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@mellon_heads I read the books (several times) long before the films came out.
There are so many changes that irked me, though I can see the reasons for many of them due to time & pace.
There are so many changes that irked me, though I can see the reasons for many of them due to time & pace.
1. The leaving of the Shire and the joining of Merry & Pippin
The book version is so much more believable than a ‘chance encounter’ in the fields which results in two young hobbits just leaving home & family unannounced.
The book version is so much more believable than a ‘chance encounter’ in the fields which results in two young hobbits just leaving home & family unannounced.
2. The meeting with the wood elves.
This is a far more significant meeting than the film portrays, drawing out the dire emergency that the hobbits are facing and showing a willingness of the elves to take an interest in the affairs of others. They can see what is coming…
This is a far more significant meeting than the film portrays, drawing out the dire emergency that the hobbits are facing and showing a willingness of the elves to take an interest in the affairs of others. They can see what is coming…
3. The omission of Tom Bombadill, The Barrow Wights, the origin of the Hobbits’ weapons.
Major, plot points removed from the films. Simplisticly Tom seems like a sub-story that could be easily excised, but it led to the weakness of Strider’s “Oh, here are some swords for you…”
Major, plot points removed from the films. Simplisticly Tom seems like a sub-story that could be easily excised, but it led to the weakness of Strider’s “Oh, here are some swords for you…”
4. Merry & Pippin portrayals
These two are depicted in the films are ‘aimless idiots’, always in trouble. The characters in the books are far deeper. Merry, especially, is a mature, adult hobbit at the start of the tale, with wisdom and given responsible duties.
These two are depicted in the films are ‘aimless idiots’, always in trouble. The characters in the books are far deeper. Merry, especially, is a mature, adult hobbit at the start of the tale, with wisdom and given responsible duties.
5. The entry into Moria.
Jackson portrays Gandalf as weak and indecisive on Caradhras, ultimately yielding to the opinion of the rest of the company to enter Moria. Actually it was Gandalf who argued against Aragorn & the others and Frodo who (much more believably) sided with him
Jackson portrays Gandalf as weak and indecisive on Caradhras, ultimately yielding to the opinion of the rest of the company to enter Moria. Actually it was Gandalf who argued against Aragorn & the others and Frodo who (much more believably) sided with him
6. Aragorn’s destiny
Jackson tends to treat Aragorn as a ‘reluctant hero’, whereas Tolkien presents him as a leader-in-waiting, always aware of his destiny, though it daunts him at times. Remember he carried the shards of Narsil as an heirloom. Not the action of a weak runaway.
Jackson tends to treat Aragorn as a ‘reluctant hero’, whereas Tolkien presents him as a leader-in-waiting, always aware of his destiny, though it daunts him at times. Remember he carried the shards of Narsil as an heirloom. Not the action of a weak runaway.
7. Gimli
Just No. Jackson portrays him as a comic character, a buffoon, the butt of many jokes. In reality he was an honoured and respected leader of his people.
Just No. Jackson portrays him as a comic character, a buffoon, the butt of many jokes. In reality he was an honoured and respected leader of his people.
8. The fight between Gandalf & Saruman
Pure invention by Jackson, unnecessary and, presumably, done for dramatic effect. Fortunately, it doesn’t really detract from the main thread.
Pure invention by Jackson, unnecessary and, presumably, done for dramatic effect. Fortunately, it doesn’t really detract from the main thread.
9. Huckleberry Ferry
There was no dramatic chase to and escape on the ferry in the books. After they crossed, the hobbits saw a shadowy horseman on the far bank and hurried away. Another scene added for the drama, but again, doesn’t significantly affect the storyline.
There was no dramatic chase to and escape on the ferry in the books. After they crossed, the hobbits saw a shadowy horseman on the far bank and hurried away. Another scene added for the drama, but again, doesn’t significantly affect the storyline.
10. Arwen at the Ford
She was never there! It was Glorfindel who met the company as they approached the Ford and Frodo rode alone on Glorfindel’s horse to escape the wraiths.
Also, the flood was released by Elrond & enhanced by Gandalf), not Arwen
She was never there! It was Glorfindel who met the company as they approached the Ford and Frodo rode alone on Glorfindel’s horse to escape the wraiths.
Also, the flood was released by Elrond & enhanced by Gandalf), not Arwen
11. The council of Elrond.
A lot of changes here. Would Frodo *really* have put the ring on open display? Tolkien has him keep it secret until Biden to ‘bring it forth’. Gimli never attempted to break it, the argument is an invention, where was Bilbo & Sam?
A lot of changes here. Would Frodo *really* have put the ring on open display? Tolkien has him keep it secret until Biden to ‘bring it forth’. Gimli never attempted to break it, the argument is an invention, where was Bilbo & Sam?
12. Boromir & the ring
According to Jackson, when Frodo stumbles in the snow, the ring ‘falls off’ (on a chain, under his clothes!). Boromir picks it up &, after hesitating, hands it back.
It’s not credible. Boromir already wanted the ring, would he have given it up?
According to Jackson, when Frodo stumbles in the snow, the ring ‘falls off’ (on a chain, under his clothes!). Boromir picks it up &, after hesitating, hands it back.
It’s not credible. Boromir already wanted the ring, would he have given it up?
