The One Ring

📺 View the Full Episode: https://youtu.be/ZpifAd-3_58 Did you know Aragorn was raised by Elrond? And Elrond knew his destiny would see him as king? And that he WAS strong? This was a HUGE change Jackson made in the films! Download our full podcast at https://exploringtolkien.com -- or just search "Exploring Tolkien" on any podcast app! 🎉 Become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and 1st month is FREE) and get: * The extended podcast * Access to our exclusive Discord community * Monthly video chats * Merch discounts Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3

📺 View the Full Episode: https://youtu.be/ZpifAd-3_58 Lots of folks think Sauron's just a big ol' eye in The Lord of the Rings... but Tolkien made it pretty clear he actually DOES have a body! So, did Peter Jackson make the right decision by making him into one big eye? Download our full podcast at https://exploringtolkien.com -- or just search "Exploring Tolkien" on any podcast app! 🎉 Become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and 1st month is FREE) and get: * The extended podcast * Access to our exclusive Discord community * Monthly video chats * Merch discounts Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3

The Middle-earth Mixer joins us this week to look at why Peter Jackson made some pretty big changes to 3 central characters. Listen in as we look at: * Sauron, the Formless * Elrond, the Unbeliever * Saruman, Sith Lord Check out The Middle-earth Mixer's podcast: Apple Podcasts ▶ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-middle-earth-mixer/id1627995604 Spotify ▶ https://open.spotify.com/show/2yEEiznNYthhtEeZ3WUc67 Follow Mixer on X too! https://twitter.com/MiddleearthMixr In our extended episode (available for our members -- https://theonering.com/members) we talk about: * How could Sauron have been better portrayed in the films? * Did Christopher Lee regret playing the changed Saruman? * Did Peter Jackson kill off Saruman just to get rid of the Scouring of the Shire? 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Middle-earth Mixer on X ► https://twitter.com/MiddleearthMixr Middle-earth Mixer on Apple Podcasts ▶ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-middle-earth-mixer/id1627995604 Middle-earth Mixer on Spotify ▶ https://open.spotify.com/show/2yEEiznNYthhtEeZ3WUc67 Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com —————————————————— 🎬 Chapters 🎬 —————————————————— 00:00 Intro 04:20 14 : Sauron, the Formless 24:33 15 : Elrond, the Unbeliever 38:14 16: Saruman, Sith Apprentice

📺 View the Full Episode: https://youtu.be/eXGG615cz1M You might think Boromir's hair isn't that big of a deal--but being of Númenorean descent is pretty freaking important! (plus, nitpicking never stopped us anyway 😏) Download our full podcast at https://exploringtolkien.com -- or just search "Exploring Tolkien" on any podcast app! 🎉 Become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and 1st month is FREE) and get: * The extended podcast * Access to our exclusive Discord community * Monthly video chats * Merch discounts Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3

📺 View the Full Episode: https://youtu.be/HhHiHXUsOr0 Most folks forget that Merry was an upstanding, serious Hobbit in the films (he figured out Frodo's secret!). But Peter Jackson made Merry and Pippen the comic relief for much of the films? And made them immature pranksters at the start. Was that the right choice? Download our full podcast at https://exploringtolkien.com -- or just search "Exploring Tolkien" on any podcast app! 🎉 Become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and 1st month is FREE) and get: * The extended podcast * Access to our exclusive Discord community * Monthly video chats * Merch discounts Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3

📺 View the Full Episode: https://youtu.be/HhHiHXUsOr0 Gandalf is a GREAT character in Peter Jackson's films--but he leans toward less of a leadership role in the films than he does in the books. Download our full podcast at https://exploringtolkien.com -- or just search "Exploring Tolkien" on any podcast app! 🎉 Become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and 1st month is FREE) and get: * The extended podcast * Access to our exclusive Discord community * Monthly video chats * Merch discounts Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3

Michael and I continue to analyze the general changes Peter Jackson made to Lord of the Rings. This week, we look at: * Gandalf, the Befuddled * Sam, the Best Bud * Merry and Pippin, the Pranksters Are we right? Wrong? Did we miss something obvious? Let us know in the comments below! In our extended episode (available for our members -- https://theonering.com/members) we talk about: * Could Peter Jackson have done more to distinguish Merry and Pippin? * Why wasn't Gandalf more of a leader in the films? * Do movies try to make too many characters with dynamic story arcs? 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com —————————————————— 🎬 Chapters 🎬 —————————————————— 00:00 Intro 05:30 #4 : Gandalf, the Befuddled 17:55 #5 : Sam, the Best Bud 29:58 #6 : Merry and Pippen, the Pranksters

