Greetings Adventurers, This video has been Copyrighted by Warner Brothers because of the last couple seconds. I am posting it anyway, because nothing I can say could defend Tolkien's message better than the LOTR itself. I don't own the rights, simple as that. I don't put ads in the middle of my videos because I don't like interrupting the flow, so I don't make more money on longer videos like this anyway. The problem, is that UA-cam, will put ads on my content, whether I am monetized or not, whether I want them or not, because simply by using their platform, they have the right to make money off of content that they didn't create, even though I don't have the right to make money on content that I didn't create. There is nothing I can do about this. This video took all week to research and write and 30+ hours straight of filming and editing. If you like my work and are so inclined to support me further, please consider joining my Patreon. It's still a (WIP), but I hope to one day be able to put out the type of immersive Fantasy that we wish to see, rather depending on these large companies. www.patreon.com/LivingAnachronism
They could have done the war in the north. All the fans would love to finally see it and they own the rights to it but ..... evil can not create. It only corrupts.
Hey guys type in 'Lord of Cringe: Amazon hires fake fans to push an narrative' on UA-cam and watch the video. This is the real Trojan Horse and the insides look like. While it's not the original video is because they unlisted the original video. It shows alot what Amazon is planning to do. They legit picked influencers over real fans. There's a link in comments sections, so you might be able watch the original unlisted video in the comments section.
*_“We made a promise to ourselves at the beginning of the process that we weren't going to put any of our own politics, our own messages or our own themes into these movies. What we were trying to do was to analyze what was important to Tolkien and to try to honor that. In a way, we were trying to make these films for him, not for ourselves.”_* - Peter Jackson
As a lifelong Star Trek fan, I can tell you, "Don't believe them. Don't trust them." They will destroy and pervert your beloved stories on purpose just to spite you. Don't let them in.
I just finished watching eight seasons of the remastered version of Star Trek The Next Generation and loved it. But I do want to point out the following: Star Trek's episodic structure plus it's pre-existing tendency to push cultural norms and break societal taboos made the franchise uniquely susceptible to being corrupted by this movement. LOTR has no such vulnerabilities and will - I hope - fair much better.
@@davidschaftenaar6530 Star Trek was pushing the societal pendulum to a much more balanced center. STD and Picards looks to pull that pendulum to the far left now.
I don’t want a “characters” to represent me. I want the message that TOLKIEN wants to bring to us. I want characters that make me move and feel and being connected with what the author wants to say.
That stupid "characters representing me" thing is so infuriating. I watch/play/read fantasy stuff specifically BECAUSE those characters are nothing like me. Their world is not like mine. I want to escape my reality but not by thinking "oh i wish that were me!" but by seeing others succeed in their otherworldly struggle that i could not survive for one fuckin day.
You really hit the nail on the head with this. I just saw this morning that the actress who is playing "pretend" Galadriel is now telling people who don't like the show that they're "-ists" and "-ics" and to stop following her account. She's also literally telling them to "Shut the f**k up." I am sickened by what is happening with this. I first set foot in Middle Earth 45 years ago when I stepped out of Bag End with Bilbo and went on an adventure. It was an extremely difficult period in my life and the characters that live in Middle Earth have become my lifelong friends. Over the years I have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings numerous times. I've read them to my son. We've watched the movies and the "making of" content. One thing that Tolkien, his characters, and the cast and crew of the Peter Jackson films all have in common is they are respectful and have class - something that is sorely lacking in those who are destroying works that were at one time good, wholesome and respectful of all. And the fact that they are releasing this trash on the anniversary of Tolkien's death galls me no end. My only hope is that enough people will see what's really going on and not buy into it. Oh, and yes, I do think you would make a wonderful elf!
Thank you for sharing. For many, LOTR has played such an important part in their lives. It should come as no surprise that we are defensive of it. As you say, the lack of class, the lack of respect already made apparent by the actions and words involved with this show is completely different to Peter Jackson when his trilogy released. He and his team tried to win over fans of the books who were skeptical of him. Amazon is trying to brow beat us.
Wow do you have to insult Smaug like that? They only eat a few maiden sacrifices here and there since that rash decision to slaughter a mountain of dwarves. Bezos is more like Gríma but bald.
@@FumblsTheSniper Eh, not really. Grima is a petty deceiver trying to seduce and hijack the Good King Theoden, but Bezos doesn't really have anyone above him. The description: “His rage passes description - the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk that have more than they can enjoy suddenly lose something that they have long had but have never before used or wanted.” from the Hobbit fits Amazon's CEO like a glove.
I'm an asian Chinese by ethnicity and I love the world that Tolkien created and everything in it. I see absolutely no need nor any good reason to change and modify what he wrote just to "represent" me. I value authenticity and accuracy way more than changing them just to fit my agenda. His works are all beautiful and the fact that these "Tolkien experts" try to justify their childish fan-fiction just makes me lose hope in humanity.
I agree! I'm Tahitian/Japanese/Roma("Gypsy") and I've loved Tolkien's books since the first time I read them. I don't read or watch fantasy looking for who look like me, I read it to enjoy exploring this unique and original world the author has created.
Yeah agreed. I'm white British with a love of Japanese period films. Not once did I wish some white Brit was in them so I was 'represented'. I managed to relate to the characters just fine.
Being a white aged man, I completely respect your statement. Tolkien inspired me to write my own heroic fantasy, and the main message in my story that there is greater strength in diversity ... many races, many skills. I didn't feel "forced" to place peoples that didn't make sense ... so sadly, no Asians because geographically it was a reach too far. I am appreciative and respectful for characters of all races, fantasy or real, but my real purpose here is to applaud your comment. I don't expect to see white heroes show up in Asia ... "The Last Samurai," in order to draw my interest.
"We made a promise to ourselves at the beginning of the process that we weren't going to put any of our own politics, our own messages or our own themes into these movies. ... In a way, we were trying to make these films for him, not for ourselves." - Peter Jackson “It felt only natural to us that an adaptation of Tolkien’s work would reflect what the world actually looks like,” - Lindsey Weber, Producer of Amazon's lotr, the rings of power Oh boy...
The amount of LOTR knowledge and love that you have is hear warming. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day! I stand with you.
SO I never leave comments on videos. But this was honestly the best ever explanation of why Tolkien fans are actually angry, and whats truly going on here. Literally first time I've come across your channel, but definitely not the last. Lastly, thank you once again.
Man, this is really really bad. The video you've done is amazing and you hit every point so succinctly. But why do they have to do this to something so many people love. I can only hope, one day in the future, we may one day get the vindication we deserve. Thank you for sharing your views Kramer, it means a lot as a fan, for fans who have the voices that can be heard to shout for the ones who'd never be heard otherwise
At first I thought you meant the video and I thought you meant the video haha! Doin my best mate, putting stuff like this out is potentially ruinous, specially for a small channel, thanks for your support, mate!
Star Wars, Star Trek, He-Man, Wheel of Time, now LotR. So many franchises I loved have fallen. And it won't stop here. They won't be happy till all of the fandoms are purged of fans and filled simply with consumers.
@@LivingAnachronism Your comment about Amazon's The Rings Of Power not bring Lord of the rings is why I dont consider Disney star wars or marvel comics star wars or Marvel. If they butcher it badly, why should I refer to them as that just because they own the ip?
Had a question on a LotR fansite that asked if you could show tolkien only 1 scene from Peter Jacksons LotR trilogy before his passing, what would it be? I said Sam and Frodo on Mt.Doom, Theres no way i wouldnt of shown Tolkien that scene. What scene would you of shown Tolkien?
I tear up everytime I read the chapter in RotK where Frodo and Sam are on the slopes of Mt. Doom talking about how everyone back home will want to hear about Nine-fingered Frodo or Samwise the Brave, only to realize that no one will actually know what they've done because they are going to die there. It's such a heartfelt moment of old friends cherishing one another, despite facing certain death, and one of the best moments in the book, IMO.
The funny thing is that is a completely made up scene that its not in the book. Boyens said that they had to stop and think for a couple of days, how Sam should answer Frodo's question. And then they thought about the'' good in the world''. You see? It is so well-written scenario, that even the made up lines contribute to tolkiens spirit. Does this have anything to do with the Amazon upcoming crap?
This is kind of waking me up to seeing how billionaires, politicians, and power/control-thirsty groups are following the same pattern today that... weirdly enough, Tolkien already told in the stories of Melkor and Sauron, same as how the corruption of hearts of good beings come about through their desires, selfishness, and unwillingness to stand against adversity. Now I understand why Tolkien's tales are timeless.
My issue isn't with skin colour, you will always get variations in that, depending on where you live. My issue is the elves. The one thing that really set elves apart was the fact they look androgynous. The long hair and delicate features gave them an other worldly look. In the trailer the elves aren't. One has a buzz cut, Elrond looks like he should be in a boyband and Galadriel looks like she escaped from Vikings of Valhalla.
Also, elves should be creepy or at least eerie. Real world folklore elves tempted people into the woods never to be seen again, and that strange danger and alien power is presented in Tolkien. That's why elves as a main character is awfully demystifying
@@niclasjohansson5992 even if the main character is of the eldar... It should be an elven warriors of the likes of Fëanor and his sons. A real hero with fair long hair, terrible shining swords, spears and armor and not, whatever they did.
right elves aren't even human they can't even get drunk off alcohol they have completely different biology. and despite their fair complexion they never get sunburn so why the hell would they have any use for melanin
@@env0x elves can get drunk. But it needs amounts of alcohol, that could kill entire hosts of men or dwarves. The same with melanin, elves can't evolve, unlike humans, who change from generation to generation a little bit. That means, even if they could evolve, it would take a so long time, that the environment around them changes faster than the elves. The Noldor became a bit bigger than the other elves, after milenias living in Aman. But it was only around 3 or so generations. And even the oldest became a bit bigger. So I would say, the land of the valar was the reason. Not evolution.
I love that we have Tolkien's own words to combat Amazon. When another filmmaker was going to mess with the story Here is what Tolkien had to say; “The canons of narrative in any medium cannot be wholly different; and the failure of poor films is often precisely in exaggeration, and in the intrusion of unwarranted matter owing to not perceiving where the core of the original lies.” J.R.R. Tolkien.
"You have been chosen, and therefore use the strength, heart and the wits you have!" - JRR Tolkien I salute you sir. The rant was worthy of Helms Deep battle cry
20:22 Tolkien directly addresses realism in fantasy in one of his famous essays, "On Fairy Stories." In it, he defends fantasy as a literary genre. He emphasizes the need for an "inner consistency of reality" within a true "fairy-story", as he calls it. That is, if there were to be a green sun in your fantasy story, there must be a reason and rule for why it is so. The fantasy world should be real and consistent in itself and follow its own rules, which are different from the rules of real life/normal world. There's also a bit in the essay on how the fairy-story might be used as an objective lens through which to reexamine the real world [[[as opposed to being a mirror of the real world]]]. It's a pretty good read if you're into the more scholarly side of Professor Tolkien.
@@rafaelbalsan4512 Indeed! He did all this at a time when fantasy was still considered for children only--which, as we know, was an idea he turned on its head. What's also interesting in that particular essay is Tolkien's emphasis on the necessity of an event that brings a deep joy, or "eucatastrophe" as he calls it, in fantasy stories. In another quote, he calls it "the highest function of fairy-stories to produce." It makes me wonder what he would think about the kind of grimdark, depressing fantasy that's somewhat popular nowadays.
Any good fantasy story has its own lore and rules. When the rules are compromised or altered it breaks that fictional universe. Many people who aren't avid readers of fantasy don't understand this or see it's importance. Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time even Game of Thrones (check the seasons when they ran out of material to adapt and the decline in quality) and Dragon Age (in more recent installments broke its own lore). You can see the decline in all these properties as they begin to "modernize" and introduce more themes or characters that mirror our world and are not consistent with the actual fictional world.
Though ironically this need for consistancy contributed to him never finishing The Silmarillion. At one point he tried to write a 'round world' version, it kept getting too complicated, then he seemingly decided to try to make the story pass through Man's misunderstandings. I suspect the implication in RotK that Bilbo wrote the 'compressed' Silmarillion to be published made that difficult to figure out.
