The Rankin-Bass cartoon versions of The Hobbit and The Return of the King have not generally enjoyed strong reputations among Tolkien's fans. However, comparing them to some of the live action films, I think they come off pretty well (especially The Hobbit, which is lighter in tone and consequently works better as a children's cartoon); in particular, watching them as adults, it is quite evident that the films were made by people with real admiration for Tolkien's vision. There are a lot of subtle details that come directly from the books, but which the films don't really draw attention to.

However, something that puzzled me many years ago, happened to occur to me again this afternoon. The two face-offs against the Lord of the Nazgûl (first with Gandalf at the breaking of the gates, then Éowyn and Merry) are major turning points in the plot—as they are in the novel. The Black Captain of Mordor is depicted very much the way he is described in the book, and so is his fell mount. (Note the two glowing red eye spots in the Ringwraith's otherwise absent face.)

However, there is also a completely different version of the Nazgûl that appear at other points in the cartoon. They look like corpses mounted on winged horses—not at all like their appearance in the novel.

My question is simple: Why? Were there two incompatible character designs that were for some reason never harmonized and both ended up getting animated? Or was this an intentional decision to show the Ringwraiths and their steeds in two very different ways? And if so, what was the reasoning behind that peculiar creative decision?

The Rankin-Bass cartoon versions of The Hobbit and The Return of the King have not generally enjoyed strong reputations among Tolkien's fans. However, comparing them to some of the live action films, I think they come off pretty well (especially The Hobbit, which is lighter in tone and consequently works better as a children's cartoon); in particular, watching them as adults, it is quite evident that the films were made by people with real admiration for Tolkien's vision. There are a lot of subtle details that come directly from the books, but which the films don't really draw attention to.

However, something that puzzled me many years ago, happened to occur to me again this afternoon. The two face-offs against the Lord of the Nazgûl (first with Gandalf at the breaking of the gates, then Éowyn and Merry) are major turning points in the plot—as they are in the novel. The Black Captain of Mordor is depicted very much the way he is described in the book, and so is his fell mount. (Note the two glowing red eye spots in the Ringwraith's otherwise absent face.)

However, there is also a completely different version of the Nazgûl that appear at other points in the cartoon. They look like corpses mounted on winged horses—not at all like their appearance in the novel.

My question is simple: Why? Were there two incompatible character designs that were for some reason never harmonized and both ended up getting animated? Or was this an intentional decision to show the Ringwraiths and their steeds in two very different ways? And if so, what was the reasoning behind that peculiar creative decision?