there’s epic fantasy and then there is epic fantasy welcome to watchmojo.com
epic fantasy welcome to watchmojo.com
epic fantasy welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll be comparing Game of
and today we’ll be comparing Game of
and today we’ll be comparing Game of Thrones and the Lord of the Rings to
Thrones and the Lord of the Rings to
Thrones and the Lord of the Rings to decide in a night dark and full of
decide in a night dark and full of
decide in a night dark and full of terrors which story is the one to rule
terrors which story is the one to rule
terrors which story is the one to rule them all
them all
them all before we begin we publish new videos
before we begin we publish new videos
before we begin we publish new videos every day so be sure to subscribe for
every day so be sure to subscribe for
every day so be sure to subscribe for more great content we’ll be looking at a
more great content we’ll be looking at a
more great content we’ll be looking at a range of elements considering both the
range of elements considering both the
range of elements considering both the books and the TV and film adaptations so
books and the TV and film adaptations so
books and the TV and film adaptations so many have come to know and love round
many have come to know and love round
many have come to know and love round one world building he won’t be a boy
one world building he won’t be a boy
one world building he won’t be a boy forever winter is coming
forever winter is coming
forever winter is coming anyone who has read or watched Game of
anyone who has read or watched Game of
anyone who has read or watched Game of Thrones or a Song of Ice and Fire as the
Thrones or a Song of Ice and Fire as the
Thrones or a Song of Ice and Fire as the print series is called notice that it is
print series is called notice that it is
print series is called notice that it is so well built you think it hit the gym
so well built you think it hit the gym
so well built you think it hit the gym every morning each major house of
every morning each major house of
every morning each major house of Westeros contains complicated family
Westeros contains complicated family
Westeros contains complicated family trees and each town has its own history
trees and each town has its own history
trees and each town has its own history mapped out for centuries and not just in
mapped out for centuries and not just in
mapped out for centuries and not just in Westeros because oh no this is world
Westeros because oh no this is world
Westeros because oh no this is world building while george RR martin did not
building while george RR martin did not
building while george RR martin did not create the languages that were later
create the languages that were later
create the languages that were later used in the HBO series he did produce
used in the HBO series he did produce
used in the HBO series he did produce creation myths religions traditions
creation myths religions traditions
creation myths religions traditions culture and history for the Seven
culture and history for the Seven
culture and history for the Seven Kingdoms and across the Narrow Sea for
Kingdoms and across the Narrow Sea for
Kingdoms and across the Narrow Sea for the night is dark and full of terrors
the night is dark and full of terrors
the night is dark and full of terrors whether to sin the rifles that the sun’s
whether to sin the rifles that the sun’s
whether to sin the rifles that the sun’s first light printed on the top of the
first light printed on the top of the
first light printed on the top of the trees j.r.r tolkien is the Alexander the
trees j.r.r tolkien is the Alexander the
trees j.r.r tolkien is the Alexander the Great of fantasy world building in
Great of fantasy world building in
Great of fantasy world building in creating Lord of the Rings and
creating Lord of the Rings and
creating Lord of the Rings and middle-earth he created not just a world
middle-earth he created not just a world
middle-earth he created not just a world but a complex creation mythology
but a complex creation mythology
but a complex creation mythology including functional languages that can
including functional languages that can
including functional languages that can still be learned by enthusiasts to this
still be learned by enthusiasts to this
still be learned by enthusiasts to this day if the details of lineage and
day if the details of lineage and
day if the details of lineage and history seem extra rich and sometimes
history seem extra rich and sometimes
history seem extra rich and sometimes exhaustively detailed in Lord of the
exhaustively detailed in Lord of the
exhaustively detailed in Lord of the Rings it’s because they are the world of
Rings it’s because they are the world of
Rings it’s because they are the world of middle-earth extends past what is
middle-earth extends past what is
middle-earth extends past what is contained in the print trilogy or even
contained in the print trilogy or even
contained in the print trilogy or even the film’s there is much more to
the film’s there is much more to
the film’s there is much more to Tolkien’s extended universe if any
