Worth noting that in the books he did at first hide the truth from Aragorn when first encountering him, but later admitted it after being mortally wounded.
Tolkien actually meant for Boromir's confession and Aragorn forgiving him to be an image of Catholic confession. Something that most people don't know about. In fact, Boromir, Faramir, and Gollum are images of three types of people. Gollum, the unrepentant sinner; Boromir, the repentant sinner; and Faramir, the saint. You can see why Boromir is the most relatable of the three.
Yea imo he was the most honorable character, he caught it right in time and told frodo to get away from him and then the foes attacked and he died to save merry and pippin.
@@Batman__Certainly. There are two excellent books from Joseph Pearce about the religious aspect of Tolkien's works. One is called Bilbo's Journey and the other Frodo's Journey. Joseph Pearce also has some great videos on UA-cam talking about the Catholicism of the Lord of the Rings.
There is no greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Though his time with the fellowship was short he was a true friend RIP Boromir.
Isaiah 53:5-8 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
Sean Bean absolutely knocked it out of the park with Boromir. He did a beautiful job bringing this flawed, nuanced, human character to life. It’s absolutely my favorite portrayal in the whole series.
I am a grown man who has seen the movies perhaps once too often, but I still cry like a little bitch every single time I see Boromir die with his final words to Aragorn .. God damn, that's still perhaps the best death scene in cinema history. And to be fair, Sean Bean earned it, lol
This is so true! When I watched the trilogy as a kid I didn't feel strongly about Boromir's death, probably because I couldn't really understand his part in the big picture, but just last weekend I watched the Fellowship with my friend again and neither of us could hold back the tears. Sean Bean's performance as Boromir is just perfection, and not just because of his rep as the actor whose character never makes it alive.
@@Hybridancer watched it as a kid and now but i never cried. Was an emotional moment but no tears. I see his death as an honorable death. And honorable deaths give me a feeling of pride. Everyone responds differently ofcourse. But you will probably laugh when i tell you that Naruto had one moment where i cried.
Of course he's the most human, he's the only ACTUAL human in the Fellowship. Gandalf is an immortal, angelic being in the guise of an old man. Aragorn is an 87 year old Dunedain. While technically human, he's far from a normal human. He actually frightens Sauron! He's the only person to whom Frodo offered the ring and didn't speculate on what it might do to him, but just flat-out refused it without hesitation. Boromir is the only actual human. He ages like us, and has the same strengths and weaknesses we do.
Its not about him being the only genetic human. Its about how his actions represent the reality of humanity. He makes mistakes, grave ones, but is still a good man based on how he was able to overcome his weakness and keep his honor.
That moment of regret when Boromir realized what he had done and calls out for Frodo… And then when he has the chance to redeem himself and stares down certain death like an absolute beast protecting his friends. Gave every last drop of blood in his body protecting his friends.
Awesome vid, the last thing he said always gets me. "I would have followed you, my brother. My captain. My King". Finally accepting the thing that his father failed to accept.
The best part? This is the crucial turning point of Aragorn's goals, going from just trying to help out to fully understanding he is truly capable of becoming king and that it will be the best way to defeat Sauron. Boromir is the reason. Before this point Aragorn was all doubt and no confidence. Which I hear is different in the books, but honestly makes him so much more interesting in the movies IMO
Boromir is perhaps the most genuine character in the legendarium!!! He perfectly embodies what it is to be human! He has both the strength, integrity and honor of men, but also their weakness and frailty.
Great video! So many people who've only seen the movies think poorly of Boromir, but in the books he's even more noble and kind, and his care and concern for the weakest in the fellowship is unrivaled.
I watched the films first before reading the books and Boromir was my fave just by watching! And his scene with Aragorn alone was so moving. I think many movie goers realise that eventually. However the extended editions were so helpful in further explaining why he wanted the ring, I feel sad that it was not shown
@@thomaslee8088 The Fellowship too. I think the scene where the group gets caught by the elves and everyone looks sorrowful after Gandalf's death and things not going so well, then Boromir tells Frodo "Gandalf's death was not in vain, nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo, don't carry the weight of the dead." is one of the most beautiful lines in the movies said directly to the character that may have needed it the most. It's a shame that scene was cut cause it portrays a deeper side of Boromir, one caring and wise, it's a line you may expect to come from Gandalf himself, Aragorn or the elves, ancients with almost bottomless wisdom and thought or in Aragorn's case, having been taught by them. But Boromir was a mere man having lived as one.
Borormir crying and apologizing for trying to take the ring with his dying last breaths, gets to me now as a 29 year old man who watched these movies as a boy. If you’re struggling with guilt and shame as a man, let it go. Don’t let it destroy you like I have.
Boromir has always been my favorite character. I saw Fellowship in the theater the day it premiered (my 11th birthday), and I didn't read the books for the first time until I was in my mid-20s (I think I watched the Extended Editions around the same time). I don't really know when he became my favorite character, but I just one day found myself thinking "I wish he could have had a happy ending like the rest of the Fellowship did. I wish that he hadn't felt so much hopelessness and despair in the last few months of his life." I see a lot of videos comparing Boromir and Aragorn's characters and saying that "Aragorn is the ideal man and what humanity aspires to be." Nah. I don't want to be a Mary Sue/Gary Stu. If anything, I want to aspire to be like Boromir--flawed and conflicted and vulnerable but still honorable. I wish I cared about something so much that I would dedicate my entire being to preserving it. I wish I could relate to people and teach them what I know like he did with Merry and Pippin. I wish I had a heart that loved something/someone as much as he loved his people. I wouldn't say I'm selfish, but my selfless acts don't define who I am in the same way they define his character-- "They took the little ones. Where is Frodo?" Not a word about himself as he was dying, except that he failed the others. Galadriel said that the Ring would corrupt all of the Fellowship eventually, but it targeted Boromir first because it sensed his desperation. He had the most to lose, and the Ring seized on that. All of the Fellowship (with the exception of Gandalf who traveled around a lot) lived in the North, far away from Mordor. Boromir's home was literally the front line, while the others had homes that were still relatively safe at the beginning of the War of the Ring. He was also one of the only members of the Fellowship who had a reason to want the Ring. With the exception of Aragorn, who could have possessed it because he was Isildur's heir, no one else in the Fellowship would have needed or wanted it. Yes, he fell to its influence briefly, because the last threads of hope he had been grasping at since he was first drawn into the conflict against Mordor were slipping through his fingers. He was never selfish or greedy. His country's survival was at stake, so it was only natural that he would use every resource at his disposal and do everything in his limited power that he could, and when that didn't work, even seek magical artifacts that he doesn't fully understand, just to give his people a fighting chance. Despite all that, people still don't understand him. They still call him evil or weak or greedy, and I will not stand for it. Boromir deserved better.
Seeing the LOTR as a child you'll want to be like Gandalf and Legolas because they are cool. When you get a bit older you will start to like Aragorn for his leadership and Frodo for his strong heart and willpower. When you are an adult you'll realise that Sam is the real hero and Boromir is who you actually want to be in life.
i have been rewatching the movies since i was a child all the time and have seen them many many times, however to my shame i have never read the books and that is why i am reading through all of them right now, and i must say - man i like book frodo way way more than movie frodo.. i am kinda bummed that they didnt portray him like in the book. boromir had cool moments in book too, sure, the way he blew the horn of gondor in moria and made balrog shit his pants was cool, but i think in the movies they portraied him really well.. i really agree with your comment tho, and i think that seeing the lotr now, each member of fellowship has their own moments and strengths that we can all learn from, even Pippin and his whimsical yet courageous and purehearted nature
I was a weird kid. I always wanted to be Boromir. The rest of the gang just weren't real enough for me to even consider. Like yourself my preferences have changed, I started out abhorring Legolas but as years gone by I'm slowly turning into a giddy teenage girl whenever Legolas commands a scene.
It's also important to note how young Boromir is compared to most of the fellowship. Only the hobbits other than Frodo are younger than him. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf, they're all way older and more experienced than him. They've all lived more than average human lifetime, they are all have completely different perspective on life and have had plenty of time to better themselves. And then there are qualities like dwarfs being extremely resistant to the rings of power. Boromir is basically the regular guy in group of superhumans, desperately trying to prove his worth by any means necessary. Of course he's gonna fumble more than Aragorn who's almost as old as his father and who's been raised by some of the best mentors in all Middle Earth.
Boromir is the Gondorian patriot raging against the dying of the light. His mind is focused on the preservation of his nation and his people, he has fought all his life. It makes him tunnel-visioned, but he means well. He's a flawed man, but honestly the realest one. Aragorn has his own struggle about accepting his destiny, but he embodies more of the ideal man.
I love when Boromir realizes what he's done after trying to take the ring from Frodo, he's so sad and regretful that it's worth crying over. You gotta love him
Sean bean made boromir a truly out of this world fantastical hero. Flawed as we all are but a champion of man. It takes a truly legendary thespian of our time to flesh out someone who seems straight out of myth. He immediately commands respect over Aragorn who we are introduced as the “savior”. An incredibly hard feat to do in such little time.
