[rmanocha]

Hah, I've always wondered about this myself too. The visual of the eagles carrying Frodo away from Mt. Doom makes brings the inconsistency I'm even starker contrast in the final movie.

[mhurron]

There is the simple reason that this occurred after Sauron was no longer watching everything.

[brentledent]

Totally agree, it pulls me out of the movie every time.