The trilogy held very close to the book.
Yes, there were some scenes cut like Tom Bombadil, but most of those scenes would have been either unnecessary or just plain confusing to the non-LOTR fan.
BS. The movies were great, but nothing like the books. Have you read them? I have read the trilogy over 50 time in the past 30 years. The movies were somewhat close but not near what was portrayed in the books.
The trilogy did not hold close to the book. Jackson admitted as much.
“Sure, it’s not really THE LORD OF THE RINGS ... but it could still be a pretty damn cool movie. “ — Peter Jackson
http://www.theonering.com/page3-25/TheMoviesTheCompleteListofFilmChanges
No it didn't. Example: Elves at the Battle of Helm's Deep. That and other instances would have been forgivable however the 2nd and third film were DUMBED DOWN so much and "Hollywoodized" to such an extent that it was actually painful to watch in parts. I'm really hoping that The Hobbit is done in the spirit of the first flick and avoids the cliche lowest common denominator drek of the others.