What's up with Faramir in TTT

[Black Breathalizer]

This is a good thread to bring back to Page One prior to Extended TTT Tuesday.

Most of the criticisms of the movie (Faramir, the sudden appearance of Theodred's horse, etc.) will be addressed in the Extended edition. Truth be told, many fans found the FOTR EE to be far superior to the theatrical release. It will be the same way with TTT's EE.

[Elf Girl]

Yes, but does having him be different in the EE somehow make it okay that his character was mangled in the theatrical release?

[Bacchus]

After some careful thought, I'm not so sure that F was quite so mangled as is commonly thought.

Now, before someone sentences me to 500 lashes with the manuscript of TTT, allow me to elaborate:

Movie: Faramir's men capture Frodo and Sam, there is a brief interrogation, Gollum is captured, Faramir discovers that Frodo has the Ring, decides to take Frodo to MT, and eventually releases him at Osgiliath.

Book: Faramir's men capture Frodo and Sam, there is a brief interrogation in the field, additional discussion at Henneth Annun reveals the Ring, Faramir abides by his hasty pledge, but makes no decision on Frodo and Sam's disposition, Gollum is captured and questioned, Frodo, Sam and Gollum are released.

Notice that, aside from some minor timing issues regarding Gollum, the only substantive difference is the timing and location of Frodo's release. The 'chance for Faramir to show his quality' line is lifted directly from book. The only difference is that b-F defers his decision on Frodo, while m-F initially decides one thing, only to later repent and correct his error.

Faramir remains differentiated from Boromir in that he never attempts to take the Ring from Frodo. Even book-Faramir considered taking Frodo to MT after forebearing to take the Ring.