The songs and poetry in The Lord of the Rings contain the deepest lore and the most poignant references to his legendarium. And many were completely excised from the film. Maybe they didn't fit. Maybe Jackson didn't like them. Maybe it slowed down the movie. Maybe it was done for "Modern Audiences". But there's no "maybe" that dropping the poems and songs was a BIG change! Download our full podcast at https://exploringtolkien.com -- or just search "Exploring Tolkien" on any podcast app! 🎉 Become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and 1st month is FREE) and get: * The extended podcast * Access to our exclusive Discord community * Monthly video chats * Merch discounts Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3

Has there ever been any completely true-to-the-original adaptation of a book to film? As we review every film change, the first one we need to address is the widest one -- it's the simple fact that the film is an adaptation, and that's a pretty big change! Download our full podcast at https://exploringtolkien.com -- or just search "Exploring Tolkien" on any podcast app! 🎉 Become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and 1st month is FREE) and get: * The extended podcast * Access to our exclusive Discord community * Monthly video chats * Merch discounts Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3

We jump into the deep end of analyzing Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings as we look at every film change he made! This week, Michael and I look at the first three: * It's an Adaptation * Intercut Storylines * Many of the Songs and Poems were cut Are we right? Wrong? Did we miss something obvious? Let us know in the comments below! In our extended episode (available for our members -- https://theonering.com/members) we talk about: * What's the one major adaptation Jackson shouldn't have made. * Judging Christopher Tolkien for judging PJ's films * Could PJ have easily put in more songs and poems? Or would it need to be a 12 episode show on Netflix? * Is the poetry PJ put in the films fitting enough? 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com —————————————————— 🎬 Chapters 🎬 —————————————————— 00:00 Intro 01:28 Why we're doing this 08:20 #1 : Lord of the Adaptations 18:37 #2 : Intercut Storylines 25:45 #3 : Many Stories and Poems Cut

"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." And so, after having curated The Complete List of Film Changes at https://theonering.com for almost 25 years, it's time we did it in depth! Join us in this upcoming LONG journey as we review every change (worth talking about) that Peter Jackson made to The Lord of the Rings! Get our full podcast at https://exploringtolkien.com -- or just search "Exploring Tolkien" on any podcast app! 🎉 Become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and 1st month is FREE) and get: * The extended podcast * Access to our exclusive Discord community * Monthly video chats * Merch discounts Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3

If you haven't listened to Jeff Johnson's music yet, you're missing out. I've been a fan of his music for over 20 years, having been first inroduced with his Songs of Albion trilogy -- music based on renowned author Stephen R. Lawheads trilogy of books of the same name. Jeff's music stands out with music inspired by books, locations, and art. Listening to his music is an experience I haven't had with any other musician. So what does this have to do with Tolkien? Like we learned in Tolkien's essay "On Fairy Stories", the escape-consolation-recovery that we find in fairy stories is something that can be found in other art--and this is something we can find in Jeff Johnson's music. Make sure you listen till the end for some of Jeff's music: * The Road Goes Ever On * A Wonder Voyage - Eirlandia * The Endless Knot - Songs from Albion 3 (members only) * The Dream of Taliesin - The Bard and the Warrior (members only) * Way of the Warrior - The Bard and the Warrior (members only) Then join us in our extended podcast (https://theonering.com/members) where Jeff endures our Confessions from the Comfy Chair (including his thoughts on the Rings of Power)! 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes The Road Goes Ever On (The Old Walking Song) ► https://soundcloud.com/jeff-johnson-arkmusic/the-road-goes-ever-on-the-old-walking-song Jeff Johnson's Music (Bandcamp) ► https://jeffjohnsonarkmusic.bandcamp.com/ Ark Music (Jeff's website) ► https://www.arkmusic.com/ Eirlandia Album ► https://jeffjohnsonarkmusic.bandcamp.com/album/eirlandia —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/member Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr —————————————————— 📕 Chapters 📕 —————————————————— 00:00 Submit your Film Change! 04:05 Jeff Johnson Interview 43:45 The Road Goes Ever on (The Old Walking Song) 45:31 A Wonder Voyage - Eirlandia 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com

