In adapting J.R.R. Tolkien's high fantasy novels, Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings movies cut an aspect of Frodo and Sam's relationship from the books. While the films took creative liberties with Tolkien's series, they were predominantly faithful adaptations, and have been celebrated for bringing Middle-earth, arguably one of the most complex and sprawling fictional worlds to life as realistically and dramatically as possible. In particular, the bond between Frodo and Sam, two innocent Hobbits from The Shire tasked with taking the One Ring to Mordor, remains a standout of the film trilogy.
As in Tolkien's novels, Frodo and Sam's relationship in the films represents what the rest of the Fellowship is defending from Sauron; friendship and love from the forces of darkness and evil. There are curious aspects to it that, while plainly laid out in the source material, might not have translated so well to the screen. Certain artistic choices had to be made to maintain the integrity of the adaptation as it shifted mediums, thereby preserving the intent even if the explicit delivery was altered.
Sam Worked For Frodo's Family In Lord Of The Rings
In Tolkien's novels, Sam worked for Frodo's family and kept the house and yard tidy. As a member of the famous Brandybucks, Frodo was one of the most influential hobbits in The Shire, and was the equivalent of hobbit nobility. Sam, on the other hand, was working class, and while their relationship formed a caring foundation for Tolkien's books, it had the effect of making Sam's devotion to Frodo servile rather than due to comradely affection.
In Jackson's films, Sam uses a dialect that denotes his working-class status, and he addresses Frodo as "Mister Frodo" in order to highlight their relationship as employer and employee. When Faramir asks if Sam is Frodo's bodyguard, he angrily snaps back that he's his gardener, which doesn't do very much to illustrate the complexity of their arrangement. If anything, it highlights how strange it is that someone's gardener would travel all the way to Mordor to help their employer with a death-defying task.
Lord Of The Rings' Merry And Pippin Were Actually Landed Gentry
Though they were young and inexperienced when they ed the Fellowship, Merry and Pippin were nevertheless from two of the most powerful families in The Shire. The Brandybucks and the Tooks were prominent families of land and means, and the two young heirs could look forward to enjoying large estates once their fathers retired. Their participation in the Fellowship required a great deal more effort from them than they were ever expected to produce in their day-to-day lives.
The Lord of the Rings films completely changed Merry and Pippin by turning them into plucky comic relief as opposed to callow youth. Their affluence is never mentioned, and they come across as hobbits shirking work as opposed to ones who don't have any to do. It's hard to imagine them as aristocrats other than the fact that they seem to have the means to purchase ale and copious amounts of food wherever they go (in addition to stealing from Farmer Maggot's crops).
The LOTR Movies Removing Classism Helped The Hobbits Be Equals
Though The Shire has no King, it's still divided into commoners and gentry, but Jackson's movies wisely removed classism from the narrative. This helped the Hobbits feel more like equals, and particular attention could be assigned to what strengths they needed to develop on their own personal journeys. All of them had maturing to do, and Frodo was perfect to destroy the One Ring after developing strong leadership skills, Sam found courage and valor he didn't even know he had, and Merry and Pippin's coming-of-age tale helped them gain a less self-centered perspective.
The Lord of the Rings films removing the classism found in Tolkien's books ensured that rather than focusing on the differences in Hobbit social status, Hobbit values collectively could be shown as uniquely special when compared to those of Men, Elves, or Dwarves. Merry and Pippin weren't any more qualified to serve Gondor because they were gentry than because they discovered they were true warriors. And most importantly, Sam carried Frodo to the top of Mt. Doom because he loved his friend, not because he was his devoted servant.
