals, My god, how can you possibly expect me to fight a war against an oppressed, weakened group of poor soldiers such as the Orcs."

Or maybe, he just absolutely sucks as an actor AND an activist.

What the f*ck ever you dumbass... Laughing my ass Off....

Based on the spelling of your screen name, I'd say you're the dumbass. Hell, based on your spelling skills, you might be Barbra Streisand. In whatever case, I leave you with the immortal words of your Queen Mama T:

SHOVE IT.

[BlueLancer]

"When I read about the problems PJ was having casting Aragorn, I wondered why he didn't use Sean Bean, who was already on his way for Boromir."

A big Sean Bean bump ... the ideal Aragorn ...