Sean Bean not right for Boromir

[ElentariGreenleaf]

I was at the optition's to day, and some how or another the conversation turned into a discussion about the differences between the movies and the books. Well, my optition brought up the very good point that Sean Bean was not the best actor to play Boromir. Why, you ask. Well, the book describes Boromir as being shorter and broader than Aragorn, but Viggo and Sean are virtually the same build.

So, what do you all think about this?


However, I still think Sean did an excellent job of playing Borrums! I have to admit, that I saw FotR before having read the books, so when I read the books I already had a lot of the characters' appearances in my head from the film.

AAH! I didn't go crazy! Meh.

[Firefoot]

Well, you have to remember that these are the same people who didn't change Faramir's hair color among other things. Why should they care about Boromir's build? I wouldn't complain too much, though, because Sean Bean did do an excellent job with Boromir. I have other complaints that are much higher up on my list.

[ElentariGreenleaf]

I completely forgot about the Faramir hair colour thing. Yeah, there's loads of other more important things to rant on about! My optition also pointed out two other things:

1) The walls of Minis Tirith were as strong as Orthanc. They wouldn't have been broken like they were in RotK. Hence the enemy used fire to burn the people in the book.

2) No military leader would send cavalry to fight trenched archers. However, in the film Faramir is charging with the cavalry against trenched orc-archers. Even Denethor wouldn't have ordered that attack! It's too obviously a suicide run.

[Finwe]

Don't complain about our Borrums!


I think that Sean Bean was absolutely perfect for Boromir. Granted, a few things could have been changed, like his hair color. But I really really really really enjoyed his acting. He really brought Boromir to life for me.

By the by, where exactly does it say that Borrums has a different build than Ary?

[Carlas]

By the by, where exactly does it say that Borrums has a different build than Ary?

I think I remember it being mentionned sometime in the chapter The Ring Goes South, but I'm not too sure because I haven't read it in awhile.

But now to the topic:
Sean Bean was a great Boromir, and I think that PJ realized that the acting was more important than the look. Though I'm not saying he would have picked someone like 6 feet tall, but being broader than Aragorn does not seem that important, except maybe to some die-hard book fans.

[The Barrow-Wight]

I think I shall search the term 'Borrums' and delete the accounts of everyone that has used it previous to and after this post. How can anyone that uses 'Borrums' have any kind of legitimate complaint against Peter Jackson!?

[Raefindel]

Aragorn was the tallest of the Company, but Boromir, little less in height, was broader and heavier in build.

The ring Goes South

[The Only Real Estel]

Hmm, I've heard a lot of complaints, but I've never heard anyone comment on the build of certain characters. Interesting point, but it doesn't bother me in the least.

[Knight of Gondor]

Ha ha, Barrow-Wight. That's a joke, right? I admit, however, I rather hate the nickname myself...

As for Sean Bean, I think he did a really great job. I am dismayed to have seen his name in some sort of misc. catalog's (I did not order this catalog, nor was it the kind you're going to think it is, I swear on my Steward's Oath) porn movie advertisement.

But as for his role as Boromir, I think his performance was really grand. I don't know about build, height, or weight, but to find someone with the best acting abilities, personality, etc., and STILL find him to be perfect to Tolkien specifications is to expect a little too much. However, for complaints about book-to-film adaptations, visit http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9638&perpage=40&pagenum ber=2.

[Beanamir of Gondor]

No way. Sean has played a great diversity of roles [about the same number of movies as his age] and Boromir was one of his greatest acting jobs, passing up Sharpe and McNab. I know you didn't accuse him. I just have to drool a little.

I think you are right about Boromir [who came up with "Borrums" anyway?], a little bit. I think PJ probably could have casted better- not only was Sean too tall and fair-haired, but John Noble was too short-winded, Elijah was too hot and likeable, and Dom's Merry was too much like Pippin. Since when did Merry sing drinking songs? That was all Pippin and Sam.

Of course, we must take into consideration that Strider-dress made Viggo look a lot taller than the huge Gondor-skirt did for Sean. My sister is still convinced that Boromir had neither feet nor ears- just wheels under the skirt.

[Jjudvven]

I thought Boromir was one of the best portrayed actors in the Trilogy, even if they did get some details about him wrong. I'd never heard of Boromir being called the derogatory term "Borrums" either and I don't have any plans to start calling him that. The horror! What an insult to Boromir's nobility! But for some reason I don't have a problem calling Denethor "Denny". Oh well, I'm weird.

[Lalaith]

Actually I would have preferred Sean Bean in the role of Aragorn.

I always thought of Boromir as someone quite bluff and uncomplicated, very much the hearty soldier, and movie Boromir was a bit too tortured and introspective. However, Sean is a good actor (and while he was in the BBC version of Lady Chatterley, he has NOT starred in porn films, I assure you) and I think he'd have been an impressive Aragorn, his face looks more weatherbeaten than Viggo's.

[Knight of Gondor]

It would be interesting in retrospect to see Sean Bean as Aragorn. He seems to have much more of a personality and presence in the movie than Viggo.

