[Aratlithiel]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> But, this was a film made for mass audiences - it had to be to pull in the money required for it to be made in the first place <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>That's all well and good and completely understandable. HOWEVER, Jackson made a point of saying at every opportunity that he was making these films "for the fans" of which he purported to be one. We all looked forward to them and after FotR we walked away saying, "OK, well some things were changed but overall it stuck to the story," and we held great optimism for TTT. Now, however, our optimism seems to have been proven misplaced and I, for one, feel not only disappointed but betrayed.<P>If I had not been lured into a false sense of security, I would have EXPECTED major changes - as happens with most book-to-movie situations. As it was, the changes shocked and disappointed me to a very great degree.<P>Yes, they are epic films and deserve kudos for the most part. I think if one could separate themselves from the books for 3 hours, they would be quite enthralled. I think the problem is that most Tolkien fans (and I mean REAL Tolkien FANS) can't do that. Not won't - CAN'T. These books are way too personal of an experience for us and the sort of tampering that has occurred feels very close to violation.