Frodo Baggins is the lead character of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and is portrayed incredibly well by Elijah Wood in the film trilogy. The hobbit is the one brave enough to take on the burden of the ring and carry it straight into the depths of Mordor. Frodo might not be the strongest, wisest, or greatest fighter in this universe, but he does go through an incredible journey. While he isn’t always the most memorable character, his storyline with Gollum and Sam is among the best in the movies.
While Peter Jackson did a great job of bringing the entire story to life, there are many things from the books that had to be left out by the movies. Whether it is plot points or details about the characters, certain things just didn’t make the cut. Here are 10 things about Frodo Baggins from the books that the movies leave out.
The Rings Lure
The ring is incredibly powerful and it pulls on any character that gets hold of it. The impact it has on Gollum and Bilbo Baggins are clear to see, and even Boromir is entranced by its power. This is something that Frodo also has to deal with, being tempted by its powers many times throughout.
Frodo often puts on the ring and allows it to physically beat him down during the journey to Mordor. This is a slight change from the source material because he isn’t lured in by the jewelry quite as often within the books. Furthermore, in Tolkien’s novels, he and Sam work together more and don’t argue about it quite as much.
Relationship With Smeagol
Speaking of Frodo’s personal battles with the One Ring, it is because of the fact Smeagol/Gollum knows how that burden feels that the two connect within the movie. Frodo ends up siding with him more than Sam, trusting his decisions and what he has to say.
It’s quite a strange and complex relationship, but it isn’t that way in the books. Within the books, they obviously do the journey together, but Frodo doesn’t trust him as much. The Hobbit always stays one step ahead of Smeagol, ensuring that he can observe his every move.
A Prophet
Speaking of his relationship with Gollum, there is a distinct reason why Frodo allows himself and Sam to be led by him within the books that doesn’t happen in the movies. The way the books portray this decision makes far more sense though, so it’s a shame that it didn’t get included.
The One Ring makes him almost like a prophet in the books. He gains the power to see into the future slightly, and that’s why he allows Gollum to guide them as can see that he will get them close. However, Frodo is also well aware that they will get double-crossed, which creates an interesting dynamic and storyline.
Tom Bombadill
When you turn one book into a huge movie it isn’t always the easiest of situations, and many things have to be cut because of that. Some of the moments taken out of the original movie take place in the Old Forest on the hobbits’ journey to Bree.
They encounter Tom Bombadill, who plays a big part in the early moment of the book. This moment really sets up life outside of The Shire, where they inform the Hobbits of just how scary Middle-Earth can be. It’s quite an important section of the book and would have really set things up had they included it.
Servant Sam
Sam and Frodo have a brilliant relationship in both the books and the movies, where they bond together and become like brothers by the end of their journey. Sam plays a huge role in Frodo completing his mission and it forces them to be close.
Within the movies, they are seen as a team and as equals, even though Frodo has the ring. Yet in the books, Frodo works more as Sam’s master, especially early on in the story, which is something that doesn’t really happen in the films.
The Undying Lands
One of the many endings that take place in The Return of the King sees Frodo join Gandolf as they travel to the Undying Lands. He goes to find peace and healing following his difficult journey, having earned a spot due to being a Ringbearer.
This leaves Samwise behind as he emotionally watches his best friend leave him. However, in the books, that isn’t the end for them, as Sam eventually is able to join him in the Undying Lands. He gets a place himself and sets sail across to be with him.
He’s Stronger
A case could certainly be made for Frodo Baggins being the weakest character in the entire trilogy of movies. Despite the fact he carries the ring, there are many moments in the movies where Frodo has to be saved by others, from Boromir and Aragorn to Gandalf and Samwise.
It makes him feel very weak like he cannot handle himself at all. Of course, he is a hobbit so he is only ever going to have so many capabilities, but in the books, he is a much stronger character. He doesn’t rely on Arwen in the books when he is chased by the Black Riders, for instance, instead, he holds his sword high and screams at them.
Decoy
Within the movies, Frodo Baggins gets the help of Sam, Merry, and Pippin from The Shire, who all make sure that he doesn’t do the journey with the One Ring alone. But they leave out one major character from the books, which is Fatty Bolger, who also helps them.
While he doesn’t leave The Shire with them, Bolger stays behind and works as a decoy. He keeps up the appearance of Frodo, to make people think he is still around which allows him to move on out of the area with the ring, but in the movies, this is all left out of the story.
Relationship To Bilbo
This is quite a big change from the books to the movies as the relationship between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins is quite important. In the movies, Frodo is Bilbo’s nephew, but in the books that isn’t their relation, as Bilbo and Frodo are actually cousins.
They are technically second cousins, but he does listen to Bilbo closely throughout his life in The Shire, learning from him and trusting him. He does regard him as an Uncle and a fatherly figure in the books, so it makes sense that Peter Jackson would make this slight change in order to make things a little simpler.
Fixing The Shire
This is a big section of the book that is left out from The Return of the King, which is strange considering just how many different endings Peter Jackson put into it. While they return to The Shire with everything normal in the film, in the books, Saruman escapes Oranthc and destroys The Shire.
He, Nazgul, and Orcs destroy everything, leaving the peaceful area to just rubble. When the four Hobbits get back, they end up putting things right and become huge heroes of that area. It’s a huge moment from the book that would have been fun to place into the movie, but it sadly never made the cut.
