The Lord of the Rings: Three Major Differences in Elrond’s Character Between the Films and the Books

After exploring the members of the Fellowship of the Ring, let us turn our attention to Elrond, the Lord of Rivendell. Through his leadership, he has successfully united the races of Middle-earth against a rising evil.

Elrond: A Pessimistic Outlook in Jackson’s Trilogy

Is Elrond portrayed as a pessimistic, troubled Elf in Peter Jackson’s trilogy? Some fans have analyzed his character psychology and compared it to J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works. There are various arguments to support the notion of a more austere version of Elrond. In the cinematic saga, Elrond tells Gandalf that mankind has failed, revealing a deep resentment towards humans stemming from his past experiences with Isildur. During the Council of Rivendell, he presents himself as particularly authoritarian and disillusioned by the situation’s gravity. His relationship with Arwen also differs significantly; he appears to discourage his daughter from remaining in Middle-earth and marrying Aragorn, believing their love is destined to fail.

In contrast, the noble half-Elf does not oppose their union in Tolkien’s literary saga, as long as Aragorn embraces his heritage and takes on the role of Gondor’s king. Additionally, Elrond is much more fatherly and benevolent towards the Hobbits and members of the Fellowship upon their arrival at Rivendell. Despite his grave demeanor in light of the unfolding events, he maintains hope and conveys it to his guests.

The Council of Elrond: Key Moments and Differences

The Council of Elrond represents a critical turning point in the film The Fellowship of the Ring. The most significant leaders from Middle-earth gather to address the threat posed by Sauron and the One Ring. This scene highlights Boromir’s descent into corruption, eruptions of conflict between Dwarves and Elves, and Elrond’s struggle to manage the discussions.

This depiction varies greatly from the extensive diplomatic meeting in the book, where each participant shares their people’s history. The novel features a council that spans around forty pages, introduced by Elrond as the wise host. He recounts tales of the past, including the fall of Númenor and the War of the Last Alliance, leading to Sauron’s downfall. Notably, many scenes were cut or shortened by the New Zealand director, such as Boromir’s prophetic dream, Gandalf’s recounting of Saruman’s betrayal, and Gloin’s warning about Sauron’s efforts to extract information about the Ring.

The Fate of Andúril: Aragorn’s Legacy

Andúril, known as the Flame of the West, is the reforged sword made from the shards of Narsil, which represents the Númenórean and Gondorian heritage. After Isildur’s death, it rightfully belongs to Aragorn, and Elrond reforges it to signify his legitimacy as the future king.

While Elrond hands the sword to Aragorn in The Return of the King, just before the climactic battle at the Pelennor Fields, in Tolkien’s writings, Aragorn receives it much earlier in his journey. Elrond reforges the weapon prior to the Fellowship’s departure from Rivendell, aligning with Tolkien’s portrayal of Aragorn as a character who embraces his quest from the outset, thus making him worthy of wielding Andúril. As mentioned earlier, Aragorn gradually recognizes his destiny throughout the cinematic trilogy, explaining why he acquires the sword at a later point.