2019-02-16 18:46:53 +01:00
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---
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layout: post
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title: "LotR: Differences between book and film"
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date: 2019-02-16 10:00:00 +0200
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categories: blog
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2019-03-09 10:14:13 +01:00
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toc: true
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2019-02-16 18:46:53 +01:00
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---
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After a long time I have finally bought the books of Lord of the Rings. In this post I intend to show
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the differences between the book(s) and the movies. Regardless of any shown differences, the movies are
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and remain my most beloved of all and are a very good adaptation of the books.
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To clear up terminology, what we call books is called volumes in Lord of the Rings. The first volume entitled
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"Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" is internally consisting of two books. The same is true
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for the second and third volumes that correspond with the movies.
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2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
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That said, let's start with the differences of (for now) the first two volumes/movies.
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2019-02-16 18:46:53 +01:00
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## Hobbiton to Buckleberry Ferry
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It is difficult to clearly outline what is different from the movie as many things are never mentioned in
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the movie and therefore even mentioning them would require an extensive summary of the book which I cannot do.
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Nonetheless I will try my very best to give as much details as necessary to understand the background of things.
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### Book
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The time before the party of Bilbo is mentioned with detail. He receives presents from Dale and the Lonely Mountain
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and dwarves are regular visitors. The Sackville-Bagginses are distant relatives of his and they already bought
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Bag End in the auction at the end of The Hobbit story line. Ever since they had to give it back, they yearn for
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owning it again. Bilbo makes Frodo (a cousin) his official heir, which makes S.-B. even more hatred, because
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they see less of a chance to get Bag End again. At some point Bilbo places the sign "No admittance unless on party
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business" at the entrance of the estate.
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Gandalf arrives in the shire for the feast. The party is held on premises of Bag End. When Bilbo does the speech,
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he mentions that Frodo not only becomes of age at 33 years but also into inheritance. Everyone is puzzled. Then
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he puts the ring on disappears. Gandalf added some light effects which make people think that Gandalf let
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Bilbo disappear. Therefore he is named "disturber of the peace".
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After the guests were all home, Gandalf makes sure that Bilbo leaves the envelope with the ring in the house.
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Frodo is given the ring and asked to keep it secure.
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17 years pass in which Gandalf tries to figure out if the ring is actually "the one ring". Eventually he comes
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back and has a lengthy talk with Frodo and tells him of the task ahead and that Frodo must go to Rivendell.
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At this meeting the black speech on the ring is also revealed. To make his disappearance seem normal, Frodo plans
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2019-02-16 19:53:56 +01:00
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with the help of his friend Meriadoc to move to Buckland (east of the Brandywine river) and buys a small home
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there, which is out of eyesight from other buildings. Bag End is sold to the S.-B. Sam was eavesdropping and was
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conscripted to help Frodo in the endeavour.
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Gandalf sets out again and on his return to the shire (some weeks/months before Frodos move) he meets Radagast near
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Bree, who tells him that Saruman wants to see him. Gandalf now writes a letter and gives it to the innkeeper in
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Bree who should send it to Frodo.
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Finally the day of the move is there and Merry and Pippin help Frodo with moving the chairs and similar things
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to the new home. Merry is riding ahead. Short before Frodo is set to depart, he sees a black man near the house
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of Sam. At midnight Frodo goes with Sam and Pippin by foot through the countryside, trying to avoid the streets.
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They go in a big berth south over the main east-west street and into Took land. Their journey lasts multiple days
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and on the way they encounter black riders some number of times and meet the elves which travel from the
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Grey Havens. One night they stay with the elves and Frodo talks about the problems and the black riders with
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the leader of the elves. The leader promises to send out messengers to alert other elves of the problems.
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The supplies of Frodo, Sam and Pippin are running already thin when they finally arrive during late evening at the
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farm in the east of the shire. Pippin is known by the farmer so they are friendly greeted and have supper and
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tell parts of their story. The farmer agrees to transport them with his carriage in the dark to the Buckleberry
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Ferry. There a dark shadow on a pony comes close to them but it is revealed as Merry who was wondering where
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Frodo was. The farmer said good bye and together they travelled with the ferry over the Brandywine.
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### Differences
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I already left a lot out but the gist of it should be clear. In the movie the seventeen years comprise of one scene
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where Gandalf journeys to Minas Tirith to read the accounts of Isildur. Also Gandalf is disturber of the peace
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prior of Bilbo's disappearance. Further the S.-B. are mentioned and Bilbo is wary of them but it is not clear
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why exactly. All the dwarves and the connection to Laketown (and hence the key location of The Hobbit) are missing.
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Pippin and Merry are not introduced during the party. The dragon firework however was in the book.
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The journey through the shire is implied but Pippin is not part of it and they only see elves in passing. Pippin
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and Merry are reintroduced running through a farm and afterwards they hide the first time from the black rider.
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In the following they run to Backleberry Ferry and barely escape. The black riders asking around in Hobbiton
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and the shire in general is shown, however.
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The topic of supplies, eating and the duration of the journey is excessively mentioned in the book but
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almost never in the movie.
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If you solely watch the movie you do not get a sense of the size of the shire, nor of the exact geography
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of the things.
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## From Buckleberry Ferry to Bree
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How shall I put it, in the movie it is instantaneous. The next scene after the ferry is Bree, heavily implying
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it is a trouble free journey. In the book a whole part of the journey exists that was completely cut from the
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movie.
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### Book
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A very short account of the narrative in the book follows.
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East of the Brandywine Merry is again riding ahead, since Frodo knows the way and Merry wants to prepare things.
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After some foot walk they arrive at the new small home of Frodo. There they wash and eat. On the early morning
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of the next day they want to go on. Frodo is feeling bad, because he wants to say goodbye. But it is revealed
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that indeed Sam, Pippin and Merry guessed a long time ago the plans of Frodo and conspired to help him.
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The next day they start each with a pony through the forest east of the shire. This forest is troublesome
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for them and the trees are blocking their way until they eventually arrive at Old Willow. There Pippin and
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Merry are taken in by the tree [this type of scene was added to the Extended Version of the second movie
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and is placed in the Fangorn forest]. Tom Bombadil comes to their aid and together they travel to Tom's home,
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where Goldberry waited. There they recovered and heard stories. It was revealed that Tom was not influenced by
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the ring.
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After some time they went on but were caught by wights. They barely survived and their ponies went back to Tom.
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Frodo sang a song that Tom taught them to sing when in peril. Tom came and freed the hobbits. Once more they
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went to the home of Tom. Afterwards Tom brought them to the street to Bree. There they said goodbye and
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went to the city gate of Bree.
