February 3, 2003

Positive Spin on TTT Alterations
Ghan-buri-ghan

I know I was disappointed when I first saw TTT in the cinema due to the various changes from the book. This is the “theatrical” film that has been produced and so we have to live with it. There may be the possibility of some scenes changing slightly in the extended DVD version and some additions that may improve the film overall but I am not to hopeful that it will address some of the major inconsistencies with the books. With this in mind, let’s try to look at some of the changes in a more positive light.

Aragorn’s near death experience. This has been introduced from another of Tolkien’s work (I believe it is in one of the Lost Tales) so is not too much of an addition by the film-makers. It re-introduces Arwen to the audience keeping her fresh in our minds in preparation for ROTK. It also adds a more feminine and romantic side to the film, which could suffer from being too macho and pugilistic.

Elves at Helm’s Deep. This keeps the elves as a race in the audience’s mind and is a convenient replacement for the Dunedain without having to introduce them (momentarily) into the story. Haldir’s death was a good way to introduce some real emotion into the film without having to kill off a pivotal character.

The exclusion of the Huorns. The destruction of the army of Uruk Hai and wildmen by Gandalf and Eomer’s troop did seem a little sudden for such a small number. Re-introducing Eomer at this point saves having to introduce and explain another character –Erkbrand. According to the Official Film Guide of TTT the army was driven into a horde of Huorns and Ents so perhaps this is going to feature in the extended DVD or ROTK.

The story stops without Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, etc. going to Isengard to dispatch Saruman, gain the palantir and reunite with Merry and Pippin. I believe this will be the first part of ROTK.

The portrayal of the Ents at the Entmoot. I am really struggling to look at this in a positive way and cannot think why the decision was taken that the Ents and Treebeard should act the way they did. Someone help please!

The portrayal of Faramir. Faramir’s character has been significantly altered from the book to change his character unrecognisably. This was to maintain consistency within the films that the Ring is a corrupting influence on all who come across it. Faramir sees the Ring as a powerful weapon and (like others before him) wants to use it towards his own end. He will struggle to redeem himself in ROTK with true LOTR fans though.

Frodo offering the Ring to the Nazgul. Another invention made by the film-makers to add some real drama to this part of his story in TTT, to introduce Osgiliath as a physical presence and to give some reason as to why Sauron’s forces attack Minas Tirith so vehemently at the Battle of Pelennor Fields in ROTK. This allows Sauron to believe that the Ring has been taken to Minas Tirith. I appreciate that this alters the psychological relationship that Aragorn has with Sauron but this is difficult to build into a film storyline.

I hasten to add that I do NOT agree with these changes. I am trying to come to terms with the film as it stands and to feel better about it. I do hope Peter Jackson explains himself more fully on the audio track on the extended DVD and doesn’t introduce too many new storylines or inconsistencies in ROTK. We shall see!