13. No Warg attack
After turning away from Caradhras, Tolkien has the company attacked by Wargs in the night. This convinces the doubtful company that Moria is the right choice. Jackson removes this scene, inserting it much later in the flight to Helms Deep.
After turning away from Caradhras, Tolkien has the company attacked by Wargs in the night. This convinces the doubtful company that Moria is the right choice. Jackson removes this scene, inserting it much later in the flight to Helms Deep.
14. The Guard Room/Balin’s Tomb
The conflation of two separate events in the book. Less dramatic and explanatory than Tolkien intended, but Jackson has only (!) 11 hours to tell this tale.
The conflation of two separate events in the book. Less dramatic and explanatory than Tolkien intended, but Jackson has only (!) 11 hours to tell this tale.
15. The flight from Moria
The collapsing stairs, the orcs on the pillars etc - all inventions of Jackson. Visually appealing, though. Doesn’t really detract from the story.
The collapsing stairs, the orcs on the pillars etc - all inventions of Jackson. Visually appealing, though. Doesn’t really detract from the story.
16. The time in lothlorien
Compressed in the films, and a lot of background information omitted, but understandable in order to make the film flow.
Compressed in the films, and a lot of background information omitted, but understandable in order to make the film flow.
17. Death of Boromir
Frodo never encountered Aragorn as he fled and knew nothing of the orc attack. Would Aragorn really have allowed him to leave alone?
Frodo never encountered Aragorn as he fled and knew nothing of the orc attack. Would Aragorn really have allowed him to leave alone?
18. The Capture & the Chase
The 3-day pursuit is far more dramatic in Tolkien’s work and portrayed poorly on screen.
The 3-day pursuit is far more dramatic in Tolkien’s work and portrayed poorly on screen.
19. The flight to helms deep
Tolkien has Eowen talking the people to helms deep instead of dunharrow. Not a major change, but the warg attack and near death of Aragorn is.
Tolkien has Eowen talking the people to helms deep instead of dunharrow. Not a major change, but the warg attack and near death of Aragorn is.
20. The Elrond-Arwen-Aragorn-Eowen thing.
The emotional love tangle is a mess & goes completely against the character of at least 3 of them that Tolkien had built up. In many ways this is the most egregious change in the films, striking against the whole ethos of the characters.
The emotional love tangle is a mess & goes completely against the character of at least 3 of them that Tolkien had built up. In many ways this is the most egregious change in the films, striking against the whole ethos of the characters.
21. Faramir’s treatment of Gollum.
Another unnecessary change that goes completely against Faramir’s gentle & noble character. Tolkien would have been horrified!
Another unnecessary change that goes completely against Faramir’s gentle & noble character. Tolkien would have been horrified!
22. Faramir takes Frodo to Osgiliath.
Just why? It would have been several days journey there (and back) from Ithilien. That, and the Orc/Wraith attack was an unnecessary invention that adds nothing to the story.
Just why? It would have been several days journey there (and back) from Ithilien. That, and the Orc/Wraith attack was an unnecessary invention that adds nothing to the story.
23. Elves at Helms Deep
Tolkien has only one elf at helms deep. Legolas.
Haldir has no right arriving with an elf army, or dying there.
And, as for Legolas sliding down the stairs on a shield - that’s just tacky, pointless & not very believable.
Tolkien has only one elf at helms deep. Legolas.
Haldir has no right arriving with an elf army, or dying there.
And, as for Legolas sliding down the stairs on a shield - that’s just tacky, pointless & not very believable.
24. The encounter with Saruman
The death of Saruman here is a Jackson invention, necessitated by the removal of the whole shire story at the end of the books. A great pity as it didn’t give the opportunity to shows his decline into petty tyranny.
The death of Saruman here is a Jackson invention, necessitated by the removal of the whole shire story at the end of the books. A great pity as it didn’t give the opportunity to shows his decline into petty tyranny.
25. The Breaking of Gandalf’s Staff
Jackson has the Witch King meeting Gandalf at the entry into the citadel and overpowering him and breaking his staff. Tolkien shows Gandalf to be able to hold off all 9 Wraiths at Amon Sûl, when he was still ‘the grey’.
It’s not consistent.
Jackson has the Witch King meeting Gandalf at the entry into the citadel and overpowering him and breaking his staff. Tolkien shows Gandalf to be able to hold off all 9 Wraiths at Amon Sûl, when he was still ‘the grey’.
It’s not consistent.
26. The Scouring of the Shire
A major, major omission.
It seals the new, grown up, character of the hobbits and closes of major parts of the story.
Presumably Jackson thought another skirmish (it was no more than that) would be anti-climactic after all the set piece battles.
A major, major omission.
It seals the new, grown up, character of the hobbits and closes of major parts of the story.
Presumably Jackson thought another skirmish (it was no more than that) would be anti-climactic after all the set piece battles.
And how could I forget…
27. The Ent Moot
OK, Jackson couldn’t easily portray a 3-day ‘hasty’ conference on film, but why reverse the Moot’s decision and introduce a new journey south? Tolkien’s ending of the Moot is quite dramatic enough - “The Ents are going to War!”
27. The Ent Moot
OK, Jackson couldn’t easily portray a 3-day ‘hasty’ conference on film, but why reverse the Moot’s decision and introduce a new journey south? Tolkien’s ending of the Moot is quite dramatic enough - “The Ents are going to War!”
