'The Lord of the Rings' - Théoden King, Book and Film Comparison Part I: 'The Two Towers'
Théoden King is one of my favourite characters in ‘The Lord of the Rings’, and I was excited to see him on the big screen when ‘The Two Towers’ was released.
I expected there to be some differences in the way he was portrayed, and, sure enough, there was.
Overall, the book version is the one I prefer, but there are moments in the films where Bernard Hill’s portrayal adds gravitas to the character of Théoden.
My initial plan was to cover both films in this post, but it’s turned into quite the humungous post, so I’ve split it into two separate posts.
In ‘The Two Towers’ (book and film), Théoden is first shown as a worn-out, depleted husk, a king in name only, having surrendered his authority to Gríma Wormtongue.
Film:
We first see him when Éomer brings the mortally wounded Théodred, the king’s son, home. When he tells Théoden his son was ambushed by orcs, the king doesn’t respond.
And when Éomer warns against Saruman, Gríma steps forward, asserting that Saruman has only ever been their “friend and ally.”
Appearing not to see either Éomer or Éowyn, Théoden’s entire attention is on Gríma, almost to the point of neediness.
He doesn’t react when Gríma banishes Éomer, supposedly by order of the king, and doesn’t even acknowledge Éowyn when she pleads with him to see his dying son.
Book:
Théoden’s introduction is when Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli enter his hall:
‘… a man so bent with age that he seemed almost a dwarf; but his white hair was long and thick and fell in great braids from beneath a thin golden circlet set upon his brow… His beard was laid like snow upon his knees; but his eyes still burned with a bright light, glinting as he gazed at the strangers.’
After Gandalf greets him, ‘… the old man rose to his feet, leaning heavily upon a short black staff with a handle of white bone; and now the strangers saw that, bent though he was, he was still tall and must in youth have been high and proud indeed.’
The main difference here is Tolkien depicts him as a man still in possession of some strength.
The manner in which Théoden greets Gandalf is similar in book and film – unwelcoming and coloured by Wormtongue’s honeyed lies.
Grima Wormtongue (Brad Dourif) and Théoden (Bernard Hill) - ‘The Two Towers’
Film and book:
Théoden: ‘“Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?”’
And Gríma follows up by accusing Gandalf of bringing nothing but ill-news.
Book:
Unlike the film, Gandalf releases Théoden from Wormtongue’s influence, not from Saruman’s possession.
The only dramatic moment is when Gandalf throws off his tattered cloak and stands tall, raising his staff…
‘There was a roll of thunder. The sunlight was blotted out… the whole hall became suddenly dark as night… Only Gandalf could be seen, standing white and tall… There was a flash as if lightning had cloven the roof. Then all was silent. Wormtongue sprawled on his face.’
Then Gandalf invites Théoden to ‘“… come out before your doors and look abroad. Too long have you sat in shadows and trusted to twisted tales and crooked promptings.”’
As Théoden steps out, Gandalf says, ‘“… look out upon your land! Breathe the free air again!”’
Looking over ‘the green fields of Rohan… a shaft of sun [stabbing] down… the river [glittering] like a shimmering glass’, Théoden is finally released.
Unlike the film, where Éomer was banished, here he has been imprisoned, and Gandalf advises Théoden to send for him.
Even after Gandalf quietly tells him the actual truth of all that’s happened and of their secret hope, which the Enemy is as yet unaware, Théoden still feels the weight of ‘“… these evil days… should come in my old age instead of that peace which I have earned… The young perish and old linger, withering.”’
Gandalf suggests his ‘“fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped a sword-hilt.”’
Théoden (Bernard Hill) with his sword - ‘The Two Towers’
Éomer offers him his own sword first which Théoden holds aloft, swinging it ‘shimmering and whistling in the air… he chanted in the tongue of Rohan a call to arms.
“Arise now, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Dire deeds awake, dark is it eastward.
Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded!
Forth Eorlingas!”’
Amazed, his guards lay their swords down at his feet.
Théoden swears they will fight in the coming war, and when Gandalf counsels him to lead his people to the Hold of Dunharrow, Théoden declares, ‘“I myself will go to war, to fall in the front of the battle, if it must be. Thus shall I sleep better.”’