Thank you, for your input. Just seeing you defending the lore with burning passions lightens my heart. Seeing comments under the Amazon series is another beacon of light. Keep up the fight.
I have never seen such a well articulated and formulated discussion on the tactics used by the people who topple fandoms. Thank you for your video it is wonderful to see such a passionate fan defend Tolkien's works. You deserve all the support this video brings you, you've definitely earned mine.
Not just Tolkien's works though, also Jackson's movies which are somewhat different from the original. They are amazing movies with passion in them and definitely a great way to get into Tolkien, but Jackson and Co. seem to have misunderstood Tolkien's themes in some ways and added/changed some characters and scenes more heavily than necessary. I still agree with the video overall (and anyone speaking out against Amazon is doing a good deed in my book), but it's important to keep in mind that no adaptation can just be equated to the books. Only Tolkien himself could add to his Legendarium, everything else is more like fanfiction - whether someone is legally allowed to profit off of it or not.
I already wasn't planning on watching this show because something about the whole tone of it felt fake and hollow, but you've articulated several excellent and compelling reasons why that is. Thank you.
Just loved your point of view. I felt so confused when i watched the trailer... I felt even dirty to think "how a black elf can be in Arda", but that's how they want to make me feel. They did it on propose to get me out of my beloved fantasy saga and use that brand to push politic and monetize on people opinions. I miss the time when LOTR was just "nerd" stuff made for a bunch of naive and romantic kids... Now geek culture = pop = money. And this is depressing...
You totally look like a convincing elf in that head shot, dude. Also, I'm loving everything you say, as well as your recording area. Star Wars, my favorite fandom since childhood, has been wholly desecrated. I'm here to support the fight for the mythology that created the essence of every western fantasy story that came after the books hit the store shelves, including Star Wars. I wonder if Amazon is even aware that /that/ is what they're playing with, or that it isn't just another "franchise" to sell merch with.
You are 100% right when you say that "this adaptation" is just a distraction from the real issues and their real intent! Darkness is like "the Nothing" in the Ever Ending Story... Never stoping but devouring all that is good until all goodness is defeated, but they will not succeed! There is still good in this world and it is worth fighting for!
@@LivingAnachronism I am truely sorry UA-cam has given you so much grief. It is well know as an unfair platform but every drop of light you created (I see this video as a drop of light) will endure beyond this existence 'cos light will always win over darkness!
Smiling without it touching my eyes, crossing my arms beneath my breasts, tugging upon my braid, and pouring a goblet of mulled wine out upon the ground for my dear departed homie, The Wheel of Time, who was killed by Amazon Studios before all of this Tolkien stuff started making the rounds.
Kevin Smith told MOTU fans that he heard the complaints about the first batch of episodes for MOTU: Revelations and said to just wait for the second batch because he would show that he really felt our pain. The second batch bombed worst than the first.
It warms my cold dead heart to know there are genuine fans out there that are finally taking a stand against this madness. It was only a matter of time until they came for Tolkien and his creations... But it seems the fans of middle earth are far more protective of their world than most.
Really well said. I have been saying for a while this feels like an abusive relationship. Some of the articles I've read literally say both that Tolkien was all about inclusion and that Tolkien was a racist so this is an attempt at "fixing" the story. The story wasn't broken!!! Sometimes it is so frustrating to just be assumed a racist because you want a series you care about to follow the lore. It isn't as if I didn't love into the Spiderverse with its diverse and inclusive cast. That tons of movies and fantasy featuring BA women and multiple ethnicities are freaking amazing. The same fan base that loves LotR, loves other fantasy and adventure movies and has absolutely nothing to do with race. They are just trying to make bad faith arguments to gaslight the fans and isolate anyone who would try to throw any criticism. I get to have standards in my relationships, you don't get to call me toxic if you I don't stand for you cheating on me. (Rant over) Also you could play an elf from Elfquest really well.
I started out cautiously optimistic about the series but the more information that comes out along with the response by some media we’ve been seeing to criticism of the series has led me to loose interest in it.
Your analogy of the Orcs, and the “they only want a little land”, and then increasing to “they only want Rohan”, until finally they’re everywhere and impossible to drive out or pay off to leave, was very reminiscent of the English (and others) paying the Danegeld. If you’ve never read Rudyard Kipling’s short poem “The Danegeld”, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so- it’s fantastic. I know it’s not exactly the same thing, but it’s somewhat apt. And thank you for this video- you had a great many valid points that I imagine most fans would agree with.
@@wolfwarlordjake8992 Simple translation of the poem: "Don't negotiate with terrorists, dumbass." The poem _Dane-Geld:_ "It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation To call upon a neighbour and to say: -- "We invaded you last night--we are quite prepared to fight, Unless you pay us cash to go away." And that is called asking for Dane-geld, And the people who ask it explain That you've only to pay 'em the Dane-geld And then you'll get rid of the Dane! It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation, To puff and look important and to say: -- "Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you. We will therefore pay you cash to go away." And that is called paying the Dane-geld; But we've proved it again and again, That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld You never get rid of the Dane. It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation, For fear they should succumb and go astray; So when you are requested to pay up or be molested, You will find it better policy to say: -- "We never pay any-one Dane-geld, No matter how trifling the cost; For the end of that game is oppression and shame, And the nation that pays it is lost!"
@@Alex_Fahey Thank you so much, my friend- I truly appreciate you taking the time to type that out- I find my time constraints are often put upon me by me. In other words, I’m lazy, too often. But I really do thank you for your transcription. Let’s be honest, most folks wouldn’t take the time to go look it up to read it, and you’ve saved them from that backbreaking labor😆
Thank you so much for speaking on these matters, and doing so in a very articulate fashion. I have seen so many of my favorite franchises getting hijacked by people who couldn't care less about anything other than their ideology, and it continually breaks my heart.
Yeah this is literally the same script of the Wheel of Time, take an IP, give it to grossly incompetent people with "credentials" that wreck it and proceed to blame the fans for not liking it.
The ""directors"" are so unvetted it is disgusting. Such hatred for the series to do that.... Amazon, like all monopolies, gets more shekels than God - so they will propagandize like this with no fear of losing money.
@@Spartan-oj9dc He wasn't referring to the show's script. He meant that the event surrounding this is the same as what happened with the Wheel of Time series.
When we were living through somewhat difficult teenage years, LOTR got me and my brother together. It's so sad to see how disrespectful this greedy and resented people are with such a beloved franchise. I loved your video, you put into words everthing I was feeling about this project but couldn't say myself...
I went to the movie theatre just a couple of days ago to watch the trilogy again (in commemoration of 20 years since release), and believe me when I tell you, there was an audible groan of frustration from the public during the scene where Gimli explains dwarven women have beards. That's how done fans are with Amazon
Other than not having "pretty eyes" (which could easily be fixed with contacts) I think you got the look for an elf for sure. Also think you're right on with the overall point hope it doesn't suck..
I’ve been a Tolkien fan since my mother- who recorded the hobbit animation in high school on the first vcr tape she ever bought and memorized the entire book- read the stories to me when I was little. Now I’m older, pregnant, and my nursery is Shire themed. My husband named his dog Samwise, memorized the books and loves Tolkien as well. You could say we’re a Tolkien fan household. The new show coming out, in my view, is not cannon to Tolkien at all because they’ve used words like ‘inspired by’, ‘well Tolkien never said they DIDN’T do this’, and ‘loosely based’. Those are red flags to me. I won’t be watching it. My husband won’t be watching it. My mother won’t be watching it. Their issue is that Tolkien fans, unlike other IPs, are naturally well read. The books are no small matter to read, especially for modern attention spans.
I am most certainly not a bot. I am a Greek fan of LotR and I WILL speak! "Το κακό δεν μπορεί να δημιουργήσει τίποτα καινούργιο, μπορεί μόνο να διαφθείρει και να καταστρέψει αυτά που οι καλές δυνάμεις έχουν εφεύρει ή κατασκευάσει." -J.R.R. Tolkien
This video pulled at my heartstrings in every way. Beautifully and wholeheartedly spoken. THANK YOU for standing up for us, the fans who desperately wish to save our beloved Middle-Earth from corruption. ❤️ I am beyond shocked by the extremely high level of disrespect Amazon is showing Tolkien’s legacy, it is devastating. 😔 To have such an incredible opportunity (and budget) to bring people together, to share the immense love of the lore, to bring more light and joy into our chaotic world, to honor Tolkien…..and they willingly chose to do the opposite. I’m afraid the dragon sickness has taken hold of them, and it seems it refuses to let go...😔
Your explanation about why the Elves can't be diverse is literally what I've been thinking about all this time but couldn't really put it into words. You are absolutely right, thank you so much. For me Elves are like Navi from Avatar. They are not humans, they are their own thing. Avatar had a pretty diverse cast but with CGI technology all Navi looked similar on the screen. Amazon could do the same thing with their enormous budget and I'd be fine with whoever plays the Elves.
So all characters (be they men, elves, dawrves, hobbits, wizards, e.t.c.) should only be CG? You miss what made the LOTR films so valuable. They used real people, and that's why they're much more immersive art than Avatar. I like that movie too, but it's simply impractical to *truly compare* the two since they are too different. You might as well compare the narrative story telling of Dragon-Tales and GTA-V smh.
What about the fact that Tolkien described elves as mostly dark-haired and grey-eyed? Does the color of a fantasy race only matter when it's about their skin?
I'm glad everyone is so supportive! Talking about overland travel is much less scary than putting something like this out for everyone to judge. Thank you!
Wow. Just found this video. This is very well constructed and can tell you’ve sat down thought through the arguments to get them down precisely before you filmed. It’s very disheartening to continuously see franchises get ruined. What does give me optimism is seeing people from so many backgrounds defending the legacy of Tolkien all for the crime of wanting any adaptions to respect and keep faithful to such intricate and ethereal source material. Tolkien helped create and fill (a Jackson helped intensified with LOTR) that cultural mythological sub current that for the people of Celtic-Anglo cultures had been voided until. And yet, it’s the archetypical themes that resonates with people from all over the world. And it’s truly amazing that amazon haven’t figured this out (or they have but don’t take it serious or have purposely taken offence to it). It’s amazing that I don’t have to be korean to emphasise or understand the characters in the film Parasite, or the tv show Mr Sunshine. But yes, thank you for your sober and careful thoughts. These are Also gg on the hair front, keep it long haha.
You could definitely pass for an elf. I am not completely against variation in skin for elfs... just make them look like elfs! I liked the makeup job they did for the elf mom in the witcher, thought it was very tasteful and i was completely convinced she was an elf and had no idea she had darker skin until seeing a headshot much later. Love the commentary. The haircut on that "black" elf is what got me. Same with the no beard on the "black" dwarf woman. No way i would mistaken that with a dwarf man!
Agree! I think you are referring to Francesca? I thought she looked very elf like in the show. As with LOTR, I have the same sort of reservations about Dara in the Witcher, don't think he's very elf like
Magnificent work. I'll be sharing this around and you've earned a sub. Appalled by what corporate greed is doing to Tolkien's work and legacy. Just picked up hardback copies of The Hobbit and The Silmarillion for my birthday, and will expedite buying hardback LOTR and the reader's companion. I share the fear that owning and reading beautiful literature will be a 'dog whistle' for the mob. My worst fear is pyres. Or Ronald gets the Shakespeare conspiracy treatment, all evidence be damned. Keep up the good fight. God(s) be with you.
I like how you brought up point 6 in the way you did, most people seem to be too scared or bring it up in the wrong way. You articulated it perfectly and as far as the rings of power goes I am now expecting a latino, black and German orc, goblin, and Ent.
Thank you so much for this. This was so well put together and I agree with everything you said. It feels like Amazon is trying to shove us out of our own fandom and replace us with people who's only passion is changing it to suit their own ideals. Once it's "fixed" they'll move on and destroy something else. I genuinely love these books and movies, and I'm so upset that it's getting torn apart, just like Star Wars and other franchises. I always felt bad for those fans and was happy LOTR had a great movie adaptation and hadn't been ruined. Then Amazon comes and buys the rights and waits until right after Christopher Tolkien dies to begin, and then they announce they're releasing it on the day Tolkien died. That set off alarm bells and I predicated the show would show zero respect for Tolkien's lore, and it seems like I'm right.
