«« Previous Page Next Page »»

THE ESSENCE OF EVENTS

Peter Jackson's Adaptation of "The Fellowship of the Ring"

While much of Tolkien’s text has been lost, a surprising amount has made it to the screen— thanks in part to the actors, who on occasion fought for their lines.16  One of the chief alterations is the omission of Tolkien’s poetry, an omission keenly felt by many, though not perpetrated from any lack of appreciation on the part of the scriptwriters.17  But not only would inclusion of the poetry make the film far too long, it would also hold up the action and slow the carefully constructed pace. However some has been slipped in, as with Gandalf singing Bilbo’s song as he enters the Shire.18  The writers were, however, so impressed with Tolkien’s dialogue that where certain scenes were cut from the narrative, they transferred the dialogue into others.19  Perhaps the best example of this is the scene where Frodo asks Gandalf why the Ring had to come to him. Originally at Bag End, the conversation is replaced into a scene in Moria, where it is most effective— and it is one of the key exchanges in the story.20

Less happy is a relatively minor change that has some far-reaching effects. This is the simple switch of dialogue at the entrance to Moria, where Aragorn advocates going in and Gandalf has qualms— an exact reversal of what happens in the book. At first glance, it is hard to see why this was thought necessary, especially as it radically alters the characterisation, making Gandalf less irascible and opinionated, Aragorn more headstrong and less in touch with his inherited Numenorean foresight. But there is less room for subtleties of character in the film, and perhaps the intention was to show that Aragorn does have qualities of leadership— even if, in this instance, he is mistaken— and Gandalf’s reluctance adds poignancy to his fall: he has seen it coming.

Top «« Previous Page Next Page »»

Soon to be published by The Tolkien Society