For "Frodo." - Strap in,
because it's a bumpy ride to "Mount Doom".
We're kicking down the black gates to the third and
final installment our 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, 'The Return of the King'.
So without further ado, and no restrain on spoilers.
It's time to ask, what's the difference?
(Music)
Little housekeeping right out of the gate.
One, we're dealing with 'The Return of The King Special Extended Edition' for
the finale of our three-part series, cuz why not?
And two, in the last episode of 'What's the Difference?',
you might remember we noted huge sections of the 'The Two Towers' book that wound
up in 'The Return of the King' movie, so we're gonna deal with those first.
- If you'll remember, "Frodo", "Sam" and "Gollum", or FSG,
to their friends, get released by "Faramir" immediately, in the book.
Instead of being dragged to "Osgiliath", as they were in the movie.
But, FSGs journey to the "Secret Stairs" plays out pretty much much the same.
However, all three of them make it to the top of the stairs, and
into "Shelob", the giant spider's, lair together.
- While "Sam" and "Gollum" have a very contentious relationship in both book and
movie, it's only movie "Gollum" that plots to turn "Frodo" against "Sam".
And the confrontation on the stairs, where "Gollum" frames "Sam" for
eating all their food is an invention for the movie.
The book version of "Shelob's" lair has "Frodo" and "Sam" getting separated.
"Gollum" attacks "Sam," trying to sideline him, while "Shelob" takes care of "Frodo".
But "Sam" wins the fight, and "Gollum" just scampers off.
Then, after "Shelob" stings "Frodo," paralyzing him,
"Sam" fights off the giant spider as well.
- In the movie, "Sam" discovers "Gollum's" frame job on the way back down the stairs.
Then hustles back up, arriving after "Frodo" has tossed "Gollum"
down a crevasse and been stung by "Shelob".
But just in time to rescue "Frodo" from being eaten by the giant spider.
- Let him go, you filth!
- And when the orcs come passing by,
"Sam" hides nearby where he overhears that "Frodo" is actually not dead, gasp!
- In the book, after "Sam" fights off "Shelob",
he takes the ring form "Frodo's" seemingly lifeless body.
And even puts it on, to hide from the incoming orcs.
And seeing the orcs take "Frodo" back to their tower, "Sam" decides to pursue them.
Thus ending their part in the 'Two Towers' book.
- In the movie, however, this is two and
a half hours into the special run time of 'The Return of the King'.
The movie version also leads us to believe, at least for a while,
that the orcs have unwittingly come into possession of the "One Ring".
But let's rewind a bit, to get the other half of the book caught up to the movie.
Back in the book version of the 'The Two Towers', "Aragorn", "Gimli", "Legolas" and
"Gandalf", or AGLG if you're cool,
have helped "Rohan" defend "Helm's Deep" from "Saruman's" horde.
Which is where 'The Two Towers' film leaves off.
But the book follows them all the way back to "Isengard" to confront
the defeated "Saruman".
The chapter titled 'The Voice of Saruman' is actually the first
time we meet the treacherous white wizard in the book.
He's talked about a great deal,
and obviously very influential throughout 'Fellowship' and 'Two Towers'.
But we don't actually meet him until a book and a half into the trilogy.
The meeting with "Saruman" is basically the same in both mediums.
They show up, "Saruman" throws some shade at "Theoden" of "Rohan".
And obvious bad guy, "Grima Wormtongue" is there.
And "Gandalf" blows up "Saruman's" staff.
However, there's one major difference.
In the movie, it ends with "Grima" stabbing "Saruman", and the wizard falling
with a splat from the top of "Isengard", letting the "Palantir" fall with it.
In the book though, "Grima" just heaves the "Palantir" angrily down at "Saruman",
like a kid trying to throw rocks.
And the meeting ends with AGLG leaving "Saruman" and
"Grima" locked securely in "Isengard".
Then, later that night, at an encampment a short ride away from the wizard's tower,
"Pippin" picks up the "Palantir," allowing "Sauron" to see into his mind.
As opposed to the movie,
that adds a big party back at "Edoras" to celebrate the victory at "Helm's Deep",
before "Pippin's" curiosity gets the better of him.
