Would J.R.R. Tolkien Have Liked The Rings of Power? Weighing Up the Evidence

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As a die-hard fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in Middle-earth, I must admit that my initial reaction to Amazon’s “The Rings of Power” was one of trepidation. The show’s deviations from the original lore, particularly during the Second Age, seemed like a departure from the beloved world I had come to know and love.

In the 2010s, the hit show “Game of Thrones” sparked an interest in TV adaptations of fantasy novels. Shows like “The Wheel of Time,” “Shadow and Bone,” and “The Witcher” followed suit with high-budget releases on small screens. It was just a matter of time before the original epic fantasy series got the same treatment, and by late 2022, “The Rings of Power”: a “Lord of the Rings” (LotR) series exploring largely untold events from Middle-earth’s Second Age, debuted.

Amazon Studios, in collaboration with MGM Studios (known for producing The Rings of Power), splurged generously on a five-season strategy, allocating over $1 billion in production costs – making it the most expensive television series to date. However, upon its premiere, opinions were divided; while some viewers were enthralled by the awe-inspiring visuals and cinematic battle scenes, others found fault with the show’s departures from the original lore created by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Of course, this situation naturally leads us to ponder: might J.R.R. Tolkien himself have appreciated The Rings of Power? To answer that question, let’s examine the facts.

Tolkien on adaptations

As a dedicated fan and gamer, I’ve always been eager to dive into the world of Middle-earth through “The Rings of Power”. But before we delve into this new journey, it’s essential to understand J.R.R. Tolkien’s thoughts on adaptations in general. Lucky for us, The Tolkien Estate has generously shared a collection of letters that shed light on the author’s feelings about potential adaptations of his masterpieces.

These days, it’s common to transform popular stories into various formats to engage new readers, but this wasn’t a regular occurrence earlier. It’s quite easy to overlook the fact that “The Lord of the Rings” was first published in 1954; its precursor, “The Hobbit,” hit the shelves back in 1937 – more than eight and a half decades ago!

As a dedicated fan, I wasn’t aware that J.R.R. Tolkien initially objected to any adaptations of his epic works, such as The Lord of the Rings. In 1968, when asked about a potential film version, he expressed his concerns by saying, “It’s impossible to squeeze a narrative into dramatic form.” This view on cinema might seem outdated now, but it was quite common at the time. Remarkably, even a 17-year-old fan wrote to him, pleading not to approve a film adaptation, likening it to putting Disneyland in the Grand Canyon.

Over time, J.R.R. Tolkien’s stance on adaptations of his works wasn’t always straightforward. In 1957, an American studio expressed interest in creating an animated film adaptation of “The Lord of the Rings,” and Tolkien initially welcomed this idea, acknowledging the potential for commercialization. Upon reading the synopsis, he agreed to collaborate if the studio was open to his suggestions. However, in a later correspondence, he criticized the synopsis for introducing unnecessary magic elements and failing to capture the essence of the story, focusing more on action scenes than the journey of the Ringbearers.

It appears that while Tolkien may not have been completely averse to adaptations in general, he was primarily concerned about preserving the integrity of his work. Much like other artists, he was keen on ensuring that any reinterpretations would do justice to the intricate world he had meticulously constructed – the richly detailed realm of Middle-earth, which he spent countless hours perfecting, from its geographical features to the distinct languages spoken by its diverse races.

As a dedicated gamer diving deep into Middle-earth, I’ve always wondered what the great J.R.R. Tolkien might think about today’s renditions of his epic tales. While it’s impossible to know for certain, his letters hint at some insights.

  1. He was open to the idea of an adaptation, but;
  2. Any attempts at an adaptation should take immense care to maintain the heart of the original story.

To clarify, here’s a question that needs addressing: Does The Rings of Power align with the essence of J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary world?

How does The Rings of Power stack up?

In terms of adaptations from “The Lord of the Rings,” Peter Jackson’s portrayal in the 2000s is widely considered a benchmark. Frequently hailed as among the finest fantasy films ever made, the trilogy by Peter Jackson enjoys worldwide acclaim for its pioneering cinematography and its skillful representation of the enchantment found in the source books.

