September 16, 2003

Witch King and Gandalf
Danny

I don't know what the whole fuss is about. Just because Gandalf has an encounter with a wraith does not mean anything is going to change with the Witch King's demise. In the book Gandalf the White confronts the wraiths on a few occasions. Recall when Faramir is trying to get ti Minas Tirith and the wraiths are attacking him. It says that all despaired because they thought he wouldn't make it and then Gandalf rides out and quickly drives off five wraiths. Gandalf also confronts the Witch King at the gates of Minas Tirith during the battle and the Witch King withdraws. So if PJ adds another confrontation in there Gandalf would be able to defeat the wraith without killing it, and no it wouldn't be too big a change. Come to think of it, it is kind of strange that the wraiths didn't try and pursue Gandalf after they went to Orthanc, and entirely reasonable that, even with Shadowfaxe's speed, Gandalf would be overtaken. So I don't think that is anything worth fussing over. I am actually kind of excited because it has the potential to be a great moment in the film.

I personally felt that Gandalf's elevated more powerful status as White was not as developed as it could have been in the film TTT. Of course that is largely because he doesn't confront Saruman in the film. I beleive that Tolkien makes it apparent that Gandalf is more powerful than any other in Middle earth except Sauron himself. So I don't have any problem if there are a few moments that make that clear in the film.