Dark Earth General Discussion

Steve,

It would take place late in the decade, starting filming in 1967. In the process, I tried to look up each potential and see what they looked like at the time.

In terms of an overall vision, I'm driven by something that mixes the 1978 animated picture, the 1981 BBC audioplay and some aspects of Peter Jackson's work (primarily his evocative use of landscape shots combined with music). It would have a tone very close to the books and focus more on the epic side of the story, whilst not shying away from overt use of magic in the manner of Jackson.

1.) My thinking on Charlton Heston was that the film would need American money to get off the ground and that historically he was linked with the role:

www.rebeatmag.com/what-if-the-lord-of-the-rings-was-a-1960s-epic/

What I'm envisaging differently is that it won't quite go so far across the Atlantic, so to speak, and won't have the involvement of Disney. If Heston could do a fitting English accent, then he combines a few aspects of the role as a ranger and as a king; he was extremely capable of gravitas and majesty. Robert Stephens has the voice and talent (and can definitely fill the kingly aspect) but not quite the same tall physical stature nor quite the same proven record of experience in films with extensive swordplay that Heston can claim.


2.) I'm not fully wedded to Julie Andrews as Eowyn, so am open to other suggestions. It could be an opportunity to get an American actress into the picture.

3.) Involving Blessed in some manner is a great joy and the voice is tailormade for the strange man of the woods.

4.) Richard Attenborough would work very well indeed.

5.) That part will be an interesting feature, possibly even worth having a story set in the background of the making of the films.

6.) It will be three films, each of 4 hours length, split up with an intermission roughly where each book finishes.

The ones I'm not so sure on are Christopher Lee as Gandalf, John Mills as Theoden (maybe not quite able to do quite the job in the combat scenes and what not at this point?) and John Hurt as Boromir (can definitely do the acting, but not sure on the physical presence, intimidation or coming across as a warrior). Of these, Boromir would be a possible role that could go to a US or Canadian actor. Gregory Peck could do one side of Gandalf, but Christopher Lee did have a marvelous range and played the wise hero in a few roles at this point.

Steve,

None of your input is ever disruptive or unhelpful. The only bad part is that there are not a dozen more chaps like you with a keen eye, broad knowledge and a fine sense of inquiry. In this case, it is further increased by an excellent knowledge of LotR.

In general, I see this as a joint picture with a fair bit of US investment that requires some level of involvement. It comes in a period of slightly less nationalist rivalry, at least as far as the trans-Atlantic relationship goes. The fact that the majority of the roles are British is one manifestation of the more prominent British cinema position in Dark Earth.

Bernard Cribbins could work as Sam; I lean towards Michael York as Legolas on the back of his contemporaneous role as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet, which showed he could carry off the light-footed grace of an elf. My “intent” is for the differences between the races to show up a lot more than in Bakshi or Jackson.

Lee has the range and gravitas to do justice to Gandalf and the relative youth to be a bit active. A real contender is Michael Hordern.

I was thinking of Robert Shaw as Boromir early on, as he could provide the physical element and the note of menace very well. Stanley Baker is just a bit too old.

Theoden...Burt Lancaster could carry that off.

I’ll do some more digging and reflecting on Eowyn.

I think I've got an Eowyn: Raquel Welch. She ticks a few of the necessary boxes of age, presence and nominal shieldmaiden capacity.

Boromir was 41 on his death, so Shaw works; he doesn't quite seem as old as Baker, even if he actually is older.

From here, I might knock out the broad outline of the "screenplays" and pop them up here. The actual writing of the story around the filming is a fair bit down the line, even if I am gradually knocking off current pieces one by one.

Money would have a way of persuading that minor choice for the course of a film.

Some of the more difficult aspects of adapting the story to the screen could be dealt with using various forms of illusion, specifically the projection of miniature models, alterations to comparative heights of actors in dwarven and hobbit roles, incorporation of special effects and increasing the number of troops portrayed in battle scenes.

What about the mystical lands of Doggerland.

Was more of a joke simon darkshade.

But thanks for the list, happy that we do not need to worry about Tsalal in Antarctica.