[HCIsland]

I think we're drifting of the topic of this thread but, oh well. <P>I would have liked to see a more agressive Frodo as well, though here I think I can see what PJ is doing. Audiences draw their emotions in a movie from the emotions of the characters. In that scene, the first where the hobbits are forced to face a taste what they are up against, I would think the emotion you would want to get across was the absolute hopelessness of what they are doing. This is carried especially well in that wonderfull overhead shot as the five ring wraiths point their swords at the hobbits.<P>The audience picks up it's emotional cues from Frodo in these scene. If Frodo thinks there is hope, the audience will think there is hope. Here, emotionally, I think having Frodo drop his sword in dispair was the right decision. It helps to underscore the incredible bravery in the later scenes where he takes the quest to himself, in Rivendell and at the end of the film at the foot of Amon Hen, having seen the face of the enemy. He overcomes his fear in these scenes.<P>I just wish PJ could have had Frodo swing a sword at another point in the film. I think his best opportunity was in Balin's Tomb. The other hobbits got kills, why not Frodo? Wouldn't it have been great if, when the Troll was reaching for Frodo, Frodo instead was on his feet and attacking. PJ could still have had the scene end in the same way. Oh well.<P>H.C.