May 19, 2002

What About the Barrow-Downs?
Galadhrim

I think it's interesting that the film makers decided to omit Tom Bombadil and the Barrow Downs.

Throughout the trilogy, this patter repeats over and over: danger to safety. Moria to Lothlorien, Weathertop to Rivendell; etc., etc. However, if we get rid of Tom Bombadil and the Barrow Downs, then where are we? The pattern is disrupted. For example:
The Old Forest to Tom Bombadil's house
but instead: The Old Forest to ??????
or consider: ?????? to ????????
Which leaves out an entire section of the plot, even worse. And:
???????? to Bree
But instead of:
Barrow Downs to Bree
they replace Barrow Downs:
Buckleberry Ferry {WHAT?}to Bree
They're messing with the whole plot!! I know that they have to adopt it to film, but I wouldn't mind and extra 15-20 minutes or whatever!! I mean, was this really necessary??

Any thoughts?

P.S. I highly recommend the book "Hobbits, Elves, and Wizards." It analyzes the trilogy very well, much better than I do. And if you don't agree with what it says, just read it anyway so you have some deeper form of understanding of the trilogy or something!!