[Bêthberry]

There are other consequences, although more subtle. When the hobbits leave the Shire, the trek is a bit of a lark and even Frodo has no real conceptual understanding of what he has undertaken, despite Gandalf's talk with him about the Ring, even if he as yet has spoken only of taking the Ring to Rivendell.<P>The dangers in the Old Forest and in the Barrow Downs temper this enthusiasm and give Frodo some small intimations about the Ring. Yet, these are "normal" dangers you might say. They put the subseqent challenges and terrors in relief as profound and serious ones.<P>Without them in the movie, the scene at the Prancing Pony must accomplish this, must give them a forewarning of how serious is the road ahead. Thus, Strider is more sinister and is rougher with Frodo in the movie than he is in the book. He is even a bit over the top. Thus, Jackson has put Aragorn more in the line of the Rochesters and Heathcliffs--slightly dangerous to know--than Tolkien did. Had we seen the dangers of the Old Forest and the Barrow Downs, he would not have had to do this--unless, of course, Jackson was also pandering to pitty patty little hearts the way the Brontës were.<P>Bethberry