Here's our 3rd recording from the December 2, 2003 roundtable interviews (our Peter Jackson episode is at https://youtu.be/JqhF91GJbGg)! In this episode, Liv Tyler and Orlando Bloom joined us to talk their thoughts about the films, their careers, and the crazy premiere in Wellington for Return of the King. Become a member to at https://theonering.com/members to hear our thoughts on: * Whether Liv Tyler was actually a good actress or just a pretty face. * If elves should've been portrayed differently by Peter Jackson * Michael's least favorite elf in Jackson's The Lord of the Rings (I bet you can guess it!) 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com —————————————————— 🎬 Chapters 🎬 —————————————————— 00:00 Intro 07:40 Interview with Liv Tyler and Orlando Bloom 18:41 Closing Thoughts

Here's another recording from the December 2, 2003 roundtable interviews I was invited to join with a few other journalists to speak to the actors and crew of The Lord of the Rings (our Peter Jackson episode is at https://youtu.be/JqhF91GJbGg). While the audio is terrible (we did what we could to make it listenable!), Peter Jackson's Gandalf answered our questions earnestly and thoughtfully--particularly when discussing wisdom and fidelity to Tolkien's books. I hope you enjoy this detour down memory lane! And make sure you become a member at https://theonering.com/members! In the extended episode I talk more in depth about * What that green "jade" necklace he wore was (and a photo). * My thoughts on his portrayal of Gandalf (and whether even having a portrayal is good or bad). * Outside of PJ's films, what is the best adaptation of Lord of the Rings? 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com —————————————————— 🎬 Chapters 🎬 —————————————————— 00:00 Intro 06:10 Interview with Ian McKellen 23:45 Closing Thoughts

We're wrapping up Tolkien's seminal essay this week looking at Consolation--and with that--Tolkien's well-known term, Eucatastrophe. With so much depth, this essay isn't easy to consume, and we really hope reading it with us helped you come to understand why Tolkien wrote it and why he believes Fairy Stories are so important! Watch all 6 Episodes! ▶. https://www.theonering.com/on-fairy-stories This week we look at: * Why Consolation/Eucatastrophe is required * What is Lord of the Ring's chief eucatastrophe? * Is eucatastrophe deus ex machina? * Why Eucatastrophe is glimpse of Truth (with a capital T!) * How George RR Martin drags us into darkness Then in our members-only episode (https://theonering.com/members) we discuss: * Should we try to avoid other artists visual interpretations of Tolkien since they affect our own subcreation? * What did Peter Jackson do in his films to help in understanding Tolkien? * Have we lost eucatastrophe as a glimpse of Truth in today's stories? * Do you have to experience True eucatastrophe (the resurrection of Christ) to effectively write eucatastrophe? * Is there a modern story that resembles Tolkien's notion of eucatastrophe? 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! ...and here's my final attempt at defining On Fairy Stories in 1 sentence: A Fairy Story is a peculiarly unique artistic experience, as the author speaks directly into the imagination of the reader to sub-create a magical new world that provides visceral glimpses of eternal Truth through Eucatastrophe. —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Tales from the Perilous Realm (has "On Fairy Stories") ► https://amzn.to/3OImRjb Amon Rudh by Ted Nasmith ► https://www.theonering.com/turin-and-his-band-led-to-amon-rudh-ted-nasmith —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/member Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Children of Hurin ► https://amzn.to/3JRwyIm The Fall of Gondolin - https://amzn.to/40qS8d6 The Fall of Númenor ► https://amzn.to/3FpWs3F The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw —————————————————— 📕 Chapters 📕 —————————————————— 00:00 Intro 03:15 CS Lewis Trolled Tolkien 07:45 Consolation/Eucatastrophe is required 10:50 Is a happy ending happily ever after? 12:20 What is LOTR's chief eucatastrophe? 22:35 It's gotta be serious. And miraculous. 24:04 But is it deus ex machina? 30:35 Is fairy story uniquely suited for this? 33:50 Sci-fi -- is it fairy story? 35:40 It's a bit peculiar--to Tolkien 40:10 Eucatastrophe is glimpse of Truth 46:02 George RR Martin drags us into darkness 51:25 On Fairy Stories in 1 Sentence 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com

