LOTR - The Ending

IMHO, one of the mega failings of the film compared to the book is the ending. In the book after the happy ending in Gondor etc. the hobbits return to the Shire to find that its been ravaged by ruffians and half-orcs and the inhabitants of Hobbiton are living in fear of 'Sharkey', who turns out to be Saruman still accompanied by the still enslaved Wormtongue. His interference has completely upset the peace and tranquility of the shire. Sam says "This is worse than Mordor - much worse in a way. It comes home to you as they say, because it is home, and you remember it before it was ruined." The hobbits have fought in the greatest battles of Middle Earth and now they must fight an equally (if not more) important battle to rid the shire of the evil that has disturbed its peace. But now they fight as those who know that good must overcome evil and as those who have been energised by victory.


But Sam's words have even deeper significance because whether we believe it or not there is within every one of us a distant echo of a memory of what this world as a whole was like before sin and evil marred its beauty and peace. We too are called to battle for its return but we can never do this without the knowledge and assurance that the greater battle, the defining battle and triumph of good over evil has been fought and won. Like the shire, in the absence of good, evil will corrupt and spoil and disturb and mar. As Frodo says to one of the ruffians who are causing trouble, "I see that you're behind the times and the news here... your day is over, and all the other ruffians'. The Dark Tower has fallen and there is a King in Gondor. Isengard has been destroyed and your precious master is a beggar in the wilderness." That should speak volumes to all who know that there is a King upon the throne of the universe who has triumphed over evil once and forever and as for those who perpetuate evil in this world - their days are numbered. Flash