The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Should Tom Bombadil have been in the movies?

Iarwain · 04-25-2003, 08:53 PM

Actually, I completely understand the reasons for Tom's absense in the film. They are logical and complete. In fact, I would probably rejoyce at the removal of this odd singing lunatic who's presence gives the reader a slight suggestion that there was something more than tobacco in Tolkien's pipe while he wrote "In the House of Tom Bombadil" and "Fog on the Barrow-Downs". But, for some strange reason I defend the existence of this singing abberation to the very end. Why is this? If I myself say that his omission is justified than why keep arguing. Here is why: Tom is an everlasting mystery, a joy in the midst of madness, and indeed a wondrous relaxation from the tensity of the Quest to Mordor. If he left moviegoers bewildered and questioning (who said they weren't already bewildered without Tom), they would be questioning something a tad less dark than the appearance of the disturbing "demon of the ancient world" in the middle of cave land. Frodo's breaks into happiness are scarce, and add an important sense of hope to the pesimistic reality of Tolkien's world. Without Tom's jovial mysticism, the first half of the FotR film was a nervous rush amidst various dangers. Frodo was carried as if by the wind without knowledge or choice from the doorstep of Bag End straight to Rivendell. No time to think, no doubts or resistances to what unknown characters (namely Aragorn and Arwen) took him on his way. Tom also gave Frodo an important chance to realize what lay ahead of him. And then we have Tom's symbolic importance to a piece of legend like the War of the Ring. Tom is the last remnant of the myterious wood fairies that started Tolkien down the path to the creation of middle-earth. Tom is also the most fantastical element left in Middle-Earth; all else has been explored, explained, and recorded in its vast history. His importance is infinite because of his anomalous reality. He is the only remnant, the last mystery in a world of explainations.IarwainP.S. The above was written over the period of about two hours, and I'm a little too lazy to proofread right now, so forgive any misspellings or incoherencies until I check what I've written. P.P.S. Revisions made, I hope that makes a little more sense.[ April 26, 2003: Message edited by: Iarwain ]

04-25-2003, 08:53 PM	#45
Iarwain Pugnaciously Primordial Paradox Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Birnham Wood Posts: 800	Actually, I completely understand the reasons for Tom's absense in the film. They are logical and complete. In fact, I would probably rejoyce at the removal of this odd singing lunatic who's presence gives the reader a slight suggestion that there was something more than tobacco in Tolkien's pipe while he wrote "In the House of Tom Bombadil" and "Fog on the Barrow-Downs". But, for some strange reason I defend the existence of this singing abberation to the very end. Why is this? If I myself say that his omission is justified than why keep arguing. <BR>Here is why: Tom is an everlasting mystery, a joy in the midst of madness, and indeed a wondrous relaxation from the tensity of the Quest to Mordor. If he left moviegoers bewildered and questioning (who said they weren't already bewildered without Tom), they would be questioning something a tad less dark than the appearance of the disturbing "demon of the ancient world" in the middle of cave land. <P>Frodo's breaks into happiness are scarce, and add an important sense of hope to the pesimistic reality of Tolkien's world. Without Tom's jovial mysticism, the first half of the FotR film was a nervous rush amidst various dangers. Frodo was carried as if by the wind without knowledge or choice from the doorstep of Bag End straight to Rivendell. No time to think, no doubts or resistances to what unknown characters (namely Aragorn and Arwen) took him on his way. Tom also gave Frodo an important chance to realize what lay ahead of him. <P>And then we have Tom's symbolic importance to a piece of legend like the War of the Ring. Tom is the last remnant of the myterious wood fairies that started Tolkien down the path to the creation of middle-earth. Tom is also the most fantastical element left in Middle-Earth; all else has been explored, explained, and recorded in its vast history. His importance is infinite because of his anomalous reality. He is the only remnant, the last mystery in a world of explainations.<P>Iarwain<P>P.S. The above was written over the period of about two hours, and I'm a little too lazy to proofread right now, so forgive any misspellings or incoherencies until I check what I've written. <P>P.P.S. Revisions made, I hope that makes a little more sense.<p>[ April 26, 2003: Message edited by: Iarwain ] __________________ "And what are oaths but words we say to God?"