[Draten-Master of Fire and Ice]

Larry, thanx for the input. Everyone else also.
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As to your question about the trees of Fangorn, I believe they were referred-to as Huorns and were either supposed to be Ents who "had gone sleepy" or trees who were starting to become "Entish". What happened in the book was that the riding forth of the Elorningas (Rhohirrim) caused a total rout of the Isengard forces and a full retreat from Helm's Deep. The Huorns, however, were waiting for the Isengarders and not one of them came out of the strange wood alive, or was ever seen again on Middle Earth.

I saw the movie last night and was dissapointed that the Huorns were left out. Also Frodo and Sam never went to Osgiliath nor did they confront a Winged Nazgul. (unless that is contained elsewhere, but I don't think so) Faramir's encounter with Frodo, Sam, and Stinker was handled very much differently in the movie and I'm not sure I like the changes that were made. I suppose they wanted to make it seem as if the power of the Ring was such that no one could resist its call, but I think they did little justice to the glory of N'umen'ore in portraying Faramir as unable to resist the power of the One. Aragorn seemed totally unaffected by it; should he be the only living example of the former glory and splendor of N'umen'ore?

Those are just a few examples of the changes that were in the movie, but I did like it...a lot! I felt like jumping up and dancing the jig when they showed the battle of Gandalf and the Balrog in near-perfect (and nearly complete) form. (they did a splendid job on that) All-in-all I must agree w/Larry: the movie WAS good and did keep to the main plot thread of the story, so don't let my grumbling about this or that fool you...I LOVED the movie. Can't wait to see what they do with Return of the King; can't wait to see Shelob since they obviously will not leave her out nor the fact that Sam was a Ringbearer. One last note, and question, what did everyone think about Gollum?

"We shall go on to the end. We shall defend our Island: whatever the cost may be. We shall fight in the air. We shall fight in the fields and the landing-grounds and in the streets...WE SHALL NEVER SURRENDER!"--Winston Churchill