The Beard of Théoden

[Holbytlass]

Originally Posted by Brinniel

Well, as a reader of the books, of course you would feel that way. But subtlety was never meant for cinema. Everything must be overdone, otherwise the more ignorant audience would not understand the true condition of Theoden.

I disagree. There are plenty of movies I've seen and have not read the books that I hope weren't dumbed down for me. Likewise, all my family and friends that have seen LOTR haven't read it and they are capable of following along.
I do agree that something a little bit more has to be done for the reason that movies are mostly visual, and books can always have background info written in and that's not always possible in a movie.

I do like the possesion/excorcism of Theoden but less would have been more, the straightening up, clearer voice, etc. that Rune brings up. If something more had to be put in perhaps, clearing of the eyes (as if he had cataracts) and being disheveled in his possessed state than next scene(dinnertime) he is clean-implying in between he had sense to bathe and groom himself.