how do you like the portrayal of frodo? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Finduilas · 08-20-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewM

Agreed, book Frodo is much better, naturally. There are a ton of problem's with PJ's Frodo, which I'm sure a big Frodo fan could list out.

Check this out-
http://www.istad.org/tolkien/faramir.html

It's from a site called "From pointy ears to Grima's tear" by an unknown Tolkien enthusiast. It explains that the main reason Faramir's character was so screwy in the films was because of the changes made to Frodo's. Interesting article and well worth the read!

I didn't read the article, but my sister and I have both agreed that the ruin of many characters was caused by Frodo's ruin. Others couldn't be courageous because Frodo wasn't. (Denethor, Theoden, Aragorn, are some examples)

Smeagollives, your last point is very good. I never thought about that.

MatthewM · 08-20-2007, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finduilas

I didn't read the article, but my sister and I have both agreed that the ruin of many characters was caused by Frodo's ruin. Others couldn't be courageous because Frodo wasn't. (Denethor, Theoden, Aragorn, are some examples)

How can you say that about Denethor and Theoden? Frodo never even meets them.

Folwren · 08-20-2007, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatthewM

How can you say that about Denethor and Theoden? Frodo never even meets them.

No, no. You misunderstood. Because they lowered Frodo's character strength, they lowered every other character's strength.

MatthewM · 08-20-2007, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Folwren

No, no. You misunderstood. Because they lowered Frodo's character strength, they lowered every other character's strength.

But I would like to hear how--- Denethor's depression was twisted into insanity in the movies, and I can not see how Frodo's wrongly portrayed character affected Denethor's situation in any way.

Finduilas · 08-20-2007, 03:14 PM

Because if Denethor, the mad steward, had more courage that Frodo, one of the main heros, there would be major problems.

And Theoden may have been cowardized for Aragorns sake, who seemed afraid of becoming king. They may not have been as directly related to Frodo as Faramir, but it seemed to me as if almost everyone was more of a coward. There are of course exceptions, like Eomer and Eowyn.

Elladan and Elrohir · 08-20-2007, 04:18 PM

I don't think the weakening of Frodo had anything to do with the weakening of other characters; it was more of an across-the-board decision made by the filmmakers to go for more complexity and thus elicit more empathy from the audience.

As to which Frodo I like better, of course it's the book, as in pretty much every other area. But I like film Frodo, too. You have to accept that he is different, that he is more complex, that he deteriorates more quickly. Elijah Wood had the monumental task of portraying this Frodo, a very different one from the books, a character who could easily come across as unlikeable if not played with skill, but nonetheless the anchoring role of the cast. If I have any complaints with the film Frodo, it's with the way he was written, not with Wood's magnificent portrayal (though I do wish his voice wasn't so high-pitched).

Folwren · 08-20-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elladan and Elrohir

But I like film Frodo, too. You have to accept that he is different, that he is more complex, that he deteriorates more quickly. Elijah Wood had the monumental task of portraying this Frodo, a very different one from the books, a character who could easily come across as unlikeable if not played with skill, but nonetheless the anchoring role of the cast. If I have any complaints with the film Frodo, it's with the way he was written, not with Wood's magnificent portrayal (though I do wish his voice wasn't so high-pitched).

More complex? Reading the LotR for the sixth time at present, I am finding Frodo a fantastic, complex, and amazing character. The Frodo protrayed in the movie is shallow and weak.

I'd agree with you in as much as I like Elijah Wood as Frodo, I just don't like how he was written. I think Wood could have done well if they had written it differently. You can see promise in the way he executes certain lines like the "What must I do?" and "I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor...though...I do not know the way." They just didn't give him a chance of playing the real Frodo.

-- Folwren

MatthewM · 08-20-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finduilas

Because if Denethor, the mad steward, had more courage that Frodo, one of the main heros, there would be major problems.

I really just do not understand what you mean here.

08-20-2007, 03:14 PM	#5
Finduilas Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Home. Where rolling green hills and clear rivers are practically my backyard. Posts: 595	Because if Denethor, the mad steward, had more courage that Frodo, one of the main heros, there would be major problems. And Theoden may have been cowardized for Aragorns sake, who seemed afraid of becoming king. They may not have been as directly related to Frodo as Faramir, but it seemed to me as if almost everyone was more of a coward. There are of course exceptions, like Eomer and Eowyn. __________________ One (1) book of rules and traffic regulations, which may not be bent or broken. ~ The Phantom Tollbooth

08-20-2007, 04:18 PM	#6
Elladan and Elrohir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Halls of Mandos Posts: 332	I don't think the weakening of Frodo had anything to do with the weakening of other characters; it was more of an across-the-board decision made by the filmmakers to go for more complexity and thus elicit more empathy from the audience. As to which Frodo I like better, of course it's the book, as in pretty much every other area. But I like film Frodo, too. You have to accept that he is different, that he is more complex, that he deteriorates more quickly. Elijah Wood had the monumental task of portraying this Frodo, a very different one from the books, a character who could easily come across as unlikeable if not played with skill, but nonetheless the anchoring role of the cast. If I have any complaints with the film Frodo, it's with the way he was written, not with Wood's magnificent portrayal (though I do wish his voice wasn't so high-pitched). __________________ "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