I saw it last night. With girlfriend and her brother (neither of whom have read the books - they both loved it) I was blown away by how close it was to what I had imagined it would all look (and sound) like. It were as if I was having a rememberence of the book, a day dream. Elven is a lovely language when spoken. I think that many people confuse any English "accent" that isn't from either Knightsbridge or East-end as being Irish. Even among the many distinct areas of the "Emerald Isle" spoken English can sound "un-Irish" to the un-initiated.

Pippin or Merry (I could never keep them straight in the books either) occasionally sounded "Irish". Sam occasinally sounded as though "bung woodenall" (bung wood in the hall - close the door) was a familiar phrase. Ahh.

I have read all four books (and the Silmarillion) numerous times. I am not a purist but a genuine-ist, the stories are worth the telling and the film does them justice.

I wish it was next year!

CB