[The Saucepan Man]

My my, that link is utterly spoilerific in its total spoilericity, isn't it? <P>When I first clicked on it, I only read the first page and didn't understand what all the fuss was about. Then I saw that there were another 40 or so pages ... <P>So, I now feel that I know more or less the entire plot of RotK (the film, that is). But, like Lalaith, I'm glad that I read it, since I feel that I would have been quite disturbed by some of the changes had I come across them for the first time in the cinema. Now, I've got time to come to terms with them and will hopefully enjoy the film all the more. It certainly sounds like it's going to be spectacular.<P>*WARNING* BIG spoilers follow.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR >.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<BR>.<P> Changes that I have no problem with:<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>The dramatisation of Shelob's lair: Different from the book, but it sounds like it will work well on screen. I actually like the idea of Gollum turning Frodo against Sam and then Sam turning up to rescue him.<LI>No Mouth of Sauron: This came as a surprise, as I had assumed that he would be in it (although not being on the final cast list did provide a hint, I suppose). On reflection, though, I can see that he isn't necessary for the theatrical release and it would seem strange to those who haven't read the books to introduce a new and farily major villain for one relatively short scene near the end. At least it looks like he will be in the extended edition.<LI>Denethor has no Palantir: Fair enough. The loss of his sons and the hopleless situation should be sufficient to make his actions credible. It's a shame, though, that the character looks to have been simplified to the extent that he is little more than an overbearing father and weak leader, and this does sound like it will be at odds with the nobility of his sons, but I suppose that there is not much time for him to be developed to any greater extent.<LI>Aragorn doesn't use the Palantir: Again a surprise, and it may be in the extended edition, but they are clearly using the Black Gate ploy to get across the idea that Aragorn is drawing Sauron out to give Frodo and Sam a chance. It does rather marginalise the importance of Palantirs in this film, though, which look to serve no other purpose than to bring Gandalf and Pippin to Minas Tirith.<LI>The Army of the Dead at Pelennor Fields: Sounds like this will be used to good dramatic effect, although I hope that it does not diminish the role of Riders of Rohan in coming to Gondor's aid. <LI>No Corsairs of Umbar: The encounter with the Corsairs is supposedly alluded to and it is, I suppose, not necessary for it actually to be portrayed (although, again, it may be in the extended edition). Also, it would be another battle in a film that already looks choc full of battle scenes.</UL><P>Things that I do have a problem with:<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>No Voice of Saruman: As I've said elsewhere, it seems to me to be cheating the audience not to show the fate of the major villain of the first two films. An aside by Treebeard is not, for me, sufficient to make up for this. But it will be in the extended edtion by the sound of it.<LI>No confrontation between Gandalf and the Witch King: A real shame this, and surprising too as it seems that the Witch King will have a fairly major role in this film. Then again, for me, it takes away more from Gandalf's characterisation than it does from the Witch King's.<LI>No romance <I>at all</I> between Faramir and Eowyn: I had been prepared for this to be dealt with fairly briefly, but I am surprised that it is not in there at all. Since these characters are clearly going to be developed so much more in this film, it seems odd for Jackson not to show the resolution of their stories. And it leaves Eowyn looking, well, just jilted.<LI>No Houses of Healing: Again, I would have been happy for a fairly brief scene here, to help establish Aragorn's right to the throne (as the returning king of the title). No Houses of Healing at all just leaves him establishing his right through military success. Then again, both this scene and the Faramir/Eowyn romance will, I think be in the extended edition.<LI>Arwen's mysterious disease: I'll go so far as to say that this seems utterly ludicrous to me, especially as it seems that no real reason will be given for her state of health being tied to the Ring. And I cannot see any logical reason for it, other than to explain why Elrond returns to Rivendell rather than helping out at the Pelennor (which surely could have been explained in other, more sensible, ways).</UL><P>There are, though, a good many things that look like they will be handled very well indeed:<UL TYPE=SQUARE><LI>The Ride of the Rohirrim (with <I>that</I> speech by Theoden ).<LI>Eowyn/Merry and the Witch King.<LI>Pippin's role during the seige of Gondor (I am very much looking forward to seeing both Merry and Pippin coming to the fore in this film).<LI>Shelob's lair (as I said above, this looks like it will work well on screen).<LI>Sam/Frodo in Cirith Ungol, although it's a shame that the Orcs don't fear him to be a great Elven hero. I am also inrigued how he is going to get in there (credibly) if he doesn't use the Ring.<LI>Sammath Naur (this looks to be <I>extremely</I> well done).<LI>Frodo's estrangement and the Grey Havens.</UL><P>All in all, it looks like Jackson is focussing on the action, given that the Pelennor/Shelob's lair looks to take up an hour or so of the film. But that is to be expected. And I am quite partial to action scenes myself (although I hope that Legolas' trunk surfing isn't <I>too</I> corny). So, I think that I can reconcile myself with the changes, even those that currently disturb me, as there looks to be enough here to redeem them. And it seems like the extended edition will settle most of my major gripes (although I can't see how even that will redeem this silly sick Arwen thing).