What I Learnt From 9 Hours of The Lord Of The Rings

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Recently, me and hubby have started to watch film trilogies, all in one day. We’ve done the Mission Impossible Trilogy, the Matrix trilogy, and just recently it was the turn of The Lord Of The Rings…..all 9 hours! Lol

I’ve had Tolkien’s books sitting on my shelf for years now lol. When the films came out hubby took the kids to see them at the cinema, I didn’t go, I wanted to read the books first. But, that never happened, so I decided to sod it, watch the films anyway.

Sooooo, the things I learnt:

1. Tolkien did romance! I wasn’t expecting romance, don’t ask me why lol. Although I had kind of been pre warned by reading Roger Colby’s blog post recently entitled Tolkien’s Advice About Relationships.

2. It was pretty goddam violent! Ok, so perhaps the books aren’t as bad? But I didn’t like all the poor horses being killed, and even the nasty elephants. Why do they have to put animals in eh?

3. Tolkien was a genius! Yeah, ok, I’m a bit late in coming to the party with this one, but, OMFG! What a mind, to create all that!

4. The scenes, battles, and cities were incredible! Ok, now I understand why all 3 films won Oscars for the Visual Effects lol.

5. Life can never be the same after some experiences 😉

And I guess that’s what I took away from the whole 9 hours. The fact that some adventures just impact on your life so much (well, obviously I’m not sure many of us get the opportunity to have as big an adventure as what Frodo did lol) that you will never be the same again. Sometimes, that’s how I feel about my writing “life”.

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I was on a bit of a downer last week, about the whole writing and being a writer malarkey, but, if I look at it as just a big adventure, perhaps that makes it easier to cope with the insecurities? Does that make sense? Tolkien wrote about a little guy (literally) taking on the world, and actually winning. So, if Frodo can do all that (yeah yeah, I know it’s fiction lol), then surely I can achieve my goals, if I put my mind to it 🙂

Have you ever read or seen something that’s had a huge impact on the way you think? Something that’s given you hope that, actually, you could achieve your goals?

35 thoughts on “What I Learnt From 9 Hours of The Lord Of The Rings”

  2. Loved the films and the books. Can’t wait for Jackson’s version of The Hobbit.

    I just read The Fault In Our Stars. That completely gave me something to think about and changed my life. I also have witnessed the birth of a baby (other than my own). Talk about a life-changing event! Truly a jaw-dropping experience and one that leaves you speechless with a smile on your face.

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    • Yeah, I heard he’s doing The Hobbit…I did actually read that in school, but can’t remember much 😦

      That’s the book you’ve just blogged about isn’t it? I’m not sure I want to be in floods of tears lol 😉

      Oh wow, I can only imagine what kind of impact that has on your life. Very brave of you though, not sure I’d have the guts lol

      Xx

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  3. I tried to read the books but it was after I had already seen the movies! Big mistake. When I know how something is going to end, I’m just not as motivated to keep reading. But, yes, I loved those movies and I can’t wait for The Hobbit!!

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  4. Yay! I’m not the only one who hasn’t read the books! I’ve seen the movies though. Visually stunning. I still couldn’t tell you who some of the people are because of the similarity in names.

    As far as something I’ve read or seen that changed my way of thinking, I guess Gone With the Wind. I’d seen it on television several times but then went to see it in the theater for the 60th anniversary of the film. By then I’d learned a little more of the history of not only the film industry but the Civil War. Seeing the story on the big screen along with the full intermission, I was transported to not only the time the story was set in, but also the late 1930’s when they filmed it. The burning of Atlanta scene blew my mind.

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  5. I’ve never read the books either, they are a bit too bogged down in daft names and such for me. The films I enjoyed a lot, especially the extended editions which I saw later (having sat through the second and third films at the cinema). Have you gotten into Game of Thrones yet? If you thought Tolkien had created a lot, you should see how big that world is, and how many people it follows.

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      • It is a HBO series. At nine episodes a season they are still struggling to fit all of a book in. There is way too much for a film. THey are very good, and have that thing where any character could die at any time, so it adds a lot to the tension.

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  7. First of all OMG Tolkien Is a Genius. Welcome to the party. It seems lately everything I write changes me. I pick up a great idea here or something to avoid there. It is all lessons learned. But, in college I read a book called, The Marriage of the Sun and the Moon. It was about the things people do to alter their consciousness. To find that ‘high’. I didn’t realize until recently that that was writing for me. It is a lesson that took 10 years to sink in. I need to read that book again. Thanks for the prompt. What trilogy is next?

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    • Ha ha ha, yeah, I’m definitely the late guest lol 😉

      Wow, that book sounds interesting 🙂 Will look it up!

      I love it that you think everything you write changes you, that’s a great way to look at it 🙂

      Next? *gulps* The Godfather lol

      Xx

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  8. I comment you for watching this — not sure I could but I’ve not given it a chance. I tire easily from all those hidden riddles, weird-looking characters, flashing lights, people chasing each other and all that exploding stuff. Perhaps I should give it a go. :).

