[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by HarryT

What specifically about Sam did you dislike in the films, Paul?

Spoiler:

When climbing the stairs up to Cirith Ungol, Sam turns back and leaves Frodo alone with Gollum, even though he knows that Gollum intends to harm Frodo. Only after having his nose rubbed in how Gollum has tricked Frodo does he reconsider, and start climbing again.

In the book, Sam only ever leaves Frodo when he's convinced that Frodo is dead, and even then it's to carry on the quest.

And then theres the Treebeard and the Ents. And Gimli's reduction to comic relief. And Theoden's reluctance to go to war. And Aragorn's doubts and uncertainties about just about everything. And... the list goes on of characters they've changed and (generally) diminished.

The films have some marvellous visuals. But the adaption is not a good one.