Gay Hobbits

[Socrates]

I went to see 'The Return of the King' last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. That is apart from the bizarre homoerotic undertones in Jackson's direction. Why did he feel the need to have Frodo and Sam gazing lovingly into each other's eyes half the time?? Don't remember that in the books!

[bobbobley]

glad you thought that too, that's the one thing that really bugged me about the whole trilogy of films; the overtly homo-eroticness of it all. OK, they were best mates and all that, but the direction was just ridiculous and cringeworthy.

it was almost as bad as Top Gun.

[shybearuk]

I assumed it was just that Hobbits are more more at ease with showing their feelings toward their friends. They aren't humans after all, so we shouldn't be judging them by human standards. It was fairly obvious that none of them were gay, especially seeing as Sam ended up married.

[beenee]

I agree with shybear. We in the western world have just become too paranoid about homosexuality and maintain a 'safe' distance from people of the same sex, lest we are God forbid, thought of as gay. I was pleased to see that Jackson didn't subscribe to this sort of a mindset in the movie.

Incidentally, people in some Asian countries have none of these hang ups - men kiss other men on both cheeks as a greeting as a matter of everyday routine without the nagging doubts about their sexualities, that western men would probably have. I think it's liberating.

[Pickle]

Following on from shybear - Tolkein based the Hobbit's friendship on the type of bond that occurs when people are in an extreme situation. He remembered his own experiences in WWI and used the very close friendships between (straight) officers and enlisted men as a basis for Frodo and Sam. In today's Western world very few of us have extreme experiences like that so we could misinterpret the relationships as homosexual.

[bobbobley]

but we weren't talking about strong bonds of friendship or cameraderie, which is what the hobbits were obviously supposed to have. its the fact they were gazing into each other's eyes as lovers do which was so bizarre. I have a very strong bond with friends (male and female) whom I have been through lots with and indeed do love them.

I don't however resort to staring into their eyes like a lovestruck schoolkid every time something emotional happens.

Its obvious that the hobbits weren't supposed to be gay, as Sam got married etc. etc. The point was that the direction from Peter Jackson was just very strange to have them looking at each other like that.

[SavageMonkey]

I'm on the side of shybearuk, beenee and Pickle... I love the movies and I understand what the director intended with their relationship. Just so I know though, what bits are you other guys referring to. I don't really remember Frodo and Sam just starring at each other. I do remember that Frodo looked pleased and glad after Sam saved him though, is something wrong with that?

[Socrates]

The bit that really sticks in the memory is when Frodo awakens after throwing the ring into the volcano and all the hobbits are reunited. Frodo and Sam exchange what can only be desrcibed as a loving gaze. And they hold it for ages! Very bizarre direction indeed. There was no need for it whatsoever. We know Sam and Frodo are close and have been through a tremendous ordeal, but come on!

[beenee]

no.... it was not sexual-loving, but rather grateful-loving. Sam took care of him when Frodo was at his weakest, helped him through the hardest, most terrible task imaginable and risked his life for his friend. I'd have found it weirder if, upon waking Frodo had given Sam a good ol' slap on the back with a heartfelt "cheers mate!"!!

[SavageMonkey]

Yeah beenee, and I saw the gaze like this: Merry and Pippin are with Frodo talking about everything, but Frodo and Sam are the ones who we with the ring all the time, and the look was one of "it's all over". The gaze was a sharing of the relief they both then felt.

[alldaysmith]

homoerotic undertones in the lord of the ring trilogy, give me a break!!!!

[parryade]

Considering what they have both gone through to get where they are ( persued across Middle Earth by Nazgul, hunted by a giant spider, travelled 100's of miles across marches and mountains and nearly consumed by the rings power ). I'm not suprised the look is a look of relief as the two companions have finally completed their quest and are still alive.....barely. If he wanted a gay movie why didn't he just have Gimli give Legolas a french kiss in the mines of Moria?

[pipofski]

that bit was cut perryade as he felt it was going a bit too far. there was definitely something going on with the directions which made me and several other female friends comment on it afterwards. I think the Tartanwizard must be an innocent little lamb if he didn't pick any of it up - and its not just in the most recent film, the whole trilogy contained scenes like that at various points. I'd watch them all again to let you know specifically where but they were all rather dull and I can't spare another 10 hours of my life to go through it all again!

[Socrates]

As these films have taken up at least six years if his life, Jackson undoubtedly deserves an Oscar and I think he will get it. However, I really think that the film could have done without those over-long moments between Sam and Frodo. Watch the films again and maybe you doubters will see what I mean.

[flirty41]

Tartanwizard is an 'innocent little lamb'?? I don't think so! More like a wolf in sheep's clothing!! :-)

[Merthyr Imp]

I trust you're all aware that in the book Sam addresses Frodo as 'My dear' on at least one occasion...

[shortstop]

The only thing I can't get my head round is this..... If Gandalf got the eagle to rescue him from the roof of Isengard and pick up Frodo and Sam from Mount Doom, then why didn't he just get them to fly Frodod and the ring to Mount Doom. He could have dropped it in long before it started taking hold of him and been back in time for tea :-)

[Socrates]

I thought the whole point was that Sam and Frodo had to sneak into Mordor. I think a great big eagle may just have been spotted by that big eye....

[D.G.W.T.H.]

I don't care what anybody says, the hobbits are bi-sexual if not full blown homosexuals. Quite frankly I felt it detrcted from the story. Although I must say if you watch all 3 movies end on end while completely wired it does make for some highly entertaining veiwing!!!