pippin's portrayal (films 2 and 3) - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

engwaalphiel · 11-21-2002, 02:18 PM

Pippin in FOTR , lets face it , was somewhat portrayed as the comic relief as i'd have to say he is in the books . The interesting thing will be whether the remains to be the comic relief in TTT and ROTK or will PJ show pippin's character is in the book , growing up in mind and in body (hehe). What does everyone else think ? do people want to maturing , seeing things darker pippin or would film goers rather keep him and merry as the fun loving comic relief , or even a mixture of both ?

Arwen Imladris · 11-21-2002, 03:04 PM

I would want him to be as close to the book as posible, to me that means a very pleasent mixture of seriousness and comic relief.

Peri · 11-21-2002, 03:07 PM

I love Billy's Scots accent! You gotta love him. Anyway,I believe that he will mature. I think he will begin to realize what is truly happening in M.E. How close the danger really is.

Rose Cotton · 11-21-2002, 03:15 PM

In the FOTR I really enjoyed Merry and Pippin's comic relief. It made the movie less dark.For the next two movies, I think Merry and Pippin should mature but still pull a stunt every once and awhile that brings our moods up.

Diamond18 · 11-21-2002, 04:01 PM

There is a thread <A HREF="http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=001184" TARGET=_blank>here</A> which includes a great interview with Billy Boyd about Pippin's character in The Two Towers. Read it, read it, you'll like it.

Pookabunny · 11-21-2002, 05:25 PM

Pipin's a Took, so his behavior is, well( as Bilbo would put it) rather Tookish :-)The Tooks were always known in the Shire to be flighty and different. They traveled more than most hobbits and were wealthier. So this was seen by hobbits as strange and unusual - and we all know that those strange and unusual people are the most entertaining That accent is a trip! "It is in the ground!" "It comes in PINTS!?!?!"

Beruthiel · 11-21-2002, 08:45 PM

I love Pip's accent!! anyway I think that Pippin and Merry should mature but even in the book they are still lighter than most. I think thats what the movie should portray him and Merry as

greyhavener · 11-21-2002, 10:39 PM

I want to see Merry and Pippin distinguished from one another more in the next two movies. In the books Merry is more serious and more in tune with Frodo. Pippin is more immature. I hope we will see both of them mature. I'm looking forward to their adventures with the ents.

Joy · 11-22-2002, 12:08 AM

In the Extended Versin of FotR, Galadriel tells Pippin "You will find your courage." I think this foreshadows Pippin "growing up" in the next two films.

engwaalphiel · 11-22-2002, 09:54 AM

have to agree on your views about billy's accent is there anyone who doesn't love it ? thanks for the article link !

Kalimac · 11-23-2002, 01:26 PM

I think Joy has it; I remember wondering at the time if "You will find your courage" is sort a nudge and wink saying that Pippin will be doing a few heroics very soon. Though it was a slightly clumsy way of putting it since I don't anyone watching the movie, Tolkienphile or non-Tolkienphile, thought that Pippin lacked courage; mostly he just seemed to lack any sort of basic awareness of his surroundings (to put it nicely). But "You will find your brain" would have been cruel, as well as a little too reminiscent of "The Wizard of Oz." And yes, he has a very nice accent. I guess those Tooks are so crazy that they can't even speak with a normal accent like decent Hobbiton folk .

thorondil · 11-24-2002, 11:27 AM

I hope Pip says gollum, gollum and my precious in TTT the movie, like he does in TTT the book. Now that's comic relief!

Durelin · 11-24-2002, 01:07 PM

I hope Pippin grows up! I think they made a mistake in making him the stupid hobbit comic relief. I liked him in the books being young and not real smart but being able to kill orcs and help kill TROLLS if need be! I hope they don't keep him as stupid and helpless.