Excellent video, well put together and thought out. I'm proud of your defense of Tolkien. You mention something about if you, as an actor, might fit a race in Tolkien's world. While I do not think portraying an elf would be appropriate, I do think you could do very well portraying a man of Rhûn or possibly someone from the House of Bëor. 👍🏼
Thank you for being impassioned when the constant attacks of society tire us out of passion and weaken our resolve, cloud our eyes to what is happening. Thank you for being a beacon alight. May it make a difference. Also, I love you, but you have to put a bit more thought and testing into where you place your lapel mic, listening to your chain grinding over it, or the crinkle of rubbing leather, also tested my resolve. :P Thank you for all you do.
I just hope that no one goes to hatewatch it and just gives it more attention. Pirate it if you must, just don't pay Amazon for this farce. Also you could 100% be an elf, or maybe fit even better as a half elf. The height would be an issue for a full Tolkien elf, but a elf/man, or if we wanna get crazy with it, elf/hobbit? Absolutely! You definitely have an interesting and distinct face.
When the world seemed lost to evil, Tolkien wrote a letter (April 30, 1944) to his son, encouraging Christopher “that there is still hope that things may be better for us...in the mercy of God” Tolkien wrote: “Evil labours with vast power, and perpetual success- IN VAIN: preparing always... the soil for unexpected growth to sprout in.” It will take “all our natural human courage and guts...and all our religious faith to face the evil that may befall us....”
as a person who has read everything Tolkien has written and know the lore by heart and know what it was inspired by and where a lot of the characters names come from. I hate what amazon is doing the second age of middle earth should be represented with care Im just glad they didn't touch the children of hurin or anything in the first age there is still hope because I believe the first age has some of the best lore and stories to bring to life and I hope a real fan gets to bring it to life I have no hope for the rings of power and honestly don't plan to watch it because it will be cancelled after the first season. You know being they alienated at least 70% of the people who would watch it.
This was a wonderful video with very powerful inspiring and important message! Thank you for your courage and passion for Tolkien! "Let this be the hour when we draw swords together."
Do you remember a time when people didn’t care about political agendas, where they cared more about how the story was told and not how much diversity they included.
Found this video while mindlessly scrolling through UA-cam and getting a bit lost in tHe InTerNEt due to my own boredom and am so blown away now by this smart and well written video essay and the points you made. Also, I think you’d make a good elf!
You make some really good points here. I can honestly understand the frustration and I honestly hate that this keeps happening. It’s tiring and just makes me sad. Also you would look great as an elf in almost any place.
WOW this was powerful. The Lord of the Rings books changed me life. I'm probably older than most people here, but these works go beyond a generation. You obviously have strong feelings about this, good for you for standing up to your principles.
Why are most medieval UA-camrs so based? It's not a bad thing, just something I've noticed seems to be consistent. Maybe it's because we prefer the stories that can only be told through freedom of choice rather than an overly controlled society and long to create our own stories through life rather than to carry out the wishes of someone else, who knows. I'd love to hear any thoughts I'm the replies 👍
My theory, is that it's very difficult to be a student of history, and not recognize either hierarchy, tradition, or the patterns which tend to repeat themselves.
@@LivingAnachronism I made another comment about it. It's because we appreciate and seek to preserve cultural heritage. Our opponents seek to change, corrupt, and subvert it. We view it as the legacy of ancestors, and we want to pass it on to future generations. They view it as **theirs** to do with as they please.
When they can't even respect our Constitution, certainly they cannot be expected to respect fantasy literature. They see everything as a means to their amassing of ever greater power. Tolkien lore is like so many of Treebeard's tree friends laid low.
Because they're passionate about something for itself, rather than because of popular or financial interest. I suspect that by itself is something of a rarity.
Humans have been telling stories around the campfire for thousands of years. It was a way to share culture with other tribes and create long lasting bonds by finding the common ground in our similar experiences as people. The modern political climate is trying to take this away from us in order to turn brother against brother. Their strategy is to divide and then conquer whatever is left after the dust settles.
"We have still small swords to use. ‘I will not bow before the Iron Crown, nor cast my own small golden sceptre down.’ Have at the Orcs, with winged words, hildenæddran (war-adders), biting darts - but make sure of the mark, before shooting.” - Tolkien to his son Christopher in 1943
Ending you monologue with the opening notes of "The Breaking of The Fellowship" ringing in the background was a low blow man. Had me cutting onions, not gonna lie. This video took my (already high) respect for you to new levels. I don't think there is a single thing to add to it. My two cents though, from an absolutely subjective position, are that this advances over beloved franchises have nothing to do with profit . They are beyond that, they are willing to operate at a loss. Their motives go deeper, but it has already been said a thousand times before and don't want to taint your comment section with more political divide; specially since you did a beautiful job of exposing the "divide and conquer" scheme in which they thrive without engaging in a reactive way. Thank you for speaking in the name of those who lack that eloquence . Release the Kramer!
Thank you, my friend. I had a different ending written, in fact, but while editing, I realized this was the only way. I agree with your sentiment, it is what I meant in the beginning of the video. Cheers.
Living Anachronism Yeah, you put it perfectly well in your old video, great idea to include it in the opening minute. P.S: shaven as in your headshot I think you would make a perfect elf. Blonde hair would go really well with your facial structure too. (I'm thinking of Haldir, for e.g., whose actor has obvious dark hair but looks super cool in blonde)
I just recently discovered you and ho-damn am I glad I did so. This video is incredible. One of the greatest videos on UA-cam, ever. The passion, the arguments, the analysis. Listening to you is like listening to some great orator in ancient Greece. You're the man. I'm sorry what you LotR people have to go through. I'm a casual fan but I love the Witcher universe. Seeing what Netflix did to my boy, the way the massacred a slavic-inspired tale, hurts so much. My parents are from former Yugoslavia and there's not a lot of media out there that reflect our spirit, life philosophy, manners and attitude. The Witcher is one of the few works of art that *feel* slavic. And I appreciate that! But what they did to it over at Netflix... thank goodness I cancelled my subscription years ago. So, I feel your guys' pain. It's horrific, isn't it. You getting rid of all your links and all that. Man, I don't know if I could do the same. We live in a crazy world, why take any chances. You have my utmost respect. Much love, from a Slav born and raised in Sweden.
Thanks so much for your support! I love the Witcher too, and was also very disappointed by what Netflix did. I did the "reasonable" and waited for season two, still bad, worse, in fact. Part of the reason I'm so staunchly against what Amazon appears to be doing. I have 3 videos on my channel about the Witcher, one of them is a straight up rant. If you enjoyed this video, you might enjoy that one too.
Cheers, mate! I've been following the corruption of beloved storyworlds since Star Wars. I didn't understand what was happening back then. I'm a world-builder and writer who just wants to follow in the footsteps of creators like Tolkien and George Lucas... I'm learning what makes a beloved story. Love and vision cannot be bought or won. Stay True.
It must be said that LOTR deserves a certain criticism: elevating battle scenes (as well as inventing battle scenarios) over simple story telling, the omissions of Tom Bombadil and the Scouring of the Shire, and so on. That said, it stands as an epic presentation of Tolkein's world and is more than worth appreciating as such. I'm confident that nobody will think of ROP the same way 20 years, not to mention one year, from today.
The world has been run by evil for a long time. It doesn't just rule in high places .. it never did. But it is allowed for a time and only for a time. .. It can't reign forever. But your video is incredibly inspiring. I fell in love with LOTR because of the movies - and then went on to read the books and the Silmarillion. .. I'm of a mind to reserve judgment until I see something for myself, but .. I've seen all I need to see. And I know that this show will be an awful nightmare. I was going to watch it and see, but no. I won't. It will burn with the rest that have been so taken and corrupted.
I love how the series' makers' idea of "we have to reflect how the world really is" means "we have to reflect the ethnic make-up and demographics of 21st century USA". Ah, so you think the USA are representative of the entire world (how many times have I seen that before)? I'm just wondering. If you can adapt Middle Earth to American racial sensibilities, why not adapt it to Middle Eastern sensibilities? Or Bollywood demographics? Let's have a whole Middle Earth populated with Indians, with a few minorities strewn in! Who says that Americans can just appropriate everything and everybody pretends that that's normal?
I am a 5ft Mexican woman who has since a child watching fantasy/medieval works from Camelot to Middle Earth, have always PRETENDED to be an elf, without attempting to make myself or idea of what I can be as an elf- CANNON to the works I enjoy.
We were ruthlessly bullied as children for admiring heroism, righteousness and beauty more than conforming to current culture and resorting to our books, games, music, computers. WE, THE NERDS, created internet as it is, we opened up our subculture to ANYONE, cost free, giving free access to anyone to what we loved, we spent hours online teaching newcomers, writing pages and pages in obscure forums to teach in a few minutes stuff we spent years studying, many times resorting to hard to get books and material WE put on the internet and rescued... now they use that to exclude the hardcore fans from their own fandom!
I'm a book purist and have been one throughout the entire age of live action Tolkien movies/shows. I don't think Jackson's movies are as good and faithful as you seem to but this is still a good video. Keep doing this kind of video; great job!
I tend to agree. Although the movies had some wonderful moments, there were too many fundamental differences for me - the exclusion of Tom Bombadil, the depiction of Merry and Pippin as young scamps etc. It is also hard not to notice that the director is a huge fan of horror and gore. I feel that sadly the door was opened for Amazon to do what they liked with Tolkien's legacy. I agree that it will be at least another decade before there is an opportunity to finally film this great work as it deserves.
The Big Boss of the Big Corporation is Smaug in disguise, sleeping on his piles of money and basking in destruction. I am a relatively new fan of Tolkien, having discovered LOTR only two years ago, but this universe already has much more importance in my life than any other book/saga. Seeing how the Big Corporation uses it to make money angers me, and their propaganda is scandalous. I don't consider myself a Tolkien purist, but this is ridiculous. I enjoy fanfictions and other fan creations, but these are actually made for the love of the LOTR, because fans don't get money for what they do. Big Corporation is just greedy. I hope that, by digging too deep, Big Boss will unleash a Balrog and cause the destruction of his kingdom.
I cannot say that I have watched all of The Lord of the Rings. I've seen all of the Hobbitt and am working to get through the rest of the films as well as the books. I know I am a bit of a noob in this world but I do know what it is to have passions about things. I would like to say thank you for taking the time you have to make this video. As a fan of many different things, I know the hurt there is to know that people do things simply for money. That is what it looks like but if all the things that speaks to Bezos and Amazon is money then that is the best way to talk about it. Don't give them the money they crave so much.
Thank you for this perspective, I'm really glad to hear others sharing this feeling, I feel like Peter Jackson isn't without flaw either, but damn, he didn't outright attack the fans over concerns, but really, my only issues with Jackson, surface with The Hobbit, and admittedly I'm not the only one who had issues with those movies. To me I felt whatever spark of passion he had when making the OG trilogy, just wasn't the same as with The Hobbit, and you could tell, which brings me to this show, They want it to be LOTR levels of success, but any heart and passion they've put into it, has simply been their identity politics. If they were as vehement about making the show good and faithful to Tolkein as they were with attacking fans who see through their bullshit, it might be a decent show, but this reeks of souless, agenda pushing, cash grab, made to root out the imaginary Racists and Yahtzeez that aren't actually there. When there were still just whispers of this show a few years back, a friend told me at work there was going to be a new LOTR show and I was a little excited, then he said Amazon was making it, and that excitement was gone, instantly. I'm pretty sure I said something to extent of, " You really think Trillionaire Jeff Bezos, is actually a fan of this series? And they'll do it justice?" Mind you this was before there was casting announcements, trailers, anything, even back then at best I was cautiously optimistic, which has changed significantly now. I was there as a Star Wars fan, when it fell to ruin, I'm still there hoping for change in that whole circle, but Disney did a great job dividing fans and causing in fighting like crazy, but now with LOTR, it's the exact same thing. LOTR was one of those properties that seemed sacred, you don't mess with it unless you know damn well what you're doing, and for a while there I felt it could have been the last bastion of hope. My only hope is us, the fandom, and doubly so for Star Wars fans who are LOTR fans, we've seen firsthand what it does to the properties and fan bases associated with it when the company trickles down their politics. It's not just " Oh if you dont like it, there's always the books and movies you can enjoy." That's the biggest cop out ever, why should we, as loyal fans be forced to live in the past and not enjoy anything new because we don't like the BS and politics they've needlessly injected into it for their own selfish purposes. They might be counting on the thousand or so " new fans" who have jumped onto this hate train against the fandom, but what they should be counting on is the endless battalions of passionate fans. Those people aren't actual LOTR fans, they love the division and hate mongering, once that;s over, and the show comes out, they're just going to move on to the next controversial rebooting of a series and jump onto that wagon, because they've already won, they don't even have to watch the show out of some misplaced feeling of, "Yeah, i was apart of this, I sure tore apart those Tolkein guys and left their fandom in a burning heap." Sorry for the rant, but damn, it's so frustrating that every property is heading this direction, with no end in sight.
