3 Reasons Why Frodo is Better in the Books

[@rakibulnahar9626]

The background music while reading from the book is just awesome 😎

[@jessicascoullar3737]

They took away every heroic moment that Frodo had in the book, either gave it to someone else or left it out. Rescuing his friends from the barrow wight, gone, fighting back on weathertop, he just cowered and gave into the ring, riding alone to Rivendell and defying the black riders, given to Arwen. There were so many points where Frodo could have shown courage but every time it was given to someone else (usually Sam) and he was just carried along by everyone else. I get that they wanted to add more for the other characters to do, but they did so at the detriment to Frodo’s character.

[@matthewbreytenbach4483]

They even gave Arwen's jewel to Aragorn

[@noellematzinger7884]

(Reading the books for the first time) I am about to finish the last part, The Return of the King. I have to say, Frodo I did kinda dislike in the movies. It tainted my view of him the the books a little. But I’m glad to know he’s better in the books than in the movies. And let me TELL YOU. I was SO HAPPY the bread crumb scene didn’t happen in the books. Sam deserved better 😤. I love that in the books it shows Frodo wasn’t selfish about the ring. Partly yes he was by the power but, he truly cared for and didn’t want Sam to get hurt or feel that burden any more than what he had. And Sam’s strength and heroism (though great in the movies) is even better in the books. And I love that 😭

[@mariyontil]

It was a character assassination. Another important scene I would note is the original departure from Bag-End where they removed Frodo taking his own initiative. I think they removed all the qualities that made Frodo a good man and left us with a gullible fool (just as they turned Merry and Pippin into dishonest thieves and Aragorn into the sort of guy who murders ambassadors unprovoked). They also removed the core theme of mercy, which made the later scene in The Hobbit weaker, so… yes, I agree they rather failed at capturing Frodo's character in most conceivable ways.

[@jameshitt3263]

The movie producers really did remove all of Frodo's original nobility. He was possibly one of the noblest characters in all of Tolkien's Legendarium! And that's saying quite a lot. (Really nice catch with the way Frodo clutches the Ring tight after the attack on Weathertop.)

[@caewing85]

Movie Frodo isn’t as likeable as books. I adored Frodo in the books and Sam was second. Movie was Sam first followed by Aragorn as a favorite.

[@Niko-hi5my]

As I read it, on Weathertop the Nazgul only catches Frodo in the shoulder instead of the heart because Frodo was charging forward. The movie does not explain why he stabs the shoulder.

[@matthewbreytenbach4483]

My favourite Frodo moment in the books is probably where he binds Gollum to his service. Frodo was relatively well read to begin with and he's learned some deeper lore as he's travelled, and so while he didn't have the strength to wield its full power he had enough knowledge to _use_ the Ring to an extent. And that's terrifying.

[@cinematicmovies-ci2gj]

When Frodo keeps the Ring on Mount Doom in the books: ‘Oh my god I can’t believe Frodo just did that. What a surprise! He was doing so well.’ When Frodo keeps the Ring on Mount Doom in the movies: ‘Of course Frodo would keep the ring. No surprise here. He’s just a failure and a wimp.’ There’s the difference. Frodo failing on Mount Doom was supposed to be the moment when Frodo’s will and heroism finally breaks. In the movies, it’s whatever because Frodo has failed over and over and has done NOTHING redeemable up to that point. He just falls over, constantly, and acts painfully stupid.

[@mariyontil]

I could not have put it better.

[@thinkinggingerbeard2556]

And repeatedly says "oh Sam," or calls for Aragorn whenever he's in trouble. He's an effeminate pansy in the movies.

[@KarenSDR]

I saw the movies when they first came out after 30 years of being a book fan of LotR. I was on an online forum with similar fans. We were excited about the movies and mostly loved them, but there were a lot of comments along the lines of "Oh, look, Frodo's falling down AGAIN! That's not the Frodo we know and love." Another scene we talked about was the Flight to the Ford. In the book, Frodo rides across the ford by himself. He's the one who raises his sword to the Nazgul and defies them, not Arwen (who's not even there. Alas for Glorfindel.)

