>Dave has an issue with the way the handling of
>the sword was changed too, but for me this is
>just a shrug. Who cares about a sword, when the
>complex portrayal of characters and cultures is
>on the line?

I have a problem with it because Aragorn's entire character arc depends on him having that sword. The way I see it, it's impossible for him to properly prove his lineage the way Jackson has set it up. The very least he could have done is have had Aragorn carrying Narsil around in his backpack instead of having the stupid thing be on display at Rivendell.

What happens when, as most people assume, Arwen shows up to give him the sword in RotK? Why should Denethor/Faramir believe his lineage just because Elrond decided to send him the sword? Plus, having Aragorn carry around a BROKEN SWORD *is* part of his character development. He goes around under the name Strider apparently trying to hide who he is, and yet still carefully carries the family sword even though it's not quite as useful as an intact sword would be.

-- Dave