Tolkien’s extended universe if any
Tolkien’s extended universe if any cinematic or bibliographic fantasy world
cinematic or bibliographic fantasy world
cinematic or bibliographic fantasy world is described as tolkien-esque well you
is described as tolkien-esque well you
is described as tolkien-esque well you know who to tip your wizard’s hat to
know who to tip your wizard’s hat to
know who to tip your wizard’s hat to winner Lord of the Rings
you see round two heroes
you see round two heroes I’ve killed brothers of the Nights Watch
I’ve killed brothers of the Nights Watch
I’ve killed brothers of the Nights Watch I’ve killed wildlings I’ve killed men I
I’ve killed wildlings I’ve killed men I
I’ve killed wildlings I’ve killed men I admire I hand a boy younger than bran
admire I hand a boy younger than bran
admire I hand a boy younger than bran what makes villains great can ironically
what makes villains great can ironically
what makes villains great can ironically make heroes frustrating
make heroes frustrating
make heroes frustrating maybe we’re just being too
maybe we’re just being too
maybe we’re just being too black-and-white about it but when
black-and-white about it but when
black-and-white about it but when rooting for a side in a fantasy world
rooting for a side in a fantasy world
rooting for a side in a fantasy world it’s nice to feel that one can make a
it’s nice to feel that one can make a
it’s nice to feel that one can make a solid moral choice that’s not to say the
solid moral choice that’s not to say the
solid moral choice that’s not to say the heroes of Westeros and Beyond are not
heroes of Westeros and Beyond are not
heroes of Westeros and Beyond are not remarkable they are remarkably human
remarkable they are remarkably human
remarkable they are remarkably human with all their failings in tow Jon Snow
with all their failings in tow Jon Snow
with all their failings in tow Jon Snow makes hard and at times shocking
makes hard and at times shocking
makes hard and at times shocking judgment calls as Lord Commander of the
judgment calls as Lord Commander of the
judgment calls as Lord Commander of the Nights Watch Daenerys is willing to use
Nights Watch Daenerys is willing to use
Nights Watch Daenerys is willing to use entire city states as a training ground
entire city states as a training ground
entire city states as a training ground on how to justly rule and Arya as a
on how to justly rule and Arya as a
on how to justly rule and Arya as a damaged girl who has maybe the coldest
damaged girl who has maybe the coldest
damaged girl who has maybe the coldest kills in the show it’s a thin line
kills in the show it’s a thin line
kills in the show it’s a thin line between the good they pursue and the
between the good they pursue and the
between the good they pursue and the domination envisioned by their more
domination envisioned by their more
domination envisioned by their more villainous counterparts you’re no one
nothing they may be somewhat narrowly
nothing they may be somewhat narrowly drawn but the heroes of Lord of the
drawn but the heroes of Lord of the
drawn but the heroes of Lord of the Rings are beacons of virtue and hope
Rings are beacons of virtue and hope
Rings are beacons of virtue and hope resoundingly good and honorable while
resoundingly good and honorable while
resoundingly good and honorable while Boromir was a little complicated their
Boromir was a little complicated their
Boromir was a little complicated their traits are drawn from classic literary
traits are drawn from classic literary
traits are drawn from classic literary epics loyalty honesty concern for the
epics loyalty honesty concern for the
epics loyalty honesty concern for the well-being of the masses and bravery
well-being of the masses and bravery
well-being of the masses and bravery elves hobbits humans dwarves and even
elves hobbits humans dwarves and even
elves hobbits humans dwarves and even trees demonstrate these things in spades
trees demonstrate these things in spades
trees demonstrate these things in spades although reluctant to take up the mantle
although reluctant to take up the mantle
although reluctant to take up the mantle Aragorn is a natural leader unflinching
Aragorn is a natural leader unflinching
Aragorn is a natural leader unflinching in his efforts Legolas and Gimli are the
in his efforts Legolas and Gimli are the
in his efforts Legolas and Gimli are the best allies a hobbit could have a win is
best allies a hobbit could have a win is
best allies a hobbit could have a win is courageous and loyal gandalf is a wise
courageous and loyal gandalf is a wise
courageous and loyal gandalf is a wise ass kicking guide then there’s Sam
ass kicking guide then there’s Sam
ass kicking guide then there’s Sam freakin Sam the purest of pure friends
freakin Sam the purest of pure friends
freakin Sam the purest of pure friends and maybe the bravest of them all I made
and maybe the bravest of them all I made
and maybe the bravest of them all I made a promise mr. Frodo
a promise mr. Frodo
a promise mr. Frodo a promise don’t you leave him Samwise
