I have just finished reading The Hobbit, and knwo i would like to read lord of the rings. however, i have been told to watch the movies first, becuz i will get the books better. so what's your advice-read the books, then watch the movies? or watch the movies, THEN read the books? thanks!
ps. if you are a harry potter fan, please take a look at my other quetion as well. THANKS!
2007-03-19 11:34:55 · 14 answers · asked by HELP! 3 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
The movies do leave things out, but depending on your age and reading level, it might be better to see the movie first. Why don't you try reading the books, and if you don't quite follow it, watch the movie and then go back to it?
2007-03-19 11:41:00 · answer #1 · answered by kermit 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you want to read the books first, see if you can find a copy of the illustrated ones (by Tolkien). Then when he describes Minas Tirith for several pages or Helm's Deep you can look at what HE actually was picturing in his mind as he wrote it. Reading the books allows you "imagine" the characters yourself first which is what I like.
The movies are slightly different from the books and even the extended versions do not have everything. But Peter Jackson did his best to stay true to the books. Some people will argue that some changes he made were wrong but I disagree because whereas what is written in a book sometimes just does not translate well on film - you are able to see what the writer describes in your mind but then on film it is disappointing.
Tolkien also wrote in a very elegant, prose like manner. Sometimes his descriptions are so exacting and long that between that and the poems or songs you may not be able to get a view in your mind of what is being described.
Therefore, it can be helpful to watch the extended movies first then read the books. You will find yourself sometimes saying, "hey, Legolas said that in the movie, not Aragorn!" or little things like that.
Either way, it is enjoyment
2007-03-19 18:00:07 · answer #2 · answered by For_Gondor! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All I can say is this: the worst thing you could would be to watch the movies first. That takes away from the insight and depth of Tolkien's world. Give yourself the chance to picture Middle Earth the way Tolkien describes it. The books are astounding and incredible--arguably the greatest fantasy novels to date. Albeit, the movies are good, also, yet no movie can pay true homage to those books.
Of course, if you don't have to time to read the books, it's understandable if you just saw the movies. The books are LONG and take time (especially if you want to truly read them and not just skim through them).
But, having read the books multiple times and having seen the movies multiple times, I still find that reading the books leaves me with a more fulfilling feeling. There's just something about his words that just can't be represented in film.
2007-03-19 13:30:38 · answer #3 · answered by Hammy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read the books first. There is a lot of omitted detail in the movies - and who ever told you that you would understand the books better after seeing the movies, obviously has a problem understanding English.
Also, reading the books first, gives you an opportunity to form your own picture of what Middle earth should be like - if you see the movies first you'll accept the the picture they paint for you . Compare you're own picture of middle earth with that of the movies. I think the differences will be interesting.
2007-03-19 19:50:43 · answer #4 · answered by MB1810 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always read the books, first! I have read and re-read them several times(I'm 57 and first started reading them unknowingly, when I was 8 years old, because I first fell in love with George MacDonald's The Princess and the Goblin and The Princess and Curdie) Those two books are the absolute "basis" for J.R.R.Tolkiens Middle Earth. He read them, when he was 7 years old, I believe in 1871, they were published. They're called: The Goblin Chronicles. When I was 17 is when I first read The Hobbit and thought the "orcs" were a lot like the "goblins"...quite a lot of water has gone under the bridge, since then and I never tire of reading the trilogy. I have the movies, in their full versions, but READ the books, first! You will not be disappointed!
2007-03-19 17:40:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best Selection Watch Movies Online
2016-05-18 09:58:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would read the books first. I am still working my way through the books. I saw the movies, and they are very good and magical. That doesn't do them justice, but anyway, I now wish I had read the books first. 1)So I wouldn't know how it ended, 2)so I wouldn't be impatient at the slower at times pace, and 3)so I would have been able to anticipate the movies more. I do have to say that the parts I have read already from the books are very good and descriptive.
2007-03-19 16:23:19 · answer #7 · answered by Prongs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although I am often a strong believer of reading the books first, on this one I'd say the movies. The books are so detailed and descriptive that it can blow your mind. I often got lost in the descriptions and missed the main point of the page. If you watch the movie first, you can at least know somewhat what's going on if you missed something in the reading.
2007-03-19 12:11:13 · answer #8 · answered by Rainsfriend 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Read the Books, you'll get your imagination working and see your own view and get an opinion on the story. Then watch the movies because you'll get someone elses view of the story. The books are awesome!
2007-03-19 11:42:42 · answer #9 · answered by CrazyGirlinaMessedUpWorld 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The books are probably more informative and more descriptive about J.R.R. Tolkiens world. The movies are long but are very good to watch. Have you checked out the Hobbit the Graphic Novel.
2007-03-19 11:40:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