Changes that you weren't bothered by.

[AbercrombieOfRohan]

I really enjoyed the Houses of Healing scene in the ROTK:EE. I didn't mind that there was no dialogue and that they cut most of it so it was a shorter scene. I was kinda sad that Ioreth didn't make it in because she's so funny,( she always reminds me of what Tolkien must of thought of the Innkeeper lady that he stayed with). I also really liked the song in the background, it really showed more about how eowyn was feeling, more than it could've been portrayed through dialogue.

At first I was really upset that they left bombadil out, but all of you convinced me that it would be ok and that it was a good idea for him to remain in the books. It's like a therapy group. Thanks!

[Boromir88]

This was a rather minor change, but it really added in a lot of "good emotions" into the story, and I enjoy this scene, with Merry and Pippin dancing on the tables.

Theoden being exorcised by Gandalf

I think the way the movie showed it, was obviously not how it was done in the books. However, Tolkien leaves us with a sense that Theoden is a "new" man, hence he's called "Theoden Hal." It may not be to the extent that the movie showed, but when reading certain parts, you get a sense that Theoden even went through a "visual change."

[Boromir88]

Morgul:

But Faramir taking the Ring to osgiliath...it's not so much that fact that the Ring is in Osgiliath, it's that the Nazgul are there, they know Frodo's got the Ring and is in Osgiliath, which, incidentally, is also where they are...and they don't do anything about it. The book!Nazgul and Book!Sauron would have Frodo surrounded, killed and the Ring taken before the Great Eye could Blink

Yes, and it also makes that whole palantir scene with Pippin useless. The Nazgul saw Frodo had the ring in Osgiliath, so why the heck would Sauron all of a suddenly think a different hobbit had the Ring in Rohan? Makes no sense, unless The Wikkie was evil and didn't tell his master.

[Guinevere]

I forgot to mention another scene from TTT which is not from the books at all, but seems to me very fitting: The burial of Théodred. I always thought it was strange in LotR (the book) that Théoden did not grieve more for his son and that the fact of his death in battle is only briefly mentioned. From UT I know that Théodred is supposed to be buried on that eyot at the crossings of Isen, yet, when they pass there, on the road to Isenguard, Théoden never even mentions his son. So this scene in the movie is a change from the book which I actually prefer ! The dirge in Anglosaxon was also very fitting.

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Morgul Queen

But Faramir taking the Ring to osgiliath...it's not so much that fact that the Ring is in Osgiliath, it's that the Nazgul are there, they know Frodo's got the Ring and is in Osgiliath, which, incidentally, is also where they are...and they don't do anything about it. The book!Nazgul and Book!Sauron would have Frodo surrounded, killed and the Ring taken before the Great Eye could Blink.

I have no problem with Faramir taking the Hobbits to Osgiliath. As has been said, he does let them go - only a little later than in the book. The omission of (most of) the wonderful conversation between Frodo and Faramir at Henneth Annun is regrettable but understandable. And I don't share Morgul Queen's reasons for disliking the scene. It is quite credible that two Hobbits (and one Gollum) could slip away before the Nazgul could summon sufficient aid to attack. Although I did think that it might have been rather good to have Faramir shoot down the Ringwraith's Fell Beast (in place of Legolas at Parth Galen), so as to explain why he (the Ringwraith) didn't press the attack on his own.

But my one gripe with this scene is: why on earth would seeing a seriously unstable Hobbit almost hand the Ring over to the Enemy's servant make Faramir change his mind and make him think it would be a good idea to send that very Hobbit into the Enemy's territory with the Ring? I believe that the film-makers' intention was to have Faramir realise the danger of the Ring - that it could bring Frodo to the point of almost handing it over. But it just doesn't ring (*groan*) true for me.

Btw, I realise that most of my comments here concern the scenes that I was bothered by - but they are much fewer than those that I wasn't bothered by. In fact, Saruman's "exorcism", Frodo and the Nazgul in Osgiliath and the gratuitous "Is Aragorn dead?" scenes were the only ones that really bothered me.

[Boromir88]

In fact, Saruman's "exorcism",

I wasn't really bothered by the exorcism as from other scenes. I know Saruman wasn't "inside" Theoden like a demon, but I don't know, maybe I just like the scene where Theoden transforms. But that's just me.

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Boromir88 quoting me

In fact, Saruman's "exorcism",

For an explanation, see my post #19 above.