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During this time Gandalf escaped from Saruman, rode with the fastest horse of the Rohans (Shadowfax) to Hobbiton
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and then back to Bree and arrived there few days before the hobbits. He did not stay there and moved on towards
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Rivendell.
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## Bree
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The entire presence in Bree is far more detailed than in the movie.
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### Book
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They arrive at the Prancing Pony and get their rooms. There they wash and eat supper. Afterwards everyone but
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Merry goes to the big room and joined the company there. Pippin told a lot of stories of the shire which got
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a lot of attention. Also there were Underhills who thought Frodo was a long lost cousin.
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Frodo spoke with Strider who warned him of the attention that Pippin got. Then Frodo decided to sing a song to
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get the attention away from Pippin. But ofter a while he fell and the ring slipped on his finger. The crowd was
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crazy. Frodo took the ring off again and explained that he was not gone. The other people thought him a magician.
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They went back to their rooms with Strider who explained who he was. Then the innkeeper came and remembered that
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he was given a letter from Gandalf. This letter explained who Strider is and urged Frodo to leave Bag End
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immediately.
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Upon the realization of the imminent danger, they relocated to another room and stuffed something in the beds
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to irritate the black riders. Merry was still gone. The helper of the innkeeper was told to keep watch for
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Merry. Later in the night Merry was brought back and was shocked.
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Their deception proved important as the black riders went to the hobbit rooms in the inn and when discovering
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that those were empty, they fled the scene. The ponies of the hobbits moved away as well. On the next morning
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the innkeeper asked around in town who would be willing to sell a horse. Only one person proved willing and
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that person was also implicated as working for the dark lord. Nonetheless the hobbits got the horse and
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used it to pack the supplies and went with Strider out of the town.
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### Differences
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The key points are kept in the movie but overall the book gives much higher fidelity.
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## From Bree to Weathertop
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Strider leads them off-road to the Weathertop, which takes many days and supplies are dwindling. The journey
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to Weathertop is very much shortened in the movie.
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Three days away from Weathertop the company sees lightning on the Weathertop. This is later revealed to be a fight
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of Gandalf with the riders. Afterwards Gandalf rides fast to Rivendell.
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## Weathertop
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The events of the Weathertop are in effect similar but the exact location somewhat different. It is explained
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in the book that the black riders cannot see normally. They need their black horses for visual direction.
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Rather they smell things. As long as Frodo did not have the ring on, he was invisible to the riders without
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their horses. The other hobbits were not endangered by the riders. Once Frodo took the ring on, they
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saw him and stabbed him with a morgul blade. Gladly for Frodo they missed, otherwise he would have become
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one of them.
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## From Weathertop to Rivendell
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The journey to Rivendell was long and perilous. At some point they came across the trolls of The Hobbit and took
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some weapons from there. Short before the Ford of Bruinen they met Glorfindel who came from Rivendell. Frodo was
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to ride on the white horse on to Rivendell. When the riders came, Frodo did not want to ride fast away. Glorfindel
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spoke something to the horse which then gallopped fast towards the Ford and barely came first place ahead of more
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riders. Once over the Ford, Frodo stopped with his sword high and wanted the riders to stop. The riders stepped
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into the river and were then flooded away. It is later revealed that the forms on the water (horses) were added by
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Gandalf.
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### Differences
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In the movie the journey is very much shorter and it is not Glorfindel but Arwen that comes to their aid.
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Furthermore Arwen is travelling with Frodo to the Ford and the chase to the Ford is made longer than it was
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in the book. Lastly Arwen seems to cause the flood when in the book it is revealed that Elrond is the reason
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for it.
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## Rivendell
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Rivendell takes a much longer time than it was in the movie. In fact is is so intensive that I cannot give
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a clear abstract of the order of things.
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### Differences of the book to the movie
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2019-03-09 10:33:59 +01:00
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- prior to the council of Elrond, many months pass in which scouts are searching for the black riders
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- the council itself is much longer, Gloin is present as well and tells from the Lonely Mountain
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2019-02-16 18:50:49 +01:00
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- Legolas reports that Gollum fled from imprisonment
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- Gandalf tells the full tale of the betrayal of Saruman
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- Aragorn has the broken Narzil with him, it is not lying in Rivendell
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- the sword is reforged and Anduril, Flame of the West, is given to Aragorn
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- many more scenes with Bilbo
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- almost no mention of Arwen (connection of Aragorn and Arwen is not mentioned at all and only visible
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if you know what to look for)
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2019-02-16 18:50:49 +01:00
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2019-02-16 18:46:53 +01:00
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## From Rivendell to Moria
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The fellowship sets out with the pony. Supplies and the duration of the journey, as well as the specific route
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are far more detailed in the book. Dark birds are flying over them but not in the least in the way it is depicted
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in the movie. It is not an attack. At last they come to Caradhras (or Redhorn) and try to take the mountain
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pass. In the book it is Aragorn who pushes for this route. They are defeated by the snow
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and the snow is not caused by Saruman in a wizard battle with Gandalf.
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When back down, they are attacked by wargs which pushes them towards Moria, rather than the Gap of Rohan. After
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a long journey they find the door. Gandalf takes quite some time until he finds out that the riddle is meant
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literal, the door to Moria opens. The company has to leave the pony behind. After the water was disturbed,
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an octopus-like being comes out of it and pushes them into Moria and then barrs the doors from the outside,
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so that they cannot push the door open again from the inside (which they could have done otherwise).
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### Differences
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The movie makes the journey on the one hand shorter and more dramatic. Also it adds scene where Boromir picks up
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the ring from Frodo, which has no resemblance in the book. Furthermore Saruman is mentioned far more often and
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is a crucial plot device in the movie.
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## Through Moria
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The journey through Moria is longer and more detailed in the book. At the junction with the three pathways
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(depicted in movie) there is an additional guard room where they make rest for the night. In that guard room
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is an old well and there Pippin throws a stone inside which runs deep down. Gandalf's remark is the same as
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in the movie.
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Gandalf leads the company at length to the room with Balin's last stand. Here he reads the accounts which
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are written in various languages. The company hears drums in the background. They are attacked and Frodo
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is hit. The company escapes through the second door which leads them down and Gandalf creates a magical
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barrier but is throne back. It is not revealed from what or whom. The fellowship is moving towards the bridge
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of Khazadûm. The Balrog is coming for them and Gandalf makes a stand and is thrown down. His last words are
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"Fly you fools". After some further rooms the remaining fellowship makes for the main entrance of Moria,
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kills the guards there and after a short momento stop for Gimli, they make haste for the forest of Lorien.
