Pippin gets gipped! - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

MatthewM · 01-30-2007, 11:34 AM

Pippin gets beat out of many things he was given in the books, especially at the Battle of the Black Gate. Before I go further, keep in mind these are only my opinions and you could say a ton of things in relation to "it's better for a movie to..."

Let's take a quick look-

1) Merry's there.
Many will argue that Merry being at the Black Gate didn't bother them at all, but for some people like myself his (however little he may be) presence bothers me. Firstly, he just helped in killing the Witch-King. What's the glory in not showing some war scars after helping put down one of the Dark Lord's greatest soldiers? Merry being at the Black Gate demoted Pippin's growth that he experienced in the books. Pippin going alone was him coming full circle, and it was this confidence that enables him to slay the troll. Some argue that for cinematic purposes, Merry had to be there to show the dedication the Hobbits had for Frodo and Sam. I can't see, however, how he was essentially needed at the battle.

2) No troll.
This is my favorite moment for Pippin, as he slays a gigantic troll and almost kills himself in the process. Think about how big the troll must have been to Pippin, being the size it was to Men. I was hoping to see this, but of course they had to give it to Aragorn, as if he hadn't had enough amazing battles. It would have been good to see Pippin kill it...even though Aragorn doesn't even kill it, it runs away. So, Pippin's milestone is again dampered with the absence of this scene.

I love this whole scene, but I believe Pippin did get gipped in relation to his book counterpart. He did find some credit, though, in saying "the Eagles are coming!" as in the books (although in his head in the books, you can't really pull that off on the big screen in such a scene

). Not to mention, he still does slay a bunch of orcs there! Not bad for a hobbit who had little to no sword training!

Eomer of the Rohirrim · 01-30-2007, 12:49 PM

I agree. And not only that, but in a roundabout way it also detracts from Merry to have him at the Black Gate.

No-one really remembers Merry's part in the death of the Witch-King. The evil guy dies and, before you know it, the two hobbits are off with Aragorn again. Having a couple of extra seconds showing Pippin alone without Merry would have underlined the sacrifice Merry made, as well as giving Pippin some much needed centre-stage (along with the Troll-slaying, of course).

As it is, it just seems like the two comedy-hobbits are along as baggage; and they are instantly forgettable in the scene at the Black gate, at least to the audience who just think they're for amusement..

ninja91 · 01-30-2007, 02:08 PM

Call me crazy, but Pippin overall was played mediocrely. (is that a word)

Anyway, especially in the scene where Gandalf confronts the Witch King, and gets knocked down, Pippin makes this throaty, bus-driver war cry that would not scare a mouse.

But other than that, Boyd played a great carrot-stealer.

Elladan and Elrohir · 01-30-2007, 02:49 PM

Well, at that point in ROTK, with the Ring nearing the Fire and the Lords of the West challenging the might of Mordor, I'm not too worried about Pippin not getting to use all his testosterone.

Billy Boyd is a magnificent Pippin, though you don't really get to see him shine until the final film. The palantir scene, the meeting Denethor scene, his conversations with Gandalf -- incredible performance. He practically steals half the movie. So no, I don't mind Merry being there too and there not being any troll to kill.

mhagain · 01-30-2007, 02:51 PM

In total fairness, he can claim credit for rousing the Ents. Plus, in the movie it was Pippin who motivated Sauron to strike too soon.

Folwren · 01-30-2007, 03:13 PM

I would say that not only was Pippin downplayed, but also Merry. These two hobbits were very brave and considerably smart in the books, and they had a great deal of the story line. Their characters were dimmed in the movie - they were made more simplistic and shallow, I personally think.

-- Folwren

MatthewM · 02-01-2007, 11:05 PM

I think Boyd played Pippin greatly...I can't picture anybody else playing him...when I think Pippin, I think Boyd...in my opinion he portrayed him to a "t" (if that's how you use that description, haha).

