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The One Ring

The Complete List of Film Changes

General Changes
The Fellowship of the Ring
...Part 1
...Part 2
...Part 3
The Two Towers
Return of the King

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The Fellowship of the Ring - Part 2

Gandalf Sees Saruman's Palantír

FILMS: When Gandalf is summoned to Orthanc, Saruman shows Gandalf that he has a palantír but Gandalf protests its use.

BOOKS: Gandalf does not discover that Saruman has a palantír until Wormtongue hurls it out the window in The Two Towers.

PRO: Perhaps the early introduction of the audience to the palantír was to better explain why Saruman sent his forces where he did later on in the story.

CON: The script would require additional dialog written by the scriptwriters rather than by Tolkien.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Wizard Duel

Gandalf and Saruman fight a "wizard duel"FILMS: Saruman captures Gandalf by fighting a "wizard duel" involving telekinesis, lightning, and Gandalf being slammed against the wall.

BOOKS: No such battle is mentioned prior to Saruman imprisoning Gandalf.

PRO: Presumably this to add more action to the first half of the film, as well as to let the audience see for themselves what a formidable threat Saruman represents.

CON: A "wizard duel" smacks of cheesy fantasy films and misrepresents Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Gandalf Contacts Gwaihir By Messenger-Moth

Silence of the Lembas?FILMS: Gandalf sends a moth to tell Gwaihir, Lord of the Eagles, to rescue him from his imprisonment atop the tower of Orthanc. Later, as Saruman confronts Gandalf atop Orthanc, the moth flies back, Gandalf jumps off the tower, and lands on Gwaihir's back.

BOOKS: Gwaihir is sent to Orthanc by another wizard, Radagast the Brown, to bring news to Gandalf and Saruman. Seeing Gandalf trapped on top of the tower, Gwaihir rescues him.

PRO: With no time in the picture for Radagast, this change gives some of Radagast's "animal" powers to Gandalf. The use of the moth is a wonderful, subtle extrapolation from Gandalf's imprisonment on Orthanc. A beautiful, simple depiction of the wizard's "magic." It is also featured in one of the most stunning individual shots in the whole film, a breathlessly cinematic moment that illustrates the concept of "show, don't tell" to convey some vital understanding about the corruption of Saruman and his pursuit of power at any cost. Besides, actively seeking escape by sending out the moth to search for the eagle makes the desperation of Gandalf's situation far more acute, than if the bird more or less just happens to be passing and decides to pick him up after some more or less idle chit chat. These arguments put forth by Jersey in several The One Ring posts

CON: All of the other animals in Tolkien's world that interacted with people displayed a relatively high degree of sentience, which the moth apparently won't. Also, a moth being used to help the good guys is inappropriate for the story's mythological setting because a moth represents death, decay, and disease.

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CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Orc Pods

Orc emerging from cocoon?FILMS: Saruman's Uruk-hai army hatches from cocoons in assembly-line fashion in the caverns underneath Orthanc. The newborn Uruks are manhandled out of their pods and then flogged along by the pitmaster variety of Orcs to be examined, instructed and then outfitted with armor. The scene also conveys the relentlessly brutal means by which the evil lords acquire the "loyalty" of their warriors.

BOOKS: Orcs reproduce "in the manner of the Children of Ilúvatar."

PRO: Apparently the concept of orcs being hatched was influenced by Tolkien critic Tom Shippey. Also, it may be that the film-makers thought that scenes of Saruman mass-producing a large, viscious army would let the audience see for themselves what a formidable threat Saruman represents.

CON: Orc "cocoons" smacks of sci-fi films such as Alien and misrepresents Tolkien's world.

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CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Lurtz

Saruman examines his new creation, LurtzLurtz attacks Orc OverseerFILMS: Lurtz, an Uruk-hai bred by Saruman, leads a rebellion against Isengard's other Orcs and defeats them. Saruman then brings Lurtz up to the tower of Orthanc, where the Uruk-hai survives exposure to direct sunlight, which normal Orcs cannot withstand. (Lurtz later joins the Uruk-hai that ambush the Fellowship at Amon Hen and personally fires the 4-5 arrows that finish off Boromir).

