Westmarch.net - Essay by Idril

Here is the first in what we hope will be a series (right, Idril?) of essays.

All That is Gold Does Not Glitter

(An Analysis of the Character of Faramir in the Movie The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)

by Anna Harrison - January 2003

The movie adaptation of Tolkien's "The Two Towers" has raised eyebrows among Tolkien purists regarding the treatment of the character of Faramir. Tolkien's Faramir is a favorite among fans because of his honor, wisdom, purity and courage, and most of those qualities are revealed in his chapters in The Two Towers. Apparently Tolkien means for us to learn to admire him in the those chapters, so that we will as dismayed as his countrymen when he is sent repeatedly into great danger in The Return of the King. It's probably no great surprise that many are disappointed that his portrayal in the movie keeps most of his admirable qualities under wraps.

This article explores Faramir's character as portrayed in the movie. It may address some of the concerns of purists, but is meant to be more of an objective analysis than a sales pitch for the movie Faramir. However, the author does assume that the filmmakers did not change his character through a lack of understanding of his importance or some malevolent desire to vilify one of Tolkien's favorite characters. The article will cover the following topics:

Changes in circumstances between the book and movie that affect Faramir's behavior
Faramir's success in passing test of the Ring (according to the movie rules)
His failure to win over the purists
The distinct differences between the movie versions of Faramir and his brother Boromir
Some possible reasons why the filmmakers chose to change the plot and Faramir's portrayal

Changes in Circumstances:

Everyone's behavior is affected by circumstances, and Faramir is no exception. The following changes in the movie seem to affect Faramir's circumstances rather than his character.

The Impending Attack on Osgiliath

Book Situation: As the hobbits arrive in Ithilien Sauron is still in the stage of gathering his armies. He has not yet begun his assault on Osgiliath.

Movie Situation: Faramir gets word that the attack has begun at the end of his "temptation" scene.

How the change affects Faramir: In Faramir's chapters in the Two Towers, he does not appear to be under a great deal of pressure. His party is being proactive in hindering Sauron's build-up. They are successful, and Faramir seems to be in a good mood. He is relaxed and can devote his energies to unraveling the mystery of the hobbits' appearance in Ithilien. In the movie, he must deal with his need to get to Osgiliath and the question of the hobbits at the same time. Although he understands that they are important, his curiosity takes a back seat to his other concerns.

Frodo's Lie

Book Situation: When Frodo is questioned about Gollum, he tells enough of the truth to satisfy Faramir for the time being: "He is only a chance companion met upon our road, and I am not answerable for him. If you come on him, spare him. Bring him or send him to us. He is only a wretched gangrel creature, but I have him under my care for a while."**

Movie Situation: When Farmir questions Frod about his companion, Frodo lies, stating that "There is no other." Frodo is soon forced to tell the truth in order to keep Gollum from being shot at the pool.

How the change affects Faramir: In the book, Faramir talks at length with Frodo and forms a friendship with him. In the movie, Frodo's lie stands as a barrier to that friendship. In the book, Faramir indicates his scorn for the idea that he would try to deceive the hobbits. His comment "I wouldn't snare an orc with a lie" tells us that he even considers lying to a servant of the enemy to be a dishonorable act. If the Faramir of the movies shares this view, then it would follow that Frodo's lie would diminish his character in Faramir's eyes.

**Many thanks to Watchrtina and A1 SCB for spotting the part where Frodo WAS directly questioned about Gollum in the books.

Faramir's Hasty Promise

Book Situation: Faramir gives his word to Frodo that, whatever Isildur's Bane should be, "Not if I found it in the highway would I take it." He makes this promise before knowing that Frodo possesses the Enemy's Ring.

Movie Situation: Faramir and Frodo do not discuss "Isildur's Bane" and thus Faramir makes no such promise.

How the change affects Faramir: In the book, Faramir's sense of personal honor helps shield him from the temptation of the Ring. It's clear that he recognizes that temptation, as he says ".... I am wise enough to know that there are some perils from which a man must flee." However his promise gives him an easy way to avoid the Ring's snares. Even should the Ring whisper to him that he could use it to save Gondor, he can say to himself "Yes, but I gave my word that I wouldn't." His promise lets him off the hook. In the movie, Faramir must face that temptation without that particular promise to help him.

Gollum Arrives Early

Book Situation: Gollum is found at the forbidden pool after Frodo and Sam reveal both the nature of Frodo's burden and their own mission.

Movie Situation: Gollum is found before Faramir and Frodo can reach an understanding. Gollum reveals that Frodo is carrying the Ring, and his revelation sends Faramir hurrying off to confront Frodo.

