Why Can't Movies Be Like Books?

[Essex]

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hickli

Sure it can. One only has to create an 'unreality' vibe over the whole (Frodo-POV) frame- which is what PJ himself *did* with Arwen's entrance, and (excessively) every time Frodo put the Ring on. Depicting the protagonist's experience of being drunk/drugged/ill/whatever is one of the oldest tools in the director's box.

It wouldn't work in that scene - we were in a 'normal' situation, nothing was happening out of the ordinary - and the 'shock' factor would not have worked. It needed to be a 'surprise'.

At any rate, that scene (though overdone and devoid of subtlety) doesn't bother me in itself- but it's an indication of PJ's misunderstanding of the Ring which led to his perversion of Faramir later.

you see, you have a viewpoint and an understanding of the Ring. PJ has another. It's his viewpoint - not that I agree with it in a lot of cases - but he's entitled to his 'understanding' - Tlkien's world is not black and white. It's why we have so many arguments on this website. Everyone is entitled to their view - and I suppose that means you're entitled to think he's wrong LOL.

And the Osgiliation not only inverted Faramir's resistance to temptation (I never said he wasn't, just that he didn't act on it), but also led to the utterly preposterous scene of Frodo offering the Ring to the Nazgul, a scene which makes absolutely no sense even in terms of PJ's movies, much less the books.

they tried to answer that one in the commentaries by saying they transposed the scene when Frodo is tempted (maybe too strong a word)to show the Ring to the WK near Minas Morgul - it was a cheap idea to do this, but it did take away a BIT of the pain I get when watching this scene. Probably my least favourite scene in the trilogy. But I put up with it. By accepting that it was a diversion to Osgiliath and Faramir kills (or at least downs) the fell beast so that his rider can't get back to tell Sauron where the Ring is!!!!

PS - to be totally faithful to the book - would everyone want the Fellowship to be an 18 certificate as we would have to have Merry Pippin and Sam running around naked on the Barrowdowns before Tom gets them some clothes?