9 Awful Characters Who Nearly Ruined Awesome Movies

Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy boasts some of the most gripping and mesmerising characters in cinema history, with the inner turmoil of Andy Serkis' schizophrenic Gollum and Sir Ian McKellen's Oscar nominated turn as Gandalf the Grey being just two of the brilliant turns which spring to mind.

However, not every character in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth covered themselves in glory throughout the sprawling epic.

During the highly anticipated finale to Jackson's trilogy, Pippin travels to Gondor with Gandalf after it becomes clear that Sauron is set to attack Minas Tirith. Their goal is to warn the Steward of Gondor, Denethor II, of this impending attack. However, once they arrive at the stunning city, it becomes clear that Denethor hasn't taken the death of his son Boromir very well. He also has no intention of helping defend the city against Mordor's forces and spends most of his time gorging on cherry tomatoes and pathetically wishing his son Faramir had died instead of his oldest.

If being a bland and unmemorable villain in comparison to the likes of Sauron, Saruman and the Witch King, a horrendous father and momentum killer whenever he arrived on screen wasn't enough, Denethor also nearly kills Faramir whilst trying to sacrifice himself and his son on a pyre.

Return of the King played host to some of the most stunning battles and extraordinary performances you're ever likely to see. Yet, Denethor's appearance was a disappointment from start to finish and his frantic, nutty presence throughout the trilogy's finale almost soiled an otherwise fitting end.