RotK: How does the film differ from the book?

[nikolai]

I'd be interesting if anyone could enlighten me. There are obviously going to be changes from the book for the purposes of adaptation to the screen (and by book I mean the Trilogy, I'm not that interested in how the film has switched events - like Shelob - from tTT to RotK).

We've known for ages that the Scouring is out, as is Saruman. I've also heard Gandalf's encounter with the Witch King has been cut (a shame, this is one of the defining moments of the book). Any idea what other changes or deletions there are? How do they deal with the Planatir, with the films being sans Saruman?

nikolai.

 

[EricNoah]

Many spoilers....





From hazy memory based on recent reading:

Palantir: from what I've read, there is passing mention that Saruman won't be bothering anyone again, and the company has the palantir. Probably it is assumed that the company stopped by and picked it up on the trip back from Helm's Deep. Also, Saruman's palantir is apparently the only one making an appearance in the book; Denethor's apparently isn't, but might in the extended edition.

No Mouth of Sauron.

Sam doesn't actually put on the Ring at any point.

The climactic struggle betwen you-know-which-two at Mt Doom is a bit protracted.

Eowyn/Faramir romance doesn't unfold onscreen.

No Houses of Healing apparently.

 

[KenM]

Many spoilers....





From hazy memory based on recent reading:

Palantir: from what I've read, there is passing mention that Saruman won't be bothering anyone again, and the company has the palantir. Probably it is assumed that the company stopped by and picked it up on the trip back from Helm's Deep. Also, Saruman's palantir is apparently the only one making an appearance in the book; Denethor's apparently isn't, but might in the extended edition.

No Mouth of Sauron. Heard it was filmed and going to be in the EE

Sam doesn't actually put on the Ring at any point.

The climactic struggle betwen you-know-which-two at Mt Doom is a bit protracted.

Eowyn/Faramir romance doesn't unfold onscreen. Heard wedding will be in the EE

No Houses of Healing apparently. Again, filmed and rumored to be in the EE

Notice the changes I made. I also heard that you see Merry or Pippin pick up the palantir at Isengaurd.

 

[kingpaul]

IIRC from a preview, Aaragorn gets Narsil (sp?) in this movie, when it was actually reforged and given to him in the 1st book.

 

[kingpaul]

Oh, I forgot...no Scouring of the Shire.