literature
Best corporate culture and workplace literature to better your workplace experience. Journal's favorite stories.
The Untold Aspects of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Pt.1
Imagine a group of friends deep in discussion about the greatest fantasy franchises in the world. Naturally, names like Harry Potter, The Witcher, Game of Thrones, Star Wars, Narnia, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Marvel/DC Comics would come up. However, one name that must also be mentioned is J.R.R. Tolkien's immortal creation — The Lord of the Rings. Whether in books or on the silver screen, this franchise remains unforgettable. Formed with a unique blend of friendship, love, vengeance, lust for power, magic, and diverse races, the fantasy of this franchise can easily rival reality. In 2001, renowned director Peter Jackson brought this trilogy to the big screen with the first installment The Fellowship of the Ring. It garnered immense acclaim from critics and audiences alike, essentially immortalizing the franchise. This article dives into some lesser-known aspects of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. 1. The Production Struggle Initially, it was decided that the film would be produced under the Miramax production house, split into two parts. However, due to budget constraints, the studio informed Peter Jackson that the entire story must be condensed into a single film. Knowing this would result in a disaster due to the vast plot, Jackson stood firm. Eventually, New Line Cinema, under Warner Bros., came forward to realize the dream, greenlighting the full trilogy. 2. Casting Surprises Christopher Lee, who played Saruman, originally wanted to play the powerful wizard Gandalf. He was the only cast member who had read the entire book series multiple times—every year, in fact—and even memorized large portions. A true fan of the franchise, he was also the only cast member to have ever met J.R.R. Tolkien. Upon hearing that a film adaptation was in the works, he personally wrote to Peter Jackson requesting to play Gandalf. However, Jackson suggested he take the role of Saruman instead. Interestingly, Scottish actor Sean Connery was offered the role of Gandalf and even promised 15% of the total box office revenue. But he declined, saying he couldn't grasp the complexity of the character. Eventually, the role went to Sir Ian McKellen, who brought Gandalf to life brilliantly. For the role of Aragorn, actors like Nicolas Cage, Stuart Townsend, and Russell Crowe were approached but declined. Ultimately, it went to Viggo Mortensen. American actor Jake Gyllenhaal auditioned for Frodo, but Elijah Wood was chosen instead. 3. Helicopter Fear on Set Sean Bean, who played Boromir, had a severe fear of helicopters. The mountain scenes in the first film were shot in New Zealand, and most cast and crew were flown in by helicopter. But Bean refused to fly, so he would hike for nearly two hours to reach the shooting location. As a result, the entire crew had to wait for him every day on the mountain. 4. Differences Between the Book and the Film While four hobbits accompany Frodo in the films, there were five in the book. The missing one was Fredegar “Fatty” Bolger, who stayed behind in the Shire. He played a role in defending the Shire when Saruman attacked later. He briefly appears in the extended cut. Sauron is only shown as a giant eye atop a tower in the films, but in the book, he has a full physical description. His hunt for the One Ring was aimed at world domination. While the film shows Frodo setting out shortly after Bilbo gives him the ring, in the book, his journey begins 17 years later. Saruman’s death also differs. In the book, after the ring is destroyed in Mount Doom, the hobbits return to find that Saruman has taken over the Shire. They fight him, and eventually, Gríma Wormtongue kills Saruman by slitting his throat in a place called the Scouring of the Shire. 5. Epic Runtime Binge-watching this trilogy is no easy task. Each movie runs for nearly 3.75 hours on average. The original theatrical cuts total 9 hours and 18 minutes, while the extended editions stretch to an astounding 11 hours and 55 minutes — a record-setting runtime for a trilogy. 6. Groundbreaking Effects When the first film was released in 2001, CGI and VFX were just emerging technologies. Many new techniques debuted in this trilogy. To maintain realism, the director heavily used practical elements. Astonishingly, around 18,000 costumes were used, with 30–40 duplicates for each main character. There were also 2,000 unique weapons and about 10,000 arrows used, along with nearly 300 horses. The differences in character heights were achieved using clever camera angles and new visual effects. 7. Editing Nightmare The three films were released in 2001, 2002, and 2003, respectively. The editing team was pushed to their limits managing such large-scale productions. At one point, editing for The Fellowship of the Ring had just finished while The Two Towers was in production, and footage for The Return of the King was already being cut. Even after the theatrical release of the final movie, Peter Jackson shot additional scenes for the extended edition.