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## Lorien
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The overall journey through Lorien is way more detailed. An orc company is following them out of Moria.
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In Lorien they make rest for the night and try to climb the trees. The elves in the trees say the famous
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line that they could hear them from a mile away. Legolas negotiates with the elves and the company can stay
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on the flots for the night.
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Afterwards they are led to the central part of the forest, at some point they blindfolded to ensure the exact way is unknown to them.
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In the city they meet high up in the trees Galadriel and Celeborn. The dialogue is more detailed. The company
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gets a pavillon to sleep in. Overall they stay many weeks in Lorien where time seems to be different.
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The key scene of the mirror involves Sam as well and more visions are mentioned.
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## From Lorien to Rauros (big falls of Anduin)
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Lastly the fellowship is departing from Lorien and brought to the harbour. There they get Lambas bread, their
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cloaks and the boats as well as rope for Sam. With them they travel in direction of Anduin, The Great. Before
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leaving the forest, a large ship of Galadriel and Celeborn is towed to them and they eat on the grass next to the
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river. There they get the presents.
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- Aragorn: a sheath for Anduril and the jewel that Aragorn received in the movie in Rivendell from Arwen
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- Boromir: golden belt
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- Legolas: a bow
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- Gimli: three hairs of Galadriel
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- Sam: a box with earth of Galadriel's orchard and a silver nut from a mallorn tree
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- Frodo: the light of Earendil
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- Pippin/Merry: silver belt
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Afterwards they journey for a long time through various regions along the Anduin. One night they encounter
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Gollum but after Frodo draws Sting, Gollum disappears and is not seen again, though he continues to follow
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them. At some point they come to the rapids of Sarn Gebir and they transport the boats to the other end of the
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rapids. Then they journey on to the falls of Rauros. At the beach they make camp for the night and finally
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have to decide whether to go to Minas Tirith as Boromir was headed or to Mordor. Frodo asks for time to
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think about it and walks away. Some time later Boromir meets him and the scene from the movie plays. Frodo
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takes the ring on and runs to the top of the hill. In a stone chair he sits down and walks in all four
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directions of the sky. In the east he sees the ever watchful eye and manages to take the ring of mere
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seconds before Sauron would have known his exact location.
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Frodo made a decision to leave everyone alone and move to Mordor without saying goodbye. He slips the ring
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back on trying to come to the beach without anyone noticing.
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Meanwhile Sam asks where Frodo remains. Boromir reappears and it is revealed that Boromir threatened Frodo.
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Aragorn tries to keep order but fails. Pippin and Merry are running to the wood calling for Frodo. Legolas and
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Gimli, being already friends, move together to search for Frodo. Aragorn asks Boromir to at least protect Pippin
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and Merry. Aragorn is going with Sam. But Sam cannot keep the pace of Aragorn and falls back. He thinks that Frodo
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needs a boat to get to the other side and runs back to the beach.
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There he discovers that Frodo is in one of the boats. Sam is running into the water and is saved by Frodo,
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|
who still has the ring on. Frodo takes the ring off, gets Sam aboard and rows back to the shore.
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Sam takes his things and makes hole into the other boats and sets off with Frodo to the other shore, where
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they hide the boat and move on.
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|
### Differences
|
|
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|
The journey is shorter and the first movie concludes with a battle of the Urukhai, where Boromir dies. This part
|
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|
is not even in the first book and only hinted at in the second (which I will feature later). The scene with
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Boromir and the almost drowning of Sam is, however, depicted close to the book.
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|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
|
|
## Battle at Rauros (begin of 2nd volume and 3rd book)
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Before I start with the summary of the battle on the west coast of the Anduin, I will give some general
|
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|
information about the second volume and how I will portray it here. The second volume focuses first only on the
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things west of the Anduin (Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Gandalf, Pippin, Merry) and then in the 4th book on the
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|
things that Frodo and Sam are experiencing. This order will be preserved here. Furthermore, there will be
|
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quite big differences between the book and the movie.
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Frodo and Sam have already departed when the battle begins. Aragorn is at the top of Amon Hen when he hears
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the horn of Gondor. By the time he arrives Boromir is pierced by many arrows and Merry and Pippin are taken.
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Legolas and Gimli arrive much later and were at a different part of the forest. After some parting words
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with Boromir, Aragorn sends Legolas and Gimli back to Parth Galen, where the boats still lie. They take both
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remaining boats and bring them close to the point where Boromir is. Boromir is put into one boat together with his
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sword and tokens of the slain enemies. Then they paddle with the other boat close to the falls of Rauros and
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let the boat of Boromir go over it.
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Afterwards they get back to the land and set out to hunt orcs.
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|
### Differences
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The movie version at the end of the first movie is close enough. However, one major difference there is:
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In the book the attack involves not only orcs from Saruman but also orcs under direction of Sauron.
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Also, Legolas happens to be out of arrows in the book. In the movie he is never out of arrows.
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## From Rauros to Fangorn
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Both parts of the remaining fellowship travel to Fangorn forest.
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### Merry and Pippin
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Overall the journey to the forest is more detailed in the book and the different orcs are fighting with each
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other. This is actually indicated in the movie, albeit much shorter. Other than that there are no big diversions
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to be noted.
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Before the Fangorn forest the riders of Rohan are encircling the camp of the orcs. Merry and Pippin manage to
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flee into the forest.
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### Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas
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Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas are running for days with minimal rest and cover a huge distance to keep up
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with the orcs of Saruman that can travel both during day and night. Along the way they try to understand
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what happens in the orc company and keep track of the lost hobbits. Eventually, they meet Éomer and have
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some longer talk than during the movie. They get two horses and travel forth to Fangorn forest where they
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|
encounter the camp of the destroyed orcs.
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### Differences
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The major difference relates to the Aragorn part of the story. Éomer is not exiled but went on his own to hunt
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the orcs. The horses are given to Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas with the clear instruction to give them back
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in Edoras in a few days time. As usual the dialogues in the book are more extensive and give more insight
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into what is going on.
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Furthermore, in the dialogue of the orcs is revealed that the black riders are now using winged animals.
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## From Fangorn to Isengard (Merry and Pippin)
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Merry and Pippin travel through Fangorn forest until and initially stay close to the river Entwash. After some
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time they arrive at a plateau when they meet Treebeard there. It is revealed that his name is actually Fangorn
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and he is the master of the forest. Together they travel a great distance to the home of Treebeard.
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Ents do not eat and only drink. As a consequence Merry and Pippin are drinking their meals as well.
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The gathering of ents happens and Merry and Pippin meet a "hasty" ent. They talk a while and eventually
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|
the ents have decided to go to war against Saruman. With Treebeard the hobbits now travel to Isengard where the
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|
ents attack and put it under water.