Boromir was the youngest human (not including hobbits) of the fellowship, and had likely spent the largest proportion of his life fighting the forces of Sauron, it's no surprise he so desperately wanted the power to save his people, to the point of him believing that the ring would be that very power
Denethor was also a misunderstood character in the story. During his youth he was a great leader for his people but during his life he felt abandoned by his allies. Fought alone against the forces of evil. And seeing his 2nd son adore an unknown wizard over him made him suspicious. Having to dedicate his entire life for the preservation and freedom of his people only to be subverted by old men promising preservation and freedom only made him hateful. And finally the death of his sons broke him (Faramir didn't die ofcourse). For him to deny the return of the King is justified, having to protect the people of Middle Earth by the sacrifice of his own people. This is why Aragorn refused to enter the Tower of the Guard until the evil of Sauron has been vanquished.
All very good and true points. But the difference between himself and his sons as being good men is how they acted in their last moments (not faramir of course he didnt die). How they responded to true evil was what mattered. Both boromir and faramir were valiant and showed their quality when it mattered. Denethor showed his as he was at the end of his life. He was a shell of who he used to be. Sure he was plagued by what he saw in the palantir though.
@@DirtballJones I've seen other commenters here point out that Denethor had spent a good amount of time using the palantir, and had communed directly with Sauron. But unlike Saruman, Denethor had resisted Sauron and his visions, although it sapped his will.
That and Aragorn was preferred over himself by his own father. Denethor loved both his sons and Faramir even more because he resembled both in disposition and appearance to Finduilas the Númenorean lady from Dol Amroth! So when she died giving birth to Faramir... well... he was confronted with that event by the fafr Faramir kept reminding him of her.
Denethor was done dirty: He was way more noble & mighty in the books. Not to mention he contended wills with Sauron for decades nonstop & ontop of that even now he was never broken nor could Sauron alter what Denethor would see in the palantir even then he couldn’t control what Denethor had control of which was how he chose to interpret the visions given to him. Using it all to Gondor’s advantage! ❤ he also lit the beacons and got the women & children far away from the city longer ahead of time. So the movie butchered him as well as faramir but they didn’t butcher faramir as badly thankfully. He could have been shown to give Pippen his newest order to light the beacons so then it wouldn’t change the scene much at all as presented! The story here is Faramir’s birth ended up killing his mother Finduilas(named after an elvish princess from the era of Children Of Hùrin was set in);she was a Numenorean woman of the Faithful which her ancestors survived the Cataclysm of Númenor by the way! He was hurt deeply by her death. But also Aragorn when he went by the name gifted to him as Thorongil Denethor’s father basically overshadowing him from his own father so he is as psychology goes: treated Boromir the same way his father treated Aragorn/Thorongil. Note that Boromir and Faramir are half Númenorean which is a big thing as far as the legendarium goes! Denethor actually did many things the movie shows him not doing or neglecting. He was VERY competent and mighty in many craft and (even a lore-master to a degree). He had quite alot of mental and “magical” might which is why he could contend with Sauron too without being harmed in there process in any way!
I think Tolkien does his magic of understanding human strengths and weakness through Boromir. Our struggle with sin, power, lust. and simply doing whats right for family and friends. In the end Boromir fought bravely and acquitted himself of any wrong doing. In fact, his actions gave Frodo the resolve to carry out his mission. I am going to Mordor alone, of course you are Mr Frodo, and I am coming with you.
It's worth noting that in the book, Denethor and Boromir did not know that the Ring was in Rivendell, nor did they know what "Isildur's Bane" was. It was a cryptic bit of verse and imagery that came to Boromir in a dream, which is why he set out to Rivendell, not knowing what was in store. He did not go there seeking the ring.
Boromir represents the reality that even when your noble and pure hearted evil can and will tempt you. However that fact does not make a truly decent person any less decent, only human.
Frodo bearing the ring had Sam and Gandalf and indeed the whole Fellowship in support. It seems to me that Boromir was neglected - he was isolated and neither Gandalf nor Aragorn nor indeed Galadriel helped him. In the end it was the hobbits who helped him most; they had built genuine friendship with him, so he was enabled to fight and die heroically for them
Others: Boromir succumbed to the ring because he was weak and the most selfish member of the fellowship Me, an intellectual: Boromir held such belief in the power of good over evil and the strength of the people of Middle Earth that he literally believed with enough willpower they could turn Sauron's work against him. He was absolutely convinced that with enough goodness and love and solidarity they could overcome the most fundamental evil of their world. The ring used those beliefs and used them to isolate Boromir from the fellowship because that's what it does - it takes people's good attributes and uses them to twist them into something serving its own purposes. The ring literally could only corrupt Boromir the way it did because he was a fundamentally good and faithful person at heart.
don’t you think he just wanted to take the safer bet and fight fire with fire? If he believed that pure good trumps pure evil wouldn’t he believe that they would not need the ring anyway? Unless he believed pure evil is submitted to pure good plus a magic ring. Not disagreeing with you but that’s how I interpreted it. I don’t remember the text very well maybe the book went deeper? Jesus bless!✝✌
Brilliantly said. This is a theme that some just don’t understand, just as they don’t understand how this happens in real life. They believe they are wholly good and therefor untouchable by the hands of evil.
Boromir has been one of my favorite LOTR characters since I first read the books. Sean Bean did a great job portraying him. He's such a tragic, nuanced character.
This was a brilliant video, recently read the Lord of the Rings again and what made Boromir my favourite character was when the council of Elrond and all races meet in Rivendell Boromir was the only one who travelled across Middle Earth completely alone and went solo. Even Aragon travelled with a party because it's so dangerous. Love how in the films when Boromir does arrive, he's alone and almost exhausted. I do believe that the ring immediately began to effect Boromir from the moment it was placed in front of him for display and he's the first person to speak saying it is a gift. Love Tolkien.
Excellent video mate. Boromir was always my favourite because to me he felt like the only one who wasn't morally perfect - but I think you're right actually, he isn;t morally flawed, he always has goodness in his intent, it's just how he chose to act on those motivations (and ofc being the only human in prolonged proximity to the ring, save for Aragorn, who gets a pass).
Thank you! Boromir is one of my favorite characters of all time because he has bits of grey in them. He makes mistakes but is still able to redeem himself. Analyzing boromir really opened my eyes. And watching his death scene makes me sob everytime lmao
When I think of the expression "anti-villain", Boromir is one of my references, a character with motivations that con come into conflict with the heroes' ones but are born of selfless intents, and a character who might under some circumstances turn into an actual villain. But in his last few moments, he is a hero again.
The book adds some context. In the movie, they dismiss the possibility of using the Ring as a weapon with a single line of dialogue: "You cannot wield it; none of us can." And that was that. In the book, SAURON'S GREATEST FEAR was that Aragorn would do just that, try to wield the Ring as a weapon. This fear consumed him, made him blind to all other possibilities. It didn't even cross his mind that they would be mad enough to try to destroy it. Ultimately, Aragorn or Boromir probably couldn't have used the Ring to overthrow Sauron's entire regime, as it is HIS Ring and HIS power. But there is a reason that Boromir wanted it.
The flashback scene for Faramir and Boromir is so important to their characters, I’m shocked it got cut from the theatrical release. It helps you understand Boromir’s motivation and *especially* contextualizes Faramir’s behavior towards Frodo and Sam when he meets them. Tolkien is amazing, but the movies do a gorgeous job expanding the two characters
Boromir is my favorite character and I will cry everytime I watch Fellowship and he dies. He’s very much like Edmund Pevensie from Narnia but I think people tend to be kinder to Edmund because he was a child and because he lived and strived to be a better person for multiple more books. But Boromir doesn’t get that chance, he is able to make one last redeeming sacrifice, to save the hobbits, before he dies. And I think the significance of that is lost on many because it happens so quickly after his worst deed.
I found it odd how they thought they could use the ring, forged by an evil figure to destroy that figure. The ring couldn't destroy Sauron, maybe just his current foothold in this world, but it was just a manifestation (physical representation) of his power, meant to corrupt other beings by the time they got close enough to destroy the ring or him, likely ending up serving him instead. The ring couldn't harm him as it was _of_ him. It's like expecting someone to punch themselves in the face or for Babylon to destroy Babylon to borrow another story.
He was not any less of a man than Aragorn. Any less honorable, compassionate or heroic. Next to Aragorn and Theoden he is definintely my favorite character in LotR
Man I frdging cried seeing the scenes again. Boromir has always been my favorite, a noble valiant man who is just cool and everything (even flawed) but i loved him and would always. I am a man but this trilogy fricking breaks me, Gandalf's death, Boromir and Aragorns talk in Lothlorien, Boromirs sacrifice sam joining frodo to the emun muil faramirs sacrifice frodo and sams seperation the the secret stairs just everything man
You're totally right about Boromir being a hero, and being one of the most relatable characters. That said, at the start of the video you say that Boromir had done the most out of the fellowship to fight Sauron, but Aragorn had been fighting orks in Gondor and Rohan, and the pirates in Umbar 40 years before the movies. They kept a line alluding to this in the extended edition of the two towers when Eyowen asks Aragorn about riding to war with her grandfather. Aragorn was actually a close advisor to Boromir's grandfather too and disliked by Denethor because Denethor's father valued Aragorn's advice more highly than his. Obviously, the movies don't have time to show all of that, and it doesn't change the fact that Boromir is the most relatable character to regular people. I think it actually make him more relatable because he isn't a superhuman, he is just a man.
