| May 8, 2003
RotK Changes
Viking
G, I think your comments about changes to RotK are spot on. I was surprised that TT ended without covering the fall of Saruman. That means RotK will have to deal with Saruman in the beginning and then change direction to focus on the threat from Sauron. I’m worried that with so much ground to cover in RotK, some aspects of the story will suffer. I believe Peter Jackson will manage to juggle it all somehow, but it must be quite overwhelming. With this in mind, I tried to break down the story into the fundamental scenes or sequences. These plot “beats” are what I believe to be absolutely essential to resolving the story (taking for granted that the Scouring of the Shire is out).
SPOILERS
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The Gondor Plotline
The fall of Saruman, the re-forging of Narsil/Anduril (and Aragorn’s reception of it), the muster of Rohan, the Paths of the Dead, the wounding of Faramir, the siege of Minas Tirith, the madness of Denethor, the arrival of the Rohirrim at Minas Tirith, the death of Theoden, the death of the Witch King and the wounding of Eowyn, the arrival of Aragorn and the reinforcements from Belfalas, the defeat of Sauron’s army, the death of Denethor, the ascension of Aragorn to the throne of Gondor, the march to the Black Gates and the final battle there.
The Frodo and Sam Plotline
The march past Minas Morgul and up the endless stair, the treachery of Gollum, the battle with Shelob, the capture of Frodo and his rescue by Sam, the march across Mordor, the destruction of the Ring and the death of Sauron.
The Resolution
The victory celebration, the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen, the wedding of Faramir and Eowyn, final goodbyes of the Fellowship, resolution for the major supporting characters (Legolas, Gimli, etc.), the journey back to the Shire, the Grey Havens and the departure of Frodo and Gandalf, resolution for Pippin, Merry, and Sam.
I think that any other part of the story, such as the Beregond and Bergil scenes, are definitely subject to cutting. I would love to see the Ghan-Buri-Ghan scene, but I’m not counting on it. Also, I hope the siege of Minas Tirith isn’t altered too much, because it contains some of my absolute favorite moments - “...and they sang as they slew.”
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