Time to fix Gandalf versus the Witchking

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by obloquy

It's fine for the movie because the movie establishes its own rules and hierarchy. Gandalf is not an incarnate demigod, while the Witch-King has to be elevated to fill Sauron's role as Chief Villain...

...He's just a cranky old wizard who is sometimes impressive, but clearly not up to dealing with the WK.

"Gandalf...Gandalf the Gray...yes, that is what they used to call me. I am Gandalf the White."

No, Obloquoy, I will have to disagree with you on this one. PJ lifts an entire sequence from Tolkien when Gandalf flashes back with a vivid description of his resurrection after he had defeated the Balrog. The insinuation is that Gandalf is sent back from the dead to finish his mission. It would make little sense to have Gandalf die once more -- wouldn't he just be sent right back again? Obviously someone (who in the film is nameless) does not want Gandalf to die. And after he defeated a balrog!

Later, Gandalf the White is seen chasing off a whole herd of Nazgul in order to rescue Faramir. In this context, the scene where Gandalf's staff is broken makes absolutely no sense, particularly since Gandalf the White had only recently broken Saruman's staff (which would, I believe, show plainly that Gandalf's power has increased exponentially as well).

So let's see here, the movies show:

1. Gandalf defeating the Balrog
2. Gandalf being resurrected
3. Gandalf claiming Saruman's 'White' title
4. Gandalf breaking Saruman's staff (after being completely unaffected by a huge fireball flung by Saruman, mind you)
5. Gandalf easily chasing away several Nazgul with a magic blast of white light

The plotting is uneven and in places downright sloppy. It is Peter Jackson merely going for cheap thrills and effects rather than offering a cohesive and unambiguous plot.