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Exploring Tolkien Podcast

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Eating Smores

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Join our Discord Community (for free)! 👉 https://discord.gg/fRATdAqEFr We're back and looking at ALL the changes in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings! This week we head over to Orthanc and the changes made to Gandalf's visit to Saruman: * Gandalf visiting Saruman isn't just a flashback--and what about all those little changes made there?! * Saruman and Gandalf throw down in a Wizard duel for the ages -- Michael and Jonathan seriously DISAGREE on this one! In our extended episode (available for our members -- https://theonering.com/members) we talk more about these changes, and also: * What would wizarding power look like if Jackson hadn't made it so physical. * If Christopher Lee and Ian McKellen had switched roles, what would that have been like? 🎉 To get the extended episode, become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and free for the 1st month) or at Patreon (https://theonering.com/patreon). —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Join our Discord Channel (for free!) ► https://discord.gg/6XxzswvR 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 Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/053v5PsgtE8TmMiXXAyThG —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) ► https://amzn.to/3x0kbHh The Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) ► https://amzn.to/49ZkSiA The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com —————————————————— 🎬 Chapters 🎬 —————————————————— 00:00 Get the extended podcast! 05:12 #29 - Orthanc in Real Time 21:50 #29 - How much do we like the change? 23:58 #30 - The Wizard Duel 44:03 #30 - How much do we like the change?
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Would Gandalf and Saruman REALLY throw down like this?!

views April 16th

Here's another episode in our series of interviews from the December 2, 2003 roundtable discussions (watch https://youtu.be/JqhF91GJbGg and https://youtu.be/avh0HxUI8Vs episodes), we spoke with Lord of the Rings composer Howard Shore. He really goes in depth on his thoughts and composing process! In this episode, Mr. Shore discusses: * What it's like to adapt literary works * What he does BEFORE he starts composing * What inspired some of the music in the film * The works in Return of the King he's most proud of * If The Hobbit theme was a direct lift from another well-known melody Become a member at https://theonering.com/members to hear our thoughts on: * Why Jonathan finds The Lord of the Rings soundtrack lacking when compared to some other film scores * Jonathan and Michael's favorite and LEAST favorite themes from the films. 🎉 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 Become a Patreon Member ► https://theonering.com/patreon Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/053v5PsgtE8TmMiXXAyThG —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) ► https://amzn.to/3x0kbHh The Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) ► https://amzn.to/49ZkSiA The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com —————————————————— 🎬 Chapters 🎬 —————————————————— 00:00
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Howard Shore Interview - LORD OF THE RINGS Composer - 2003 Roundtable Interviews

views April 9th

Join our Discord Channel ► https://discord.gg/fRATdAqEFr As season 2 of the Rings of Power approaches (later this year, we hope!), Michael and I decided to look back at our favorite scenes, favorite characters, and favorite quotes from our favorite television show! Join us as we rediscover all those times this show took our breath away with it's ability to weave expertly crafted scenes into a holistic story where almost award-winnning actors perfectly portrayed characters Tolkien should have written. We talk about * Our favorite characters * Our favorite scenes * Quotes from the show that took our breath away! Then, in our extended episode (become a member at https://theonering.com/members) we discuss how Tom Bombadil will become a new (and better) part of Middle-earth through The Rings of Power! 👉 You can also join now via Patreon -- https://theonering.com/patreon ! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Watch The Rings of Power ► https://amzn.to/3J2USap Watch The Rings of Power Again ► https://amzn.to/3J2USap Instead of Reading The Silmarillion, watch The Rings of Power ► https://amzn.to/3J2USap —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/053v5PsgtE8TmMiXXAyThG —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— Don't bother reading, just watch The Rings of Power ► https://amzn.to/3J2USap 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com —————————————————— 🎬 Chapters 🎬 —————————————————— 00:00 Intro 03:25 Rings of Power Amazing Stats 07:46 Scene 1: Elves Taking Jobs 15:42 Scene 2: Silma-mithril 26:23 Char 1: The Best Hobbit 35:21 Char 2: The Warrior Elf 49:37 The BEST Quotes!
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The Rings of Power is PEAK TV | Top Scenes, Top Characters and Top Quotes

