I was disappointed by the changes to Saruman (if anybody else mentioned this, sorry, I missed it)
In the books, Saruman was ensnaired and deluded by Sauron. His personal study of and quest for the ring opened his mind to corruption by the ring (even though he didn't possess it, Gandalf makes this clear). He belived he was setting up himself to be a power to rival Sauron (if he could possess the ring) and to resist him if he could not (ref. his speech to Gandalf) He was not aware that Sauron had captured his will and belived himself to be working for himself. This allows us to pity him later in ROTK. And the discovery of the Palantir was a pivotal point in TTT, revealing that Saruman was under Sauron's control, and should be pitied (but not forgiven).
He served as the warning the even the great and powerful can fall to evil and serve the darkness, even when they intend (and even belive) they are serving the light. This should be a powerful message.
In the movie, he was just a lacky ("Saurman, make me an army") who will easily be dismissed when defeated, and we learn nothing. |
