[TolkienGurl]

Did any of you see the enemy the men in Osgiliath were shooting at? Orcs? Easterlings? The Gondorians were shooting arrows across a large expanse of water, but <I>at what</I>? If the attack was so important and serious, why weren't the bad guys anywhere to be seen? And why did the catapault have such bad aim?<P>I really think it was a mistake to put this in the movie. Both Faramir and Boromir were supposed to be there, defending the bridge against the army and the Nazgûl. Osgiliath was attacked on June 20, 3018 (when the Nine set out from Mordor) and I'm pretty sure Frodo and Sam did not encounter Faramir until quite early the next year! So, yes, Osgiliath was already in ruins by then.<P>For me, the Osgiliath setting did nothing to enhance the overall effect of the movie (except to confuse me). I understand it was used to portray the evilness of Mordor, and the danger of Gondor's position, but I'm sure they could have used a different, more accurate way than that! Maybe they could have shown a meeting of the captains of Gondor, or something. <P>The "Mexican Standoff" was unnecessary, and he rest of the Faramir/Frodo/Sam encounter could have easily been done at Henneth Annun. And Sam's little speech, though sweet, could have been saved for a time in Mordor when things were more desperate, like at Mt. Doom, on its slopes or something. <P>I also likes the Frodo/Sam/Sting part, but that could have been done in the Tower of Cirith Ungol after Sam finds Frodo, and Frodo realizes that Sam has the Ring. He certainly freaks out at that part in the book!<P>Alright, enough of my ranting. <p>[ January 03, 2003: Message edited by: TolkienGurl ]