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|
### Differences
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|
In the book there is a lot more information aboout ents and their lore. Plus, the entire story up until the
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|
destruction of Isengard is longer. The biggest difference is that Merry and Pippin do NOT meet Gandalf in the
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forest.
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## Fangorn to Edoras (Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas)
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Near the camp the three companions discover signs that the hobbits escaped into the forest. Before entering
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it, they camp one night and seem to see Saruman but when they try to speak to the old man, he disappears.
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|
Their horses also disappear during one night.
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In Fangorn they eventually reach the same plateau. There they meet Gandalf again, who is revealed to be
|
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|
|
the white wizard now. Together they leave the forest and find their horses again. Gandalf is again riding with
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Shadowfax. Following Shadofax and Gandalf, they travel straight south towards Edoras.
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|
### Differences
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|
The encounter with Gandalf is different and, again, the dialogues are more detailed. No major plot differences
|
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|
though.
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|
## From Edoras to Helm's Deep
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In Edoras they are at first locked out of the city. Eventually they are allowed inside but have to leave their
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|
weapons outside of the king's hall. Gandalf can keep his staff. Inside Gandalf frees king Théoden of Rohan from
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|
the influence of Wormtongue. However, Saruman was not directly controlling the king. Éomer was arrested but is
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|
|
now freed and gives the sword of the king back to him. With sword in hand, the king remembers his strength,
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|
|
although the old age is not gone. Wormtongue is banished from Edoras, free to choose his path.
|
2019-02-16 18:46:53 +01:00
|
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|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
|
|
After a short meal the host of Edoras is setting out to make war to Isengard. Eowyn is given control of Edoras
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|
|
and is tasked to guide their people to safety.
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|
On the way to Isengard they are informed that the Westfold defense has been broken by Saruman. The general
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|
Erkenbrand is said to be in Helm's Deep. Gandalf leaves the host and gallops away. The rest of the host
|
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|
move towards Helm's Deep. Éomer is riding with the king and Aragorn.
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|
Helm's Deep is set behind a dike, which is open only for the road. They realise that it cannot be guarded against
|
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|
|
the onslaught of the enemy. Therefore, they move to the Hornburg. The entrance to the caves is behind the Deeping
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|
|
Wall and not through the Hornburg. It is revealed that Erkenbrand is not in Helm's Deep. Gamling is the leader of
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|
|
the troops at Helm's Deep.
|
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|
|
### Differences
|
|
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|
|
|
There are no warg attacks. Aragorn is not lost in the waters. There are no two young boys from the Westfold
|
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|
|
that come to Edoras to report an attack. Éowyn does not travel together with Aragorn. No elves are coming
|
|
|
|
to help at Helm's Deep - knowing the distance from Rivendell to Helm's Deep, where the only pass is held
|
|
|
|
by Saruman, they would have to depart in Rivendell weeks before the fellowship is broken to arrive in time.
|
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|
|
The only other elven stronghold is in Lothlorien and they would not leave their forest. Éomer and the rohirrim
|
|
|
|
are not banished and therefore are at the battle from the start.
|
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|
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|
|
## Battle at Helm's Deep
|
|
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|
|
Shortly after arriving in Helm's Deep the enemy forces are approaching. Among them are the urukhai but also
|
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|
|
wild men from the western lands. The events of the battle:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- rearguard from dike is galloping to Hornburg
|
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|
|
- gates of Hornburg are almost destroyed
|
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|
|
- Aragorn and Éomer are entering the area before the gate to relieve it for a while
|
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|
|
- Gimli followed them and prevents harm to Éomer
|
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|
|
- the gate is blocked from the inside and holds for the remainder of the siege
|
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|
|
- ladders were put against wall
|
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|
- some orcs crept like rats through opening in wall (the one for the river) an were behind wall
|
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|
- Gimli saw them, jumped down from wall and attacked them
|
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|
- Gamling saw this and attacked the orcs with some men from the Hornburg
|
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|
|
- the orcs were crushed
|
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|
|
- bolders were used to block the inner part of the culvert for the stream of water
|
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|
|
- a short pause in the attack
|
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|
|
- culvert is blown to pieces while Aragorn, Éomer, and Gamling talk
|
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|
|
- at the same time more ladders are put against the wall
|
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|
|
- orcs are swarming in and the defense is driven to the caves or the Hornburg
|
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|
|
- Aragorn and Legolas retreat into Hornburg
|
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|
|
- Gamling, Éomer, and Gimli are driven to the caves
|
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|
|
- a plan is made to ride out
|
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|
|
- Aragorn parleys with orcs and wild men and warns them
|
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|
|
- gate is blown to pieces
|
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|
|
- sound of horn of Helm rings
|
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|
|
- Théoden rides out with Aragorn, men in the caves attack the orcs and drive them back (the morning after a night
|
|
|
|
of fighting)
|
|
|
|
- Théoden rides up to the great dike
|
|
|
|
- all the orcs retreat behind the dike and stay there, in fear of both the king and the forest (the tree-like
|
|
|
|
ents marched to Helm's Deep instead of Isengard)
|
|
|
|
- Gandalf appears and close after a great host of men appear
|
|
|
|
- they are led by a great warrior with a red shield, Erkenbrand
|
|
|
|
- the king's company, Gandalf, and the host of men charge into the orcs and wild men
|
|
|
|
- the wild men lie down to the earth while the orcs are fleeing to the forest, where they are destroyed
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With this the battle concludes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The overall choreography of the battle is changed a little, made more linear, and shortened. That said,
|
|
|
|
the battle makes up a larger percentage of the screentime than it does in the book relative to the number
|
|
|
|
of pages in it. This is due to the paradoxical effect of writing length to filming length. Action can be
|
|
|
|
summarised quite succinctly. In a movie all these actions actually have to be shown. Conversely, a dialogue
|
|
|
|
that takes only a few minutes of talking will fill many pages in a book.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## From Helm's Deep to Isengard
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
After the battle it is revealed what Gandalf did, that Gimli, Gamling, and Éomer survived, and the captain
|
|
|
|
of the king's guard Háma was dead. The wild men were allowed to go home if they swore an oath never to
|
|
|
|
cross the fords of Isen again bearing arms or helping otherwise the enemies of men.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Théoden, Éomer, and some warriors travelled to Isengard. On the way Gimli
|
|
|
|
told Legolas about the caverns of Helm's Deep and that before their end Legolas had to visit them together
|
|
|
|
with Gimli. In turn, Legolas got the promise from Gimli that they would visit Fangorn forest together, despite
|
|
|
|
Gimli feeling unwell in it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arriving in Isengard, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas met again with Merry and Pippin. While Gandalf and the king's
|
|
|
|
company went with Treebeard, the three companions stayed and a great deal was told about what happened to
|
|
|
|
each party. Eventually, the parley with Saruman took place but no useful information was taken from him.