- It should also be said,
that the "Palantirs" are also better explained in the books, The movies largely
play them off as a direct line of communication to "Sauron," but
the book explains further.
There were once many "Palantir," and
could also be controlled by the king of "Gondor".
Which is how "Aragorn" is able to bend it to his will, but more on that later.
- And that pretty much catches the books back up with the movies.
>From here on out, everything we talk about takes place in both book and
film versions of 'The Return of the King.' - He can't hold his liquor.
(Music)
(Sound) The book opens with "Pippin" and "Gandalf" hustling towards "Minas Tirith".
The beacons of "Gondor" are already lit,
which is a more significant difference than you might think.
This means that movie "Theoden" doesn't grapple with whether or
not to help "Gondor", after "Gondor" failed to help them.
It also means that "Pippin" doesn't sneakily light the beacon after
"Denethor", Steward of "Gondor", and father to "Boromir" and
"Faramir" proves he's kind of an ass, and refuses to call for aid.
- Throne of "Gondor" is mine!
And no others.
- Once the beacons are lit, AGL and
"Rohan" take off for war, stopping at this rad cliff halfway up a mountain.
It's here, that "Elrond" of "Rivendale" comes to visit, finally giving "Aragorn"
"Narsil", reforged and renamed "Anduril", the Flame of the West.
Remember, in the book, he's had "Anduril" since he set out from "Rivendell"
with the "fellowship of the ring".
But at this point in the movie, "Arwen" has convinced her father to give hope
to men by reforging the sword for "Aragorn".
Getting the sword, at this stage,
is an important stop in movie "Aragorn's" journey.
Book "Aragorn" is antsy to reclaim the throne of "Gondor" from the beginning.
But movie "Aragorn" is less enthusiastic, worried that the failure of "Isildur" has
been handed down to him through the generations.
But, with "Elrond's" coaxing, and the sword reforged in hand,
"Aragorn" is now ready to take up the mantel of king, and
journeys into the heart of the mountain to recruit a dead but super bad-ass army.
- In the book, AGL and "Rohan" get ready for war as soon as they leave "Isengard".
After all, the beacons are lit, and "Sauron's" forces are on the move.
On their way to muster all their forces at that rad cliff, they're joined by more of
"Aragorn's" people, the "Dunedain", rangers from the north.
They're the ones that give "Aragorn" the idea to take the dead road through
the mountain to recruit the ghost army.
- But, book "Aragorn's" journey into the mountain isn't as quick as it
is in the movie.
Where AGL stroll into the mountain, confront the "Dead King",
and boom, just escape past the avalanche of skulls, nothing to it.
In the book, the "Dunedain" accompany AGL.
And the ride goes through the mountain, and out the other side,
to the Stone of "Erech".
The ancient black stone, where the promise to fight for
"Isildur" the dead army broke, was first made.
- And it's not the ancient blade reforged that persuades the dead army because,
again, that's old news Instead, it's a standard made for "Aragorn" by "Arwen,"
his Elvish sweetie, that bears the mark of the king of "Gondor".
So, in a way, this is not a difference.
In both mediums, it's "Arwen" sending a token to "Aragorn",
to persuade the dead to join the fight.
- In the book, though, "Aragorn" releases the dead army after taking over the fleet
of ships sailing to "Sauron's" aid.
It's just AGL, the "Dunedain", and
a handful of other men that can continue on to "Minas Tirith", and to battle.
And at this point in the story,
things begin to line up across both book and movie for a little bit.
A few details vary, but mostly, "Aragorn" and
an army are headed back to "Minas Tirith".
"Rohan's" army is hustling to "Gondor",
while "Gandalf" is mustering the city's defenses against "Mordor's" siege.
Then, the Battle of "Pelennor Fields" plays out in a very similar way.
"Rohan" changes into the fray, fights off "Southrons" on all the fronts.
All the way down to the way "Eowyn" kills the "Witch King of Angmar",
chopping the head off his flying beast and all.
- Aah!
- There are several differences surrounding "Denethor",
Steward of "Gondor".
First, he's got a "Palantir" too, hinting that either "Sauron" or
"Saruman" has contributed to his madness.
Another is the timing of "Denethor's" pyre.
