In theatres: 'Desolation of Smaug' [2] SPOILERS

 

"You can unearth thousands of priceless artifacts while plowing the fields or digging ditches and post holes. Do you get any credit?" - David

I get the feeling we've been on this subject before, but in Norway there are plenty of farmers who find stuff and never say anything about it as the government practically seizes their property and they get nothing in return.

The way it is over here, if you find something of significance you're supposed to report it. If you're constructing something and everything goes ideally, your project may only be delayed a few days or weeks while an archaeological SWAT team does an assessment.

But if there is any evidence of Native American graves being disturbed, all bets are off. There has been a recent act of Congress called the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and some far-reaching federal court decisions that trump almost any right of ownership. Best thing to do for everybody is just put you shovel down and walk away.

Ayup Jason...

Nice and Eloquent points as usual. I'm having the same kind of argument with someone on TORN, who sees no wrong from Peter Jackson... He's another of the disconcertingly larger and more vocal amount of 'Fans' who now seem to want to force the film rights issue for the SIlmarillion. Safe I know whilst Christopher Tolkien is alive, but whither when he's dead ? will the Tolkien Estate trade the money from a Silmarillion film to pay death duties just as Tolkien did to settle HIS Tax bill ? I sure hope not.

It's highly unlikely that Christopher's successors at the Estate will sell the rights, and that's assuming that his will allows them to do so.  The Estate is also pretty stable financially; they are able to donate generously to charity; that's actually one of their main functions.

Well there you go then. All quiet on the Western Front.
It is only the local fools who are claiming they see marching armies on the horizon.

Eldorion wrote:It's highly unlikely that Christopher's successors at the Estate will sell the rights, and that's assuming that his will allows them to do so.  The Estate is also pretty stable financially; they are able to donate generously to charity; that's actually one of their main functions.

Ayu Eldo...

And I know and appreciate that, but there are those elsewhere who are suggesting 'spin-offs' titled something like 'Tales of Numenor' or 'Tales of the Northmen' which may be skewed to be close (but no cigar !) to the Silmarillion... But it's all still pressure, isn't it ?

Well some of that stuff could arguably be made because the Appendices discuss Numenor and the Northmen, but the vast majority of our knowledge of those groups comes from Unfinished Tales, so the Estate might try to challenge such an adaptation even though they've turned a blind eye to PJ's slight borrowing from UT thus far. Any potential spin-off project would have to tread a very fine line with regards to source material they have access to.

Im feeling that after this fiasco that is The Hobbit the Tolkien Est will double up their security & make sure any Will is water tight. I should also imagine any Will, if made, will be read thrice over by competant officials to make sure it IS water tight & that no grubby little New Zealander or any other grubby grasping greedy git can make profit out of the Tolkien name. Plus, legalities are bloody expensive, writs & notices are expensive. So can bad publicity be also.Amazing how all these years later, after Tolkien has sailed off for Valinor, we are still worried by & talking of.

Ayup Eldo...

But its such a tenuous link to exploit innit ? All I see in my head is something akin to 'Mortal Kombat'... The series !

Azzy, as to any will, I'm glad that there are still folks that care about the profs Legacy.

Pettytyrant101 wrote:Thanks Forest- I put it here- http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=767925;page=2;sb=post_time;so=DESC;mh=25;guest=118797898

Unfortunately the following exchange between Bombadil and myself has been pulled and is no longer there- although I do notice that someone else has responded since last I looked at that thread.

Excellent work there Mr. Petty, as usual you hit the nail soundly upon the head. Your points are well stated and I don't see how any reasonable true lover of the book could argue them. Of course there is the standard response of " I think the movies are great and Jackson did a great job"
I wish there was a emoticon of someone poking their own eyes out I would use it at this juncture.

Keep up the good work.

You will all be pleased to know DOS was a film on the plane to the U.S when we flew here so I have finally put myself through it.

All I will say for now is that I am glad I didnt have much else to do at the time.

and?......

And I thought plane travel was uncomfortable enough as is.

Good God, I would not be caught dead watching that film in public.

Funny turn of phrase We British say that also. If you were dead you wouldnt be ABLE to watch it

"If you were dead you wouldnt be ABLE to watch it"

Oh, how I wish.

Now, Bungo, I hope you mean you wish the HOBBIT was dead ( & buried ) cos if not ?......IL have to come right over and spank your arse with................a really soft feather pillow till you DO end up laughing ! AND iL have to sing ALL the Disney songs I know, no matter how out of tune ! OK ?!

Someone once said the stupidest wish in the english language was "I wish I was dead," said in moments when someone is doing something horrible to you. As it obviously should be "I wish you were dead" to whoever is doing it.

Mmmmm agreed, We never really think what we are saying half the time.

Or the modern use of "to die for".
There are a few principles I'd be willing to give my life for (though not eagerly), but things like chocolate cake and good wine just don't make that list.

Yep, thats another silly one, & used so glibbly. "Cant wait for."....... is another. well you 'll just have to wait wont you, what other alternative is there ?

Have your cake and eat it too.... what else are you supposed to do with cake when you have it? I thought eating it would be the minimum requirement....?

The Fjordian version of "Have your cake and eat it too" is a little better, I think: "To get (something) in both bag and backpack".

Lancebloke wrote:Have your cake and eat it too.... what else are you supposed to do with cake when you have it? I thought eating it would be the minimum requirement....?

I never got that one either, but someone I read/heard once that the original version was "eat your cake and still have it", which makes a lot more sense.