|
|
|
|
Gandalf broke the staff of Saruman and removed him from the council of wizards, Saruman was now colour-less.
|
|
|
|
Wormtongue, who had fled to Isengard, threw out a palantir. Pippin found it but Gandalf quickly took it over
|
|
|
|
and covered it. Gandalf asked Treebeard to keep watch on Saruman, who might be encircled but had still the
|
|
|
|
power of Orthanc. Furthermore, Treebeard should let in the water once more to find out all drains that Saruman
|
|
|
|
might use to escape.
|
|
|
|
On their departure, they heard how Wormtongue was killed by Saruman, likely because he threw out the palantir.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A few hours of Isengard the company made camp. Pippin looked at the palantir and it was revealed that Sauron
|
|
|
|
thought it still in Isengard. Pippin told nothing but that he was a hobbit. Sauron likely thought him a prisoner
|
|
|
|
of Saruman and did not question further. Through this revelation it became clear how Saruman kept in touch with
|
|
|
|
Sauron. Aragorn was given the palantir to keep it secret. Shortly after a nazgul was over them and headed to
|
|
|
|
Isengard. Now they made haste and Gandalf took Pippin and rode swiftly towards Edoras and then Minas Tirith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For once, the journey to Isengard is the starting scene of the third movie. Aside from this, the major difference
|
|
|
|
is that Saruman remains alive and Wormtongue is killed by Saruman. Furthermore, the scene with the palantir
|
|
|
|
takes place on the road and not in Edoras.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## From Rauros to Black Gate (begin of 4th book)
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-10 17:16:43 +01:00
|
|
|
I am now continuing with the story of Frodo and Sam. It starts with finding their way through Emyn Muil.
|
|
|
|
There they meet Gollum and tame him. With his help, they find a way out of Emyn Muil and afterwards through
|
|
|
|
the Dead Marshes. While in the Dead Marshes, a nazgul comes flying over them. This encounter triggers something
|
|
|
|
in Gollum and makes the evil part surface again. After leaving the Dead Marshes, the three companions make their
|
|
|
|
way to the Black Gate.
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-10 17:16:43 +01:00
|
|
|
The journey takes longer in the book. However, the Dead Marshes are more uneventful than portrayed in the movie.
|
|
|
|
Also, the movie has less details. But in general the movie is very close to the book in this part.
|
|
|
|
One noteworthy difference: Frodo does not run down towards the Black Gate in the book.
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
|
|
## Black Gate to Ithilien
|
|
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|
|
2019-03-10 17:16:43 +01:00
|
|
|
They decide to go through a back-entrance into Mordor and set out to the south. After leaving the
|
|
|
|
barren lands close to the Black Gate behind them, they enter the former garden province of Gondor, Ithilien.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In Ithilien, Sam is stewing a rabbit with a small fire and for the first time in a while the hobbits have
|
|
|
|
something warm to eat.
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-10 17:16:43 +01:00
|
|
|
In the movie the journey is shorter and it also works with implied concurrency. By cutting away from Frodo
|
|
|
|
and Sam after the Black Gate and only returning once they are in Ithilien, the viewer can assume that the story
|
|
|
|
of Frodo and Sam continued while they saw the western events unfold. In the book they see a nazgul leaving for
|
|
|
|
the west on their way to Ithilien. This very nazgul arrives in Isengard a few hours later. Therefore, the western
|
|
|
|
events told in the second volume are almost over when the story of Frodo and Sam is really starting.
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
|
|
## Ithilien - Meeting with Faramir
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-10 17:16:43 +01:00
|
|
|
The fire of Sam was observed by the men of Faramir. Shortly after, the hobbits were discovered and had to wait
|
|
|
|
with two guards, while the rest of the men attacked the Haradrim from the south. After the battle, Faramir
|
|
|
|
questioned Frodo on the spot about Boromir and Isildur's Bane. Eventually, they moved to a secret hideout
|
|
|
|
and were blindfolded for the last meters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following part of the story diverges massively from the movie up to the Crossroads. During their stay
|
|
|
|
at the hideout they get proper food and have a lengthy talk with Faramir. He is at no point trying to take
|
|
|
|
the ring and once it is revealed that Frodo has the ring, he still did not do it. No other man was informed
|
|
|
|
about the ring. At some point Gollum is observed in the forbidden pool. Frodo convinces Faramir to leave Gollum
|
|
|
|
alive. But Gollum is taken prisoner and questioned by Faramir. It is revealed that Gollum intends to bring
|
|
|
|
them to the stairs of Cirith Ungol. Faramir warns Frodo about the stairs and the dangers that lie there, though
|
|
|
|
he cannot give any specific information. Eventually, the hobbits are given food for the way and escorted out
|
|
|
|
again, together with Gollum, until Faramir leaves them.
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-10 17:16:43 +01:00
|
|
|
There are so many differences that I can only list the biggest ones. Faramir is more wise in the book
|
|
|
|
and does not try to bring Frodo to Minas Tirith. He even gives him the promise of safe passage through
|
|
|
|
Gondor for one year and a day. Frodo should come to Minas Tirith and explain him before the steward if he
|
|
|
|
wanted to make it lifelong. The hobbits have multiple meals with the men and upon departing are given
|
|
|
|
fresh food for the journey. They are not brought to Osgiliath.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Faramir recounts to Frodo how he saw Boromir travel by in the boat on the Anduin. This retrospective scene is
|
|
|
|
shown in the movie very accurately. The movie does portray the key points like them meeting Faramir and Gollum
|
|
|
|
taken prisoner but there the similarities end. Effectively, the movie gives Faramir a slightly different character
|
|
|
|
and probably chooses to introduce Osgiliath so that the viewers have more emotional ties to it in the third
|
|
|
|
movie.
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
|
|
## From Ithilien to Crossroads
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-10 17:16:43 +01:00
|
|
|
This entire journey is completely different in the movie. In the book they travel some days through Ithilien
|
|
|
|
along its wester border until the trees become scarcer. Then they go closer to the southward road until they come
|
|
|
|
to the crossroads. At the crossroads is a statue with a severed head. This scene is in the third movie. The road
|
|
|
|
from Osgiliath continues straight to Minas Morgul behind the crossroads.
|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## From Crossroads to Shelob's Lair
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-10 17:16:43 +01:00
|
|
|
After crossing the southward road and following the road to Minas Morgul, the ring all of a sudden grew heavy
|
|
|
|
again. A short while later they arrive at Minas Morgul. They hide while the army marches out. Then they climb
|
|
|
|
the two stairs up and rest.
