[ksen]

Glorfindel is not in FotR b/c Jackson wants to being Arwen into the story. It has nothing to do with eliminating a character who would only show up long enough to loan Frodo his horse. I can actually understand this modification, even though I mildly resent the fact that Jackson doesn't think a movie is any good with out the sex appeal of a Liv Tyler.

If you listen to the Director's commentary you'll find that both reasons went into the decision to cut Glorfindel. Jackson was concerned with trying to introduce too many characters, i.e. Gil-Galad, Glorfindel, and he needed a way to introduce Arwen because she is the reason Aragorn is doing the things he is doing.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

because she[Arwen] is the reason Aragorn is doing the things he is doing.

Huh? Aragorn does the things he does so that Evil will not triumph over Good. Jackson seems to be incapable of allowing this theme to be the underlying principle.

Why does Jackson have Aragorn convince Theoden to ride out rather then cower in some caves when the battle looks to be lost? Thanks to Gandalf's earlier intervention, Theoden doesn't need to be told how to act. Why could Jackson not depict Theoden be the valiant, courageous leader that Tolkien produced? Because Jackson doesn't want Theoden to be seen that way. God forbid we should have too many decent men in one movie.