In both book and movie, "Denethor" has gone mad with grief, and
orders his men to burn he and his son "Faramir", whom he thinks is dead.
In the book, when "Pippin" finds "Gandalf" to tell him this,
"Gandalf" is about to head out to the fields to help "Theoden" and
"Rohan" battle against the "Witch King".
Choosing instead, to remain in the city and deal with "Denethor".
This is a choice that haunts book "Gandalf", and he blames himself for
"Theoden's" death at the hands of the "Witch King".
But, once "Aragon" shows up with his crew,
the Battle of "Pelennor Fields" is basically over, and the healing can begin.
In the extended edition movie, we see "Aragon" healing "Eowyn", but
the book features a ton more healing.
Tolkien spends a lot of time detailing how the hands of the true king
are hands of healing.
And so, "Aragon" not only heals "Eowyn", but also "Faramir" and "Merry", and
pretty much everybody else.
He literally spends all night going from tent to tent, healing people.
But once that's done, their thoughts turn back to "Frodo" and the ring.
They make the decision to march on the "Black Gates" as a diversion,
in hopes that "Frodo" can sneak through "Mordor".
- In the movie, Aragorn uses the "Palantir" they recovered from "Isengard",
to show "Sauron" his shiny new "Narsil", as a way to taunt the Dark Lord.
But at this point in the book, "Aragorn" reveals that he did that way back in
"Rohan", right after the Battle of "Helm's Deep".
So "Sauron" still should be good and taunted, and
they can just head over to "Mordor" whenever.
- And so, a few days later, they do,
arriving in force at the "Black Gate of Mordor", greeted by the "Mouth of Sauron".
In the book, he's got flaming eyes and nostrils, as opposed to the movie,
in which he's got this super-gross mouth.
- My master, "Sauron" the Great, bids thee welcome.
- And while the meeting goes largely the same in both mediums, with the "Mouth of
Sauron" taunting "Aragon" and company with "Frodo's" "Mithril".
Book "Mouth" gets to keep his head in the end of the negotiations,
whereas Movie "Mouth"- - Aah!
(Music)
- I guess that concludes negotiations.
- It should be noted, there's also a structural difference here.
At this point in the movie,
we know exactly what happened with "Frodo's" "mithril" and
how it came into "Sauron's" possession.
So we're comfortable in the knowledge that "Frodo" is, in fact, not dead.
In the book, though, Tolkien pulls off one of his old 'Two Towers' tricks.
Finishing up a good portion of AGL's tale, then rewinding back to tell FSG's.
Because when the fighting starts at the "Black Gates",
not only is the reader under the impression that Frodo may be dead,
he also leaves us with a cliffhanger.
Implying that "Pippin" dies in battle,
before rewinding to start FSG's side of the story again.
- So, rewinding to catch back up with "Frodo", "Sam" and the ring.
The second half of 'The Return of the King' opens with "Sam"
creeping into the orcs' tower to rescue "Frodo".
This plays out the same in book and movie.
The only difference being that "Sam" slips the ring on one more time,
to evade the tower guards.
Ultimately though, there's no real consequence for this action.
"Sam" is just as reluctant to part with ring when it's time to give it back
to "Frodo" in the movie, in spite of the fact that movie "Sam" never tried it on.
Tolkien also gives us a time reference, right as "Frodo" and
"Sam" start towards "Mount Doom".
Pointing out that meanwhile, "Theoden" was dying on "Pelennor Fields", in "Gondor".
Something we read about, 100 pages or so earlier.
- But from there, the journey into "Mount Doom" is basically the same,
in the book and movie.
"Sam" and "Frodo" disguise themselves as orcs,
get picked up by some marching soldiers.
And even though they didn't start it,
they sneak off when a fight breaks out in the ranks.
The book does stretch time some in this section,
with about a week passing during their trek across "Mordor".
But the movie doesn't make the trip seem instantaneous, either.
We see "Frodo" and "Sam" stop for breaks, and falling asleep as day turns to night.
Point is, in both book and movie it's a long, exhausting journey for
two short, exhausted "hobbits".
- Clever "hobbits", you climb so high!
- When "Gollum" catches up with them at the last minute,
their fight is the same as well.
