On Adaptations
A few years ago when I’d first heard of the Amazon’s Rings of Power series in production I had deep misgivings. I was mildly disappointed in what Peter Jackson had produced with The Hobbit films - though I didn’t think they were bad films like so many people claimed - and I was concerned about the Martinification of Tolkien’s work. What do I mean?
You see, I love both George Martin and Tolkien’s work. Tolkien, being my favorite author above everyone else. But Martin and Tolkien wrote very different fantasy stories. Tolkien wrote a myth and his style is the high mimetic style, while Martin wrote a fantasy that is very grim, realistic and dark. Tolkien’s wotk at times is also dark, an example of that would be the story of the Children of Hurin and in fact, much of the Silmarillion is quite dark. But the register and style of writing is very different. And I hate it when filmmakers try to make one story that is distinct into something else just to cash in on what is currently popular.
Tolkien and Martin are very different authors and to make one into the other shows a lack of respect for what each author has produced.
So this fear was on my mind when I heard that Amazon was making a Lord of the Rings-like show. Well, season one of The Rings of Power came. And went. I saw what I thought of as lots of stunt casting and added characters not in Tolkien’s stories. At first, I didn’t care for these things. I grew to appreciate them later and I cried when one of the black hobbits died near the end of the series. And while I have my issues with the first season, I have to say that I rather liked it.
So now we get to why so many people hate it. I think much of it has to do with hating the idea of seeing people of different races, colors and backgrounds in their precious fantasy and science fiction. Decades ago, they didn’t have to share these stories with non-whites. It always boils down to that. The attacks on the actors, the vitriol, it’s a real menace. It’s a disgrace. I had my own misgivings at first but I feel that they have handled this adaptation with care. And that’s what this is, merely one adaptation among others. To the haters, I say: choose the one you like and leave the rest and go about your business. I personally have no desire to see the new adaptation of The Little Mermaid because I feel that Disney could have used an African story to put that young black woman in instead of putting Hans Christian Andersen’s work in blackface. But that’s another post. But I don’t have to go on the attack over it. I simply decided not to watch the film and that was that.
What makes me wonder about all of this is that when I was a kid growing up most of the time I did not see people who looked like me in movies and TV shows that I watched. The books I read in science fiction and fantasy there were rarely black characters. Or Hispanic characters. In fact, I can’t even count how many times I saw films where Native Americans should have been used and they used white actors instead, in brown-face. I didn’t let that fill me with hatred for others. I just got on with the business of enjoying my fiction. There was no other choice. These days I see more characters that look like me and I love that. I feel sorry for those who are seeing more faces that don’t look like theirs and are having a hard time with this reality. Too bad for them.
On adaptations - I love Shakespeare and normally I see white actors in these roles, and I should see them. These would be the most traditional actors to use in such roles and it makes the most sense. Every now and then there will be an adaptation that will use the odd black actor. It was jarring at first but if that actor is good in his role, I have no issue with it, and in fact, I appreciate seeing black people in these kinds of roles. The thing is this - these are ADAPTATIONS. If you want the authentic story, what the original writer wrote, read the book, or the play (in Shakespeare’s case) and be done with it! Get on with your life!
This is what I’d say to those who hate the Rings of Power. Read Tolkien’s works if you hate this adaptation and be happy with that. Why attack the show continually or the fans who enjoy it? Why attack the actors or directors over an adaptation? It’s silly, hateful and immature and in the end it won’t make people come around to your point of view. If anything, it can draw people to the show to see what the ruckus is all about and create new fans. It certainly did for me. If it hadn’t been for all the vitriol, I would have continued to ignore The Rings of Power. I’m glad I didn’t and I eagerly await the second season!
When I was a kid I loathed the Ralph Bakshi version of The Lord of the Rings and I didn’t like the Rankin and Bass version either. Still hate them. Those are adaptations that are not for me. Many others love them. I’m happy for them but I will never watch them again! I still love the BBC Radio drama version. See, we can all get along if we decide to be mature about it. But if you want to claim that not only George Lucas raped your childhood over his later vision of Star Wars but that your childhood, your manhood, the West and European History and Culture is being raped by The Rings of Power too, well, you can’t be helped. I understand hating something, but what I’ve seen with some fandoms is ridiculous these days. They take things way too far and get way out of line with everyone.
I like the Rings of Power and I think what they are doing is interesting. Is it authentic Tolkien? No, but it is enjoyable to me and it does seem somewhat Tolkienesque. The storytelling is interesting and the production values are top-notch! The best adaptations far and above anything else save Tolkien’s work, are Peter Jackson’s films and the BBC Radio drama. I think these will always be the very best and I will always love them.
What convinced me to keep watching the show was this song by Bear McCreary. Very Tolkien. You can hear the spirit of Tolkien in the lyrics! Happy watching and happy reading!
