5 things from The Lord of the Rings books we wish were in the movies

The Lord of the Rings has a very special place in my heart, as well as in the hearts of many of us nerds. The series is a gigantic, magical treasure chest, whether we're talking about J.R.R. Tolkien's written masterpiece or Peter Jackson's incredible movie adaptation. Each book is rich in detail, crammed with heroics, epic battles, and storytelling magic. The Lord of the Rings, as well as Tolkien's other works, has provided a foundation for countless other writers out there, myself included.

When Jackson's movies hit theaters in the early 2000s,, it was wild. I remember being 12 and sitting in theaters with my very limited English vocabulary, marveling at the screen. Thank you, mom, for dragging an initially unwilling Camila to watch it in theaters. I fell in love with it all right then and there, even though a lot of the English didn't make sense to me at the time. As I learned the language more, the movies began to resonate with me, so I decided to read the trilogy for the first of many times.

I realized that even though the movies were iconic, legendary, and nearly perfect, there were quite a few things from the books that didn't make it to the big screen. I understand that even in a world where eagles can save the day and trees can talk, we can't have it all, but there was some super-cool stuff from the books that would have been really exciting to see onscreen and would enhance the story even further.

So, let’s dive into five things that got left behind, like forgotten coins in Bilbo's couch cushions.

1) Tom Bombadil and the Old Forest

Imagine strolling into a forest where the trees are centuries old, and a fellow with a twinkle in his eye dances around like he owns the place. Well, meet Tom Bombadil, the king of whimsy in Middle-earth. Loved by nearly all LOTR readers, Tom is a jolly chap who lives in the Old Forest, which is just a stone's throw from the Shire. Tom is a guy so cheery that even the grumpiest of old trees can't help but get in a good mood around him. He's comparable to that one uncle who turns up at family gatherings, bursting with stories that are too wild to be true yet too fun to question. And his fashion sense? Let's just say that if loud patterns and colors were a sport, Tom would be the undisputed champion.

The Old Forest isn't your average bunch of trees and bushes. The trees here woke up on the wrong side of the bed for a few hundred years. They're grumpy, slightly creepy, and not too fond of visitors. But along comes Tom Bombadil, singing and laughing, and suddenly it's not so gloomy anymore. Tom has a magical touch that makes even the crankiest old willow tree lighten up. When it comes to the Barrow-downs, a place so spooky it could make a ghost shiver, Tom just waltzes through like it's a walk in the park and rescues anyone who gets in a pickle. Missing out on Tom and his forest shenanigans in the Peter Jackson movies was like having a cake without the frosting -- still good, but oh, what could have been.

If Tom had been in the movies, it would've been like throwing a curveball into a game of chess. With Tom around, the early part of Frodo and the Fellowship's journey would've had a bit more sparkle, a bit more laughter, and definitely a lot more singing. It would've been a delightful detour from the doom and gloom of Frodo's journey, giving everyone a much-needed breather before diving back into the serious business of destroying the One Ring.

Next, let's talk about something left out from the end of the books. Click the button below to read on!

2) The Scouring of the Shire

Imagine our brave little hobbits, fresh from saving the world, coming back home to the Shire expecting cheers, feasts, and maybe a parade or two. But instead, they find their cozy, green home turned upside down and set ablaze. Saruman, the traitor wizard played by the legendary Sir Christopher Lee in the movies (rest in peace, good sir), who should've been out of the game, is now the big boss and working diligently to turn the peaceful Shire into a mini-Mordor. And he's got the gag reflex-inducing Wormtongue, his sidekick, helping him mess things up. The Shire as Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin knew it is gone; it looks and feels weird and industrial now, with trees chopped down and smoke everywhere. Not a single decent party in sight, and that's just depressing.

At the beginning of the story, our foursome would be as bewildered by this as their neighbors. But by this point they've gone on a world-spanning journey, and they've learned much. So what do our favorite hobbits do? They roll up their sleeves and get to work setting things to rights. It's very comparable to the annoying moment in video games when you think you've beaten the final boss, but then there's a surprise level at the end. Our hobbits, who left as simple, fun-loving folk, have come back as warriors. Now experienced and battle-hardened, they lead a rebellion against Saruman's forces in what's known as the Battle of Bywater.

The victory is bittersweet; while they free the Shire, the experience leaves a lasting impact on its inhabitants and landscape. Tolkien uses this chapter to underscore themes of loss, resilience, and the cost of war, even if victory is attained. It’s a very important conclusion to the hobbits' journey, emphasizing their growth as people and the changes they've gone through. It gives a deeper sense of closure to the trilogy by bringing the impact of the world's conflicts back to their doorstep.

The Scouring of the Shire would have been such an epic addition to The Return of the King. It's a true shame it never made it onto the big screen, not even in the extended edition.

