User talk:Amroth/Screenplays/The Lay of Leithian

From Tolkien Gateway

Anyone interested in this project should look here. Firstly, there are several tasks. The first is to decide a name, as we would if this were going to be a real movie. "Lay of Leithian" would not work, for reasons that should be obvious. Other ideas are listed below. You can add them as you like.

Title Ideas[edit source]

  • Beren and Lúthien
  • Beren and the Two Jewels (pertaining to Lúthien and the Silmaril)
  • Quest for the Silmaril
  • Fairest (refering to Lúthien)


Now, there should probably be a prologue of introduction. Some ideas are listed below. Add ideas as you like.

Prologue Ideas[edit source]

  • Bilbo Baggins/Rúmil/??? takes down a book and begins to read
  • There is shown a shot like the opening of the movie National Treasure, showing a brief history of the elves, shifting from one event to another with a narrator in the background

Questions/suggestions/comments[edit source]

Purist's introduction...[edit source]

I know that Tolkien wrote the Tale of Tinuviel in story form, as well as the Lay of Lethian, but would the narrating thing come off a little corny or would it be better to stick to purism? Additionally not all of the information is entirely necessary and it may be better to keep from confustion...--Maeglin 15:14, 4 May 2008 (EDT)

Canto → Chapter[edit source]

Since Tolkien did not finish his lay, and as Canto is probably an incorrect word anyway, I am dividing up the book into Chapters, listed below. You may add on ideas as you wish.

One[edit source]

This chapter, after the prologue, gives a brief glimpse of the lives of the outlaws, and has Beren leave on a scouting mission. Then it recounts the betrayal and Beren's return and grief. It ends at the swearing of his oath and burying of his father.

Two[edit source]

This chapter shall include things only glanced over in the book and lay, besides Beren's recapture of his ring. This shall include his traversing the dangerous Ered Gorgoroth, and finishes when he ends up in Doriath.

In this section, isn't it a little strange how Beren talks to himself (for example "One of the Chilren of Ungoliant! I must get away from here!"

I don't mean to put down anyone's writing or anything, but it seems a tad strange. Please correct me if I am wrong, since I havn't read the version in the Lay of Lethian, but I think it could be represented differently...--Maeglin 15:14, 4 May 2008 (EDT)

Three[edit source]

Here we give insight into the life of Lúthien, Daeron, Thingol, and Melian. We really need this, if it is not in the book. I personally don't favor a basic recounting, but rather a short piece that introduces the relationship of Thingol and Melian, the love of Daeron for Lúthien, and etc.

Specific scene ideas:

  • Luthien and Daeron singing/playing music together in the forest. I think dialogue that reflects Daeron's adoration of Luthien, and possibly her discomfort about that, would go well.
I had a thought. Perhaps we should introduce Daeron as a bit more than a minor character? I think he would be good as a secondary character. Perhaps we could introduce Lúthien through Daeron, rather than the other way around. It is probably a bad idea, but it might work depending on the direction that this screenplay is going. --Narfil Palùrfalas 18:34, 21 December 2006 (EST)
  • Thingol's overprotectiveness of Luthien playing out-- maybe her asking to go somewhere outside the Girdle of Melian and him loudly refusing-- though Luthien's nature would have to be concieved beforehand (whether she's adventurous, or just content to stay in Doriath.)
Overprotectiveness? Protectiveness, perhaps. But I don't believe Thingol allowed anyone in his realm to go outside the Girdle without special permission. The main reason against Lúthien asking permission is that she would have no reason. Doriath was like a beleagured fortress; there were enemies on all sides for many miles around. What is more, Lúthien has dwelt there for hundreds of years. She would surely know the disposition of Thingol as to that option. Still, it would be good to show Thingol's love and protectiveness of her, so let's persue this discussion. --Narfil Palùrfalas 18:34, 21 December 2006 (EST)


  • Thingol's dislike of the Noldor; Melian's wisdom, keeping relations between her husband and the other Noldor in surrounding realms at least neutral. Maybe to explain the Girdle of Melian and those barred, a scene of some Noldorin Elves or orcs or mortals getting lost among the threshold.
  • The relationship between Galadriel and Luthien-- it would be a cool little Easter egg for those who liked LotR to see Galadriel in her younger, pre-Lothlorien years.
Galadriel wasn't in Doriath at this time, was she? If she was, I think this is a fine idea, so long as Galadriel didn't take over as a primary (or even secondary) character. --Narfil Palùrfalas 18:34, 21 December 2006 (EST)

General Discussion[edit source]

General Discussion should go beneath this title.

Conceptual Design[edit source]

Below shall be discussion for Conceptual Design, and below the discussion conceptual drawings.

Barahir[edit source]

Barahir should be a deep-voiced man clad in green and brown, with a short black beard.

Beren Erchamion[edit source]

Beren should be a living extension of his father, although when he's young, he should not have facial hair. When he's older, however, he should have a short beard. And he should look like a mixture of mannish and sindar styles.

Sauron[edit source]

Sauron, as Lord of Werewolves, I would imagine him in black armor with a wolf-skin draped over his back. His face should be sharp and cruel, though handsome, his voice cold but steady and evil, sharp as a knife.

Lúthien[edit source]

Lúthien should, most definitely, be very beautiful (fairest of all children of Ilúvitar). She has long, "shadowy" dark hair, and grey eyes (though they can be grey/blue). She is slender and tall, with a pale face and graceful bearing. Keep in mind, she has to look very ethereal; Beren coming upon her sees her as some sort of goddess, and she has elven power enough to enchant Huan, Beren, Sauron, and Morgoth.

Melian[edit source]

Very much like Lúthien; older, but still very beautiful. I imagine her as very regal, straight-- but kindly, and soft enough to intervene with Thingol.

Thingol[edit source]

Thingol is tall and handsome, with a nose like those of Roman emperors, and eyes beneath dark brows. His hands are large, and in them he constantly clutches a staff with a leaf design at the top. His movements are slow and controlled, and it is only in his eyes and voice can it be told when he is angry. He tends to wear gray, and his crown is silver, though his vambraces and the trim to his clothes are a somber shade of green.

Morgoth Bauglir[edit source]

Like Sauron(without the wolf-skin), but taller. his eyes should be like knives to the audience. Also, he should look terrifying, helmet or no helmet. (see either Ted Nasmith's Morgoth or John Howe's for what I mean).

Finrod Felagund[edit source]

Finrod is tall and handsome, with long golden hair, and a face that is naturally filled with mirth. Though his bearing is steady and regal, his eyes are merry, and his voice is kind and hospitable.

Doriath[edit source]

Nargothrond[edit source]

Angband and Morgoth's chamber[edit source]

Like Menegroth, only black and corrupt.

Screenplay extension[edit source]

There is a Screenlay Extension available for MediaWiki, should I give a go at installing it? Should be fairly easy to implement but it's up to you guys. --Hyarion 19:48, 14 August 2006 (EDT)

Looks good to me. I'd say do it. By the way, I discovered this by Helge Fauskanger. Very interesting, and he brings forth strong arguments. Enough that I am convinced. And his sub-screenplay is well-worked out as well. --Narfil Palùrfalas 16:25, 1 September 2006 (EDT)

Morgoth[edit source]

By the way, Sauron wouldn't refer to him as "Morgoth" but rather as "Melkor." Morgoth was the name the elves gave to Melkor. Unsigned comment by 63.162.143.21 (talk • contribs).