Tolkien expert at University of Oklahoma reflects on films, books

BY MATT PATTERSON mpatterson@opubco.com | Published: December 20, 2012 | Modified: December 19, 2012 at 8:27 pm

Janet Croft, head of access services at the University of Oklahoma’s Bizzell Memorial Library, looks at a J.R.R. Tolkien book at the library. An expert on Tolkien, she received a screen credit line in “The Hobbit.” Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

Janet Croft, head of access services at the University of Oklahoma’s Bizzell Memorial Library, looks at a J.R.R. Tolkien book at the library. An expert on Tolkien, she received a screen credit line in “The Hobbit.” Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman

And Tolkien's work is as popular as ever, in print and on film. The fantasy genre has become a go-to source of escape for teenagers around the world.

“Fantasy speaks to something inside of us,” Croft said. “There's a quote from one of my favorite fantasy authors that says humans need fantasy to be human. It helps us understand bigger, deeper things more than a straightforward story does.”

Croft said Peter Jackson's films have been visually stunning but don't always capture the true spirit of Tolkien's work.

“Jackson is a horror director,” she said. “He likes to show things before they should be shown. He telegraphs things. In the current movie, the spiders attack Radagast's house, but in the books, we don't see them until what should be the second movie of this trilogy. Now they won't be much of a surprise.”

Croft will present a discussion in Albuquerque about Tolkien's Christmas letters and has explored the idea of helping to teach a Tolkien class at OU. She also has introduced her daughter to the books. It's safe to say reading his work and the works of others is her favorite pastime.

“The research is something I really enjoy,” she said. “That can lead you in so many directions, and you learn so much in the process.”

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