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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 3

Boromir, The Blonde

Do blondes have more fun?FILMS: Despite wearing a wig, Sean Bean sports blonde hair. He also visibly wears a shirt of mail under his red tunic

BOOKS: Like other men of Numenorean descent, Boromir had dark hair. Also, Gimli was the only member of the Fellowship setting out from Rivendell to "openly a short shirt of steel-rings."

PRO: If both Aragorn and Boromir had dark hair as in the books, it would be too hard for the audience to distinguish them.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Ruins in Hollin

The Fellowship passes by ruins in HollinFILMS: The Fellowship passes by ruins during their journey through Hollin.

BOOKS: Such ruins are not mentioned in the book.

PRO: This is simply "set decoration" that adds visual interest to the landscape and gives the audience a sense of Middle-earth's past civilizations and ages.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Note: Thanks to Henry for pointing this out!

Boromir Holds Ring

Frodo drops the Ring in the snow..... and Boromir picks it upFILMS: While Frodo is crossing the snows of Caradhras, he falls and the Ring chain slips off of his neck. Boromir picks it up the Ring by its chain and says, "It is a strange fate that we suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing&such a little thing." Aragorn then tells Boromir to give the Ring back to Frodo, which he does.

BOOKS: Boromir catches only a glimpse of the Ring during the Council of Elrond but never actually sees it again, much less holds it. He does not utter the quoted line until he attempts to seize the Ring from Frodo at Amon Hen.

PRO: This additional scene helps to build in the audience's mind Boromir's growing desire for the Ring throughout the Fellowship's journey.

CON: If Frodo was wearing the Ring on its chain around his neck and under his garments, it could not have slipped off as easily as this scene implies - nor would Frodo willingly give it to Boromir. For that matter, Boromir would not willingly give it back to Frodo once he had it in his grasp.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Note: According to BOROMIR Audition Script 1/13/00, Boromir gets a glimpse of the ring in Rivendell, but never again sees or holds it.

Saruman Causes Snowstorm

Saruman calls forth snow storm...... and gives Gandalf a cold reception on CaradhrasFILMS: Saruman causes the snowstorm encountered by the Fellowship as they cross Caradhras. Gandalf tries to fight the power that Saruman has called and is once again defeated. Gandalf finally agrees to Aragorn's suggestion that they take the route through Moria.

BOOKS: Boromir wonders if the snowstorm "is a contrivance of the Enemy" [Sauron] but the book does not even suggest that it might be caused by Saruman not does Gandalf use any special powers to fight the snowstorm other than to magically ignite a piece of wood. They do decide to go to Moria instead, but all along, it was Gandalf who suggested Moria and Aragorn pusshing for the Caradhras route.

PRO: Having Saruman cause the snowstorm gives him a greater presence as a threat in the film.

CON: This change is an invention of the scriptwriters and does not reflect what Tolkien wrote.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Warg Attack Cut

Director Peter Jackson finds he needs to make a lot of cuts to "Fellowship" to get it down to a reasonable running timeFILMS: The Fellowship is not attacked by wargs after their failed attempt to cross Caradhras.

BOOKS: The warg attack ends all hesitation about taking the route through Moria.

PRO: Eliminating this scene leaves screen time available for more important scenes.

CON: The warg attack is an important scene because it demonstrates the dangers the Fellowship had to face before being willing to enter Moria.

SUPPORTED BY:

REFUTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Entire Fellowship Battles Watcher

The Watcher in the Water lashes out at Legolas, Boromir and Aragorn as they help FrodoFILMS: All the members of the Fellowship battle the Watcher in the Water when it grabs Frodo at the gates of Moria.

BOOKS: Only Sam slashes at a tentacle with his knife before the watcher frees Frodo.

PRO: Having the entire fight the Watcher makes the scene more exciting.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Frodo Solves the Riddle in the Gates of Moria

Gandalf examines the gates of MoriaFILMS:   Frodo walks up, and -as if thinking out loud- says "Speak, friend, and enter" then turning to Gandalf he asks "What is the elvish word for friend?" "Mellon" -answers Gandalf- thus opening the door.

BOOKS:  Gandalf sits with his head bowed "Either in despair or in anxious thought" and then suddenly stands up, laughing and crying "I have it." He stands in front of the door and in a clear voice says "Mellon".  Then he explained that the translation could have been "Say friend, and enter", rather than "Speak, friend, and enter."

PRO: It allows Frodo to become an activate part of the Fellowship, and strengthens the bond between him and Gandalf.

CON: Gandalf's role as the wise wizard is diminished by the musings of a Hobbit.