The Hobbit movies were made to cash in on the success of LOTR. I've not seen them and probably never will. There's no way that book could have become three good movies.
yeah honestly i'm surprised that people don't talk about the hobbit movies more in those discussions, which were cash-grabs too and had some questionable stuff i don't remember too well since i only watched the first movie and ignored the others but legolas appearing just for the sake of a liked character appearing? a made up elven woman, so you have a strong woman in the story? who then has a romance with a dwarf??? a love story between a dwarf and an elf! and all that bad CGI but still the hobbit movies are often named in the same breath as the LOTR movies and until the third movie came out many people defended them..
Thank you for this. We already lost the other franchises (Star Wars, Marvel, etc). But if we stop them here, we can keep hope alive. Lord of the Rings is worth fighting for.
you can tell that this is a topic he believes in he see's it not as a simple discussion but as a war which he should it's what it is he makes great point in the video and is some how both calm and controlled while also angered and decisive and for this reason I support him all the way.
Together everyone, I would happily fight for the integrity of Tolkien's work to live on and not get slowly tainted to a twisted version to the current time's silly wokeness.
I came to your channel from SkillTree, and this is the 1st of your videos I've watched. I love you! Thank you for finding a way to articulate my thoughts and feelings. Tolkien created a world. Amazon is trying to take it somewhere those of us who love Middle Earth know better. I feel bad for those that are only finding Tolkien for the fist time through Amazon's "creation". This is Amazon whispering, "My precious". Sad. Thank you for speaking our words. Love you for your strength, backbone, and willingness to step up and do what is right!
This was absolutely beautiful you made me tear up at the end. Cause if there is anything I can recognize is true passion for something and it is so apparent that you have it. More than what amazon is trying to fake and make us believe
I really appreciate your pulling back of the curtain on Amazon's stratagy. Ailienate the existing fanbase to make room for new "consumers". What hacks! I never thought about it like that before.
Amazon also seems to be messing up the fact that there are literally centuries of time between when the Rings of Power are forged and Sauron goes to war and destroys the elves who make them, on the one hand, and when Sauron actually arrives in Numenor and corrupts and causes it to fall, on the other hand. Those events don't happen at the same time. Given the biggest characters emphasized are the elves Galadriel and Elrond, perhaps the show itself will take place over centuries and the humans will have mostly secondary roles, but I'm worried they may fudge the two events to tell a condensed story.
They have already said they wanted to condense the timeline to avoid having human characters die off every couple of episodes. I think they would have been better served with either doing a much longer show run (honestly glad they aren't given how they are treating everything else) or telling a much more focused story. GoT had 8 seasons and they still ran out of time. 5 Seasons is not enough to tell one of the most comprehensive histories of a fantasy world in existence.
"What Amazon seems to have done ... is literally the equivalent of receiving the ring, and then immediately putting it on because they think they have the power to control it" Damn lol
I've been a fan of star wars since I was a kid, it's painful having a franchise you love ripped apart and shilled out in the name of corporate greed. Good luck to the Tolkien fans, you'll probably need it.
I was once a Star Wars fan. I loved it. I loved Luke and Han and Leia, I loved the Falcon, the Star Destroyers, the X-Wing. I loved Obi-Wan, and Sidious, and Maul, and Dooku, and even the much-maligned Anakin Skywalker as portrayed by Hayden Christenson. I loved it all. Then The Force Awakens happened, and I thought I had grown out of Star Wars. I was wrong. I hadn't grown out of Star Wars. It had changed and no longer wanted me. I knew this when I watched The Last Jedi. I hated Rey. I hated Holdo. I hated Poe and Finn and Kylo Ren, and I absolutely HATED Luke Skywalker and "General" Leia Organa, and this pathetic washed up old man with none of the self-respect Han Solo had earned in Return of the Jedi. I hated them. And I said I hated them. Then I was called racist. I was called racist because I didn't like Finn. Never mind that I like Mace Windu, or Lando Calrissian, or wished that there were more Asian and Black characters in the movies out of a sheer love of how different humans show how we can be all sorts of different kinds of people. I did not like Finn. And apparently neither did the actor like how his character was handled, so maybe there's a version out there I do like. I was called sexist. Never mind my love of Leia, Mon Mothma, Padme, Ahsoka, Ventress, Mara Jade, Bastilla Shan, Kreia, Mira, Shaak Ti, Juno Eclipse, Ayla Secura, Barriss Offee, or my choice to play any number of female characters in Star Wars RPGs. I did not like Rey or Holdo. So I was sexist. I do not love Star Wars anymore.
@@Namewriter Well said, my friend. I can definitely relate. Many are experiencing this, and I think many are realizing how ridiculous it has gotten. It gives me hope that we may be turning the corner, but it is always darkest before the light.
I'm honestly a casual when it comes to Tolkien but through my experience as a fan of Marvel/DC/Star Wars/Halo I empathise with your feelings on this. To change historical art to fit contemporary standards is not progressive it's a regressive act that shows they don't really view the author or artist with any kind of due respect.
Watching the Amazon trailer was like being tempted by the one ring. It promises the things you desire so fondly, then seduces you into a corrupted version of it. I have passed the test. I will diminish into the West and remain loyalty to Tolkien's vision.
It's not only that. Because UA-cam started filtering out comments "evil can not create, it can only" people started posting the comment in Russian to bypass the filter. Note people are posting it in Spanish and host of other languages now. They know what it is. They are lying when they say Russian bots (ps, accusations of Russian bots are always a lie)
That must be a lie. It's impossible that they signed a 50 hour long show of a billion dollars without "having the rights". Sound stupid and I think it's just an excuse for the inmense non-canonical shit they are about to release.
@@seehr As i understand it they have the right to the Appendix of the Lord of the Rings. Not The Simarillion, not any of the tales, just the Appendix. Basically they decided that just being able to have something in middleearth was worth that money. They didnt buy the rights to any meaningfull story. They bought the IP in name only.
@@seehr bro, it's almost as if they weren't interested in making a TV show adaptation of the Second Age as written by Tolkien and instead of buying the rights to everything, they just bought the popular parts. To me, it's clear that Amazon just wanted to make a fantasy TV series to have their own Game of Thrones and slap "Lord of the Rings" on there so that the show would already have a built in fanbase.
Since the LOTR movies and books never grabbed me like other pieces of media, I cannot say I'm a Tolkien fan... but his work is recognizably influential and undeserving of this horrendous and shameless tarnishing. Amazon's part in this shall not be forgiven. In the name of the Souls fandom, you have my sword.
as someone who enjoys both Tolkien, as well as D&D and other fantasy genres which derive from tolkien's works and influences, i second this. You have my grimoires, as needed or desired.
The Lord of the Rings - books and films - are so incredibly important to me in a way I can't describe. My grandparents adored it, my parents adored it, and I grew up surrounded by it to the point it became part of my life, and something that I shared with people I love. Seeing Amazon treat it like this, involving politics that have no business being involved in it, wringing it out and shaking it for their own benefit, is concerning and insulting. I seriously hope we're all wrong and it turns out to be good... but my faith in them is very very low.
Well just based on the track record of the past five years with the death of every beloved franchise/IP being sacrificed on the altar of woke my faith in them is absolutely zero so yours is higher than mine
@@agathisrobusta you have some serious catching up to do because you had to have been in an a coma the past 5 years to have ask a question like that. Good luck with your studies
As an older woman in love with Tolkiens works, UA-cam has opened my eyes to a younger generation full of integrity, passion, intellect and appreciation. Though I am saddened by what I see from Amazon, I am thrilled it has brought me to different channels full of knowledge and appreciation for a fabulous world created by an amazing writer. Continue to live with integrity, passion and curiosity xx
Greetings Adventurers, This video has been Copyrighted by Warner Brothers because of the last couple seconds. I am posting it anyway, because nothing I can say could defend Tolkien's message better than the LOTR itself. I don't own the rights, simple as that. I don't put ads in the middle of my videos because I don't like interrupting the flow, so I don't make more money on longer videos like this anyway. The problem, is that UA-cam, will put ads on my content, whether I am monetized or not, whether I want them or not, because simply by using their platform, they have the right to make money off of content that they didn't create, even though I don't have the right to make money on content that I didn't create. There is nothing I can do about this.
This video took all week to research and write and 30+ hours straight of filming and editing. If you like my work and are so inclined to support me further, please consider joining my Patreon. It's still a (WIP), but I hope to one day be able to put out the type of immersive Fantasy that we wish to see, rather depending on these large companies.
www.patreon.com/LivingAnachronism
doing my part
They could have done the war in the north. All the fans would love to finally see it and they own the rights to it but ..... evil can not create. It only corrupts.
I want to like this comment sooo bad, but I refuse to be that guy who changes it to 70
Hey guys type in 'Lord of Cringe: Amazon hires fake fans to push an narrative' on UA-cam and watch the video. This is the real Trojan Horse and the insides look like.
While it's not the original video is because they unlisted the original video. It shows alot what Amazon is planning to do.
They legit picked influencers over real fans. There's a link in comments sections, so you might be able watch the original unlisted video in the comments section.
Mad respect for removing the Amazon links from your videos. This video has earned you a Patreon supporter. You have my -bow- wallet.
*_“We made a promise to ourselves at the beginning of the process that we weren't going to put any of our own politics, our own messages or our own themes into these movies. What we were trying to do was to analyze what was important to Tolkien and to try to honor that. In a way, we were trying to make these films for him, not for ourselves.”_* - Peter Jackson
As a lifelong Star Trek fan, I can tell you, "Don't believe them. Don't trust them." They will destroy and pervert your beloved stories on purpose just to spite you. Don't let them in.
Too late.
I just finished watching eight seasons of the remastered version of Star Trek The Next Generation and loved it.
But I do want to point out the following:
Star Trek's episodic structure plus it's pre-existing tendency to push cultural norms and break societal taboos made the franchise uniquely susceptible to being corrupted by this movement. LOTR has no such vulnerabilities and will - I hope - fair much better.
@@davidschaftenaar6530 Star Trek was pushing the societal pendulum to a much more balanced center. STD and Picards looks to pull that pendulum to the far left now.
former star wars fan and i can attest to that
"LET them die!" XD
I don’t want a “characters” to represent me. I want the message that TOLKIEN wants to bring to us. I want characters that make me move and feel and being connected with what the author wants to say.
That stupid "characters representing me" thing is so infuriating. I watch/play/read fantasy stuff specifically BECAUSE those characters are nothing like me. Their world is not like mine. I want to escape my reality but not by thinking "oh i wish that were me!" but by seeing others succeed in their otherworldly struggle that i could not survive for one fuckin day.
Tolkien famously hated bringing politics or allegories into his fiction so he probably didn't have anything to say other than 'hope you enjoy this'.
❤
Or just take you on an epic adventure without you having to leave your nice toastie home and get your feet wet!
You really hit the nail on the head with this. I just saw this morning that the actress who is playing "pretend" Galadriel is now telling people who don't like the show that they're "-ists" and "-ics" and to stop following her account. She's also literally telling them to "Shut the f**k up." I am sickened by what is happening with this.
I first set foot in Middle Earth 45 years ago when I stepped out of Bag End with Bilbo and went on an adventure. It was an extremely difficult period in my life and the characters that live in Middle Earth have become my lifelong friends. Over the years I have read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings numerous times. I've read them to my son. We've watched the movies and the "making of" content. One thing that Tolkien, his characters, and the cast and crew of the Peter Jackson films all have in common is they are respectful and have class - something that is sorely lacking in those who are destroying works that were at one time good, wholesome and respectful of all. And the fact that they are releasing this trash on the anniversary of Tolkien's death galls me no end. My only hope is that enough people will see what's really going on and not buy into it.
