Lord Of The Rings: 10 Best Scenes NOT From The Books
8. Witch-King Destroys Gandalf's Staff - Return Of The King
Seeing Gondor as the last stronghold of Men, Sauron unleashes his army on the great city. Because Sauron recognises the threat which Gandalf poses, The Dark Lord sends his servant, the Witch-King of Angmar, to Gondor to destroy the wizard.
In the book, the battle between Gandalf and the Witch-King is pretty even. Although the Lord of the Nazgûls sets Gandalf's staff ablaze, the sorcerer holds it firmly, proving his might. Before there is a chance for the fight to have a conclusive winner, it's interrupted by a horn, signalling the people of Rohan have joined the battle.
But in the film, the Witch-King is the unmistakable victor, since he blows up Gandalf's staff, knocks him off his horse, and paralyses him with fear. Considering Gandalf defeated a freaking Balrog single-handedly (when he was in his weaker Grey form), the fact that he was beaten so effortlessly demonstrates the Black Rider's superiority.
This makes Witch-King's defeat by Eowyn all the more satisfying since the the most powerful Ringwraith was defeated by a mere mortal, even though the greatest wizard couldn't best him.