[The Only Real Estel]

I didn't think the Eagles scene was good for those who hadn't read the books. I'm sure it raised many questions amongst movie-goers as to why the Eagles weren't helping prior to the storming of the black gate.

Why, you're not talking about the "Why didn't Frodo just ride the eagles to Mount Doom?" argument, are you ?

Many people think that Radagast had control over the eagles. Radagast had no control over the eagles it was Manwe. Radagast only sent Gwaihir to get news about Gandalf (and Gwaihir agreed). Gwaihir by his own decision decided to save Gandalf, since Gandalf healed Gwaihir from a poison arrow, Gwaihir owed Gandalf one. This has been a topic I've seen discussed before, being the fact that Eagles have other things to do, and the fact that Manwe controlled the Eagles.

I just assumed that Gwaihir did what he pleased, being the Lord of the Eagles. And actually, Gwaihir didn't owe Gandalf anything, he had already repaid the 'poison arrow wound debt' in The Hobbit, when he rescued Gandalf & co. from the burning trees, saving them from their hastening crispy end.

They turned and fled because Sauron summoned them to try to take the Ring from Frodo, not because they couldn't beat the eagles. It is quite obvious if u quote the entire sentence...

Ah, thank you, gorthaur_cruel, that's an even better explanation then mine . I guess there's a more 'booktual' answer for you, Son of Numenor, since it's straight from the books.