Adapting a book into a movie is a delicate balancing act. Filmmakers want to satisfy existing fans and respect the original author’s intent, but they also naturally want to add their own creative touch. This was a huge challenge for Peter Jackson when he took on J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel, The Lord of the Rings, in the early 2000s. Tolkien’s work is incredibly influential in the fantasy genre, making it a daunting task to adapt. While not every detail from the book made it into the films, Jackson’s adaptation wonderfully captures the world of Middle-earth.
Peter Jackson’s film adaptation stayed true to many parts of Tolkien’s story, including specific details and dialogue. However, movies and books are very different, and Jackson did add a significant new element not found in the original book. Changes made by filmmakers often aren’t well-received, frequently feeling illogical, undermining the author’s vision, or drastically altering the story for fans. Fortunately, Jackson’s addition actually enhances the adaptation, adding depth and changing how we understand Frodo’s adventure.
The Eye of Sauron Is Not Tangible in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Book
New Line Cinema
In Tolkien’s work, the Eye of Sauron isn’t a literal eye, but a symbolic representation of his power. Sauron’s original body was defeated by Gil-galad, Elendil, and Isildur, who cut the One Ring from his hand. While his physical form was destroyed, Tolkien portrays Sauron as having a presence in The Lord of the Rings. During the Third Age, he’s depicted as taking on a human-like shape, slowly rebuilding his strength after being defeated at the end of the Second Age.
Gollum saw this form firsthand when Sauron questioned and tortured him in Barad-dûr, trying to find out where the Ring was. He described Sauron’s hand in The Two Towers. Therefore, even though it later appeared in Mirkwood, Sauron’s hand – known as the Black Hand – only had four fingers.
“Yes, He has only four on the Black Hand, but they are enough.”
Tolkien’s choice to keep Sauron hidden is a brilliant storytelling technique. It creates a sense of mystery and makes him all the more frightening. Instead of acting directly, Sauron works through his followers, operating from the shadows and exerting his power indirectly. The Eye of Sauron isn’t just a literal eye; it represents his all-seeing, ever-present influence – a symbol of the Dark Lord himself and his control over Middle-earth. There’s a unique horror in keeping Sauron as an abstract threat, rather than a physical one.
In The Fellowship of the Ring, while the Fellowship is in Lothlórien, Galadriel lets Frodo look into her Mirror. He sees what could happen to Middle-earth if he doesn’t succeed, and also a specific vision of something else…
Suddenly, the Mirror went completely black, like a gap had opened in reality itself. From the darkness, a single Eye emerged, slowly growing until it dominated the entire Mirror. It was terrifying – Frodo froze, unable to speak or look away. The Eye was surrounded by fire, but its surface was pale yellow, like a cat’s, and it seemed to be constantly watching, focused intently. The narrow, black pupil opened onto a dark void, a glimpse into emptiness.
Peter Jackson Takes a Metaphor and Makes It Literal
Warner Bros.
In Peter Jackson’s films, Sauron’s presence is powerfully visualized as a massive, living eye atop his fortress, Barad-dûr. This isn’t just a symbol; it is Sauron, maintaining his mysterious nature while giving him a tangible form. To emphasize his constant watchfulness, the Eye projects a sweeping red beam across Mordor. While a literal, all-seeing eye might seem heavy-handed, it’s incredibly effective, creating a feeling of unease and the sense that everyone is being watched. This constant surveillance also impacts how the characters behave, as Sauron relentlessly searches for the One Ring. This adds significant tension to Frodo’s quest, making his journey feel even more dangerous and raising the stakes of the story. Through the Eye, Sauron is always aware of what’s happening.
In the films, Peter Jackson expands on the Mirror of Galadriel scene by showing the Eye of Sauron reacting to Frodo’s Ring, visibly pulling at its chain. Frodo also sees the Eye when he uses the Ring to enter the spirit world. But he isn’t the only one – Gandalf briefly glimpses the Eye when he touches the Ring, before understanding its power.
The Eye is a truly frightening element in the films, serving as a constant reminder of Sauron’s immense power. Fortunately, the heroes ultimately succeed, and when Gollum and the Ring are destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom, the Eye vanishes. As Galadriel explains to Frodo in The Fellowship of the Ring, even someone small can have a huge impact on what happens next.
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2026-02-22 01:18