now for wrath, now for ruin

[incandescens]

I have now seen Return of the King.

There were many good points. There was a certain amount of character mutilation. I weep for Denethor in particular, who may not have been one of the most sympathetic characters of the book, but who deserved better than what he got. Fingers crossed for some expansion in the extended version.

Okay, yes. I sniffled. At least once. At Theoden's death, primarily.

---

Even as Gandalf and Pippin ran forward, they heard from within the house of the dead the voice of Denethor crying: "Haste, haste! Do as I have bidden! Slay me this renegade! Or must I do so myself?" Thereupon the door which Beregond held shut with his left hand was wrenched open, and there behind him stood the Lord of the City, tall and fell; a light like flame was in his eyes, and he held a drawn sword.

But Gandalf sprang up the steps, and the men fell back from him and covered their eyes; for his coming was like the incoming of a white light into a dark place, and he came with great anger. He lifted up his hand, and in the very stroke, the sword of Denethor flew up and left his grasp and fell behind him in the shadows of the house; and Denethor stepped backwards before Gandalf as one amazed.

-- The Return of the King, Tolkien

Comments

[shellefly.livejournal.com]

I weep for Denethor in particular, who may not have been one of the most sympathetic characters of the book, but who deserved better than what he got.

I felt very strongly that Denethor was severely weakened as a character. In fact, in some ways he was a carbon copy of Grima-poisoned Theoden, a foolish ruler who needed to just shut up and listen to Gandalf, which is not who he was in the book. Also, the bond between him and Pippin was ignored.

Other than that, I enjoyed the film.
Or at least, I will enjoy the film when my Saruman and his evil are restored to me. I want that Orthanc scene NOW! :)

[incandescens]

I want the Saruman scene too, though I wish it would have the proper ending, Scouring of the Shire and all, rather than the ending which I've heard it gets.

[shellefly.livejournal.com]

I too will miss Sharkey.

[aelfsciene.livejournal.com]

I have many many things to say about the movie, but have not yet gotten around to them. I didn't like what was done to Denethor, although it did afford one perfect moment of hilarity; when it cuts back to him pouring oil over himself on the pyre, we'd just been immersed in the battle of Pelennor Fields, which makes me highly, highly emotional, crying through most of it, etc. At the sight of Denethor, my roommate leaned over to me and whispered "Craaaaaaaazy Denethor," which is how we generally refer to him, and I broke down into giggles. Can't see that scene without laughing, now. ^_^