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Before I start I'd like to thank all of those who wrote me and told me about my goof
in chapter 5. The shadow across the river was not Gollum but a Dark Rider. Thanks guys! -
Xoanon
The Old Forest
Frodo woke suddenly. It was still dark in the room.....
Ah we are finally getting into some 'real' chapters now! Not that chapter 6 has any
real relevance to the story (and might even be cut!) but I love the fact that the Hobbits
have left the Shire and started their Real trek. When I first read this book, it was this
chapter that finally caught my attention. The forest, so alive and haunting yet so empty
and quiet, Old Man Willow, luring his victims into his roots with songs like a siren luring
sailors on the high seas, and of course the introduction of Tom Bombadil, the unassuming
maia spirit who 'patrols' the forest. Where to begin....
The Hobbit's laving the Shire is an important scene and should be treated as such. Four
brave little Hobbits, knowing nothing of the land, being pursued by 'Black Riders' and the
like. Leaving the comfort of their land, to journey into this deep dark forest (which is
said to be haunted)
Merry got down an unlocked the gate, and when they had all passed through he pushed
it to again. It shut with a clang, and the locked clicked. The sound was ominous....
That would be great with some sorrowful music, as if their hearts are longing to go back
home. This is a great opportunity for the film score to push our emotions into this fear/
longing type of mood. As the hobbits enter the Old Forest, (which wouldn't need to be a
fake forest in my opinion, NZ has so many great locations) I think it would be time for
some more character development. Merry and Pippin especially, we see some of their character's
in the old Forrest, Pippin's (somewhat) lack of subtlety and Merry's hiking experience. The
Forest itself should be dark and foreboding, with large twisting trees and whispers in the
wind, very little noise, but a large 'presence'.
I had this 'great scene/eye candy' thing flash in my head when I read the section in which
the Hobbits reach the Bonfire Glade, I'd love to see them walking from left to right (it's
NEVER from right to left by the way)
And they are walking in this great gloom which is the Forrest, suddenly they enter this
circular glade in which light is flooding in and no trees grow. The camera would pan all around
them, do this 360 around them on their horses. Suddenly they see the clear path to the hill tops,
they'd almost race there, to get out of the forest, this would all happen with no dialogue,
another great chance for the composer to add this sweeping score, great music please!! They
push their little ponies up to the top of the hill and look about them in awe!
They stood and gazed about them. The air was gleaming and sunlit, but hazy; and
they could not see to any great distance. Near at hand the mist was now almost gone;
though here and there it lay in hollows of the wood, and to the south of them, out of a
deep fold cutting right across the Forest, the fog still rose like steam or wisps of white
smoke.
Can't you see it now!
I'd love to see Old Man Willow in this film. I think it's a valuable lesson to the hobbits
(thus the viewing audience) That all that is dangerous is not always dressed in black and evil
looking. The tree would of course be a CGI creation, and I would love to see some concept art
if you folks at WETA have some (I KNOW you guys read my rants!) I'd love to hear the faint
music from the tree, putting everyone to sleep..ah, I can't wait for this film!
Tom Bombadil, now here is a sticky piece of glue, will he be included? PJ has said no (of
course he said no about Sean Connery) If TB isn't included what will he do? Skip this whole
section of the book? That has been the debate over many a website and a few posts on our
Message Board. So what would I do if this were my film? I'd go for a lunch break and head to
the sweets table they have on movie sets (oh man those are good!)
Ok ok, I think I would include him, but in a much much smaller scene, I would not have the
Hobbits go to his house, I WOULD have him save them from OMW (I'd include him as well if you
haven't guessed) My pic for the best Bombadil? Robin Williams, I'm dead serious, think about
it TB has this childlike quality, energetic and is the clown as well, who better that Robin
Williams? Plus it's only a small fee, so it fit's in fairly well with my 'mini Hollywood' plan.
Next Chapter: In the House of Tom Bombadil
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