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Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim
The part of the films I was looking forward to more than any other is in The Return of the King. It is the series of events in the book which includes Theoden's fatal injury, Eowyn's battle with the Witch-King, her subsequent serious injury, Eomer's despair, madness and lack of hope, and reaches its climax with the arrival of Aragorn to the battle.
This for me is the most action-packed, frenzied, exciting, emotional scene in the book. It incorporates so much. I am not exaggerating when I say that I think this scene could have been the greatest in cinematic history.
So why was it tampered with so much? There are other parts of the film that have been understandably altered. The allusions to the passing of the Elves and the deep sense of melancholy that went with that were sadly missing from the films but most people can understand that this ommision makes sense.
But the Pelennor Fields? Eomer is nowhere to be found. Aragorn makes his arrival in a relatively meek and quiet way. Theoden gets to talk with Eowyn after the battle. The result is a watered-down version of the heroism and tragedy that should have been given to us.
And I can see no good reason for doing this. The reason I do suggest in the title is that Tolkien's scene was too violent on the ol' emotions. I will not deny that I had tears in my eyes as Theoden died. However, what could have been given was the brilliantly tragic way that Theoden died practically right next to Eowyn, yet had no knowledge of this. It seems as if the filmmakers thought that it would be better to have a fairly sad 'closure' of the relationship, rather than a tragic unfortunate lack of one.
When I read this part of the book I am awestruck at how amazingly fantastic it is. When I see the film I just think of it as alright. It surely cannot be to do with the medium, because other films manage this kind of epic scene very well. It also cannot be to do with the fact that it is fantasy, because the part I describe is a completely human story.
Any thoughts at all?
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I agree that there just isn't enough emotional intensity during the battle, other than Eomer running towards Eowyn's body. Theoden's death was ok, but it could have (I suppose) been made better if it kept in line with the book a bit more, i.e. Theoden talking about Eowyn, not realising that she is lying near him. Now THAT would have been more of a tear-jerker. In fact, one of the best scenes for me was Theoden's rally to the Rohirrim before their onslaught.
I thought throughout there was not enough "human" involvement. I agree that lack of Eomer, Lords of Gondor, possibly even the absence of Imrahil were detriment to the emotional impact that the film could have made.
The heroism and tragedy were put on the back-burner by PJ during the battle scene. Instead, for reasons that I personally cannot comprehend
he resorts to using (bad) CGI effects, green "things" and Legolamb's ridiculous acrobatics.
Aragorn's arrival certainly lacked any emotion. It was just too corny, especially with the music that is played.
What a shame. I also thought that the Pelennor battle could have made cinematic history. Instead, it was just run-of-the-mill fantasy stuff.
*a little dig at movie lovers*: PLEASE don't make excuses for PJ & co! Try to be objective
