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The Complete List of Film Changes

General Changes
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers
Return of the King

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The Return of the King

Third Film Opens With Narsil Being Reforged

FILMS: The third film starts with the reforging of Narsil in the foundry of Rivendell. Elrond then brings it to Aragorn's encampment with Theoden.

BOOKS: Narsil is reforged into Aragorn's sword Anduril before the Fellowship sets out from Rivendell in the first book. The third books opens with Gandalf and Pippin riding to Minas Tirith.

PRO: Anduril is a good visual device representing Aragorn's decision to reclaim the throne of Gondor, and thus its reforging is better suited to the third film.

CON: This change does not represent Tolkien's work.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Eowyn Can't Compete With Arwen

FILMS: When Arwen arrives at Aragorn's camp to bring him the reforged sword Anduril, Eowyn could see clearly that there was no way she could compete with this elf maiden.

BOOKS: Arwen remains in Rivendell while Eowyn is in Rohan.

PRO: This could lead to interesting character interaction.

CON: This is a major deviation from Tolkien's storyline.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 1/5

Shelob Appears in Third Film

FILMS: The encounter with Shelob will not appear until the third film.

BOOKS: The second book ends with the spider Shelob poisioning Frodo, Sam stabbing said Shelob, and the poisoned Frodo being captured by orcs.

PRO: According to Peter Jackson, "''If we started Return of the King after Shelob - the way the books do - there'd be very little for Frodo and Sam to do," It also allows the time frames of the separated characters to more closely match each other.

CON: Frodo being stabbed by Shelob and taken prisoner by the orcs was the perfect cliffhanger on which to end the second film.

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Round Spiked Wheelie Dealie (RSWD)

Wizard impaled on spiked wheelFILMS: Saruman is killed after his staff is broken by Gandalf. He is pushed off the balcony by Grima and is impaled on one of his machines, a spiked wheel.

BOOKS: Saruman dies after Wormtongue slashes his throat in the Shire at the end of the War of the Ring.

PRO: If there is no time to fully depict the Scouring of the Shire as Tolkien wrote it in the third film, then this death provides his character with a fitting end. It is poetic justice that he dies upon his own machinery (as well as an in-joke about Christopher Lee's portrayal of Dracula in other films).

CON: Impalement is a cheesy death, seen in too many other films. By not imprisoning him in Orthanc, it robs the filmmakers a chance to show Gandalf's compassion. Besides, the Scouring of the Shire is one of the best parts of the book.

SUPPORTED BY:

REFUTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Note: Many believe that the "wizard kabob" is a prank that Peter Jackson played on people attempting to spy on the production. Only a few days before the RSWD scene appeared in full view of the public street, production guards aggressively chased away people who were getting to close to the filming.

Saruman Falls Holding Palantír

FILMS: After being impaled upon the wheel at Orthanc, Saruman drops the palantír from his hand and into the flood water of Isengard.

BOOKS: Wormtongue throws the palantír out of an Orthanc window, where it hits the railing of the balcony that Saruman was standing upon and rolls toward a pool before Pippin rescues it.

PRO: If Saruman is to die on the RSWD, this is a good way to "kill two birds with one stone."

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

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 3/5

Gandalf Never Takes Palantír

FILMS: After Saruman drops the palantír, Pippin picks it up and hides it until he looks into it that evening.

BOOKS: As soon as Pippin picks up the palantír, Gandalf takes it from him. Later than evening, Pippin steals it from the sleeping Gandalf and then looks into it..

PRO: Screen time is saved by eliminating the business of Pippin taking the palantír from Gandalf.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 1/5

Éowyn Kills Wormtongue

FILMS: Wormtongue is killed by Éowyn.

BOOKS: Wormtongue is killed by hobbits after murdering Saruman at the Scouring of the Shire.

PRO: If there is no time to fully depict the Scouring of the Shire as Tolkien wrote it in the third film, this is a good way to Wormtongue to conclude his role in the story. Since Saruman offered Éowyn to Wormtongue as "a reward" for his services, it is poetic justice that she kill him.

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

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REFUTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 0/5

Legolas Kills Wormtongue

FILMS: After Wormtongue pushes Saruman off of the balcony at Orthanc, Legolas kills him with a well-placed arrow.

