[The Only Real Estel]

So, why did the movie makers use Aragorn's sword instead of his presence as the main reason the Dead knew who Aragorn was and what was going on in the movie? BUT am I missing some point that was made? Did the sword need to be made into some great and feared object of the Dead?

I think it was PJ trying to make sure that the audience got the point that by accepting his sword, Aragorn had accepted the kingship. So PJ pretty much used his sword as a symbol of who he was instead of Aragorn himself. Did it nead to be made into some great, feared object? Not necessarily. Any who fought against Aragorn were obviously mortally afraid of the sword, but I don't think you're missing some vast importance of the sword.

I think it would have had a greater impact had they left out Aragorn having to confront the King of the Dead sword to sword. That was rather pathetic in my opinion.

I thought that the scene just built more on the power of his sword, so I had no problem with it, what I thought was pathetic was how Aragorn grabbed the King of the Dead by the throat .