Tolkien’s life – Disney style

There is a new movie coming out and it is supposed to chronicle the life of the man who wrote Lord of the Rings, JRR Tolkien.

He is a fascinating subject for a movie – an extremely talented writer – veteran of the First World War and one of a group of outstanding Oxford scholars who were also Christians.

Unfortunately, this new movie by Disney, will not feature any of Tolkien’s faith.

According to the film’s director faith was left out because it is boring – difficult to visualize.

“It’s like watching an encyclopedia.” he said.

That just shows he is not the storyteller Tolkien was. There have been some runaway hits which depict faith on screen. The multi-Oscar winning Chariots of Fire is just one. In the past couple of years, films featuring faith have turned box office expectations upside down.

What a missed opportunity to tell the true and exciting story of a man of faith.

I’m Russell Powell for the NSW Council of Churches.