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
2019-03-10 17:16:43 +01:00
|
|
|
The scene down at Minas Morgul is exactly as in the book. But in the book Sam is never sent back and Gollum
|
|
|
|
does not throw away the Lembas bread. Also, the leader of the ringwraiths is riding on a horse to battle and not
|
|
|
|
on a nazgul. Furthermore, the phial of Galadriel is already used by Frodo when hiding from the army to
|
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|
stay the desire to touch the ring.
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|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
|
|
## Shelob's Lair
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|
2019-03-10 17:16:43 +01:00
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Frodo and Sam are entering the tunnel together with Gollum. After a short while Gollum disappears.
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Along the way multiple side passages are running away. They
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follow the main tunnel up to a Y-shaped point. The left path is blocked. Following the right path, they
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hear some noise behind and see multiple eyes. With the phial of Galadriel in hand, Frodo is approaching them.
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They retreat.
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Then both continue upwards until they are stopped by cobwebs. Sting is successfully used to cut them. Frodo
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runs forward out of joy of them having escaped the tunnel while Sam cannot quite keep up. Sam is attacked by
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Gollum but manages to fight him off. When Sam leaves the tunnel, Frodo lies on the bottom and Shelob
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is above him. Sam attacks Shelob with his sword and lies below her, when she hammers her body down on the sword.
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Afterwards she retreats. Sam thinks Frodo dead but does not know what to do. After some deliberation, he takes
|
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the ring and Sting, and leaves Frodo. Then he hears voices of orcs, puts on the ring and follows them.
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A group of orcs came up from Minas Morgul, while another came from the watchtower. Both met and took Frodo back
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into the tunnel. The previously closed tunnel path was the entrance to the watchtower. Sam managed to get inside
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the path but was not able to enter the tower. There the second volume ends.
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|
2019-03-09 20:03:44 +01:00
|
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### Differences
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|
2019-03-10 17:16:43 +01:00
|
|
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Sam and Frodo are together in the struggle of the tunnel. It is cleared up how Sam got the ring, the entrance
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to the tower is different and overall there is less drama in the book. Furthermore, there is a great deal more
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background information provided in the last chapter, where Sam hears the orc captains talk with each other.
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However, it is somewhat weird that Sam can keep the ring on for so long (many minutes at least) without
|
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being discovered by Sauron. In any case Sauron does not seem to know immediately where the ring is when someone
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uses it.
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|
2019-03-30 19:10:32 +01:00
|
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## Minas Tirith (begin of 3rd volume and 5th book)
|
2019-02-16 18:46:53 +01:00
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|
2019-03-30 19:10:32 +01:00
|
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I continue with the 3rd volume. The 5th book covers all events up to the battle at the Black Gate, whereas
|
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the 6th book tells the remaining story of Frodo and Sam, and subsequently finishes the tale of the Lord of the
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Rings.
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Gandalf rides with Pippin to Minas Tirith. On the way he shortly stops at Edoras and gives orders to muster
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the troops of Rohan at Dunharrow. They reach the outer walls of Minas Tirith and are allowed in. Eventually they
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reach the citadel and talk with Denethor. Pippin enters the service of Denethor and they walk to their
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home in the citadel. On his first day in the city, Pippin makes friends with a captain of the guard and
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gets a tour of the city by the son of that captain. Most women and children were evacuated out of the city
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and troops from far away parts of Gondor came.
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### Differences
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The first day in Minas Tirith is portrayed with far more detail and the actual size of the realm of Gondor
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and the city of Minas Tirith becomes more clear. Furthermore, there are outer walls around the fields of Pelennor
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to protect the farmlands and cottages there.
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This short summary does not do justice to the book, so please read it. ;)
|
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## From Isengard via Helm's Deep to Dunharrow
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After Gandalf and Pippin departed, a host of Dunedain from the North came and with them the sons of Elrond.
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The entire group rides back to Helm's Deep. There some form of feast happens. Aragorn reveals himself to Sauron.
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Merry enters into service of Théoden. Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas ride together with the Dunedain over the plain
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to Dunharrow. Merry, Théoden and his army moves through the mountains to Dunharrow, which requires more time.
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|
### Differences
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There is no stop in Helm's Deep in the movies. The feast is moved to Edoras, Gandalf and Pippin are still there,
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no Dunedain or elf lords are present, and the reveal of Aragorn to Sauron is moved to Minas Tirith after the
|
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battle.
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## From Dunharrow via Dimholt to Minas Tirith
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The three companions leave Dunharrow with the Dunedain one day ahead of the arrival of Théoden. They travel
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through the Dimholt, call the dead, and then ride hard to Erech to receive the fealty of the dead army.
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A long journey to the Anduin follows. Eventually, they reach it and take over the Corsair fleet. The
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slaves are freed, the southern men flee, and the dead army has fulfilled their pledge.
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Aragorn presents himself as king and the people of the southern Gondor travel with him to Minas Tirith by ship.
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### Differences
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All horses march through the Dimholt, the pledge is taken at Erech, and the distance to Anduin is shown.
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In the movie, this trip is shortened substantially and is also geographically false. Furthermore, the dead
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army is not released after freeing the ships but only after the battle of Minas Tirith.
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## From Dunharrow via Edoras to Minas Tirith
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Riders from Gondor come to Dunharrow to call for aid. Merry, Théoden, Éowyn, Éomer and the army is moving quickly
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to Edoras and from there to Minas Tirith. On the way they meet old people from the forest. These people
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seem to be related to the dead people. With their help the Rohirrim can avoid an orc host which stands between
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|
them and Minas Tirith. Eventually, the army reaches the now destroyed outer walls of Minas Tirith.
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### Differences
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The movie removed the entire portion about the forest people, the orc host, and the riders from Gondor.
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Furthermore, the geography is changed by implying that Dunharrow is closer to Gondor than Edoras.
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|
## Battle of Minas Tirith
|
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Faramir returns with his company from Cair Andros. Gandalf defends him against a nazgul. After some discussion
|
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|
with Denethor, Faramir is sent to Osgiliath to help defend the outpost. The enemy proves to be too strong
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|
and drives the defence towards the main gate of Minas Tirith. A sortie is released to help Faramir's men return
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|
to the city. Faramir is wounded but alive, he is brought to Denethor.
