Sanderson deconstructs tolkien, claims ‘lord of the rings’ cheat on trilogy ranking
Brandon Sanderson is deep in a critical examination of cinematic history, and his latest deep dive into the best movie trilogies has unearthed some surprisingly pointed opinions – particularly regarding The Lord of the Rings.
A tolkien obsession fuels a controversial top spot
During an episode of his ‘Intentionally Blank’ podcast with Dan Wells, the prolific author dissected the merits of various trilogies, ultimately crowning The Lord of the Rings as the undisputed champion. But Sanderson’s reasoning isn’t simply a nostalgic endorsement; it’s a meticulous dissection of the film’s very construction.
“It was made knowing it would be a trilogy,” he explained, adding a crucial caveat: “Lord of the Rings is cheating because it has the source material, but they could have ruined that source material and they didn’t.” Sanderson, a self-proclaimed expert on Tolkien's work – he's even slated to deliver a lecture on the books’ lasting impact on fantasy literature on May 19th – clearly believes the films captured the essence of Tolkien’s vision with remarkable fidelity.
Peter jackson’s elevating touch
Despite his bias, Sanderson acknowledged Peter Jackson’s significant contributions. “I just reread the books,” he stated, “And there are a ton of places where Peter Jackson added a bunch that is great.” He specifically cited enhanced narrative tension in scenes like Sam’s departure from Frodo, and the strengthened impact of the Battle of Helm’s Deep – a moment he described as “way stronger” than its textual counterpart.
“I know this is blasphemy,” Sanderson conceded, “but Tolkien wrote the books in an era where he didn’t have what we have now — which is almost 75 years more of how to build arcs and how to deal with them.” The implication is clear: the films benefitted from decades of narrative development and storytelling techniques that simply didn’t exist during Tolkien’s time. It’s a fascinating argument, highlighting the evolution of storytelling itself.
The staying power of middle-earth
The success of the Lord of the Rings films, which returned to theaters earlier this year and generated over $5 million in pre-sales, speaks volumes. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of the story and the masterful adaptation. But the subsequent Hobbit trilogy and Amazon’s Rings of Power series haven't enjoyed the same level of critical or commercial adoration – a reality Sanderson doesn’t shy away from addressing. The future of the franchise now rests on projects like the upcoming Hunt for Gollum and the Shadow of the Past sequel, and whether they can recapture that initial magic.
Ultimately, Sanderson's analysis offers a nuanced perspective on a cinematic landmark, revealing not just a love for Tolkien, but a deep understanding of the craft of storytelling itself – and a healthy dose of critical appraisal.