[Diamond18]

Here is a little something from the man himself:<P>From a letter to Forrest J. Ackerman, on the proposed film treatment of "The Lord of the Rings". (June 1958).<P> <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Z[immerman] has cut out the end of the book, including Saruman's proper death. In that case I can see no good reason for making him die. Saruman would never have committed suicide: to cling to life to its barest dregs is the way of the sort of person he had become. If Z wants Saruman tidied up....Gandalf should say something to this effect: as Saruman collapses under the excommunication: "Since you will not come out and aid us, here in Orthanc you shall stay till you rot, Saruman. Let the Ents look to it!" <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>With all due respect to Tolkien, I for one would rather see Saruman killed in <I>some</I> way that just assume that he spent eternity locked up in Orthanc. But I agree with his point about suicide.