May 1, 2002

Tom Bombadil
Bob M.

Tom Bombadil has always been one of my favorite characters in the entire LOTR/Silmarillion saga. But I don't believe he could have been effectively worked into the movie, since too much concerning Tom breaks the rules of Middle Earth. It would have really confused any viewers not familiar with the books. And if not handled very carefully, Tom could have come off as the "Jar Jar Binks" of LOTR (after all, most of Tom's conversation is via song). I would love a segment on him in the DVD, but for now, he's yet another good reason to go back and read the book. Besides, as I understand it, even JRR Tolkein's children had a problem with the Tom Bombadil doll that was the genesis for the character (i.e., they tried to flush him down the drain!) How embarrassing for an immortal!