In Reply to: LOTR. posted by patrickU on January 8, 2004 at 01:30:21:
First of all, have you read the books? If you haven't, and your post hints at this, then labeling Tolkien a racist based on your perceptions about Peter Jackson's films is little more than posthumous libel since he's no longer around to respond in defense of such harsh accusations.>>> "The author was a great admirer of Generalisimo Franco, and love and admire the Hun race." <<<
So what? Charles Lindburg, the much admired American aviator (i.e., in the U.S. & France), was a great supporter of Adolf Hitler early on, as were some members of the royal family in Great Britain; those views tempered when Hitler's goals became more apparent. America was allied with Stalin in WWII, even friendly toward the Russian leader, but became bitter adversaries several years afterwards. Many folks admire Napoleon, and yet he had far reaching ambitions of conquest and was capable of ruthlessness.
As far as "love and admire the Hun race" is concerned, that's classic hate mongering rhetoric. What you could have said was that he was fascinated with the German people and their history, which is probably true. Most of the great European legends and myths have Germanic or Nordic origin; what historian or writer of fantasy wouldn't love the richness of these cultures?
>>> "Of course now treated a la Mc Donald there are only a few traces left in it." <<<
Naturally, you had to get in a dig at Peter Jackson's magnificient take on Tolkien's Ring Trilogy. No offense, but personally I find the inflammatory nature of your posts on this subject more akin to Jack-in-the-Box. Note: Since you live in France you may be unfamiliar with Jack-in-the-Box, but over here the general consensus is that it's a lower grade of "quisine" than McDonald's.
BTW, these are just my opinions; I'm sympathetic to your feeling uncomfortable about certain aspects of Peter Jackson's films, but they should be kept apart from a consideration of Tolkien's works sice they've been adapted to a different medium. The so-called racism you describe isn't at all apparent although occasional insensitivity might be attibuted simply because the story deals with various races and their foibles. To try painting these films with the broad brush of "racism" is both unfair and, since I assume you to be an intelligent fellow, disingenuous.
AuPh
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Follow Ups
- Racism? Be more specific; it must be VERY deep "under" because I only see the "lying" part. - Audiophilander 09:33:21 01/08/04 (37)
- Well, the Elves were pretty damned Aryan, weren't they--and immortal to boot. 8^) n - albee33 15:53:16 01/08/04 (8)
- Aryan Elves? So what's that make the Balrog? - J.R. 08:44:29 01/11/04 (0)
- It's a fictional world; they elves weren't trying to conquer it. - Audiophilander 17:00:50 01/08/04 (4)
- Whoa, the British Wagner? No man is without prejudice, politics, and opinion. - albee33 18:44:35 01/08/04 (3)
- The British Wagner? That's ludicrous. - J.R. 08:35:44 01/11/04 (0)
- "No man is without prejudice, politics, and opinion." - Perhaps, but we're not talkin' about ... - Audiophilander 22:50:53 01/08/04 (1)
- Re: "No man is without prejudice, politics, and opinion." - Perhaps, but we're not talkin' about ... - patrickU 00:40:23 01/09/04 (0)
- No they were not Nazis. - dennzio 16:49:24 01/08/04 (1)
- Re: No they were not Nazis. - patrickU 04:05:46 01/09/04 (0)
- Re: Is that " The Art of Cunning ? ".... - patrickU 10:52:06 01/08/04 (25)
- My apologies for getting your point of origin wrong. - Audiophilander 15:22:47 01/08/04 (24)
- Re:You don´t have! But does it really matter? - patrickU 03:56:16 01/09/04 (6)
- "I think that YOU did oveact[sic]." - No, when someone makes an accusation of racism, it shouldn't be taken lightly. - Audiophilander 09:03:14 01/09/04 (5)
- Re: "I think that YOU did oveact[sic]." - No, when someone makes an accusation of racism, it shouldn't be taken lightly. - patrickU 09:05:02 01/09/04 (4)
- Patrick, I've read ALL of your posts in this thread & there's more than a simple query involved in your assertions. - Audiophilander 09:41:53 01/09/04 (3)
- Re: In books ? - patrickU 10:08:21 01/09/04 (2)
- That's the implication. - Audiophilander 11:00:20 01/09/04 (1)
- Re: That's the implication. - patrickU 11:16:30 01/09/04 (0)
- He's French. And cagey too. (nt - dennzio 16:55:29 01/08/04 (15)
- Word has it he's really a Bulgarian milk man. 8^) - albee33 18:46:41 01/08/04 (2)
- Re: Yes, who cares? - patrickU 04:11:33 01/09/04 (1)
- Vulgar Bulgar or not, I still love you. The milk must be delivered! 8^) n - albee33 06:39:11 01/09/04 (0)
- Hee, hee; well, if that's true, then I guess he has a serious identity conflict. - Audiophilander 17:13:58 01/08/04 (11)
- Do the French even have a mythology? - dennzio 19:18:15 01/08/04 (10)
- Of course they do! And more than one, as boundaries were not the same as today´s - orejones 11:53:11 01/09/04 (2)
- Re: Of course they do! And more than one, as boundaries were not the same as today´s - patrickU 13:10:45 01/09/04 (0)
- But still, nothing, you know, French. (nt - dennzio 12:08:47 01/09/04 (0)
- Apparently the French have built a mythology around the theory that Jerry Lewis is funny. - Audiophilander 22:18:08 01/08/04 (3)
- Reminds me of a scene in his 1960 film the BellBoy - grinagog 23:03:16 01/08/04 (2)
- "Perhaps clever mime is more appreciated in French culture, no?" - Perhaps, but a mime is a terrible thing to waste, no? - Audiophilander 00:17:19 01/09/04 (1)
- Beautiful!! That got me grinning! <nt> - grinagog 01:26:11 01/09/04 (0)
- They certainly embrace the myth of French superiority nt - padreken 20:12:41 01/08/04 (2)
- Napolean, scourge of Europe, has a pretty nice tomb! n - albee33 06:37:08 01/09/04 (0)
- Re: They certainly embrace the reality of French arrogance. nt - patrickU 04:02:36 01/09/04 (0)
- It's very hard to believe that.... - dennzio 16:54:03 01/08/04 (0)
- Re: Speaking of Stalin... - rico 09:47:56 01/08/04 (1)
- Re: Speaking of Stalin... - Gee LP 10:31:52 01/08/04 (0)