J.R.R. Tolkien - Beren and Luthien

J.R.R. Tolkien’s Beren and Luthien Screenplay adaptation

©

2004 by Joe Beasley jbeasley@rivendellschool.org

J.R.R. Tolkien’s Beren and Luthien

Adapted from

The Silmarillion

,

The Lays of Beleriand

, andThe Appendices of

The Return of the King

Screenplay AdaptationJoe D. Beasley IV

“Luthien,” a Mandela by J.R.R. Tolkien

Page 2

J.R.R. Tolkien’s Beren and Luthien Screenplay adaptation

©

2004 by Joe Beasley jbeasley@rivendellschool.org

Cast and Background

Master Samwise Gamgee – Age 56, Mayor of Hobbiton and father of ninechildren. When not devoting time to Hobbiton, Sam continues to garden.Rosie Gamgee – 54 and pregnant, wife of Sam.Peregrin Took – (Pippin), 46, Thain to the King.Merriadoc Brandybuck – (Merry), 54, Master of Buckland.Elanor Gamgee – 15

,

becomes a lady to Queen Arwen.Rose Gamgee – 11Frodo Gamgee – 13Other Hobbits – Diamond Took (Pippin’s wife), 41; Estella Brandybuck (Merry

’s

wife), 51; Merry Gamgee, 9; Pippin Gamgee, 7; Goldilocks Gamgee, 5; HamfastGamgee, 4; Daisy Gamgee, 3; Primrose Gamgee, 1; Faramir Took, 6.

Note: Hobbits take longer to reach maturity and live a bit longer than humans. Most notably,Hobbits do come of age until 33, when they leave their ‘tweens’ behind.

Melian – She was sent by the Valar (the Lords of the West) to lead the elves tothe western lands. Melian is kin to the Valar and so is a divine spirit in awoman’s form. Her hair is dark; her skin glows, and her eyes shine with immortalgrace. Nightingales always accompany Melian, and she mirrors them in manyways. Long ago, she fell in love with elven Thingol. They married and becameKing and Queen of Doriath. By her magic, she protects the borders of thekingdom with mazes of illusion. She also possesses the power of sight andknows that change is coming soon to Doriath.King Thingol – He is King of the largest group of elves in Middle Earth known asthe grey elves. Elu Thingol translates into “Grey Mantle,” a name given chieflybecause of his long flowing silver hair. He is very tall, even for an elf but is alsograceful and powerful. Long ago before the dawn of the world, Thingol was sentwest as an emissary to visit the lands of the Valar over the seas. Returning toMiddle Earth, he embarked on a journey to lead his people from the lands ofawakening to the shores of Middle Earth and then on to Valinor, the land of theValar. This quest, he never completed, falling away upon finding sleeping Melianin a starlit grove. Under the spell of love, he was lost for a time. Some elvescontinued westward, but others remained in mid-journey. Thingol woke from hislong trance and began to gather all of those that had stayed behind. With thehelp of Melian, he created the Kingdom of Doriath. Menegroth, the “thousandcaves” of his palace, was carved from natural forms by the arts of friendlydwarves.

Page 3

J.R.R. Tolkien’s Beren and Luthien Screenplay adaptation

©

2004 by Joe Beasley jbeasley@rivendellschool.org

Cast and Background

(continued)King Thingol

(continued)

– After more than an age, elves known as the Nolderreturned from the western lands. Thingol welcomed these elven princes and theirfollowers by giving them Kingdoms of their own to help protect against the threatof Morgoth. As time passed, Thingol grew mistrustful of the newcomers exceptfor his kin such as the Lady Galadhriel. He became protective, not allowing anyto enter the Kingdom without his leave. Melian, using her divine powers, createdthe “Girdle of Melian,” a barrier of magic and madness that has caused Doriath tobecome a hidden kingdom. On the north side of Doriath, is “Dorthonian,” akingdom of men. Of these Thingol is suspicious, fearing Men because offoreboding dreams. Thingol’s most prized possession is his daughter, Luthien,who shares in the immortal grace of her mother.Morgoth – He is a great Dark Lord of great power and self-doubt. As the mostpowerful of the Valar, he lives in the underground fortress of Angband that sitsunder the thunderous volcanic peaks of Thangorodrim. From there, he directsarmies of orcs and other more evil creatures to attack the kingdoms of elves andmen. Being of the Valar, he is tall as a tree and is formidable, casting a fearsomeshadow in black iron armor. On his head sits an iron crown containing the threeshining jewels known as the Silmarils. These are the most beautiful objects evercreated of any craft, made by Fëanor long ago in the west. In their facets arepreserved the light of the “two trees.” Morgoth stole the Silmarils from Fëanorand fled to Angband. Under the mountains, the Silmarils lie hidden, imprisoned iniron, casting a powerful light that burns Morgoth with the fire of his own malice.Beren – He is prince of Dorthonian, a Kingdom north of Doriath. Beren, son ofBarahir, is a descendent from the royal line of Bëor, a race of dark-haired menthat help protect the elven kingdoms from Morgoth. Theirs is a primitive society ofhunter-gatherers and farmers. Early in this tale, the dark forces of Morgothoverrun Dorthonian. Most flee, but Barahir and his son Beren, along with ten ofthe bravest men stay behind becoming outlaws in their own land. Because oftreachery (omitted in this script) orcs kill all the brigands except for Beren, whowas out on a scouting mission. Alone, he heads south to Doriath. From thisharrowing journey he ages acquiring grey streaks in his hair and wear on hisface. By accident or fate, he comes upon Luthien in the woods and falls intoforbidden love with her. Their love is discovered, and Beren is forced to confrontThingol. Not wanting to lose his daughter to a mortal, Thingol sends Beren on animpossible quest to secure a Silmaril from Morgoth’s crown.Sauron – Strong, swarthy, and wolf-like, Sauron is captain of the werewolvesunder Morgoth’s command. He is cruel and not less evil than Morgoth himself.His fortress is a former elf tower on an island in the river Sirion. Sauron has thepower of transformation and often becomes a werewolf like those he commands.