December 30, 2003

Re: Stung
Danny

Yes you are right that it is most likely a small mistake. The other possability is that he had it in his pack for some reason. That is another thing that I have wondered about though. Their packs are around when they stop to eat and stuff but quite often I can't seem to see any evidence of them when they walk.

I know that Shelob got him in the neck in the book. Of course the way Shelob delivers the sting in the movie is a bit more dramatic I think. I love that part because all three times I have watched so far I can hear people around me (mostly girls) sqeaking or gasping as they see Shelob above Frodo. It always gets a bit more intense as the stinger drops, and then there are quite audible gasps when the stinger does hit. I had the impression from the way the moment looked that the stinger struck lower than the shoulder but you are probably right. I was pleased however to see the scar from weathertop on Frodo's shoulder. That would have been a bad thing to leave out.

Another question I have. Which hand is it that Frodo puts the ring on at Mt Doom? I am not entirely sure but it may be that they get the hand switched at the end. If I recall, they never do show Frodo's left hand in the ending sequences, but I thought he put the ring on his right at Mt Doom. His right hand is intact at the end though. I wonder if it is a case of them shooting a scene then mirroring it for composition reasons. That is how I have heard it explained that Legolas's arrows and bow switch shoulders at inexplicable times. Who knows? 8)

You know, it is funny that I am noticing things like this because I always hate it when others do that to movies I like. Don't get me wrong. I think ROTK is the best film of the year, the best in the trilogy, the best third film of any trilogy, and quite possibly the best film I have ever seen. Maybe I have finally found a film that I am so happy with that it doesn't bother me at all if I have a few questions about it.