The book is important but is often difficult for people to get through for a number of reasons. The plot tends to have patches of intense action which are interspersed through long periods of travel. Because of this, many people find that they tend to skip over the rich descriptions of the landscape through which the characters travel in order to concentrate on the action scenarios.
The 2002 screen adaptation of the book tends to make these slower portions more interesting. This is because you are able to see the landscape and it makes it feel more real and immediate than reading it may. Text can be hard to follow for some people but the visuals developed by Peter Jackson and his crew tend to reach out and draw you in more completely than you might ever imagine. The movie uses extensive make-up, elaborate sets and computer generated imagery to make the sensation of being in Middle Earth complete. Even people who have read the book will find they experience scenes such as the siege at Helm's Deep more deeply and will truly feel that they are in King Theoden's hall as Gandalf faces down Grima Wormtongue in order to free the Rohirrim from tyranny.
Many people miss the reference to the two towers. The first belongs to Saruman. He is a wizard who appears first in the Fellowship of the Ring. Although we are aware that he has sided with the enemy, the extent of his treachery becomes obvious as we see him creating fierce creatures known as Uruk-Hai in the caves below his tower. The second tower is that occupied by Sauron himself.
Finally, the story works well as a movie because it is easier to follow the travels of the different parts of the Fellowship. In the book, the companions split up at the end of the first movie. Boromir betrays the Fellowship by attempting to take the ring from Frodo by force. You understand why he does so after you meet the people of Gondor, including Boromir's brother Faramir and the corrupt and deranged Steward who has cracked under the pressure of living next to Mordor.
In the book, it is difficult to jump back and forth between the different parts of the Fellowship. The movie does this well and also allows us to get to know other important characters as well. It makes it more interesting for the audience to see the bravery of Eowyn of Rohan, the cowardice of Golum and other pivotal characters.
Although there were some criticisms surrounding the way Peter Jackson treated the storyline, for the most part this movie has been praised. There are so many memorable moments (such as the unforgettable Battle of Helm's Deep) that you are set up to go into the third part of the story with a much better understanding of Middle Earth as a whole.
If you are someone who tried to read the book and were unable to get through it, you need to see this movie. The special effects, scenery and pacing are excellent and make it definitely worth watching.
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