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  9. Toliken is just not for me, I have not managed to get into either the books or the films. I read The Hobbit but did not even enjoy that, I know I am in the minority though. 🙂

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    • I’m not sure you’re in the minority Linda 🙂

      Fantasy isn’t really my genre either, but, I threw myself into it because it’s Tolkien, that’s the ONLY reason. And I is overdo that, actually, you don’t have to be a fan of that genre to really enjoy the story, and appreciate just how much work went into it (the books and the films).

      Perhaps one day you’ll be ready for it 😉

      Xx

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  10. Absolutely love your quote here: And I guess that’s what I took away from the whole 9 hours. The fact that some adventures just impact on your life so much. Oh so true!

    I saw the first movie in the theater at a midnight showing, I think and then the second on TV but I never even bothered with the third. For me, the special effects were really great but I thought the film just said FANTASY and I wanted it to have a slightly more “real” feel I guess. Not sure why.

    Then again, I’m not a huge fan of the books either. I read them in high school because a guy I was dating swore how awesome they were. They remind me of reading someone like Tom Clancy – lots of technical jargon and detailed descriptions of battles so you have to be into that sort of thing.

    Hard for me to narrow down the books and movies that have really impacted me. I remember the movie “Pay it Forward” tearing me up when I saw it. I knew nothing about it going it it was an advanced screening. It just broke my heart which doesn’t happen to me at movies. It made me want to be a better person.

    So many good books I’ve read recently that are still hallmarks for me, but a surprising on I remember from years ago was the Starchild Trilogy by Frederich Pohl. It was just so well written.

    Goodness sorry my first visit to your blog is long-winded!

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    • Lol, don’t worry Jessie, thanks for stopping by 🙂

      I can kind of understand what you’re saying about it not being “real” enough for you. I think that’s the trouble when Fantasy and SciFi are converted from books to the screen. I sort of wish I’d read the books now, before seeing the movies but never mind 😉

      Pay it Forward? I’ve heard of it but not seen it, will add it to my list of films I need to watch, thanks hon…sounds like I’ll need tissues 😉

      Will also check out the Starchild Trilogy 🙂

      Xx

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  11. The Far Pavilions, eons ago, took my breath away! I have found that seeing the movie before reading the book is better for me: I don’t spend the movie thinking “that was so much better in the book!” And when I read the book, I can better appreciate how the movie was edited to move the story forward.

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    • The Far Pavillions? Hmmmm, it rings a bell, will look it up 🙂

      Really? That’s interesting. I have always watched the film after reading the book. I tend not to bother with the book if I’ve already seen the film. Hmmmm, perhaps I’m missing out there then 🙂

      Thanks honey xx

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  12. Yes not really my thing really, tried watching once – about half an hour. Didnt understand at all! Give me Star Trek anyday. A film that had an impact on me when I was 18 – One Flew Over the Cookcoo’s Nest – cried al the way home. Another film to avoid is Seven – Will Smith – Extra large tissues for that one:0(

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  13. Read the first book and half of the second. Couldn’t go any further. Your blog is one of the most interesting, informative and helpful blogs I’ve come across. I’ve just spent a good hour reading all sorts from it. I can’t believe you have “downers” and “insecurities” about your writing. You’ve come so far in such a short time. Now that’s inspiring. 🙂

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    • Awwwww, that’s a shame hon. As I said to Jayne, I watched it with my “writers” head on as it’s not really a genre I choose to watch/read. I felt a got a lot from it, viewing it that way.

      Wow, thank you do much honey! *blush* xx

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  14. I’m going to be the oddball here… I’ve read the books and everything else Tolkien wrote, saw the first movie 4 times in the theater and the other two at least twice and then all of them at home. (crazy!) Believe it or not, I’ve never watched all three in one sitting although I’ve thought about doing that lots of times. Maybe someday. I usually don’t like movies based on books I’ve read – so much is lacking – but I think these were well done. Funny thing… I rarely go out to watch movies and never watch them twice… except for the really good ones! 🙂

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  15. I haven’t read the books or seen the movies yet, but I’d like to change that.

    I didn’t know all that about Tolkien.

    This weekend I went through an Arrested Development marathon, watching at least ten episodes in a row. I needed some comic relief. I’d like to try a movie marathon one day, though.

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  16. I love LOTR (as we call it round our way). I first read the trilogy when I was 16 and my parents were exploding their relationship – perfect escapism. I go back to the trilogy whenever I have the time – which isn’t often. I enjoyed the films too. They are pretty faithful to the books. I guess they had to be otherwise generations of avid readers would have had Jackson’s head on a spike…

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    • LOTR it shall be from now on 😉

      I’m glad to hear you think they were pretty faithfully to the books, as i’ve heard a few times that they’re not 😦

      I still think I’ll keep the books on my shelf, and maybe, one day, i’ll get time to read them 🙂

      Xx

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