Merry was a bit downplayed as well, he didn't know AS much as he knew in the books.

ArathorofBarahir · 02-14-2007, 02:49 PM

I think Billy Boyd is an amazing actor and did a fantastic job as Pippin. However, as far as me feeling Pippin getting gipped...I'd have to disagree. He was one of those characters that as soon as you read his name on the page or saw him on the screen you couldn't help but smile. Pippin's great!

Volo · 02-15-2007, 08:13 AM

Somehow I always imagined the two lesser hobbits the other way round. The film really confused me when I watched it for the first time... They shouldn't make films out of books...

I really hope they won't make films out of Hobb.

MatthewM · 02-15-2007, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArathorofBarahir

I think Billy Boyd is an amazing actor and did a fantastic job as Pippin. However, as far as me feeling Pippin getting gipped...I'd have to disagree. He was one of those characters that as soon as you read his name on the page or saw him on the screen you couldn't help but smile. Pippin's great!

Of course he's great! Doesn't mean he wasn't a little gipped out of some well deserved scenes

Beanamir of Gondor · 02-22-2007, 11:03 PM

I was more disappointed that, in going with both Hobbits to the Black Gate, we didn't get to see Merry in the Houses of Healing. The Faramir-Eowyn-Merry friendship, in my opinion, was beautiful. It rounded off all three characters nicely, and let us know that yes, Merry was a team player.

Lotrelf · 06-20-2014, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Folwren

I would say that not only was Pippin downplayed, but also Merry. These two hobbits were very brave and considerably smart in the books, and they had a great deal of the story line. Their characters were dimmed in the movie - they were made more simplistic and shallow, I personally think.

-- Folwren

I agree. Before I read the books I thought both Merry and Pip were silly(sort of). Reading the book made me realize their importance, and that they were no fools.
Still, I feel Pip in movie was fine. Billy Boyd is an awesome actor and I liked him as Pippin. His attack on an Orc when he came to Gandalf to save Faramir's life, him saving Faramir's life are two my favorite moments. Scouring of The Shire would have given both Merry and Pippin little more space had it been added.

01-30-2007, 11:34 AM	#1
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	Pippin gets gipped! Pippin gets beat out of many things he was given in the books, especially at the Battle of the Black Gate. Before I go further, keep in mind these are only my opinions and you could say a ton of things in relation to "it's better for a movie to..." Let's take a quick look- 1) Merry's there. Many will argue that Merry being at the Black Gate didn't bother them at all, but for some people like myself his (however little he may be) presence bothers me. Firstly, he just helped in killing the Witch-King. What's the glory in not showing some war scars after helping put down one of the Dark Lord's greatest soldiers? Merry being at the Black Gate demoted Pippin's growth that he experienced in the books. Pippin going alone was him coming full circle, and it was this confidence that enables him to slay the troll. Some argue that for cinematic purposes, Merry had to be there to show the dedication the Hobbits had for Frodo and Sam. I can't see, however, how he was essentially needed at the battle. 2) No troll. This is my favorite moment for Pippin, as he slays a gigantic troll and almost kills himself in the process. Think about how big the troll must have been to Pippin, being the size it was to Men. I was hoping to see this, but of course they had to give it to Aragorn, as if he hadn't had enough amazing battles. It would have been good to see Pippin kill it...even though Aragorn doesn't even kill it, it runs away. So, Pippin's milestone is again dampered with the absence of this scene. I love this whole scene, but I believe Pippin did get gipped in relation to his book counterpart. He did find some credit, though, in saying "the Eagles are coming!" as in the books (although in his head in the books, you can't really pull that off on the big screen in such a scene ). Not to mention, he still does slay a bunch of orcs there! Not bad for a hobbit who had little to no sword training! __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