Orual · 11-24-2002, 02:41 PM

I don't know how I would work Pippin's character out if I were PJ, given the character decisions in the first movie. He really was played as comic relief, more so than Merry, who (sadly) faded a bit into the background. Though that interview relieved me, it'll still be a bit of cinematic magic to really bring out Pippin's true courage and character after his being portrayed as your quintessential "fool of a Took" in Fellowship. But, I don't doubt that PJ can do it. It'll just be interesting to see, that's all.And thorondil, you have no idea how much I agree with you!!!! I'm reading RotK right now, a book that never fails to make my shoulders sag and my eyes tear up, so I pull out TT and flip through the pages for that line of Pippin's and Sam and Gollum's fight in "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbits." My Pippin! "Gollum, gollum!" Tee-hee!~*~Orual~*~

elfling · 11-24-2002, 09:43 PM

I feel sure that both Merry and pippin will mature as they did in the books but maybe not quite as well as we who love the books may hope. There are some pretty heavy parts in the books with them just being apart. I felt so bad for them all-alone in the differnt kingdoms. This gave us a different perspective of them. I hope they still hace their great sence of humor, as in the books, they kept that through all the bad stuff. They do some pretty brave deeds that I'm sure PJ can't leave out. by the way, I lkie Pip's accent but Merry has a deeper sexier voice. I love to hear him talk.

Orual · 11-24-2002, 09:55 PM

I know that PJ could not exclude them from TT and RotK, but I'm worried that (perhaps to include the beloved Arwen?) they might get shortchanged. The Hobbits were the characters that readers could most sympathize with in the books...who didn't identify with Merry, feeling helpless and useless? I could completely understand how he felt. I feel like that a lot. I felt like that after September 11th. And who couldn't feel for Pippin, with his "foolish stones" and difficult talks with Denethor, feeling acutely his debt to Boromir? Of course, for me Sam was always the best, but now that I'm re-reading RotK I have to admit that Merry's feelings of helplessness are probably some of the most identifiable that I had experienced in the whole of LotR. I hope that they don't get the short end of the stick--they were so pivotal to the Lord of the Rings experience.~*~Orual~*~

Diamond18 · 11-24-2002, 11:06 PM

Pippin is, I think, a very tricky character to adapt from the book. It is so terribly easy to turn him into the comic clown and forget about his deeper qualites. "Fellowship" teeters on the edge of that folly, yet manages to pull itself back just in time with those hints in the Extended Edition.The thing I like about Pippin's character is that certainly complexity...at times he's funny and I laugh at him, other times I identify with him totally, other times I admire him. And yet it's all consistent and totally "Pippin"...Tolkien gave him all those different aspects but always kept him "in character". It was great. I'd be sorry to see him flattened out on screen any more than he already is: if Arwen does monopolize too much time and cause Merry and Pippin to be shortchanged I might just consider joining the Arwen-hater's crowd...maybe....Even prior to reading LotR I always had this propensity to want to see the comic characters do something brave or serious. It's just a thing with me. I see a one dimensional goof-off in a story or movie and I want to see him/her overcome that steriotype and become an unlikely hero.So when reading LotR I was like "Yes, yes...slay that Troll, Prince of the Halflings!" Depite warning myself not to, I'm holding out hope that movies 2 and 3 will be done right. Billy's interview gives me hope. And again, Galadriel's line in the Ex.Ed. plus the way Pip kills that Uruk-hai certainly hinted indicates that they will...but of course those scenes from TTT might end up on the cutting room floor just like the "hints" did, and I'll have to wait till next November. Gah! Horrors!Oh, right, and Pippin did hang onto the Cave Troll in the movie right up until the end of the fight, so I have to give them credit for that.And also, I agree with you, Kalimac, about "You will find your courage". "You will find your awareness" is really the most accurate way to put it, but how boring would that sound?

The Silver-shod Muse · 11-25-2002, 01:28 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> ...Merry, who (sadly) faded a bit into the background. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Yes, but I expect that this will be made up for amply in RotK.

engwaalphiel · 11-25-2002, 01:43 PM

i agree that i would probably join the Arwen haters if Pippin and Merry do get short-changed , i saw the trailers and there seems to be a lot more of her in there (well the trailer suggests this) than there should be , and pippin and merry were hardly seen at all .....PJ .... do us right and make sure our pippin and merry did not end up on the cutting room floor

Sapphire_Flame · 11-26-2002, 11:36 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>In the Extended Versin of FotR, Galadriel tells Pippin "You will find your courage." I think this foreshadows Pippin "growing up" in the next two films.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> That sums it up perfectly. I really loved that part in the extended version, because it shows that Pippin was unsure of himself and his ability to handle his part in the quest. Maybe when he begins to understand exactly what his situation is he will begin to behave more maturely. This should be apparent fairly early on, since, as we know, he and Merry were kidnapped at the end of FotR, so they will have to begin being more self-reliant (after all, Aragorn and the others aren't there to protect them anymore).

elfling · 11-26-2002, 10:06 PM

I feel the same way Orual. I most related to Merry in the books, feeling helpless and left behind, sometimes. I do hope the Hobbits are not pushed aside too much for the beauty of Arwen and the others. They are the ones I feel closest to and love the most.