Oh, and yes, I do think you would make a wonderful elf!
Thank you for sharing. For many, LOTR has played such an important part in their lives. It should come as no surprise that we are defensive of it. As you say, the lack of class, the lack of respect already made apparent by the actions and words involved with this show is completely different to Peter Jackson when his trilogy released. He and his team tried to win over fans of the books who were skeptical of him. Amazon is trying to brow beat us.
Oh yes, Bezos is a big fan of Tolkien's work. He recalls being enamoured by the vast wealth of Smaug the Dragon when reading the Hobbit as a child.
Dragon Sickness. I've seen it before.
Wow do you have to insult Smaug like that? They only eat a few maiden sacrifices here and there since that rash decision to slaughter a mountain of dwarves.
Bezos is more like Gríma but bald.
@@FumblsTheSniper Eh, not really. Grima is a petty deceiver trying to seduce and hijack the Good King Theoden, but Bezos doesn't really have anyone above him. The description: “His rage passes description - the sort of rage that is only seen when rich folk that have more than they can enjoy suddenly lose something that they have long had but have never before used or wanted.” from the Hobbit fits Amazon's CEO like a glove.
@@gandalftehdank6052 I got stuck on the bald joke and imagining a Grima wig on Bezos haha
@@FumblsTheSniper I swear that was unintentional hahahaaa
I'm an asian Chinese by ethnicity and I love the world that Tolkien created and everything in it. I see absolutely no need nor any good reason to change and modify what he wrote just to "represent" me. I value authenticity and accuracy way more than changing them just to fit my agenda. His works are all beautiful and the fact that these "Tolkien experts" try to justify their childish fan-fiction just makes me lose hope in humanity.
I agree! I'm Tahitian/Japanese/Roma("Gypsy") and I've loved Tolkien's books since the first time I read them. I don't read or watch fantasy looking for who look like me, I read it to enjoy exploring this unique and original world the author has created.
I am a white male and my favourite movie as a kid was Mulan.
@@thirdtooth4069 Mulan was 🔥🔥🔥though
Yeah agreed. I'm white British with a love of Japanese period films. Not once did I wish some white Brit was in them so I was 'represented'. I managed to relate to the characters just fine.
Being a white aged man, I completely respect your statement. Tolkien inspired me to write my own heroic fantasy, and the main message in my story that there is greater strength in diversity ... many races, many skills. I didn't feel "forced" to place peoples that didn't make sense ... so sadly, no Asians because geographically it was a reach too far. I am appreciative and respectful for characters of all races, fantasy or real, but my real purpose here is to applaud your comment. I don't expect to see white heroes show up in Asia ... "The Last Samurai," in order to draw my interest.
"We made a promise to ourselves at the beginning of the process that we weren't going to put any of our own politics, our own messages or our own themes into these movies. ... In a way, we were trying to make these films for him, not for ourselves." - Peter Jackson
“It felt only natural to us that an adaptation of Tolkien’s work would reflect what the world actually looks like,” - Lindsey Weber, Producer of Amazon's lotr, the rings of power
Oh boy...
this fucking producer always use the term "seems natural" to justify their stupidity (Dave&Dan the same fucking shit...)
Difference between a talented filmmaker at adapting stories and an absolute hack with 0 creativity
Yeah, these people don't get fiction
@@Hotchpotchsoup Or respect, or integrity, or the franchise itself for that matter.
Whatever happened to works of fantasy taking us all out of the rat race of the modern world?
The amount of LOTR knowledge and love that you have is hear warming. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day! I stand with you.
Let this be the hour, when we draw swords together.
@@LivingAnachronism Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin, and the red dawn!
You have my sword! 🗡️
If this is to be our last... then let us make such an end worthy of remembrance.
You have my spear!
SO I never leave comments on videos. But this was honestly the best ever explanation of why Tolkien fans are actually angry, and whats truly going on here. Literally first time I've come across your channel, but definitely not the last. Lastly, thank you once again.
There are few Tolkien fans here
@@reek4062 like you. Begone, snake.
Man, this is really really bad. The video you've done is amazing and you hit every point so succinctly. But why do they have to do this to something so many people love. I can only hope, one day in the future, we may one day get the vindication we deserve. Thank you for sharing your views Kramer, it means a lot as a fan, for fans who have the voices that can be heard to shout for the ones who'd never be heard otherwise
At first I thought you meant the video and I thought you meant the video haha! Doin my best mate, putting stuff like this out is potentially ruinous, specially for a small channel, thanks for your support, mate!
Star Wars, Star Trek, He-Man, Wheel of Time, now LotR. So many franchises I loved have fallen. And it won't stop here. They won't be happy till all of the fandoms are purged of fans and filled simply with consumers.
@@Topher7527 and don't forget about Narnia.
@@LivingAnachronism Your comment about Amazon's The Rings Of Power not bring Lord of the rings is why I dont consider Disney star wars or marvel comics star wars or Marvel. If they butcher it badly, why should I refer to them as that just because they own the ip?
Why? Because they are cultural Marxists hell bent on destroying western culture, one franchise at a time. The more fans, the better.
I legitimately cried at the last scene where Frodo and Sam are talking 😭 Tolkien’s work is just so beautiful.
Same here 😂😭 just too good
Had a question on a LotR fansite that asked if you could show tolkien only 1 scene from Peter Jacksons LotR trilogy before his passing, what would it be?
I said Sam and Frodo on Mt.Doom, Theres no way i wouldnt of shown Tolkien that scene. What scene would you of shown Tolkien?
I tear up everytime I read the chapter in RotK where Frodo and Sam are on the slopes of Mt. Doom talking about how everyone back home will want to hear about Nine-fingered Frodo or Samwise the Brave, only to realize that no one will actually know what they've done because they are going to die there.
It's such a heartfelt moment of old friends cherishing one another, despite facing certain death, and one of the best moments in the book, IMO.
@@frankgallagur2045 definitely the Mountain giants in the hobbit.
The funny thing is that is a completely made up scene that its not in the book. Boyens said that they had to stop and think for a couple of days, how Sam should answer Frodo's question. And then they thought about the'' good in the world''. You see? It is so well-written scenario, that even the made up lines contribute to tolkiens spirit. Does this have anything to do with the Amazon upcoming crap?
This is kind of waking me up to seeing how billionaires, politicians, and power/control-thirsty groups are following the same pattern today that... weirdly enough, Tolkien already told in the stories of Melkor and Sauron, same as how the corruption of hearts of good beings come about through their desires, selfishness, and unwillingness to stand against adversity.
Now I understand why Tolkien's tales are timeless.
Here's hoping a Balrog-like comes because of their greed. Then watch as they put it on good people to fight it.
My issue isn't with skin colour, you will always get variations in that, depending on where you live. My issue is the elves. The one thing that really set elves apart was the fact they look androgynous. The long hair and delicate features gave them an other worldly look. In the trailer the elves aren't. One has a buzz cut, Elrond looks like he should be in a boyband and Galadriel looks like she escaped from Vikings of Valhalla.
Also, elves should be creepy or at least eerie. Real world folklore elves tempted people into the woods never to be seen again, and that strange danger and alien power is presented in Tolkien. That's why elves as a main character is awfully demystifying
@@niclasjohansson5992 even if the main character is of the eldar... It should be an elven warriors of the likes of Fëanor and his sons. A real hero with fair long hair, terrible shining swords, spears and armor and not, whatever they did.
right elves aren't even human they can't even get drunk off alcohol they have completely different biology. and despite their fair complexion they never get sunburn so why the hell would they have any use for melanin
@@env0x elves can get drunk. But it needs amounts of alcohol, that could kill entire hosts of men or dwarves.
The same with melanin, elves can't evolve, unlike humans, who change from generation to generation a little bit. That means, even if they could evolve, it would take a so long time, that the environment around them changes faster than the elves.
The Noldor became a bit bigger than the other elves, after milenias living in Aman. But it was only around 3 or so generations. And even the oldest became a bit bigger. So I would say, the land of the valar was the reason. Not evolution.
Never tought about the aspect that elves look androgynous. Very interesting
I love that we have Tolkien's own words to combat Amazon. When another filmmaker was going to mess with the story Here is what Tolkien had to say; “The canons of narrative in any medium cannot be wholly different; and the failure of poor films is often precisely in exaggeration, and in the intrusion of unwarranted matter owing to not perceiving where the core of the original lies.” J.R.R. Tolkien.
"You have been chosen, and therefore use the strength, heart and the wits you have!" - JRR Tolkien
I salute you sir. The rant was worthy of Helms Deep battle cry
20:22 Tolkien directly addresses realism in fantasy in one of his famous essays, "On Fairy Stories." In it, he defends fantasy as a literary genre. He emphasizes the need for an "inner consistency of reality" within a true "fairy-story", as he calls it. That is, if there were to be a green sun in your fantasy story, there must be a reason and rule for why it is so. The fantasy world should be real and consistent in itself and follow its own rules, which are different from the rules of real life/normal world. There's also a bit in the essay on how the fairy-story might be used as an objective lens through which to reexamine the real world [[[as opposed to being a mirror of the real world]]].
It's a pretty good read if you're into the more scholarly side of Professor Tolkien.
What Tolkien did for the literary genre as a whole is insane, this is the basis of every good fantasy
@@rafaelbalsan4512 Indeed! He did all this at a time when fantasy was still considered for children only--which, as we know, was an idea he turned on its head.
What's also interesting in that particular essay is Tolkien's emphasis on the necessity of an event that brings a deep joy, or "eucatastrophe" as he calls it, in fantasy stories. In another quote, he calls it "the highest function of fairy-stories to produce." It makes me wonder what he would think about the kind of grimdark, depressing fantasy that's somewhat popular nowadays.
Yes! Exactly! This is why I love tolkiens work
Any good fantasy story has its own lore and rules. When the rules are compromised or altered it breaks that fictional universe. Many people who aren't avid readers of fantasy don't understand this or see it's importance.
Star Wars, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Wheel of Time even Game of Thrones (check the seasons when they ran out of material to adapt and the decline in quality) and Dragon Age (in more recent installments broke its own lore).
You can see the decline in all these properties as they begin to "modernize" and introduce more themes or characters that mirror our world and are not consistent with the actual fictional world.
Though ironically this need for consistancy contributed to him never finishing The Silmarillion. At one point he tried to write a 'round world' version, it kept getting too complicated, then he seemingly decided to try to make the story pass through Man's misunderstandings. I suspect the implication in RotK that Bilbo wrote the 'compressed' Silmarillion to be published made that difficult to figure out.
Thank you, for your input. Just seeing you defending the lore with burning passions lightens my heart. Seeing comments under the Amazon series is another beacon of light. Keep up the fight.
I have never seen such a well articulated and formulated discussion on the tactics used by the people who topple fandoms. Thank you for your video it is wonderful to see such a passionate fan defend Tolkien's works. You deserve all the support this video brings you, you've definitely earned mine.
Not just Tolkien's works though, also Jackson's movies which are somewhat different from the original. They are amazing movies with passion in them and definitely a great way to get into Tolkien, but Jackson and Co. seem to have misunderstood Tolkien's themes in some ways and added/changed some characters and scenes more heavily than necessary.
I still agree with the video overall (and anyone speaking out against Amazon is doing a good deed in my book), but it's important to keep in mind that no adaptation can just be equated to the books. Only Tolkien himself could add to his Legendarium, everything else is more like fanfiction - whether someone is legally allowed to profit off of it or not.
I already wasn't planning on watching this show because something about the whole tone of it felt fake and hollow, but you've articulated several excellent and compelling reasons why that is. Thank you.
I only watched the first two episodes, you aren’t missing much worth that big a headache
It saddens me deeply how Amazon can't show any respect to what Tolkien has left us.
Nay. Walt Disney or Weinstien brothers would have butchered Tolkien's Middle Earth lore.
"they hate you and want to see you replaced". once people realize this all things becomes easier to understand
White replacement theory?
