| Given the enormous scope of the task, and the certainty of offending the Quenya-speaking fanatic brigade, I think Jackson has done remarkably well. I have read the book around 17 or 18 times, and made sure I went expecting to be gravely disappointed. I wasn't, and now I am really looking forward to the next two.
My major quibble was with Saruman being depicted early on as a slave of Sauron, instead of as a would-be rival, and unwitting dupe. That was the only thing that I could not swallow, and I notice that later in the movie he is depicted, correctly, as endeavouring to set himself up as a rival to Sauron - a continuity error that seemed rather odd.
As to mellon, there was significant hobbit input. I quote:
"'I was wrong after all,' said Gandalf, 'and Gimli too. Merry, of all people, was on the right track. The opening word was inscribed on the archway all the time! The translation should have been: Say "Friend" and enter. I had only to speak the Elvish word for friend and the doors opened. Quite simple. Too simple for a learned lore-master in these suspicious days. Those were happier times. Now let us go!'
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