Love this video, I have the same exact feeling about this character. In so many ways Boromir is the most human member of the fellowship. It hurts to know that he never lives to see the victory of men.
I first read the book 50 years ago when I was 12. I don't remember what I thought of Boromir at that time. But I do know the animated version when I was in high school didn't do any him any favors. I thought Sean Bean's performance was excellent and brought a new sympathy of Boromir for me
I think they should have left that extended scene from Osgiliath to the movie. it added a lot to his character. And although he fell under the influence of the Ring, so did everyone else. There was a reason Gandalf would not even touch it.
Boromir he diden 't leave corrupt from the single ring,the fault is not his,himself would have survived,he would not have worn the one ring at gondor,as his father had asked
I just watched these movies for the first time and I loved Boromir idk, I was sad when he died. Sure he was easily tempted by the ring, but he was still a good, noble guy.
Boromir is my favorite character, but when I first saw this movie as a boy in 2001 I thought he was just a bad guy as well. The reason I thought so was because that's what lesser stories had basically taught me to believe, there is always an obvious villain and they do villainess things because they're villainous. But even after my initial viewing of the first movie I did change my tune I think, but not as much yet as I did after subsequent viewings and readings. People now understand that what happened to him was the fault of the ring, but still think the reason he was able to fall so easily was because of a moral failing on his part, when in reality it could not be further from the truth. It was Boromirs morality that was his downfall. Boromir was no less moral than the other members of the company, just less wise, and more desperate. He was told that the ring would corrupt people, but he had not the knowledge or experience of a gandalf, Galadriel, or even Aragorn. He was not weary about the ring and did not see the danger, and so it was able to seduce him, because he barely fought back against its manipulation, because he didn't even properly understand he was being manipulated, that these feelings were not his own, or rather, not as he normally would experience them. Boromir wanted to do no wrong, he wanted to do right, he needed to do right, his people looked at him, needed him, they were dying, he felt pressure from his people, his father, and his own sense of duty, and therefore Boromir had fewer defenses against the ring, and much more for the ring to tug on. But none of it had anything to do with Boromir being bad in any way, shape or form. He just did not see. I honestly believe that, had Boromir lived and the fellowship continued, that Boromir, whose burned hand would have taught him best, would have been as resilient to the ring as any other member. Still not safe for ever, no one is, but safer than he was. I hope you sat your girlfriend down and set her straight XD
I went to the Weta Workshop in March and got to hold Boromir’s sword. It was amazing and I still get chills thinking about it. Unfortunately they don’t allow photography through most of the Workshop so no pictures.
Boromir is the best character of the trilogy, don't try to change my mind because you can't. Despite the fact that he only appears in the first movie (technically there are also the flashbacks and he's mentioned by other characters) and doesn't have that much screen time, his character goes through a very significant development and his death is very meaningful, it has a great impact on the story, the Fellowship and many other people all over Middle-earth. I love his character so much that I made him my profile picture, with sunglasses to make him even cooler. It's a real shame that so many people misunderstand Boromir the first time they watch the movies, it's even sadder how some don't really learn anything about him in the end, still thinking of him as a somewhat bad guy. He was a good man, maybe even the best.
Boromir’s story is a solid take on “The Hero’s Journey”… told masterfully by Tolkien and retold by Jackson. It moves me as much today as when I first read it in the early 70’s. Tolkien’s Books are Unchanged and Jackson’s LoTR’s Movies have held up well. For even with Jackson’s shortcomings, his movies are the best we are likely to get. Nothing remotely close could see the Light of Day in our current upside down political environment. Where lesser mortals think they can write Tolkien… better than Tolkien… For The Modern Audience. Whom ever the Hell the Modern Audience might be.
Very touching take, I had never been able to figure out exactly how I felt about Boromir... because you want so much for Frodo to be protected... But it is true, he's only human. Like us. Thanks.
I think it’s a real shame that they didn’t include the scene about Faramir reminiscing about Boromir in the original release of The Two Towers. I just happened upon it on UA-cam today and I was so glad I did…it says so much about both characters. I’m glad it’s in the extended version. Though Boromir comes off as a bit angry & suspicious when we first see him, he becomes a more and more likable, admirable character as the movie goes on. We see him opening up to Aragon, play fighting with Merri and Pippin, pleading with Aragon to allow them some time to grieve for Gandalf…I quite liked the guy and was crushed when he died. I didn’t fault him for momentarily succumbing to the ring’s power…he was immediately sorry & his final words to Aragon always get to me 🥲🥲🥲
Denethor was done dirty: He was way more noble & mighty in the books. Not to mention he contended wills with Sauron for decades nonstop & ontop of that even now he was never broken nor could Sauron alter what Denethor would see in the palantir even then he couldn’t control what Denethor had control of which was how he chose to interpret the visions given to him. Using it all to Gondor’s advantage! ❤ he also lit the beacons and got the women & children far away from the city longer ahead of time. So the movie butchered him as well as faramir but they didn’t butcher faramir as badly thankfully. He could have been shown to give Pippen his newest order to light the beacons so then it wouldn’t change the scene much at all as presented! The story here is Faramir’s birth ended up killing his mother Finduilas(named after an elvish princess from the era of Children Of Hùrin was set in);she was a Numenorean woman of the Faithful which her ancestors survived the Cataclysm of Númenor by the way! He was hurt deeply by her death. But also Aragorn when he went by the name gifted to him as Thorongil Denethor’s father basically overshadowing him from his own father so he is as psychology goes: treated Boromir the same way his father treated Aragorn/Thorongil. Note that Boromir and Faramir are half Númenorean which is a big thing as far as the legendarium goes! Denethor actually did many things the movie shows him not doing or neglecting. He was VERY competent and mighty in many craft and (even a lore-master to a degree). He had quite alot of mental and “magical” might which is why he could contend with Sauron too without being harmed in there process in any way!
I appreciate your breakdown of this…. Always related to him for the reasons you articulated. The last stand of Boromir is one of the most powerful scenes in the story and always struck me profoundly!
Haven’t read the books in quite some time but just finished Fellowship a couple of days ago. Then I stumbled onto this video. You perfectly sum up what a beautifully human and courageous character Boromir was. It’s sad that most casual viewers of the films/non-readers only see Boromir as a weak-willed man, unable to resist the ring’s temptation. In the book and the extended editions of the movies, you see an absolute stud of a man without many flaws. His ultimate demise isn’t his own doing, it’s the ring’s power that twists his good heart into thinking he needs the ring in order to do good. Wonderful video brother. To anyone who hasn’t read the books, I ask you be patient and give them a try. They burn slowly at the beginning, but it’s well worth the journey to experience the richness of Tolkien’s trilogy.
Gimbli got 43 oruki spread out through one night and had help, Boromir 1 v 100 ish oruki taking 20+ down without his shield (what his preferred fighting would be) and didnt let any pass him, in the books he caused the first wave of orcs to retreat and then the second wave of oruki take him down after his shield was destroyed and his sword broken down to the crossguard
@@DirtballJones not gonna lie, in the books, i think hes a better fighter than Aragorn, the man decapitated a worg in one swing with a broad sword where Aragorn had to kill the worgs by piercing them with Narsil (a sword made for a guy 8ft 6in)
I loved boromirs character a lot because aragorn was a king in the making but trained a warrior from birth not having the experience of leading his people or a kingdom but boromir dying serving the fellowship was like him losing a fellow citizen and a brother in arms
me as a kid: damn legolas is amazing. he is my fave and i wanna be like him me as an adult: damn, aside from being an elder brother/son, boromir is very relatable as a person and is now my most favorite
THANK YOU! Refreshing to see someone who understands the true character of Boromir. Flawed, certainly, but he had the burden of leadership placed on him since childhood. How many others could carry that without making some HUGE mistakes? He was not a villain, as some would make him out to be. He was human, and if you look in a mirror sometimes, you might notice those characteristics, too. Boromir was a reminder to Aragorn of what was at stake, and the true nature of the commitment to be King.
Boromir was like the only full human in the fellowship so like he was more likely to fall for the rings corruption. He gets too much hate for some reason
Boromir=best boi. Glad my literal favorite charcter in the legendarium is getting some love. And what a great way to put it, he really is the most human feeling character that i feel tolkien ever wrote.
Boromir had 1 bad moment and got branded weak for it. Maybe rightly so. We all fail sooner or later. Boromir did what we all should. Immediately realized his failure, took responsibility, picked himself up and did his best. His weeping "They took the little ones" was a line that showed he still had the right motives. He was always a good guy, but still just a guy.
Specifically, I want to point out the amazing and desperate line delivery of "Frodo, I'm sorry!" I always felt like those words just sounded so painful and desperate- the immediate realization of how big of a mistake he just made.
Although he isn’t my favorite character in the series, (but that’s because there are so many great characters) I do love Boromir and always saw him as a hero. Only fallen for a few minutes of his life that was spent in the service of his people.
faramir seems like the most human/relatable to me. hes always just kinda.. trying his best and even tho he might not succeed hes just idk how to describe it but he just felt very normal and human to me.