Just loved your point of view. I felt so confused when i watched the trailer... I felt even dirty to think "how a black elf can be in Arda", but that's how they want to make me feel. They did it on propose to get me out of my beloved fantasy saga and use that brand to push politic and monetize on people opinions. I miss the time when LOTR was just "nerd" stuff made for a bunch of naive and romantic kids... Now geek culture = pop = money. And this is depressing...
Just ignore it, I"m listening to The Silmarillion audiobook again.
You totally look like a convincing elf in that head shot, dude. Also, I'm loving everything you say, as well as your recording area.
Star Wars, my favorite fandom since childhood, has been wholly desecrated. I'm here to support the fight for the mythology that created the essence of every western fantasy story that came after the books hit the store shelves, including Star Wars. I wonder if Amazon is even aware that /that/ is what they're playing with, or that it isn't just another "franchise" to sell merch with.
You and your ilk will always be welcome in Ithilien, ma'am.❤
No words could express how well this was put together.
Thank you
Agree! I'm almost 60 and I'm so glad we have young people picking up the torch. Tolkien is precious to me. Pun intended. ;)
You are 100% right when you say that "this adaptation" is just a distraction from the real issues and their real intent! Darkness is like "the Nothing" in the Ever Ending Story... Never stoping but devouring all that is good until all goodness is defeated, but they will not succeed! There is still good in this world and it is worth fighting for!
Well spoke, Ricardo
@@LivingAnachronism I am truely sorry UA-cam has given you so much grief. It is well know as an unfair platform but every drop of light you created (I see this video as a drop of light) will endure beyond this existence 'cos light will always win over darkness!
Smiling without it touching my eyes, crossing my arms beneath my breasts, tugging upon my braid, and pouring a goblet of mulled wine out upon the ground for my dear departed homie, The Wheel of Time, who was killed by Amazon Studios before all of this Tolkien stuff started making the rounds.
Kevin Smith told MOTU fans that he heard the complaints about the first batch of episodes for MOTU: Revelations and said to just wait for the second batch because he would show that he really felt our pain.
The second batch bombed worst than the first.
There will always be some reason to "wait and see"
It warms my cold dead heart to know there are genuine fans out there that are finally taking a stand against this madness. It was only a matter of time until they came for Tolkien and his creations... But it seems the fans of middle earth are far more protective of their world than most.
Really well said. I have been saying for a while this feels like an abusive relationship. Some of the articles I've read literally say both that Tolkien was all about inclusion and that Tolkien was a racist so this is an attempt at "fixing" the story. The story wasn't broken!!! Sometimes it is so frustrating to just be assumed a racist because you want a series you care about to follow the lore. It isn't as if I didn't love into the Spiderverse with its diverse and inclusive cast. That tons of movies and fantasy featuring BA women and multiple ethnicities are freaking amazing. The same fan base that loves LotR, loves other fantasy and adventure movies and has absolutely nothing to do with race. They are just trying to make bad faith arguments to gaslight the fans and isolate anyone who would try to throw any criticism. I get to have standards in my relationships, you don't get to call me toxic if you I don't stand for you cheating on me. (Rant over)
Also you could play an elf from Elfquest really well.
I started out cautiously optimistic about the series but the more information that comes out along with the response by some media we’ve been seeing to criticism of the series has led me to loose interest in it.
It is the response by the creators, and the attacks on the fans, more than the trailer itself, which has me so dubious. I agree with you.
I had the opposite. As soon as I heard it was being made I thought of Theoden, "So it begins."
@@patrickbateman3146 now let's hear what Paul Allen thinks
Your analogy of the Orcs, and the “they only want a little land”, and then increasing to “they only want Rohan”, until finally they’re everywhere and impossible to drive out or pay off to leave, was very reminiscent of the English (and others) paying the Danegeld. If you’ve never read Rudyard Kipling’s short poem “The Danegeld”, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so- it’s fantastic. I know it’s not exactly the same thing, but it’s somewhat apt. And thank you for this video- you had a great many valid points that I imagine most fans would agree with.
Could ya give a quick run-down of "The Danegeld"?
@@wolfwarlordjake8992 Simple translation of the poem: "Don't negotiate with terrorists, dumbass."
The poem _Dane-Geld:_
"It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation
To call upon a neighbour and to say: --
"We invaded you last night--we are quite prepared to fight,
Unless you pay us cash to go away."
And that is called asking for Dane-geld,
And the people who ask it explain
That you've only to pay 'em the Dane-geld
And then you'll get rid of the Dane!
It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,
To puff and look important and to say: --
"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you. We will therefore pay you cash to go away."
And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we've proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.
It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,
For fear they should succumb and go astray;
So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,
You will find it better policy to say: --
"We never pay any-one Dane-geld,
No matter how trifling the cost;
For the end of that game is oppression and shame,
And the nation that pays it is lost!"
@@Alex_Fahey Thank you for that.
@@Alex_Fahey Thank you so much, my friend- I truly appreciate you taking the time to type that out- I find my time constraints are often put upon me by me. In other words, I’m lazy, too often. But I really do thank you for your transcription. Let’s be honest, most folks wouldn’t take the time to go look it up to read it, and you’ve saved them from that backbreaking labor😆
Thank you so much for speaking on these matters, and doing so in a very articulate fashion. I have seen so many of my favorite franchises getting hijacked by people who couldn't care less about anything other than their ideology, and it continually breaks my heart.
Yeah this is literally the same script of the Wheel of Time, take an IP, give it to grossly incompetent people with "credentials" that wreck it and proceed to blame the fans for not liking it.
The ""directors"" are so unvetted it is disgusting. Such hatred for the series to do that.... Amazon, like all monopolies, gets more shekels than God - so they will propagandize like this with no fear of losing money.
It's woke tactics - happened with literally every IP they infiltrated. Real fans should gatekeep harder to prevent that.
Where have you read about the script it would be good to know what's in the script
@@Spartan-oj9dc He wasn't referring to the show's script. He meant that the event surrounding this is the same as what happened with the Wheel of Time series.
@@Spartan-oj9dc I'm not talking of the show's script. I'm talking about what they are doing with the show is following the same procedure
When we were living through somewhat difficult teenage years, LOTR got me and my brother together.
It's so sad to see how disrespectful this greedy and resented people are with such a beloved franchise.
I loved your video, you put into words everthing I was feeling about this project but couldn't say myself...
I went to the movie theatre just a couple of days ago to watch the trilogy again (in commemoration of 20 years since release), and believe me when I tell you, there was an audible groan of frustration from the public during the scene where Gimli explains dwarven women have beards. That's how done fans are with Amazon
Aww man! I wish I would have gone to see it in theaters! I never have done that
Other than not having "pretty eyes" (which could easily be fixed with contacts) I think you got the look for an elf for sure. Also think you're right on with the overall point hope it doesn't suck..
I’ve been a Tolkien fan since my mother- who recorded the hobbit animation in high school on the first vcr tape she ever bought and memorized the entire book- read the stories to me when I was little. Now I’m older, pregnant, and my nursery is Shire themed. My husband named his dog Samwise, memorized the books and loves Tolkien as well. You could say we’re a Tolkien fan household.
The new show coming out, in my view, is not cannon to Tolkien at all because they’ve used words like ‘inspired by’, ‘well Tolkien never said they DIDN’T do this’, and ‘loosely based’. Those are red flags to me.
I won’t be watching it. My husband won’t be watching it. My mother won’t be watching it.
Their issue is that Tolkien fans, unlike other IPs, are naturally well read. The books are no small matter to read, especially for modern attention spans.
I am most certainly not a bot. I am a Greek fan of LotR and I WILL speak!
"Το κακό δεν μπορεί να δημιουργήσει τίποτα καινούργιο, μπορεί μόνο να διαφθείρει και να καταστρέψει αυτά που οι καλές δυνάμεις έχουν εφεύρει ή κατασκευάσει." -J.R.R. Tolkien
This video pulled at my heartstrings in every way. Beautifully and wholeheartedly spoken. THANK YOU for standing up for us, the fans who desperately wish to save our beloved Middle-Earth from corruption. ❤️ I am beyond shocked by the extremely high level of disrespect Amazon is showing Tolkien’s legacy, it is devastating. 😔 To have such an incredible opportunity (and budget) to bring people together, to share the immense love of the lore, to bring more light and joy into our chaotic world, to honor Tolkien…..and they willingly chose to do the opposite. I’m afraid the dragon sickness has taken hold of them, and it seems it refuses to let go...😔
Your explanation about why the Elves can't be diverse is literally what I've been thinking about all this time but couldn't really put it into words. You are absolutely right, thank you so much. For me Elves are like Navi from Avatar. They are not humans, they are their own thing. Avatar had a pretty diverse cast but with CGI technology all Navi looked similar on the screen. Amazon could do the same thing with their enormous budget and I'd be fine with whoever plays the Elves.
So youre saying youre fine with elves being all blue but thered better not be a single black one?
oh piffle
@@radspiderjackson no. Actors of all skin color but CGI makes them white skin tone.
So all characters (be they men, elves, dawrves, hobbits, wizards, e.t.c.) should only be CG? You miss what made the LOTR films so valuable. They used real people, and that's why they're much more immersive art than Avatar. I like that movie too, but it's simply impractical to *truly compare* the two since they are too different. You might as well compare the narrative story telling of Dragon-Tales and GTA-V smh.
What about the fact that Tolkien described elves as mostly dark-haired and grey-eyed?
Does the color of a fantasy race only matter when it's about their skin?
I always look forward to your weekly videos. This one is no different. I'm glad you'll stand with us against this new evil.
I'm glad everyone is so supportive! Talking about overland travel is much less scary than putting something like this out for everyone to judge. Thank you!
Wow. Just found this video. This is very well constructed and can tell you’ve sat down thought through the arguments to get them down precisely before you filmed. It’s very disheartening to continuously see franchises get ruined. What does give me optimism is seeing people from so many backgrounds defending the legacy of Tolkien all for the crime of wanting any adaptions to respect and keep faithful to such intricate and ethereal source material. Tolkien helped create and fill (a Jackson helped intensified with LOTR) that cultural mythological sub current that for the people of Celtic-Anglo cultures had been voided until. And yet, it’s the archetypical themes that resonates with people from all over the world. And it’s truly amazing that amazon haven’t figured this out (or they have but don’t take it serious or have purposely taken offence to it).
It’s amazing that I don’t have to be korean to emphasise or understand the characters in the film Parasite, or the tv show Mr Sunshine. But yes, thank you for your sober and careful thoughts.
These are Also gg on the hair front, keep it long haha.
You could definitely pass for an elf. I am not completely against variation in skin for elfs... just make them look like elfs! I liked the makeup job they did for the elf mom in the witcher, thought it was very tasteful and i was completely convinced she was an elf and had no idea she had darker skin until seeing a headshot much later. Love the commentary. The haircut on that "black" elf is what got me. Same with the no beard on the "black" dwarf woman. No way i would mistaken that with a dwarf man!
Agree! I think you are referring to Francesca? I thought she looked very elf like in the show. As with LOTR, I have the same sort of reservations about Dara in the Witcher, don't think he's very elf like
When I see the black elf buzz cut I just think of the unsullied from game of thrones, even the clothing is reminiscent
Magnificent work. I'll be sharing this around and you've earned a sub. Appalled by what corporate greed is doing to Tolkien's work and legacy. Just picked up hardback copies of The Hobbit and The Silmarillion for my birthday, and will expedite buying hardback LOTR and the reader's companion. I share the fear that owning and reading beautiful literature will be a 'dog whistle' for the mob. My worst fear is pyres. Or Ronald gets the Shakespeare conspiracy treatment, all evidence be damned.
Keep up the good fight. God(s) be with you.
I like how you brought up point 6 in the way you did, most people seem to be too scared or bring it up in the wrong way. You articulated it perfectly and as far as the rings of power goes I am now expecting a latino, black and German orc, goblin, and Ent.
Thank you so much for this. This was so well put together and I agree with everything you said. It feels like Amazon is trying to shove us out of our own fandom and replace us with people who's only passion is changing it to suit their own ideals. Once it's "fixed" they'll move on and destroy something else. I genuinely love these books and movies, and I'm so upset that it's getting torn apart, just like Star Wars and other franchises. I always felt bad for those fans and was happy LOTR had a great movie adaptation and hadn't been ruined. Then Amazon comes and buys the rights and waits until right after Christopher Tolkien dies to begin, and then they announce they're releasing it on the day Tolkien died. That set off alarm bells and I predicated the show would show zero respect for Tolkien's lore, and it seems like I'm right.
