The Tolkien Lore Podcast

In this video I review two fan films that both primarily relate to the story of Turin Turambar, but which take very different approaches than you might expect. To watch Nienor Niniel, go here: https://youtu.be/mHsrCy9xKAE For The Legend of Gurthang, go here: https://www.jaredbeltfilms.com/the-legend-of-gurthang.html Other Links: Utreon: https://utreon.com/c/TolkienLorePodcast/ Rumble at https://ru...

At first blush, it might not seem that there would be much in common between a drama set almost entirely within a jury room and an epic fantasy romance, but it turns out that Henry Fonda’s character from the 1957 movie has a lot in common with Frodo Baggins. For the sponsor of this video, Demi-Wiggin, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Demi-Wiggin-Sue-Starbuck/dp/B0BJ4PTWD6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=E4ZPPQ5...

I despise the scene in Peter Jackson’s “Return of the King” (extended edition) where the Witch King shatters Gandalf’s staff, but it can’t be denied that there is at least some textual basis for the idea.  What does this tell us about the Witch King and his other encounters? Other Links: Utreon: https://utreon.com/c/TolkienLorePodcast/ Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195 Odysee: https://o...

Of all the scenes to be left out of Peter Jackson’s movie trilogy, the Ring’s temptation of Sam on the threshold of Mordor may be one of the most inexcusable, since it highlights both his character and teaches us some “plain hobbit sense” in the process. For the sponsor of this video, Demi-Wiggin, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Demi-Wiggin-Sue-Starbuck/dp/B0BJ4PTWD6/ref=sr_1_1?crid=E4ZPPQ5RHZP...

Gandalf famously sends the Balrog to the abyss by destroying the Bridge of Khazad-Dum, but the timing of his action may suggest a deeper motivation than simply defeating his foe…. Other Links: Utreon: https://utreon.com/c/TolkienLorePodcast/ Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@TolkienLore:f Twitter: https://twitter.com/jrrtlore Patreon: https:// www.patreon.com/tolk...

My old nemesis CinemaSins is at it again, leveling stupid criticisms against another great Lord of the Rings adaptation.  OK, maybe we can quibble about how “great” Bakshi’s film is, but it doesn’t deserve the kind of stuff CS dishes out, and I’ll prove it! CinemaSins’ full video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BuRF5izrZs My previous videos debunking CinemaSins’ absurd attacks on To...

Gollum has reactions to Elvish things that would put even a picky eater toddler to shame, but why? Other Links: Utreon: https://utreon.com/c/TolkienLorePodcast/ Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@TolkienLore:f Twitter: https://twitter.com/jrrtlore Patreon: https:// www.patreon.com/tolkiengeek Discord server invite link:   https://discord.gg/EVKynAj2m9 (If link...

I’ve reviewed John Boorman’s awful Lord of the Rings script in four parts (see below for links), but there was another awful adaptation that never got past the scripting phase by Morton Grady Zimmerman, and while I don’t have access to the script itself, Tolkien wrote two letters commenting on it that reveal a good deal, and it’s awful . The Boorman Script: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...

Saruman is said to have lost most of his powers by the end of The Lord of the Rings, but what powers did he have?  How did he lose them?  How is that connected to his position in the order of wizards? Other Links: Utreon: https://utreon.com/c/TolkienLorePodcast/ Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@TolkienLore:f Twitter: https://twitter.com/jrrtlore Patreon...

Some genius writing for CBR.com wrote this article about how The Lord of the Rings has aged poorly, and it might just be one of the worst pieces of criticism I’ve ever seen, starting with the fact that it’s really only a 5-item list expanded artificially to meet some arbitrary count…. Other Links: Utreon: https://utreon.com/c/TolkienLorePodcast/ Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195 Odysee: http...

In the Appendices we learn that Aragorn, in the guise of Thorongil, advises Ecthelion II, Denethor’s father, to rely on Gandalf rather than Saruman.  Does this imply anything about Aragorn’s knowledge of Saruman? Other Links: Utreon: https://utreon.com/c/TolkienLorePodcast/ Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@TolkienLore:f Twitter: https://twitter.com/jrrtlore...

How well do I know my Tolkien from my Bible? I've read both numerous times so a quiz should be a breeze, right? Well, depends on how tricksy the questions are, precioussss, yessss.... If you want to follow along or watch before I go through it, the original video for the quiz is https://youtu.be/-_qjtr3rbKQ Other Links: Utreon: https://utreon.com/c/TolkienLorePodcast/ Rumble at https://rumble.com/...