BOOKS: There is no specific character named Lurtz and no such scenes of Uruk-hai at Isengard are described.

PRO: Presumably these scenes are used to show the audience what dangerous foes the Uruk-hai are, while the Lurtz character "gives a face" to the Uruk-hai.

CON: This change is an invention of the scriptwriters which takes screen time away from scenes that Tolkien actually wrote.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Éowyn Cameo Appearance

Eowyn makes a cameo appearance when Gwaihir brings Gandalf to RohanFILMS: Éowyn appears in FOTR when Gandalf acquired Shadowfax at Edoras.

BOOKS: Éowyn does not appear until The Two Towers.

PRO: Perhaps she only is there to help populate the scenes where Gandalf acquires Shadowfax.

CON: This change is an invention of the scriptwriters which takes screen time away from scenes that Tolkien actually wrote.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Note: According to John Forde's interview with Miranda Otto in E! Online On Location 10/01/00, Éowyn does not appear in the first film. However, either Forde or Otto may have been mistaken, since Otto's role in the first film is only supposed to be a cameo.

Stone Troll Encounter at Night

Strider examines stone troll by torchlightFILMS: While traveling at night (as evident by the torch), Strider and the hobbits discover the three trolls turned to stone during Bilbo's adventures.

BOOKS: The trolls are discovered in broad daylight. In fact, Strider admonishes the hobbits for claiming to have seen live trolls during the day, forgetting everything they know about trolls.

PRO: Since the Weathertop scenes occur at night, perhaps these scenes closely follow to facilitate time compression of the original story.

CON: Such time compression is an invention of the scriptwriters and does not represent Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Arwen at the Ford (AATF)

Black Riders chase Arwen (riding mecha-horse for filming)Arwen and Frodo atop AsfalothArwen protects Frodo from the Black RidersArwen and Frodo face the Ringwraiths at the Ford of BruinenFILMS: On their way to Rivendell, Strider and the hobbits encounter Arwen riding Asfaloth. Arwen realizes that Frodo will quickly sink into the wraith world if he is not quickly, so being the fastest rider of the group, she volunteers to ride ahead with Frodo to bring him to her father, Elrond, who can heal him. However, on the way to Rivendell, they are attacked by Black Riders, but Arwen manages to cross the Ford of Bruinen before the Black Riders can can seize Frodo. The Witch King calls out to her, "Give up the Halfling, She-Elf!" and Arwen replies, "If you want him, come and claim him!" Arwen is armed with a sword, but she never actually uses it against the Black Riders.

BOOKS: Strider and the hobbits encounter an Elf lord named Glorfindel, while Arwen remains in Rivendell. Glorfindel puts Frodo on his horse when the Black Riders attack, and Asfaloth carries Frodo alone across the Ford.

PRO: According to screenwriter Philippa Boyens, Arwen's horse riding scene was done as a cinematic change, to make a scene play better on screen.

CON: Having Arwen accompany Frodo during his escape from the Black Riders and defiance ("You shall have neither the Ring nor me!") at the Ford robs Frodo of much of his bravery.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Note: In Bakshi's animated version of LOTR, Legolas took Glorfindel's place.

Arwen Causes Flood at Ford (ACFAF)

FILMS: Once Arwen reaches the other side of the Ford with Frodo, she challenges the Black Riders to cross the Ford and try to get him. (Frodo is too weak to speak). As they enter the water, she recites then Elvish words "nîn o Hitaeglir lasto beth daer rhimmo nin Bruinen dan in ulair" ("Waters from Misty Mountains, listen to my words of might, flow torrentially for me, Bruinen, against the ringwraiths!") , which cause the Bruinen to flood and wash the Black Riders away.

BOOKS: As the Black Riders approach the Ford to seize him, Frodo raises his sword and defiantly say, "You shall have neither the Ring nor me." The flood was unleashed by Elrond (with Gandalf giving the foam the shape of white horses).

