Sean Astin’s 10 best moments as Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings movies

Sean Astin’s performance in The Lord of the Rings Films helped solidify Samwise Gamgee as an all-time favorite fictional character. Astin continued to elevate the enduring character created by JRR Tolkien, imbuing Sam with heart, courage, loyalty, humility and a sense of humor that makes it easy to invest in his journey. Sam proved to be the ultimate friend and ally through his actions and the sacrifices he made to help Frodo (Elijah Wood).

While Astin has had many prominent roles outside The Lord of the RingsIncluding Mikey Walsh in The GunniesDaniel “Rudy” Roetiger in Rudyand Bob Newby in Stranger thingsThe actor is still primarily associated with his iconic portrayal of Sam. Throughout Peter Jackson’s trilogy, Austin helped bring Sam’s best moments to lifeFrom heroic acts of bravery and emotional monologues to talking about how much he missed a favorite cooking ingredient. It is with good reason that Sam is considered one of the best characters in The Lord of the Rings.

10

Talking about the many uses of potatoes

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

One of Sam’s best comedic moments is during The two towers, When he expresses how much he needs potatoes and very much use. In a story filled with epic action and visually captivating imagination, a character passionately talking about something as mundane as potatoes stands out and feels refreshing. The scene is made even funnier by Sam’s emphatic delivery and phonetic breakdown of the word “potato” When talking to Gollum (Andy Serkis).

This would have been enough to make the scene memorable, but it was taken a step further with the specificity Sam adds, describing how one can “Cook them, mash them, stick them in a stew,” Along with a loving memory of “Nice, big, golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish.” Gollum leads Frodo and Sam to Mordor by a path few others know of, and yet, he is flammoxed by what Sam initially refers to as “Taters.” All these elements make the humorous scene between Sam and Gollum a standout moment.

9

“If I take one more step, it will be the furthest away from home I’ve ever been.”

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

In this book A hero with a thousand faces By Joseph Campbell, the author breaks down how part of the hero’s journey is when the hero leaves their ordinary world behind and crosses the threshold into adventure. This scene is a perfect example of this step in the hero’s journey for both Sam and Frodo. Sam struggles to leave behind the ordinary world of the Shire and cross the threshold to what lies beyond his home, and although Frodo is more eager to do so, it is still a pivotal moment for him.

Unlike Frodo, who was looking for adventure and wanted to go on one like his uncle Bilbo Baggins did, Sam does not have the same desire, and is happy to stay in the comfort of the Shire. It is touching to see Frodo recognizing the motivated nature of Sam taking his furthest step away from home yet and helping him do so, but Sam’s ability to move beyond what he knows also demonstrates his bravery. For his friend, Sam is willing to leave everything behind and help him.

8

Say goodbye before Frodo leaves for the Unspoiled Lands

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

It’s emotional to see Frodo leave Middle-earth forever and say his final goodbyes to Sam, Pippin (Billy Boyd) and Merry (Dominic Monaghan), but his final moments with Sam are particularly emotional. Austin’s delivery of the line – What is his name? When Gandalf (Ian McKellen) says “It’s Time” For Frodo to leave already makes the scene sad. When Frodo explains what is happening and Sam tearfully says, – You don’t mean it, you can’t leave. The scene goes from sad to downright heartbreaking to watch.

It is fitting that Sam is the first and last of the group that Frodo bids farewell before he boards the boat, and that Sam is the last to leave the docks after the boat sails away. It’s a beautiful scene in which male friends aren’t afraid to be emotionally vulnerable with each other. The depth of their farewell feels deserved after everything they endured together, and Astin’s performance helps give the scene the weight it needs.

7

Refusing to let Frodo travel to Mordor alone

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Frodo tries to pull a classic hero move as he takes on a burden alone, insisting that he go to Mordor on his own, and that none of his friends will have to get hurt by helping him anymore. Sam, of course, refuses to let Frodo go to Mordor alone, wading into deep waters even though he cannot swim to reach Frodo. When Frodo pulls Sam out of the water, Sam makes it clear that his actions are not about being a hero, but to honor the promise he made to help his best friend.

There is a touching simplicity in Sam explaining that he promised Gandalf to never leave Frodo’s side during their journey and to look out for him. Sam never had any intentions of breaking his promise, regardless of the terrible threats they faced along the way. Despite the death of Boromir (Sean Bean), the Uruk-hai kidnapping Merry and Pippin, and the fellowship breaking, The Fellowship of the Ring is still able to end on a hopeful note, largely because of Sam.

