Bilbo Baggins' Life in LotR Books Is More Interesting Than Jackson's Movies
Bilbo Baggins is a beloved character from J.R.R Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings book series.
While Peter Jackson's movie adaptations may have made him an iconic figure in pop culture, the real Bilbo has far more depth in the books than what was ever seen on screen.
What Jackson's films showed of Bilbo's life
To be fair to Jackson's films, Bilbo is not ignored as a character. In fact, the first movie starts with a reasonably lengthy introduction by Bilbo himself.
Yet he doesn't stick around very long in the first part of The Fellowship. After reuniting with Gandalf and establishing the presence and possible danger of the ring, he departs the Shire to go on one last adventure.
In doing so, he says goodbye to Frodo, leaving him the ring and formally starting the story of TLOTR.
We don't have to wait long into the film until we see Bilbo again. After an unannounced amount of time, Gandalf returns and sends Frodo and Sam with the ring to journey safely to the elves in Rivendell.
Unfortunately, the trip is not as easy as they hope, but when they arrive, they are greeted by an aged Bilbo. After this, Bilbo is not seen again until the very end of the last movie.
Once more, he is with the elves, ready to depart Middle-Earth by boat.
The extra parts of Bilbo's life only the books showed
Although the films revealed the critical parts of Bilbo's life throughout the LotR, some extra details were undoubtedly cut. One of the largest is Bilbo's reaction to encountering Frodo when they first meet in Rivendell.
In the films, Bilbo appears as an aged version of himself, mildly oblivious to Frodo's quest. However, he takes more of a formative role in Tolkien's books.
Not only does he know the intent of the fellowship, he actually offers to take the ring to Mordor himself. Something that the elven council refused due to his advanced age.
Another notable difference is the elves' presence at Helm's Deep, which forces many to leave Rivendell. In the books, Bilbo never had to leave Rivendell during the events of Frodo and the ring.
Instead, he stayed put almost permanently after he left the Shire. Except for a short trip with some Dwarves to revisit Dale and the Lonely Mountain. Something else which is not mentioned in the movies.
During his time at Rivendell, he wrote the account of his adventures which would become the Red Book of Westmarch.
Among other books he wrote, including translating Elvish texts, volumes of history, and a poem about Aragorn titled 'All that is Gold Does Not Glitter'.
Clearly, his time with the elves is well spent, and he used the extended years of his life to live fully. By the time Bilbo is ready to depart for the Undying Lands, he is 131 years of age and the oldest Hobbit to have ever lived.