November 25, 2003

Faramir's Quality???
Niphredil

I have just finished watching TTT:EE. Having been forewarned, I was prepared for the scene where Faramir's men beat the crap out of Gollum. What I was not prepared for was Faramir throwing Gollum around by the neck as he questions him before they depart Osgiliath through the sewers. I found this scene even more irritating than Gollum's interrogation at Henneth Annun. I could not believe that the noble Faramir of the book was being portrayed in such a manner. Bad enough that he allows his men to bully a defenceless Gollum, but here he is having a go himself! I do not see why PJ and Co have done this except maybe to give Gollum a very good reason to betray Frodo, and who could blame him. The Faramir of the book does not need to lay a finger on Gollum and I do not see why the Movie Faramir should need to.

One other thing, does anyone else think it is strange that the Men of Gondor leave Sting with Frodo on their march to Osgiliath. Afterall, normally prisoners are disarmed when they are captured aren't they? Yet after Frodo's confrontation with the Nazgul astride the Fell Beast, he pulls Sting from beneath his cloak and threatens Sam with it. I just think it is a bit odd that Fodo still has Sting or has been given Sting back at this stage. Maybe the Men of Gondor just don't consider a sword wielding Hobbit a threat.