Then the king’s own sword, Herugrim, is brought to him, ‘… a long sword in a scabbard clasped with gold and set with green gems.’
Théoden treats Wormtongue with some measure of kindness, saying he will not send him from his side but wishes him to follow them to war, to ‘“prove your faith.”’
But Wormtongue argues that it would be better if he stayed behind as Théoden’s ‘“faithful steward… [to] keep all things till your return.”’
Gandalf sees right through him and says to Théoden that, for safety’s sake, he can’t take Wormtongue with him nor can he leave him behind. Instead, let him choose and ‘“by his choice you shall judge him.”’
This Théoden does but warns Wormtongue if he leaves them now, ‘“if ever we meet again, I shall not be merciful.”’
To which Wormtongue spits at the king’s feet and flees; Théoden orders that he be allowed to leave.
Film:
All this is very different in the film, and much more compact, for obvious reasons.
It appears that Saruman has taken possession of Théoden’s mind, and when he taunts Gandalf, telling him he’s not powerful enough, Gandalf reveals himself as Gandalf the White.
Using his staff, he drives Saruman from Théoden, freeing the king.
Théoden then undergoes a literal transformation – which I think is brilliantly done and still looks amazing considering it was made about 20 years ago – into the golden-haired king recognised by his people.
Wonder and relief are encapsulated beautifully in the moment between Théoden and Éowyn when he looks at her and says, “I know your face” and she simply smiles and nods through her tears.
Théoden is then given his sword, Herugrim, and directs his anger at Wormtongue, who is chucked out of the hall and down the steps.
Instead of showing pity, Théoden is ready to kill him, but is stopped by Aragorn.
The king then receives the fealty of his people.
One instance where I believe the film adds more to Théoden and the Rohirrim is Théodred’s funeral scene, which isn’t in the book.
Théoden (Bernard Hill) at Théodred’s burial mound - ‘The Two Towers’
When it’s only Théoden and Gandalf at the mound, Théoden holds up a little white flower, ‘Simblemynë’, and says, ‘“Now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas that these evil days should be mine. The young perish, and the old linger. That I should live to see the last days of my house… No parent should have to bury their child.”’
His words highlight how much the Rohirrim are aware of the fleeting nature of their lives, yet the one constant has always been the continuous line of kings, which has now, seemingly, come to an end.
'Simblemynë’ at burial mound - ‘The Two Towers’
Book:
After Grima leaves, Théoden orders the muster of the Rohirrim.
It is decided they will ride to Helm’s Deep while the people stay in Edoras.
When all is ready, Théoden says, ‘“I go forth, and it seems like to be my last riding… I have no child. Théodred my son is slain. I name Éomer my sister-son to be my heir. If neither of us return, then choose a new lord as you will.”’
There then follows one of my many favourite exchanges.
As Éomer will be riding with him, Théoden is at a loss as to who to leave to rule in his place.
When all stay silent, he says, ‘“Is there none whom you would name? In whom do my people trust?”’
Théoden says he can’t spare Éomer who is the last of the House of Eorl, the answer is that Éomer is not the last… ‘“There is Éowyn… his sister. She is fearless and high-hearted. All love her. Let her be as lord to the Eorlingas, while we are gone.”’
And Théoden agrees without hesitation, and tells Éowyn if the battle goes ill, to take the people to Dunharrow where they ‘“may long defend themselves.”’
Film:
Théoden is shown as more wary and unwilling to listen to Gandalf’s counsel, almost as if he doesn’t want to chance falling under anyone’s influence again.
His decision to go to Helm’s Deep with not only the Rohirrim, but the people of Edoras as well, to barricade themselves there, is seen as ‘running away’ from battle.
Gandalf is not impressed:
‘“Helm’s Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their King?... There is no way out of that ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he’s leading them into safety. What they’ll get is a massacre.”’
Film-Théoden, in a way, erases that sense of doom, the Rohirrim’s awareness of how death is always close.
Considering the Rohirrim see death in battle as an honourable and glorious end, Théoden shouldn’t fear battle.
