[doug*platypus]

Interesting that we seem to have a consensus of approval for PJs considerably shortened Council of Elrond. While I thoroughly enjoyed the lengthy tales in the book, I am also willing to admit that the movie version works well, and that a longer version would drag on.

It was a novel decision to have an outdoor setting for the council. None of us, myself included, have complained about the setting and the décor. Either it just seems to somehow fit, or questions of surroundings are not nearly as important as the characterisations and plot details which we receive in this pivotal scene.

There were, however, a few things that didn't sit quite right with me in this scene:

Thing the First: Smartypantses

How did Legolas know about Aragorn and his ancestry? Is this realistic, given that he was (although a prince) from Mirkwood? I guess one could argue that he had been in Rivendell before, and possibly been introduced to Aragorn as such. But it just seemed strange that Legolas should be the one to rebuke Boromir. Someone else mentioned that perhaps Elrond should have been given that honour?

And how did Boromir know the name of Aragorn? Or know about the rangers, for that matter? Anyone?

Thing the Second: Minor Linguistic Quibbles

For my first little quibble, Elrond says that they have but one choice: to send the Ring to Mount Doom to unmake it. That's actually no choice i.e. zero degrees of freedom. They have to send the Ring to the Fire, so they have no choice, not one.

Second little quibble over use of the word "whence". Elrond says "from whence it came", but the "from" is already implied by the word "whence", so he only needed to say "whence it came", without the word "from". Wow, talk about a minor quibble doug*!

Thing the Third: Argumentss Preciousss

It seems to me that, once the Council degenerated into bickering, all were arguing that they should be the ones to take the Ring. In the book, it seems more or less the opposite: there is a brooding silence, as none of them are willing to put their hand up for this seemingly impossible task. That's what makes Frodo's acceptance of the burden so heroic. In the context of the movie council, Frodo's claim to the quest should have been seen as just another voice in a clamour of voices. Frankly, I'm surprised anyone heard him with all that uncivilised arguing.

Although, I can understand why PJ showed the council degenerating so. He wanted to show that the Ring was causing division among people who should be allies; the lust for It was inflaming old wounds and rivalries. This was nicely shown in the reflection on the Ring (by clever special effects wizardry?); the will of Sauron was being done, and you could almost hear the preciouss little thing laughing. Sinister...

Thing the Fourth: Cheesiness

I straight up disliked the group photo shot of the fellowship. Way too corny. The members could just have easily have pledged their commitment to Frodo from where they were sitting, or standing. We get to see a great shot of the fellowship, member by member, as they climb a pass in the next sequence, so I see no real need for the group shot here.

Also, Elrond's line "you shall be the fellowship of the Ring" was a little cheesy and unnecessary. Book fans without the benefit of such a line were able to work out for themselves that this was the fellowship.


Council aside now, the scene with Bilbo and Frodo in Bilbo's room was very well done. Sting is absolutely gorgeous. The mithril shirt is a little too pretty, perhaps, but quite a difficult item to design, and I think they did a good job. I liked Bilbo's transformation into Ring-hungry fiend. I'm surprised that there is not a vocal group of fans who did not like it; there certainly is such a group with voices raised against the transformation of Galadriel. To me, the two are sides of the same coin.