The Most Grievous Tragedy

[Gryphon Hall]

I don't remember when I read this, but I got the link to a transcript of a PJ interview here somewhere. In the interview he was asked what should be the definitive versions of his films. He said the cinematic ones. When asked about the EE versions, he said that he only made those for the fans.

I know it is too late, and I know that it is very, very bad form to criticize the work of a director/producer, but he could have done the traditional narrator wrap-up at the end, just like the prologue sequence in FotR. This would not have resulted in a "second climax" and it would have taken less time to show more, even the Scouring. The credits could have been shown during this wrap up, with scene after scene fading in and out, giving a feel of the actual length of time that has passed between the Battle of Bywater to the Last Riding. The last scene as it is could then make more sense (I am really sorry, but I really found it an unforgiveable Disneyfication the way it "just happened").

Because, it is true that a second climax is no good. When I first read the book, I was disoriented with the Battle of Bywater and Sharkey's End, only understanding its importance at the last exchange of words between Saruman and Frodo. To put a second climax into the movie, even if it is the Extended Edition DVD, would have been very bad form. Yet the wrap-up should have done more to instill catharsis.

Call it a necessary dumbing down, if you like.

That is so tragically true. I also understand that PJ had to make the movie for the masses who won't understand. On a public transport some time after the release of RotK, I overheard people talking about "The Last Samurai" and RotK; they hated the essentially plot-driven and dialogue-rich Last Samurai, but loved RotK, not because it was a richer movie (which I think it is), but because they loved the "action". These are the people that PJ has to please, tragically. It is beyond his powers to wise the people up with the movie (Tolkien couldn't do that with his books), but at least he has created a tantalizing glimpse of what's in store for them if they do.

Pax.