LotR3-RotK-Seq10 - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Elladan and Elrohir · 11-09-2006, 04:25 PM

I really wish they'd just left the Paths of the Dead alone. I like a little bit of the new stuff, but none of it particularly adds to the scene, and it serves to spoil Aragorn's show-up at Pelennor Fields later.

The Aragorn/Eowyn stuff is mesmerizing, well-scripted and well-acted. Both Mortensen and Otto thoroughly understand their characters, and it shows in their final scene together.

doug*platypus · 11-13-2006, 03:36 AM

Ah yes, The Paths of the Dead. With nary a Dúnedan in sight, Aragorn forges on with his two bestest buddies.

I thought that the "magic sword" bit was a little too corny, a little too Harry Potter and not Tolkien enough. I preferred the book version where Aragorn's character and personal traits such as his boldness were enough to engender the support of the armies of the dead. He revealed himself to them as the Heir of Isildur and so they pledged their allegiance to him in order to fulfill their oath and have rest.

Perhaps PJ thought that this was a bit of a blind leap of faith for the average cinema viewer, and that a more tangible (though to my mind, less likely) reason be given as to why the dead joined the party. If that were so, maybe he could have produced some kind of heirloom other than the sword to vouch for his authenticity e.g. a ring. I dunno... what are others' thoughts on this matter?

alatar · 11-13-2006, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug*platypus

I dunno... what are others' thoughts on this matter?

Wasn't the flag/standard that Arwen created the symbol that made the Dead follow Aragorn, or at least show them that he just wasn't some brigand out of the hills with 'a following?'

Essex · 11-30-2006, 08:02 AM

I really like the shot of Aragorn in the extended version as he's riding along the path towards the haunted mountain - he looks so creepy as the camera looks up on him. he almost looks like a 'spirit' or one of the 'dead' himself....

I love the way the camera pans from right to left on the title above the door that Legolas translates. really clever idea, showing an old arcance language - why does it have to read from left to right? that's what I love about these films, the little things, the attention to detail that you might miss on first viewing but can delve into on subsequent viewings.

Now on to my 'least favourite' part of the whole Trilogy (yes my cup is half full, not half empty lol)

Gimli treading on the skulls and blowing away the 'spirit' that gathers around him. totally unfunny, cringe worthy part that totally undermines him, breaks the tension of the scene, and adds nothing to the film. Horrible moment!

I can live with the paths of the dead scene being put into the movie as it happens. 'looking back' at the events works in a book sense, and even in a mini series tv sense, but wouldn't work movie wise. Although I don't like the whole skulls falling avalanche bit - just doesn't work for me....

shieldmaiden4xsword · 01-22-2007, 06:49 PM

**gulps**

anyway. I definitely DID NOT like the part where Aragorn messes around with Eowyn. Bad move. Baaaaad move. If I had been Eowyn, i would have slapped him. So what if he's Isildur's heir? He has no right to mess around with a woman's heart.....

Elladan and Elrohir · 01-23-2007, 02:57 PM

I don't think he's messing around with her. The two of them have developed a relationship, a deep bond, much deeper than in the books. Besides, look at what he's saying. "I have wished you joy ever since I first saw you." A line transplanted from the feast in the ROTK book. I think it certainly implies his pity for her, which is present in the book as well; she rejects Faramir at first because she thinks he's merely pitying her as well.

It doesn't get much clearer than "I cannot give you what you seek."

sassyfriend · 09-10-2011, 01:10 PM

I agree, Elladan. Aragorn is trying to make up for hurting her.

11-09-2006, 04:25 PM	#1
Elladan and Elrohir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Halls of Mandos Posts: 332	I really wish they'd just left the Paths of the Dead alone. I like a little bit of the new stuff, but none of it particularly adds to the scene, and it serves to spoil Aragorn's show-up at Pelennor Fields later. The Aragorn/Eowyn stuff is mesmerizing, well-scripted and well-acted. Both Mortensen and Otto thoroughly understand their characters, and it shows in their final scene together. __________________ "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." THE HOBBIT - IT'S COMING

11-13-2006, 03:36 AM	#2
doug*platypus Delver in the Deep Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Aotearoa Posts: 960	Ah yes, The Paths of the Dead. With nary a Dúnedan in sight, Aragorn forges on with his two bestest buddies. I thought that the "magic sword" bit was a little too corny, a little too Harry Potter and not Tolkien enough. I preferred the book version where Aragorn's character and personal traits such as his boldness were enough to engender the support of the armies of the dead. He revealed himself to them as the Heir of Isildur and so they pledged their allegiance to him in order to fulfill their oath and have rest. Perhaps PJ thought that this was a bit of a blind leap of faith for the average cinema viewer, and that a more tangible (though to my mind, less likely) reason be given as to why the dead joined the party. If that were so, maybe he could have produced some kind of heirloom other than the sword to vouch for his authenticity e.g. a ring. I dunno... what are others' thoughts on this matter? __________________ But Gwindor answered: 'The doom lies in yourself, not in your name'.

01-22-2007, 06:49 PM	#5
shieldmaiden4xsword Wight Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: where people stick out their tongues at their youth pastor.... Posts: 183	gulps anyway. I definitely DID NOT like the part where Aragorn messes around with Eowyn. Bad move. Baaaaad move. If I had been Eowyn, i would have slapped him. So what if he's Isildur's heir? He has no right to mess around with a woman's heart..... __________________ Sometimes the peril is not in what is around us, what enemies or trials that may come, but what is in our own hearts.

01-23-2007, 02:57 PM	#6
Elladan and Elrohir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Halls of Mandos Posts: 332	I don't think he's messing around with her. The two of them have developed a relationship, a deep bond, much deeper than in the books. Besides, look at what he's saying. "I have wished you joy ever since I first saw you." A line transplanted from the feast in the ROTK book. I think it certainly implies his pity for her, which is present in the book as well; she rejects Faramir at first because she thinks he's merely pitying her as well. It doesn't get much clearer than "I cannot give you what you seek." __________________ "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." THE HOBBIT - IT'S COMING

11-30-2006, 08:02 AM	#4
Essex Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Essex, England Posts: 886	I really like the shot of Aragorn in the extended version as he's riding along the path towards the haunted mountain - he looks so creepy as the camera looks up on him. he almost looks like a 'spirit' or one of the 'dead' himself.... I love the way the camera pans from right to left on the title above the door that Legolas translates. really clever idea, showing an old arcance language - why does it have to read from left to right? that's what I love about these films, the little things, the attention to detail that you might miss on first viewing but can delve into on subsequent viewings. Now on to my 'least favourite' part of the whole Trilogy (yes my cup is half full, not half empty lol) Gimli treading on the skulls and blowing away the 'spirit' that gathers around him. totally unfunny, cringe worthy part that totally undermines him, breaks the tension of the scene, and adds nothing to the film. Horrible moment! I can live with the paths of the dead scene being put into the movie as it happens. 'looking back' at the events works in a book sense, and even in a mini series tv sense, but wouldn't work movie wise. Although I don't like the whole skulls falling avalanche bit - just doesn't work for me....

09-10-2011, 01:10 PM	#7
sassyfriend Wight Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 165	I agree, Elladan. Aragorn is trying to make up for hurting her.