So much weight om Boromir's shoulders, that caused a normal flawed human to make misjudgements out of a real love for Gondor and his people. So much loss of hope and the desperation in him. My favourite character that was tempted but rose above it in the end.
I think Boromir encapsulated incredibly by the great Sean Bean is one of the best portrayed characters in the entire trilogy. He is a strong, heroic and yet flawed character who shows great compassion for the hobbits (such as after Moria and fighting the numerous Uruk-Hai sacrificing his life to save Merry and Pippin) and fearlessly advocates for and admires his home, his death being one of the most catalytic events to convince Aragorn to become who he is truly destined to be. Fascinatingly, it is fear and despair which causes him to try and take the ring from Frodo, not greed. This is seen in small parts and moments, such as after the canoes land and he gives a slightly desperate sigh, until they reach Lorien and he cannot face Galadriel’s piercing gaze as she tests the Fellowship. He speaks of what could happen if Frodo should fail, and in the end Frodo does fall to the ring save for Sam being there with him and Gollum’s hand in destroying the ring, bringing Frodo and Bilbo’s mercy in sparing the fiend to a very satisfying conclusion. This is just but one reason why this trilogy and books are timeless works of literature and film art.
Boromir post Gandalf's fall you can just see him slowly falling even further, but not by choice like in the beginning in which he didn't have a connection with the fellowship. Masterful acting from Sean Bean. Boromir even to this day I try to imagine how it would be had he survived and continued the journey with the fellowship, simply cause it was like losing a part of a true piece of the legend of the fellowship.
As a kid you think you are gollum but as an adult you realize you are actually Shelob. Oh what, thought I was going to say Boromir? Wrong because nobody could be him.😢
I picked up the Trilogy - in a sleeve with the map of Middle Earth on the cover - when I was 18 . . . 56 yrs ago. I still have it - and I read it from cover to cover every year - including The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, Farmer Giles of Ham, Leaf By Niggle and Smith of Wooten Major. Although I've adored Sean Bean for decades - I was NOT a fan of Boromir. Just recently, someone described Boromir as being the most "layered" character in LOTR. But he was no such thing. At every turn - not always that obviously, but always there - he was mistrustful of others - and not only other humans - but most ESPECIALLY other races. He always suspected the worst of ANY being who wasn't a "great-hearted MAN" - of Gondor. He's a one-trick-xenophobic, bigoted pony. And this is never more clear than when he is trying to talk Frodo into "lending" him the ring - in Parth Galen. He CLEARLY - more than once in that diatribe - discounts the THOUSANDS OF YEARS of knowledge of Elrond, Gandalf and others. The narrator "says" he loves his brother, Faramir, dearly - but at no time - NOT ONCE - does he tell his father to leave off treating Faramir like crap. And given how his father dotes on his every word - he could easily have done so. He is TOTALLY into the activities of War . . . he doesn't even have a girlfriend (Aragorn - who focused for almost 70 years on reclaiming the kingship - and who was as doughty in a fight as Boromir - had a love interest for all that time). Unlike Faramir - he finds culture, education, lore, etc. - a colossal bore. For him - it's all about being a "man" - being a "warrior" - strength of arms And Gondor Other countries, other races of beings - all are insignificant in comparison - DESPITE his MONTHS of experiences with these things - and close contact with an Elf, Hobbits and a Dwarf. Faramir was the equal of his brother at arms - but he ALSO had empathy, kindness, compassion - and knowledge of history and lore outside his own little sphere. I agree with your girlfriend, Dirtball Jones. Boromir was personable, strong, bigger than life - and handsome as the devil (as portrayed by Sean Bean). But he was not a good guy. Not by a long shot. He was a self-centered, xenophobic, bigoted narcissist. (Case in Point: Faramir had the dream about going to Imladris MANY times. Boromir had it once. So who was it shoved his brother out of the way, and claimed the quest for his own ?!?)
My all time favorite since I watched the first film in theaters back in the day. I think it marked me because nowadays redemption arcs are one of my favorite tropes in fiction.
Boromir is and has been since the first time I saw the show as a young kid (didn’t read the books till after I had seen the show) my favorite character on so many levels. Then as a teenager etc as I had failures in life and times when I did the wrong thing it’s crazy how often his example of moving on from his failures kept me going, keep fighting even if you have failed are week or have committed evil don’t quit stand up again and do the best you can. Although when I first saw the commercials for the show I was super excited about gimli to be fair lol the “and my axe” part got me
It is funny how complex a character he is compared to everyone else. Yet he's in it so briefly. Gimli and Legolas are fan favourites and although they are very cool, they have no character. You couldn't right more than a sentence about what we know about them and their personalities. Aragorn is a little better he does have his conflict with his responsibilities and destiny as king. But he is still ultimately the fantasy all good knight in shinnying armour. Boromir is oddly grounded in a story full of invincible videogame characters that run around swinging their swords until they win. They were right to cut a lot of scenes for time and pacing but those Osgiliath scenes probably could have stayed. Not only do we see what motivates Boromir and Faramir but even Denethor is way more understandable. Gondor's in the shit and it's his responsibility, he'll clutch at any straw to save his people. We only ever see the Rohan side of things like "Gondor weren't there for us, we don't owe them anything". Here we see Gondor's struggle is no less real. Like politics in a real war both allies think the other should be doing more but the reality is far more grey.
Boromir's whole story is about Redemption. He embodies Gandalf's viewpoint about "doing the most with time given to us"... and Sean Ben is perfect in the role
I only watched the movies for the first time recently. I saw Boromir as a villain among the heroes. Each time I rewatch the movies I see him as less and less of a villain and start to see more of the conflicts that you bring up here
Indeed. If you havent, watch the extended editions too! Glad that you have recently got into them! LOTR is my favorite piece of fiction of all time. I saw boromir as a villain when i was a kid but now i realize what he was, just a human with strengths and weakness. Try reading or listening to the books. Im listening to them rn with audible and the actor for golem voice acts all the characters and its fantastic highly recommend!
@@DirtballJones I actually started with the extended editions of the movies. I have the books, but they're behind a long list of books I need to read first
Boromir was never a bad guy. I was about 12 or 13 when this movie first came out, and I always liked Boromir. Even as a little kid, I understood the power of the ring was corrupting his behavior with Frodo at the end
Boromir: I'm only human, after all
Love this lmao
*spins*
don't put a blame on me
Is it, that Boromir gets the human emotion of going after what he desires most so much. Its the same thing in James Bond Goldeneye with Boromir.
thank you for reminding me of that song.
It’s also worth noting that Boromir openly confessed what he’d done instead of trying to hide it. That’s never easy to do.
Worth noting that in the books he did at first hide the truth from Aragorn when first encountering him, but later admitted it after being mortally wounded.
Tolkien actually meant for Boromir's confession and Aragorn forgiving him to be an image of Catholic confession. Something that most people don't know about. In fact, Boromir, Faramir, and Gollum are images of three types of people. Gollum, the unrepentant sinner; Boromir, the repentant sinner; and Faramir, the saint. You can see why Boromir is the most relatable of the three.
Yea imo he was the most honorable character, he caught it right in time and told frodo to get away from him and then the foes attacked and he died to save merry and pippin.
@@Monarchist3 would you mind sharing where you found this? would love to read more about this!
@@Batman__Certainly. There are two excellent books from Joseph Pearce about the religious aspect of Tolkien's works. One is called Bilbo's Journey and the other Frodo's Journey. Joseph Pearce also has some great videos on UA-cam talking about the Catholicism of the Lord of the Rings.
There is no greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Though his time with the fellowship was short he was a true friend RIP Boromir.
Rest in power, absolute legend
Good verse.
JOHN 15:13
Isaiah 53:5-8
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted,
Yet He opened not His mouth;
He was led as a lamb to the slaughter,
And as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
So He opened not His mouth.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment,
And who will declare His generation?
For He was cut off from the land of the living;
For the transgressions of My people He was stricken.
Sean Bean absolutely knocked it out of the park with Boromir. He did a beautiful job bringing this flawed, nuanced, human character to life. It’s absolutely my favorite portrayal in the whole series.
Sean Bean said Boromir's death is his personal favorite one.
I am a grown man who has seen the movies perhaps once too often, but I still cry like a little bitch every single time I see Boromir die with his final words to Aragorn ..
God damn, that's still perhaps the best death scene in cinema history. And to be fair, Sean Bean earned it, lol
Couldnt agree more with that😭
Yeah, that scene still gives me shivers. So heroic, couldn't agree with you more.
This is so true! When I watched the trilogy as a kid I didn't feel strongly about Boromir's death, probably because I couldn't really understand his part in the big picture, but just last weekend I watched the Fellowship with my friend again and neither of us could hold back the tears.
Sean Bean's performance as Boromir is just perfection, and not just because of his rep as the actor whose character never makes it alive.
I would have gone with you to the end, my brother, my king, my captain
@@Hybridancer watched it as a kid and now but i never cried. Was an emotional moment but no tears.
I see his death as an honorable death. And honorable deaths give me a feeling of pride. Everyone responds differently ofcourse. But you will probably laugh when i tell you that Naruto had one moment where i cried.
