Just belatedly adding my two cents worth on the movies.
I loved them. I understood that there would be changes made, for example the way "The Houses of Healing", one of my favourite chapters, was eviscerated in order to provide character development (particularly for Eowyn) earlier in the movies.
But I do remember coming out of ROTK slightly angry about two things:
1/ The weakness of Denethor, the juice running running down his chin as he feasted while Faramir and his men were sent to retake Osgiliath.
In the books he was a much stronger character, one who could meet the eye of Gandalf in a contest of wills and almost prevail.
I felt that Tolkien saw him as a man in whom the blood of Numenor ran strong, who, if not for his despair over what Sauron had shown him of the might of Mordor in the Palantir, would have been the equal of both of his sons.
That said, I very much enjoyed the direction in which that (family) storyline was taken. I first read the books when I was only eight years old, and I did not have sympathetic feelings towards Boromir at all. I thought he was weak. Now I find his death to be one of the most stirring scenes in the entire series.
I would have followed you my Brother. My Captain. My King.
I also loved the scene with Denethor and Faramir:
If I should return... Think better of me Father.
That shall depend on the manner of your return...
2/ Eowyn's act of heroism in defeating the Witch-King was IMHO the greatest act of individual valour of the Third Age, only surpassed by Fingolfin in all of Tolkiens mythology (although I have friends who are partial to Hurin's capture).
The quiet dignity of her victory was, to my mind, treated somewhat flippantly in the pursuit of applause from female cinema patrons. Instead of a fatalistic but courageous "Eowyn, daughter of Eomund am I...", we got a defiant ass-kicking
"I am
no man... Hyaagh".
But overall I was happy with PJ's effort. I think Tolkien would be too.