Excellent video, well put together and thought out. I'm proud of your defense of Tolkien. You mention something about if you, as an actor, might fit a race in Tolkien's world. While I do not think portraying an elf would be appropriate, I do think you could do very well portraying a man of Rhûn or possibly someone from the House of Bëor. 👍🏼
Thank you for being impassioned when the constant attacks of society tire us out of passion and weaken our resolve, cloud our eyes to what is happening. Thank you for being a beacon alight. May it make a difference.
Also, I love you, but you have to put a bit more thought and testing into where you place your lapel mic, listening to your chain grinding over it, or the crinkle of rubbing leather, also tested my resolve. :P Thank you for all you do.
The ring was a very last minute addition, I apologize it got in the way, I didn't notice until after I had filmed
Absolutely awesome video. 100% spot on
I just hope that no one goes to hatewatch it and just gives it more attention. Pirate it if you must, just don't pay Amazon for this farce.
Also you could 100% be an elf, or maybe fit even better as a half elf. The height would be an issue for a full Tolkien elf, but a elf/man, or if we wanna get crazy with it, elf/hobbit? Absolutely! You definitely have an interesting and distinct face.
When the world seemed lost to evil, Tolkien wrote a letter (April 30, 1944) to his son, encouraging Christopher “that there is still hope that things may be better for us...in the mercy of God” Tolkien wrote: “Evil labours with vast power, and perpetual success- IN VAIN: preparing always... the soil for unexpected growth to sprout in.” It will take “all our natural human courage and guts...and all our religious faith to face the evil that may befall us....”
as a person who has read everything Tolkien has written and know the lore by heart and know what it was inspired by and where a lot of the characters names come from. I hate what amazon is doing the second age of middle earth should be represented with care Im just glad they didn't touch the children of hurin or anything in the first age there is still hope because I believe the first age has some of the best lore and stories to bring to life and I hope a real fan gets to bring it to life I have no hope for the rings of power and honestly don't plan to watch it because it will be cancelled after the first season. You know being they alienated at least 70% of the people who would watch it.
This was a wonderful video with very powerful inspiring and important message! Thank you for your courage and passion for Tolkien! "Let this be the hour when we draw swords together."
"I do not know what strength is in my blood. But I swear to you I will not let the White City fall." -Aragorn
Do you remember a time when people didn’t care about political agendas, where they cared more about how the story was told and not how much diversity they included.
well spoken. this... this is something worth fighting for!
Truly so
Found this video while mindlessly scrolling through UA-cam and getting a bit lost in tHe InTerNEt due to my own boredom and am so blown away now by this smart and well written video essay and the points you made.
Also, I think you’d make a good elf!
You make some really good points here. I can honestly understand the frustration and I honestly hate that this keeps happening. It’s tiring and just makes me sad. Also you would look great as an elf in almost any place.
WOW this was powerful. The Lord of the Rings books changed me life. I'm probably older than most people here, but these works go beyond a generation. You obviously have strong feelings about this, good for you for standing up to your principles.
Why are most medieval UA-camrs so based? It's not a bad thing, just something I've noticed seems to be consistent.
Maybe it's because we prefer the stories that can only be told through freedom of choice rather than an overly controlled society and long to create our own stories through life rather than to carry out the wishes of someone else, who knows.
I'd love to hear any thoughts I'm the replies 👍
My theory, is that it's very difficult to be a student of history, and not recognize either hierarchy, tradition, or the patterns which tend to repeat themselves.
@@LivingAnachronism I made another comment about it. It's because we appreciate and seek to preserve cultural heritage. Our opponents seek to change, corrupt, and subvert it. We view it as the legacy of ancestors, and we want to pass it on to future generations. They view it as **theirs** to do with as they please.
When they can't even respect our Constitution, certainly they cannot be expected to respect fantasy literature. They see everything as a means to their amassing of ever greater power. Tolkien lore is like so many of Treebeard's tree friends laid low.
Because they're passionate about something for itself, rather than because of popular or financial interest. I suspect that by itself is something of a rarity.
Humans have been telling stories around the campfire for thousands of years. It was a way to share culture with other tribes and create long lasting bonds by finding the common ground in our similar experiences as people.
The modern political climate is trying to take this away from us in order to turn brother against brother. Their strategy is to divide and then conquer whatever is left after the dust settles.
"We have still small swords to use. ‘I will not bow before the Iron Crown, nor cast my own small golden sceptre down.’ Have at the Orcs, with winged words, hildenæddran (war-adders), biting darts - but make sure of the mark, before shooting.” - Tolkien to his son Christopher in 1943
Ending you monologue with the opening notes of "The Breaking of The Fellowship" ringing in the background was a low blow man. Had me cutting onions, not gonna lie. This video took my (already high) respect for you to new levels. I don't think there is a single thing to add to it. My two cents though, from an absolutely subjective position, are that this advances over beloved franchises have nothing to do with profit . They are beyond that, they are willing to operate at a loss. Their motives go deeper, but it has already been said a thousand times before and don't want to taint your comment section with more political divide; specially since you did a beautiful job of exposing the "divide and conquer" scheme in which they thrive without engaging in a reactive way.
Thank you for speaking in the name of those who lack that eloquence . Release the Kramer!
Thank you, my friend. I had a different ending written, in fact, but while editing, I realized this was the only way. I agree with your sentiment, it is what I meant in the beginning of the video. Cheers.
Living Anachronism Yeah, you put it perfectly well in your old video, great idea to include it in the opening minute.
P.S: shaven as in your headshot I think you would make a perfect elf. Blonde hair would go really well with your facial structure too. (I'm thinking of Haldir, for e.g., whose actor has obvious dark hair but looks super cool in blonde)
I just recently discovered you and ho-damn am I glad I did so. This video is incredible. One of the greatest videos on UA-cam, ever. The passion, the arguments, the analysis. Listening to you is like listening to some great orator in ancient Greece. You're the man.
I'm sorry what you LotR people have to go through. I'm a casual fan but I love the Witcher universe. Seeing what Netflix did to my boy, the way the massacred a slavic-inspired tale, hurts so much. My parents are from former Yugoslavia and there's not a lot of media out there that reflect our spirit, life philosophy, manners and attitude. The Witcher is one of the few works of art that *feel* slavic. And I appreciate that!
But what they did to it over at Netflix... thank goodness I cancelled my subscription years ago.
So, I feel your guys' pain. It's horrific, isn't it.
You getting rid of all your links and all that. Man, I don't know if I could do the same. We live in a crazy world, why take any chances. You have my utmost respect.
Much love, from a Slav born and raised in Sweden.
Thanks so much for your support! I love the Witcher too, and was also very disappointed by what Netflix did. I did the "reasonable" and waited for season two, still bad, worse, in fact. Part of the reason I'm so staunchly against what Amazon appears to be doing. I have 3 videos on my channel about the Witcher, one of them is a straight up rant. If you enjoyed this video, you might enjoy that one too.
Cheers, mate! I've been following the corruption of beloved storyworlds since Star Wars. I didn't understand what was happening back then. I'm a world-builder and writer who just wants to follow in the footsteps of creators like Tolkien and George Lucas... I'm learning what makes a beloved story. Love and vision cannot be bought or won. Stay True.
It must be said that LOTR deserves a certain criticism: elevating battle scenes (as well as inventing battle scenarios) over simple story telling, the omissions of Tom Bombadil and the Scouring of the Shire, and so on. That said, it stands as an epic presentation of Tolkein's world and is more than worth appreciating as such. I'm confident that nobody will think of ROP the same way 20 years, not to mention one year, from today.
I usually am against Cancel Culture, but when I see what Amazon does to Art (and yes, I call Tolkien's work Art), I say F*cking Cancel Amazon
The world has been run by evil for a long time. It doesn't just rule in high places .. it never did. But it is allowed for a time and only for a time. .. It can't reign forever. But your video is incredibly inspiring. I fell in love with LOTR because of the movies - and then went on to read the books and the Silmarillion. .. I'm of a mind to reserve judgment until I see something for myself, but .. I've seen all I need to see. And I know that this show will be an awful nightmare. I was going to watch it and see, but no. I won't. It will burn with the rest that have been so taken and corrupted.
Nobody ever complained about one of the first pointy eared "black" fictional characters on TV. Because dark skinned Vulcans are canon.
I love how the series' makers' idea of "we have to reflect how the world really is" means "we have to reflect the ethnic make-up and demographics of 21st century USA". Ah, so you think the USA are representative of the entire world (how many times have I seen that before)?
I'm just wondering. If you can adapt Middle Earth to American racial sensibilities, why not adapt it to Middle Eastern sensibilities? Or Bollywood demographics? Let's have a whole Middle Earth populated with Indians, with a few minorities strewn in! Who says that Americans can just appropriate everything and everybody pretends that that's normal?
BOYCOTT AMAZON!!!
Seriously, thank you for this. It hurts my heart to see what Amazon is doing.
Your ending made me cry.
This video has been a continuous 32 minute mic drop of Socratic scale in regards to rhetoric prowess and passion. Bravo!
Thank you, my friend!
I am a 5ft Mexican woman who has since a child watching fantasy/medieval works from Camelot to Middle Earth, have always PRETENDED to be an elf, without attempting to make myself or idea of what I can be as an elf- CANNON to the works I enjoy.
We were ruthlessly bullied as children for admiring heroism, righteousness and beauty more than conforming to current culture and resorting to our books, games, music, computers. WE, THE NERDS, created internet as it is, we opened up our subculture to ANYONE, cost free, giving free access to anyone to what we loved, we spent hours online teaching newcomers, writing pages and pages in obscure forums to teach in a few minutes stuff we spent years studying, many times resorting to hard to get books and material WE put on the internet and rescued... now they use that to exclude the hardcore fans from their own fandom!
I'm a book purist and have been one throughout the entire age of live action Tolkien movies/shows. I don't think Jackson's movies are as good and faithful as you seem to but this is still a good video. Keep doing this kind of video; great job!
the Jackson crap is not faithful at all. it is a motion picture version of the admittedly well-done fantasy calendars that were popular in the 90s
@@DrWhom I was trying to be respectful of the host's views, but you have a point.
Stories always have a heart or theme that it's centered around. You don't think Peter Jackson protected the heart of Tolkien's story with his movies?
@@anothercat1300 no I do not. The movies imposed their own take, not Tolkien's.
I tend to agree. Although the movies had some wonderful moments, there were too many fundamental differences for me - the exclusion of Tom Bombadil, the depiction of Merry and Pippin as young scamps etc. It is also hard not to notice that the director is a huge fan of horror and gore. I feel that sadly the door was opened for Amazon to do what they liked with Tolkien's legacy. I agree that it will be at least another decade before there is an opportunity to finally film this great work as it deserves.
"You're being mean. No, I'm not an idiot." 🤣🤣!
Dude, I love this - your passion comes across so clearly, and your love for your fellow fans. Thank you!!
The Big Boss of the Big Corporation is Smaug in disguise, sleeping on his piles of money and basking in destruction.
I am a relatively new fan of Tolkien, having discovered LOTR only two years ago, but this universe already has much more importance in my life than any other book/saga. Seeing how the Big Corporation uses it to make money angers me, and their propaganda is scandalous. I don't consider myself a Tolkien purist, but this is ridiculous. I enjoy fanfictions and other fan creations, but these are actually made for the love of the LOTR, because fans don't get money for what they do. Big Corporation is just greedy. I hope that, by digging too deep, Big Boss will unleash a Balrog and cause the destruction of his kingdom.
This video was amazing. I felt like I could take on entire armies especially after the last chapter. Xxx
I cannot say that I have watched all of The Lord of the Rings. I've seen all of the Hobbitt and am working to get through the rest of the films as well as the books. I know I am a bit of a noob in this world but I do know what it is to have passions about things. I would like to say thank you for taking the time you have to make this video. As a fan of many different things, I know the hurt there is to know that people do things simply for money. That is what it looks like but if all the things that speaks to Bezos and Amazon is money then that is the best way to talk about it. Don't give them the money they crave so much.
