Jackson's Prologue: Is it needed?

[bacon]

One of my favorite scenes in Jackson's Fellowship of the Ring is the Prologue, which, as I'm sure many of you know, was actually reedited in post-production and abruptly given a score.

Do we actually need the prologue?

I don't think it's necessary, but I think it introduces Tolkien's World so much better than the Concerning Hobbits Scene that was deleted. Apparently, some of the footage shot for the Prolgoue would end up in an extended scene in Bag End in which Gandalf tells Frodo of the History of the Ring.

I think this would be very interesting to see, were it actually used in the film, which is why I ponder on this subject. Your thoughts?

[FrostBite]

I liked the prologue at the beginning. I liked when all the dwarves held up their rings

[DDL]

I wish they would have left it as it was, and gave us a longer prequel..[/color]