[Eurytus]

I too thought that this scene was one of the weaker ones in the film. But my problem with it came more from the point of view that the unveiling of the Ring so close to Mordor would draw the Eye towards Osgiliath. Indeed, it would draw the Eye in a line that took it pretty much through the pass of Cirith Ungol. Not a desirable situation for the Ringbearer given his route. Of course, PJ may well clear some aspects of this up in the next film by using the Palantir to make Sauron believe that Gondor and more specifically the returned King of Men has the ring. But we will see.<P>As for the Ringwraith being too hesitant and that he should have snatched it at this point, I am uncertain. During the whole of the LOTR the only time the Nazgul actually physically threaten Frodo they do so with a Morgul Knife. They never try to dispatch him with their swords at Weathertop despite this likely being a better and quicker method. Instead they strike him with a Morgul Knife and rely on this turning Frodo into a wraith that would come at the bidding once he had succumbed. So the question is, can the Nazgul actually try to physically kill the Ringbearer?<BR>Tolkien himself addressed an aspect of this in his letters when he speculates what the Nazgul may have done if Frodo had not been attacked by Gollum at Mount Doom and had instead been allowed to claim the Ring for himself. Tolkien suggests that although Sauron urged the Nazgul to Mount Doom they would not have attempted to attack Frodo and claim the ring. Instead they would have seemed fair to him and kept him occupied, perhaps showing him the realm he now commanded, until Sauron could arrive to deal with Frodo in person. At which point, being the Ringbearer would not avail him. Tolkien makes it clear that it is likely that the Nazgul would not be able to attack the bearer of the Ring and perhaps this is reflected in the scene in the Two Towers.<BR>As I see it, the Nazgul never attempt to slay the Ringbearer by conventional means. Perhaps they can’t. And as Tolkien indicates, by the time Frodo claims the Ring at Mount Doom they would be unable to attack him at all, showing how much Frodo had grown since the night on Weathertop. Perhaps the hesitation of the Nazgul at Osgiliath is a reflection of Frodo’s increased symbiosis with the Ring and of course the Nazgul was not in position to use his Morgul Knife.<BR>Lastly, Tolkien also indicates in his writings that the Nazgul (with the exception of the Witchking) were of limited initiative. They could not be relied on to direct armies for example (again with the exception of the Witchking). This also could have caused its hesitation. In the Fellowship of the Ring their mission was clear, seize the ring. At this time its mission was to harry the forces of Gondor at Osgiliath. The introduction of this item of power, of their alternative master if you will, creates a situation where someone with initiative would seize the Ring and end the War at a stroke. Unfortunately for Sauron, initiative is the one thing that he has not included in the Nazgul’s make up. In fact, initiative would be largely detrimental to Sauron’s use of them. He wants them as a physical extension of his will and largely nothing more.<BR>I believe that this moment of hesitation at Osgiliath was born out of all these factors and whilst I would have preferred the scene to be absent. I can understand it.<P>As a side-note. I notice that another source of complaint is Faramir. I didn’t think too highly of him but some of that was due to his limited screen time, something I hope will be improved in the Extended Edition. As regards his temptation by the Ring, I actually think this was a correct alteration by PJ. My reasoning is that, in the books, Tolkien makes Faramir too good and totally immune to the Ring. Maybe this was because Tolkien saw something of himself in Faramir but it rings false.<BR>In the books characters such as Gandalf and Galadriel are tempted by the ring, even just being in the presence of it. There is an awareness that if Frodo stays with the fellowship then even Aragorn could be tempted by the end. And then you have this character, Faramir, who is not tempted in the slightest. Even though he has had the same dream as Boromir wherein the Ring is presented as a possible solution to the War (albeit not in the way Boromir interpreted it) and with his own people facing destruction. It just doesn’t ring true that he would not be tempted at all. I have faith in PJ in this and I believe that once all the Extended Editions are available to watch it will be clear that Faramir has been well dealt with.