10 Deleted Scenes That Actually Improve Movie Characters

The Lord of the Rings extended editions may now be the definitive versions of the trilogy, but it is easy to forget that these are not the films we saw in the cinema - and just how much was lost as a result.

Ending Fellowship as an ultimately redeemed but still somewhat monstrous man who attempted to steal the One Ring from Frodo, Boromir (Sean Bean) was somewhat doomed in the eyes of the viewer, destined to be remembered more for his misdeeds than who he was as a man.

In this extended edition deleted scene, we see a flashback to Boromir's glory days, at the retaking of Osgiliath, rousing Gondor's armies, leading men and taking names. It allows him shared screen time with his younger brother Faramir (David Wenham), an outcast and tragic figure, and shows their love for each other.

This is the scene that humanises Boromir, giving depth to him as a man, a brother and a son, as well as setting up the tension between the unloved Faramir and their father Denethor. Try as he might to raise emotional barriers between them, Denethor could never break the brothers' deep fraternal bonds.

As an extra arrow in the chest, these events take place just prior to Boromir's journey to Rivendell to guard the One Ring, and show Boromir's self-awareness: strong as he was, he knew his capacity to be corrupted by the ring's power.