Another way this is undermined is when the film changes the scene of Théodred’s death by having him succumb to his wounds in the silence of Meduseld, whereas in the book, he dies in battle at the Fords of Isen.
Book:
With Théoden willingly riding to battle, the manner in which he rides out is quite rousing:
‘The trumpets sounded. The horses reared and neighed. Spear clashed on shield. Then the king raised his hand, and with a rush like the sudden onset of a great wind the last host of Rohan rode thundering into the West.’
On their way to Helm’s Deep, they come across a rider who tells them they’ve been driven back from the Fords of Isen by Saruman’s forces, and to tell Éomer ‘“… there is no hope ahead. He should return to Edoras before the wolves of Isengard come there.”’
Théoden then makes his presence known, to the astonishment of the rider, and the mere sight of his king is enough to rejuvenate him.
It’s here that Gandalf suddenly leaves them, telling Théoden not to go to the Fords of Isen but to carry on as planned to Helm’s Deep.
At Helm’s Deep, they battle the orcs through the night and successfully defend the Hornburg. All through the battle, it is Éomer who takes centre stage, as it were, and we barely see Théoden.
But, despite their efforts, Aragorn has to tell the king, ‘“… the Deeping Wall is taken, lord, and all the defence swept away… the Orcs have brought a devilry from Orthanc… they have a blasting fire…”’
Théoden would rather be out in the field, instead of trapped inside, but Aragorn tells him at least he is guarded where they can best defend him.
The king grows doubtful, wondering if the Hornburg might fall… ‘“How shall any tower withstand such numbers and such reckless hate?... The end will not be long… But I will not end here, taken like an old badger in a trap. Snowmane [his horse]… and the horses of my guard are in the inner court. When dawn comes… I will ride forth. Will you ride with me then, son of Arathorn? Maybe we shall cleave a road, or make such an end as will be worth a song…”’
Film:
As they wait for the arrival of Saruman’s army, Théoden comes across as resentful, believing he’s been abandoned by his traditional ally, Gondor.
But he’s confident in the unbreakable strength of Helm’s Deep, that his people will be safe and, when it’s over, they can leave and rebuild their homes and resow their crops.
Aragorn points out they’re not coming to destroy the crops and homes, but to obliterate Rohan’s people, down to the last child.
Théoden’s words of ‘“What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread?”’ once again lessens the Rohirrim’s courage in the face of death.
Yet, the film gives us a glimpse of the heroic king when he speaks lines from ‘The Lament of the Rohirrim’, which I think is a good addition.
Then the elves arrive.
As most of the action centres around Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, we don’t see much of Théoden after the start of the battle.
There’s more of him when the hole is blown in the Deeping Wall through to when he realises the outer defences are lost; he orders the retreat to the Keep.
Here, he looks defeated, wondering what Men can do “against such reckless hate?”
It is Aragorn who says to ride out with him… “Ride out and meet them… For Rohan. For your people.”
And its only then that Théoden gets fired up:
“Let this be the hour when we draw swords together… Fell deeds, awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin and a red dawn. Forth Eorlingas!”
I guess being the king, film-Théoden is allowed to filch some of Éomer’s great lines as it is the latter who says, “Now for wrath, now for ruin and a red nightfall!” at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields.
Théoden (Bernard Hill), Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) and Legolas (Orlando Bloom) charging from the Hornburg - ‘The Two Towers’
At this point, book and film come together; this passage from the book neatly describes what is shown in the film… bar Théoden’s white horse:
As the great horn sounded, the Riders shouted… ‘“Helm for Théoden King!” And with that shout the king came. His horse was white as snow, golden was his shield, and his spear long. At his right hand was Aragorn, Elendil’s heir, behind him rode the lords of the House of Eorl the Young. Light sprang in the sky…
“Forth Eorlingas!” With a cry and great noise they charged. Down from the gates they roared, over the causeway they swept, and they drove through the hosts of Isengard as a wind among grass.’
I know that’s quite the long post and it’s not even all of it, but I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did researching and putting it together.
And I hope you’ll join me next week when I’ll continue with how Théoden is portrayed in the book and film of ‘The Return of the King’.