6

returned home

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Sam brings hope to the ends of The Fellowship of the Ring And The two towers. in The return of the kingHe closes the trilogy with an earned sense of peace and contentment When he returns home to be reunited with his wife and children, that is further enhanced by the calming music composed by Howard Shore, and narration by Frodo, revealing the inspiring message he left in the book he gave to Sam.

No one deserves a happy ending more than Sam, and it is fulfilling to see him enjoying it, and knowing that he will enjoy it for many years to come. It’s a rare ending that is satisfying and doesn’t leave the audience wanting more, and also emphasizes that Sam’s story will continue. Astin’s performance helps ensure that the perfect film trilogy ends on a deservedly perfect note, and further solidifies the epic tale as one of the greatest stories ever told.

5

Joining the Fellowship

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

After the big reveal that Gandalf, Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), Legolas (Orlando Bloom), Gimili (John Rhys-Davies) and Boromir are making about joining Frodo on his quest, it’s delightful to see this juxtaposed with Sam running from behind. The bushes and joining them too. He does not have to swear on a prized weapon that he will defend Frodo’s life, because he has already proven his fierce loyalty and dedication on many occasions. Instead, it is just the simple declaration of, “Mr. Frodo doesn’t go anywhere without me.”

Not every big moment has to be filled with drama or deep emotion. The combination of humor and the power of his connection to Frodo is enough to make this a great Sam moment, as he actually joins a dangerous undertaking that will forever change him and his friends. He’s not as clueless as Pippin, who doesn’t even know where the Fellowship is headed, but Sam still jumps in without having the full picture because of how much he cares for Frodo.

4

Fighting Shelub

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Sam is not a warrior, but that doesn’t stop him from jumping into action and fighting the giant spider Shelob In order to save Frodo. Much of the fighting does not go smoothly, as Schlob sends Sam flying through the air and knocks him down. Despite all the challenges, Sam refuses to give up, and is finally able to stab and wound Slob Graves enough that she crawls back into her lair, ensuring that neither Sam nor Frodo will perish at her hands.

The Lord of the Rings Often shows the danger of underestimating certain individuals, from Hobbits who are constantly underestimated, to Saruman (Christopher Lee) underestimating the Ents. Of course, Schlob underestimated Sam, which she only realized too late that this was a big mistake. Sam went from a gardener who never left the Shire to someone who took on the monstrous sleep and win, which is just one of his many heroic actions during his journey.

3

Rescuing Frodo from the tower of Cirith Ungol

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Sam’s newfound battle prowess continues beyond fighting Shelob as he infiltrates the tower of Cirith Ungol and confronts multiple orcs. It is fitting that Sam momentarily appears before the orc with the looming reflection of his shadow and the echoing sound of his grunting, making him seem larger than life itself. Sam’s bravery and the incredible feats he has achieved since his humble beginnings is a larger-than-life tale of its own.

Even when the shadow disappears and the orcs see Sam, he does not lose his courage as he sends all three of them down the stairs in the names of Frodo, the Shire and his father. This is a great reminder that As far as Sam has ventured from home since the beginning of the trilogy, he hasn’t forgotten his roots And the people who are most important to him. There’s an endearing authenticity to Sam that makes his bravest moments even more impressive.

2

Carrying Frodo up Mount Doom

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Sam explained that “I can’t manage it for you, but I can manage you!” Is not only one of his character’s best moments, but is one of the best moments in the whole Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He could not carry the one ring himself, but he still took on a heavy burden when he carried Prado on his back while climbing the slopes of Mount Doom. Sam managed the feat while clearly exhausted, dehydrated and hungry, and yet he persevered. And supported Frodo when he needed Sam the most.

It is impossible to see this scene without feeling inspired and emotional. Astin should have received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in The return of the kingWith this being the scene played during the Academy Awards to highlight why he was nominated. Even though he did not receive a nomination, the scene has endured beyond the scenes performed by many other Academy Award winners.

1

His hopeful monologue

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Sam’s greatest moment is the hopeful monologue he delivers during the ending of The two towers. Be reminded that “There is something good in the world, Mr. Frodo, and it is worth fighting for.” is a lofty sentiment, and it rings true when his monologue plays over scenes of the heroes proving victorious in Helm’s Deep and Isengard. in a moment of desperation, Sam knows how to say just the right thing, with hopeful words that have deep sincerity behind them.

The monologue not only works well in the context of The Lord of the RingsBut can be a valuable reminder in everyday life. Regardless of what happens, there will always be good people and goodness in the world, and that alone is a fundamental truth worth fighting for and defending. Sam represents much of that goodness in The Lord of the RingsAnd provides much of the heart and soul in the beloved fantasy story that has stood the test of time.