[Pippin]

I think the reason they did that was because they missed out the Old Forest/Barrow downs part, where they learn that the rest of middle earth isn't as friendly or comfortable as the shire. since that wasn't in the film, they had to toughen up Bree to show the hobbits that they weren't at home anymore.<P>having said that, I do agree with you! one of my favourite chapters is the arrival at the Prancing Pony, and I was disappointed that they cut Frodo's (and all of the others as well!) ridiculous song. falling over and miraculously having the ring <I>fall</I> onto his finger did kinda make me scowl, wherethe original situation would have worked much better.