A different Frodo - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

King of the North · 12-31-2004, 07:14 PM

I just finished reading the LotR for the 10th time or something. I noticed this, the Frodo from the books is different from the Frodo in the movies. Obviously there will be some changes in the character, due to the transition from book to film, but I though that the whole character was different. So here is my question, do you think that the Frodo from the books is different or far different from the movie Frodo, please state the reason for your answer.

Elven-Maiden · 12-31-2004, 07:27 PM

Now that I think about it, I remember thinking that too when I watched the movies.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but I'll think about it. That's a good observation!

Boromir88 · 12-31-2004, 08:16 PM

What do you mean that he's different? Do you mean Frolijah is a lot younger, rolls his eyes ,and falls down quite a bit? Where Frodo stabs at a wraith on weathertop, stabs an orc in the foot, and a whole bunch of other heroic acts. If that's what you're shooting for then yes, they're different.

***The Barrow-Wight*** · 12-31-2004, 08:32 PM

I moved this to MOVIES since it is a comparison of the films to the books. THE BOOKS is for discussions of Tolkien's written pages without regard to the movies.

Nimrodel_9 · 12-31-2004, 08:33 PM

Yes, I did find him different. In the book he seemed happier and had a much better control of his temper.

Elven-Maiden · 12-31-2004, 09:39 PM

Maybe it's that in the books he is innocent, whereas in the movies he tries to look innocent.

radagastly · 12-31-2004, 10:13 PM

Well, lets see.
1. Elijah was still technically a teenager when filming started in New Zealand. Frodo in the book has his 33rd birthday when we meet him, and is 50 before he sets out on the quest. quite a different age and experience level.
2. Movie Frodo drops his sword and falls down on Weathertop when the Ringwraiths attack, etc. Book Frodo attacks the Witch King with his Barrow blade and is generally braver throughout, standing alone on the bank of the Ford of Bruinen against the approach of all nine Ringwraiths and continues to challenge them until he falls unconscious. There is no Arwen (or Glorfindel) to defend him in the book. Glorfindel is on the other side of the river behind the Wraiths.
3. Book Frodo was more discreet, and would never have shown the One Ring to the Ringwraith, even if he had ended up in Osgiliath. He would have either attacked or run away to protect the ring.
4. Book Frodo would never have sent Sam away as they were just on the verge of entering Mordor. Their mutual respect was too well ingrained to permit such a thought.

Anyway, there are other instances where Frodo is very different between the book and the movie. Those are just a few high points.

Letty · 05-26-2006, 09:19 PM

Yes.The book Frodo is older,wiser,and braver.

Ainaserkewen · 05-29-2006, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letty

Yes.The book Frodo is older,wiser,and braver.

That's a nice sum-up right there.

And dare I say it, Book Frodo seemed to have more blue blood in him, for a hobbit that is. There was something about his leadership that seemed saintly and superior, like he always knew what he was doing and where he was going, and if he didn't he was honest and straightforward about it.

Movie Frodo was far less regal (if I can use that word), far more ordinary.

ninja91 · 05-30-2006, 05:24 AM

Well, yeah. Frodo is a great character in the movies, but he is also much different in the books. In the books he seems much more... strong? I dont know, but it is always hard translating a great fantasy character onto the screen.

Elladan and Elrohir · 06-03-2006, 11:27 PM

Interesting discussion. Frodo is definitely one of the characters who was changed the most in the book-to-movie transition.

First off, I love Movie Frodo. Despite all the differences, despite the high-pitched voice, the helplessness, the rolling eyes . . . Elijah Wood has still managed to become Frodo for me. Not to say that he enters my head every time I read the book, mind you! Through no fault of his own, he hasn't defined the character the way Ian McKellen did Gandalf (the Grey), or that Sean Astin did Sam. But he's still phenomenal, and he is Frodo.

Having said that, I must agree that Movie Frodo is radically different from Book Frodo. All his major opportunities to be heroic seem to have been taken away. The "touch and go" situation in the Barrow - gone. The confrontation with the Nazgul at the Ford of Bruinen - given to Arwen. His greatest feat of all, walking steadily down to meet the eyes of Shelob while holding the Phial of Galadriel - gone.