views April 1st

Join our Discord Channel ► https://discord.gg/fRATdAqEFr In this final episode of looking at The Mariner's Wife, we fully finish Tolkien's tale--but staying true to Tolkien's characters and world. You'll find out: * Why Sauron Hates Celebrimbor and the Númenoreans * How Erendis Dies * How Sauron is defeated (and what he does after that) * Why Erendis decides to marry Hallacar * How this story ends with a positive high note! After spending 8 episodes on Tolkien's unfinished tale, it feels even more like a missed opportunity--both as something we WISH Tolkien would have completed, but also a story of the 2nd age that would make for a great television series. Then, in our extended episode (become a member to get it at https://theonering.com/members): * Where does pipew-eed come into the story--since the Numenoreans were actually instrumental in discovering it! * The Druedain (pukel men) actually came to Númenor too. Where might they fit into this tale? —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— Unfinished Tales ► https://amzn.to/4aoMaig 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 Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/053v5PsgtE8TmMiXXAyThG —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) ► https://amzn.to/3x0kbHh The Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) ► https://amzn.to/49ZkSiA The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com —————————————————— 🎬 Chapters 🎬 —————————————————— 00:00 Intro 08:50 Season 4 : Broken Relationships 24:05 Season 5 : Sauron Revealed 36:24 Season 6 : Evil Defeated & Hope Revealed 54:33 Closing Thoughts
YouTube Video VVVaTzF2N0VLTXhXeU1keFJSdGVUbW1BLmNHTmc3djJ2dzBr

Sauron's FIRST Defeat - Finishing Tolkien's Unfinished Tale - Aldarion and Erendis - Part 8

views March 26th

Join our Discord Channel ► https://discord.gg/fRATdAqEFr This month we found out that renowned Tolkien scholars Christian Scull and Wayne Hammond will be publishing a NEW book with NEW content by Tolkien--The Collected Poems of JRR Tolkien. I take a look at their announcement, highlighting some of the details they mentioned. I also take a bit of time to discuss last year's revised and expanded version of Tolkien's letters. Then, in our extended episode (become a member to get it at https://theonering.com/members) I look at: * An old Tolkien commentary published in 1969! * Why I have a couple of "Middle-earth for Dummies"! * Why the Tolkien Estate threatened us legally in 2005! —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— The Collected Poems of Tolkien ► https://wayneandchristina.wordpress.com/2024/03/12/tolkiens-collected-poems/ The Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) ► https://amzn.to/3x0kbHh The Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) ► https://amzn.to/49ZkSiA JRR Tolkien Companion and Guide ► https://amzn.to/3IJw2fG —————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Podcast 🎧 —————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/053v5PsgtE8TmMiXXAyThG —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Letters of JRR Tolkien (audiobook) ► https://amzn.to/3x0kbHh The Letters of JRR Tolkien (book) ► https://amzn.to/49ZkSiA The Silmarillion ► https://amzn.to/3a7wE0k 🗣 Special Thanks to Austin Robertson for the use of his voice! 🗣 https://AustinRobertsonVoice.com —————————————————— 🎬 Chapters 🎬 —————————————————— 00:00 Intro 04:27 Tolkien talks the Importance of Maps 07:26 Tolkien writes about Quenya declensions 10:31 Get Tolkien's letters! 14:56 New 3-volume of Tolkien's Collected Poems 17:13 Showing his poems' evolution 21:49 Tolkien wrote because he HAD to
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NEW Tolkien Book with UNPUBLISHED Content Announced!

views March 19th

📺 View the Full Episode ► https://youtu.be/HGXGUWrVmCU Merry and Pippin become common veggie thieves that just happen to run into Frodo and Sam in a cornfield. Lucky coincidence. Download our full podcast at https://exploringtolkien.com -- or just search "Exploring Tolkien" on any podcast app! 💬 Join Our Discord Community! ► https://discord.gg/fRATdAqEFr 🎉 Become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and 1st month is FREE) and get: * Our Extended podcast * Access to our exclusive Discord community * Monthly video chats Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes ———————————————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Exploring Tolkien Podcast 🎧 ———————————————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/053v5PsgtE8TmMiXXAyThG
YouTube Video VVVaTzF2N0VLTXhXeU1keFJSdGVUbW1BLnQtVWdCTVFpYmRV

