How much Frodo grew... - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Bombadil · 07-12-2004, 02:18 PM

Perhaps I'd call it growth, but I'd rather call it drastic change. One thing I like to do is, when Frodo is in Sam's arms on the slopes of Mount Doom (when they're talking of strawberries and cream) I think back to way in the begnning of Fellowship - to the happy Frodo saying, "It's wonderful to see you Gandalf!" The length of the movies really add to the affect.

I think Peter Jackson did an awesome job showing change- whether it be good, bad, accurate or inaccurate - by showing the sublime Frodo go to one of misery. He hardly smiled past the council of Elrond, and never gave a true smile until the concluision of ROTK. One aspect I really thought showed Frodo's change (and emotional strength) was at the Havens when all the hobbits were crying because they were going to miss their friends. Frodo had to say goodbye to his 3 dearest friends, and didn't shed a tear.

Bêthberry · 07-12-2004, 03:49 PM

Quote:

He grew precisely 2.3 cm.

Of hair, Fordim, or of fingernail? Or did you mean height? Do hobbits still, once out of their 'tween, grow taller?

Imladris · 07-12-2004, 04:08 PM

Quote:

He grew precisely 2.3 cm.

Or could you possibly mean width?

Amanaduial the archer · 07-12-2004, 04:14 PM

I think great thought went into Frodo's growth throughout the film.

I mean, making the wig suddenly grow so drastically couldn't have happened merely by chance.

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 07-12-2004, 04:30 PM

The filmmakers focused only on the growing despair of Frodo, not the growing....maturity? Is that the right word? I don't think it is, but maybe you'll follow me.

Amanaduial the archer · 07-12-2004, 05:02 PM

Interesting point Eomer - moving away from all speculations of Frodo's width, height, length, fingernails, hair and, let's face it, it was only a matter of time before toenails came in...

They did concentrate solely on the draining effects of the ring throughout, it seemed - I mean, yes, towards the end of the Return of the King, when he 'abandoned' Sam, they brought in the slightly twisted, slightly evil element as the ring took control of Frodo (and apparently did very odd things to his eyes as well...). But it was only at the very end of the trilogy, when Frodo had got home and was musing on his time away and on how it felt to be back, that you saw that he really had grown, and had changed, from the quest and from the strain of bearing the ring. True, it was very nicely done then, I personally though, but it was a little too late maybe - he had come across merely as whingy throughout the majority of the films that he was maybe a little too far pushed to be redeemed for some people.

They did concentrate on the development of the other hobbits though, and that was seen in more gradual stages throughout - you can almost mark the milestones for each of the hobbits, especially Pippin. Obviously, he was the easiest to change, but they did do it very nicely - it wasn't an instant alteration from carefree-and-slightly-moronic to serious, grim-faced warrior: even near the end of the trilogy, Pippin retained some of his carefree, childish innocence - for example, after the episode with the Palantir where he effectively gave away their position like a flaming beacon...he responded with "I won't do it again". That line just made me smile because he was so sweet. But you could see him gradually maturing. The same goes for Merry, although maybe the first stages of maturity for him were covered earlier on in the films than with Pippin.

And Sam...well, I think Sam was just Sam. Not an insult

07-12-2004, 02:18 PM	#1
Bombadil Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Old Forest Posts: 488	Perhaps I'd call it growth, but I'd rather call it drastic change. One thing I like to do is, when Frodo is in Sam's arms on the slopes of Mount Doom (when they're talking of strawberries and cream) I think back to way in the begnning of Fellowship - to the happy Frodo saying, "It's wonderful to see you Gandalf!" The length of the movies really add to the affect. I think Peter Jackson did an awesome job showing change- whether it be good, bad, accurate or inaccurate - by showing the sublime Frodo go to one of misery. He hardly smiled past the council of Elrond, and never gave a true smile until the concluision of ROTK. One aspect I really thought showed Frodo's change (and emotional strength) was at the Havens when all the hobbits were crying because they were going to miss their friends. Frodo had to say goodbye to his 3 dearest friends, and didn't shed a tear. __________________ "'Eldest, that's what I am... Tom remembers the first raindrop and the first acorn... He knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.'"

07-12-2004, 04:14 PM	#4
Amanaduial the archer Shadow of Starlight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: dancing among the ledgerlines... Posts: 2,347	I think great thought went into Frodo's growth throughout the film. I mean, making the wig suddenly grow so drastically couldn't have happened merely by chance. __________________ I am what I was, a harmless little devil

07-12-2004, 04:30 PM	#5
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	The filmmakers focused only on the growing despair of Frodo, not the growing....maturity? Is that the right word? I don't think it is, but maybe you'll follow me. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

07-12-2004, 05:02 PM	#6
Amanaduial the archer Shadow of Starlight Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: dancing among the ledgerlines... Posts: 2,347	Interesting point Eomer - moving away from all speculations of Frodo's width, height, length, fingernails, hair and, let's face it, it was only a matter of time before toenails came in... They did concentrate solely on the draining effects of the ring throughout, it seemed - I mean, yes, towards the end of the Return of the King, when he 'abandoned' Sam, they brought in the slightly twisted, slightly evil element as the ring took control of Frodo (and apparently did very odd things to his eyes as well...). But it was only at the very end of the trilogy, when Frodo had got home and was musing on his time away and on how it felt to be back, that you saw that he really had grown, and had changed, from the quest and from the strain of bearing the ring. True, it was very nicely done then, I personally though, but it was a little too late maybe - he had come across merely as whingy throughout the majority of the films that he was maybe a little too far pushed to be redeemed for some people. They did concentrate on the development of the other hobbits though, and that was seen in more gradual stages throughout - you can almost mark the milestones for each of the hobbits, especially Pippin. Obviously, he was the easiest to change, but they did do it very nicely - it wasn't an instant alteration from carefree-and-slightly-moronic to serious, grim-faced warrior: even near the end of the trilogy, Pippin retained some of his carefree, childish innocence - for example, after the episode with the Palantir where he effectively gave away their position like a flaming beacon...he responded with "I won't do it again". That line just made me smile because he was so sweet. But you could see him gradually maturing. The same goes for Merry, although maybe the first stages of maturity for him were covered earlier on in the films than with Pippin. And Sam...well, I think Sam was just Sam. Not an insult __________________ I am what I was, a harmless little devil