PRO: This change eliminates the need for Gandalf to later explain to Frodo how the flood what caused and allows the audience to actually see it.

CON: Allowing Arwen to unleash the floods by merely reciting words de-emphasizes the power Elrond holds over Rivendell with his ring and reduces Elves to D&D spell-casting stereotypes. It also undermines the courage Frodo displays in the books.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Frodo's Healing Shown in Real-Time

FILMS: Elrond heals Frodo, saying in Elvish "lasto beth nin, tolo dan na ngalad" (translation: "Frodo, hear my voice, come back to the light."), and as Frodo beings to come back to consciousness, Elrond and Gandalf discuss his prognnosis).

BOOKS: Frodo wakens to only find Gandalf in his room in Rivendell. Gandalf tells Frodo that Elrond has been tending him the past few days.

PRO: This change eliminates the need for Gandalf to explain to Frodo how he came to be healed.

CON: This change requires the invention of new dialog by the scriptwriters, and therefore it is not reflective of Tolkien's work..

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Frodo Watches Arwen from Room

Elrond and Arwen in RivendellFILMS: Frodo watches Arwen from outside his room in Rivendell.

BOOKS: The only times it is mentioned that Frodo sees Arwen is at Elrond's feast and, afterwards, in the Hall of Fire.

PRO: Presumably this is a cinematic way of moving the audience from a scene with Frodo to a scene with Arwen.

CON: This change is an invention of the scriptwriters which takes screen time away from scenes that Tolkien actually wrote.

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CREDIBILITY: 3/5

Arwen Gives Aragorn Elvish Jewel

Arwen and Aragorn share a romantic moment in RivendellFILMS: A romantic interlude between Aragorn and Arwen occurs at Rivendell, where Arwen gives Aragorn an Elvish jewel called Evenstar as a keepsake.

BOOKS: Aragorn and Arwen do meet at Rivendell, but the details of their encounter are not described. Galadriel gave Aragorn an Elvish jewel called Elessar("the Elfstone") in Lothlorien.

PRO: According to director Peter Jackson, "the Aragorn/Arwen romance is a lovely part of the story ... but if it was filmed exactly as Tolkien wrote it, they would have maybe 10 minutes screentime together over 6 hours of film. So we have to find a way to include Arwen in more of the story, to have a chance at creating a meaningful screen romance."

CON: The script would require additional dialog written by the scriptwriters rather than by Tolkien.

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CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Elrond and Gandalf Discuss Ring Before Council

FILMS: Elrond tells Gandalf that the Ring can not be kept at Rivendell.

BOOKS: No such scene is in the books.

PRO: The disagreement about what to do with the Ring provides motivation for having a Council.

CON: This change requires dialog created by the filmmakers rather than Tolkien's own.

SUPPORTED BY:

  • "Passage to Middle-earth" Sci-Fi Channel Special 12/9/01 (photographic evidence, first report)

CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Council of Elrond Shortened

Sit down and shut up, Gandalf! We want to keep this meeting brief!FILMS: The Council of Elrond is much shorter than it is in the books and is more about making a decision about what to do with the Ring rather than providing background exposition. Gandalf is mostly silent during the Council.

BOOKS: Gandalf speaks for pages and pages about past events.

PRO: Presumably this was done in the interests of time compression and to spread out the dialog among more characters.

CON: Parceling out backstory dialog among the other characters require additional dialog written by the scriptwriters rather than by Tolkien.

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CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Note: Both the BBC radio production and Ralph Bakshi's animated adaptation greatly shortened this sequence.

Aragorn Dresses Up for Council

Frodo, don't you recognize me in these new threads?FILMS: Aragorn appears in clean, new clothes at the Council of Elrond.

BOOKS: "In a corner, alone Strider was sitting, clad in his old travel-worn clothes again."

PRO: If the Hall of Fire scenes (where Aragorn appears dressed in bright Elven mail) are ommitted, then it is necessary to have Aragorn dress well in this scene to illustrate his true, high lineage.

CON: This is an unnecessary change from Tolkien's story.