a promise don’t you leave him Samwise
a promise don’t you leave him Samwise Gamgee listen the world right now really
Gamgee listen the world right now really
Gamgee listen the world right now really is dark and full of terrors and Sundays
is dark and full of terrors and Sundays
is dark and full of terrors and Sundays you really just need the light of a red
you really just need the light of a red
you really just need the light of a red deal okay
deal okay
deal okay winner Lord of the Rings
come on
come on round three villains so Ilyn bring me
round three villains so Ilyn bring me
round three villains so Ilyn bring me his head there is no doubt that there
his head there is no doubt that there
his head there is no doubt that there are villainous treacherous and downright
are villainous treacherous and downright
are villainous treacherous and downright slappable characters looking at you job
slappable characters looking at you job
slappable characters looking at you job but for the most part they are more than
but for the most part they are more than
but for the most part they are more than what they seem in Game of Thrones as in
what they seem in Game of Thrones as in
what they seem in Game of Thrones as in professional wrestling bad guys become
professional wrestling bad guys become
professional wrestling bad guys become fan favorites like Jaime Lannister even
fan favorites like Jaime Lannister even
fan favorites like Jaime Lannister even the more villainous characters like
the more villainous characters like
the more villainous characters like Cersei have their own real motivations
Cersei have their own real motivations
Cersei have their own real motivations backstories and a human side enough so
backstories and a human side enough so
backstories and a human side enough so that the viewer or reader understands
that the viewer or reader understands
that the viewer or reader understands how they became the way they are even if
how they became the way they are even if
how they became the way they are even if you don’t agree with their present
you don’t agree with their present
you don’t agree with their present actions the truly sadistic individuals
actions the truly sadistic individuals
actions the truly sadistic individuals Ramsay Bolton and Joffrey and the like
Ramsay Bolton and Joffrey and the like
Ramsay Bolton and Joffrey and the like are either clearly psychotic or deeply
are either clearly psychotic or deeply
are either clearly psychotic or deeply damaged yet are still given their own
damaged yet are still given their own
damaged yet are still given their own story development she’s a fine woman yo
story development she’s a fine woman yo
story development she’s a fine woman yo sista I look forward to having her back
sista I look forward to having her back
sista I look forward to having her back in my bed just because you’re evil
in my bed just because you’re evil
in my bed just because you’re evil doesn’t mean you can’t be well-rounded
doesn’t mean you can’t be well-rounded
doesn’t mean you can’t be well-rounded evil and the fires of Mount Doom the
evil and the fires of Mount Doom the
evil and the fires of Mount Doom the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a
Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a
Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a master ring to control all others the
master ring to control all others the
master ring to control all others the white hat black hat divisions are pretty
white hat black hat divisions are pretty
white hat black hat divisions are pretty clearly drawn in middle-earth the heroes
clearly drawn in middle-earth the heroes
clearly drawn in middle-earth the heroes are literally on the side of light while
are literally on the side of light while
are literally on the side of light while evildoers are sprung from darkness mud
evildoers are sprung from darkness mud
evildoers are sprung from darkness mud and fire it’s easy to spot the good guys
and fire it’s easy to spot the good guys
and fire it’s easy to spot the good guys in a scene the beautiful pasture Li
in a scene the beautiful pasture Li
in a scene the beautiful pasture Li wholesome and mythologically glamorous
wholesome and mythologically glamorous
wholesome and mythologically glamorous individuals who are sure to be your Bros
individuals who are sure to be your Bros
individuals who are sure to be your Bros on the other hand the giant flaming eye
on the other hand the giant flaming eye
on the other hand the giant flaming eye is like bad tow King used outward nature
is like bad tow King used outward nature
is like bad tow King used outward nature as a symbol of the corrupt nature within
as a symbol of the corrupt nature within
as a symbol of the corrupt nature within not just with hideous monster orcs but
not just with hideous monster orcs but
not just with hideous monster orcs but with humans whose evil shows through on
with humans whose evil shows through on
with humans whose evil shows through on the outside like the treacherous Grima
the outside like the treacherous Grima
the outside like the treacherous Grima Wormtongue or the cowardly and scheming
