11 Days: Ranger

Whether you're the hugest Tolkien geek on the planet or one of those "only seen the movie" people, you will definitely have heard the tale of Beren and Luthien.  It's a central aspect of Tolkien's world, and one of his most beautiful stories.  In a quick summary that doesn't even begin to do the tale justice:

Beren is a mortal man of noble birth who comes upon Luthien, the daughter of the Elven king Thingol and the most beautiful woman in the world dancing in the woods.  They fall in love but when her father, who hates men, learns about this romance he tells Beren that he can only marry Luthien if he recovers one of the Silmarils in Morgoth's crown.  Beren and Luthien together manage to  steal the Silmaril, but Beren loses the jewel and the hand that held it to the wolf of Angband, Carcharoth, while they are escaping.  The two return to Thingol who gives them his blessing, but shortly after Beren is slain by the wolf.  Luthien dies of grief not long after, but she is so beautiful and persuasive that the Valar allow her and Beren to return to Arda and live happily for a little while before they both die as mortals for good.

If you want the full tale, Tolkien has a chapter about them in "The Silmarillion", which is available online.

The movie I'm reviewing today is a fan-made spinoff of the tale of Beren and Luthien.  It is charming and well-made, though of necessity it cuts out most of the story.  Unfortunately, this includes some of the best parts.  Huan and Finrod are completely left out, as is Melian, and Luthien doesn't accompany Beren on his quest to redeem the Silmaril, which is in this case a jewel stolen by a dragon.  Nonetheless, it is a fun, short film, and a great look at one of the most important parts of Tolkien's work that is rarely given its due.

Ranger, on Youtube