What are we supposed to recover from? And why do fairy stories provide it? And why do we need to escape? And how do fairy stories break us out? As we get closer to finishing out "On Fairy Stories," Michael Dan and I discuss how recovery and escape are 2 of the 3 things (consolation will be next week!) that these fantasy tales offer us. We look at: * Recovery from what? * What is this "mooreeffoc" he wrote about? * Has the world lost the ability to recover? * Why modern stories don't offer escape * Star Trek vs Star Wars -- as fairy stories * And how Tolkien was wrong about science fiction! Then in our members-only episode (https://theonering.com/members) we discuss: * How modern buildings reflect the loss of recovery. * Does recovery/escape/consolution bleed over to other art forms? * Do visual arts bring about escape? * Does music bring about escape? 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Tales from the Perilous Realm (has "On Fairy Stories") ► https://amzn.to/3OImRjb Francesco's YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa1s8M1nbCun3KGO3dqnWnA Francesco's Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/neon_pagan/ Francesco's Lego Vids ► https://www.instagram.com/outofbrainwaves/ —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/member Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Children of Hurin ► https://amzn.to/3JRwyIm The Fall of Gondolin - https://amzn.to/40qS8d6 The Fall of Númenor ► https://amzn.to/3FpWs3F The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw —————————————————— 📕 Chapters 📕 —————————————————— 00:00 Intro 06:40 Recovery from what? 12:00 Mooreeffoc / Coffeeroom 17:47 Simple and Fundamental Things 21:05 Has the world lost "recovery"? 27:45 Escape... but not desertion 30:50 Modern stories don't offer escape 34:00 Electric Light Oppression 37:46 Star Trek vs Star Wars 39:28 What is more real? 46:32 The Greatest Escape 50:05 Tolkien was WRONG 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com

This week we discussed "Children" from the "On Fairy Stories" by Tolkien. He pushes back against the coupling of fairy-stories and children, making the point that, "If fairy-story as a kind is worth reading at all it is worthy to be written for and read by adults." We talk about: * Suspension of Disbelief vs Literary Belief * How fairy-stories are not to be relegated to nurseries * How children ruin everything (even fairy-stories) if we leave it alone with them * The "covert sniggering" that happens when adults write stories FOR children * Is the Hobbit too "silly" for Middle-earth Then in our members-only episode (https://theonering.com/members) we: * Did Tolkien approve or enjoy tragedies? * Discuss our interview with Nick Groom last week, and why we weren't more confrontational. * We did, in fact, react with quiet disbelief at some of Professor Groom's answers to our Confessions from the Comfy Chair--just check the screencaps! 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Tales from the Perilous Realm (has "On Fairy Stories") ► https://amzn.to/3OImRjb Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/member Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Children of Hurin ► https://amzn.to/3JRwyIm The Fall of Gondolin - https://amzn.to/40qS8d6 The Fall of Númenor ► https://amzn.to/3FpWs3F The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com 🖼 Special Thanks to Anna Grumbine for her artwork! 🖼 https://www.instagram.com/a.m.altas/

This week Michael and I talked with Professor Nick Groom, author of Tolkien in the 21st Century: The Meaning of Middle-earth Today, releasing Sept. 5, 2023 (apologies for some some of the echo in the audio!). Professor Groom's book is a detailed, in-depth, but readable look into Middle-earth, and how he perceives Tolkien as more relevant than ever before--particularly in a post-COVID culture. This was a refreshing discussion that dove deep into things including: * Professor Groom's thoughts on the ambiguity of evil in Middle-earth * How Tolkien's themes are vital in a post-lockdown era * Why he believes The Rings of Power is a great story in the tradition of Middle-earth adaptations--but definitely isn't Tolkien's story. Then, join us in our extended episode (https://theonering.com/members) where we ask: * Does The Rings of Power deserve the amount of criticism we give it? * Who is his favorite character in all of Middle-earth? * What should be done to encourage young artists to write great new stories again? 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Preorder Tolkien in the 21st Century (US Edition) ► https://amzn.to/3q2Ylju 21st-Century-Tolkien (UK Edition) ► https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twenty-First-Century-Tolkien-Middle-Earth-Means-Today/dp/1838956948 The Last Ringbearer ► https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Ringbearer —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/member Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Children of Hurin ► https://amzn.to/3JRwyIm The Fall of Gondolin - https://amzn.to/40qS8d6 The Fall of Númenor ► https://amzn.to/3FpWs3F The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com 🖼 Special Thanks to Anna Grumbine for her artwork! 🖼 https://www.instagram.com/a.m.altas/

