Tolkien’s positive first reaction to a Hollywood attempt at adaptation “The Lord of the Rings”According to “Middle-earth Envisioned,”Forrest J. Ackerman (American sci-fi editor), producer Al Brodax and Morton Grady Zimmerman (writer) approached the author to discuss their idea for an animated Middle-earth movie.
Tolkien was first impressed by their beauty. “astonishingly good pictures,”In the style of Arthur Rackham, a celebrated literary illustrator “rather than Disney.”However, he was less impressed with the storyline which included a “blurring of climaxes,” “general degradation,”There are far too many eagles. Team Ackerman was granted the rights, mainly because Tolkien believed that he could acquire either “very profitable terms”Or an author’s right to veto “objectionable features”Please refer to the script.
Zimmerman soon sent Tolkien detailed information about his experiences. “Lord of the Rings” story. Tolkien’s response, Ackerman was written in Letter 210Zimmerman was anything but appreciative. Zimmerman’s carelessness in writing the narrative was a major problem. It seems that it contained many of the creative freedoms that would lead to the explosion of the internet today. Tolkien’s biggest criticism was the tone. “a preference for fights” “no serious attempt to represent the heart of the tale adequately.”
The Ackerman project ended in an unfortunate death. He requested rights extensions and the project was shut down. “was not accompanied by a suitable rights payment.”Tolkien was forever aware of the difficulties that he faced in adapting his writing.