In Peter Jackson’s cinematic adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, Saruman dies at the hands of Gríma Wormtongue atop Orthanc, the tower he once commanded. This differs significantly from the book, highlighting the narrative choices made in bringing Tolkien’s world to the big screen.
The Fall of Isengard and Saruman’s Humiliation
The events leading to Saruman’s death are crucial to understanding its impact. Following the destruction of Isengard by the Ents, led by Treebeard, Saruman finds himself a prisoner in his own tower. He attempts to manipulate King Théoden of Rohan, but is ultimately unsuccessful due to the intervention of Gandalf. This scene, omitted from the theatrical release of The Two Towers but included in the Extended Edition, shows Saruman’s power waning, his voice no longer holding the same sway.
The hobbits Merry and Pippin, finding themselves amidst the ruins, encounter Saruman, who is confined to the top of Orthanc. It’s during this meeting that Saruman, ever the schemer, tries one last time to exert his influence, but his words fall on deaf ears. He is now a shell of his former self, his once-imposing presence diminished.
The Fateful Encounter and Gríma’s Betrayal
In The Return of the King, after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, King Théoden and his company, along with Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin, travel to Isengard. They find Orthanc surrounded by the remnants of Saruman’s army, defeated and scattered.
The pivotal moment arrives when Gandalf attempts to persuade Saruman to aid in the fight against Sauron. However, Saruman, consumed by pride and bitterness, refuses, clinging to his own twisted ambitions. The tension is palpable.
It is at this point that Gríma Wormtongue, Saruman’s long-suffering servant, intervenes. Driven to the edge by Saruman’s relentless cruelty and abuse, Gríma stabs Saruman in the back. While the movie implies it’s a single thrust, the shock and surprise on Saruman’s face are evident. As Saruman falls, he impales Gríma on a spiked wheel, a gruesome final act of spite.
Saruman’s death in the film is sudden and unceremonious, a stark contrast to his former grandeur. He dies not in a glorious battle, but as a victim of his own wickedness and the desperation of his abused servant.
The Significance of Saruman’s Death in the Film
The way Saruman dies in the movie serves several narrative purposes:
- Highlights the Consequences of Corruption: Saruman’s demise underscores the destructive power of ambition and the corrupting influence of Sauron’s power. He fell from grace, betraying the White Council and ultimately paying the price for his treachery.
- Provides Closure: Removing Saruman from the narrative at this point allows the film to focus entirely on the climactic battle against Sauron. His story arc is complete, his influence extinguished.
- Emphasizes the Theme of Redemption: While Saruman himself is beyond redemption, the story of Gríma, however tragically, hints at the potential for good even in the most corrupted souls. Gríma’s actions, though resulting in death, stem from a deep-seated resentment of Saruman’s evil.
- Streamlines the Narrative: Cutting Saruman’s later role from the books, which involves him further tormenting the Shire, helps to keep the film’s focus on the core conflict.
While Saruman’s death scene is relatively brief, its impact on the overall narrative is significant, reinforcing the themes of good versus evil, corruption, and the ultimate triumph of hope over despair.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: Why did Saruman die so differently in the movie compared to the book?
The primary reason for altering Saruman’s death in the film was to streamline the narrative and maintain focus on the main conflict with Sauron. In the books, Saruman survives the events at Isengard and later establishes a tyrannical rule in the Shire, causing considerable hardship for the hobbits. This subplot, while significant in the books, would have potentially detracted from the intensity of the final battle against Sauron in the film. Removing Saruman earlier allowed the film to maintain momentum and provide a more conclusive resolution.
FAQ 2: Was Gríma Wormtongue forced to kill Saruman?
While Gríma was undoubtedly under Saruman’s control and influence, the act of killing Saruman appears to be a culmination of years of abuse and mistreatment. Gríma’s expression suggests a mix of fear, desperation, and finally, rebellion. It’s reasonable to conclude that Gríma’s actions stemmed from his own pent-up anger and resentment towards Saruman rather than direct magical compulsion, although Saruman’s influence was certainly a contributing factor.
FAQ 3: Did Gandalf know Saruman was going to die?
There is no indication in the film that Gandalf foresaw Saruman’s death. He attempts to reason with Saruman and offer him a path to redemption, suggesting that he still held some hope for Saruman’s potential to change. The events unfold rapidly and unexpectedly, indicating that Saruman’s death was a surprise to everyone present, including Gandalf.
FAQ 4: What happened to Gríma after he killed Saruman?
Immediately after stabbing Saruman, Gríma is impaled on a spiked wheel as Saruman falls. Gríma dies instantly. Both Saruman and Gríma Wormtongue are dead at the end of the encounter.
FAQ 5: Where exactly does Saruman die?
Saruman dies at the top of Orthanc, the tall black tower that served as his stronghold in Isengard. He is cornered and confronted by Gandalf and the company, leading to his fatal encounter with Gríma.
FAQ 6: What was Saruman’s plan after the Ents destroyed Isengard?
Even after the destruction of Isengard, Saruman remained ambitious and power-hungry. His plan was to continue manipulating events and potentially align himself with the winning side, even if it meant serving Sauron. He clearly hoped to regain his influence, and his failed attempt to sway King Théoden demonstrates his continuing desire for control.
FAQ 7: Did Saruman have any allies besides Gríma Wormtongue?
Yes, Saruman commanded a vast army of orcs, Uruk-hai, and corrupted men. He also had a network of spies and informants. However, by the time of his death, most of his forces were destroyed or scattered, leaving him with only Gríma Wormtongue as a direct servant.
FAQ 8: Why didn’t the Eagles rescue Saruman?
The Eagles, while powerful, were not a general-purpose rescue service. They intervened only when strategically necessary and at the behest of Gandalf or other Valar-aligned figures. Saruman, having fallen to darkness, was no longer considered worthy of their aid. Furthermore, the Eagles likely would not have interfered in a situation that was primarily a consequence of Saruman’s own actions.
FAQ 9: Was Saruman more powerful in the books or the movies?
Saruman’s power is depicted differently in the books versus the movies. In both, he is a formidable wizard. However, the books portray Saruman as a more subtle and cunning manipulator, while the movies emphasize his military strength and magical prowess. The film version also portrays him as slightly more overtly corrupted than his book counterpart.
FAQ 10: Does Saruman say anything significant before he dies?
While Saruman does not utter a particularly memorable phrase as he dies in the movie, his final expression is one of shock and disbelief. His death is a stark reminder of the futility of his ambition and the consequences of his choices. His silent end underscores his fall from grace more powerfully than any grand pronouncements could have.
FAQ 11: How did Saruman’s death impact the rest of the story?
Saruman’s death removes him as a threat and allows the narrative to fully concentrate on the impending battle against Sauron. It also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking power and the importance of resisting temptation. The absence of his later plot in the Shire streamlines the plot, as mentioned before.
FAQ 12: Is there any symbolism in the way Saruman dies?
Yes, there is symbolism in Saruman’s death. His demise at the hands of Gríma, a servant he abused and controlled, symbolizes the downfall of a tyrant brought about by his own wickedness. The spiked wheel represents the cycle of violence and betrayal that Saruman perpetuated, ultimately leading to his own destruction. He is undone by the very means he employed to achieve power.