Wormtongue or the cowardly and scheming
Wormtongue or the cowardly and scheming Denethor ii you think you a wise
Denethor ii you think you a wise
Denethor ii you think you a wise Mithrandir except for the curious case
Mithrandir except for the curious case
Mithrandir except for the curious case of Gollum twisted by the power of the
of Gollum twisted by the power of the
of Gollum twisted by the power of the One Ring it is mostly easy to take a
One Ring it is mostly easy to take a
One Ring it is mostly easy to take a side in middle-earth winner Game of
side in middle-earth winner Game of
side in middle-earth winner Game of Thrones I think that sounds like a
Thrones I think that sounds like a
Thrones I think that sounds like a wonderful idea
wonderful idea
wonderful idea Round four battles after Robert
Round four battles after Robert
Round four battles after Robert Baratheon found himself on the business
Baratheon found himself on the business
Baratheon found himself on the business end of a boar and Eddard Stark lost a
end of a boar and Eddard Stark lost a
end of a boar and Eddard Stark lost a little off the top the Seven Kingdoms of
little off the top the Seven Kingdoms of
little off the top the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros were thrown into chaos the
Westeros were thrown into chaos the
Westeros were thrown into chaos the beginning of the second book and second
beginning of the second book and second
beginning of the second book and second season of the series saw the start of
season of the series saw the start of
season of the series saw the start of the war of five Kings and things never
the war of five Kings and things never
the war of five Kings and things never really slowed down from there there are
really slowed down from there there are
really slowed down from there there are so many great battles from the explosive
so many great battles from the explosive
so many great battles from the explosive Battle of the Blackwater to the tents
Battle of the Blackwater to the tents
Battle of the Blackwater to the tents emotionally wrought Battle of Castle
emotionally wrought Battle of Castle
emotionally wrought Battle of Castle black to the chill inducing battle of
black to the chill inducing battle of
black to the chill inducing battle of the bastards it is well nigh impossible
the bastards it is well nigh impossible
the bastards it is well nigh impossible to nail down the best but with perhaps
to nail down the best but with perhaps
to nail down the best but with perhaps the greatest battle of all that between
the greatest battle of all that between
the greatest battle of all that between literal Ice and Fire
literal Ice and Fire
literal Ice and Fire looming
looming
looming for Westeros we’re sure the best is
for Westeros we’re sure the best is
for Westeros we’re sure the best is somehow still yet to come
toki made sure his epic struggle between
toki made sure his epic struggle between the powers of good and evil had plenty
the powers of good and evil had plenty
the powers of good and evil had plenty of emotionally resonant struggle along
of emotionally resonant struggle along
of emotionally resonant struggle along with fent has to be detailed violence
with fent has to be detailed violence
with fent has to be detailed violence Peter Jackson’s masterful take on the
Peter Jackson’s masterful take on the
Peter Jackson’s masterful take on the trilogy successfully brought all of it
trilogy successfully brought all of it
trilogy successfully brought all of it to life the harrowing battle of Hornburg
to life the harrowing battle of Hornburg
to life the harrowing battle of Hornburg also known as the Battle of Helm’s Deep
also known as the Battle of Helm’s Deep
also known as the Battle of Helm’s Deep saw our heroes cornered as they defended
saw our heroes cornered as they defended
saw our heroes cornered as they defended the Rohirrim against a massive onslaught
the Rohirrim against a massive onslaught
the Rohirrim against a massive onslaught of orcs Baraka and other nasty straight
of orcs Baraka and other nasty straight
of orcs Baraka and other nasty straight out of Mordor and who can forget the
out of Mordor and who can forget the
out of Mordor and who can forget the siege of Gondor and ensuing battle of
siege of Gondor and ensuing battle of
siege of Gondor and ensuing battle of the pelennor fields where sauron’s
the pelennor fields where sauron’s
the pelennor fields where sauron’s forces attacked and yet our heroes
forces attacked and yet our heroes
forces attacked and yet our heroes reigned victorious it’s close but for
reigned victorious it’s close but for
reigned victorious it’s close but for the sheer number of battles and their
the sheer number of battles and their
the sheer number of battles and their many surprising results and tense
many surprising results and tense
many surprising results and tense execution we’re giving this one to
execution we’re giving this one to
execution we’re giving this one to Martin winner Game of Thrones round 5
Martin winner Game of Thrones round 5
Martin winner Game of Thrones round 5 legacy since HBO premiered Game of