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CREDIBILITY: 4/5

The Ring on a Plinth (ROAP)

Frodo places the Ring on the plinth at the Council of ElrondClose-up of Frodo relinquishing the RingFILMS: Members of the Council of Elrond sit in a circle surrounding the One Ring on its plinth.

BOOKS: Frodo keeps the One Ring hidden under his shirt until bidden to briefly show it to the Council.

PRO: Perhaps the filmmakers felt that if the Ring were physically separated from Frodo, his agreeing to be Ringbearer on the quest would have more impact than it would if the audience saw Frodo sitting throughout the Council meeting with the Ring suspended about his neck. Also, having all of these heroic characters sit around the Ring at a distance is a visually symbolic of the Ring's power and of the problem the Council is trying to solve.

CON: Having Frodo voluntarily give up the Ring and leave it on the plinth exposed to anyone who might be tempted to use it actually diminishes the audiences' sense of the Ring's power. And as a dramatic centerpiece, it lacks subtlety.

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CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Gimli Attempts to Destroy the Ring

Show Biz - WETA toy figure depicts Gimli attempting to destroy Ring at the Council of ElrondFILMS: Gimli attempts to destroy the Ring by striking it with his ax as it lies on the plinth at the Council of Elrond.

BOOKS: Gimli makes no attempt to destroy or damage the Ring anywhere in the story.

PRO: Presumably this is to visually portray Gandalf's line from the books that not even the great hammers of the Dwarves could destroy the Ring - as well as to depict Gimli as a man of action.

CON: This change is an invention of the scriptwriters and does not represent Tolkien's work.

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CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Legolas Stands Up For Aragorn

Sit down and shut up, Legolas!FILMS: When Boromir asks Aragorn who he is and what he has to do with Minas Tirith, Legolas stands up and tells Boromir that Aragorn is Isildur's heir, to whom Boromir should owe his allegience. However, Aragorn says, "Havo dad, Legolas" ("sit down, Legolas").

BOOKS: Elrond tells Boromir of Aragorn's heritage, and elsewhere in the book, Aragorn is always proud to proclaim (or have proclaimed) that he is Isildur's heir.

PRO: The filmmakers wish to portray Aragorn as someone who is suspicious of authority -- even his own -- perhaps to underscore the realization that power corrupts.

CON: Aragorn's primary motivation in the books is to reclaim what was lost to his family, and to win the hand of Arwen by becoming king of both Arnor and Gondor. Having him be so blase about his heritage robs him of his driving force. Also, it is not Legolas' place to stand up for Aragorn.

SUPPORTED BY:

  • Leonides The One Ring Messageboard Post 10/8/01 (first report)
    • This post was deleted at Peter Jackson's request

CREDIBILITY: 1/5

Where's Bilbo?

Where's Bilbo?FILMS: Bilbo does not attend the Council of Elrond.

BOOKS: Bilbo attends with Council, telling the story of how he came by the Ring. He also offers to take it to Mordor, but Gandalf tells him that his involvement with the matter has ended.

PRO: Presumably the filmmakers thought that Bilbo being present at the Council would require unnecessary and redundant exposition.

CON: This change is an invention of the scriptwriters and does not represent Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

REFUTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Thanks to RockyMars for bringing this to my attention on!

Sam, Merry and Pippin Burst into Council

Merry and Pippin eavesdropping in RivendellFILMS: Sam, who was watching the proceedings of the Council of Elrond from behind bushes beyond the porchs, bursts in and demands to accompany Frodo on his quest. Then Merry and Pippin run in from their hiding place in a corridor and make the same demand.

BOOKS: Sam is present at the Council from its start. Merry and Pippin do not attend the Council at all, and they do not request to become the final two members of the Fellowship until many days later.

PRO: Presumably the later meeting with Elrond was incorporated into the Council scene to leave more time for other scenes.

