Why LOTR's Biggest Gimli Change Fixed A Book Problem
Peter Jackson’s version of Gimli is not exempt from the criticisms of Tolkien loyalists; however, the changes to the character were essential for adapting The Lord of the Rings for the screen. Peter Jackson’s film trilogy is widely regarded as a triumphant adaptation of the source material. Any adaptation demands changes, but altering characters from a writer as revered as Tolkien has its challenges. This is most noticeable is the depiction of Gimli in Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings.
Gimli, son of Gloin, was the only dwarf in the fellowship. Upon meeting, he clashed with Legolas due to a long-standing grievance between elves and dwarves. Over the course of the three films (and books) the pair became friends. While competitive in battle, Gimli was both stubborn and loyal, and though some aspects of his personality were reconstructed, this was not a bad thing. If Gimli had been copied directly from Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, a crucial element of Jackson’s adaptation would have been missing.
Related: LOTR: All 7 Tribes Of Dwarves (& Which Can Appear In Rings Of Power)
Gimli’s role in Jackson’s trilogy was largely to act as comic relief. This was not a role he played in Tolkien’s novel, but perhaps he should have. Not only did this change add some much-needed levity to an increasingly dark story, it was not done at the expense of Gimli’s original character arc. Furthermore, Gimli’s defining stoicism in The Lord of the Rings books would have been difficult to translate effectively on-screen.
In The Fellowship of the Ring, a lot of the story occurred before Gimli was introduced. As such, it was the hobbits, especially Merry and Pippin, who acted as comic relief. They sang silly songs, obsessed over pints and mushrooms,
Read more on screenrant.com