SUPPORTED BY:

  • The Fellowship of the Ring Film
Moria Guard Room Scene Compressed

Pippin examines Moria skeleton......knocking the skeleton down a wellFool of a Took!FILMS: As Gandalf reads the journal in Balin's tomb, Pippin accidentally knocks the dwarf skull down a well. Next, the skeleton to which it is attached collapses and falls down the well, also dragging down a chain and bucket. The noise is incredible. Gandalf hisses, "Fool of a Took." The Fellowship then hears the sound of drums. Boromir takes a peek out the door and is nearly struck by an arrow from a party of attacking Orcs.

BOOKS: Pippin purposefully drops a rock into a well at a guard room where the Fellowship slept after their first march in Moria. They then hear what sounds like a hammer tapping in the distance. Gandalf assigns Pippin the first watch "as a reward," but kindly relieves him an hour later. The Orc attack comes does not come until the Fellowship arrives at Balin's Tomb one or two days later.

PRO: Combining the guard room scene with the Balin's Tomb scene leaves more screen time for other material.

CON: The original scene as Tolkien wrote is one of the fans' favorite scenes in the book and as such, should not be altered.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Aragorn Fights with Bow in Moria

Aragorn uses a bow against orcs at Balin's TombFILMS: Aragorn is armed with a bow as well as a sword in both Balin's Tomb and Helm's Deep.

BOOKS: Aragorn is never described anywhere in the story as using a weapon other than his sword, Anduril (unless you count the flaming brands at Weathertop).

PRO: Arming Aragorn with a bow gives him more versatility in combat scenes. Also, when he unsheathes Anduril, he symbolicly transforms from Strider to Aragorn.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Cave Troll Fight Sequence

Sam dives under Moria cave trollFILMS: A cave troll wielding a hammer and chain bursts into the battle at Balin's Tomb. The troll swings a huge chain at Legolas, who fires arrows at his spine, and knocks Aragorn aside as it stalks Frodo. The troll picks up a polearm and slams it into Frodo's chest. Merry and Pippin then jump on the troll's back while Aragorn stabs it with it's own polearm, but it is Legolas who actually kills it with two arrows fired into its mouth. The Fellowship then tends to Frodo and discover his mithril coat.

BOOKS: The cave troll manages to get its foot into the door, but Frodo drives it off by stabbing Sting into its toe. As the Fellowship flee from Balin's Tomb, an orc chieftain bursts in, knocking aside Boromir and escaping a swing from Aragorn's sword. Sam manages to take a swipe at the orc chieftain, but that doesn't prevent it from hurling its polearm into Frodo's side. Aragorn then cleaves the orc's head in two. (Tolkien makes no mention of Merry or Pippin participating in any of the battle). The Fellowship does not learn of Frodo's mithril coat until tending to him outside of Moria.

PRO: These changes are a more visually interesting and exciting than what Tolkien wrote (witness Bakshi's more faithful but ponderous depiction of this scene).

CON: These changes are an invention of the scriptwriters and do not represent Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Spider Orcs

Spider-orcs climb down pillars in the Second Hall of MoriaFILMS: As the Fellowship flees through the Second Hall of Old Moria, a number of orcs climb spider-like down the pillars headfirst.

BOOKS: Tolkien never described Orcs as having arachnoid abilities.

PRO: These changes are a more visually interesting and exciting than what Tolkien wrote.

CON: These changes are an invention of the scriptwriters and do not represent Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Moria Orcs Surround Fellowship

Moria orcs surround FellowshipFILMS: As the Fellowship flees through the Second Hall of Old Moria, thousands of orcs spring out from out of every direction to surround the Fellowship. However, the Orcs then flee in panic when the Balrog appears.

BOOKS: A large fissure filled with fire separates the Fellowship from the orcs in the Second Hall. Some cave trolls attempt to lay down large stone slabs to bridge the fissure, but all the enemies suddenly crowd away (perhaps in fear) as the Balrog arrives.

PRO: These changes are a more visually interesting and exciting than what Tolkien wrote.

CON: These changes are an invention of the scriptwriters and do not represent Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

The Gimli Beard Saving Maneuver (GBSM)

"Nobody tosses a dwarf."FILMS: When the Balrog first appears, the Fellowship attempts to escape it by running down a flight of steps. However, there is a chasm at the bottom of the steps, and the Fellowship jumps across it. Boromir carries Merry and Pippin when he jumps. Someone offers to throw Gimli and he growls at them, "Nobody tosses a dwarf!" Gimli attempts to jump across but is saved from falling into the fissure by Legolas grabbing onto his beard. Legolas shoots his bow at orcs who are raining spears and arrows down upon them. The stairway collapses into the chasm just as Aragorn carries Frodo down the steps on their way to the Bridge of Khazad-dum.

BOOKS: There is no such collapsing stair and jumping across chasm scene.

PRO: These changes are a more visually interesting and exciting than what Tolkien wrote.