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The orcs create a proper siege circle around the city. Catapults throw the heads of fallen soldiers into the city,
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incendiary ammunition follows. Gandalf rides together with Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth, around the city
|
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|
|
to bolster morale. Grond is used to break the city gate. Gandalf stands alone to face the king of the nine.
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|
The horn of Rohan is heard; a victory ride through the orc defences follows until Théoden stands
|
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|
|
on the road from the river to the gate. Other Rohirrim are destroying the siege engines but the gate was not
|
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|
won yet. Haradrim stand south of the road and run towards Théoden, he reacts and matches the Haradrim, the
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Rohirrim win that battle.
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Victory is followed by defeat: A nazgul comes and Théoden falls. All other Rohirrim close by are dead or flee.
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|
Only Dernhelm, now revealed as Éowyn, remains. She challenges the nazgul, killes it, and afterwards fights
|
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|
with the king of the nine. Merry stabs the legs of the king, a death blow to his face by Éowyn follows.
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|
She falls besides the king.
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All remaining forces of the enemy are about to join ranks, Éomer reassembled a huge line of riders, and the
|
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|
|
men of Gondor come from the gate of the city. Éomer sees Théoden, with his last words Éomer is made king; upon
|
|
|
|
seeing Éowyn, Éomer rides back to the Rohirrim and charges towards the enemies. Imrahil comes to Éowyn, discovers
|
|
|
|
her alive and sends for help. Afterwards he joins the battle. Éowyn is brought to the houses of the healing.
|
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|
Merry is following Éowyn into the city.
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|
Éomer's charge ends up at the river and they are about to be destroyed, Aragorn arrives at the port just in
|
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|
|
time to relief Éomer. Together they win the day and the remaining enemies flee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
### Differences
|
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|
|
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|
|
Movie: The battle is shortened, the dead army is still around, the Haradrim only attack after the first charge of
|
|
|
|
Rohan, Éomer has a smaller role, Imrahil is not present, the orcs break into the outer rings of the city,
|
|
|
|
Éowyn is discovered after the entire battle is over, Merry is not going into the city by his own means,
|
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|
|
Faramir is sent to retake Osgiliath after the defences failed, and the king of the nine is all the time on a
|
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|
|
nazgul.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
## Pyres of Denethor
|
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|
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|
|
During the battle, Pippin discovers the plot of Denethor. He runs down to the city to search for Gandalf. On the
|
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|
|
way, he asks the aforementioned captain of the guard to stop Denethor from burning Faramir alive. Eventually,
|
|
|
|
Pippin finds Gandalf and together they save Faramir. Denethor burns himself. Faramir is brought to the houses
|
|
|
|
of the healing.
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This part is rather accurate in the movie, only the guard captain is removed entirely. Furthermore, Gandalf
|
|
|
|
and Pippin encounter a nazgul on their way to the citadel. Lastly, Denethor does not stay in the house of the
|
|
|
|
dead.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## From Minas Tirith to Black Gate
|
|
|
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|
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|
|
Aragorn resides in a tent outside the city. He does not want to enter the city and claim the kingship yet.
|
|
|
|
Pippin finds Merry in a street in the city and calls for help. Merry is brought to the houses of the healing.
|
|
|
|
After some hours, Aragorn enters the city in disguise and heals Faramir, Éowyn, and Merry in that order.
|
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|
|
Aragorn and the Dunedain heal many wounded through the night; eventually, Aragorn retreats into the tent
|
|
|
|
and on the next morning people wonder wether the visit of the king was just a dream.
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
A council is held and an army assembled to march to the Black Gate. Faramir remains Steward of Gondor.
|
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|
|
Some forces are sent to destroy the orc host north-east of Minas Tirith. The army moves through Osgiliath,
|
|
|
|
walks to the crossroads, places the king's head back on the statue, destroys a bridge to Minas Morgul,
|
|
|
|
and moves north into Ithilien. Along the way the territory is reclaimed. Some men waver and are allowed to leave
|
|
|
|
to take back Cair Andros. The remaining army reaches the Black Gate. Only Pippin went to the Black Gate. Merry
|
|
|
|
stayed in the city.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The gate opens and a parley with the mouth of Sauron takes place, tokens of Frodo and Sam are handed over but
|
|
|
|
the terms of Sauron are denied; Aragorn, Gandalf, and the rest are riding back to the army and prepare the
|
|
|
|
immediate battle.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sauron's forces are outnumbering the army of Aragorn by far, it was a planned ambush; trolls attack Pippin
|
|
|
|
and the aforementioned captain of the guard. Pippin manages to kill the troll but is buried below corpses,
|
|
|
|
he sees eagles before losing consciousness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Movie: Aragorn enters the city and the council happens in the throne room, the healing is reduced to Éowyn,
|
|
|
|
Théoden is forgotten after his death, the funny scene at the houses of the healing involving healer Ioreth
|
|
|
|
is cut, Faramir is not the Steward, the march to the Black Gate is severly shorter, Cair Andros is not mentioned,
|
|
|
|
the mouth of Sauron is killed by Aragorn (he lives in the book), the guard captain is cut (again), Merry is at the
|
|
|
|
battle, Haradrim are not part of the battle, and the army of Aragorn is far smaller than in the book.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## Escape from Cirith Ungol (begin of 6th book)
|
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|
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|
|
The last book continues where the 4th book ended: Sam is on the outside of the tower at Cirith Ungol. He
|
|
|
|
moves out of Shelob's Lair and back to the point, where he heard the voices of the orcs. This time he moves
|
|
|
|
further into Mordor to find the main entrance of the tower. He arrives, uses the light of Earendil to pass
|
2021-03-13 15:55:07 +01:00
|
|
|
some magic watch statues, and finds all orcs dead. One orc tries to flee but Sam touches the ring, appears
|
2019-03-30 19:10:32 +01:00
|
|
|
bigger, and the orc moves back to the tower; Sam follows and listens to a discussion of two orcs. The bigger
|
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|
|
one escapes with a box, which contains the mithril coat among other things; Sam follows the other one.