CON: This change is an invention of the scriptwriters and does not represent Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Fellowship Members Volunteer to Join Frodo

The Fellowship is chosen at the Council of ElrondFILMS: During the Council of Elrond, Frodo steps up to volunteer himself to carry it to Mount Doom, the only place the Ring can be unmade. Gandalf agrees to join him, saying "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." Then Aragorn speaks up, "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and if by life or dead I can save you, I will. You have my sword." Legolas offers his bow and Gimili offers his axe. Boromir also agrees, saying, "You carry the fate of all of us, little one." The bushes rustle and three hobbit-eavesdroppers come running into the circle, Sam in front. Sam declares he will follow Frodo no matter what, and Merry and Pippin squeal that they would have to be locked up to be kept away. Elrond smiles and declares "so be it, nine walkers to balance the nine Riders. Boromir mutters something like "if it's the will of the council." Elrond then declares the group "the Fellowship of the Ring."

BOOKS: Elrond chose the members of the Fellowship some weeks after the Council was held. Aragorn said "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and if by life or dead I can save you, I will" when he first met the hobbits in Bree.

PRO: Presumably the later meeting with Elrond was incorporated into the Council scene to leave more time for other scenes.

CON: This change is an invention of the scriptwriters and does not represent Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Gollum's Escape Discussed After Council

Elrond and Gandalf conferFILMS: Gollum's escape from the Elves is discussed by Gandalf and Elrond immediately before the Fellowship departs Rivendell.

BOOKS: This development is discussed at Council of Elrond.

PRO: Presumably this was done to alleviate some of the exposition burden from the Council of Elrond scene.

CON: This change eliminates Legolas' reason for being at the Council of Elrond.

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CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Aragorn, The Ninja Ranger

Aragorn, The Black RangerFILMS: Aragorn dresses in dark clothing and carries a common sword and a bow. (He doesn't receive Anduril until departing upon the Paths of the Dead).

BOOKS: "Aragorn had Anduril but no other weapon, and he went forth clad only in rusty green and brown, as a Ranger of the Wilderness."

PRO: The dark colors makes Aragorn look more mysterious and menacing.

CON: This change is an invention of the costumers and does not represent Tolkien's work.

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CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Gimli, The Hatchet Man

Gimli with helmet and three axesGimli's GearFILMS: Gimil wears an ornate Dwarvish helmet and three axes: a tall walking-axe of Ereborian design, with its crescent-mooned blade and two throwing axes - one a smaller version of the walking-axe, the other a hatchet. In Moria, he also avails himself of a mighty double-headed battle axe of Morian design.

BOOKS: When departing with the Fellowship from Rivendell, "Gimil the dwarf alone wore openly a short shirt of steel-rings, for dwarves make light of burdens; and in his belt was a broad-bladed axe." No mention is made of him carrying additional axes or wearing a helm. In fact, when he outfits himself for battle at Edoras, he is described as not needing a coat of rings because he already has one; however, he does choose a cap of iron and leather, suggesting that he does not already have a helm.

PRO: Presumably the helmet and additional axes helps to make Gimli come across as a tough warrior.

CON: This change is an invention of the costumers and does not represent Tolkien's work.

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CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Legolas, The Big Booted

Legolas with big boots and two throwing knives in quiverFILMS: Legolas wears "mossy greens and greys" along with "fetching knee-high lace-up boots." He also carries two filigreed throwing knives attached to his quiver.

BOOKS: Legolas was clad in brown and green at the Council of Elrond. When departing from Rivendell, "Legolas had a bow and a quiver, and at his belt was a long, white knife." While the Fellowship attempts to cross the snow at Caradhras, Frodo notes that "the Elf had no boots, but wore only light shoes, as he always did."

PRO: According to one of the costumers, high boots help make the Elves look more statuesque. And, to modify and old adage, two knives are better than one.

CON: This change is an invention of the scriptwriters and does not represent Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Note: Many fans believe that Legolas was dark-haired, not blonde as he is in the films. However, Tolkien's writings are inconclusive on this point.

Go to The Fellowship of the Ring Part 3 >>

The Complete List of Film Changes

General Changes
The Fellowship of the Ring
...Part 1
...Part 2
...Part 3
The Two Towers
Return of the King

Want to add a change we missed?  Contact Us!

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