The Voice of Saruman (scene)

From Tolkien Gateway
The Voice of Saruman
Scene from
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
The Lord of the Rings - The Return of the King - Saruman.jpg
Scene number4
Event Pippin obtains the Orthanc-Stone
Saruman is killed by Gríma Wormtongue
Characters Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, Pippin, Théoden, Treebeard, Saruman, Gríma
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The Voice of Saruman is the fourth scene of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (extended edition). This scene was not included in the theatrical release of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Synopsis[edit | edit source]

Treebeard leads the company led by Gandalf to Orthanc, where Saruman is held. Saruman goads Théoden by asking for peace. Gandalf asks him for information about when and where Sauron will begin his attack on Middle-earth. Saruman reveals the palantír, stating that something festers in the heart of Middle-earth which Gandalf has failed to see. He then mocks Aragorn by saying he will never become King of Gondor, and that Gandalf "doesn't hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him". He asks Gandalf what words of comfort he gave the halfling before sending him to his doom. All are visibly shaken by the words of Saruman, and Gimli is ready to shoot him, however Gandalf has mercy on him and asks him to come down. Insulted by this, Saruman tries to attack Gandalf. As a result, Gandalf destroys Saruman's staff.

Gríma appears from behind Saruman, and Théoden asks him to return and be free. Saruman insults them both, and tells Gandalf he will tell him where Sauron will strike if the company withdraws from Orthanc. In rage, Gríma stabs him, and Legolas shoots Gríma, but too late, as Saruman falls from the top of Orthanc and lands on the spike of a large wheel. The palantír falls from his robes and Pippin picks it out of the water. Gandalf quickly takes it from him.

Differences[edit | edit source]

While in the books, Gríma does indeed kill Saruman, this happens in the Shire during its scouring[1] rather than at Orthanc. Instead, Saruman is imprisoned in Orthanc by Treebeard. He is released after the fall of Barad-dûr on 15 August , T.A. 3019[2] and journeys towards the Shire, where he spent the last part of his life leading Ruffians and disrupting the Shire.[3]

References