Re: (Next to no) discussion on extended version of TTT?

"Aris Katsaris" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message news:<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>...

<snip>

> >      1) They moved Shelob to movie 3 because they didn't think
> > intercutting between Helm's Deep (noisy climax) and Cirith Ungol (spooky
> > climax) would work.
> 
> Except that it was their *choice* to make Helm's Deep such a "climax".

Yes, I think it would have been nice to conclude with Saruman's
comeuppance especially since it occurred earlier in the timeline. By
the time Faramir takes Sam and Frodo to Henneth Annun, the gang has
left Isengard and split up.
 
> They could have equally well chosen to make "Voice of Saruman" or
> "The Palantir" the climax of the Rohan storyline. Which would also be
> more accurate to the book, and more accurate to Tolkien's own wishes
> who said that the battle of Hornburg could be left out of an adaptation
> if there didn't exist enough time to give all parts of the story revolving it
> justice.

Leave Helm's Deep out of an adaptation? I admire Tolkien tremendously,
but that would be just silly. It is an event that runs concurrent with
the Ents' destruction of Isengard and showcases the ruin of Saruman
and the triumph of Rohan and Theoden.
 
> So in this case the producers are justifying a change (moving Shelob to
> movie 3) only through another change (their making Helm's Deep
> the "climax", unlike in the book) -- which I've *not* yet heard justified.

The justification for moving Shelob to ROTK was because in the story's
timeline Gandalf had already been in Minas Tirith for three days. Of
course, since they had already shifted the timeline around anyway it's
a moot point, IMHO.
 
> They could have chosen to emphasize the fear of temptation, same
> as we saw in Faramir's mentor, Gandalf.

That would have been better.
 
> They could have chosen to show Faramir as first deferring judgment of this
> grave matter to his father -- and giving him a chance to "grow" by having
> him take the decision to let Frodo and Sam go, once he realizes it'll corrupt
> and madden Denethor and his entire city.

I think the extended edition shows that is exactly what Faramir was
doing. He was taking this powerful weapon to his father not only so
that Gondor could wield it against the enemy, but also that maybe his
father might actually begin to appreciate Faramir's contribution to
the safety, welfare and future of Gondor.
 
> Rather than having him be tempted by the Ring, which is against the
> book-character's very core.

Exactly.

Smaug69