|
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|
|
He moves up the tower but is stuck, out of desparation Sam sings, Frodo tries to answer. The smaller orc thinks
|
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|
|
Frodo sang and uses a ladder to reach the level of Frodo. Sam follows and kills this orc, he finds Frodo
|
|
|
|
and frees him. Sam returns the ring but keeps Sting and the light of Earendil; he collects some clothes
|
|
|
|
for Frodo, and gives him food.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Together they leave the tower, use the light to overcome the watch statues again, and run. Immediately after
|
|
|
|
their departure, a nazgul is flying down and calls orcs to the tower.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This scene is mostly authentic to the book, although many details have been omitted. Furthermore, the threat
|
|
|
|
of their discovery after escaping the tower is not existing in the movie.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## From Cirith Ungol to Mount Doom
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frodo and Sam travel long miles north along a small river, they use up the remaining food from Faramir,
|
|
|
|
and have a short encounter with Gollum. Eventually, they reach a road down from an orc tower. They are discovered
|
|
|
|
but they are believed to be orcs. After some time, the road meets other roads and the company halts. Frodo
|
|
|
|
and Sam use this situation to flee.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
They crawl towards the northern mountain range, dare the road to the South towards Barad-dûr, and then move
|
|
|
|
strait to the mountain. Eventually, they reach the road on the moutain that guides them to the entrance.
|
|
|
|
Gollum attacks Sam and Frodo but can be beaten back, he feints a retreat but continues to follow the
|
|
|
|
hobbits. Finally, Frodo enters the chamber but hesitates to throw the ring into the fire, Gollum comes and
|
|
|
|
bites off one finger of Frodo, stumbles into the fire, and Frodo and sam retreat ouf of the mountain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sauron is defeated. The western forces win. Gandalf uses the eagles to save Frodo and Sam. Gimli
|
|
|
|
discovers Pippin under the corpses. An eagle flies to Minas Tirith to inform them of the victory.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The journey is far more detailed in the book. In the movie the entire move towards the North is cut, the
|
|
|
|
journey to Mount Doom is shorter, and their food supply is far more problematic. The final scene in the mountain,
|
|
|
|
the nazgul flying to the mountain, and the save by the eagles is very accurate in the movie.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## From Black Gate via Cair Andros to Minas Tirith
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Frodo and Sam are flown to the fields of Cormallen. Aragorn and the army reside there; a reunion of the
|
|
|
|
companions takes place. Merry moved there as well. A big feast happens and some troops come back from
|
|
|
|
destroying former property of Sauron inside Mordor. Eventually, everyone moves to Cair Andros and sets sail for
|
|
|
|
Minas Tirith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meanwhile, Faramir and Éowyn become close.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aragorn arrives in front of the city. Faramir meets Aragorn outside the city and gives him the crown, Aragorn
|
|
|
|
returns it and bids Frodo to give the crown to Gandalf; Gandalf crowns Aragorn, Faramir stays Steward.
|
|
|
|
In the following days, Aragorn passes judgement on a lot of things. He pardons the captain of the guard,
|
|
|
|
who will serve Faramir in Ithilien. Faramir becomes a Prince of Gondor and gets Ithilien to rule.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Éomer returns to Rohan, Aragorn bids the hobbits to stay.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the movie the fields of Cormallen, the power transfer from Faramir to Aragorn, and the judgements of Aragorn
|
|
|
|
in the days after the coronation are cut. The marriage takes place at the same time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## Marriage
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Some weeks later, Aragorn gets a new white tree with a flower and plants it in the courtyard in the Citadel.
|
|
|
|
Elrond with Arwen and Galadriel with Celeborn arrive, Éomer comes back; Aragorn marries Arwen. Arwen gives the
|
|
|
|
Elfstone to Frodo.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
### Differences
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The movie removes Galadriel and adds kinsfolk of Legolas. Arwen gives the Elfstone to Aragorn in the first movie.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## From Minas Tirith to Edoras
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, Merry, Pippin, Faramir, Éowyn, Éomer, Arwen, the prince of Dol Amroth, and many
|
|
|
|
knights move to Edoras, they take Théoden with them and pass the forest of the forest people, Aragorn gives these
|
|
|
|
people control over their forest. Théoden is buried in Edoras, Faramir marries Éowyn and Merry gets a horn of
|
|
|
|
Rohan. Elrond says his final goodbye to Arwen.
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
## From Edoras to Isengard
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Imrahil, Arwen, Éomer, Éowyn, and Faramir stay in Edoras. The rest travels to Helm's Deep, Legolas goes with
|
|
|
|
Gimli into the caverns. Next, everyone travels to Isengard. Treebeard reveals the release of Saruman and gives the
|
|
|
|
keys to Orthanc to Aragorn.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## From Isengard to Rivendell
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aragorn parts with the company, Pippin remains in service to Gondor; Legolas and Gimli go to Fangorn forest.
|
|
|
|
The rest meets Saruman and Wormtongue
|
|
|
|
along the way: a small interrogation unfolds but nothing comes of it. Galadriel, Elrond, and Gandalf do
|
|
|
|
some form of telepathy during their night camps. Eventually, Galadriel and Celeborn take leave and go over
|
|
|
|
the mountain pass to Lorien.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The remainder of the company proceeds to Rivendell. Frodo reconnects with Bilbo. Some days pass and Frodo
|
|
|
|
has a feeling they need to leave.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## From Rivendell to Bree
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gandalf and the hobbits ride from Rivendell to Bree, the innkeeper tells them the news about bands of ruffians
|
|
|
|
who make the territory unsafe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## From Bree to the Shire
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gandalf takes leave and rides to Tom Bombadil. The hobbits continue to the Shire on the main road. They encounter
|
|
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a wall, some discussion later they are allowed in. Eventually, the hobbits arrive in Bywater, raise the Shire,
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and defeat the ruffians. The leader is no other than Saruman. Frodo allows Saruman to leave, Wormtongue kills
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Saruman and is killed himself afterwards.
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Frodo becomes Deputy Mayor and leads the Shire back to orderly life. Eventually, he resigns. Sam marries Rosie,
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moves in with Frodo and gets a daughter.
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### Differences
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Movie: The entire journey home is completely cut, the Shire is untouched, and Saruman is already killed much
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earlier in the movie; Faramir does not actively marry Éowyn and the promise between Legolas and Gimli
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is not mentioned.
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## Gray Havens
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Some years pass and Frodo rides with Sam to the Havens, they meet Elrond, Bilbo and Galadriel; Merry and Pippin
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join as well - being informed by Gandalf. They are welcomes by Cirdan. Frodo says goodbye to the other hobbits
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and goes onto the last ship. Galadriel, Elrond, Gandalf, Bilbo, and Cirdan go as well.
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### Differences
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This last part of the story is accurately enough. Cirdan is never mentioned by name in the movie but apparently
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present in that scene.
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## Journey's End
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You may have noticed the shorter summaries in the later parts, it was just too much to go into any detail.
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Previously, I thought the third movie is extensive; now it feels like a shallow representation of what the
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full story contains.
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Nonetheless, the movies of Lord of the Rings remain my most favourite movies of all time. I can wholeheartedly
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recommend to read the books in English, it opens up a whole other dimension of story.
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