Lord of the Rings: Which is better, books or films?

The Delta Flyer

I'm reading Lord of the Rings at the moment and it's really good. Alot better than the film in my opinion.

I just wondered does anyone recommend which Tolkien book I should read next. I've already read "The Hobbit" and I was wondering about "The Silmarillion" or something

Melodramatic · Rear Admiral Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 4577

I like the film better.

Thomas · **Sun Sep 28, 2003 3:36 am**

I've only read "The Hobbit" so far, but it's much better than the films, IMO.

The Delta Flyer · **Sun Sep 28, 2003 6:31 am**

IntrepidIsMe · **Sun Sep 28, 2003 7:32 am**

I had to vote for the films. I really only liked The Fellowship of the Ring though. I've read The Hobbit, but it was very boring to me, I tried reading The Two Towers but couldnt get passed page 10 I was bored

The Delta Flyer · **Sun Sep 28, 2003 3:33 pm**

Yeah I think you have to be really willing to commit to the books. They're not the sort that you can leave for a while and then pic up again. The plot strands are so complicated that you can only get the full benefit from reading it all in one go. It says in the front of the "Omnibus" edition that the book is designed to be read as one story rather than 3 individual books. Thing is though, its size alone is enough to put many people off.

I didn't actually get a Tolkien book today; i got the latest NJO novel instead lol.

IntrepidIsMe · **Sun Sep 28, 2003 5:54 pm**

Well, you have to be interested enough to read it all in one go, the books dont seem that long to me, just extremley boring

The Delta Flyer · **Mon Sep 29, 2003 11:01 am**

I agree there are some bits which are extremely boring. The Council of Elrond bit is exceedingly slow going.

MELIORA · Lieutenant, Junior Grade Joined: 22 Oct 2003 Posts: 72

Well, I really can't choose.
You really can't compare the Books with the Movies to my mind. I'm remembering that some parts in the Books were pretty detailed ... some would say boring (to me - the whole Pippin and Merri plus "Hiking Tree" story though I almost fall asleep in the movie theater too

Anyway, I liked "The Felloship of the Ring" book and movie as well as "The Return of the King" book ... Now I'm just awaiting to see movie ...

Voy_Girl · **Sat Oct 25, 2003 3:00 pm**

I read "The Fellowship of the Ring" before the first film came up, and when I saw it I realized that it does make the (1st) book justice.
Though, IMO, if there is a film made after a book, the book/s will always be better than the film, since that's/they're the original.

The Delta Flyer · **Sun Oct 26, 2003 7:07 pm**

I agree with you there. Like, Jurrasic Park for example...the books are 300% better than the films IMO. Alot more happens in the book...the film only takes up a few pages of the book lol.

I'm having a pause from Lord of the Rings...I'm at what Meliora calls the "Hiking Tree" bit (lol, nice name for him

) and its gotten a bit slow...I've left it for a week or so (reading Rainbow Six) and then when I'm more..."in the mood", I'll go back to it.

Last bit I read; "Night lies over Isengard"....I thought that was a really good line...gives you a sort of premonition lol.

imzadi76 · **Tue Jan 20, 2004 4:09 pm Best books ever**

Tolkein's Lord of the Rings trilogy is the best English fantasy work ever. The movies were excellent, but they just scratched the surface of the world Tolkein created in his books. If you haven't read them - DO. I see alot of people talking about the simarillion - that book is for die hard Tolkein fans only. It's a challenging read with more names to keep track of than the bible. The appendixes at the end of The Return of the King gives the reader a good look at the history of middle-earth and it's far more enjoyable to read.

The Delta Flyer · **Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:01 pm**

I finished it not that long ago; got better and better all the way though it was a little slow in places. I flicked through the Silmarillion the other day...was horrified at the names, "Finckeldorf son of Dwinckeldorf, far-removed cousin of Tinky Winky but not married to Smingle-Finkle, the daughter of Ka Boom Bang" etc...though one bit looked good; seemed like an army of Balrogs or something? I was tempted to get it but decided not to in the end...

Sonic74205 · **Wed Jun 02, 2004 5:22 pm**

I think i would have to say the films.
Even though the book has alot more detail in it

~Voyager Fanatic~ · Super Genius Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 1787

Yeah, but even if the book has alot more details in it, i like the film better.

The Delta Flyer · **Fri Jun 11, 2004 8:27 am**

We were on about at college the other day and I was horrified that someone said:
"Well, now that the films are out, people won't need to read the books anymore."

Lol...

harrykims#1fan · **Sun Jul 04, 2004 12:03 pm**

The films i cant seem to get into the books

tomparis · **Sun Jul 04, 2004 3:01 pm**

I'd have to say the books. They go into much more detail than the movies do.

Alucard · **Wed Dec 29, 2004 3:12 pm**

THe books have Tom Bombabil or however you say his name, but the books start off boring

The Delta Flyer · **Sat Jan 01, 2005 5:51 pm**

I agree, the books do have some boring bits in. The first chapter of the second part of the first book (now there's a mouthful) almost bored me to death lol.