10 Ridiculously Good Decisions Which Saved Your Favourite Movies

Lord of the rings is a long trilogy, like, really long. When you include the extended (and arguably far superior) editions of the film they are the longest trilogy ever made, clocking in at a whopping 11 hours. You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you that Jackson had to cut enormous sections of the novels to get it this short, but you would be wrong.

Jackson cut nearly a third off the front of Fellowship, in which the Hobbits meet Tom Bombadil, the only character in the world to experience no effects from the ring. Similarly the end of Return Of The King has an entire section where Saruman must be driven from the newly conquered Shire. In addition to this dozens of smaller characters and subplots were dropped for simplicity.

Many of the cut sequences are extremely weak or just unnecessary. Tom Bombadil's ability to wield the ring without Ill effect only weakens its power to the reader and makes it seem less all consuming. The Scouring Of The Shire was a good device for showing that home was no longer home for Frodo in the books, but the film managed to show this just fine without adding another 15 minutes to an already unwieldy ending.

There are only really two flaws in these cuts. First Bilbo's sudden enhanced age is unexplained as the 20 year gap between him and Frodo leaving the Shire is missing. Secondly Merry's sword being able to harm the Witch King of Angmar makes little sense because you don't see him finding it in graves from the kingdom of Arnor, ancient enemies of Angmar.

Compared to the alternative 14 hour alternative of unnecessary details we are all very glad for Jackson's decision.