Howard Shore removed? Deja vu Saruman? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Essex · 10-17-2005, 09:42 AM

In the book, Saruman's downfall had a direct correlation on the War of the Ring (ie sharkey in the shire, and the last blow of the War fell on Frodo's doorstep)

in the film, we had no such correlation, so the only reason for his confrontation with Gandalf at isengard was to tell them that 'they were all going to die' and that the enemy would strike somewhere else gandalf didn't know of. In the cinemtaic release we have pippin see the burning tree which leads gandalf to realise the white city will be struck next. now, the EE makes this point clearer - ie gandalf now realises what saruman was goading them with, but the cinematic version works (just) without the saruman/gandalf confrontation needed.

So I reckon it was more down to screen time than anything else. jackson no doubt had a maximum time he was set to for cinematic screenings (no matter what he says!) - a 7hour film will get half the bums on seats than a 3.5 hour film would. (yes i know, an exaggeration there but trying to make my point)

10-17-2005, 09:42 AM	#9
Essex Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Essex, England Posts: 886	In the book, Saruman's downfall had a direct correlation on the War of the Ring (ie sharkey in the shire, and the last blow of the War fell on Frodo's doorstep) in the film, we had no such correlation, so the only reason for his confrontation with Gandalf at isengard was to tell them that 'they were all going to die' and that the enemy would strike somewhere else gandalf didn't know of. In the cinemtaic release we have pippin see the burning tree which leads gandalf to realise the white city will be struck next. now, the EE makes this point clearer - ie gandalf now realises what saruman was goading them with, but the cinematic version works (just) without the saruman/gandalf confrontation needed. So I reckon it was more down to screen time than anything else. jackson no doubt had a maximum time he was set to for cinematic screenings (no matter what he says!) - a 7hour film will get half the bums on seats than a 3.5 hour film would. (yes i know, an exaggeration there but trying to make my point)