[The Saucepan Man]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> I never got the impression that Saruman was in Theoden's head 24/7. In fact, I think a full possession of Theoden only occured once Saruman sensed what Gandalf was doing and rose to the defence. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>It seems to me that Saruman must originally have been responsible for Theoden's enfeebled state because the transformation is almost instananeous when Gandalf breaks the "spell". Yes, I can see that Wormtongue's role in the film was to exert influence over Theoden on a day-to-day basis. But in the book, Theoden's apathy was wholly the result of Wormtongue's poison. The film detracts from his role in this regard.<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> I watched the scene again today and there's even a shot of Hama holding back one of his men during the scuffle. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Yes, I noticed that. I think that it is Gamling that he holds back. This, together with Hama letting Gandalf enter with his staff do show that he, at least, mistrusts Wormtongue and is hopeful that something will be done to bring his King back.<P>But it still does not sit quite right with me that, right there in the King's chamber, so little resistance is shown by the King's guards when Gandalf makes an aggressive move towards him. However much they might have mistrusted Wormtongue or been concerned over their King's state of mind, their first instinct would surely have been to protect him against a clear threat to him from an outsider. And earlier in the film, they had been quite prepared to forcibly expel Eomer from the court on Wormtongue's orders. <P>For me, the whole scene just works so much better as it is portrayed in the book with Gandalf breaking Wormtongue's hold over Theoden through the force of his words. Less cinematographical perhaps, but far more feasible.