[@micklumsden3956]

Book Frodo is wise and brave and heroic. Wisdom is an underrated virtue in the 21 century which is probably why this aspect was cut from the films. Read the books; he is not only a hero but a suffering hero; he gives everything to the quest. At the end the other hobbits go home and live “Happy ever After”; but not Frodo…… Sacrifice is also not a popular word these days - Frodo spent himself sacrificially. Only Boromir comes close to equalling this level of sacrifice

[@ts-fr8hb]

I couldn't of said it better, 100% agree.

[@nick_trains_dogs]

Honestly I think the obvious reason for the changes is we don't get nearly as much dialogue, either between characters or internally about the burden and the effects of bearing the ring. Jackson has to show us visually or weigh the movie down with exposition heavy dialogue or god forbid voiceovers lol

[@CvpArt]

Hey guys. Been loving the podcast. Was wandering if you guys have an estimated time of release for your episode on The Great Hunt? Started reading WOT along with you guys and I wanna make sure I’m done with the book before your episode comes out.

[@caewing85]

I second this! I'm about a quarter to 1/3 of the way through TGH and want to finish it before your episode comes out.

[@2ToRamble]

Looks like end of July. Austin is reading a bunch of other books at the same time. I (Richard) will make sure to properly motivate him to read quicker.

[@CvpArt]

@@2ToRamble that honestly sounds very good to me. Only around 200 pages in so it’ll still take some time before I’m done. And by the time the episode comes out I’ll hopefully be halfway through The Dragon Reborn and caught up with you guys. Btw great hunt already seems like quite a big improvement from EOTW which is good!

[@samm8190]

I’m waiting for Richard to say that he’s the one who knocks.

[@Gojiracity]

Y'all can't keep bringing up LotR without mentioning the Rankin/Bass and Ralph Bakshi films! I always firmly believed that the animated LotRs had much more of a fantasy/bedtime story feel than Jackson's films (not a slight against my man, Peter, just different decisions were being made!). ... Also animated Smaug is f*cking awesome and way better than Benjamin Claptrap slithering on the floor in a mo-cap suit.

[@jakobc07]

How would you rank the LotR books?

[@2ToRamble]

...10...all 10s

[@davidranderson1]

I wonder if every Frodo movie decision was to avoid the initial time jump at the beginning or if it was to create a traditional character arc from young, naive ingenue (or farm boy) to hero? Either way, it makes for a weaker character.

[@2ToRamble]

Interesting point!

[@KaydianBladebreaker]

LOVE SAM!

[@xUmberBlackstonex]

That ending 😂

[@majikcheezit]

With the first scene, I'd also say the context of what came before the passage you read is important. No one could clearly see the wraiths and Frodo put the Ring on in a moment of grave weakness of will. So while I agree he could be a little less cowardly in the movies, it is important to note the scene in the book is also one of weakness. Fighting back is really the least effort Frodo could have put in to preserve his life in the book, it is self-preservation not necessarily strength.

[@2ToRamble]

Ohhh interesting! Definitely need to hear what Rich thinks on this too

[@ethans9379]

I agree with Richard on this one. The breadcrumbs scene is an abomination, the books do Frodo so much better.

[@jonsadenwasser4246]

I miss the other ending music 🥺 where did it go?! Why did it change?!

[@Twiceborn_by_grace]

I read the books for the first time at the beginning of this year, expecting the meme worthy scenes and that wasn’t the case at all. Frodo is tough, there’s no comic relief in Gimli, and Sam is even more compassionate and guarding of Frodo.

[@stevet7522]

The movies are 7/10 at best. And thats a bit of a stretch. Books are 10/10 the whole way.

[@2ToRamble]

😟 b…b…but

[@Optothemaxisme]

1st 😂

[@aaronharkins4331]

I think movie Aragorn was better, and Frodo was a fraction of himself.

[@TathagataMitraTom]

No, Austin. No one likes you. You keep hating on The Wheel of Time. You are not Sam. You are Mat from Book 1.