Why The Fellowship Of The Ring Is The Best Lord Of The Rings Film

For all of the advantages The Fellowship of the Ring has over its larger and more epic brothers, the greatest of all of these is the presence of Boromir. He is the MVP of Fellowship and, despite turning up in the extended versions of the subsequent films, his absence from the theatrical releases hurt both The Two Towers and Return of the King. In one of Sean Bean's best known and celebrated roles, Boromir is the most human protagonist of the entire series, full of fear, doubt and confusion. This makes him the most interesting and sympathetic character of all three films.

Plagued with doubt due to his father Denethor's (the steward of Gondor) poisoned, weak mind, Boromir wants to do what is right and save Middle Earth. He is looked upon as champion and hero of his people and can think of no greater shame than letting them down. Denethor wants him to claim the ring for Gondor, something Boromir tries to do. When he is overruled during the Council of Elrond sequence, he agrees to help deliver the ring 'back to the fiery chasm from whence it came.'

Boromir proves himself a mighty warrior during the Mines of Moria battle and becomes a good friend to Merry and Pippin, teaching them how to use their swords and defending them to the death at the climax of the film. We also see his doubt and fear when Galadriel speaks to him and his anger and weakness when he tries to take the ring from Frodo.

Although other flawed, interesting characters are introduced over the course of The Two Towers and Return of the King, Boromir is the original tortured soul and his death at the climax of Fellowship, although the greatest individual moment of the series ('my brother, my captain, my king!'), is also the moment the series loses its best character.