Yes, Boromir made a mistake, but in the end he proved himself a noble and courageous son of Gondor.
@@automaticninjaassaultcat3703 He was truly inpiering. I loved how he always gave people new tasks when they were done
Of course he's the most human, he's the only ACTUAL human in the Fellowship. Gandalf is an immortal, angelic being in the guise of an old man. Aragorn is an 87 year old Dunedain. While technically human, he's far from a normal human. He actually frightens Sauron! He's the only person to whom Frodo offered the ring and didn't speculate on what it might do to him, but just flat-out refused it without hesitation. Boromir is the only actual human. He ages like us, and has the same strengths and weaknesses we do.
What about Theoden and Eowyn? Faramir is too perfect.
Its not about him being the only genetic human. Its about how his actions represent the reality of humanity. He makes mistakes, grave ones, but is still a good man based on how he was able to overcome his weakness and keep his honor.
@@contagiousintelligence5007 I did say "in the Fellowship," so just the nine who set out from Rivendell.
@@DirtballJones Oh yes, of course. I was just pointing out that it makes sense for him to act the most human, because he IS the only actual human.
I thought he had Numernorian blood as well so technically not a normal human? Am I wrong or what?
Heard on Amon Sul years ago this guy picked as favorite.
"In my life, I'm probably Boromir. I hope in my death however, I am also boromir"
That moment of regret when Boromir realized what he had done and calls out for Frodo… And then when he has the chance to redeem himself and stares down certain death like an absolute beast protecting his friends. Gave every last drop of blood in his body protecting his friends.
Awesome vid, the last thing he said always gets me. "I would have followed you, my brother. My captain. My King".
Finally accepting the thing that his father failed to accept.
That line gets me everytime too man. I cried a little even while making this😂
Funny side note: the actor actually improvised these lines (that's at least what I read)
@@marcelg8493there was seemingly a lot of improve in the LotR movies, and all of it was done with heart and a love for the story.
Yes. Exactly.
The best part? This is the crucial turning point of Aragorn's goals, going from just trying to help out to fully understanding he is truly capable of becoming king and that it will be the best way to defeat Sauron. Boromir is the reason. Before this point Aragorn was all doubt and no confidence. Which I hear is different in the books, but honestly makes him so much more interesting in the movies IMO
Boromir is perhaps the most genuine character in the legendarium!!!
He perfectly embodies what it is to be human!
He has both the strength, integrity and honor of men, but also their weakness and frailty.
Great video! So many people who've only seen the movies think poorly of Boromir, but in the books he's even more noble and kind, and his care and concern for the weakest in the fellowship is unrivaled.
Exactly!! A big reason why i made this!!! Thank you!❤️
Which is why the extended version of the Two Towers is so important. This is where people fell in love with the captain of Gondor.
This is exactly why he's my favourite character
I watched the films first before reading the books and Boromir was my fave just by watching! And his scene with Aragorn alone was so moving. I think many movie goers realise that eventually. However the extended editions were so helpful in further explaining why he wanted the ring, I feel sad that it was not shown
@@thomaslee8088 The Fellowship too. I think the scene where the group gets caught by the elves and everyone looks sorrowful after Gandalf's death and things not going so well, then Boromir tells Frodo "Gandalf's death was not in vain, nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo, don't carry the weight of the dead." is one of the most beautiful lines in the movies said directly to the character that may have needed it the most.
It's a shame that scene was cut cause it portrays a deeper side of Boromir, one caring and wise, it's a line you may expect to come from Gandalf himself, Aragorn or the elves, ancients with almost bottomless wisdom and thought or in Aragorn's case, having been taught by them. But Boromir was a mere man having lived as one.
Borormir crying and apologizing for trying to take the ring with his dying last breaths, gets to me now as a 29 year old man who watched these movies as a boy. If you’re struggling with guilt and shame as a man, let it go. Don’t let it destroy you like I have.
Boromir has always been my favorite character. I saw Fellowship in the theater the day it premiered (my 11th birthday), and I didn't read the books for the first time until I was in my mid-20s (I think I watched the Extended Editions around the same time). I don't really know when he became my favorite character, but I just one day found myself thinking "I wish he could have had a happy ending like the rest of the Fellowship did. I wish that he hadn't felt so much hopelessness and despair in the last few months of his life."
I see a lot of videos comparing Boromir and Aragorn's characters and saying that "Aragorn is the ideal man and what humanity aspires to be." Nah. I don't want to be a Mary Sue/Gary Stu. If anything, I want to aspire to be like Boromir--flawed and conflicted and vulnerable but still honorable. I wish I cared about something so much that I would dedicate my entire being to preserving it. I wish I could relate to people and teach them what I know like he did with Merry and Pippin. I wish I had a heart that loved something/someone as much as he loved his people. I wouldn't say I'm selfish, but my selfless acts don't define who I am in the same way they define his character-- "They took the little ones. Where is Frodo?" Not a word about himself as he was dying, except that he failed the others.
Galadriel said that the Ring would corrupt all of the Fellowship eventually, but it targeted Boromir first because it sensed his desperation. He had the most to lose, and the Ring seized on that. All of the Fellowship (with the exception of Gandalf who traveled around a lot) lived in the North, far away from Mordor. Boromir's home was literally the front line, while the others had homes that were still relatively safe at the beginning of the War of the Ring. He was also one of the only members of the Fellowship who had a reason to want the Ring. With the exception of Aragorn, who could have possessed it because he was Isildur's heir, no one else in the Fellowship would have needed or wanted it. Yes, he fell to its influence briefly, because the last threads of hope he had been grasping at since he was first drawn into the conflict against Mordor were slipping through his fingers. He was never selfish or greedy. His country's survival was at stake, so it was only natural that he would use every resource at his disposal and do everything in his limited power that he could, and when that didn't work, even seek magical artifacts that he doesn't fully understand, just to give his people a fighting chance.
Despite all that, people still don't understand him. They still call him evil or weak or greedy, and I will not stand for it. Boromir deserved better.
Seeing the LOTR as a child you'll want to be like Gandalf and Legolas because they are cool.
When you get a bit older you will start to like Aragorn for his leadership and Frodo for his strong heart and willpower.
When you are an adult you'll realise that Sam is the real hero and Boromir is who you actually want to be in life.
Yep, when I was a kid I would skip the talking scenes and watch the fighting scenes and battle, now I skip them to watch the talking scenes
i have been rewatching the movies since i was a child all the time and have seen them many many times, however to my shame i have never read the books and that is why i am reading through all of them right now, and i must say - man i like book frodo way way more than movie frodo.. i am kinda bummed that they didnt portray him like in the book. boromir had cool moments in book too, sure, the way he blew the horn of gondor in moria and made balrog shit his pants was cool, but i think in the movies they portraied him really well..
i really agree with your comment tho, and i think that seeing the lotr now, each member of fellowship has their own moments and strengths that we can all learn from, even Pippin and his whimsical yet courageous and purehearted nature
But you end up being Gimli….Im wasted on cross country!
Then you realize that you've wasted away your life and become Gollum.
I was a weird kid. I always wanted to be Boromir. The rest of the gang just weren't real enough for me to even consider.
Like yourself my preferences have changed, I started out abhorring Legolas but as years gone by I'm slowly turning into a giddy teenage girl whenever Legolas commands a scene.
It's also important to note how young Boromir is compared to most of the fellowship. Only the hobbits other than Frodo are younger than him. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf, they're all way older and more experienced than him. They've all lived more than average human lifetime, they are all have completely different perspective on life and have had plenty of time to better themselves. And then there are qualities like dwarfs being extremely resistant to the rings of power. Boromir is basically the regular guy in group of superhumans, desperately trying to prove his worth by any means necessary. Of course he's gonna fumble more than Aragorn who's almost as old as his father and who's been raised by some of the best mentors in all Middle Earth.
Boromir is the Gondorian patriot raging against the dying of the light. His mind is focused on the preservation of his nation and his people, he has fought all his life. It makes him tunnel-visioned, but he means well. He's a flawed man, but honestly the realest one. Aragorn has his own struggle about accepting his destiny, but he embodies more of the ideal man.
I love when Boromir realizes what he's done after trying to take the ring from Frodo, he's so sad and regretful that it's worth crying over. You gotta love him
Sean bean made boromir a truly out of this world fantastical hero. Flawed as we all are but a champion of man. It takes a truly legendary thespian of our time to flesh out someone who seems straight out of myth. He immediately commands respect over Aragorn who we are introduced as the “savior”. An incredibly hard feat to do in such little time.
this is all fax no printer
Boromir was the youngest human (not including hobbits) of the fellowship, and had likely spent the largest proportion of his life fighting the forces of Sauron, it's no surprise he so desperately wanted the power to save his people, to the point of him believing that the ring would be that very power
Denethor was also a misunderstood character in the story.
During his youth he was a great leader for his people but during his life he felt abandoned by his allies. Fought alone against the forces of evil. And seeing his 2nd son adore an unknown wizard over him made him suspicious.
Having to dedicate his entire life for the preservation and freedom of his people only to be subverted by old men promising preservation and freedom only made him hateful.
And finally the death of his sons broke him (Faramir didn't die ofcourse).
For him to deny the return of the King is justified, having to protect the people of Middle Earth by the sacrifice of his own people.
