I hope that PJ cuts out "Paths of the Dead."

[Darth Saruman]

'Cause I'm not convinced that it would be done well on film.

Will the general audience just accept that these are the ghosts of men who betrayed Isildur, especially when they haven't even been mentioned yet in the films (unless he's going to use the Dead Marshes)?

It might look kind of weird and kind of corny.

Maybe PJ should just leave it out.

[Nóm]

'Cause I'm not convinced that it would be done well on film.
I do not understand how someone would think this after seeing the Dead Marshes and the Nazgul in the wraith world.
I think PJ would put this in if he could. It strikes me as something he would love to do.
In my opinion the dead marshes and the scene were Frodo realizes that the Nazgul have come to Osgiliath... could be straight out of a horror movie. Not because of the way the dead looked in the marshes, but the whole package... the music and atmosphere were horror.

Paths of the Dead seem to be right up PJ's alley.

[Thorin]

Seeing as the audience has already been introduced to Isildur, it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to present the concept of where the ghosts came from. If PJ did a flashback like they did at the beginning of FoTR to show what happened and why these men have a curse on them, that would do wonders for setting it up.

I agree with Nom. Being a splatter movie director, PJ should relish the idea of creating something that will be scary.

[Nóm]

Yeah, it would take little time at all to give explaination about the oathbreakers. Not only that, but they'd probably simplify it anyhow. I don't even think a flashback is needed here.

If the audience accept that wraiths exist, Gandalf was sent back from the dead, and ghosts in the marshes, why not ghosts in a mountain pass?

Darth Saruman... this seems like a contengency tactic... is it? ;)

[Darth Saruman]

Originally posted by Nóm

Darth Saruman... this seems like a contengency tactic... is it? ;) Well, no...

But I'll admit that you guys have partially restored my faith in the Paths of the Dead.

Congrats.

And I should have more faith in PJ's ability, I suppose.

After all I didn't think that he'd be able to make the Ents work.

And he did.

:cool:

[PRH]

I don't think any Isildur/oathbreakers backstory on the Dead is necessary for the film. Aragorn's lineage/authority could easily be protrayed as reverable enough that the lingering Dead flock to his call. This wouldn't exactly contradict the book while it would provide a plausible enough explanation for the purposes of the movie with almost no backstory.

[Talimon]

While on this subject, did anyone notice that part in Helms Deep where Aragorn asks Theoden, "Is there any other way out of the caves?". There is a pause, and then Theodens "squire", so to speak, says that there is one other way, but he objects to it being used. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Perhaps the Paths of the Dead have been moved so that they start at Helms Deep. I remember someone who worked on the film saying the Paths of the Dead were being included, but it was a long time ago. I am still maintaining my theory that Aragorn will walk into them a ranger and come out of them a king.

[Nóm]

Not a bad idea about the location of the Paths. I have a little doubt though. In the book the paths of the Dead is presented as something so feared that it isn't considered an option by the people of Rohan under any cir***stances.
When this passage was mentioned in TTT there didn't seem to be much fear surrounding it. That may not be a big deal though.

My one concern with the Paths of the Dead is that PJ not make it look like Aragorn has died. Not even for a minute. This happend enough in TTT. I think PJ isn't sure when enough is enough.


Oh no, looks like I tried to say a bad word... better give me warning points Beorn or Talimon. ;)

[Mindy_O_Lluin]

Nom, you'll just have to stop using those naughty words!
:D :D :D
But anyway, my comment is that I actually did get the impression that they feared the back exit from the cave. There was a very long hesitation when Aragorn was asking about it and a worried look on the guy's face. Aragorn had to ask twice before he would admit it. Anyway, I fully expect to see that path used to cut thru the mountains, and to see ghosts residing there, whether ot not it is named as the 'Paths of the Dead'.
(PJ would never pass up the chance to show more ghosts -- and he does tend to show a lot of the story in pictures only, without much verbal explanation.)