Durelin · 11-27-2002, 05:56 PM

I wish they could leave Arwen alone! I liked her better in the books just doing as the daughter of Lord Elrond should: sit around and look pretty! They make her character seem more important than some of those in the fellowship! For example: Boromir, he dies and looks lame! And poor Pippin, they made him sooo stupid! Funny but come on, "So where are we going?" A bit much if you ask me! Don't get me wrong! They did so well with the movie, it's awesome, but I do like criticizing!

11-21-2002, 02:18 PM	#1
engwaalphiel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The edge of nowhere Posts: 89	pippin's portrayal (films 2 and 3) Pippin in FOTR , lets face it , was somewhat portrayed as the comic relief as i'd have to say he is in the books . The interesting thing will be whether the remains to be the comic relief in TTT and ROTK or will PJ show pippin's character is in the book , growing up in mind and in body (hehe).<BR>What does everyone else think ? do people want to maturing , seeing things darker pippin or would film goers rather keep him and merry as the fun loving comic relief , or even a mixture of both ? __________________ Estel............. Some have it more than others. "Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie'n aurë!

11-21-2002, 03:04 PM	#2
Arwen Imladris Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In a box with a fox Posts: 1,347	I would want him to be as close to the book as posible, to me that means a very pleasent mixture of seriousness and comic relief. __________________ "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies, we must go, yes, we must go at once."

11-21-2002, 03:07 PM	#3
Peri Wight Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Rivendell Posts: 124	I love Billy's Scots accent! You gotta love him. <P>Anyway,I believe that he will mature. I think he will begin to realize what is truly happening in M.E. How close the danger really is. __________________ "Ah, but I'll begowk ye there!" cried the gentleman. "Play me false, and I'll play you cunning."

11-21-2002, 03:15 PM	#4
Rose Cotton Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: A place worse then Mordor........School! Posts: 1,075	In the FOTR I really enjoyed Merry and Pippin's comic relief. It made the movie less dark.<P>For the next two movies, I think Merry and Pippin should mature but still pull a stunt every once and awhile that brings our moods up. __________________ "There's nothing you can do, Harry... nothing... he's gone."-Remus Lupin "The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm."-Pippin (now how can you argue with that logic?)

11-21-2002, 04:01 PM	#5
Diamond18 Eidolon of a Took Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: my own private fantasy world Posts: 3,460	There is a thread <A HREF="http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=001184" TARGET=_blank>here</A> which includes a great interview with Billy Boyd about Pippin's character in The Two Towers. Read it, read it, you'll like it. __________________ All shall be rather fond of me and suffer from mild depression.

11-21-2002, 05:25 PM	#6
Pookabunny Wight Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The only place that matters! Posts: 181	Pipin's a Took, so his behavior is, well( as Bilbo would put it) rather Tookish :-)<P>The Tooks were always known in the Shire to be flighty and different. They traveled more than most hobbits and were wealthier. So this was seen by hobbits as strange and unusual - and we all know that those strange and unusual people are the most entertaining <P>That accent is a trip! "It is in the ground!" "It comes in PINTS!?!?!" __________________ "I love you more than I did the week before, I discovered alcohol" - Bare Naked Ladies

11-21-2002, 08:45 PM	#7
Beruthiel Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Set adrift on the Great Sea Posts: 373	I love Pip's accent!!<BR>anyway I think that Pippin and Merry should mature but even in the book they are still lighter than most. I think thats what the movie should portray him and Merry as __________________ ~I am not young enough to know everything~ Oscar Wilde

11-21-2002, 10:39 PM	#8
greyhavener Wight Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: austin Posts: 169	I want to see Merry and Pippin distinguished from one another more in the next two movies. In the books Merry is more serious and more in tune with Frodo. Pippin is more immature. I hope we will see both of them mature. I'm looking forward to their adventures with the ents. __________________ Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

11-22-2002, 12:08 AM	#9
Joy Spirit of a Warrior Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wandering Posts: 1,012	In the Extended Versin of FotR, Galadriel tells Pippin "You will find your courage." I think this foreshadows Pippin "growing up" in the next two films. __________________ God bless, Joy KingdomWarrior@hotmail.com http://kingdomWarrior.jlym.com As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

11-22-2002, 09:54 AM	#10
engwaalphiel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The edge of nowhere Posts: 89	have to agree on your views about billy's accent is there anyone who doesn't love it ? <BR> thanks for the article link ! __________________ Estel............. Some have it more than others. "Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie'n aurë!

