WHICH Two Towers?

[Guest]

[allender]

I couldn't see a thread title that seemed related to the subject, so I thought I'd start one to kick off the new database. And start moving slowly back out of newborn-Calf status, too!

Asking those of you who read the books ... and formed a vision in your mind ... before the movies premiered ... which two towers did you think Tolkien was talking about in the title?

For me, I visualized Minas Morgul and Cirith Ungol. Those were the two that loomed in the way of Frodo and Sam's journey into Mordor.

Of course, that choice wouldn't have worked very well in the movie treatment after those encounters were moved to ROTK!

[ferdinand_the_yak]

Is this before or after we read the book? Not sure whether you meant just looking at the title...

But for me, it was always Orthanc and Barad-dur (I'm pretty sure, I was only 10 or so when I read it )

[blackcat20]

I think after reading the books. And I think I had the same opinion as you Jo

[Goofyjas]

that is what he meant..
it is even said in the movie I believe

the union of the 2 towers.. and saruman says it and they show them both?

I maybe wrong

[blackcat20]

I think I read/heard somewhere once that this wasnt what Tolkien meant, but its what the movies went with...could be wrong though...

[ferdinand_the_yak]

Oh. Well the emphasis on the union between Saruman and Sauron was obvious enough, plus they both had huge tower like fortresses.... I assumed that was what Tolkien meant

[allender]

Tolkien chose to keep it a mystery. From the DVD commentaries and documentaries, I heard 3 or 4 other opinions, but none matched mine. I think I was influenced by the cover illustration for the first paperback edition I saw, which made me think of towering ramparts that the hobbits were trying to slip between ...

The "poll" is starting to confirm Peter Jackson's approach. 

[Roz]

Yes - I have always thought Orthanc and Barad-dur but Tolkien never intended to make it clear. Let's be honest, Tolkien never wanted this as three books... and hated the title "return of the king" as it clearly gave too much away!

[Ed... Van Halen]

It's always been Orthanc/Barad-Dur for me too...The way I see it is that these two are the framework for the entire 2nd book whereas the Ungol part is merely an incident.

[savage727]

I feel the same way as Ed.