Adaptations Book to Film: Example Two - LOTR

Before I start this post, I just want to say that Lord of the Rings is my favourite adaptation from a book (series) into a film (series). I think it is one of the best adaptations that has ever been made. 

In regards to what they did to The Hobbit (J.R.R Tolkien, 1937) we aren't going to talk about that.

Lord of the Rings Trilogy

J.R.R Tolkien wrote the trilogy and Peter Jackson adapted the books into the phenomenal film series.

   

Left: Books of the LOTR (J. R. R. Tolkien), Right: Films of the LOTR (Peter Jackson)

Adapting:

Top Left to Right: Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellan), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Boromir (Sean Bean) Bottom Left to Right: Samwise Gamgee (Sean Austin), Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood), Meriadoc Brandybuck (Dominic Monaghan), Peregrin Took (Billy Boyd), Gimli (John Rhys-Davies)

I have only ever watched the EXTENDED editions of these films as LOTR is one of my favourite trilogy of books and films. I believe I have watched the films over twenty times at least I watch it at least once or twice a year.

Jackson's adaptation keeps pretty much close to Tolkiens story apart from a few deviations.

Fellowship of the Ring:

These are a few of the deviations:

• Arwen's role is much larger in the film. She also has a lot more power in the film controlling the water against the ringwraiths - which Elrond and Gandalf do in the books.

• Boromir has a larger role. His final stand was also shown on screen. 

• Boromir and the ring - his desire for the ring is more obvious in the films. Galadriel and Gandalf both warn Frodo about Boromir wanting to take the ring from him.

• The Uruk-Hai are the ones chasing the Fellowship in the first film, instead of the orcs. In the film, they named the Uruk-Hai that killed Boromir, Lurtz. 

• The Council of Elrond - In the film, the focus just on the ring, rather than the history of it. Also, Gimli tries to destroy the ring with his axe.

The Two Towers:

These are a few of the deviations:

• In the books, Theoden is weakened by the words of Wormtongue. However, in the film, he is possessed by Saruman. 

• In the books, Aragorn's revival after almost dying on the way to Helms Deep doesn't feature Arwen. However, in the film, Arwen's vision is what revives Aragorn. The screenwriters put this in to make their love story more distinguished. 

• Gandalf's final stand with the Balrog is in the film. 

• Frodo's encounter with Shelob - Doesn't happen in this film, but instead in the next. This is to do with timings with other parts of the story - E.G. Rohan arriving at Isengard. 

Return of the King:

These are a few of the deviations:

• In the books, Gandalf didn't fear the Witch-King and the Witch-King didn't break his staff. In the films, Gandalf was afraid and the Witch-King broke his staff.

• In the film, the Army of the Dead has a bigger role. 

• In the books, the beginning of the siege of Minas Tirith didn't begin with Denethor losing his mind and telling the people to run for their lives and Gandalf knocking him out and railing the forces. However, this happens in the film and makes sense, with the events with Faramir being almost burnt alive by his father, thinking he was dead.