One of the things that makesThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy stand out is its characters, butthe hobbitsare especially memorable. Frodo (Elijah Wood), Sam (Sean Astin), Merry (Dominic Monaghan), and Pippin (Billy Boyd) each become a vital member of the mission to save Middle-earth, despite not having a particular skill set that suits them for the task. While Gandalf (Ian McKellen) is one ofthe most powerful beingsand Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) is not only destined to be king but hastraining as a rangerand experience with a sword, the hobbits are completely unprepared, to the point that it seems odd that anyone wants them along at all.
When choosing a group to carry the One Ring to Mordor, Frodo is the obvious choice because he has been able to hold the Ring without being turned to Sauron’s cause, yet the other three are not the most logical option. While they join the fellowship because of their friendship with Frodo, they leave the Shire more by happenstance than by choice, which is a distinctchange from J. R. R. Tolkien’s bookthat weakens the friendship between the group.
The Hobbits' Departure from the Shire Looks Very Different in Tolkien’s Book
InThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,the four unsuspecting heroes join the quest through a series of unlikely events, starting with Frodo getting the One Ring from Bilbo (Ian Holm). After Gandalf reveals the truth about the Ring to Frodo, he must go to Rivendell, but Sam overhears Gandalf’s instructions to Frodo and is sent along as a “punishment.” Then,Merry and Pippin run into them while getting into mischiefand join their journey. While this quickly gets the necessary characters on the road,Tolkien wrote a much more involved and intentional exit from the Shire. In the books, Frodo has time to prepare for his quest. Not only doesit take Gandalf years to be sure he found the One Ring, but even then, Frodo tries to leave subtly.
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With the help of his friends, including Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Fatty Bolger (whodidn’t appear in the films), Frodo sells Bag End and moves to Buckland, where his disappearance may go unnoticed. But little does he know that these friends have grown suspicious, banding together to figure out what Frodo is up to. Sam, similar to the film, overhears Frodo and Gandalf, but in the book, he tells the others, whomake secret preparations to join Frodo, hoping to protect their friend. When Frodo finally comes clean, it is no surprise, and Merry, Pippin, and Sam insist on going along. Fatty helps by keeping up the pretense that Frodo is still in Buckland and holding a message to Gandalf if he comes along. Fatty sticks to his job despite knowing the Nazgûl are looking for Frodo, proving his loyalty. This conspiracy is born out of concern for their friend, showing how tight-knit the group is before their dangerous adventure.
‘The Fellowship of the Ring’s Change Detracts from the Hobbits’ Relationship
There is a logic to the film’s change. Already,The Fellowship of the Ringis a long film, and cutting the exit from the Shire speeds up the pacing. However,it also takes away from the relationship between the Hobbits.Though they are shown to be friends, Merry, Pippin, and Sam do not actively choose to go with Frodo out of loyalty. The film’s addition ofMerry and Pippinis a great scene that sets up the chaos of the characters, but it fails to show their dedication to their friend. Similarly, Sam being ordered to go by Gandalf doesn’t have the same impact. Sam’s friendship with Frodo is instrumental to the quest, and Tolkien set it up from the very beginning, but the film doesn’t highlight it.
Yes, they get to make a choice by listening in and volunteering for the fellowship in Rivendell, but by then, they are already wrapped up in it. Tolkien’s version is very clear that when Sam, Merry, and Pippin leave the Shire, it’s not about having an adventure or savingMiddle-earth, but supporting their friend.They do not end up accompanying Frodo by chance but choose to go on a dangerous journey out of loyalty to their friend, which makes a world of difference. The film’s change is understandable, but it is a shame because the original version shows how close the hobbits were long before they risked their lives together.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