BOOKS: Wormtongue is killed by hobbits after murdering Saruman at the Scouring of the Shire.

PRO: If there is no time to fully depict the Scouring of the Shire as Tolkien wrote it in the third film, this is a good way to Wormtongue to conclude his role in the story.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: 1/5

Merry Can't Get Horse to Move

FILMS: There is a comical scene of Merry attempting to get his horse to move.

BOOKS: There is no such scene.

PRO: This change adds welcome comic relief.

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 helps Aragorn Use Palantír

FILMS: Arwen helps Aragorn to use the palantír of Orthanc.

BOOKS: Aragorn is able to use the palantír without assistance, although his kinsman Halbarad is with him at the time.

PRO: This is a good way to incorporate Arwen into more of the second film so that her marriage to Aragorn in the third film is not so much of a surprise.

CON: This is not the Arwen that Tolkien wrote. She would have no special knowledge of or ability for using a palantír. Also, it lessens Aragorn of his own inherent abilities.

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CREDIBILITY: 0/5

Merry Offers Sword at Edoras

Merry offers his sword to TheodenFILMS: Merry offers his sword to King Théoden outside the Golden Hall at Edoras.

BOOKS: Merry does this inside the hall of the Hornburg at mealtime.

PRO: The change of locale gives the scene more visual impact.

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

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CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Merry and Pippin Wake Up in Edoras

FILMS: Pippin and Merry appear in a scene in which they wake up in "the sleeping quarters of Edoras."

BOOKS: There is no such scene, although the two hobbits would have slept at Edoras when they arrived to bury King Théoden.

PRO: This is probably used as a transition scene to help set time and place for the audience.

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

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CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Skirmish in the South

FILMS: Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli are delayed from arriving at Minas Tirith by "a skirmish in the south," occurring before the Aragorn's company take the Paths of the Dead.

BOOKS: There is no such diversion designed to keep them from the field of battle

PRO: If there is an additional skirmish, then perhaps it is used to spread out action over more of the film.

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

SUPPORTED BY:

  • ARAGORN - SCENE 2 Audition Script 1/13/99
CREDIBILITY: 1/5

Legolas Recites Seer's Prophecy

FILMS: At the entrance to the Paths of the Dead, Aragorn feels that he made a mistake and invites the rest of the Company to turn back until Legolas recites the seer's prophecy that Isildur's heir would pass through the Paths of the Dead.

BOOKS: Elrohir reminds Aragorn about the Paths of the Dead, and later, in Edoras, Aragorn tells Legolas about the prophecy. But when they reach the entrance, Aragorn does not express concerns about his decision to take this route, nor does he invite anyone to turn back.

PRO: These changes provide more opportunities for the characters to engage in dialog with each other and reveal information that Tolkien conveyed in dialog. Also, removing Elrohir gives the more important characters more to do.

CON: This change diminishes Aragorn's character and knowledge.

SUPPORTED BY:

  • LEGOLAS Audition Script 1/13/99
CREDIBILITY: 1/5

Faramir Meets Pippin on the Streets of Minas Tirith

FILMS: When Faramir arrives in Minas Tirith from his travels in Ithilien and sees Pippin on the city streets, he immediately reveals to Gandalf that this is not the first halfling he has seen.

BOOKS: Faramir does not reveal his encounter with Sam and Frodo until he reports to Lord Denethor in his private chamber.

PRO: By moving some of the action from Denethor's chamber to the city streets, the filmmakers take better advantage of what films' do especially well - move the audience from location to location. Having too much action confined to a single room would make the film seem too much like a stage play.

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

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CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Pippin and Faramir Discuss Denethor

FILMS: When Faramir sees Pippin dressed in his child-sized armor for the first time, they share a laugh. Pippin then asks Faramir why his father is so angry and if there is anything he can do to help.

BOOKS: There is no such scene.

PRO: This new dialog between Pippin and Faramir helps to reveal the dynamics between Faramir and Denethor.

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

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CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Wounded Faramir Dragged by Horse

FILMS: When Faramir retreats from his defense of Osgiliath, he is pierced by many arrows and is brought into Minas Tirith dragged by his horse.

BOOKS: Faramir is pierced by only a single dart, and Prince Imrahil carries him back to Minas Tirith.