On December 2, 2003, I was invited to join a few other journalists to interview the actors and crew of The Lord of the Rings. For me (Jonathan), for a "kid" in his mid-20s who turned a website into one of the largest online destinations for Tolkien fans on the internet, it was the unexpected zenith of the previous 4 years running the TheOneRing.com. So, when listening, remember that no one had yet seen Return of the King, and PJ hadn't yet done The Hobbit. We didn't know that this film would garner 13 Academy Awards--or that it would cap what many argue is the greatest film trilogy of all time. We knew the expectations for this film were high, but it hadn't yet met (or eclipsed) those. I recorded all the roundtable interviews on my 2000s-era iPod with a simple little microphone--which means the audio quality on this is a little rough. So, *HUGE* thanks to Lee Scrivner from the Speculative Tolkienism show on the Deep Guild YouTube channel. Check them out at: https://youtu.be/ycm0qYMCjCI I hope you enjoy this detour down memory lane! And make sure you become a member at https://theonering.com/members! I talk more in depth about * Who I liked best when interviewing them. * Who was the most stand-offish star from the film. * Reveal candid pictures from the red carpet premiere that day--I was also an interviewer of all the stars as they made their way on the carpet to the theatre! 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Deep Guild (thanks for editing the audio!) ► https://www.youtube.com/@UCxJ9dD3BA0WtD6jYDwrtRGg Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Children of Hurin ► https://amzn.to/3JRwyIm The Fall of Gondolin - https://amzn.to/40qS8d6 The Fall of Númenor ► https://amzn.to/3FpWs3F The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com 🖼 Special Thanks to Anna Grumbine for her artwork! 🖼 https://www.instagram.com/a.m.altas/ —————————————————— 🎬 Chapters 🎬 —————————————————— 00:00 Intro 06:02 "How did the pressure and expecations affect you?"" 07:22 "Is this your Citizen Kane?" 08:46 "You wouldn't mind finishing The Hobbit?" 09:31 "What pressures are you feeling about King Kong"? 10:50 "How will Gollum technology affect King Kong?" 12:57 "Spiritual aspects are clearer in the films. Did you intend that?" 15:10 "Where is The Shire for you?" 17:21 "What do fans get in the third one?" 18:02 "How was the process for you as an artist?" 21:33 "What about the places that varied from the books?" 22:54 "What was the hardest thing to cut from the film?" 25:32 "Are the extended editions the definitive cut?" 26:00 "What was the most difficult scene to accomplish?" 26:50 Thoughts and Recap

Diving into what the origin of fairy stories is, we realize--once again--that Tolkien doesn't give us an encyclopedic answer, but instead lays out some boundaries that help us better understand where fairy story comes from--and what it needs to have. It's a thought-provoking episode this week as we continue to dissect this incredibly important essay Tolkien wrote! In our members-only episode (https://theonering.com/members) we: * How the Rings of Power fails with incantational adjectives * Why time and distance in fairy stories matters * Why Peter Jackson had a better understanding of fairy story, and adhered better to the "soup" of fairy story than any other sub-created version of Middle-earth 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Beowulf ► https://amzn.to/43pw5VG Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/member Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Children of Hurin ► https://amzn.to/3JRwyIm The Fall of Gondolin - https://amzn.to/40qS8d6 The Fall of Númenor ► https://amzn.to/3FpWs3F The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com 🖼 Special Thanks to Anna Grumbine for her artwork! 🖼 https://www.instagram.com/a.m.altas/

