SW VS. LOTR #12: Mace Windu VS. King Theoden

[JAWS]

Ah My second Fav. Character in LOTR. King Theoden.

He gets my vote.

 

[mannix DLS]

This poll is going to be a close race between Mace & Theoden... Both are tied at 20 votes each

 

[Buttmunch]

While I voted for Theoden, Mace did provide for me one of the PT's funniest lines. When Anakin tells him Palpatine is a Sith Lord, the way he repeats it back to him just cracks me up. "A Sith Lord!!!!"

Me too!!!

 

[King Darkness]

Theoden!!! Poop on Mace.

 

[The Josh]

Theoden hands down.

Better character, better development, better acting.

Theoden played a more pivotal role in LOTR than Mace did in SW.

 

[darthviper107]

A more pivotal role? But if it wasn't for Mace, Anakin might not have gone to the Dark Side. He could have just arrested Palpatine like he should have and Anakin wouldn't have done anything that would push him over the edge.

 

[sebcanadaceo]

Mace all the way!

Theoden is very cool and noble but he was easily controlled. Mace was one of (if not the) most powerfull Jedi and took poo from no one! He defeated Palpatine (yes I believe he did truly win the fight and would have killed Palpatine if Anakin had not showed up) and killed Jango Fett.

In the end, they had to surprise and double team him to kill him.

No real contest in my book!

:emperor :maul

 

[KitFisto]

Mace all the way.

 

[lcummins]

This may be the closest race yet! I went for Mace... Theoden was a great character, but he didn't live up to what I had in my mind for the last 30+ years, which of course shouldn't be held against him, but what the hey!

 

[buffy-collector]

I voted Mace:
Dont really like any of the two,but im a Star Wars fan so I went with him.

 

[EVILFACE]

Mace all the way.

 

[Amir]

King Theoden of course.

 

[KitFisto]

People may think Mace was a jerk, but Theoden was a bit of a wuss. Saruman used him as a puppet. He lead his people to Helms deep despite being told it wasn't a good move. He had to be talked into fighting towards the end of the battle by Aragorn because he was about to give up and quit. He had to be talked into going to aid Gondor as he was thinking about not doing it.

I like Theoden, but as a leader he always seemed on the edge of just giving up all the time.

 

[tomandshell]

I like Theoden, but as a leader he always seemed on the edge of just giving up all the time.

He was very different in the book. Book Theoden actually rode out to confront Saruman, not to hide his people at Helm's Deep. Afterwards, he fully intends to gather his forces and head to Gondor. He actually sends a rider with the red arrow (a sign that Rohan is on its way), but that rider is killed and Denethor does not receive word of their approach. Ghan-buri-Ghan takes them on a secret path through the hills and brings them to the battle at Minas Tirith. At no time in the book does Theoden consider anything but death in battle. He never hesitates or reconsiders--from the moment that Gandalf revives him at Edoras, he sets out to defeat the enemy or die trying. Movie Theoden is constantly indecisive and second guesses himself. "Who am I, Gamling?" "Why should we help Gondor?" "I was not the one who led my people to victory at Helm's Deep, it was Aragorn and I'm just a failure, boo hoo." They rewrote his character and made him struggle with doubt and insecurity so that he could "earn" his death--"I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed." Like movie Faramir, he had to have some internal struggle to overcome before being allowed to be a purely strong character. PJ just likes people to be flawed and have some character development alien to the book. It supposedly makes the character more layered in the movie, even if it means a radical departure from the character that Tolkien envisioned and created. In Theoden's case, the character is made much weaker by PJ's changes, yet at the same time more sympathetic. We can relate to him more, and therefore feel more compassion when he dies. Also, there is more suspense created as we wonder what he will (or won't) do. I understand why they changed his character for the sake of the movie, I just don't necessarily prefer movie Theoden to book Theoden.

 

[LOTRFan]

Finally! One of these that required absolutely no anguish in whom to choose.

Theoden all the way.

Mace was one of the absolute worst characters in the PT, he was so incredibly unlikeable. I was actually cheering for Palpatine in that pathetic death scene of his. :emperor

 

[jedi80]

Theoden definately..Mace is cool but for me Theoden is the better character!

 

[DarkArtist81]

He was very different in the book. Book Theoden actually rode out to confront Saruman, not to hide his people at Helm's Deep. Afterwards, he fully intends to gather his forces and head to Gondor. He actually sends a rider with the red arrow (a sign that Rohan is on its way), but that rider is killed and Denethor does not receive word of their approach. Ghan-buri-Ghan takes them on a secret path through the hills and brings them to the battle at Minas Tirith. At no time in the book does Theoden consider anything but death in battle. He never hesitates or reconsiders--from the moment that Gandalf revives him at Edoras, he sets out to defeat the enemy or die trying. Movie Theoden is constantly indecisive and second guesses himself. "Who am I, Gamling?" "Why should we help Gondor?" "I was not the one who led my people to victory at Helm's Deep, it was Aragorn and I'm just a failure, boo hoo." They rewrote his character and made him struggle with doubt and insecurity so that he could "earn" his death--"I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed." Like movie Faramir, he had to have some internal struggle to overcome before being allowed to be a purely strong character. PJ just likes people to be flawed and have some character development alien to the book. It supposedly makes the character more layered in the movie, even if it means a radical departure from the character that Tolkien envisioned and created. In Theoden's case, the character is made much weaker by PJ's changes, yet at the same time more sympathetic. We can relate to him more, and therefore feel more compassion when he dies. Also, there is more suspense created as we wonder what he will (or won't) do. I understand why they changed his character for the sake of the movie, I just don't necessarily prefer movie Theoden to book Theoden.

Well said Tom!! I agree 100% Theoden was a badass in the book, and it was a little shocking when I saw the film and watched him deal with his indecisiveness and fear. Same with Faramir, as he.. within very little time of being around Frodo and the Ring, swore he would not take it if it were laying on the road and in no one's possession. Changes made the story more deep, but took away some of the character's strengths IMO.

 

[Fritz]

Theoden because he had a cool helmet and I loved his speach before the charge on Pellenor Fields.

Mace was a pompous ass. If you're going to kill someone, just do it, don't talk about it. If he followed that rule he would still be alive and Anakin wouldn't have turned into Vader. Plus, he was no better than Anakin. I didn't think it was cool for Jedi to be assassins, what happened to law and order.

 

[Sachiel]

Well said Tom!! I agree 100% Theoden was a badass in the book, and it was a little shocking when I saw the film and watched him deal with his indecisiveness and fear. Same with Faramir, as he.. within very little time of being around Frodo and the Ring, swore he would not take it if it were laying on the road and in no one's possession. Changes made the story more deep, but took away some of the character's strengths IMO.

Same with Aragorn if you think about it. And the Ents. I did not understand the need for these changes, but I did love the stuff that was added that was only hinted at in the novels.

 

[Darth Loki]

After thinking about this, Theoden easily. Mace was a great concept and a possibly very cool character. But as per most of the OT, GL found a way to fack it up. Easily Sam's worst character and performance. He just seemed so dry. I would've thought that casting Sam would've brought attitude to the character but I just felt nothing from him.

Theoden was a great, tragic character and you really feel the emotion coming from his character.