LotR and British Accents?

[KnowTheToe]

You know, I have no idea! Why would a boot need straps? I'm going to look it up!

My understanding after a quick search is old fashion boots were very difficult to put on because they had no zippers or elastic etc. The boots had long straps that you could grab with both hands and pull your boot on. Maybe when laying down on your back, you could pull yourself into a sitting position.

 

[Templetroll]

Hey, the Imperials have cool uniforms.

As I understand it, the cooler the uniform the more likely that military will lose the war.

 

[DanMcS]

Well, then Sauron is screwed, because those Southrons (?) in the second movie were pretty darn spiffy, while the Ithilien rangers just had cloaks. And Saruman should have known better than to dress all his tough guys up with that cool white warpaint.

 

[Sulimo]

So were most of the Imperials. I hate the way that English accent = bad guy 99% of the time. If it were any other nation, it would be called racism, discrimination or some such, but everyone seems to have a free pass to insult the English.

But they weren't. The bad guys were just those US accented (mostly) terrorists attempting to destroy civilisation.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

My understanding after a quick search is old fashion boots were very difficult to put on because they had no zippers or elastic etc. The boots had long straps that you could grab with both hands and pull your boot on. Maybe when laying down on your back, you could pull yourself into a sitting position.

I think it's more figurative than literal. I think it means you can lift yourself up into the air, so to speak, by pulling on your bootstraps. Sort of like how Baron Munchausen pulled himself up out of the water by pulling on his own ponytail.

 

[jdavis]

I'm pretty sure it's the same thing as the little loops of leather at the tops of many cowboy boots, the boot strap deal not the British accent deal. British accents usually mean dignified, cultured and old. Oh and evil evil evil. Irish drink and eat potatoes and have a thing for short guys with pots of gold and police work, Italians all drive Z28's and are in the mob, Orientals all know Karate. Americans can't keep track of other countries unless we hook a insulting stereotype to them (you mean that not everybody in France is a chef or a mime?). It's part of our unique charm that we just don't get it, and don't stereotype us as fat, lazy and rude, were just big boned.

I didn't notice a problem with accents in the movie although I had a hard time placing Gollum's.

 

[Sixchan]

So were most of the Imperials. I hate the way that English accent = bad guy 99% of the time. If it were any other nation, it would be called racism, discrimination or some such, but everyone seems to have a free pass to insult the English. We take it in good humour, but look what happens when we try to give some of it back - people start crying.

Oh well, that's Hollywood for you. I'm sure I'm oversensitive and am imagining it.

Yeah, but English bad guys are cool. Well, only posh English bad guys. Every baddie should be English, and every hero should be Scottish.

I placed Gollum as "House Elf". Gollum...Dobby...Gollum...Dobby...
Similarity? Coincidence? I DON'T THINK SO!

 

[Henry]

I hate the way that English accent = bad guy 99% of the time.

I think you are looking at it from the wrong angle, Russ. Remember that said bad guys are ALSO almost always sophisticated and erudite. Any time Hollywood wants to communicate that someone is "proper", or "old world," or "sophisticated", a BBC-version British accent is used. Anytime they want to portray someone as "low-brow", "salt-of-the-earth" or "unsophisticated" yet not stupid, they either have (A) a New York Bronx accent, or (B) a pronounced " 'ere, guvner" Cockney accent. Anytime they want to portray someone as "a damned stupid redneck", they give them a U.S. Southeastern Accent.

So look at it this way - in the Hollywood Stereotyping Biosphere, you're at the top of the food chain!

 

[John Crichton]

it simply must be said...

True, the Rebel Alliance all look like scruffy nerfherders.

Who you callin' scruffy?


And on the accents... only Mel Gibson hates the British. I've always interpreted a British accent to mean the speaker has some kind of noble-esque background. Or maybe I've watched too many movies....

:: edited for spelling ::

 

[Plane Sailing]

On the British == villans thing, I wonder if actors find the villans are often more interesting than the heroes to play? After all, you are much more likely to get a coveted "death scene" and it is a major role... Although I've tended to assume that it is also because we don't have a special interest group that can get offended over in Hollywood on our behalf too

BTW, I thought the funniest thing with accents was in Robin Hood, prince of thieves. It was interesting hearing the Northern accents for a change, but side-splittingly funny when Robin Hood (US accent) suddenly realises that Will Scarlet (only "merry man" with US accent) is a brother separated at birth.

Regarding LotR, I'm completely happy with the accents portrayed in the film. At least none of them is mancunian! (ducks)