In Peter Jackson’s film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, one of the most important and memorable scenes is what has been called by many the “exorcism” of Théoden (RIP Bernard Hill) by Gandalf. Fans have had varying reactions to this scene, which emphasizes much more than the book the spiritual possession of Théoden by Saruman through the agency of Gríma Wormtongue. In this portrayal, Théoden is hardly able to move or speak on his own, appearing almost on the verge of death in his artificial decrepitude. But when Gandalf reveals himself as the White and declares Théoden released from the “spell” which afflicts him, Saruman speaks through Théoden like a demon, and only with the full exercise of his new authority is Gandalf able to evict Saruman from his victim. As in the book, this influence is partially attributed to Gríma, whose “leechcraft” Théoden says “would have had me walking on all fours like a beast.”[1] Finally freed from Saruman’s grasp, Théoden’s aging instantly fades away and his spirits are lifted.
Peter Jackson’s version has much in common with the book and follows the same general narrative, but, as fans have noted, it also diverges from it in many ways. By portraying this event as an exorcism, it seems to minimize Théoden’s free cooperation in Gríma’s machinations and to downplay Gríma’s primary role in it, as well as his political schemes which motivated his “whisperings”[2] in Théoden’s ear. I think these criticisms have some validity, and as always, Tolkien’s original writing will be superior to any adaptation. Nevertheless, I have always appreciated Peter Jackson’s intentions with his version, even more so since I became Catholic some six years after first watching it.
While Gríma was the primary agent in Théoden’s spiritual enslavement, one which allowed orcs to roam freely in Rohan and even to kill his son Théodred and permitted Gríma to imprison his faithful nephew Éomer, in Tolkien’s secondary world (as in the primary world), humans only have magical power when given it by an evil spiritual agent, e.g. the Mouth of Sauron and the Witch-King by Sauron. Accordingly, Gríma only had the “leechcraft” which enabled him to ensnare Théoden by participating in the sorcerous trickery of Saruman, whose own voice, even after the revocation of his Istari authority by Gandalf, could still darken spirits and corrupt the weak-willed. This is how as “Sharkey” he was able to command evil men and half-orcs to scour the Shire following his exile from Isengard.
Based on this, Gríma couldn’t have crippled Théoden as effectively as he did, stealing his vitality, honor and prudence so profoundly, nor could its effect have been healed so quickly as it was (even in the book), unless there was a malevolent spiritual influence involved. It is quite possible that Théoden was not fully possessed – exorcists list many “levels” of demonic influence over a person, including infestation, oppression, obsession and subjugation or dependence. The one which seems closest to Théoden’s in the book is demonic obsession (while Gríma was likely under demonic subjugation, which is voluntary), described by Vatican exorcist Fr. Gabriel Amorth in this way:
Symptoms include sudden attacks, at times ongoing, of obsessive thoughts, sometimes even rationally absurd, but of such nature that the victim is unable to free himself. Therefore the obsessed person lives in a perpetual state of prostration, desperation, and attempts at suicide. Almost always obsession influences dreams.[3]
Gríma essentially acted as the messenger for the obsessive thoughts from which Théoden lacked the will to free himself. Likewise, he lived as a practical invalid, convinced that he could do nothing by his own power, and if this had continued, he may ultimately have become “prostrate” by “walking on all fours like a beast.” Finally, Théoden says, “Dark have been my dreams of late,”[4] indicating that he had also experienced disturbing and recurrent dreams.
What Peter Jackson did was make this demonic influence more explicit, which may have been necessary in a more visual medium. In the film, Théoden begins with demonic obsession, but under Gandalf’s power, Saruman’s true presence is revealed and he takes full possession of Théoden. This is not unprecedented in exorcisms, and as an angel, Gandalf would’ve had the power to combat the demon which Saruman had become. Indeed, exorcists have testified to witnessing angels and demons fighting one another during exorcisms, just as in Scripture Raphael the archangel bound a demon. (Tobit 8:3)
So, in conclusion, while Tolkien’s original is of course the best, Peter Jackson, in this scene and in all three of his The Lord of the Rings films, highlighted the spiritual undertones in the story much more than he had to and more than many other directors would have (how many films have a demonic ring as a main villain?).
There are also some important lessons to be gained from this: humans by their “leechcraft” and voluntary servitude can act as the instruments of demons, often in subtle ways; ordinarily, demonic influence over someone is by their voluntary cooperation, which is only possible when we forget our own God-given free will and His constant willingness to free us by His grace; and, finally, when we succumb to Théoden’s victim mentality, or to a purely Machiavellian political pragmatism as Gríma espoused, we not only surrender our freedom but may even lose those closest to us, just as Théoden lost his beloved son and nearly lost his nephew and even his niece Éowyn, who was promised to Gríma as a “share of the treasure”.[5] One wonders how many people in the world, especially in our hyper-politicized age, are sinking in this demonic quicksand every day.
(Cover image source: By Peter Xavier Price: https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Category:Images_of_Th%C3%A9oden#/media/File:Peter_Xavier_Price_-_The_King_of_the_Golden_Hall.jpeg)
[1] J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings (Mariner Books, 2004), 519. Kindle.
[2] Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, 519.
[3] The Scott Smith Blog, https://www.thescottsmithblog.com/2023/09/fr-gabriele-amorth-levels-kinds-and.html#point1.
[4] Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, 515.
[5] Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, 520.