Posted: September 05, 1998 at 18:09:41: by Oberon
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: How about they cut out Old Man Willow and the stay at Bombadil's house, and have Hobbits go right to the barrow-downs--THEN Tom shows up to save them. They have a bit of a discussion, whatever they can fit of the talk at Tom's house, as they head to Bree.You know what? This is one of the BEST suggestions I've come across since this whoile subject came up. Good thinking Prankster. I wonder if there's some way to get this suggestion to Peter as he reworks his script? This may be the best way to economize on the Hedge-to-Bree sidetrip while keeping the best and most essential parts of it. : I must admit, I was alway s uncomfortable with the way Bombadil saved their asses, TWICE. Once is OK, but not twice. I dislike it when characters keep getting saved by luck, instead of by their own wits. Well, they are 3-4 feet tall, so I've been willing to make allowances.:-) It's like Gandalf always showing up at the critical moment in The Hobbit. But your point is well taken. Tom always had a bit of a deus ex machina feel about him, coming along in the nick of time to save the party from Old Man Willow on his last walk down to the river of the autumn, or showing up almost instantly at the Barrow. Not what but Tom was a unique and powerful creature. You'd lose the magical experience of Tom's House, and Goldberry, but that might just be unavoidable. At least this would keep the barrow wights, which could be one of the most powerful and terrifying sequences in the entire trilogy. AND they still get their swords.
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