How The Council Of Elrond Changes Hurt A Key Theme In Lord Of The Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien, a renowned English author in the realm of high fantasy, penned the epic tale titled “The Lord of the Rings.” This magnum opus was published in three parts between 1954 and 1955. One particularly influential scene, “The Council of Elrond,” was presented differently in the movies compared to the book version. Yet, Tolkien’s work resonated with countless readers due to its compelling moral depth, its love for nature, self-determination, and optimism, even when circumstances seemed bleak. Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” films effectively conveyed these themes, albeit with numerous alterations to the original storyline. The adjustments made in “The Council of Elrond” may appear minor at first glance, but they carry significant weight within the narrative.

This chapter is found in the second book of the initial volume of “The Lord of the Rings” titled “The Fellowship of the Ring“. Essentially, this chapter plays a pivotal role in shaping both the book and movie’s title, as it portrays the gathering of the Fellowship within Elrond’s dwelling. The importance of this event can hardly be overstated, as it was here that all members of the Fellowship first assembled at the Council of Elrond, commencing their plans to leave Rivendell for their assigned mission. Consequently, altering significant aspects of this chapter in the movie could potentially disrupt a key theme from the book, even though such changes might seem reasonable in other respects.

The Lord Of The Rings Movies Change The Council Of Elrond: How It’s Different In The Books

The Fellowship Of The Ring Met Coincidentally In The Book

In my opinion, as a movie reviewer, while it may seem like the members of the Fellowship intentionally converged in “The Fellowship of the Ring” film from the Lord of the Rings franchise, the truth is that their meeting was partly by chance in the book. The movie didn’t delve too deeply into the reasons behind each member’s presence in Rivendell, thereby allowing viewers to infer that they were all invited to this council-like gathering, a common assumption for any modern-day meetings or councils.

In the grand tale of “The Council of Elrond,” as portrayed in Tolkien’s work, I, along with my Hobbit companions Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck, and Pippin Took, had set out from the Shire on a perilous quest. Our mission was to retrieve the One Ring of “The Lord of the Rings” and safeguard our beloved Shire. Guided by Gandalf, we were summoned to Rivendell to strategize our next steps.

However, it wasn’t just us Hobbits in Rivendell that day. Boromir, Legolas, and Gimli, each hailing from different realms, had also found themselves there. They came not only to share troubling news but also to seek aid and counsel, making the Council of Elrond a truly momentous gathering.

Why The Fellowship Of The Ring Condenses This Part Of Tolkien’s Story

The Fellowship Of The Ring Movie Had Its Own Agenda

Peter Jackson had to omit certain aspects from the book due to the extended running times of the Lord of the Rings movies, even with just the essential content. In general, Jackson remained true to the books by focusing on their key elements and resisting the addition of much new material. However, unlike Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which invents dialogue and character details for the Second Age, the movies had a richly detailed novel to draw from, allowing them to delve deeper into the Council of Elrond.

Rather than including every detail, they decided to omit significant scenes like the Old Forest episode with Tom Bombadil, where the Hobbits were saved from danger by him. They also replaced Glorfindel with Arwen, and this meant abridging some of the inspiring speeches at the Council of Elrond to expedite the movie’s pace, as it would have required an additional twenty minutes to portray the council in full detail.

Changing This LOTR Scene Also Changes The Characters’ Motivations

The Lord Of The Rings’ Characters Had Complex Reasons For Being In Rivendell

In the “Council of Elrond”, the reasons behind Legolas, Boromir, and Gimli’s presence at Rivendell were not explicitly shown in the films. Although the films did depict Gandalf summoning the Hobbits to Rivendell and Strider joining them for their protection, the movies neglected to explain why Legolas, Boromir, and Gimli were there. This omission slightly altered the characters’ motivations as presented in the books.

Boromir had gone to Rivendell to share news about Mordor’s attack on Gondor, as well as to understand a prophetic dream he and his brother Faramir had received, although it was more significant for Faramir. The dream instructed them to find Imladris (Rivendell). Tolkien explained in “Morgoth’s Ring” that these prophecies were messages from the God of “The Lord of the Rings” or the Valar, which is crucial to the story and reflects Boromir’s courage and ambition to maintain power in Gondor. At the same time, Legolas and Gimli were also present for the welfare of their kingdoms and to alert allies of impending peril.

Giving The Characters A New Purpose For The Council Of Elrond Hurts One Important LOTR Theme

The Lord Of The Rings Had One Key Theme Not Explored As Much In The Movie

As a devoted film enthusiast, I find the “Council of Elrond” chapter to be pivotal in J.R.R. Tolkien’s exploration of destiny and individual choice within “The Lord of the Rings.” This theme echoes his Catholic beliefs and the spiritual undertones that weave through his legendarium, suggesting a world fundamentally shaped by a benevolent deity.

In Middle-earth, where such an omniscient God exists (Eru Ilúvatar), there was a divine plan – fate. Yet, it coexisted with free will because time wasn’t linear for this deity. This intricate balance between predetermined path and personal choice adds depth to the narrative, making it a masterpiece of storytelling that continues to captivate readers around the world.

The unexpected encounters, such as the Council of Elrond and Bilbo discovering the ring, suggested a larger plan or purpose. However, this spiritual aspect was somewhat diminished in the movies, focusing more on action-packed scenes typical of Hollywood films. As Elrond himself put it, “The Fellowship has come together… seemingly by chance. But it’s not just chance… we have been brought together… to now seek advice for the peril facing the world.” The Lord of the Rings movies do convey this idea, but they alter its original meaning slightly.

2025-04-30 00:01