Saruman switched sides after being corrupted by the power of the One Ring. He initially aligned himself with the forces of good, but his desire for power and knowledge led him to betray his allies and join forces with Sauron. This betrayal ultimately led to his downfall and defeat. **

Saruman is a powerful wizard and one of the five Istari, or wizards, sent to Middle-earth to help combat the growing threat of Sauron. In The Hobbit, Saruman is not a central character, but he is mentioned as being the head of the White Council, a group of powerful beings who seek to oppose the growing power of Sauron. Saruman is known for his wisdom and knowledge, but he becomes corrupted by his desire for power and control, ultimately becoming a servant of Sauron. **

Saruman wants the Hobbits alive because he believes they possess the One Ring, which he desires to use for his own power and control. Keeping the Hobbits alive allows him to interrogate them and potentially extract information about the Ring's whereabouts. Additionally, Saruman may see the Hobbits as potential allies or pawns in his quest for domination over Middle-earth. **

Saruman switched to the dark side because he became obsessed with power and control. He was seduced by Sauron's promises of dominion over Middle-earth and believed that by aligning himself with the dark forces, he could achieve his own ambitions. Saruman's pride and desire for knowledge also played a role in his fall from grace, as he sought to surpass even the wisdom of Gandalf. Ultimately, his arrogance and lust for power led him to betray his allies and embrace evil. **

If Gandalf had joined forces with Saruman, it would have been a significant turning point in the story of Middle-earth. Their combined power and knowledge could have potentially overwhelmed the forces of good, leading to a much darker outcome for the world. The balance of power would have shifted dramatically, and the chances of defeating Sauron would have been greatly diminished. Ultimately, it would have resulted in a much bleaker and more hopeless outcome for the characters and the world of Middle-earth. **

It is not appropriate to compare fictional characters like Saruman from "The Lord of the Rings" to real-life politicians like Vladimir Putin. Saruman is a character created by J.R.R. Tolkien for a fantasy novel, while Putin is a real political figure with significant influence in global affairs. Both characters have different contexts and impact, making it unfair to directly compare their actions or behaviors. **

Saruman dies in the extended edition of "The Return of the King," the third and final film in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. In the theatrical release, Saruman's death is not shown, but in the extended edition, his demise is depicted at Isengard. After being defeated by the Ents and the forces of Rohan, Saruman is ultimately killed by his own servant, Grima Wormtongue. **

No, the murder of Saruman does not appear in the movies. In the books, Saruman is killed by Grima Wormtongue at the Shire after the War of the Ring, but this scene was not included in the movie adaptation of "The Lord of the Rings." The decision to omit this scene was made to streamline the story and focus on the main plotline of the War of the Ring. **