Is it alright if you watch the Lord of the Rings movies without reading the books?

Question

Are they even worth watching?

Answer 1

Yes, they are a faithful adaptation, a lot of story is missing and some plotlines are pulled over into the final film that should be in the second, but it is still extremely well done.

Answer 2

I read the books first. However, I read them years ago before the fantasy genre really exploded with titles. If you're accustomed to books like Song of Ice and Fire, LoTR is likely not going to appeal to you. They're great books, but not for everyone. They contain aspects of the story that are missing from the movies. I think they're a must read for anyone who enjoys reading fantasy. They are one of the starting points for the whole genre. Peter Jackson's movies are also great. I've had slug weekends where I parked on the couch and watched the entire extended version. I've watched each many times. They continue to be enjoyable every single time. I'm looking forward to The Hobbit's release. If you're a big reader, absolutely give the books a try. If reading is not a top priority in your life, just watch the movies.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Yes, the movies follow the book fairly accurately, and in fact, even add some very nice twists (sub-plots) here and there that wasn't actually in the book.

The only glaring oversight, and I for one was really upset about this, was the way Saruman was handled after Isengard was overthrown.
In the theater version, he was left trapped in his tower.
In the extended DVD version, he was stabbed and killed by Wormtongue atop his own tower. Both of these versions are completely inaccurate compared to the written version.

In the book, Saruman is cast out from Isengard, his staff broken, his power stripped (For the most part.) He and wormtongue are left straggling along like a pair of hobos. But, as Gandalf and the company proceed to Minas Tirith, and further onto Mordor, (Thinking that Saruman is powerless to pose any threat.) Saruman travels the other way, back towards the Shire, which he, Wormtongue, and a handful of orcs and men, enslave.

Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin then return to see the Shire reduced to a pile of rock, stone and debris. The party tree is torn down and burnt. Many hobbits are either imprisoned, killed, or forced to do Saruman's bidding.

Frodo proceeds to plan a "Scourging of the shire." Which is the chapter second last to the Grey Havens. The hobbits reclaim the Shire, take Saruman into custody and attempt to cast him out. Saruman though, is killed by Wormtongue after he insults him, and challenges his fledgling morality, for the very last time. Wormtongue is then killed by an arrow from one of the hobbits before he can give himself up.

Answer 5

?Yeah, their worth watching. I read the 1st and half of the 2nd book before the movies came out, then I watched the movies after I had finished, I think its better to read the book before watching the movie, but you don't have to. Some things can be dissapo9inting though if you read the books before watching the movies, because of some of the things left out, but the movies are still great, and definately worth watching.

Answer 6

the films are definitely worth watching - you should be able to follow the plot of the films without any knowledge of the books. The films focus a bit more on the main battles and other action sequences - so if you're not into fantasy action (heroes using swords and bows and magic against monsters in a big good vs evil setting), perhaps the films aren't for you. But if you like heroes on a quest, then the films are good stuff.

Answer 7

Yes, even without reading the books, you don't get the same "understanding" out of the movie, but everyone I've been with that didn't read it, still loved it.

The Lord of the Rings is the Grandfather of all D&D and Fantasy.

Answer 8

Yes. In fact, I could not read the books because I kept falling asleep. But instead, I have the unabridged CDs of the books, and I've listened to them beginning to end several times. But, I think the books, just like Harry Potter and other books to film, are much better to read before seeing them.

Answer 9

It's the only way to do it. I am a huge fan of the books, so I got cranky watching the differences in the films. So if you watch the films, enjoy them, but don't read the books after you've seen the films. One or the other.

Answer 10

You miss a lot of the details, but its ok to see the movies first. I saw the first Harry Potter before reading the book, but that's what got me interested in the series. You might like the books, but it is a long trilogy!