PRO: Apparently Imrahil does not appear in the films. This eliminates unnecessary introduction scenes and gives the more important characters more of the dialog. This particular change could be quite exciting to watch.

CON: Imrahil is a favorite character among fans. Eliminating him just to add more action-adventure trivializes the story.

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CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Orcs Growl and Wear Scavenged Armor

Where did that Orc in the middle scavenge the fuzzy hat from?FILMS: At the battle of the Pelennor Fields, Orcs growl like animals and scavenge through the bodies of their victims to steal bits of clothing. (Some Orcs were dressed in a mix of clothing scraps.)

BOOKS: All Orcs in the story were relatively articulate, and no mention was made of Mordor's armies being anything but already well-equipped for battle.

PRO: The "scavenging" was an unfortunate necessity for the Pelennor Fields battle scenes, because there weren't enough Orc costumes to go around. However, the growling makes them more fierce.

CON: Sauron had long prepared for this battle, and his forces would have been well-equipped. The Orcs were intelligent creatures, but having them growl diminishes that notion.

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CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Note: For the Pelennor Fields battle scenes, some Orcs were dressed in a mix of clothing scraps because there weren't enough Orc costumes to go around.

Plate Armor

Gondor soldiers in plate armorFILMS: At least some of Gondor's warriors wear medieval-style plate armor.

BOOKS: While Tolkien describes characters as wearing chain mail throughout the story, no mention is made of anyone wearing plate armor.

PRO: Plate armor makes for more impressive costumes.

CON: Tolkien's world was not a medieval one. Besides, plate armor always makes fighters in films look stupid.

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CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Fighting Occurs within City Walls

FILMS: A battle takes place within the walls of Minas Tirith, with Gandalf using his staff to blast orcs.

BOOKS: Gandalf shot a white light from his hand - not his staff - when fighting off Sauron's forces outside the city walls. Later, Sauron's forces do break the gate open, and Gandalf confronts Witch-king as he attempts to enter the city. However, the Rohirrim suddenly arrive, and Sauron's forces return to the Pelennor Fields to fight them.

PRO: Having some of the battle take place within the city makes it more visually interesting.

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

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CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Captains of the West Meet in Denethor's Hall

FILMS: Aragorn, Gandalf, Eomer and Legolas meet in Denethor's Hall after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Aragorn suggests challenging Sauron's forces at the Gates of Mordor to distract him and give Frodo an opportunity to reach Mount Doom.

BOOKS: This meeting is held at Aragorn's camp outside the city, and it is Gandalf who suggests the ruse.

PRO: This change prevents wasting screentime explaining Aragorn's camp outside the city. Also, having Aragorn propose the plan helps to establish for the audience that he is becoming more of a leader.

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

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CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Aragorn Uses Palantír at Denethor's Hall

FILMS: Aragorn reveals himself to Sauron using the palantír at Denethor's hall to trick Sauron into sending his forces out of Mordor.

BOOKS: Aragorn did this before setting out from the Hornburg with the palantír of Orthanc.

PRO: Having Aragorn use the palantír to challenge Sauron at this point of the story helps to explain to the audience why Sauron would start emptying Mordor of it's troops, unwittingly allowing Frodo and Sam to cross it more easily.

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: 2/5

Merry at the Black Gate

FILMS: Merry appears at the Black Gates of Mordor when the captains of the west challenge Sauron's forces.

BOOKS: Merry remains at the Houses of Healing.

PRO: Keeps the audience from wondering "where's Merry" during much of the film's action.

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

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CREDIBILITY: 0/5

Elves at the Black Gate

Note the banner that Aragorn is holding in this scene before the Black Gate...... It is the same as the one being held by these Elves.FILMS: A company of Lothlorien Elves join the Captains of the West in their battle at the Black Gate.

BOOKS: The only elves present were Legolas, and Elrond's sons, Elladan and Elrohir.

PRO: Having the Lothlorien Elves who fought at Helm's Deep replace the Dunedain from the book helps simplify the story.

CON: This change is an invention of the scriptwriters and goes against Tolkien's theme of the Elves fading.

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CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Sauron Makes Rare Public Appearance

FILMS: Sauron appears in a form other than the Flaming Eye.

BOOKS: Sauron does not directly appear, although according to Gollum, he does have a humanoid form.

