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Earlier this year we TORfellows reviewed &discussed PJ's The Hobbit film, and there was discontent over the depiction of Thorin with such a short beard. I too would've preferred to see him longbearded.
Today I watched a tv documentary about the production of The Hobbit, focusing greatly on the costuming & makeup of the actors. There was an interesting interview with Richard Armitage (Thorin) in which he detailed his dismay when initially advised that Thorin's beard would be small in order to allow more facial expression to be evident &available to the actor, as the heavy prosthetics limited such.
Armitage said that as a Tolkien fan he was not happy with the King of the Longbeards having a wee beard. Wanting some justification, he was appeased upon reading of Smaug's taking of Erebor and how the fleeing survivors' beards were singed. Armitage felt that Thorin would wear his beard short to honour the fallen, until he regained his kingdom.
Sounds cool to me! (I proposed this same justification in the earlier thread, so I for one be satisfied).

They should of shown his beard being singed in the prologue, it would have been funny.

Except none of that makes sense in the lore of Tolkein's Dwarves,who are fierce opponents of the shadow in other words the only special things they do for the fallen is possibly taking the weapons back home and that's only in one instanceAlso his beard would not have been singed since it specifically states in the Hobbit that Thorin was outside the mountain when Smaug attacked.Also PJ's general portrayal of Tolkeinaic Dwarves is horrible they do not under any circumstances speak Khazdul in front of a non-Dwarf nor do they teach it to anyone.Also PJ picks and chooses what goes in with no ryhme or reason or example it was Dain or KILLED Azog not Thorin.Also the Bardings should look more like Saxons then Byzantines.

I hear you LOTR Nerd.

It's good that these films draw fans who might not otherwise read the books, but don't get me started on their endless departures from canon