While many have appreciated Peter Jackson’s portrayal of Tolkien’s works, not everyone has been as enthusiastic. Christopher Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien’s son, once criticized Jackson’s films by saying they “stripped the book down, transforming it into an action movie for young adults aged 15 to 25.” It’s important to note that Christopher is entitled to his opinion, and this merely demonstrates the challenge of preserving the essence of Tolkien’s books for dedicated fans. Even supporters of Jackson’s trilogy acknowledge that some of his creative choices were contentious, and it’s undeniable that certain aspects will always be difficult to perfectly translate from book to screen.

Speaking of “The Rings of Power”, it’s truly a feast for the eyes with its intricate costumes, stunning landscapes, and elaborate sets that have won praise from both fans and professionals in the industry. However, despite its visual beauty, some viewers have pointed out that the show’s grandiose visual design might be a bit too over-the-top for some tastes.

In his own preference, J.R.R. Tolkien leaned towards a more earthy and harmonious aesthetic – structures and clothing were designed in harmony with nature rather than against it. The grand harbors, towering statues, and expansive streets of Númenor resemble ancient Rome more so than the rural, medieval Europe-inspired landscapes present in Tolkien’s own Middle-earth. The aesthetics of each race in Middle-earth were meticulously created to reflect their culture, history, and surroundings, making even minor alterations from Tolkien’s work potentially impactful on the broader universe portrayed in the show.

Similarly to Peter Jackson’s trilogy, The Rings of Power is an entirely fresh series within the Lord of the Rings universe, bringing unique difficulties in its creation. Crafting a fantasy tale that harmonizes with such a cherished series as The Lord of the Rings isn’t an easy task. Legally speaking, the showrunners have had limited resources due to Amazon MGM Studios not having rights to J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Silmarillion, a collection of tales detailing Middle-earth’s history during the Second Age. Consequently, Amazon has taken creative liberties in their portrayal of this era. (Even if they had the rights to The Silmarillion, there would still be substantial gaps that needed filling!)

The Second Age is a crucial timeframe in Middle-earth’s history, marking the formation of the true Rings of Power, the demise of the island realm Númenor, and Sauron’s rise as the Dark Lord. These occurrences shape the societal and political backdrop for the Third Age, during which the events in The Lord of the Rings unfold. In Tolkien’s original writings, these happenings span over 3,000 years, but The Rings of Power compresses them to occur within just a few short decades. This modification makes sense from a television standpoint; a story spanning thousands of years may not appeal as much to new audiences, and focusing on a single group of characters helps viewers develop an emotional connection with the series.

However, deviations from Tolkien’s original lore don’t end with just a few changes. Characters that didn’t exist during the Second Age have been introduced in the series, and some well-known characters have been significantly altered, despite the showrunners having limited access to the intellectual property. Additionally, the appearance of Hobbits, who only appear in the books during the Third Age, is intriguing. The process of forging the Rings, as depicted in the show, also varies greatly from Tolkien’s description.

The series, “The Rings of Power,” introduces numerous alterations to the original content that conflict with the established sequence of events in the canon, changes that Tolkien, as suggested by his correspondence, would likely have strongly opposed.

So, would J.R.R. Tolkien have liked The Rings of Power?

It’s uncertain if J.R.R. Tolkien would have appreciated “The Rings of Power,” but given his known preferences, it seems unlikely that he would have. This series deviates significantly from the established lore and aesthetics of Tolkien’s original work, which he firmly objected to altering.

It’s worth mentioning that both the Peter Jackson movies and The Rings of Power were created posthumously, as Tolkien had already passed away. Above all, he wished to spread his tale globally; maybe he would have found these adaptations commendable for allowing his work to resonate with countless others. Perhaps if he had lived to see the new fans discovering the enchantment of his world through The Rings of Power, it might have altered his perspective.

Fundamentally, “The Lord of the Rings” isn’t merely J.R.R. Tolkien’s tale; it becomes a shared experience for anyone who immerses themselves in it, regardless of the form they encounter it in. Even if Tolkien might not have appreciated “The Rings of Power,” you are still free to enjoy it! Art is personal, so if you aren’t overly concerned with every detail of Tolkien’s lore and find yourself captivated by the magnificent soundtrack and breathtaking visual effects, then feel free to indulge and have a great time. Remember: not everyone who wanders off the beaten path gets lost.

Nick Bailey pens articles on various topics related to writing and self-publishing for Reedsy, a service that links writers with editors, graphic designers, and marketing professionals. Apart from reading, he also likes going on hikes, listening to electronic tunes, and continually expanding his personal collection of recipes.

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2024-10-24 16:44