Role of the Writer - Lord of the Rings: From Page to Screen

What changes had to be made from the original book to the screenplay?

The Role of the Writer:

• Making larger roles for the female characters in the film
• Taking out (omitting) certain characters from the film
• Writing an exposition scene for the beginning of the film
• Working with the actors as characters to create some parts of the script

The role of the writer is a significant part of any film and television production. They are the ones responsible for the content that makes it onto the screen. Writing is the most important element of a film or TV production because it lays the groundwork for everything that happens later on.
 

There are many things in the film that cannot be seen in the book, and they were included to enhance the visual experience. To make the best film possible, things need to be compromised. You're transitioning from a book to a visual medium, and certain elements can't work cinematically or don't help to advance the story - whereas the scenes that were added contribute a lot to the story, as they needed to be seen. One of the things that were added to the film, and helped it exceedingly, was the exposition scenes. These had to be interesting, while simultaneously explaining what's happened in Middle Earth thus far, concerning the Ring. Sauron the Deceiver had to be introduced and audiences needed to see the Ring's journey - from its creation; to Iseldur; to Gollum; and finally to Bilbo Baggins. Telling us about the races of Middle Earth that became Ring Bearers was crucial to the story.

The character of Arwen has an insignificant role in the book, but given the extra material in the film her character could be further explored and made more prominent in the story. Arwen was originally planned as a warrior princess because her and Aragorn needed a reason to actually see each other, so the idea that she would take part in the battle of Helms Deep seemed necessary at the time, but prior to the second half of shooting it was decided that she didn't have to wield a sword for her to be a strong person, owing to the fact that the amount of hope she already possesses gives her strength.

The relationship between Arwen and Aragorn is vital, and being able to see the choices she makes around that adds a lot more to her character and story. In the appendices of the book their relationship is extremely important to Tolkein, and so the filmmakers paid homage to that.

Characters had to be removed from the adaption due to pacing issues, characters such as Tom Bombadil. In the book, the four Hobbits venture into the Old Forest where Merry and Pippin get ensnared by the tree roots of Old Man Willow. Tom Bombadil calms the tree with a song and the two Hobbits are set free. The Hobbits' journey to the village of Bree takes up three chapters in the book so it had to be shortened for the film, meaning Bombadil had to be taken out. However, the ensnaring tree made an appearance in the Two Towers, in Fangorn Forest, and Bombadil's lines were given to the Ent Treebeard.