Counting Coup at Helm's Deep

So there was this Rumbles thread, whose topic veered off into a comparison of Legolas' and Gimli's performances at Helm's Deep. Particularly, it seemed to me that, given the epic level abilities of our two heroes, and the sheer numbers pressed on Rohan, the body-counts in the low 40's seemed somewhat low.

So, me being the LOTR-obssessed fangirl that I am, I went and reread the relevant chapters and rewatched the relevant scenes. Yes, I know. I disturb even myself.

( What happened in the book )

( What happened in the movie )

In conclusion:

While the ~40 count is okay for the book version, it really doesn't fit *at all* in the context of the movie. The movie versions should have accumulated much higher body-counts.

As for Legolas vs. Gimli... Well, in terms of kill rate, the book version of Gimli *might* *arguably* have a slightly faster kill rate than Legolas. However, Legolas came out in better condition from the battle. In the movie, both of them are killing machines with murderous kill-rates. Yes, that includes Legolas in knife/sword-only melee. No definite answers either way.

Me? I'm inclined to think half-half either way in melee. 5/10 each.

(Disclaimer: The conclusions and analysis that I make from the scenes are highly speculative given the ambiguity present in both film and book. They should not be taken as canon. Canonicity belongs only to the explicit quotations.)


( Addendum )