By Riham Rahman 10 months ago in Journal
A Call to Rise and Shine: Embracing the Divine Light
In the heart of the prophet Isaiah's message lies a powerful call to action: "Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you." This isn't just a historical echo from the time of the Babylonian exile; it's a timeless beacon for all who find themselves shrouded in the darkness of despair. The world around us may be enveloped in shadows, but the divine light beckons us to rise above our circumstances, to embrace a hope that transcends the present and reaches into the future.
By Minding Fred10 months ago in Journal
The Sower's Seed: Embracing the Mystery of God's Word
In the heart of the Gospel of Luke, nestled between the bustling gatherings of eager listeners and the quiet fields of a sower, lies a parable that speaks directly to the soul of every believer. Today, we delve into the parable of the sower, as recounted in Luke 8:4–8, a narrative that challenges our modern sensibilities of efficiency and success. The message is clear: the Word of God is sown, and its growth is left to the divine. Our task is to sow, and then to rest in faith, hope, and love, trusting in the mysterious workings of the Holy Spirit.
By Minding Fred10 months ago in Journal
Polish Wind
Introduction This is another Seven Days in piece that was getting a lot of traction, and it is a bit all over the place, but I thought it is relevant to writers about the difficulties of the English language that make it so brilliant to write with.
By Mike Singleton 💜 Mikeydred 10 months ago in Journal
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever
Life is a fragile and fleeting gift, one that often gets taken for granted amidst the routines and distractions of daily living. The quote "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever" serves as a profound reminder that living fully and embracing continuous learning are not separate pursuits but deeply intertwined aspects of a meaningful existence.
By Nora Ariana10 months ago in Journal
Pune airport opens Udaan Yatri Café with Rs 10 tea, Rs 20 snacks for flyers
In a significant move to make air travel more affordable and passenger-friendly, Pune International Airport has inaugurated the 'Udaan Yatri Café' at its new terminal. This initiative, under the Ministry of Civil Aviation's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, aims to provide budget-friendly refreshments to travelers, addressing long-standing concerns about exorbitant food and beverage prices at airports.
By Abjol Hussain Laskar10 months ago in Journal
From Broccoli to Babylon: Rediscovering the Power of Prayer in Crisis
In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, it's easy to overlook the simple yet profound act of prayer. “Mum, do I have to pray even when there’s broccoli?, a child's innocent question about praying over broccoli may bring a smile to our faces, but it also prompts us to reflect on the role of prayer in our lives. Have we, in our comfort and contentment, lost the urgency to pray? Or do crises, like the one we faced with the latest pandemic, remind us of the necessity of turning to God? This article delves into the timeless prayer of Daniel from the Bible, exploring how his words can guide us in our own prayers during these challenging times.
By Minding Fred10 months ago in Journal
Best 12 Google Cloud Services companies in the world
Introduction: Finding the correct Google cloud partner is more important than ever in today's technologically advanced society. For this reason, we have compiled the list of the top 12 Google Cloud Services companies that you can rely on.
By Sam Joseph10 months ago in Journal
The Power of Storytelling
In a time where technology is developing at a breakneck pace and information is abundant, storytelling has become a potent technique for engaging audiences. Stories have a special power to captivate, uplift, and connect with people on a deeper level, whether in marketing, education, or interpersonal relationships. Gaining insight into the power of narrative can improve communication and create deep connections.
By Shahjalal Shakik10 months ago in Journal
The Vineyard's Call: A Parable of Trust and Betrayal
In the heart of Jerusalem, a city buzzing with the fervor of the Passover, Jesus entered not as a mere visitor but as a catalyst for change. Welcomed by the masses yet scorned by the religious elite, His actions in the temple—overturning tables and driving out merchants—set the stage for a confrontation that would echo through the ages. As He faced the priests and Pharisees, who questioned His authority, Jesus responded not with direct answers but with a parable that cut to the core of their hypocrisy and the broader human condition.
By Minding Fred10 months ago in Journal
