The Fellowship of the Ring

At his 111th birthday party, Bilbo vanishes in front of everyone and leaves the ring to his cousin and heir, Frodo. Years later, Gandalf confirms it's Sauron's One Ring. Frodo sets out with Sam, Merry and Pippin, hunted by the Black Riders, and meets Strider in Bree. Wounded by one of the Nazgûl, he barely makes it to Rivendell. At the Council of Elrond, Frodo agrees to carry the Ring to Mordor, and nine companions form the Fellowship. Blocked on Caradhras, they cross Moria, where Gandalf falls with the Balrog. After Lothlórien, Boromir tries to take the Ring by force. Frodo decides to go on alone, Sam insists on coming, and the Fellowship breaks apart on the banks of the Anduin.

1. Change17 years become weeks

   In the book, Frodo leaves the Shire 17 years after Bilbo's party. In the film, Gandalf comes back with the truth about the Ring within a few weeks.

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2. ChangeWhere's Tom Bombadil?

   The film cuts the Old Forest, Tom Bombadil, Goldberry and the Barrow-downs. In the book, those episodes take up several chapters between the Shire and Bree.

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3. ChangeArwen instead of Glorfindel

   In the book, the Elf Glorfindel puts Frodo on his horse and gets him to the Ford. Arwen stays in Rivendell. The film gives that scene to her.

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4. ChangeNarsil leaves Rivendell whole

   In the book, Strider carries the shards of Narsil from Bree, and the sword is reforged in Rivendell before they set out. In the film, the pieces stay on a statue and the sword doesn't go with the Fellowship.

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5. ChangeGandalf tells it later

   In the book, Gandalf recounts his imprisonment at Orthanc during the Council of Elrond. The film shows his duel with Saruman as it happens. The Uruk-hai Lurtz doesn't exist in the book either.

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