11-23-2002, 01:26 PM	#11
Kalimac Candle of the Marshes Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Flyover Country Posts: 780	I think Joy has it; I remember wondering at the time if "You will find your courage" is sort a nudge and wink saying that Pippin will be doing a few heroics very soon. Though it was a slightly clumsy way of putting it since I don't anyone watching the movie, Tolkienphile or non-Tolkienphile, thought that Pippin lacked courage; mostly he just seemed to lack any sort of basic awareness of his surroundings (to put it nicely). But "You will find your brain" would have been cruel, as well as a little too reminiscent of "The Wizard of Oz." <P>And yes, he has a very nice accent. I guess those Tooks are so crazy that they can't even speak with a normal accent like decent Hobbiton folk . __________________ Father, dear Father, if you see fit, We'll send my love to college for one year yet Tie blue ribbons all about his head, To let the ladies know that he's married.

11-24-2002, 11:27 AM	#12
thorondil Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 53	I hope Pip says <I>gollum, gollum</I> and <I>my precious</I> in TTT the movie, like he does in TTT the book. Now <I>that's </I>comic relief! __________________ only that Part from which he came

11-24-2002, 01:07 PM	#13
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	I hope Pippin grows up! I think they made a mistake in making him the stupid hobbit comic relief. I liked him in the books being young and not real smart but being able to kill orcs and help kill TROLLS if need be! I hope they don't keep him as stupid and helpless.

11-24-2002, 02:41 PM	#14
Orual Speaker of the Dead Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Superbia Posts: 868	I don't know how I would work Pippin's character out if I were PJ, given the character decisions in the first movie. He really was played as comic relief, more so than Merry, who (sadly) faded a bit into the background. Though that interview relieved me, it'll still be a bit of cinematic magic to really bring out Pippin's true courage and character after his being portrayed as your quintessential "fool of a Took" in Fellowship. But, I don't doubt that PJ can do it. It'll just be interesting to see, that's all.<P>And thorondil, you have no idea how much I agree with you!!!! I'm reading RotK right now, a book that never fails to make my shoulders sag and my eyes tear up, so I pull out TT and flip through the pages for that line of Pippin's and Sam and Gollum's fight in "Of Herbs and Stewed Rabbits." My Pippin! "Gollum, gollum!" Tee-hee!<P>~~Orual~~ __________________ "Oh, my god! I care so little, I almost passed out!" --Dr. Cox, "Scrubs"

11-24-2002, 09:43 PM	#15
elfling Haunting Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: asheville,nc Posts: 86	I feel sure that both Merry and pippin will mature as they did in the books but maybe not quite as well as we who love the books may hope. There are some pretty heavy parts in the books with them just being apart. I felt so bad for them all-alone in the differnt kingdoms. This gave us a different perspective of them. I hope they still hace their great sence of humor, as in the books, they kept that through all the bad stuff. They do some pretty brave deeds that I'm sure PJ can't leave out.<BR>by the way, I lkie Pip's accent but Merry has a deeper sexier voice. I love to hear him talk. __________________ And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the morning and the night...All shall love me and despair!

11-24-2002, 09:55 PM	#16
Orual Speaker of the Dead Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Superbia Posts: 868	I know that PJ could not exclude them from TT and RotK, but I'm worried that (perhaps to include the beloved Arwen?) they might get shortchanged. The Hobbits were the characters that readers could most sympathize with in the books...who didn't identify with Merry, feeling helpless and useless? I could completely understand how he felt. I feel like that a lot. I felt like that after September 11th. And who couldn't feel for Pippin, with his "foolish stones" and difficult talks with Denethor, feeling acutely his debt to Boromir? Of course, for me Sam was always the best, but now that I'm re-reading RotK I have to admit that Merry's feelings of helplessness are probably some of the most identifiable that I had experienced in the whole of LotR. I hope that they don't get the short end of the stick--they were so pivotal to the Lord of the Rings experience.<P>~~Orual~~ __________________ "Oh, my god! I care so little, I almost passed out!" --Dr. Cox, "Scrubs"