This is a new series I'm starting for subjects that strike my interest but are too small to justify lengthy discussion. In this video I mention some interesting things about Amon Hen and Amon Lhaw, the two hills near the Falls of Rauros. Other Links: Utreon: https://utreon.com/c/TolkienLorePodcast/ Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@TolkienLore:f Twitter: https://t...

In a letter to his son, Michael, Tolkien dispenses several nuggets of wisdom about romance in general, and specifically on the topic of the chivalric tradition and the idea of "soul mates." Other Links: Utreon: https://utreon.com/c/TolkienLorePodcast/ Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@TolkienLore:f Twitter: https://twitter.com/jrrtlore Patreon: https:// www.patreo...

By popular demand, my wife agreed to appear to answer your specific questions about Season 1 of Rings of Power, and I provide my final thoughts on the season as a whole with some constructive criticism on how the show could have been so much better than it was. Other Links: Utreon: https://utreon.com/c/TolkienLorePodcast/ Rumble at https://rumble.com/c/c-355195 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@TolkienL...

Just before the collapse of the Soviet Union, a made-for-television production of “The Lord of the Rings” was begun.  Called “Khraniteli,” it never got further than The Fellowship of the Ring, and it was...interesting to say the least.  But it’s low quality is a bit forgivable when you know the story behind it. For some more details on the history, check out this Variety article: https:/...

A lot of people lately have been using Faramir’s remarks about High, Middle (or Twilight) and Wild Men (or Men of the Shadow) as evidence that Tolkien and/or The Lord of the Rings is racist, since it shows he or at least the Numenoreans who developed the classification considered themselves superior to other men.  But is it really that simple?  Or does the classification reflect somethin...

This episode was significantly better than many others in the sense that it was engaging, kept my interest, and things really happened.  But there are still logical issues and the lore breaking goes so far as to destroy much of the underlying logic of The Lord of the Rings…. Previous episode reviews: Episodes 1 & 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3bJTDxHRY0&t=1389s Episode 3: https:...

Amazon’s “The Rings of Power” has generated a lot of debate, and one aspect of that is the common criticism that much of the show is unrealistic.  Equally common, seemingly, is a rebuttal to the effect that the show is fantasy and therefore doesn’t need to be realistic.  But Tolkien would very much disagree with this statement. I’ve done some other videos on elements of Tolkien’s “On Fai...

Amazon finally did it—they turned me into a hater of the show.  Up until now it was bad writing and lore changes that I could sort of live with, but now they’ve broken with the legendarium in a way that was completely unnecessary except to serve some poor story-telling choice of their own, and I’ve had it. If you want more info on the Galadriel and Celeborn story and its many variations, chec...

In an “Appendices” video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMwwUsirc3w ), TheRedBook ( https://www.youtube.com/c/TheRedBook ) addressed a comment I left on this video about whether Sauron took the Ring to Numenor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBSgELkQNlg .  My comment built somewhat on my own video on a related topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKzuKSus8FI .  The question ultimat...

Episode 6 is much better than 5, with a focused story and some nice character moments, but the writing is still clunky despite many overt attempts to capitalize on the Peter Jackson trilogy and even Tolkien himself. Prior reviews: Episodes 1 & 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3bJTDxHRY0&t=1389s Episode 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Nw0Gi_h0o&t=3187s Episode 4: https://www.you...

We finally finish our strange journey through John Boorman’s drug-fueled script for a Lord of the Rings movie, and the ending is just as bizarre as the rest of it. For the other parts of my overview, check these links: Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhKX7VdMiZU Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbxZU3mVRsc Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7BqeOwPcSE Other Links: Utreon: http...

For about 30 minutes I was kind of enjoying this episode, then the writers decided to have a collective aneurysm and deliver the most nonsensical garbage I’ve ever seen. Prior episode reviews: Episodes 1&2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3bJTDxHRY0&t=1389s Episode 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6Nw0Gi_h0o&t=3187s Episode 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDYxVsk6Y9s Other Links...

Happy Hobbit Day 2022! In this video I talk about that most famousest of hobbits, Frodo Baggins, and the uniqueness of his heroism, which is neither the typical ancient mode of hero like Beowulf, nor yet the more modern variation like Sam Gamgee, but which nevertheless is an important character type for us to learn from. Here’s the playlist for other Hobbit Day videos from the other contributing Y...