LotR Overall Changes and Additions

 

What is a Lord of the Rings post without an Appendix?

This is more of a list of some general changes (many of which were used as examples in the Introduction post) as well as some original things that were added by Jackson and the other writers/producers. They aren't in any particular order and are arranged to make the list look more aesthetically pleasing rather than in chronological order. 

General Changes/additions
Frodo is 33 at the party and about 50 during the adventure.	Gollum putting a wedge between Frodo and Sam’s friendship.
Frodo is shown to be in his late teens or early twenties though his age is never specifically mentioned.	Cut scenes showing Gandalf’s captivity rather than told in flashback
Hobbits being shown as bumpkins and more of simpletons that just a simple life.	Cut scenes showing Saruman casting a spell and building an army.
Elrond, Arwen having foresight, and Elrond/Galadriel being telepathic.	Arwen’s Evanstar pendant signifying eternal life or something.
Characters not being shown but named (Gloin, Glorfindel, Ugluk etc.)	Elves sent from Rivendell, Galadriel and Elrond and Arwen being inserted in places.
The first chapter of Two Towers was moved to the end of the first movie, and the last chapter was moved to the third movie.	They sneak the chapter titles into the dialogue (Riddles in the Dark, for instance).
Many smaller towns of Rohan and Gondor not shown, other rangers ignored,	Sauron being a literal eye. Sauron’s physical form in general.
Aragorn’s sword being reforged for the third movie instead of before the Fellowship sets out from Rivendell.	Question of Arwen’s survival, her part in saving Frodo and Aragorn. Her leaving middle earth
Characters being compressed (Glorfindel – Arwen, Elrond – his sons)	Arwen’s fate and decisions, a flash-forward to Aragorn’s death
Suspense and cliffhanger changes (Aragorn falling, etc.)	Pippin being called out to fight, Gandalf’s description of death.
General time compression	Merry and Pippin’s dances/songs
Merry wearing Théoden’s armor with his own sword	Eowyn’s stew and the conversation about Aragorn’s age
Songs and poems missing (for the most part)	Théodred’s funeral, burial, being found alive and taken to Edoras to die.
Showing background scenes	Aragorn’s dream of Arwen dying.
Pippin wearing Faramir’s childhood armor with a new sword. Éomer doubts Merry’s reach. Éowyn knows little of war like merry.	Aragorn calms Theodred’s horse, Brego, with Elvish language. Brego rescues Aragorn later after the warg attack.
Walking to Helm’s deep; Gimli rides his own horse, falls off, the warg attack	Saruman and Grima discuss strategy in Orthanc
Elrond and Galadriel share a moment of telepathy	Many lines are from the book, but said elsewhere and by someone else.
Adding in parts of the Appendix	Aragorn and Éowyn cross swords
Gandalf/Saruman fight	Almost being spotted by the spotlight eye
Saruman’s portrayal as a rival vs. being a puppet	Faramir’s suicide mission to Osgiliath, women dropping flowers, Gandalf weeps.
Legolas surfing on a shield down the stairs	Blackrider killing a hobbit.
Gollum drives a wedge between Frodo and Sam, causing Sam to go home early.	Elves arrive to help in Helm’s Deep
Gimli attempts to wear chain mail but it doesn't fit. Legolas and Aragorn have a disagreement before the Battle of Helm’s Deep	Giving certain responsibilities to Merry/Pippen (like tricking Treebeard into seeing the destruction of Fangorn) to make them seem less useless.
Love scenes between Aragorn and Arwen. Including the flashbacks shown in the second movie.	Intercutting stories vs. straightforward stories (i.e., the movie jumps between books 3 & 4, as well as between 5 & 6).
The exact manner/choreography of how the battles went down. Things like Aragorn taking on Lurtz one-on-one and deflecting the knife.	Merry and Pippen with the fireworks and dishes duty as punishment. Bumping into Sam and Frodo with veggies. Pippen being foolish.
The drinking game between Legolas and Gimli.	The two children who ride to Edoras at the behest of their mother to warn the king.

Introduction

The Fellowship of the Ring:      Book 1                     Book 2

The Two Towers:                        Book 3                     Book 4

The Return of the King:             Book 5                     Book 6

Overall Changes and Additions