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5.02.*c. The Paths of the Dead
Anke Eissmann – The Door to the Paths of the Dead This section is a small, but crucial, part of “The Return of the King”, taking Aragorn and his companions from Rohan across to Gondor so that he can hijack the fleet of the Corsairs at Pelargir, and on the way prove his lineage and…
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5.01 Minas Tirith
What happened in the book: Gandalf and Pippin ride towards Minas Tirith in great haste. On the third night after their departure, they are in Anorien, where they see the beacons of Amon Dîn and Eilenach lit, and pass three unknown riders, most certainly errand-riders from Minas Tirith. After one more night’s journey, they reach…
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6.09. The Grey Havens
The Grey Havens sections of the film and book are, as ever, similar only in tone and meaning, rather than in actual events. The difference in actual events is maybe more pronounced than normal here, though, as many of the events (Scouring of the Shire) discussed in the book chapter do not even occur in…
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6.01. The Tower of Cirith Ungol
Cavini – The Tower of Cirith Ungol What happened in the book: Sam comes round in the tunnel where he followed Frodo’s capturers. He can’t open the gate through which the orcs went in, returns to the outlet of Shelob’s tunnel, and heads towards the main entrance to the fortress. Feeling miserable, he wonders if…
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3.06.*a. The Journey to Helm’s Deep
How does it happen in the movie? After Théoden comes to a decision about the protection of his people, in light of Saruman’s treason, Edoras is evacuated and its inhabitants are moved to Helm’s Deep. During this journey, Éowyn sees a chance to get closer to the three strangers – and especially Aragorn. The journey…
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Balrog Wings?
Tolkien seems to back up the existence of a Balrog’s wings in the book at a further point from their first mention. First mention of possible wings: “The shadow about it reached out like two vast wings…” This could be just a simile, or it could mean actual wings. I think Tolkien meant for the…
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Arwen
What does Arwen do in the movie? In the movie, Arwen appears in two sequences, namely The Evenstar and Breath of Life. We see her in a flashback-scene with Aragorn, when he takes a break during the trip to Helm’s Deep. He remembers the day before he left Rivendell: how Arwen supports him in his…
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3.06.*c. Isengard Unleashed
How does it happen in the movie? We learn bits and pieces of what Saruman is up to in his tower throughout the entire second movie. The most important scene, however, is the one where Saruman shows Gríma his massive army of Uruk-hai waiting to attack Helm’s Deep. In true ‘Triumph des Willens’-style Sharkey gives…
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Random Elves (Elrond, Haldir, Galadriel & Celeborn)
The “other” elves – Elrond, Galadriel, Haldir and Celeborn – have startlingly different roles in film and book. Celeborn is mentioned in the book but not the film; Haldir is in the film but not the book. Elrond and Galadriel have a few scenes in the film, where they are mentioned only in passing in…
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4.06.*a. Arrival in Osgiliath
How did it happen in the movie? This scene opens with the arrival of Faramir’s company and their captives, Frodo, Sam, and Gollum, to a ridge, overlooking the city of Osgiliath. Looking down, they can see sings of the battle raging within, the city is afire. At this point, Frodo desperately begs Faramir to release…