[Lhunithiliel]

Well, unfortunately I have not seen TTT yet (it is coming here in a few days!) but if in ROTK PJ leaves the Paths of the Dead out, I might definitely change my "mild" and "understanding" opinion of him!:p

[Goldberry]

I'm guessing PJ will include the Paths of the Dead, because I think he'll like putting something so spooky in the film. I agree he will probably change the starting location. I am also thinking he will change where they make their fight. Aragorn taking them down to Pelargir might be introducing too many places for PJ. He might make them fight right on the Pelennor Field. I just hope nothing takes away from Eowyn and Merry's moment of glory there.

[Eledhwen]

I read a LotR feature article in Empire magazine by a guy who spent a week on the LotR set, and he's expecting the Paths of the Dead to be included.

[Brytta]

And the Attack of the Dead score by Howard Shore is sure to be nifty:p

[Eledhwen]

Do you think we should add *spoiler* warnings when we find out that the screenplay is going to match the book?

[PRH]

I don't think there was any indication that Gamling had some hesitation about the path out the back of the caves. The reason it took Aragorn so long to get an answer was because he was asking Theoden, who was too defeated to care, then Gamling finally piped up. Gamling said that there was a path but they wouldn't get far with the Uruks on their tail. Nothing about a danger down the path. I watched specifically for this the last two times. NEVERTHELESS - I think that this is indeed where the Paths of the Dead will begin, and furthermore, we might get some sort of reference from Gamling as to the danger of the mountain path in TTT EE.

[Ariana Undomiel]

Knowing PJ's love for horror and creepiness, I highly doubt he would miss the chance to do something as haunting and cool as the Paths of the Dead and I can easily see how to add in an explanation for it. For example remember how in The Two Towers there is a dialogue over the movie with Galadriel and how in the books her message to Aragorn was that he should remember the paths of the dead. Elrond also sent him word about the paths. Galadriel could do some dialogue about Aragorn and his right as the heir of the King to pass through the paths of the Dead. That would be really cool.

- Ariana

[Valdarmyr]

I certainly hope we see Aragorn and company take the Paths of the Dead, mainly because it reinforces Aragorn's birthright and ability to summon those who failed Isildur and release them from their fate, if I have my facts straight. And I'm confident PJ would portray it well--especially thinking of how he's made it look when Frodo puts on the Ring and sees the "shadow world," including those nasty Nasgul.

[azeya]

honestly, PJ just has to show the paths of dead! it'll add audiences/people i swear!

[Remnant]

I hope sincerely that they show the potd .. I believe it is pivitol in plot developement!!!


By the time they show the paths of the dead ... 'narsil' will be in Aragorns hand ... :)
I believe Aragorn will know that Arwen has made her choice final. Yes!
And He will realize that without him there is no hope for men or elves ...

{Boy am I going to cry at this movie ... I did reading these things in the book and listening to the bbc production :") }

Has he looked into the palantir by then !??? anyway ...

And ....when Aragorn tells Eowyn she cannot ride with him to the potd, It also probably will then partially compel Eowyn's decision to ride with Merry to fight ... {She will realize that her destiny is not with Aragorn}
I believe we will at this time see Aragorn fully becoming King Elessar the King of men and elves!!

[azeya]

woah...you're right!

[???]

I hope he doesn't cut that out!!!

[???]

Then again he might like he did to Tom.

[Frodogirl57]

PJ has to put in The Paths of the Dead!!!!! It is a vital part of the story. How will PJ explain how Aragorn and CO. come to the Pelenor fields,in the manner in which they do? It might take a lot of explaining, but I think if PJ was able to do the Dead Marshes he can do anything!!

[Lúthien Séregon]

Apparently there's a trailer that will be attached to the end of TTT ( after the credits ) in March - it's supposed to show the Paths of the Dead.

[AirforceBrat]

the movie just wouldn't be the same without the paths of the dead. they show everyone in the book just how brave he is. plus they also have an effect on how fast aragorn gets to Gondor, if he didn't have the dead soldiers then how would he get the boats to sail up the river, scare the **** out of Eomer, and then kick the orc's butt's. bottom line:
it wouldn't be the same without the Paths of the Dead

[azeya]

without the paths of the dead,there will not be any King Elessar.

[Remnant]

Originally posted by Lúthien Séregon
Apparently there's a trailer that will be attached to the end of TTT ( after the credits ) in March - it's supposed to show the Paths of the Dead.

