Madam, - I am slightly bemused that Jane Coffey (December 27th) finds the message that physical deformity or disability are equivalent to evil in the third Lord of the Rings film. The Orcs, or baddies, are ugly, yet hardly disabled. The two are not synonymous.
The good guys, on the other hand, suffer from a range of complaints. The Hobbits are vertically challenged, being about three feet tall. Gimli the Dwarf is not much bigger. Gandalf and the elegant elves are well stricken in years, and indeed centuries. Aragorn has the look of an Irish traditional musician who has attended one festival too many.
The excellent adaptations of Tolkien's work are far more than "supposed entertainment for children". Anyway,I would not dream of bringing a child to see them; they are far too violent. But that is another argument. - Yours, etc.,
PATRICK HARROLD,
Blacklion,
Co Cavan.
Madam, - The heroes of the Lord of the Rings films are four hobbits - scraggy-haired folk no more than three feet six inches tall - a white-haired, white-bearded old man, a wrinkle-faced, heavily bearded dwarf and a man who could be classified as dashing and handsome. Hardly a line-up for a beauty contest.
This group of very diverse people come together for a common goal: survival through the defeat of evil. Throughout the three films these diverse characters show that through co-operation, sacrifice, facing their fears and battling against almost insurmountable odds, anything can be achieved.
I think this is a wonderful message for children and people of all ages.
I cannot understand Jane Coffey's interpretation of this adventure. I would ask her to watch it again and look for the positive messages. - Yours, etc.,
CONOR BRENNAN,
Dundrum,
Dublin 14.