How the change affects Faramir: In the movie, Faramir confronts Frodo, upset that the hobbits tried to conceal such important information from him. His anger leads to a tense scene in which he is tempted by the Ring.

The Words of a Servant

Book Situation: Frodo does most of the talking to Faramir, especially after Faramir tells him to not interrupt his betters. Sam is the one that admits that Frodo carries the Ring, but it is Frodo who does most of the explaining.

Movie Situation: Frodo appears to be having much more difficulty with the Ring. On two occasions Sam argues with Faramir, telling him of their mission and that the Ring caused Boromir's death.

How the change affects Faramir: In the book, Faramir is class-conscious and doesn't display a lot of respect for Sam. He chastises Sam for interrupting at the "trial" and later seems to consider it inappropriate that a servant should judge his (Faramir's) character. In the movie, Sam admits to being a gardener. If Faramir of the movie is as class-conscious as the book version, then Sam's explanations may not carry much weight with him.

How Faramir plays by the movie rules and wins

In her voice-over, Galadriel says "The young captain of Gondor has but to reach out his hand and take the ring for his own, and the world will be lost." The filmmakers apparently intend for her words to be authoritative, so she defines the essential test that Faramir will be required to pass, and tells us the rules of the game.

When Faramir masters his own desire for the ring, he passes the test defined by Galadriel.

Why doesn't she mention the danger of Faramir sending the Ring to Gondor? There are two possibilities:

First, the danger posed by Faramir taking the Ring may be so great that it's highly unlikely that he would "send" the Ring anywhere. This would indicate that she has little confidence in Faramir's ability to pass the test. She simply thinks that all of his wisdom and honor will not be sufficient against the power of the Ring.

Second, Galadriel may know that even if Faramir passes his own test, he would be unlikely to send the Ring to Gondor. This would indicate that she respects Faramir's wisdom. She thinks that if he passes his own test and fully understands the nature of the Ring, he will not subject his father to its peril.

Tolkien fans deduct points for style...

Although the movie Faramir passes the tests defined by Galadriel, his character still differs from the Faramir of the books. The differences that seem to cause the most consternation for Tolkien fans are:

He doesn't quickly form a bond of trust and friendship with Frodo.
He doesn't make promises or announce his intentions to Frodo or to the audience. He is much more sealed within himself.
When he passes his test, he doesn't announce his victory over the Ring's temptation ala Galadriel's "I pass the test, I will diminish...." His behavior hints at the outcome of the test, but the clues are subtle enough to remain unclear to most of the audience.
His decision to release Frodo is postponed until after they arrive in Osgiliath.
He is either less well informed, less pure, or more desperate than the Faramir of the books in that he refers to the Ring as "a weapon that may change Gondor's fortunes this war."
He doesn't thoroughly explain his decision to release the hobbits.

... and they keep on deducting.

For some reason these differences lead some Tolkien devotees to an extremely harsh view of Faramir's behavior. I've seen the following complaints, which I believe to be unfair:

Faramir is an evil character.

Even after Boromir failed his test and tried to force the Ring from Frodo, Tolkien refused to allow him to be labeled as evil. Boromir is given another chance. When proves his honor by defending Merry and Pippin, and when he confesses his failure to Aragorn, Aragorn says, "You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory." I doubt seriously that Tolkien would agree that the movie Faramir is evil, given that he passed his test on the first try.
Faramir "kidnaps" the hobbits.

Kidnapping is illegal detention. Faramir has both the legal right and the duty to detain or kill any anyone that enters Ithilien without permission from Gondor.
After Gollum's capture, Faramir "smirks," indicating that he condones his men's cruel treatment of the creature.

It is more likely that his smirk is directed toward Frodo, and says, "I knew the whole time that you were lying to me."
Faramir continues to be personally tempted by the Ring after his "temptation" scene. His actions after that point are motivated by his desire for the Ring rather than his duty to Gondor.

The Ring tempts people to possess it for their own. It doesn't like being given away. If Faramir were motivated by a personal desire, he would be highly unlikely to send the Ring to Denethor.

Still different than his Brother.

Tolkien makes a point that Boromir and Faramir are very different characters. Both of their portrayals differ from the books, but Faramir continues to be the wiser, more cautious brother. There are still several major differences between them.

In the extended version of FOTR, Boromir's very first reaction to the ring is to reach out his hand for it. Faramir never reaches toward the Ring. He keeps his sword between himself and the Ring, as he would with anything he considered a danger and an enemy.