YES!!!! I heard PJ was putting it together now ... for march at oscar time.
All we need now is to see Narsil/Anduril in Aragorn's hand. And have him know Arwen is there for him ... wow !
I agree;The Paths of the Dead do make him become THE King!!! :)
If anyone has any more spoilers from rotk please tell us ... :)

[Ariana Undomiel]

I am not sure when, where, or how PJ will do it, but I find it highly unlikely that PJ would miss out on the chance of doing something so spine chilling and significant as the Paths of the Dead. I believe it could be done exently on film and as to how it will be explained, there will probably be some dialogue between the characters explaining the Path's significance. Or perhaps there will be some more voice overs from Galadriel. Was it not she who in the book sent the message to Aragorn that he should remember the paths of the dead? Both she and Elrond reminded him of them in messages sent to him through Gandalf and the Dunedain. LOL, of course I basically said this earlier.

- Ariana

[Daniel]

The Paths of the Dead need not take up a lot of time (5 or so minutes?) but they should be in there, and I think PJ is certainly up to it. If done right, it could be quite impressive.

[King Aragorn]

The Paths of the Dead will begin at Dunharrow like they do in the book. What PJ will put in it in the EE, I don't know, but I think that they need a little bit of explanation on why the Dead are cursed. The Paths of the Dead are a vital part of ROTK.

[renegadedog]

I thought the cinema cut of ROTK was very wham-bam-thank-you-man. Fair enough at three and a half hours, but clearly the EE is the full version. I don't think audiences would have stomached 4 hours 20 minutes though

The above particularly applied to the POTD, the way they just turned up and then went again.

[fadhatter]

Can jackson just cut the whole trilogy out of my memory??? Its just tainted my whole Tolkien experience.

:EDIT:Homoerotic fiction is better suited for a slash site, but not here. Stop it.:EDIT:

[King Aragorn]

I could have stomached it at 4 hours and 20 minutes...

[joxy]

:EDIT:Homoerotic fiction is better suited for a slash site, but not here. Stop it.:EDIT:
Care to explain the suitability of homoerotic fiction for a slash site?
Or care to withdraw that comment?

[fadhatter]

Care to explain the suitability of homoerotic fiction for a slash site?
Or care to withdraw that comment?


You can't ask the gaffer to incriminate himself, joxy..... :D

for my part, i only used the script that jackson had. We all know gaffer has a dirty mind hehe..

[Ol'gaffer]

Care to explain the suitability of homoerotic fiction for a slash site?
Or care to withdraw that comment?

Fadhatter posted a text with a not so subtle hinting about Aragorn lusting over Gimli and Legolas. I removed it.

Slash sites mainly revolve around the same ideas with texts which contain some subtle, and some not so subtle jokes and hints at the sexuality of the fellowship and other charecters.

But what I don't understand is you asking me to withdraw that comment, have I somehow offended you while editing Fadhatter?

[Iluvatar]

I am not nearly so offended by the childishness of some postings I have seen, than I am by the childishness of the censorship.

And, while we're here, there are definitely elements of the novel The Lord of the Rings - as distinct from the movies - that could be interpreted as being homo-erotic. I personally disagree with those interpretrations, but that makes them no less valid than any interpreations of mine own. I'd like the option of evaluating these myself, not have some censor determine that I can't handle it.

such childishness

[joxy]

Slash sites mainly revolve around the same ideas.
The general understanding of the word "slash" is quite different: it refers to the use of violence, and especially of killing, in relation to sexual activity of all varieties. You will understand why, in that context, I asked you to explain in what way you connected the subject with homo-erotic fiction in general; and why, if you understood that meaning, which I now accept that you did not,
I asked you to withdraw the implication of a connection.

[Ol'gaffer]

Actually, from what I've read, Slash fiction is related to comic stories, some that mainly revolve around homo-erotic pairings.

I won't remove the connections, as it is a valid one.

[joxy]

I'd be interested to know where you've read that, Ol'g! Maybe your college course will expand your reading list for you.
Anyway, as long as we know that you don't mean the usual meaning, about violence and murder, then there's nothing to withdraw.

[Ol'gaffer]

Type LotR slash fiction to the google search engine and see for yourself and stop being so damn arrogant.