Movie Characters Revisited: Gandalf

[Galadriel55]

I agree about Gandalf being the two extremes. I like him better as the Grey.

Originally Posted by Boro

And secondly, I took note of how different Gandalf treats Theoden and Denethor.

But they are different people. In the movies, Gandalf's assertiveness in Minas Tirith is a tad overdone. In the book, though, Denethor starts it.

And since I haven't watched the movies in over a half a year, I'll talk a bit about a detail I do remember about Gandalf. He said the famous words, which are now a meme, on the Bridge of Khazad-Dum:

You shall not pass!

We all remember these words in this exact way. But the book has it differently. In the book, Gandalf cries

You cannot pass!

There are two main differences between "shall not" and "cannot". The first is a promise/prophecy in future tense, the second is a fact in present tense. Other than that, there's not much of a difference.

Why did the movie script change it? What's wrong with "cannot"?

And, funny thing, we all remember the movie version better than the book. Why? Does it sould more powerful? Is it the visual effect of that staff raised above Gandalf's head which comes crashing down a moment later? Which one is it for you?

(This is actually a question I've been meaning to ask somewhere for some time now. I'm genuinely curious about what people think)