Ten of my family saw it tonight. All LOVED it, from the grandkids to my husband, who had never read the book. My husband, an engineer, was moved to tears by a couple of the scenes. My son, who is 37 and has read the books multiple times since he was 9, thought it was excellent. The grandchildren (who have not yet read but the first half of this book) loved it and couldn't quit talking about it. My sister loved it, and commented on how much trouble they had gone to to make the scenery and the characters resemble the book, and how well done the battle scene was.
I must conclude, Bob, that you have had a glitch in your taste gene. I am sorry you hated this movie, but your opinion is just flat out wrong. You are a very nice freeper, but you just didn't see this movie with the same eyes as my family. I would recommend this movie to anyone.