[alatar]

Originally Posted by Saurreg

I wonder what would have made Jackson script that the Gondorians would be so complacent in the face of an enemy strongly entrenched on the Eastern banks and intend on river crossing? I always had the impression that the Gondorians in the book anticipated the Witch King's intentions correctly but were out numbered and out maneuvered.

I can understand, as you say, being outnumbered, but out-thought? Where are the wise captains that led Gondor? Hopefully not all floated down the Anduin in an elvish boat. Are we being prepared for the return of a hero? Anyway, I think that it's stated by some character in the movie that the east is quiet and that the orc garrison (too human, that) may have retreated so that they could attack from the north.

True, history recorded that the most astute commanders avoid pitched battles directly in the face of the enemy by crossing up or down river in the still of the night (Alexander at the Hydapseus comes to mind), but would any defender be willing to gamble that and place all his eggs in a basket?

Was it night or the darkness? And wasn't this just after Minas Morgul signalled that the war had begun? It's just a little too contrived and makes the Gondorians, including Faramir, look silly.

EDIT: Funny you should mention about the Overlord landings and question the wisdom of not stopping the enemy when they were still in the waters. Feldmarshall Von Rundstedt wanted to wait till the allies have all landed on the shore before attacking them while Rommel wanted to pick them off before they came close to the shore. Ultimately I think it depends on the numbers of the defenders and their resolve. The first solution will turn a meeting engagement general abet with slim advantages for a strong defender while the second conserves the strength of the defenders. Provided they are not over-stretched that is.

In this case, the orc advance could only be slowed, not stopped. However, Faramir could have made them pay for the crossing by shooting as many as possible. Orcs with arrows in them swim less well than those who haven't been shot and aren't in water in the first place. By the time the orcs make landfall, they immediately get an advantage from the terrain, as they can use the city ruins for cover just as well as the defenders.

Note that your point above also would depend on the terrain and what weapons one has at hand. Letting the Allies come ashore then bombing them to pieces may work if one had the ability, and maybe the planes, to do so. But due to the RAF...