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To: Wordsmith; Overtaxed
Instead of a man gentle and strong because he knows himself, he is a conflicted and tortured victim of self-doubt...

I've complained about this before with regards to the movie Aragorn. I don't see him doubting himself or his duty in the books. He DOES (in the books) become more kingly as the story moves along, and maybe Jackson is purposely making him a bit weak at the start in order to better show that transition, but I like Aragorn a lot better in the book.

32,286 posted on 10/10/2002 5:29:34 AM PDT by RosieCotton
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To: RosieCotton
I don't see him doubting himself or his duty in the books.

I agree! Aragorn (in the book) never had any doubts about taking up his kingship. And he was a tested leader. Read Appendix A about the Stewards of Gondor. Aragorn saved Gondor from the Corsairs using the name "Thorongil".

32,294 posted on 10/10/2002 5:45:10 AM PDT by Overtaxed
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To: RosieCotton
The author of the article makes the point that as portrayed in the movie Aragorn doesn't reflect as well Gandalf's song about him, "all that is gold does not glitter". He argues that JRRT's point is that Aragorn is at peace with himself, and with God, regardless of whether he succeeds in his mission or fails. And that this is lost in the movie.

I agree that it is lost as a explicit, plotted element. However, where I think I differ from the author is that I believe that Viggo and the other actors were actually able to project a lot of the spiritual elements through mannerism and expression, so that there is a deeply spiritual tone to the movie even though its not as explicit as in the books.

I agree with you that I prefer the Aragorn of the book - who is almost sinless, almost a Christ figure (the virtuous King who will be revealed). However, I completely understand PJ's need to give the character complexity and a development arc because of the different demands of filmmaking.

32,405 posted on 10/10/2002 8:17:39 AM PDT by Wordsmith
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