Ted Nasmith has been creating visions of Middle-earth since the early 1970s when he decided to send JRR Tolkien one of his early pieces--and the professor responded with encouragement! In addition to being the sole featured artist in 12 Tolkien calendars (2022 most recently), he worked closely with Christopher Tolkien to create the incredible illustrated Silmarillion in 1998 (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silmarillion-J-R-Tolkien/dp/0007173024/). Michael and I had the privilege of discussing not just his inspiration and visions of Tolkien, but also: * What kinds of paintings are the greatest challenge? * Why he wasn't involved in Peter Jackson's films --and what he thinks of them! * How will AI art impact artists like him? Then, join us in our extended episode (https://theonering.com/members) where we: * Which place in Middle-earth inspires him most? * What art styles inspire him? * Who is HIS favorite Middle-earth artist? * What's his take on upcoming War of the Rohirrim Film? * And our infamous Confessions from the Comfy Chair, including: * What level of Dante's Hell does The Rings of Power belong in? * What's the nerdiest thing he's ever done? * Who is his favorite Tolkien character? * What cheesy movie or book does he like? 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Ted Nasmith's Websitehttps:// ► TedNasmith.com Illustrated Silmarillion ► https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silmarillion-J-R-Tolkien/dp/0007173024/ Ted's Book Recommendation - World without Mind by Franklin Foer ► https://amzn.to/3XL2h4G —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/member Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Children of Hurin ► https://amzn.to/3JRwyIm The Fall of Gondolin - https://amzn.to/40qS8d6 The Fall of Númenor ► https://amzn.to/3FpWs3F The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com 🖼 Special Thanks to Anna Grumbine for her artwork! 🖼 https://www.instagram.com/a.m.altas/

This week, Michael, Dan, and I discuss the first part of Tolkien's seminal essay "On Fairy Stories", where Tolkien defines what a fairy (aka fantasy) story is. Why is this important? Well, the "fairy tale" in Tolkien's era was relegated to simple children's fiction, something adults grew out of along with their innocence and naiveté. But to Tolkien, these stories that take place in the land of Faërie contain more beauty and truths than any tale set in modern day environs. In this essay Tolkien defines these stories by what they have, and what they are not, not precisely by what they ARE. And we even jump into whether Star Wars or Star Trek might match Tolkien's definition! Then, join us in our extended episode (https://theonering.com/members) where we: * Discuss what our favorite fairy story is (other than LOTR) * Try and figure out what the best fairy story of the last 2 decades is (or if there even IS one!) 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Tales from the Perilous Realm ("On Fairy Stories") - Amazon ► https://amzn.to/3JvOIQP Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/member Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Children of Hurin ► https://amzn.to/3JRwyIm The Fall of Gondolin - https://amzn.to/40qS8d6 The Fall of Númenor ► https://amzn.to/3FpWs3F The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com 🖼 Special Thanks to Anna Grumbine for her artwork! 🖼 https://www.instagram.com/a.m.altas/

We read the entire Silmarillion over the last year. And it's clear Tolkien KNOWS what a powerful woman is--and what we saw in the Rings of Power WASN'T it. Watch the Full Episode ► https://youtu.be/PMv1g3icCi8 —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast —————————————————— Become a Member to Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/member Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/theoneringcom?sub_confirmation

In our final episode discussing The Silmarillion, we each get our own "Big Thought" (sorry Dan!)... We look at how Tolkien created "high beauty", how this book truly shows Tolkien's "Strong Women", and talk about how The Silmarillion is truly the meat of Tolkien's writing. Then, join us in our extended episode (https://theonering.com/members) where we: * Discuss what we'll be diving into next (Tolkien's essay "On Fairy Stories") * Reveal the Big Project we'll be undertaking soon * Figure out how Númenor's faithful transported The Stone of Erech * Are there time-out rooms in The Halls of Mandos? 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month)! 📕 Join our Book Club! 📕 ... Become a member and join our bi-weekly Book Club where we're reading through "Taliesin" by Stephen R. Lawhead (https://www.amazon.com/Taliesin-Pendragon- Cycle-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00E3S2VTS)! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Tales from the Perilous Realm ("On Fairy Stories") - Amazon ► https://amzn.to/3JvOIQP Make Tolkien Great Again - Tengwar Hat ► https://shop.theonering.com/listing/make-tolkien-great-again-tw —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/member Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k The Children of Hurin ► https://amzn.to/3JRwyIm The Fall of Gondolin - https://amzn.to/40qS8d6 The Fall of Númenor ► https://amzn.to/3FpWs3F The Atlas of Middle-earth ► https://amzn.to/3lzsIIf The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien ► https://amzn.to/3bognFr 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com 🖼 Special Thanks to Anna Grumbine for the incredible artwork! 🖼 https://www.instagram.com/a.m.altas/

Full Livestream ► https://youtube.com/live/NcmVeD1RXOQ No skills. No vision. No faith. No understanding of evil. Hollywood fails because they have no foundation to understand beauty, truth, and what is truly good. —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast —————————————————— Become a Member to Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/member Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Google ► https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5wb2RjYXN0bWlycm9yLmNvbS93b3R3 YouTube ► https://www.youtube.com/theoneringcom?sub_confirmation