The reason behind why Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin) called Frodo (Elijah Wood) “mister” in The Lord of the Rings is simple but does shift aspects of their friendship. The Lord Of The Rings movies by Peter Jackson captured many aspects of the original books, each film in the early 2000s franchise showcasing the various details of the world of Middle Earth with ease. However, the films also cut a few smaller elements of that same world-building for understandable reasons, even if it caused some confusion for audiences.

The Lord of the Rings books are very well known for their plethora of details, which likely led to the cuts, as the detail work that worked for one medium might not have translated well into the other. Even so, some character details were lost in the shuffle, especially among the key characters like Samwise Gamgee. Sam’s reference to Frodo as “Mister Frodo” throughout the franchise confused a few audiences, myself included, as the films made them appear to be equals. Yet the books tell a different story, highlighting the social differences between the two legendary friends.

“Mister” Frodo Highlights The Different Social Statuses Of Sam & Frodo

Sam Worked For Frodo’s Family In The Books

Sam’s use of “mister” in regards to Frodo in The Lord of the Rings is to showcase deference, as the two bear different social statuses in The Shire, Sam being Frodo’s employee over just his friend. In the books, Sam works for Frodo’s family as their gardener, Sam’s friendship with Frodo being watered down in comparison with Frodo’s friendship with Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd). That being said, other aspects of Sam’s story remained the same in the films, even as the core motivations changed.

In both versions of The Lord of the Rings, Sam joins The Fellowship of the Ring by accident, having been roped in by Gandalf (Ian McKellen) in some form. Sam’s role in the books, however, was more as a servant over a loyal friend, which greatly contrasts his arc and the impact of his resistance to The One Ring from the films. Sam’s use of that moniker does harken back to that origin, but the Jackson films amplified its other meaning, adding over subtracting from his new story with Frodo.

“Mister” Was Also A Sign Of Personal Respect & Friendship

Sam’s Continued Use Of It Showed His Unwavering Loyalty

Sam called Frodo “mister” throughout The Lord of the Rings as a way of showcasing his continued respect and care for Frodo, highlighting his unyielding faith in his friend even after the adventure was over. Despite the fact that the Jackson films removed Sam’s social status, he continues to call Frodo “Mister Frodo” at every instance in all three movies and in front of other higher authority figures. That small word in both mediums showed how, no matter what, Sam would be there for Frodo and give him strength even as The One Ring tried to corrupt him.

Sam even used it when Frodo went to go to the Undying Lands and, arguably, the four Hobbits were on the same social footing. That continued reference demonstrated how, in Sam’s mind, nothing had truly changed between them, that no matter how haunted Frodo was from their travels, Sam still respected him deeply and would miss him greatly. As a result, their friendship in The Lord of the Rings was able to become legendary, with Jackson taking that original intention and shifting it to aid a touching narrative.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia franchise consisting of several movies and a TV show released by Amazon тιтled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The franchise is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book series that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

Movie(s)

The Lord of the Rings (1978), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

Created by

J.R.R. Tolkien

First Film

The Lord of the Rings (1978)

Cast

Norman Bird, Anthony Daniels, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Ian Holm, Andy Serkis, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Morfydd Clark, Mike Wood, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Charlie Vickers, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Sara Zwangobani, Daniel Weyman, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Lenny Henry, Brian Cox, Shaun Dooley, Miranda Otto, Bilal Hasna, Benjamin Wainwright, Luke Pasqualino, Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt

Character(s)

Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Legolas, Boromir, Sauron, Gollum, Samwise Gamgee, Pippin Took, Celeborn, Aragorn, Galadriel, Bilbo Baggins, Saruman, Aldor, Wormtongue, Thorin Oakenshield, Balin Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Nori, Dori, Ori, Tauriel, King Thranduil, Smaug, Radagast, Arondir, Nori Brandyfoot, Poppy Proudfellow, Marigold Brandyfoot, Queen Regent Míriel, Sadoc Burrows

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