CON: These changes are an invention of the scriptwriters and do not represent Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Elves Save Fellowship from Moria Orcs

Elvish arrow whizzes toward Orcs pursuing Fellowship into LothlorienFILMS: Orcs chase The Fellowship in broad daylight from the Moria Gate to Lothlórien, where a group of Elven archers slay the orcs just as it appeared the Fellowship would be overwhelmed if not for their intervention.

BOOKS: This slaying happens out of the Fellowship's sight at night and the Elves tell them about it afterwards.

PRO: Presumably, this change gets the Fellowship from Moria to Lothlórien more quickly, both in terms of time and dramatic pacing.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Elves Pull Fellowship into Trees

FILMS: Lothlórien Elves pull the Fellowship into the trees to save them from a second, larger group of pursuing Moria orcs.

BOOKS: Haldir and his brothers let down rope ladders so that Frodo and Sam can climb up and spend the night sleeping in their flet (the remainder of the Fellowship slept in another tree). However, it was not part of a rescue.

PRO: Presumably, this is a quick way to introduce Haldir, as well as adding some light comic relief after the exciting events in Moria.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Note: It was originally reported that the Elves magically levitated the Fellowship into the trees, but it now appears that this was only a poor choice of words from a crewmember.

Only Legolas is Blindfolded With Gimli

FILMS: So that Gimli does not feel singled out when Haldir demands that the dwarf be blindfolded on the way to Caras Galadhon, Legolas reluctantly agrees to be blindfolded too.

BOOKS: The entire Fellowship is blindfolded.

PRO: Focusing this scene on Legolas and Gimli helps to build a stronger relationship between them in FOTR.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

  • GIMLI Audition Script 1/13/99 (first report)

CREDIBILITY: 1/5

Frodo Sees Shire's Destruction in Galadriel's Mirror

... and sees a vision of the Shire's destructionFrodo alone is invited by Galadriel to look into her mirror...FILMS: Frodo is awakened in the night by the passing of Galadriel. He follows her to the Mirror of Galadriel, looks in, and sees the destruction of the Shire.

BOOKS: Frodo and Sam are walking through the woods of Lothlorien when Galadriel beckons them to the Mirror. Sam looks first, and he is the one who sees the Shire's destruction.

PRO: Having Frodo alone with Galadriel and seeing the Shire's destruction himself makes the scene more dramatic and Frodo's trial more poignant.

CON: This is a needless change to the story.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Frodo Holds Ring Out to Galadriel

Frodo removes Ring and offers it to GaladrielFILMS: Frodo removes the Ring and chain from his neck and hands it out to Galadriel.

BOOKS: Frodo says to Galadriel, "I will give you the One Ring, if you ask for it. It is too great a matter for me." However, nowhere does the text say that Frodo even shows her the Ring.

PRO: This is a reasonable action to accompany Frodo's words.

CON: This action goes beyond what Tolkien intended.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Galadriel's Swan Dinghy

[img]2613||no_popup[/img]FILMS: Galadriel rides in a small, dinghy-sized swan boat.

BOOKS: Galadriel and Celeborn rode in a swan ship "of great size" steered by two Elves with black paddles.

PRO: A larger ship would have overpowered the Lothlórien setting.

CON: The small swan boat looks like it's from an amusement park ride.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Elrond and Arwen Visit Lothlórien

Elrond and Celeborn in Caras GaladhonFILMS: Elrond meets with Celeborn in Caras Galadhon, while Galadriel talks with Arwen.

BOOKS: Nowhere in the books is such a scene described.

PRO: This change allows for more screentime with the Elves.

CON: This is an invention of the scriptwriters and does not relflect Tolkien's story.

SUPPORTED BY:

  • Elrond and Celeborn Film Still (first report, photographic evidence)
  • "The Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide" by Brian Sibley (photographic evidence)

CREDIBILITY: 4/5

The Argonath Hasn't an Axe to Grind

The Pillars of the Kings with swords instead of axesFILMS: The right statue of The Argonath holds a sword. (It is difficult to make out what the left statue is holding, if anything).

BOOKS: "The left hand of each was raised palm outwards in gesture of warning; in each right hand there was an axe; upon each head there was a crumbling helm and crown."

PRO: Um... this change was so that the movie audience wouldn't think Isildur and Anárion were dwarves?

