Age change in Théoden

[Elladan and Elrohir]

Why not just take the question at face value and try to sincerely answer it? There's no need to launch into ad hominem and straw man. The guy doesn't like the movies as much as you and I do; give him a fair shake anyway and discuss his question.

It's a good question, and one that I haven't seen asked much at all. I think there was definitely an urge to play younger and give Theoden a more active role. It allows him to swing sword at Grima, power-walk the length and breadth of Helm's Deep before the battle, and go get wounded while impaling Uruk-Hai at the gate.

Of course, it also makes it more credible for Theoden to be Eowyn and Eomer's uncle; it arguably (I said ARGUABLY, mind you!) allows him to relate to Eowyn better.

And thematically, it doesn't allow Theoden to focus on his age and how that might hinder him; instead he concerns himself with boosting morale and strengthening his people.

None of those reasons are airtight by any means and all can be criticized, but those are a few that occurred to me.

[Gwathagor]

I think it's important to Theoden's character for him to be an old fella. It makes his situation (as an apparently weak king, the last of his line) more pathetic and desperate, his courage more dramatic, and his ultimate redemption through glorious death in battle all the more important.

[A Little Green]

I agree that in Théoden's character, the age is an important issue, and thus find it odd that it should be changed. What would have happened, I wonder, if they had decided for instance to make Éomer middle-aged? (Ok, a lousy example, but who cares.)

I guess the reason had to do with making him look different than the other old greybeards in the film. However, I do NOT find that a valid reason for changing his age.

Indeed, now that I think about it, it can't have been about the actor doing the role. Bernard Hill was, after all, around 60 years old when the films were released (if I have it correctly), so I can't imagine the filmmakers having any difficulties, had they wished to do so, in making him look older.

By the way,

Originally Posted by William Cloud Hickli

His spirit is willing, but his flesh weak: something that PBW got precisely backwards.

sorry to ask silly questions but what is PBW? It might be my brain just won't work right now, or else I'm just not learned enough.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Sorry- shorthand for Peter-Boyens-Walsh.