In Boromir's temptation speech on Caradhras, he tries to diminish the importance of the Ring. "So much fear and doubt over such a little thing." The implication is that the dangers of the Ring are being overblown... and that it couldn't be such a terrible thing if he were to take it. Faramir's speech shows that he has a better respect for the Ring's power and more awareness of it as a test of character. "The Ring of Power within my grasp... a chance for Faramir, Captain of the Guard to show his quality." .

When Boromir speaks of (or to) the Ring his voice has a reasonable, seductive quality. When Faramir confronts the Ring his voice is angry and ironic. In their body language and tone of voice, Boromir treats the Ring as a lover, while Faramir treats it as an enemy. .

Boromir is outgoing and expressive. Even though he (at first) sneers at the idea of Aragorn being the rightful king, he warms to him fairly quickly and is comfortable confiding in him. He also quickly befriends Merry and Pippin. It's easy to tell what Boromir is thinking, because he usually says whatever pops into his head. Faramir is the opposite. We almost see him display his grief for Boromir when he questions the hobbits. But after he says "He was my brother", Faramir withdraws, preferring to grieve alone rather than allowing anyone to see a crack in his armor. Other than that, Faramir keeps his emotions totally hidden away. In this respect their characters appear to have been switched from the book. In the book Boromir kept his growing obsession with the Ring hidden away, while Faramir was quick to befriend and confide in Frodo. .

The Big WHY

Many Tolkien fans are asking why Faramir's character was changed for the movie. Although Peter Jackson partially answered the question in this interview, his answer tends to lead fans to the conclusion that all of the changes were made to show Faramir being severely tempted by the Ring. This doesn't tell the whole story.

The changes were probably intended to improve the movie in several ways:

Faramir's "temptation" scene helps demonstrate that no one is immune from the Ring's temptation. This is the reason discussed by Peter Jackson his interview (see link above).

Because of Faramir's reserve and his inability to quickly form a bond of trust with Frodo, we are kept unsure as to the hobbits fate over the last hour of the movie. This allows the filmmakers to squeeze a maximum amount of dramatic tension from that particular plot point.

While the Faramir of the books might detain the hobbits further if he found himself short of time to question them, he would never say "tell my father I send a mighty gift... a weapon that may change Gondor's fortunes in this war." These words seem to indicate a deliberate shift in his character. But why make him less wise and less pure?

One probable reason is that the hobbits' story is so unlikely: "Yes, we're very tiny people, but the Wise sent us to Mount Doom to destroy the Ring of Power." The movie could have shown Faramir as saying in effect "I am very wise, and therefore I will let you continue," but there would be no way for the audience to determine whether he was truly wise or simply easy-going and gullible. What speech could he make that would prove his wisdom to a modern audience?

Instead, the filmakers chose to show Faramir learning the reasons behind the book Faramir's wisdom and purity. When he sees all that he sees, the Ring is no longer a theoretical peril, but a real, immediate danger to him and his country. When he sees Gollum babbling to himself with desire for the Ring, the Nazgul's ability to hone in on the Ring, Frodo's compulsion, and Frodo's attack on his own man, he and the audience learn that he has no other choice than to let Frodo go. Perhaps audiences appreciate a character's wisdom better if they know its source.

When Frodo is brought into Osgiliath (an area where Sauron is focusing his attention) the pressure of the Ring on his mind increases greatly. In the two most visually powerful scenes, Frodo's confrontation with the Nazgul and his confrontation with Sam, he is shown nearly collapsing under that pressure. The only other flashes of the Ring's power in this movie are a short scene at the beginning when Frodo sees the Eye and Faramir's temptation scene.

For viewers who see each movie once in theaters, a year has gone by since they saw Frodo at Weathertop and at Amon Hen. Another year will pass before they see him on the slopes of Mount Doom. Apparently the filmmakers don't want the audience to forget the extremity of Frodo's plight.

Also, if the Ring is more active simply because they are in Osgiliath, then leaving Osgiliath will ease the pressure on Frodo, making it more believable that he will be able to continue the quest.

In the book, a few days after Frodo leaves Henneth Annûn, Sauron's army marches out of Minas Morgul. Frodo thinks of Faramir and his men, but their story is split between several chapters. It is easy to lose track of Faramir and forget that his men will be the first to encounter Sauron's vast army. The movie shows the beginning of the assault on Osgiliath, which visually emphasizes that Faramir will soon be fighting a desperate battle against Sauron's forces.

When all is said and done, Faramir's character is different in the movie, but his main motivations continue to be his personal sense of honor and his desire to protect Gondor. His character is not so much diminished as obscured. Perhaps this is in preparation for a big reveal in the next movie. It is possible that Faramir's star will shine more brightly on the battlefield than it did at Henneth Annûn and Osgiliath.