My very first forray into internet forums was on a lord of the rings forum just before the first film came out.? Have been a fan of the books since childhood and have re-read them umpteem times so like a lot of LotR fans I was very hesitant about the films.? Loved them though and spent the best part of 3 years discussing, analysing and pulling apart both books and films on first that then another forum (when the first one was overrun by a particularly virulent troll!). And ok, there was? fair bit of drooling going on too?
? ?Kind of all LotR'd out now!? But still love both films and books.? I'd be way too embarrassed to admit to anyone but my fellow LotR fanatics on that forum how many times I saw the films at the cinema.? Have the dvds of both the theatrical and extended versions -? prefer the extended editions as they add so much.? I've had a few marathon LotR days watching all 3 (that's certainly bum numbing!) and have watched the commentaries and other extras over and over.? Think it's fair to say I'm a fan!? ?Never watch it on tv as I'm rather anal about watching films in the aspect ration in which they were made - and channel 4 have butchered those beautifully composed scenes by refusing to show them in the letterbox widescreen they were made in?
? ?Don't get me started on that!? cant stand ads in films either.
Lyn-Su - lots of people who enjoyed the films don't like the books.? LotR is very different to the hobbit (which was written for kids, despite many people thinking otherwise LotR was actually written for adults) and is much more wordy.? I love it but the language can sometimes be beautiful and at other times annoying.? They're not what a lot of people expect when they read them after seeing the films.? They are wonderful books but not for everyone.? Quite a few things were changed for the film (and a few characters left out) - caused a few heated debates on message boards!? Theyr'e certainly nothing like Terry Pratchett (who I also love).
In fact, to show what a saddo I am I'll admit that when the dvds were released I ordered them from overseas as the R1 versions tended to be sent out sooner than the R2 version and I couldn't wait the extra days. Then I took the day off work to watch it