This is why Aragorn refused to enter the Tower of the Guard until the evil of Sauron has been vanquished.
All very good and true points. But the difference between himself and his sons as being good men is how they acted in their last moments (not faramir of course he didnt die). How they responded to true evil was what mattered. Both boromir and faramir were valiant and showed their quality when it mattered. Denethor showed his as he was at the end of his life. He was a shell of who he used to be. Sure he was plagued by what he saw in the palantir though.
He had no right to deny the return of the king. Aragorn was the heir to the throne.
@@DirtballJones I've seen other commenters here point out that Denethor had spent a good amount of time using the palantir, and had communed directly with Sauron. But unlike Saruman, Denethor had resisted Sauron and his visions, although it sapped his will.
That and Aragorn was preferred over himself by his own father. Denethor loved both his sons and Faramir even more because he resembled both in disposition and appearance to Finduilas the Númenorean lady from Dol Amroth! So when she died giving birth to Faramir... well... he was confronted with that event by the fafr Faramir kept reminding him of her.
Denethor was done dirty: He was way more noble & mighty in the books. Not to mention he contended wills with Sauron for decades nonstop & ontop of that even now he was never broken nor could Sauron alter what Denethor would see in the palantir even then he couldn’t control what Denethor had control of which was how he chose to interpret the visions given to him. Using it all to Gondor’s advantage! ❤ he also lit the beacons and got the women & children far away from the city longer ahead of time. So the movie butchered him as well as faramir but they didn’t butcher faramir as badly thankfully. He could have been shown to give Pippen his newest order to light the beacons so then it wouldn’t change the scene much at all as presented! The story here is Faramir’s birth ended up killing his mother Finduilas(named after an elvish princess from the era of Children Of Hùrin was set in);she was a Numenorean woman of the Faithful which her ancestors survived the Cataclysm of Númenor by the way! He was hurt deeply by her death. But also Aragorn when he went by the name gifted to him as Thorongil Denethor’s father basically overshadowing him from his own father so he is as psychology goes: treated Boromir the same way his father treated Aragorn/Thorongil. Note that Boromir and Faramir are half Númenorean which is a big thing as far as the legendarium goes!
Denethor actually did many things the movie shows him not doing or neglecting. He was VERY competent and mighty in many craft and (even a lore-master to a degree). He had quite alot of mental and “magical” might which is why he could contend with Sauron too without being harmed in there process in any way!
“THEY TOOK THE HALF-LINGS” first thing Boromir says to Aragorn with 3 arrows in his chest
LEGEND
I think Tolkien does his magic of understanding human strengths and weakness through Boromir. Our struggle with sin, power, lust. and simply doing whats right for family and friends. In the end Boromir fought bravely and acquitted himself of any wrong doing. In fact, his actions gave Frodo the resolve to carry out his mission. I am going to Mordor alone, of course you are Mr Frodo, and I am coming with you.
Boromir's peech before he dies is my favorite part of the entire trilogy. I get choked up just thinking about it.
It's worth noting that in the book, Denethor and Boromir did not know that the Ring was in Rivendell, nor did they know what "Isildur's Bane" was. It was a cryptic bit of verse and imagery that came to Boromir in a dream, which is why he set out to Rivendell, not knowing what was in store. He did not go there seeking the ring.
Boromir represents the reality that even when your noble and pure hearted evil can and will tempt you. However that fact does not make a truly decent person any less decent, only human.
Yeah + thats the whole point of the ring. Of course it will corrup mankind, thats what it's supposed to do. We all would fall it 100%
Frodo bearing the ring had Sam and Gandalf and indeed the whole Fellowship in support. It seems to me that Boromir was neglected - he was isolated and neither Gandalf nor Aragorn nor indeed Galadriel helped him.
In the end it was the hobbits who helped him most; they had built genuine friendship with him, so he was enabled to fight and die heroically for them
Others: Boromir succumbed to the ring because he was weak and the most selfish member of the fellowship
Me, an intellectual: Boromir held such belief in the power of good over evil and the strength of the people of Middle Earth that he literally believed with enough willpower they could turn Sauron's work against him. He was absolutely convinced that with enough goodness and love and solidarity they could overcome the most fundamental evil of their world. The ring used those beliefs and used them to isolate Boromir from the fellowship because that's what it does - it takes people's good attributes and uses them to twist them into something serving its own purposes. The ring literally could only corrupt Boromir the way it did because he was a fundamentally good and faithful person at heart.
Exactly, could not have put it better myself.
don’t you think he just wanted to take the safer bet and fight fire with fire? If he believed that pure good trumps pure evil wouldn’t he believe that they would not need the ring anyway? Unless he believed pure evil is submitted to pure good plus a magic ring. Not disagreeing with you but that’s how I interpreted it. I don’t remember the text very well maybe the book went deeper?
Jesus bless!✝✌
Brilliantly said. This is a theme that some just don’t understand, just as they don’t understand how this happens in real life. They believe they are wholly good and therefor untouchable by the hands of evil.
@@landonbohinc8146 I see your point but to be fair I have not read the books in a long time either. And sending blessings back!😊
Very eloquently so.
Boromir has been one of my favorite LOTR characters since I first read the books. Sean Bean did a great job portraying him. He's such a tragic, nuanced character.
He’s the youngest member at the council of Elrond.
This was a brilliant video, recently read the Lord of the Rings again and what made Boromir my favourite character was when the council of Elrond and all races meet in Rivendell Boromir was the only one who travelled across Middle Earth completely alone and went solo. Even Aragon travelled with a party because it's so dangerous. Love how in the films when Boromir does arrive, he's alone and almost exhausted. I do believe that the ring immediately began to effect Boromir from the moment it was placed in front of him for display and he's the first person to speak saying it is a gift. Love Tolkien.
Excellent video mate. Boromir was always my favourite because to me he felt like the only one who wasn't morally perfect - but I think you're right actually, he isn;t morally flawed, he always has goodness in his intent, it's just how he chose to act on those motivations (and ofc being the only human in prolonged proximity to the ring, save for Aragorn, who gets a pass).
Thank you! Boromir is one of my favorite characters of all time because he has bits of grey in them. He makes mistakes but is still able to redeem himself. Analyzing boromir really opened my eyes. And watching his death scene makes me sob everytime lmao
@@slendrboiofficial778 I'm not well versed in LotR lore - would you mind elaboratng?
When I think of the expression "anti-villain", Boromir is one of my references, a character with motivations that con come into conflict with the heroes' ones but are born of selfless intents, and a character who might under some circumstances turn into an actual villain.
But in his last few moments, he is a hero again.
The book adds some context. In the movie, they dismiss the possibility of using the Ring as a weapon with a single line of dialogue: "You cannot wield it; none of us can." And that was that.
In the book, SAURON'S GREATEST FEAR was that Aragorn would do just that, try to wield the Ring as a weapon. This fear consumed him, made him blind to all other possibilities. It didn't even cross his mind that they would be mad enough to try to destroy it. Ultimately, Aragorn or Boromir probably couldn't have used the Ring to overthrow Sauron's entire regime, as it is HIS Ring and HIS power. But there is a reason that Boromir wanted it.
The flashback scene for Faramir and Boromir is so important to their characters, I’m shocked it got cut from the theatrical release. It helps you understand Boromir’s motivation and *especially* contextualizes Faramir’s behavior towards Frodo and Sam when he meets them. Tolkien is amazing, but the movies do a gorgeous job expanding the two characters
Couldnt agree more
Boromir is my favorite character and I will cry everytime I watch Fellowship and he dies.
He’s very much like Edmund Pevensie from Narnia but I think people tend to be kinder to Edmund because he was a child and because he lived and strived to be a better person for multiple more books.
But Boromir doesn’t get that chance, he is able to make one last redeeming sacrifice, to save the hobbits, before he dies. And I think the significance of that is lost on many because it happens so quickly after his worst deed.
Mary Shelley - 'No man chooses evil because it is evil; he only mistakes it for happiness, the good he seeks.'
I found it odd how they thought they could use the ring, forged by an evil figure to destroy that figure.
The ring couldn't destroy Sauron, maybe just his current foothold in this world, but it was just a manifestation (physical representation) of his power, meant to corrupt other beings by the time they got close enough to destroy the ring or him, likely ending up serving him instead.
The ring couldn't harm him as it was _of_ him.
It's like expecting someone to punch themselves in the face or for Babylon to destroy Babylon to borrow another story.
I love Boromir! From his perspective everything he did made sense. It's so sad.
He was not any less of a man than Aragorn. Any less honorable, compassionate or heroic.
Next to Aragorn and Theoden he is definintely my favorite character in LotR
Man I frdging cried seeing the scenes again. Boromir has always been my favorite, a noble valiant man who is just cool and everything (even flawed) but i loved him and would always.
I am a man but this trilogy fricking breaks me, Gandalf's death, Boromir and Aragorns talk in Lothlorien, Boromirs sacrifice sam joining frodo to the emun muil faramirs sacrifice frodo and sams seperation the the secret stairs just everything man
You're totally right about Boromir being a hero, and being one of the most relatable characters.
