<P> The meaning of the title itself,' The Two Towers', was changed . While Tolkien considered several possible sets of towers he eventually created a final cover illustration and wrote a note included at the end of The Fellowship of the Ring which identified them as Minas Morgul and Orthanc. Jackson's film names them as Orthanc and Barad - dûr, symbolic of an evil alliance out to destroy Men that forms the film's plot point . The film depicted Saruman openly presenting himself outright as Sauron's servant, whereas this association was not explicitly stated in the novel (and indeed analysis by Gandalf and Aragorn in the chapter "The White Rider" stated that there was a rivalry instead, as Saruman was afraid of the prospect of being at war with Sauron, if Rohan and Gondor fell). </P> <P> When Alan Lee joined the project in late 1997, Helm's Deep was the first structure he was tasked to design . At 1: 35 scale, it was one of the first miniatures built, and part of the 45 minute video that sold the project to New Line . It was primarily drawn from an illustration Lee had once done for the book, though fellow illustrator and designer John Howe suggested a curved wall . Used in the film for longshots, Jackson also used this miniature to plan the battle with 40,000 toy soldiers . </P> <P> As a pivotal part of the story, Helm's Deep was built at Dry Creek Quarry with the Gate, a ramp, and a wall with a removable section and the tower on a second level . Most importantly, there was the 1: 4 scale miniature of Helm's Deep that ran 50 feet wide . It was used for forced perspective shots, as well as the major explosion sequence . </P> <P> The film explores the armies of Middle - earth . John Howe was the basic designer of the forces of evil . The Uruk - hai were the first army approved by Jackson, and Howe also designed a special crossbow for the characters, one without the redundancy of opening to reload, the realisation of a 15th - century manuscript . Also created were 100 Elven suits of armour, with emphasis on Autumnal colours due to the theme of Elves leaving Middle - earth . 250 suits were made for the Rohirrim . The Rohan designs were based on Germanic and Anglo - Saxon patterns . Most of the weapons were designed by John Howe, and forged by Peter Lyon . Each sword took 3--6 days to make . </P>

Elf characters in lord of the rings two towers