CON: This is a needless deviation from the text.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Note: Interestingly, film production illustrator John Howe has previously illustrated The Argonath with axes

Aragorn Battles Uruk-hai at Amon Hen

Frodo tells Aragorn that the Ring is tearing the Fellowship apartOrcs converge on the Seat of SeeingAragorn battles Uruk-hai at Amon HenFILMS: After his encounter with Boromir atop the ruins of Amon Hen, Frodo meets Aragorn at the base of the ruins and tells him that he has decided to leave the Fellowship because the Ring is working its evil on them. Aragorn reluctantly agrees, but then hundreds of Saruman's Uruk-hai attack. Aragorn tells Frodo to run and fights off several the Uruk-hai. However, dozens more arrive, forcing Aragorn to run off. (At some point, Aragorn beheads Lurtz, the Uruk-hai leader who kills Boromir.) Merry and Pippin also see Frodo leaving. They sacrifice themselves to help him get away from the orcs that are hunting him. They stand and shout at the orcs and lead them off.

BOOKS: Frodo doesn't meet any other members of the Fellowship between his encounter with Boromir and leaving with Sam in the boat - nor does he witness the Uruk-hai attack. Aragorn does not encounter any of the Uruk-hai, arriving at the scene of the attack only after it is all over and the surviving Uruk-hai have escaped with Merry and Pippin.

PRO: It is necessary for Frodo to talk to Aragorn about his decision to leave so that the audience is aware of Frodo's thoughts, that are expressed only as narrative in the books. Also, having the other Fellowship members aware of his decision prevents unnecessary screentime of Fellowship members worrying about what happened to Frodo.

CON: Frodo would not knowingly leave his friends in danger likethis.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Lurtz Kills Boromir in Real-Time

Lurtz throws shield at BoromirFILMS: Boromir's defense of the hobbits and subsequent death at Amon Hen is shown at the end of the film version of FOTR in "real time." He is shot with several arrows by Lurtz, the leader of the Uruk-hai band.

BOOKS: Boromir's death is discussed at the beginning of The Two Towers, but we are not given a first-hand account of the battle.

PRO: New Line wants/needs something to button the first film with that doesn't come off as a minor skirmish compared to the events in Moria and on the outskirts of Lothlorien. Structurally, it would be very unsatisfying to audiences who must be engaged enough to wait for an entire year to continue the saga. Readers of the book don't have to stop after FOTR for a whole year.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

DEBUNKED RUMORS

FALSE: Merry and Pippin Caught Eavesdropping

FILMS: While discussing the Ring with Frodo at Bag End, Gandalf catches Merry, Pippin and Sam eavesdropping.

BOOKS: Only Sam is caught eavesdropping, although he later names Merry and Pippin as fellow "conspirators" who have been observing Frodo since Bilbo's departure.

PRO: Presumably this integrates the "conspiracy revelation" scenes from the books into the compressed storyline of the screenplay, in which the Crickhollow scenes have been eliminated.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

  • AICN Script Review (first report)
  • Leonides The One Ring Messageboard Post 10/9/01 (confirmation) This post was deleted at Peter Jackson's request

REFUTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: -1/5

FALSE: Palantír Staff

The baseball at the end of Saruman's staff is not the palantír of OrthancThe palantír still has a nice Brunswick look!FILMS: The palantír of Orthanc is a white baseball-sized sphere, which Saruman keeps at the end of his staff.

BOOKS: It is a heavy, dark crystal globe about one foot in diameter.

SUPPORTED BY:

REFUTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: -5/5

Note: Despite the original Saruman photograph, we now know that the sphere on Saruman's staff is NOT a palantír. Now, a white palantír was used during the filming, but that was only so that CG artists could clearly see the outline of the globe for applying the visual effects.

FALSE: Boromir's Dream Cut

FILMS: Boromir's dream about seeking "the sword that was broken" is eliminated from the films.

BOOKS: The dream is Boromir's reason for coming to Rivendell, and Aragorn takes it as a sign that the time has finally come for Isildur's heir to reclaim the throne.

PRO: Presumably the dream was eliminated to leave more time for other scenes.

CON: Removing the dream eliminates Boromir's reason for being at the Council of Elrond as well as Aragorn's realization that the time was approaching for Isildur's heir to reclaim the throne.

SUPPORTED BY:

REFUTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: -1/5

FALSE: Arwen Follows Fellowship

Nope! Arwen's not here!FILMS: Arwen joins or follows the Fellowship as they travel from Rivendell to Amon Hen.

BOOKS: Arwen remains in Rivendell until she travels to Minas Tirith to marry Aragorn after he is crowned king.

SUPPORTED BY:

REFUTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: -4/5

Note: One "spy" claimed that he heard a woman screaming during the filming of the Gates of Moria scene and deduced that Arwen must have been with the Fellowship.
FALSE: Arwen Arrives at Amon Hen

FILMS: Arwen and Lothlórien Elves led by Haldir arrive in time to help the Fellowship fight the Uruk-Hai attack at Amon Hen.

BOOKS: No such help arrives.

PRO: According to Peter Jackson, "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: This change is an invention of the scriptwriters and does not represent Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

REFUTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: -1/5


Go to The Two Towers Part 1 >>

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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