[Kronos]

I am amazed that someone would have a problem with an actor portraying a part because he was not bulky enough, or a couple of inches too tall??
The acting is paramount and Sean Bean was fantastic. The only character actually better than the book, although Ian McKellen certainly matched the book.

I have more of an issue with Viggo. He did ok but he never really seemed regal or venerable enough for my tastes. There is a rumour the part was offered to Daniel Day-Lewis and I for one would have loved to see his take on it. Last of the Mohicans proved he can do the physical stuff.

[Aredhel Ar-Feiniel]

Sean Bean not right for Boromir?

Ahhh! Blasphemy!

[Evisse the Blue]

But Aragorn was not supposed to fit your image of a kingly handsome prince! It is said in the book somewhere (maybe someone else can look it up) that between the two (Boromir and Aragorn) one would have presumed Boromir the royal one, he being more handsome, proud and strong. Aragorn's royalty was not so much in physical looks, as in wisdom, personality. Aragorn himself says (In chapter Strider) : "I believe my looks are against me." Bearing this in mind, Viggo was perfect for Aragorn.

And Sean Bean perfect for Boromir. I second that, Aredhel!

[Kronos]

By later in the book Aragorn was becoming more regal as he neared his destiny. Hence Eomer’s love of him from the first moment he spotted him in the grasslands of Rohan. Imrahil and Faramir treated him likewise.
I seem to remember that Elrond’s lines in the movie are taken from the appendices about Aragorn’s image (on the tomb) being an image of the glory of men (or similar).

Aragorn may have appeared a Ranger on the surface but his kingly stature was revealed both on closer inspection and became more visible as the story progresses.

[Evisse the Blue]

Aragorn may have appeared a Ranger on the surface but his kingly stature was revealed both on closer inspection and became more visible as the story progresses.

I agree. And this is true of Viggo's portrayal as well, IMO.

[ElentariGreenleaf]

I think the idea of Sean playing Aragorn is interesting, but Viggo was far too perfect for the part! And to think, Viggo wasn't PJ's first choice to play Aragorn...

Aaah! I'm being attacked by Sean fans! I only repeated what my optition said! I still believe that Sean was the perfect actor to portray Boromir!

I feel that my (erm, well, my optition's) other point are being ignored... Meh.


Elentari I, the insane and otherwise destructable

[Failivrin]

I am a great fan of Sean Bean. I think he was a very good Boromir and i cannot imagine him playing Aragorn at all. Beanie is good at playing forceful characters and i think Aragorn is more powerful than forceful as such. Also, Viggo is leaner than Beanie.

sean bean did i good job playing boromir, i have to agree there. i don't think that small details such as build and looks would matter to PJ, because then it would be much more difficult to cast people.

What really bothered me were the changes in the story line, eg. arwen instead of glorfindel picking up frodo and the complete deletion of the 'scouring of the shire' because it was deemed unimportant.

[Everdawn]

Ive decided to think of the movies and the books as two different things, that way im not dissappointed, so saying this, i loved all the characters and the actors who played them.

[Ellwyn]

I liked Sean Bean as Boromir, as I like Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn. When you see them standing side by side, you see that Sean has wider shoulders and is more 'square'. I love both the portrayals and think Sean did a great job and fit the part.

[Knight of Gondor]

I have more of an issue with Viggo. He did ok but he never really seemed regal or venerable enough for my tastes.

Yes, I agree. Oh, what's the word the liberals used to criticize Bush? "He needs gravitas", yes, that's it. Viggo needed more gravitas.

By later in the book Aragorn was becoming more regal as he neared his destiny.

I agree, in the book he did not first appear as a king. But when they pinned the Elfstone on him at Lorien, when he drew Anduril out on the fields of Riddermark, and several more times, a vision of his greatness was shown -- like the cloak cast back to reveal Gandalf's underlying light. But the only thing that changed for Viggo was his wardrobe. I think his personality worked beautifully for the forlorn wandering Ranger, but not for the true king he became. (Just look at him in the behind-the-scenes! He's muttering, just barely getting the words out of his mouth!)

Also, Viggo is leaner than Beanie

Augh! This is nearly a greater insult! Although it certainly lends itself to a Boromir fan club: Beanie Babies!

[Failivrin]

Originally posted by Knight of Gondor
Augh! This is nearly a greater insult! Although it certainly lends itself to a Boromir fan club: Beanie Babies!

What's an insult? I don't understand. For the name Beanie see the LOTR Nicknames thread. And Viggo IS leaner than Beanie if that's what you found insulting. It's not my fault he has broad shoulders .

I think Viggo had gravitas. I don't think the parts when he was playing King Aragorn were his greatest moments in the film, but for instance, when he drew Anduril and at Helm's Deep i feel he had 'gravitas'.

