How Faramir got Slighted (Movie-Book Comparison)

[Rosie Gamgee]

Hey, people. I was thinking a few weeks ago about the character of Faramir, and how I really don't like him the the movies, but absolutely love him in the books. I was thinking about the differences in characters- Faramir of Tolkien and Faramir of Jackson- and a few things occured to me.
I find it interesting how, in order to promote the power of the Ring, Jackson did not allow Faramir's virtue and integrity to come out- he lowers Faramir to actually making an attempt to take the Ring, going so far as to have Faramir drag to hobbits within sight of Minas Tirith... which is ludicrous to me, but I'm getting off-topic.
Another thing: Faramir of Jackson (I like that term ) seems rather shallow. His character is devoid of... backround- for lack of a better word. He lacks depth, and comes off as just a shell, more of 'Boromir's brother' or 'Denethor's son', than his own person. I was trying to come up with the reason for this, what caused it, and it occured to me that Faramir's character was picked at to provide material for Boromir, and perhaps even for Aragorn. His love for his City (it's in TTT- book, btw- when Faramir is speaking with Frodo and Sam at Henneth Annun [spl?]. He has this whole little speech on how he loves the City of Gondor), that is given to Boromir, who makes his own really beautiful speech in Lothlorien in the movies about Minas Tirith. Faramir's humility (and I'm not talking about that oh-so-lowly-little-brother thing in the TTT:EE- but his real selflessness and, as Denethor put it, gentleness and graciousness) seems to be handed down to Aragorn, who, in the books, was very sure of himself and his course.

Okay, spoke my piece for now (got to save some humdingers for later- once I think them up ). Discuss. ...?

[Valandil]

It will be interesting to see how smooth or believable the Faramir-Eowyn love interest is in the EE. I'll somewhat reserve judgement until then.

*sigh* I agree that Faramir is not depicted at all like he is in the books... but otoh, there are some realities in translations from book to film - and unfortunately, 'simplification' seems to be one of them.

[mithrand1r]

Originally Posted by Valandil

*sigh* I agree that Faramir is not depicted at all like he is in the books... but otoh, there are some realities in translations from book to film - and unfortunately, 'simplification' seems to be one of them.

Simplification is one thing (ie stream·lin·ing the events from the shire to bree)

Changing a characters persona is another. (Removing much of Faramir's "nobleness")

[Rosie Gamgee]

Yes. That's what I hate the most about book-to-movie adaptions. I don't mind simplification or even omission so much as I detest addition and perversion.

[Durin1]

I agree, it is the over - simplification of the characters which is sometimes hard to swallow, although many people believe that you always have to simplify in order to get your message across to the wider audience (as PJ so patronisingly does with the use of Faramir). Inevitably, you will land yourself in trouble if you don't recognise some of the implications of making such a decision, as PJ should know!!

[ethuiliel]

I agree that I like the movie Faramir much less than the book Faramir, but you can still tell that he's the same character. I mean, he is changed, but not beyond recognition, and in the extended edition and in RotK he becomes more like himself. Not to say that I don't wish that he was still as he was in the books, but it could be much worse.

[Telcontar_Dunedain]

Yeah in TTT he was more like Denethors son than he was like Faramir.

[Nurvingiel]

Is Faramir really not changed beyond recognition? Aside from a few cosmetic things - name etc. he really doesn't have that much in common with the noble, far-sighted Faramir of the book.

Movie-Faramir is rude, brash, and one-dimensional, and this change is made even worse by the fact that they could have pulled off the 'real' Faramir in the movie, and have had him resist the Ring, etc. Just because people haven't read the book doesn't mean they're stupid and have to be hit over the head with a plot as obvious as a brick.

[Durin1]

Originally Posted by Nurvingiel

Is Faramir really not changed beyond recognition? Aside from a few cosmetic things - name etc. he really doesn't have that much in common with the noble, far-sighted Faramir of the book.

Movie-Faramir is rude, brash, and one-dimensional, and this change is made even worse by the fact that they could have pulled off the 'real' Faramir in the movie, and have had him resist the Ring, etc. Just because people haven't read the book doesn't mean they're stupid and have to be hit over the head with a plot as obvious as a brick.

Exactly!!

[ethuiliel]

Lets see, similarities (not in any particular order):
name
human
*hated by Denethor
*pretty good relationship with Boromir
*went on suicide mission to Osgiliath to please his father
**didn't take ring
**let Frodo and Sam go
nearly got burned up by Denethor's madness

Differences:
hair color
*seriously considered taking the ring
*more interested in pleasing Denethor
*took the hobbits to Osgiliath
*was kinda rough with gollum in the EE
his manner of return... both times

any others?
I'll agree that he changed, and that the book version was much better, and that I wish they didn't change him, but I think you're being a little harsh.

[Nurvingiel]

I agree with all your similarities and differences Ethuiliel. Do the *s or lack thereof indicate strength of similarity or anything?

However, I maintain that the similarities with Faramir from book to movie are cosmetic.

The fundamental core of his character is non-existant in the movie.

Bilbo and Faramir are two extremely unique characters. Bilbo is the only person to willingly give up the Ring. Faramir is the only (non-Fellowhip) person who knew what the Ring was, and was presented with the opportunity to take it without immediate consequence, and yet, did not.

The Fellowship were the only other people who knew what the Ring was and could have conceivably taken it. But they swore an oath to Elrond that they wouldn't take it, and had time to steel their minds against its evil (which is constantly working on all who are near it). Boromir succumbed, partly, I think, because of the pressures of his situation, and partly because Men are the most vulnerable to its evil.

Now, Faramir was surprised by the presence of the Ring, he was surrounded by loyal men, and Sam and Frodo were defenceless. He had more of an opportunity to sieze the Ring for his own than any of the Fellowship were ever presented with, and yet, he didn't even attempt to take the Ring. Maybe he had been giving the Ring thought, ever since he had had the dreams the he and Boromir shared, but he still never really knew what the Ring was. After thinking about it for only a short period of time, he says he will not take the Ring, and then does everything he can to help Frodo and Sam on their Quest. This is the essence of Faramir's character in my opinion.

Not only is this aspect of his character completely and totally absent in the movie, there is also nothing particularly unique about his character. This is more Peter Jackson's fault than David Wenham's, who certainly does his bit by being spiffy and good-looking.

In my not very humble opinion, that's how Faramir got burned (not just slighted) in the movie.



EDIT: About hair-colour, do we know what Faramir looks like in the book? Tolkien is sometimes vague about character's appearances, but I always pictured Faramir as dark-haired. (Nearly shoulder-length, dark brown hair, and very handsome... *clubs inner fangirl to death* Whew, the moment has passed... )

[Vadskye]

Originally Posted by ethuiliel

I'll agree that he changed, and that the book version was much better, and that I wish they didn't change him, but I think you're being a little harsh.

Yeah, that's kinda my opinion too. I mean, the movie did lack something of Faramir's character, but it's not as bad as you claim it is.

(did I just basically rephrase everything ethuiliel said? :P)