And of course, this Frodo trips and falls while trying to flee the five Ringwraiths on Weathertop; he trips and falls again repeatedly while trying to flee Shelob -- and he is very visibly consumed by the Ring by the time he gets to Sammath Naur.

But in spite of all that, through it all, I still see the Frodo of Bag End: "What must I do?" And again, the Frodo who makes the decision to set out alone at Parth Galen, just like in the book: "All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you."

Frodo is made a victim, yes. But not an utterly helpless or lifeless victim. He's a character that I can still genuinely like and root for and cry over, just like Sam or Aragorn or any of the others.

Beginning early in TTT, Jackson chooses to show a much quicker consumption of Frodo by the Ring than the book gives. Again, this emphasizes the power of the Ring -- a pivotal theme from the book which, all things considered, is miraculously affirmed again and again throughout the films.

Frodo is certainly made more ordinary in the films. Jackson repeatedly makes his characters more conflicted, less heroic, because he wants his audience to be able to truly relate to them. Whether that's the right way to go about it or not, I will not deign to say here.

In the end, I like Frodo. No, he's not nearly as good as in the book. What do you expect? A movie that matches the book in brilliance, beauty and majesty?

Finally, please don't refer to PJ's work as "fan fiction." This may or may not be an accurate term depending on your interpretation of the meaning of the phrase, but it hardly seems fair to a team of thousands that worked diligently for years to bring Tolkien's world to life. I don't see anything about the work of PJ or any of his team that even remotely brings "fan fiction" to mind.

ArathorofBarahir · 06-06-2006, 06:04 PM

I have noticed these differences as well, but I think that the differences are unavoidable. Any time you cast someone to be a certain character this actor is going to interpret the character and the way that he/she thinks is best. However, I think that although some of Frodo's more heroic moments are gone from the movies, I still believe that Elijah Wood did a fantastic job as Frodo, for me he became Frodo and as much as I try not to when I read the books and visualize what's happening in my head, I see Elijah's Frodo.

12-31-2004, 07:14 PM	#1
King of the North Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Washington State Posts: 60	A different Frodo I just finished reading the LotR for the 10th time or something. I noticed this, the Frodo from the books is different from the Frodo in the movies. Obviously there will be some changes in the character, due to the transition from book to film, but I though that the whole character was different. So here is my question, do you think that the Frodo from the books is different or far different from the movie Frodo, please state the reason for your answer. __________________ Ask for everything, recieve nothing

12-31-2004, 07:27 PM	#2
Elven-Maiden Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 297	Now that I think about it, I remember thinking that too when I watched the movies. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I'll think about it. That's a good observation! __________________ Tout ce qui est or ne brille pas, Tous ceux qui errent ne sont pas perdus. Mobilis in Mobile

12-31-2004, 08:32 PM	#4
*The Barrow-Wight* Night In Wight Satin Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 4,043	* thread moved * I moved this to MOVIES since it is a comparison of the films to the books. THE BOOKS is for discussions of Tolkien's written pages without regard to the movies. __________________ The Barrow-Wight

12-31-2004, 08:33 PM	#5
Nimrodel_9 Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Utah Posts: 734	Yes, I did find him different. In the book he seemed happier and had a much better control of his temper. __________________ .:A friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart:.

12-31-2004, 09:39 PM	#6
Elven-Maiden Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 297	Maybe it's that in the books he is innocent, whereas in the movies he tries to look innocent. __________________ Tout ce qui est or ne brille pas, Tous ceux qui errent ne sont pas perdus. Mobilis in Mobile

12-31-2004, 08:16 PM	#3
Boromir88 Laconic Loreman Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 7,507	What do you mean that he's different? Do you mean Frolijah is a lot younger, rolls his eyes ,and falls down quite a bit? Where Frodo stabs at a wraith on weathertop, stabs an orc in the foot, and a whole bunch of other heroic acts. If that's what you're shooting for then yes, they're different.

