Danger, this is not for those who don’t understand what I’m talking about. You most likely understand it one bit, so if you’re one of those, don’t try 
I am a huge fan of fantasy, fantasy movies, fantasy games, fantasy art, and all sorts of random internal whimsies. I played Dungeons and Dragons as a child, I grew up reading weird books with dragons and things. I knew the difference between a gnome and a hobbit. But somehow, I never read Lord of the Rings, or The Hobbit. This is strange. I knew the “Tolkien” world like the back of my hand, but I never read his works. How odd is that? I’m not sure how that happened. The only explanation I have is that I was totally absorbed with Star Wars and Star Trek novels back in the day. Every time I turned around there was another Star Wars novel to read. I have stacks of Star Wars paperbacks sitting around. Then, around 6-7th grade, instead of reading decent littlebooks, I started Heinlein. Then I read Douglas Adams, and then from there I launched into mythology. Greek and Norse mainly. Norse mythology is by far the coolest thing ever. I have read the stories several times, but I’m not even close to memorizing the tales. Those names! Those massive amazing Norse names! I want to name my child like one of those legendary heroes. Oh crap, I’m rambling.
So anyways, about a year and a half ago I read the Silmarillion. It was my first experience with Tolkien, and it almost drove me insane. For those who have read it, the first bit can be very daunting. And Several bits after that are pretty daunting also. But then I was swept away by it, it greatly reminded me of classic mythology, and the bible. The Silmarillion is by far one of my favorite books. If only Tolkien had been Immortal, he could have done what he did with Lord of the Rings for every story in the Silmarillion! Anyways, Then In december I saw the first LoTR movie, without having yet read the book. All I had was the background given in The Silmarillion. And all I can say was, it was beautiful. The greatest fantasy movie I have ever seen. There was so much detail, so many beautiful landscapes, just soooooooooo much. When I saw the movie, I didn’t know they had left anything at all out. And, now that I’ve read the book, I understand why certain things were left out, namely Tom Bombadill. I’m almost glad they took Bombadill out. In my mind, he is probably a completely different character than the one in your mind. He was one of those mysterious chracters, not completely defined, and if the story writers/ directors had tried to make him, they most likely would have blown it. Lots of people I talked to didn’t like the Balrog. Why is that? He was a beautiful representation of Tolkien’s demon creatures. The problem is that he defies the mental picture they have had for several years on what a Balrog is. Anyways thats my spiel. Hopefully that made some sense, if not, I’ll elaborate.
kk
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On that theme:
I think there is the added issue that most people who read about the characters (while they say they do) don’t actually have a specific image in their mind. They have an Idea of a person, aspects, manners — a vague shadow of reality in their mind.
Almost as if you have a vague idea of what someone looks like that you have never seen but only heard (radio DJs, Announcers, etc) – The reality of that image creates a cognisent dissonance and doesn’t seem “right.”
Likeways, the Balrog is sufficiently vague (nevermind the whole Wings debate) that the interpretation of his visage is varied enough to cause that dissonance with a specific representation of someone’s interpretation.
When one draws a picture or creates a costume, makeup a decision must be made on specifics.
While some characters/dress/etc.. may not have synched with my private imaginings of characters or places in the book, I could recognize that the versions I saw on the screen were defendable interpretations — They had basis in the language of the book.
As well, even though Tom Bombadil is most likely my favourite character (and chapter/s in the book), I fully understand with his removal from the movie version (and would likely have made the same decision myself).
I as well read Tolkien late. I didn’t read LotR until the summmer between my junior and senior year of high shool (and into the fall). I read and knew fantasy and scifi and played RPGs like D&D etc. LotR came along in the point of my life where I began to think for myself (that is, perhaps entertain the idea of critical thought while not really knowing what that meant). LotR helped me through that because the text and story and tone of the book moved me, spoke to me. (hopefully I’ll get through that seperate journal, eh?)
Damn, sorry to hog the space here, I have really rambled.
-=C
Re: On that theme:
No problem, it was interesting to read, and therefore worthy of the space
I agree. Well said.
whata bout other things. like how frodo lived in the shire for 30 years before he left. and how pippin and merry went along willingly. and the girl elf that “caught strider of his guard” was in fact a boy in the novel, and never caught him of his guard. frodo lived with the ringwraith wound for 13 days not starting to die instantly. i dont understand why all that was changed. but heck the movie is still wonderful.