11-24-2002, 11:06 PM	#17
Diamond18 Eidolon of a Took Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: my own private fantasy world Posts: 3,460	Pippin is, I think, a very tricky character to adapt from the book. It is so terribly <I>easy</I> to turn him into the comic clown and forget about his deeper qualites. "Fellowship" teeters on the edge of that folly, yet manages to pull itself back just in time with those hints in the Extended Edition.<P>The thing I like about Pippin's character is that certainly complexity...at times he's funny and I laugh at him, other times I identify with him totally, other times I admire him. And yet it's all consistent and totally "Pippin"...Tolkien gave him all those different aspects but always kept him "in character". It was great. I'd be sorry to see him flattened out on screen any more than he already is: if Arwen does monopolize too much time and cause Merry and Pippin to be shortchanged I might just consider joining the Arwen-hater's crowd...maybe....<P>Even prior to reading LotR I always had this propensity to want to see the comic characters do something brave or serious. It's just a thing with me. I see a one dimensional goof-off in a story or movie and I want to see him/her overcome that steriotype and become an unlikely hero.<P>So when reading LotR I was like "Yes, yes...slay that Troll, Prince of the Halflings!" <P>Depite warning myself not to, I'm holding out hope that movies 2 and 3 will be done right. Billy's interview gives me hope. And again, Galadriel's line in the Ex.Ed. plus the way Pip kills that Uruk-hai certainly hinted indicates that they will...but of course those scenes from TTT might end up on the cutting room floor just like the "hints" did, and I'll have to wait till next November. Gah! Horrors!<P>Oh, right, and Pippin did hang onto the Cave Troll in the movie right up until the end of the fight, so I have to give them credit for that.<P>And also, I agree with you, Kalimac, about "You will find your courage". "You will find your awareness" is really the most accurate way to put it, but how boring would that sound? __________________ All shall be rather fond of me and suffer from mild depression.

11-25-2002, 01:28 PM	#18
The Silver-shod Muse Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: The shoulder of a poet, TX Posts: 388	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> ...Merry, who (sadly) faded a bit into the background. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Yes, but I expect that this will be made up for amply in RotK. __________________ "'You," he said, "tell her all. What good came to you? Do you rejoice that Maleldil became a man? Tell her of your joys, and of what profit you had when you made Maleldil and death acquainted.'" -Perelandra, by C.S. Lewis

11-25-2002, 01:43 PM	#19
engwaalphiel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The edge of nowhere Posts: 89	i agree that i would probably join the Arwen haters if Pippin and Merry do get short-changed , i saw the trailers and there seems to be a lot more of her in there (well the trailer suggests this) than there should be , and pippin and merry were hardly seen at all .....<P>PJ .... do us right and make sure our pippin and merry did not end up on the cutting room floor __________________ Estel............. Some have it more than others. "Utúlie'n aurë! Aiya Eldalië ar Atanatári, utúlie'n aurë!

11-26-2002, 11:36 AM	#20
Sapphire_Flame Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: The World That Never Was Posts: 1,232	<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>In the Extended Versin of FotR, Galadriel tells Pippin "You will find your courage." I think this foreshadows Pippin "growing up" in the next two films.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>That sums it up perfectly. I really loved that part in the extended version, because it shows that Pippin was unsure of himself and his ability to handle his part in the quest. Maybe when he begins to understand exactly what his situation is he will begin to behave more maturely. This should be apparent fairly early on, since, as we know, he and Merry were kidnapped at the end of FotR, so they will have to begin being more self-reliant (after all, Aragorn and the others aren't there to protect them anymore). __________________ The Hitchhiking Ghost

11-26-2002, 10:06 PM	#21
elfling Haunting Spirit Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: asheville,nc Posts: 86	I feel the same way Orual. I most related to Merry in the books, feeling helpless and left behind, sometimes. I do hope the Hobbits are not pushed aside too much for the beauty of Arwen and the others. They are the ones I feel closest to and love the most. __________________ And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the morning and the night...All shall love me and despair!

11-27-2002, 05:56 PM	#22
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	I wish they could leave Arwen alone! I liked her better in the books just doing as the daughter of Lord Elrond should: sit around and look pretty! They make her character seem more important than some of those in the fellowship! For example: Boromir, he dies and looks lame! And poor Pippin, they made him sooo stupid! Funny but come on, "So where are we going?" A bit much if you ask me! Don't get me wrong! They did so well with the movie, it's awesome, but I do like criticizing!