That said, at the start of the video you say that Boromir had done the most out of the fellowship to fight Sauron, but Aragorn had been fighting orks in Gondor and Rohan, and the pirates in Umbar 40 years before the movies. They kept a line alluding to this in the extended edition of the two towers when Eyowen asks Aragorn about riding to war with her grandfather. Aragorn was actually a close advisor to Boromir's grandfather too and disliked by Denethor because Denethor's father valued Aragorn's advice more highly than his. Obviously, the movies don't have time to show all of that, and it doesn't change the fact that Boromir is the most relatable character to regular people. I think it actually make him more relatable because he isn't a superhuman, he is just a man.
Love this video, I have the same exact feeling about this character. In so many ways Boromir is the most human member of the fellowship. It hurts to know that he never lives to see the victory of men.
Thank you!!
I first read the book 50 years ago when I was 12. I don't remember what I thought of Boromir at that time. But I do know the animated version when I was in high school didn't do any him any favors. I thought Sean Bean's performance was excellent and brought a new sympathy of Boromir for me
I think they should have left that extended scene from Osgiliath to the movie. it added a lot to his character. And although he fell under the influence of the Ring, so did everyone else. There was a reason Gandalf would not even touch it.
Boromir he diden 't leave corrupt from the single ring,the fault is not his,himself would have survived,he would not have worn the one ring at gondor,as his father had asked
I just watched these movies for the first time and I loved Boromir idk, I was sad when he died. Sure he was easily tempted by the ring, but he was still a good, noble guy.
Boromir is my favorite character, but when I first saw this movie as a boy in 2001 I thought he was just a bad guy as well. The reason I thought so was because that's what lesser stories had basically taught me to believe, there is always an obvious villain and they do villainess things because they're villainous.
But even after my initial viewing of the first movie I did change my tune I think, but not as much yet as I did after subsequent viewings and readings.
People now understand that what happened to him was the fault of the ring, but still think the reason he was able to fall so easily was because of a moral failing on his part, when in reality it could not be further from the truth. It was Boromirs morality that was his downfall.
Boromir was no less moral than the other members of the company, just less wise, and more desperate. He was told that the ring would corrupt people, but he had not the knowledge or experience of a gandalf, Galadriel, or even Aragorn. He was not weary about the ring and did not see the danger, and so it was able to seduce him, because he barely fought back against its manipulation, because he didn't even properly understand he was being manipulated, that these feelings were not his own, or rather, not as he normally would experience them.
Boromir wanted to do no wrong, he wanted to do right, he needed to do right, his people looked at him, needed him, they were dying, he felt pressure from his people, his father, and his own sense of duty, and therefore Boromir had fewer defenses against the ring, and much more for the ring to tug on. But none of it had anything to do with Boromir being bad in any way, shape or form.
He just did not see.
I honestly believe that, had Boromir lived and the fellowship continued, that Boromir, whose burned hand would have taught him best, would have been as resilient to the ring as any other member. Still not safe for ever, no one is, but safer than he was.
I hope you sat your girlfriend down and set her straight XD
I went to the Weta Workshop in March and got to hold Boromir’s sword. It was amazing and I still get chills thinking about it. Unfortunately they don’t allow photography through most of the Workshop so no pictures.
Boromir is the best character of the trilogy, don't try to change my mind because you can't.
Despite the fact that he only appears in the first movie (technically there are also the flashbacks and he's mentioned by other characters) and doesn't have that much screen time, his character goes through a very significant development and his death is very meaningful, it has a great impact on the story, the Fellowship and many other people all over Middle-earth.
I love his character so much that I made him my profile picture, with sunglasses to make him even cooler.
It's a real shame that so many people misunderstand Boromir the first time they watch the movies, it's even sadder how some don't really learn anything about him in the end, still thinking of him as a somewhat bad guy.
He was a good man, maybe even the best.
For Gondor!!!
Amen to that.@@KC_Ronin7
W profile pic
@@DirtballJones Indeed.
One of the best characters in fiction ever, period. Thank you for this video!! Boromir has been one of my favs since I was literally 2 😭
Boromir’s story is a solid take on “The Hero’s Journey”… told masterfully by Tolkien and retold by Jackson. It moves me as much today as when I first read it in the early 70’s.
Tolkien’s Books are Unchanged and Jackson’s LoTR’s Movies have held up well. For even with Jackson’s shortcomings, his movies are the best we are likely to get. Nothing remotely close could see the Light of Day in our current upside down political environment.
Where lesser mortals think they can write Tolkien… better than Tolkien… For The Modern Audience.
Whom ever the Hell the Modern Audience might be.
Very touching take, I had never been able to figure out exactly how I felt about Boromir... because you want so much for Frodo to be protected... But it is true, he's only human. Like us.
Thanks.
I think it’s a real shame that they didn’t include the scene about Faramir reminiscing about Boromir in the original release of The Two Towers. I just happened upon it on UA-cam today and I was so glad I did…it says so much about both characters. I’m glad it’s in the extended version.
Though Boromir comes off as a bit angry & suspicious when we first see him, he becomes a more and more likable, admirable character as the movie goes on. We see him opening up to Aragon, play fighting with Merri and Pippin, pleading with Aragon to allow them some time to grieve for Gandalf…I quite liked the guy and was crushed when he died. I didn’t fault him for momentarily succumbing to the ring’s power…he was immediately sorry & his final words to Aragon always get to me 🥲🥲🥲
Denethor was done dirty: He was way more noble & mighty in the books. Not to mention he contended wills with Sauron for decades nonstop & ontop of that even now he was never broken nor could Sauron alter what Denethor would see in the palantir even then he couldn’t control what Denethor had control of which was how he chose to interpret the visions given to him. Using it all to Gondor’s advantage! ❤ he also lit the beacons and got the women & children far away from the city longer ahead of time. So the movie butchered him as well as faramir but they didn’t butcher faramir as badly thankfully. He could have been shown to give Pippen his newest order to light the beacons so then it wouldn’t change the scene much at all as presented! The story here is Faramir’s birth ended up killing his mother Finduilas(named after an elvish princess from the era of Children Of Hùrin was set in);she was a Numenorean woman of the Faithful which her ancestors survived the Cataclysm of Númenor by the way! He was hurt deeply by her death. But also Aragorn when he went by the name gifted to him as Thorongil Denethor’s father basically overshadowing him from his own father so he is as psychology goes: treated Boromir the same way his father treated Aragorn/Thorongil. Note that Boromir and Faramir are half Númenorean which is a big thing as far as the legendarium goes!
Denethor actually did many things the movie shows him not doing or neglecting. He was VERY competent and mighty in many craft and (even a lore-master to a degree). He had quite alot of mental and “magical” might which is why he could contend with Sauron too without being harmed in there process in any way!
I appreciate your breakdown of this…. Always related to him for the reasons you articulated. The last stand of Boromir is one of the most powerful scenes in the story and always struck me profoundly!
Haven’t read the books in quite some time but just finished Fellowship a couple of days ago. Then I stumbled onto this video. You perfectly sum up what a beautifully human and courageous character Boromir was. It’s sad that most casual viewers of the films/non-readers only see Boromir as a weak-willed man, unable to resist the ring’s temptation. In the book and the extended editions of the movies, you see an absolute stud of a man without many flaws. His ultimate demise isn’t his own doing, it’s the ring’s power that twists his good heart into thinking he needs the ring in order to do good. Wonderful video brother. To anyone who hasn’t read the books, I ask you be patient and give them a try. They burn slowly at the beginning, but it’s well worth the journey to experience the richness of Tolkien’s trilogy.
Gimbli got 43 oruki spread out through one night and had help, Boromir 1 v 100 ish oruki taking 20+ down without his shield (what his preferred fighting would be) and didnt let any pass him, in the books he caused the first wave of orcs to retreat and then the second wave of oruki take him down after his shield was destroyed and his sword broken down to the crossguard
Boromir was that dude. Simply different
@@DirtballJones not gonna lie, in the books, i think hes a better fighter than Aragorn, the man decapitated a worg in one swing with a broad sword where Aragorn had to kill the worgs by piercing them with Narsil (a sword made for a guy 8ft 6in)
Absolute unit of a fellow!
Uruk-Hai* Sorry, I'm an asshole. I'll keep scrolling.
I loved boromirs character a lot because aragorn was a king in the making but trained a warrior from birth not having the experience of leading his people or a kingdom but boromir dying serving the fellowship was like him losing a fellow citizen and a brother in arms
Boromir is my second favorite character. Gandalf and Boromir.
me as a kid: damn legolas is amazing. he is my fave and i wanna be like him
me as an adult: damn, aside from being an elder brother/son, boromir is very relatable as a person and is now my most favorite
THANK YOU! Refreshing to see someone who understands the true character of Boromir. Flawed, certainly, but he had the burden of leadership placed on him since childhood. How many others could carry that without making some HUGE mistakes? He was not a villain, as some would make him out to be. He was human, and if you look in a mirror sometimes, you might notice those characteristics, too. Boromir was a reminder to Aragorn of what was at stake, and the true nature of the commitment to be King.
Hes also one of the only humans in LotR
we loveboromir, my favorite character in LOTR. I will die on this hill.
Ill die with you! For gondor!
