fimbulfambi

I think the major problem with a movie about the Downfall would be the lack of original material. There are only a few hundred pages on the subject by Tolkien, and we know next to nothing about the characters, their relationships and personalities besides some general traits like pride and loyalty and some isolated hints - but that's it. How did Elendil talk (just look at the archaic manner of expression we see in Isildur's letter in The Council of Elrond)? Was Anarion a hothead or a calm and serene man ? How did the Elendili behave when they had to encounter the king on formal occasions? Was Ar-Pharazôns pride to be seen at first glance, or did he give the impression of a concerned father to his people?

And we know far less about Númenorean society at the end of the Second Age than we know about, say, Rohan or Minas Tirith at the time of the War of the Ring. Okay, people were corrupted by Sauron, afraid of dying, and engaged in a decadent imperialist culture, but how did that translate to their everyday behavior? Was the life of the upper class under Ar-Pharazôn opulent and escapist, or was there a grim militarism pervading every aspect of culture? How far did the opposition of the Faithful go, and what was their attitude on slavery, for example? Were there public debates, orators, assemblies? Did they have to go into a sort of inner exile? We know they were persecuted, but how exactly worked that persecution? What did Armenelos look like?

These are important aspects, I think, if one wants to have a lively portrayal of the story. Problem is, Tolkien doesn't give us a close look in the manner of the Lord of the Rings, so much has to be left to speculation. Any cinematic interpretation would therefore mainly rely on pure invention, and I doubt that this is what you and I really want.