Enjoy the Lord of the Rings when you read and watch it!
thank you
Thank you for this perspective, I'm really glad to hear others sharing this feeling, I feel like Peter Jackson isn't without flaw either, but damn, he didn't outright attack the fans over concerns, but really, my only issues with Jackson, surface with The Hobbit, and admittedly I'm not the only one who had issues with those movies. To me I felt whatever spark of passion he had when making the OG trilogy, just wasn't the same as with The Hobbit, and you could tell, which brings me to this show, They want it to be LOTR levels of success, but any heart and passion they've put into it, has simply been their identity politics. If they were as vehement about making the show good and faithful to Tolkein as they were with attacking fans who see through their bullshit, it might be a decent show, but this reeks of souless, agenda pushing, cash grab, made to root out the imaginary Racists and Yahtzeez that aren't actually there. When there were still just whispers of this show a few years back, a friend told me at work there was going to be a new LOTR show and I was a little excited, then he said Amazon was making it, and that excitement was gone, instantly. I'm pretty sure I said something to extent of, " You really think Trillionaire Jeff Bezos, is actually a fan of this series? And they'll do it justice?" Mind you this was before there was casting announcements, trailers, anything, even back then at best I was cautiously optimistic, which has changed significantly now. I was there as a Star Wars fan, when it fell to ruin, I'm still there hoping for change in that whole circle, but Disney did a great job dividing fans and causing in fighting like crazy, but now with LOTR, it's the exact same thing. LOTR was one of those properties that seemed sacred, you don't mess with it unless you know damn well what you're doing, and for a while there I felt it could have been the last bastion of hope. My only hope is us, the fandom, and doubly so for Star Wars fans who are LOTR fans, we've seen firsthand what it does to the properties and fan bases associated with it when the company trickles down their politics. It's not just " Oh if you dont like it, there's always the books and movies you can enjoy." That's the biggest cop out ever, why should we, as loyal fans be forced to live in the past and not enjoy anything new because we don't like the BS and politics they've needlessly injected into it for their own selfish purposes. They might be counting on the thousand or so " new fans" who have jumped onto this hate train against the fandom, but what they should be counting on is the endless battalions of passionate fans. Those people aren't actual LOTR fans, they love the division and hate mongering, once that;s over, and the show comes out, they're just going to move on to the next controversial rebooting of a series and jump onto that wagon, because they've already won, they don't even have to watch the show out of some misplaced feeling of, "Yeah, i was apart of this, I sure tore apart those Tolkein guys and left their fandom in a burning heap." Sorry for the rant, but damn, it's so frustrating that every property is heading this direction, with no end in sight.
The Hobbit movies were made to cash in on the success of LOTR. I've not seen them and probably never will. There's no way that book could have become three good movies.
yeah honestly i'm surprised that people don't talk about the hobbit movies more in those discussions, which were cash-grabs too and had some questionable stuff
i don't remember too well since i only watched the first movie and ignored the others but legolas appearing just for the sake of a liked character appearing? a made up elven woman, so you have a strong woman in the story? who then has a romance with a dwarf??? a love story between a dwarf and an elf! and all that bad CGI
but still the hobbit movies are often named in the same breath as the LOTR movies and until the third movie came out many people defended them..
The Hobbit trilogy while very flawed, still feels like a return to Middle Earth, unlike the abomination set forward by Amazon.
You can’t really blame Peter Jackson with the Hobbit because he was actually rushed to direct it and he had to fight some big guys for it.
20:00 You would make a good Samurai Elf was my immediate thought.
Thank you for this. We already lost the other franchises (Star Wars, Marvel, etc). But if we stop them here, we can keep hope alive.
Lord of the Rings is worth fighting for.
you can tell that this is a topic he believes in he see's it not as a simple discussion but as a war which he should it's what it is he makes great point in the video and is some how both calm and controlled while also angered and decisive and for this reason I support him all the way.
Together everyone, I would happily fight for the integrity of Tolkien's work to live on and not get slowly tainted to a twisted version to the current time's silly wokeness.
I came to your channel from SkillTree, and this is the 1st of your videos I've watched.
I love you!
Thank you for finding a way to articulate my thoughts and feelings.
Tolkien created a world. Amazon is trying to take it somewhere those of us who love Middle Earth know better.
I feel bad for those that are only finding Tolkien for the fist time through Amazon's "creation".
This is Amazon whispering, "My precious".
Sad.
Thank you for speaking our words.
Love you for your strength, backbone, and willingness to step up and do what is right!
I literally cried at the end! Today we stand!!! Men of the West!!! ♥️♥️♥️
This was absolutely beautiful you made me tear up at the end. Cause if there is anything I can recognize is true passion for something and it is so apparent that you have it. More than what amazon is trying to fake and make us believe
I love the fact someone else takes this as personally as I do.
I really appreciate your pulling back of the curtain on Amazon's stratagy. Ailienate the existing fanbase to make room for new "consumers". What hacks! I never thought about it like that before.
Let me correct that for you. "I never thought " Period
Amazon also seems to be messing up the fact that there are literally centuries of time between when the Rings of Power are forged and Sauron goes to war and destroys the elves who make them, on the one hand, and when Sauron actually arrives in Numenor and corrupts and causes it to fall, on the other hand. Those events don't happen at the same time. Given the biggest characters emphasized are the elves Galadriel and Elrond, perhaps the show itself will take place over centuries and the humans will have mostly secondary roles, but I'm worried they may fudge the two events to tell a condensed story.
They have already said they wanted to condense the timeline to avoid having human characters die off every couple of episodes. I think they would have been better served with either doing a much longer show run (honestly glad they aren't given how they are treating everything else) or telling a much more focused story. GoT had 8 seasons and they still ran out of time. 5 Seasons is not enough to tell one of the most comprehensive histories of a fantasy world in existence.
@@LivingAnachronism Well said.
"What Amazon seems to have done ... is literally the equivalent of receiving the ring, and then immediately putting it on because they think they have the power to control it" Damn lol
Absolutely masterful video.
MACHICOLATIOOOOOOOONSAAAH!!
Makes me extremely grateful we have Kramer, shad, and the rest of the Knight's Watch Fighting for all that's good in this world.
Somehow I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I would find you here.
shad? cant believe i would see you here..
Thank you Shad. There is a lot of momentum in the fandom, we may have the opportunity to strike a huge blow. But we need massive numbers.
I've been a fan of star wars since I was a kid, it's painful having a franchise you love ripped apart and shilled out in the name of corporate greed. Good luck to the Tolkien fans, you'll probably need it.
Stand with Tolkien, his work is the last bastion. If they can shill LOTR, they can do it to anything.
There are 6 star wars movies. There's one LOTR trilogy (by Peter Jackson). There's one Hobbit trilogy again PJ. What doesn't fit is not it.
I was once a Star Wars fan.
I loved it. I loved Luke and Han and Leia, I loved the Falcon, the Star Destroyers, the X-Wing. I loved Obi-Wan, and Sidious, and Maul, and Dooku, and even the much-maligned Anakin Skywalker as portrayed by Hayden Christenson. I loved it all.
Then The Force Awakens happened, and I thought I had grown out of Star Wars. I was wrong. I hadn't grown out of Star Wars. It had changed and no longer wanted me. I knew this when I watched The Last Jedi. I hated Rey. I hated Holdo. I hated Poe and Finn and Kylo Ren, and I absolutely HATED Luke Skywalker and "General" Leia Organa, and this pathetic washed up old man with none of the self-respect Han Solo had earned in Return of the Jedi. I hated them. And I said I hated them.
Then I was called racist. I was called racist because I didn't like Finn. Never mind that I like Mace Windu, or Lando Calrissian, or wished that there were more Asian and Black characters in the movies out of a sheer love of how different humans show how we can be all sorts of different kinds of people. I did not like Finn. And apparently neither did the actor like how his character was handled, so maybe there's a version out there I do like. I was called sexist. Never mind my love of Leia, Mon Mothma, Padme, Ahsoka, Ventress, Mara Jade, Bastilla Shan, Kreia, Mira, Shaak Ti, Juno Eclipse, Ayla Secura, Barriss Offee, or my choice to play any number of female characters in Star Wars RPGs. I did not like Rey or Holdo. So I was sexist.
I do not love Star Wars anymore.
@@Namewriter Well said, my friend. I can definitely relate. Many are experiencing this, and I think many are realizing how ridiculous it has gotten. It gives me hope that we may be turning the corner, but it is always darkest before the light.
So do you hate Star wars now or is your enjoyment of the SW universe sullied? Cant bad movies be forgotten?
I'm honestly a casual when it comes to Tolkien but through my experience as a fan of Marvel/DC/Star Wars/Halo I empathise with your feelings on this. To change historical art to fit contemporary standards is not progressive it's a regressive act that shows they don't really view the author or artist with any kind of due respect.
Halo wasn't ruined because of politics though.
In a way it's worse that it was simply sheer incompetence.
Watching the Amazon trailer was like being tempted by the one ring. It promises the things you desire so fondly, then seduces you into a corrupted version of it. I have passed the test. I will diminish into the West and remain loyalty to Tolkien's vision.
This comment is gold!
well put nigga
😂😂😂
That’s a great analogy.
I was tempted at first but I also passed the test.
Best comment!
It's not "troll spam Russian accounts", it's an enormous Tolkien fanbase in Russian-speaking countries.
It's not only that. Because UA-cam started filtering out comments "evil can not create, it can only" people started posting the comment in Russian to bypass the filter. Note people are posting it in Spanish and host of other languages now.
They know what it is. They are lying when they say Russian bots (ps, accusations of Russian bots are always a lie)
Amazon has already admitted they don't have the rights to the Second Age lore. That should tell you everything you need to know about all of this.
well, then its a shot in the foot make a show in second era, when you not had the rights.
That must be a lie. It's impossible that they signed a 50 hour long show of a billion dollars without "having the rights". Sound stupid and I think it's just an excuse for the inmense non-canonical shit they are about to release.
@@seehr As i understand it they have the right to the Appendix of the Lord of the Rings. Not The Simarillion, not any of the tales, just the Appendix. Basically they decided that just being able to have something in middleearth was worth that money. They didnt buy the rights to any meaningfull story. They bought the IP in name only.
@@seehr bro, it's almost as if they weren't interested in making a TV show adaptation of the Second Age as written by Tolkien and instead of buying the rights to everything, they just bought the popular parts. To me, it's clear that Amazon just wanted to make a fantasy TV series to have their own Game of Thrones and slap "Lord of the Rings" on there so that the show would already have a built in fanbase.
Since the LOTR movies and books never grabbed me like other pieces of media, I cannot say I'm a Tolkien fan... but his work is recognizably influential and undeserving of this horrendous and shameless tarnishing.
Amazon's part in this shall not be forgiven. In the name of the Souls fandom, you have my sword.
ARISE TARNISHED! Ash seeketh embers!
as someone who enjoys both Tolkien, as well as D&D and other fantasy genres which derive from tolkien's works and influences, i second this. You have my grimoires, as needed or desired.
And my axe! (You're a great elf)
The Lord of the Rings - books and films - are so incredibly important to me in a way I can't describe. My grandparents adored it, my parents adored it, and I grew up surrounded by it to the point it became part of my life, and something that I shared with people I love. Seeing Amazon treat it like this, involving politics that have no business being involved in it, wringing it out and shaking it for their own benefit, is concerning and insulting. I seriously hope we're all wrong and it turns out to be good... but my faith in them is very very low.
Well just based on the track record of the past five years with the death of every beloved franchise/IP being sacrificed on the altar of woke my faith in them is absolutely zero so yours is higher than mine
100% agreed
What politics?
@@agathisrobusta you have some serious catching up to do because you had to have been in an a coma the past 5 years to have ask a question like that. Good luck with your studies
@@chrono2959 Lmao
As an older woman in love with Tolkiens works, UA-cam has opened my eyes to a younger generation full of integrity, passion, intellect and appreciation. Though I am saddened by what I see from Amazon, I am thrilled it has brought me to different channels full of knowledge and appreciation for a fabulous world created by an amazing writer. Continue to live with integrity, passion and curiosity xx
Good to hear