legacy since HBO premiered Game of
legacy since HBO premiered Game of Thrones it has reignited the high
Thrones it has reignited the high
Thrones it has reignited the high fantasy and epic genres with many TV
fantasy and epic genres with many TV
fantasy and epic genres with many TV series like Vikings the shannara
series like Vikings the shannara
series like Vikings the shannara chronicles’ and Marco Polo cropping up
chronicles’ and Marco Polo cropping up
chronicles’ and Marco Polo cropping up over a spectrum of networks we don’t
over a spectrum of networks we don’t
over a spectrum of networks we don’t blame them for trying to tap into the
blame them for trying to tap into the
blame them for trying to tap into the literary adaptation success but none of
literary adaptation success but none of
literary adaptation success but none of quite being able to match the
quite being able to match the
quite being able to match the pop-culture phenomenon they often focus
pop-culture phenomenon they often focus
pop-culture phenomenon they often focus too heavily on one of two aspects that
too heavily on one of two aspects that
too heavily on one of two aspects that make Game of Thrones a sensation for
make Game of Thrones a sensation for
make Game of Thrones a sensation for example violence sex fantasy violence
example violence sex fantasy violence
example violence sex fantasy violence sex realities medieval trappings
sex realities medieval trappings
sex realities medieval trappings political intrigue and so on there’s a
political intrigue and so on there’s a
political intrigue and so on there’s a wall come in Ned I don’t know when I
wall come in Ned I don’t know when I
wall come in Ned I don’t know when I don’t know who will be fighting but it’s
don’t know who will be fighting but it’s
don’t know who will be fighting but it’s coming but they so often like the
coming but they so often like the
coming but they so often like the detailed richness of character
detailed richness of character
detailed richness of character development and plot arc and so they
development and plot arc and so they
development and plot arc and so they missed the core elements of what makes
missed the core elements of what makes
missed the core elements of what makes the Iron Throne narratives so engrossing
the Iron Throne narratives so engrossing
the Iron Throne narratives so engrossing Wow
on the other hand there’s zero doubt
on the other hand there’s zero doubt about it every high fantasy written or
about it every high fantasy written or
about it every high fantasy written or film since the 1950s is deeply indebted
film since the 1950s is deeply indebted
film since the 1950s is deeply indebted to Lord of the Rings cheese even the RR
to Lord of the Rings cheese even the RR
to Lord of the Rings cheese even the RR in george RR martin is a nod to the late
in george RR martin is a nod to the late
in george RR martin is a nod to the late great John Ronald Reuel Tolkien from his
great John Ronald Reuel Tolkien from his
great John Ronald Reuel Tolkien from his peerless academic background tokine’s
peerless academic background tokine’s
peerless academic background tokine’s set out to write the great epic novel in
set out to write the great epic novel in
set out to write the great epic novel in the vein of Beowulf and the extensive
the vein of Beowulf and the extensive
the vein of Beowulf and the extensive work that went into creating the Lord of
work that went into creating the Lord of
work that went into creating the Lord of the Rings has endeared it to countless
the Rings has endeared it to countless
the Rings has endeared it to countless fans over decades its fame shows no
fans over decades its fame shows no
fans over decades its fame shows no signs of slowing down the books have
signs of slowing down the books have
signs of slowing down the books have sold over 150 million copies to date and
sold over 150 million copies to date and
sold over 150 million copies to date and still fly off the shelves and now Amazon
still fly off the shelves and now Amazon
still fly off the shelves and now Amazon Studios has committed huge dollars to
Studios has committed huge dollars to
Studios has committed huge dollars to developing a new TV adaptation the road
developing a new TV adaptation the road
developing a new TV adaptation the road goes ever on and on
goes ever on and on
goes ever on and on winner Lord of the Rings and The Lord of
winner Lord of the Rings and The Lord of
winner Lord of the Rings and The Lord of the Rings
the Rings
the Rings [Music]
[Music]
[Music] not quite there’s room for a little more
not quite there’s room for a little more
not quite there’s room for a little more so by a score three to two
so by a score three to two
so by a score three to two it’s the one Fantasy franchise to rule
it’s the one Fantasy franchise to rule
it’s the one Fantasy franchise to rule them all Lord of the Rings forever do
them all Lord of the Rings forever do
them all Lord of the Rings forever do you agree with our verdict check out
you agree with our verdict check out
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