Boromir was like the only full human in the fellowship so like he was more likely to fall for the rings corruption. He gets too much hate for some reason
I always loved when he said, "For pity's sake, give them a moment!"
Boromir=best boi. Glad my literal favorite charcter in the legendarium is getting some love. And what a great way to put it, he really is the most human feeling character that i feel tolkien ever wrote.
Boromir had 1 bad moment and got branded weak for it.
Maybe rightly so.
We all fail sooner or later. Boromir did what we all should. Immediately realized his failure, took responsibility, picked himself up and did his best. His weeping "They took the little ones" was a line that showed he still had the right motives. He was always a good guy, but still just a guy.
Specifically, I want to point out the amazing and desperate line delivery of "Frodo, I'm sorry!" I always felt like those words just sounded so painful and desperate- the immediate realization of how big of a mistake he just made.
Although he isn’t my favorite character in the series, (but that’s because there are so many great characters) I do love Boromir and always saw him as a hero. Only fallen for a few minutes of his life that was spent in the service of his people.
Boromir has always been my favorite character from the movies.
faramir seems like the most human/relatable to me. hes always just kinda.. trying his best and even tho he might not succeed hes just idk how to describe it but he just felt very normal and human to me.
I love Boromir such a mighty man, but flawed like us all 😢
I love these types of complex characters and that’s why he’s my favourite character in lotr along with Aragorn
So much weight om Boromir's shoulders, that caused a normal flawed human to make misjudgements out of a real love for Gondor and his people. So much loss of hope and the desperation in him. My favourite character that was tempted but rose above it in the end.
This randomly popped up for me and all I can say is I really needed to hear this message today. Thank you for uploading this.
Wow thank you for the love! Appreciate it:)
I think Boromir encapsulated incredibly by the great Sean Bean is one of the best portrayed characters in the entire trilogy.
He is a strong, heroic and yet flawed character who shows great compassion for the hobbits (such as after Moria and fighting the numerous Uruk-Hai sacrificing his life to save Merry and Pippin) and fearlessly advocates for and admires his home, his death being one of the most catalytic events to convince Aragorn to become who he is truly destined to be.
Fascinatingly, it is fear and despair which causes him to try and take the ring from Frodo, not greed. This is seen in small parts and moments, such as after the canoes land and he gives a slightly desperate sigh, until they reach Lorien and he cannot face Galadriel’s piercing gaze as she tests the Fellowship. He speaks of what could happen if Frodo should fail, and in the end Frodo does fall to the ring save for Sam being there with him and Gollum’s hand in destroying the ring, bringing Frodo and Bilbo’s mercy in sparing the fiend to a very satisfying conclusion.
This is just but one reason why this trilogy and books are timeless works of literature and film art.
Boromir post Gandalf's fall you can just see him slowly falling even further, but not by choice like in the beginning in which he didn't have a connection with the fellowship. Masterful acting from Sean Bean. Boromir even to this day I try to imagine how it would be had he survived and continued the journey with the fellowship, simply cause it was like losing a part of a true piece of the legend of the fellowship.
Its like watching a demi god get killed. How do u have any hope after that?
@@DirtballJones Recommend giving Lament for Boromir by Clamavi de Profundis. It's a perfect song that morns him.
Ill check it out!
My fav character by FAR!! Especially after reading the books or watching the extended versions of the movies.
Boromir has always been my favorite char in the lord of the ring
As a kid you think you are gollum but as an adult you realize you are actually Shelob.
Oh what, thought I was going to say Boromir?
Wrong because nobody could be him.😢
I picked up the Trilogy - in a sleeve with the map of Middle Earth on the cover - when I was 18 . . . 56 yrs ago. I still have it - and I read it from cover to cover every year - including The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, Farmer Giles of Ham, Leaf By Niggle and Smith of Wooten Major. Although I've adored Sean Bean for decades - I was NOT a fan of Boromir.
Just recently, someone described Boromir as being the most "layered" character in LOTR. But he was no such thing. At every turn - not always that obviously, but always there - he was mistrustful of others - and not only other humans - but most ESPECIALLY other races. He always suspected the worst of ANY being who wasn't a "great-hearted MAN" - of Gondor. He's a one-trick-xenophobic, bigoted pony. And this is never more clear than when he is trying to talk Frodo into "lending" him the ring - in Parth Galen.
He CLEARLY - more than once in that diatribe - discounts the THOUSANDS OF YEARS of knowledge of Elrond, Gandalf and others. The narrator "says" he loves his brother, Faramir, dearly - but at no time - NOT ONCE - does he tell his father to leave off treating Faramir like crap. And given how his father dotes on his every word - he could easily have done so.
He is TOTALLY into the activities of War . . . he doesn't even have a girlfriend (Aragorn - who focused for almost 70 years on reclaiming the kingship - and who was as doughty in a fight as Boromir - had a love interest for all that time). Unlike Faramir - he finds culture, education, lore, etc. - a colossal bore. For him - it's all about being a "man" - being a "warrior" - strength of arms And Gondor Other countries, other races of beings - all are insignificant in comparison - DESPITE his MONTHS of experiences with these things - and close contact with an Elf, Hobbits and a Dwarf.
Faramir was the equal of his brother at arms - but he ALSO had empathy, kindness, compassion - and knowledge of history and lore outside his own little sphere. I agree with your girlfriend, Dirtball Jones. Boromir was personable, strong, bigger than life - and handsome as the devil (as portrayed by Sean Bean). But he was not a good guy. Not by a long shot. He was a self-centered, xenophobic, bigoted narcissist. (Case in Point: Faramir had the dream about going to Imladris MANY times. Boromir had it once. So who was it shoved his brother out of the way, and claimed the quest for his own ?!?)
Boromir, at his death, definitely came full circle. To Aragorn, he says "I would have followed you, my brother ... my Captain ... my King."
"they took the little ones" he was more worried about Merry and Pippin, than 3 arrows to the chest
He was always my favorite out of the bunch.
My all time favorite since I watched the first film in theaters back in the day. I think it marked me because nowadays redemption arcs are one of my favorite tropes in fiction.
Boromir is and has been since the first time I saw the show as a young kid (didn’t read the books till after I had seen the show) my favorite character on so many levels. Then as a teenager etc as I had failures in life and times when I did the wrong thing it’s crazy how often his example of moving on from his failures kept me going, keep fighting even if you have failed are week or have committed evil don’t quit stand up again and do the best you can. Although when I first saw the commercials for the show I was super excited about gimli to be fair lol the “and my axe” part got me
It is funny how complex a character he is compared to everyone else. Yet he's in it so briefly. Gimli and Legolas are fan favourites and although they are very cool, they have no character. You couldn't right more than a sentence about what we know about them and their personalities. Aragorn is a little better he does have his conflict with his responsibilities and destiny as king. But he is still ultimately the fantasy all good knight in shinnying armour. Boromir is oddly grounded in a story full of invincible videogame characters that run around swinging their swords until they win. They were right to cut a lot of scenes for time and pacing but those Osgiliath scenes probably could have stayed. Not only do we see what motivates Boromir and Faramir but even Denethor is way more understandable. Gondor's in the shit and it's his responsibility, he'll clutch at any straw to save his people. We only ever see the Rohan side of things like "Gondor weren't there for us, we don't owe them anything". Here we see Gondor's struggle is no less real. Like politics in a real war both allies think the other should be doing more but the reality is far more grey.
My favorite character of them all in the LOTR. He was the most human indeed.
It's genuinely difficult for me to get through Boromir's death scene without becoming teary eyed
That scene is of the biggest tear jerker ever created. 😭
I love when Faramir in the books says he would not pick the Ring up if it lay by the wayside.
He definitely underrated since he only appears in the first movie of the trilogy but for the short time on the screen he was good 💯
"Frodo I'm sorry" really shows that he wasn't a bad guy
I had a personality test to see which fictional character I match with.... And surprisingly, it was my man Boromir.
They do say the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Thankfully realized his errors and redeemed himself before the end.
Boromir's whole story is about Redemption. He embodies Gandalf's viewpoint about "doing the most with time given to us"... and Sean Ben is perfect in the role
I only watched the movies for the first time recently. I saw Boromir as a villain among the heroes. Each time I rewatch the movies I see him as less and less of a villain and start to see more of the conflicts that you bring up here
Indeed. If you havent, watch the extended editions too! Glad that you have recently got into them! LOTR is my favorite piece of fiction of all time. I saw boromir as a villain when i was a kid but now i realize what he was, just a human with strengths and weakness. Try reading or listening to the books. Im listening to them rn with audible and the actor for golem voice acts all the characters and its fantastic highly recommend!
@@DirtballJones I actually started with the extended editions of the movies. I have the books, but they're behind a long list of books I need to read first
@@NeverNotExhausted valld. They will always be there when your ready!:)
I loved Boromir back than I watched the Lord of the Rings for the first time. Til today his death scene is imprinted in my mind clearly.
1:05 no, Aragorn and Gandalf had done a ton more then Boromir.
True maturity is understanding that you would indeed give up to the ring
Boromir was never a bad guy. I was about 12 or 13 when this movie first came out, and I always liked Boromir. Even as a little kid, I understood the power of the ring was corrupting his behavior with Frodo at the end
I will never forget the first time I saw each of the three movies.