Advertisement

As much of a HP fan as I am, I agree that LOTR is a better book to film adaptation. I read the HP books more frequently than I do LOTR, but LOTR is a better movie.

I completely agree with this, of course I am a hugehuge HP fan and have never read the LotR books, but the HP films are appalling and deserved to be beaten by the LotR movies.

In HP’s case “Never judge a book by its movie”

In LotR’s case, if the books are as good as the movies then theymust be great.

“In LotR’s case, if the books are as good as the movies then theymust be great.”

ACtually, much better. Though a more diffucult novel to read, LOTR is incredible.

Overall, I agree with this list.

I’ve never read 1 LOTR book, so I don’t know how faithful they are, but I found the movies to be absolutely boring.

I don’t think people can argue against this really. I love HP but but we all know the films could be better.

Of course. ;) Even though I personally am a humongous HP fan, I have to give it to LOTR for the movie category. I agree with LisaMarie- if the movies are that good, the books must be amazing (I’ve never read the books). ‘Ear ‘ear, Frodo!

I’m ok with that. It tops MY poll! lol

yeah, i’d agree. i do think the potter films are great, but i think the fact that lotr was filmed in one long stretch, and that they knew the ending of the story before even starting probably helped out a lot!

This is a good topic to discuss, and yet to compare this two books and film is hard to come up with the right choice, but let not forget that HP is related with many kids so for the film are more weak, meanwhile LOR has more adult. Anyways I am sticking with HP I am a huge fan and It will stay that way.

I’ve got no problems with the relative rankings of LOTR and Harry Potter, though I question LOTR’s inclusion as “children’s books”.

I am surprised that Mary Poppins and Wizard of Oz scored as high as they did. They’re great movies, I love them both, but any resemblence to the books is purely accidental.

Exactly, if it was a poll on the books I would DEFIANTLY argue that HP is better, but I couldn’t actually sit through OotP for the 2nd time and the LotR movies are great.

Bravo LotR… maybe I should get around to reading the novels.

I too agree and it seems unanimous that Lord of the Rings deserve that accolade. But it is delightful to see that most people also agree that the Harry Potter series are the second best book adapt ions. Of course there have been many terrific book adaptions many many decades ago such as Gone with the Wind, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations etc, but the older a film is, the more forgotten it will be. The Lord of The rings was phenomenal and has been the most breathtaking cinema experience I have ever had. The Harry Potters films are different – brilliant adaptations in their own right, but they already have my love from the books before I even go see the movies anyway which is like going to see my family fleshed out on screen.

I think that the HP films are very good we all know that they are very elaborate as far as detail- I dont think that LOTR went into as many detour stories as HP does- so that is a consideration. But I think both franchises are equally good and Im happy LOTR did well and HP got 2nd. Besides the HP movies get better with every one they make!

Well, absolutely, I think Gone with the Wind was the best book to movie. However, it’s not a children’s book and wasn’t on the list.

I’ve said all along that LOTR movies are better than the HP ones. But as books go, I’d rank HP much higher than LOTR.

I do have to agree with GadgetDon, though. I question LOTR being included on a list of children’s books. Most children I’ve talked to haven’t been able to read them on their own or relate to the characters. The movies weren’t really for children either.

Hate to admit it but the LOTR films are better, mainly because of a much bigger budget. But for those who think Peter Jackson didn’t take liberties with the book to film adaptation HE DID. I’ve read LOTR and he left out huge chunks, and added things that were never in the books. He also cut out the last battle (of the Shire) at the end of ROTK. So although the films are better, the purists still hated it.

Looks we’re in a love fest of agreement. LOTR was indeed a better adaptation of the books.

The problem with adapting HP has been the number of subplots and characters vs the reasonable length of the movie. Too much cutting necessary to get it short enough. Especially with the length of all the books since POA. LOTR was three books of more or less equal length and a very linear plot. Almost like the books were written to made into movies, whereas Jo just let her imagination run. And I love it, but it doesn’t make for easy adaptation.

I read “The Hobbit” and LOTR 40 odd years ago. I have always loved the story, and have re-read them a few times. OTOH, I’ve re-read HP many more times, looking for that “Oh! That’s what it was about!” moment. I still find them. Jo does that to you.

Wish I had the cash to bid on “Beedle the Bard”...

OMT

LOTR are my favorite films of all time (equally good as the books in their own way, IMO). I think the Harry Potter movies have been going down hill after the first 2 (not that 3-5 are bad).

This is too easy!

I love the HP and LOTR books. But for me, the LOTR films were WONDERFUL; truly good films on many levels. I just don’t think the HP films are in the same class.

BTW, thank you to those who mentioned Philip Pullman’s “Dark Materials” trilogy in previous threads. I just started reading “The Golden Compass”. WOW.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Harry Potter is definitely the REAL winner!!!!! BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peter Jackson took on this project (LOTR movies) in a way that most directors don’t. He took it on as a fan of the books, aiming to make this a great series of movies. Then he went back and added stuff to the last one, to make it even better. I agree, he did a better job with his movies than the HP movies have been, overall. I also think the Narnia movie was better than the HP movies.

In general, plot changes were made in all of them, but I thought the choices they made of what to change and how to change it were more logical for LOTR and Narnia than for the HP books. Not explaining the Marauders is a big gaping hole, as was the Priori Incantatum in GOF. Can’t wait for Prince Caspian.