[Knight of Gondor]

Actually, small difference, but that sword wasn't Anduril, that was his Ranger sword. Aragorn didn't receive Anduril until RotK -- at the same time he accepted his kingship. I don't think we can say that's gravitas, I think that's more leadership and bravery. Maybe that's the same thing. :P

[Failivrin]

Yes, i meant the bit in ROTK . I did wonder why they had to focus the camera on the sword for so long though . Can you define gravitas for me? I think the gravitas was missing from the bits that SHOULD have had it, but you found it in small unexpected places.

[Eowyn Skywalker]

For crying out loud, there are a few things not quite right about Sean Bean as Boromir, but he played the part perfectly. Sure, there's the hair color issue, and all that, but he acted like Boromir.
And Viggo Mortensen was Aragorn. Aragorn was suppose to look scruffy, and all that. As said Frodo to Aragorn "I would feel that the servants of the Enemy would look fair and feel foul. While you--"
And Aragorn answered. "Look foul, and feel fair? Is that it. All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost."
Fill in the blanks. Aragorn would've looked scruffier than Boromir, no question asked. Boromir was said to look more regal than Aragorn anyhow.
I think that Viggo and Sean were perfect for their roles. Oh, and the origanal Aragorn actor was left because he looked too young, in case no one knew that.
I could never see Sean as Aragorn. It would've been wrong.
-Eowyn Skywalker

[Nirvana II]

from the one other movie I saw Sean Bean in Lone Star State of Mind , i thought that LOTR was his kinda movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nirvana II

[ArathorofBarahir]

I think that Sean Bean was perfect for Boromir. I especially loved the scene with Boromir and Faramir in Osgiliath.

[Knight of Gondor]

Viggo Mortensen was Aragorn. Aragorn was suppose to look scruffy, and all that. As said Frodo to Aragorn "I would feel that the servants of the Enemy would look fair and feel foul. While you--"
And Aragorn answered. "Look foul, and feel fair? Is that it. All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost."
Fill in the blanks. Aragorn would've looked scruffier than Boromir, no question asked. Boromir was said to look more regal than Aragorn anyhow.

I liked Viggo as Strider. And I'll admit, I liked him in the role of Aragorn too. But in retrospect, as I said previously, the only thing about Aragorn that changed were his clothes. The stature and tendancy to mumble never changed. That's my only slight complaint. And if you'll look in the thread I linked to earlier in this thread, you'll find no bigger champion of the movie version around.

[Finwe]

We also have to remember that for the non-Tolkienites, the disparity of hair color between Boromir and Aragorn was essential. If Boromir was dark-haired and grey-eyed, like Aragorn, the two would have been confused all the time. Boromir and Faramir had to look different from Aragorn, drastically different.

Also, the disparity in hair color could have symbolized the intermingling of noble Gondorian blood with that of "lesser" races. The Rohirrim and Bree-men, the Men of Twilight, had fair hair, ranging from light brown to blond. Boromir and Faramir had Rohirric and Eotheodic blood, thus, they had lighter hair than Aragorn, who was nearly "pure" Numenorean.

[Alphaelin]

from the one other movie I saw Sean Bean in Lone Star State of Mind , i thought that LOTR was his kinda movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Um, Nirvana II - I think I should gently point out that Sean Bean wasn't in 'Lone Star State of Mind'.

However, having been a big Bean fan for several years, I have to agree that he did a fantastic job with Boromir.

[The Only Real Estel]

I think Viggo had gravitas. I don't think the parts when he was playing King Aragorn were his greatest moments in the film, but for instance, when he drew Anduril and at Helm's Deep i feel he had 'gravitas'.

I don't think he had much 'gravitas' (opinion based on a possibly flawed guessed definition of the word ), because he's really not that kind of an actor. Plus PJ didn't really give him that many chances.

Although I would have to say that at Helm's Deep, and especially when he drew his 'Ranger Sword', he was definitly in his element.

[Beanamir of Gondor]

Back again.

I agree with Estel. What's gravitas?

I need to call the Bean cops on you guys. Why do we all not remember the part in the book versus the part in the movie of "This will be the death of the hobbits" and "This will be the death of the halflings" ? That was so totally Boromir. Also, the only thing Sean didn't say as Boromir was about "Happily your Caradhras has forgotten that you have men with you, and doughty men too, if I may say it; though lesser men with spades may have served you better."

And though I will simply skip reading those entries with "Beanie" and "Borrums" in them, I might permit "Bor-Man". Give the wave for Boromir the Disco King!

[Thenamir]

Personally, I think Boromir should have been played by Danny DeVito.

[Miriel Undomiel]

Well, the book describes Boromir as being shorter and broader than Aragorn, but Viggo and Sean are virtually the same build.

Trifle, just a bloody trifle! We can't be bothered to discuss the actors physique as long as they do a good job! If they make the character believable that's all that matters, right?

[Etharius]

It is madness to think Bean was wrong fo Boromir!

[ArathorofBarahir]

Personally I think that Sean Bean did an excellent job playing Boromir.

[ArathorofBarahir]

Originally Posted by Thenamir

Personally, I think Boromir should have been played by Danny DeVito.

ARE YOU INSANE!!! Danny DeVito would have been an absolutely awful Boromir!