01-30-2007, 12:49 PM	#2
Eomer of the Rohirrim Auspicious Wraith Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 4,859	I agree. And not only that, but in a roundabout way it also detracts from Merry to have him at the Black Gate. No-one really remembers Merry's part in the death of the Witch-King. The evil guy dies and, before you know it, the two hobbits are off with Aragorn again. Having a couple of extra seconds showing Pippin alone without Merry would have underlined the sacrifice Merry made, as well as giving Pippin some much needed centre-stage (along with the Troll-slaying, of course). As it is, it just seems like the two comedy-hobbits are along as baggage; and they are instantly forgettable in the scene at the Black gate, at least to the audience who just think they're for amusement.. __________________ Los Ingobernables de Harlond

01-30-2007, 02:49 PM	#4
Elladan and Elrohir Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Halls of Mandos Posts: 332	Well, at that point in ROTK, with the Ring nearing the Fire and the Lords of the West challenging the might of Mordor, I'm not too worried about Pippin not getting to use all his testosterone. Billy Boyd is a magnificent Pippin, though you don't really get to see him shine until the final film. The palantir scene, the meeting Denethor scene, his conversations with Gandalf -- incredible performance. He practically steals half the movie. So no, I don't mind Merry being there too and there not being any troll to kill. __________________ "If you're referring to the incident with the dragon, I was barely involved. All I did was give your uncle a little nudge out of the door." THE HOBBIT - IT'S COMING

01-30-2007, 03:13 PM	#6
Folwren Messenger of Hope Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a tiny, insignificant little town in one of the many States. Posts: 5,076	I would say that not only was Pippin downplayed, but also Merry. These two hobbits were very brave and considerably smart in the books, and they had a great deal of the story line. Their characters were dimmed in the movie - they were made more simplistic and shallow, I personally think. -- Folwren __________________ A young man who wishes to remain a sound atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. - C.S. Lewis

02-01-2007, 11:05 PM	#7
MatthewM Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New York Posts: 628	I think Boyd played Pippin greatly...I can't picture anybody else playing him...when I think Pippin, I think Boyd...in my opinion he portrayed him to a "t" (if that's how you use that description, haha). Merry was a bit downplayed as well, he didn't know AS much as he knew in the books. __________________ "Loud and clear it sounds in the valleys of the hills...and then let all the foes of Gondor flee!" -Boromir, The Fellowship of the Ring

01-30-2007, 02:51 PM	#5
mhagain Wight Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: The best seat in the Golden Perch Posts: 219	In total fairness, he can claim credit for rousing the Ents. Plus, in the movie it was Pippin who motivated Sauron to strike too soon.

02-14-2007, 02:49 PM	#8
ArathorofBarahir Wight Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Crickhallow Posts: 247	I think Billy Boyd is an amazing actor and did a fantastic job as Pippin. However, as far as me feeling Pippin getting gipped...I'd have to disagree. He was one of those characters that as soon as you read his name on the page or saw him on the screen you couldn't help but smile. Pippin's great! __________________ King of the Dead: The dead do not suffer the living to pass. Aragorn: You will suffer me.

02-15-2007, 08:13 AM	#9
Volo Silver in My Silent Heart Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the great beauty Posts: 1,611	Somehow I always imagined the two lesser hobbits the other way round. The film really confused me when I watched it for the first time... They shouldn't make films out of books... I really hope they won't make films out of Hobb. __________________ Fenris Wolf The EVEN NEWER Barrow-Downs Photo Page

02-22-2007, 11:03 PM	#11
Beanamir of Gondor Shade of Carn Dûm Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: the Shadow Gallery Posts: 276	I was more disappointed that, in going with both Hobbits to the Black Gate, we didn't get to see Merry in the Houses of Healing. The Faramir-Eowyn-Merry friendship, in my opinion, was beautiful. It rounded off all three characters nicely, and let us know that yes, Merry was a team player. __________________ The answer to life is no longer 42. It's 4 8 15 16 23... 42. "I only lent you my body; you lent me your dream."