"Gollum" fends off "Sam", then bites the finger, ring and all,
right off "Frodo's" hand.
The only real difference is that "Gollum" just kinds falls into the volcano,
while he's dancing happily with his Precious.
- Aah! - The whole bit where "Frodo" takes them
both of the edge, struggling for the ring, then dangles there for a suspenseful, but
very much-seen-before beat of tension, was created for the movie.
- And then, boom goes the mountain.
"Sauron" is defeated, his forces disbanded, and
the men of the West are victorious.
And the book has as many endings as the movie does.
While Peter Jackson's final 40 minutes on screen, or 18% of the total run time,
painstakingly wraps up every major plotline.
>From the actual death of "Sauron", through the crowning of "Aragorn", and
all the way to setting sail with the elves to the "Undying Lands." It's actually not
as long an ending as it could could have been.
- There's a whole chapter, titled 'Many Partings' that is not an exaggeration.
In fact, in might be called Too Many Partings.
- (Laugh) - We
see "Theoden's" funeral, and "Eomer" becoming King of "Rohan".
"Faramir" and "Eowyn" getting hitched as well.
Even "Treebeard" gets to pop back up and say goodbye.
But for Tolkien's "hobbits",
the journey back home presents them with one final hurdle.
Well, yes, it's hard for them to return to such a normal life after their adventure,
just like it is in the movie.
So we'll call it two final hurdles.
- In their absence, the "Shire" has been taken over, occupied by a hostile force.
"Frodo", "Sam", "Merry", and
"Pippin" return from their long journey across "Middle Earth".
to find a group of men have taken charge, and
instituted a sort of martial law in the "Shire".
Forcing "hobbits" under an almost dictatorial rule,
and ruining the once pristine "Shire" with the marks of industry.
Faced with ruffians as soon as they get back to town, our four heroes spring into
action, rallying the "hobbits" of the "Shire" to pick up arms and revolt.
- Following "Frodo", "Sam", "Merry" and "Pippin's" lead,
the "hobbits" get real angry.
All of "Hobbiton" attacks the occupying force,
in what becomes known as the Battle of "Bywater".
In which 70 of the ruffians were killed, along with 19 Hobbits.
"Frodo" was there, but he didn't even draw his sword.
Because he was too busy keeping his fellow "hobbits" from brutally
murdering the ruffians that surrendered to the bloodthirsty horde of halflings.
But, while all this may make it seem like just a tacked-on end to their story,
there's one more crazy difference here.
After the Battle of "Bywater",
the "hobbits" discover who was behind the occupation of the "Shire" all along.
It was, dun dun dun, "Saruman"!
He had escaped "Isengard" with "Wormtongue" in tow, and
took this final bit of revenge on the "hobbits".
But, "Frodo" being a real cool guy, and the biggest hero of this whole story,
really, tells "Saruman" to scram and never come back.
- Eventually, though, "Saruman" does die,
in basically the same way he does in the movie.
"Frodo," who doesn't want the bad karma of killing a once-great wizard in
the "Shire", instructs people to let "Saruman" go.
And he doesn't even change his mind, when "Saruman" tries to freaking stab "Frodo",
but only hits "mithril" instead.
But then our old friend, most obvious of all bad guys, "Grima Wormtongue",
finally snaps under the abuse, and stabs "Saruman" in the back.
Only to be taken down himself by several "hobbits'" arrows.
And finally, the book and movie wrap up with very similar final chapters.
"Frodo" finishes his book and decides to leave for the "Grey Havens",
along with "Bilbo", "Gandalf" and the elves.
"Sam", of course, is very sad.
But in both book and the movie, "Sam" returns to the "Shire" from seeing off
"Frodo", takes his family in his arms, breathes deep.
And to show he's able to move on from the journey that started years ago, he says,
I'm back.
(Music)
Whew, well, I'm beat.
- Me too.
- That giant copy of 'Lord of the Rings' on my desk for
the past three months has been such a heavy burden to bear.
I think I might go chuck it into a volcano.
At least all those Post-its, anyway.
Thanks for making it all the way through our
three-part 'Lord of the Rings'-tacular.
As always, make sure to subscribe to 'Cinefix' for
more "What's the Difference?"
(Music)
- That still only counts as one.