September 3, 2002

The Grey Havens: In or Out?
Peter D.

A couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon an interview with someone closely connected to the LotR-movies - It may have been in E-Online´s features on the films, but I am not sure, sorry. Whoever was interviewed said that his favorite scene in the upcoming movies had been that of the Grey Havens, and it seemed that it had stayed more or less true to the book, so that would at least indicate that the Grey Havens-scene is in the movie (if my source is correct). BUT however, it also seems that PJ and the rest were covering all eventualities, f.ex more gory scenes for differently age-rated versions, different versions of the same scene etc, and it seems the process of making the films so far have been an ungoing process, which leaves room for later changes in the cutting room (or brand new takes), so wether or not it actually makes it into the movie or not, well I guess we´ll just have to wait and see. But it seems it is in, and I cant imagine PJ leaving this great scene out.
Regarding Frodo´s "death", it would of course be more dramatic (and maybe better suited to a movie) if Frodo actually physically dies on the slopes of Mount Doom, but then again it would be a major alteration to the books, and completely unnecessary as Frodo in the book, while not actually dieing, does however make the ultimate sacrifice, and is physically and mentally ruined, at least in Middle-Earth. This from his wounds (sword, sting and tooth) and probably just as significantly by long possesion of the ring, as all three ringbearers Bilbo, Frodo and presumably also Sam, make the journey into the West by special grace, to find rest.
And as for the upcoming movies - well, The Fellowship of the Ring was the best movie I have ever seen, The Two Towers will (hopefully/probably) be even better, and The Return of the King, well that is just going to run amock.