I do agree that the beating up of the Steward was another thing that Jackson overused. The way I see it when Gandalf storms in to save Faramir, and Shadowfax rears up and kicks it, it is more Gandalf that kills Denethor, and not Denethor. I didn't see any point in that part, basically had Gandalf give Denny a little nudge on his way out.
Quote:
A wizard's staff should be used basically as a conduit of power, not as
a baseball bat or club.
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I would say that's an accurate portrayal of the events before rescuing Faramir. Essex's quote, Gandalf strikes him to get him to back down, to sort of scare him. Where Jackson just had Gandalf whack Denethor until he was KO'ed. It wasn't enough to hit him in the face, but he had to jab it in the gut, then get a cheap knock over Denethor's head to make sure he was out cold. I'm surprised Gandalf didn't kick him afterwards.
I think that scene would have worked well, since Denethor is running around yelling at everyone to "flee," and Gandalf sort of conks him to either get him back to his senses or shut up. But, PJ couldn't have stopped it at that, there was really no need to beat the guy until he was unconscious.