LotR1-FotR-Seq10

[Evisse the Blue]

My theory is that PJ may have wanted to make Gandalf a little less certain and perfect, and by doing so, elevating all other characters somewhat.

I remember from one of the commentaries that they wanted to shift the burden of responsibility from Gandalf to Frodo, seeing as though he's supposed to be the main hero and all. This could be the reason why Gandalf asks Frodo to decide and goes after his decision. The same reason is given for Frodo working out the opening word to the mines of Moria, instead of Gandalf. I can understand this line of reasoning, but to me it feels a bit unrealistic, since Frodo didn't make so many decisions on his own up to then, and won't be making so many after that.

By the way, I think it's funny how in the book Gandalf wanted to go through the mines, while Aragorn didn't, and in the movie it's Gandalf who fears going through them.