[Tar-Palantir]

Imagine if they had only been 2 hour movies... <P>Seriously, I can't tackle all that, and I don't want to because you have some good points, thanks for posting it.<P>But do you really think LotR is "...one incredibly long, eminently readable screenplay." I disagree on all but the "incredibly long, eminently readable" part! Translating JRRT's narrative to screen is a hugely daunting task and should not be so casually tossed aside. Beyond the intensely detailed story, there are the amazing visuals to contend with. I agree about "gratuitous" scenes and feel sad over some (Faramir, etc..) But I also know that some were necessary to cut/switch out because of length, audience knowledge, fluidity, etc... Simply put - most of the people watching this film would be clueless about Arwen's bond with Aragorn had they not tried to add a bit more of her to the film. Such is the necessity of a film, subtlety simply gets lost in favor of a more direct route to the finish. Frodo and Bilbo having the same birthday is tossed out the same as Tom Bombadil is tossed out. For the majority it would simply be confusing/too much info. <P>You make a comparison between the Cleansing of Isengard and the Battle of Helm's Deep, and which one should be disposed of if neccesary - fair enough - except for the fact that you then make it sound like the Attack of the Ents & the Flooding of Isengard never even appeared in the film. Are you actually trying to say that it wasn't up to your standards, or it didn't fulfill some special requirement? That is what it sounds like it. <P>As an example of the exquisite work done take a gander at the detailed sets and mind-blowing backdrops and locations. Many longtime fans (as evidenced in recent threads here), myself included, found these images to jive very well with their own interpretations of Middle Earth, a wonderful reward and treat. That is kudos to the director for going the distance, far from "selling out." To wrap up this point - - For me the 'environment' of ME has an equally profound effect as that of the central story of the destruction of the Ring and the histories of the 'players' involved - Especially when I was younger, so that part sticks with me and is muy importante.<P> *-it doesn't have to be a travesty or boon, black or white, sell-out director or "true-storyteller"-* We just need to admit first that compromises HAD to happen and not EVERY detail would EVER be in ANY film, then realize that you will ALWAYS have your books and no one can take them away from you, then maybe you can stop calling people sellouts when all they did was accomplish a massive, massive task that has vibrantly brought ME to the screen, and exposed hundreds of thousands to the books of ME.