3) The "real" Faramir

Let's talk about Faramir, the unsung hero of The Lord of the Rings and the king of us less-appreciated children (mom and dad, I am just kidding). In the books, this guy is like a walking advertisement for nobility and wisdom. He's the younger brother of Boromir, but while Boromir's like the high school quarterback who gets all the attention, Faramir's more like the quietly brilliant, nicer-looking and friendlier guy in the library. In Tolkien's world, Faramir is a standout: he's wise, kind, and most importantly, he's not tempted by the One Ring, unlike his brother. When Frodo and Sam bump into him in Ithilien, Faramir listens to their story, gives them food, and basically says, "A Ring of Power? No thanks, not my style." He's like that rare person who doesn't go crazy on a Black Friday sale.

Preach it, Mr. Snyder.

Now, cue the movies. Here, Faramir does a 180. Suddenly, he's got a bit of a chip on his shoulder, and he's all about seizing the Ring to prove himself to his dad, who grinds cherry tomatoes in his teeth and is about as warm and fuzzy as a cactus: Denethor, the Steward of Gondor. This version of Faramir drags Frodo, Sam, and the Ring all the way to Gondor, creating tension and drama. It's like the filmmakers decided Faramir was too nice and needed a dash of Boromir's Ring-lust to spice things up. Just let the nice guys be nice!

So how would the original book Faramir have changed things? For starters, it would have given us a breather from all the "everyone wants the Ring" drama. It also would have highlighted the contrast between him and Boromir, showing that not everyone in Gondor is power-hungry. Plus it would have saved Frodo and Sam a whole lot of trouble; no ridiculous detour to Osgiliath. Just a nice, helpful Faramir sending them on their way with a pat on the back and some food for the road. The original Faramir was a breath of fresh Middle-earth air, showing that power doesn't always corrupt, a theme that's kind of, you know, the whole point of the story.

4) Glorfindel

Here we have Glorfindel, another unsung hero of Middle-earth who got the cold shoulder in the movies, which is the understatement of the century as he isn't even in them. Glorfindel is like that one super-talented friend everyone forgets to invite to the party. He's an ancient Elven lord, so old that he makes some of the other supposedly elven characters look like toddlers. He's been around since the First Age, which in Middle-earth terms, is way back when. This guy's not just a pretty Elven face, he's a powerhouse: a mix of wisdom, strength, and some serious fighting skills. In the books, he's the one who swoops in to save Frodo from the Black Riders after Weathertop, riding in like a knight in shining armor. I cannot express to you my ire when I read that in the books for the first time and realized that Arwen did not belong in that scene.

So Glorfindel's role in Frodo's rescue was given to Arwen in the movies. Sure, it was great for Arwen's character development, giving her a more active role than she has in the books (insert eye-roll here), but poor Glorfindel got left in the Elven dust. Even if they absolutely had to have Arwen in that scene (because romance sells blah, blah, blah), it would've been pretty cool to see him and Arwen tag-teaming to save Frodo, showing that in Middle-earth, heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and ages.

Glorfindel's inclusion in the movies would've added another layer of coolness to the already epic Fellowship. Picture this: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and now the freaking epic Glorfindel striding into battle. Two Elves are so much better than one, no offense to Legolas. Glorfindel's presence would also allowed for a deeper dive into Elven lore. He's not just any elf: he's a living link to the ancient history of Middle-earth. His inclusion would've been like opening a treasure chest of stories and legends, giving us more insight into the richness of Tolkien's world.

5) Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth

Here's another character who deserves more of the limelight. Prince Imrahil is a regal fellow, decked out in shiny armor, with the kind of dashing looks that would make even the Elves do a double take. But Imrahil isn't just a good haircut in a fancy helmet. He's the ruler of Dol Amroth, a place so cool it's like the Riviera of Middle-earth, but with more knights and fewer beach umbrellas. When things go south in Gondor, Imrahil gallops in like the hero in a medieval action movie, sword swinging and banners flying. He's the kind of guy who doesn't just talk the talk; he rides the ride right into the thick of battle.

Now, picture the movies with Imrahil in them. You've got epic battles, right? Well, add in Imrahil and it's like sprinkling extra excitement on an already thrillingly delicious cake. He would've been there, sword in hand, alongside Gandalf, Aragorn and the rest, giving the forces of Gondor that extra oomph.

Imrahil brings a new layer to the story. He's a key adviser to our heroes, a voice of reason in the chaos of war. With him in the mix, the dynamics at play during the climactic Battle of the Pelennor Fields would've been even richer; you'd see more of the strategy, the political plays, and the camaraderie among Middle-earth’s finest.

In the books, Imrahil is a pillar of strength for Gondor. Think of him as the cool uncle at a family reunion who steps in when things get out of hand. He's there, giving pep talks to Faramir, backing up Gandalf, and generally being a stand-up guy. Without his presence in the movies, we miss out on some juicy Middle-earth politics and a slice of that rich lore that makes the world feel so real.

These are only five of the many fantastic pieces of Middle-earth magic that didn't make the leap from page to screen. But hey, that's the beauty of books and movies, right? Each one tells the tale in its own unique way, and it only enriches the tales we love.

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