Yeah, the journey chronicled in the book easily feels like it was a 13 or 15 month (I forget) journey, while in the movie, you don't necessarily get the feeling that that much time has passed, seeing as they sped through most of the stuff that happens, for example, between Hobbiton and Bree, etc.

Having just seen it again (in a good seat this time... first time was in front row and straining my neck! LOL), I still say it was a phenominal film. I went with my Art Director at work who agrees.