12-31-2004, 10:13 PM	#7
radagastly Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Washington, D. C., USA Posts: 299	Well, lets see. 1. Elijah was still technically a teenager when filming started in New Zealand. Frodo in the book has his 33rd birthday when we meet him, and is 50 before he sets out on the quest. quite a different age and experience level. 2. Movie Frodo drops his sword and falls down on Weathertop when the Ringwraiths attack, etc. Book Frodo attacks the Witch King with his Barrow blade and is generally braver throughout, standing alone on the bank of the Ford of Bruinen against the approach of all nine Ringwraiths and continues to challenge them until he falls unconscious. There is no Arwen (or Glorfindel) to defend him in the book. Glorfindel is on the other side of the river behind the Wraiths. 3. Book Frodo was more discreet, and would never have shown the One Ring to the Ringwraith, even if he had ended up in Osgiliath. He would have either attacked or run away to protect the ring. 4. Book Frodo would never have sent Sam away as they were just on the verge of entering Mordor. Their mutual respect was too well ingrained to permit such a thought. Anyway, there are other instances where Frodo is very different between the book and the movie. Those are just a few high points. __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before, I listen for returning feet and voices at the door.

05-26-2006, 09:19 PM	#8
Letty Animated Skeleton Join Date: May 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 48	Yes.The book Frodo is older,wiser,and braver.

06-03-2006, 11:27 PM	#11
Elladan and Elrohir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Halls of Mandos Posts: 332	Interesting discussion. Frodo is definitely one of the characters who was changed the most in the book-to-movie transition. First off, I love Movie Frodo. Despite all the differences, despite the high-pitched voice, the helplessness, the rolling eyes . . . Elijah Wood has still managed to become Frodo for me. Not to say that he enters my head every time I read the book, mind you! Through no fault of his own, he hasn't defined the character the way Ian McKellen did Gandalf (the Grey), or that Sean Astin did Sam. But he's still phenomenal, and he is Frodo. Having said that, I must agree that Movie Frodo is radically different from Book Frodo. All his major opportunities to be heroic seem to have been taken away. The "touch and go" situation in the Barrow - gone. The confrontation with the Nazgul at the Ford of Bruinen - given to Arwen. His greatest feat of all, walking steadily down to meet the eyes of Shelob while holding the Phial of Galadriel - gone. And of course, this Frodo trips and falls while trying to flee the five Ringwraiths on Weathertop; he trips and falls again repeatedly while trying to flee Shelob -- and he is very visibly consumed by the Ring by the time he gets to Sammath Naur. But in spite of all that, through it all, I still see the Frodo of Bag End: "What must I do?" And again, the Frodo who makes the decision to set out alone at Parth Galen, just like in the book: "All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." Frodo is made a victim, yes. But not an utterly helpless or lifeless victim. He's a character that I can still genuinely like and root for and cry over, just like Sam or Aragorn or any of the others. Beginning early in TTT, Jackson chooses to show a much quicker consumption of Frodo by the Ring than the book gives. Again, this emphasizes the power of the Ring -- a pivotal theme from the book which, all things considered, is miraculously affirmed again and again throughout the films. Frodo is certainly made more ordinary in the films. Jackson repeatedly makes his characters more conflicted, less heroic, because he wants his audience to be able to truly relate to them. Whether that's the right way to go about it or not, I will not deign to say here. In the end, I like Frodo. No, he's not nearly as good as in the book. What do you expect? A movie that matches the book in brilliance, beauty and majesty? Finally, please don't refer to PJ's work as "fan fiction." This may or may not be an accurate term depending on your interpretation of the meaning of the phrase, but it hardly seems fair to a team of thousands that worked diligently for years to bring Tolkien's world to life. I don't see anything about the work of PJ or any of his team that even remotely brings "fan fiction" to mind. __________________ "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." THE HOBBIT - IT'S COMING

06-06-2006, 06:04 PM	#12
ArathorofBarahir Wight Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Crickhallow Posts: 247	I have noticed these differences as well, but I think that the differences are unavoidable. Any time you cast someone to be a certain character this actor is going to interpret the character and the way that he/she thinks is best. However, I think that although some of Frodo's more heroic moments are gone from the movies, I still believe that Elijah Wood did a fantastic job as Frodo, for me he became Frodo and as much as I try not to when I read the books and visualize what's happening in my head, I see Elijah's Frodo. __________________ King of the Dead: The dead do not suffer the living to pass. Aragorn: You will suffer me.