The way I remember the book is that the ents took out the tower much like in the movie but after many of them moved on to Helms deep to fight in the helms deep battle. Only a few stayed behind with merry and pipin. At Helms deep thay actually turned the the tide of the battle after the riders evened the odds a little more. Plus I thought the elves arrived for the final battle in the third book, the only elf at Helm's deep in the book was Legolos.

Have to love that contigent of elvish archers and the lucky old man who fired the first arrow because he could no longer withstand the strain on his bow. The movie was still awsome it does not have to be identical to the book.

A funny thing that most NEw Zealanders will be able to pick up on: alot of the cast in The Two Towers used to star in a New Zealand-made soap opera called 'Shortland Street'. The elf-leader guy, the mother of those two kids at the start, even the arms master of Theoden (who tells Aragorn and co. to disarm themselves) were all regular cast members. Hence their strained American accents (it's hard for us Kiwi's to get the yankee sound right ;) ). I gotta admit it kinda dispelled the suspension of disbelief a little when you see the leader of an elven war party and say 'hey, it's Guy Warner (real life name Craig Parker)! The lovable rogue from Shortland Street!'. Ah well :D

<font color = aqua> Hurry up and get well so you can go Magic. This is one movie you need to see in the theatre. Although some of the battle scenes might be even more exciting if you're watching it with all those drugs you've been on. ;) </font></font>[/QUOTE]<font color="#ff00cc">Thanks CV [img]smile.gif[/img] Im hoping to go see it Sunday, Colleen and I are going to go up and take my kids to it. (will also be the first time they meet her)....a little psychological warfare here, taking the kids to a movie they desperately want to see and I know will enjoy ;) </font>

The shepherded the Huorns (old Ents who have become almost trees, they are shepherded by the Ents) to the field outside of Helm's Deep to dispose of the rest of the orcs after they retreated. The ents had their monent at Isengard, so it wasn't too much of a disappointment to not see the Huorns.

OK, here is why I think these scenes were added (pure speculation, but seems to make sense).

Aragorn and the cliff: The reactions of his comrades shows you the depth of their feelings towards him, and how much he has become their leader and friend. It also allows another Arwen remembrance to develop that plot. And finally, it allows Eowyn to show her budding affection for Aragorn when you see her reaction after she hears of his "fall". Don't forget, a movie-viewer doesn't get to hear the thoughts of the characters, not like a reader who can read them.

Faramir, Frodo, and Osgiliath: In the end, Faramir realizes his error and releases Frodo even though the Gondor officer threatens punishment. I think this scene was added so the non-reader will understand why Sauron attacks Minas Tirith right away. The nazgul saw the ring in Osgiliath, so he will report it to Sauron who will assume that it will go to Minas Tirith next. Also, the Stewards's men are witness to Faramir's decision and when they report to the Steward, the despair will develop. Even more, it gives a reason why Faramir is in Osgiliath to get injured during the attack.

Legolas giving in to despair: I don't remember this, but I saw a midnight showing so maybe I missed something.

Arwen going to the West: They show her leaving Rivendell, so it seems far from likely that she will actually go to the West. Plus, the presence of the elves at Helms deep shows that Elrond is beginning to cast of the separation that he is trying to make between elves and men, so maybe he will not try to force Aragorn and Arwen apart.

I'll see the movie again to get a better view. [img]smile.gif[/img]

I can't wait until that gets down to cuba! I want to see some more of Legolas with his dual-weilding action!