PRO: "The Sauron in the books is sketchy at best, which makes it hard to turn him into a screen villain," says Peter Jackson. "But imagine not really seeing Darth Vader for all three Star Wars films. You just can't do it."

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

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CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Ring Chafe

Um, aren't you wearing your Ring in Morder a bit conspicuously, Mr. Frodo?FILMS: The Ring chain cuts into Frodo's neck due to the growing weight of the Ring as he nears Mount Doom.

BOOKS: The Ring does not physically damage Frodo.

PRO: This is a dramatically visual way of dramatizing the growing weight and torment of the Ring.

CON: It will look cheesy.

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CREDIBILITY: 3/5

Frodo Wakes Up in Houses of Healing

FILMS: After Frodo is brought back from Mount Doom, he wakes up in the Houses of Healing, surrounded by all the surviving members of the Fellowship.

BOOKS: He wakes up in Aragorn's camp in Ithilien. Later, Sam wakes up and they later rejoin Merry and Pippin in Minas Tirith.

PRO: This change eliminates screen time wasted on establishing Aragorn's Ithilien camp.

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

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CREDIBILITY: 4/5

Arwen at Aragorn's Crowning

FILMS: Arwen is present at Aragorn's crowning.

BOOKS: Arwen and the rest of her Elven entourage do not arrive in Minas Tirith until two months after the coronation.

PRO: Combining Aragorn's crowning and wedding is an efficient use of screen time.

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

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CREDIBILITY: 2/5

Scouring of the Shire Cut

The scouring of the Shire is simply a vision in Galadriel's mirror?FILMS: The final film does not depict the events of the chapter, "The Scouring of the Shire." However, the Mirror of Galadirel sequence from the first film, in which Frodo sees scenes of the Shire's destruction, pays homage to the chapter.

BOOKS: The Scouring was an actual event instigated by Saruman occurring when the hobbits returned to the Shire after completing their quest.

PRO: According to screenwriter Philippa Boyens, "Unfortunately, as wonderful and brillian as that last chapter is, it's not something we believe our film could sustain. You can't have a huge climax that your main characters have been striving for, for three films, and then start the story up again and play out an episodic ending. An audience sitting in the cinema just wouldn't go for it.".

CON: The Scouring, in its entirety, is the story's "coda" and is vital for demonstrating how much the hobbits have grown in courage and wisdom over the course of their adventures.

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CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Aragorn and Arwen Death

Arwen's DeathFILMS: ROTK ends with a voice-over closing statement by Galadriel and an epilogue depicting Aragorn's death in Gondor followed by Arwen's death in Lothlórien.

BOOKS: These events are told in the Appendices and are not told through dialog from Frodo.

PRO: These scenes help bring closure to Aragorn and Arwen's portion of the story.

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

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CREDIBILITY: 5/5

Film Ends at the Gray Havens

FILMS: The final scene of the film takes place across the landscape of the Grey Havens.

BOOKS: The last scene is Sam returning home from the Gray Havens to Bag End, putting his daughter Elanor on his lap, and saying, "Well, I'm back."

PRO: "To me, it's a culmination of the entire story," Peter Jackson says." It represents what it is to give and what it is to lose. That scene is probably the most powerful part of the entire film."

CON: Tolkien's original ending was perfection.

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CREDIBILITY: 4/5

DEBUNKED RUMORS

Arwen Fights at Minas Tirith

FILMS: Arwen participates in the battle at Minas Tirith.

BOOKS: She does not arrive in Gondor until her marriage to Aragorn, after Sauron is defeated.

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REFUTED BY:

  • According to Ian McKellen, Arwen does NOT participate in the battle of Minas Tirith. Unfortunately, I forgot where I read that quote.
  • Bill Weldon Interview 7/27/01 (confirmation)
CREDIBILITY: -3/5

Sauron Kabob

FILMS: When the Ring is destroyed, Barad-dur explodes and Sauron is hurled to his death and impaled on a spike which breaks his fall.

BOOKS: Various structures in Mordor collapse, but Sauron turns into a vapor.

SUPPORTED BY:

REFUTED BY:

CREDIBILITY: -1/5


The Complete List of Film Changes

General Changes
The Fellowship of the Ring
The Two Towers
Return of the King

Want to add a change we missed? Contact Us!

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