#28 - Merry and Pippin, Common THIEVES! - Every Change in The Lord of the Rings

views March 12th

Join our Discord Channel ► https://discord.gg/fRATdAqEFr We don't know if Tolkien intended on ever finishing this story of Aldarion and Erendis. Written later in life, it is perhaps his most emotionally gut wrenching tale.... and it deserves to be finished! Jonathan lays begins to lay out the entire story of Aldarion, starting at his birth and helping to round out the world of Numenor at this time, while also bringing in greater roles for some characters and places Tolkien mentions but never really fleshes out. AND it's ALL done by staying true to the lore Tolkien set out without changing ANYTHING he told us (unlike some recent TV show on Amazon that treated Tolkien's works like a dog treats homework). And we think it's a great story that DESERVES bigger recognition! Then, in our extended episode (become a member to get it at https://theonering.com/members): * Was Erendis really co-dependent with Ancalime, or was she just responding to how Aldarion treated her? * How did Middle-earth have food like tomatoes and tobacco if there was no new world yet discovered? —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien Audiobook ► https://amzn.to/3P9rL8H 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 Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/053v5PsgtE8TmMiXXAyThG —————————————————— 🔎 If You Like Tolkien 🔎 —————————————————— The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien Audiobook ► https://amzn.to/3P9rL8H 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 06:15 Season 1 : Aldarion's Dream 17:08 Season 2 : Building Strongholds 29:18 Season 3 : Erendis and a New Evil 41:30 The Next 3 Seasons 50:53 Tolkien's Letters on Audiobook!
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Finishing Tolkien's UNFINISHED Tale - Aldarion and Erendis - Part 7

views March 5th

📺 View the Full Episode ► https://youtu.be/HGXGUWrVmCU Radagast was completely dropped from Peter Jackson's films... which might just have been a good decision?! Download our full podcast at https://exploringtolkien.com -- or just search "Exploring Tolkien" on any podcast app! 💬 Join Our Discord Community! ► https://discord.gg/fRATdAqEFr 🎉 Become a member at https://theonering.com/members ($4/mo and 1st month is FREE) and get: * Our Extended podcast * Access to our exclusive Discord community * Monthly video chats Submit a LOTR Film Change ► https://theonering.com/changes ———————————————————————————— 🎧 Subscribe to our Exploring Tolkien Podcast 🎧 ———————————————————————————— Get the Extended Podcast ► https://theonering.com/members Apple ► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/window-on-the-west/id1625960455 Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/053v5PsgtE8TmMiXXAyThG
YouTube Video VVVaTzF2N0VLTXhXeU1keFJSdGVUbW1BLmNkdmVjamZvSlZZ

#27 - Removing this Wizard was a GOOD idea!? - Every Change in The Lord of the Rings

views March 1st

Michael and I talk about "The Further Course of the Narrative" in Aldarion and Erendis. Tolkien made some notes about where the story would go, but at times they're contradictory, and there's no cohesive plot to speak of. What it is, though, is a glimpse into how Tolkien crafted his world, how there was no cohesive outline but times when his mind was simply driven to write the ideas that came to him. We look at: * How Tolkien wrote this way * Ancalime's family life--with her parents and husband * Erendis and how, in a way, she can be compared to Eowyn * Was Erendis' death hopeful or hopeless? Then, in our extended episode (become a member to get it at https://theonering.com/members): * More thoughts on Aldarion meeting Celeborn and Galadriel * If these stories were "preserved" by Gondor, why would such thoughts by Erendis be saved? * What were the "emissaries" of Sauron to the elves at this time? What of using men against them? Join our Discord Channel (for free!) ► https://discord.gg/fRATdAqEFr —————————————————— 🔗 Episode Links 🔗 —————————————————— 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 Spotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/053v5PsgtE8TmMiXXAyThG —————————————————— 🔎 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 01:23 Story as a TV Show - Next week! 04:25 We'll use Google Gemini! 😉 06:47 How Tolkien Wrote Things 10:10 Aldarion's Ending 21:44 Erendis' Ending 35:22 Ancalime's Ending 48:01 The Longest Footnote is Philological
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A Spiteful Marriage, a New Enemy, and a Watery End - Aldarion and Erendis - Part 6

views February 27th

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