*TTT - Faramir (David Wenham)*

[Guinevere]

I agree with all those who are disappointed with the portrayal of Faramir. Child of the 7th age (and others) have already expressed what I think as well. <BR> The spoiling of his character really bothers me a lot, since he is one of my favourites in the book, and those chapters with his long conversation with Frodo are some of the most touching and exciting for me. <BR>In the film, Faramir`s character is not only wrong, but not developed at all. <P>There are even several original quotations from the book , but they get a different meaning in the film because they are not complete and/or are taken out of the context.<P>e.g. “Well Frodo, now at last we understand one another” says Faramir in the film, but in the book he continues “If you took this thing on yourself, unwilling, at other`s asking, then you have pity and honour from me.”<BR>And THAT is meant by “understanding”.! In the film it just means that he has found out that Frodo has the One Ring. <P>And this threatening speech of Faramir “So that is the answer to all the riddles (…………….) a chance for Faramir, captain of Gondor, to show his quality” . Also here, the implication in the film is different, since it is ripped out of the context. <BR>In the book Sam had previously said “Now`s a chance to show your quality. (Meaning of course, if he can resist the ring and prove true to his previous word: “Not if I found it on the highway would I take it”) And finally Sam says “You took the chance, Sir, and showed your quality: the very highest.”<BR>Faramir`s reply “…..I HAD NO LURE OR DESIRE TO DO OTHER THAN I HAVE DONE.” shows a world of difference to the film character!!<BR>And I don’t think it`s possible to “amend “ this in the 3rd film.!<P>Here`s another quotation from Tolkien`s letter #210 :<BR>_____________________________________________ ______________________________<BR>“I do earnestly hope that in the assignment of actual speeches to the characters they will be represented as I have presented them: in style and sentiment. I should resent perversion of the characters even more than the spoiling of the plot and scenery” <BR>______________________________________________ _____________________________<P>I wish the script writers had read this, before making all those unnecessary changes!