When I first watched the movie and read the Lord of the Rings books, I instinctively new there were truths in this book (and so in the film) that were deeply Christian. Good and Evil, sacrifice that was an important part of the story, immortality, degradation of a person due to over-attachment to material things, God-the-Creator and the Evil Spirit that tries to corrupt all beings of the Middle-Earth with his servants who do his bidding. But having watched this program I was stunned how much the Lord of the Rings is actually deeply rooted in Catholicism, in the Truths that were revealed to us by God and through His Church, however allegorical these are in movie.
The Good and Evil in the film are not what the relativism-obsessed (or possessed?) modern society make them to be: a subjective opinions that depend entirely on the general public consensus on the subject or, on the individual level, on what you and I perceive good or evil to be. No, in Tolkien's universe these are objective realities of Good and Evil that exist, just as they are in Church's teaching, the God's view, exist regardless of the prevailing public opinions of the given time.
There is an amazing reenactment of the conversation between J.R.R. Tolkien and and C.S. Lewis on the existence of God and myths as well as a few important short monologues by both in this program. I loved the bits of artwork in the film as well, depicting the Lord of the Rings universe. Somehow they ring more true, mysterious and beautiful than in the movie.
I thoroughly enjoy listening to Joseph Pearce. His detailed and logical approach in telling the story, whether it's a biography or an analysis of a book is very clear and right to the point. There are a few of talks by Joseph Pearce on same subject on YouTube that give even more details about allegories to the Catholic Faith in the Lord of the Rings. One is given at Christendom College, another is called Courage given at the University of Saint Mary which also talks about C.S. Lewis, and a few others. He also made a similar film on The Hobbit about Catholic themes in the books and a series on William Shakespeare's Catholicism in his works. All are highly recommended for anyone who want to get a better understanding of the works of these authors and how their world views were reflected in their works.
The Good and Evil in the film are not what the relativism-obsessed (or possessed?) modern society make them to be: a subjective opinions that depend entirely on the general public consensus on the subject or, on the individual level, on what you and I perceive good or evil to be. No, in Tolkien's universe these are objective realities of Good and Evil that exist, just as they are in Church's teaching, the God's view, exist regardless of the prevailing public opinions of the given time.
There is an amazing reenactment of the conversation between J.R.R. Tolkien and and C.S. Lewis on the existence of God and myths as well as a few important short monologues by both in this program. I loved the bits of artwork in the film as well, depicting the Lord of the Rings universe. Somehow they ring more true, mysterious and beautiful than in the movie.
I thoroughly enjoy listening to Joseph Pearce. His detailed and logical approach in telling the story, whether it's a biography or an analysis of a book is very clear and right to the point. There are a few of talks by Joseph Pearce on same subject on YouTube that give even more details about allegories to the Catholic Faith in the Lord of the Rings. One is given at Christendom College, another is called Courage given at the University of Saint Mary which also talks about C.S. Lewis, and a few others. He also made a similar film on The Hobbit about Catholic themes in the books and a series on William Shakespeare's Catholicism in his works. All are highly recommended for anyone who want to get a better understanding of the works of these authors and how their world views were reflected in their works.
