Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy may be an epic fantasy adventure, but there is a much more grounded story of friendship at its center. While there are a number of charming and unexpected friendships in Lord of the Rings, the most important one is between Frodo and Sam.
These little Hobbits leave their peaceful life in the Shire to go off on a dangerous journey and it is their bond that keeps them going. Frodo and Sam’s friendship is responsible for some of the most iconic moments in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but there are also plenty of great moments that usually get overlooked.
10 One More Step
Frodo and Sam are introduced living their quiet and charming lives in the Shire, seemingly unaware of all the danger lurking out in the world. When they are tasked with transporting the One Ring, they must leave that simple life behind. At the beginning of their journey, Sam suddenly stops and realizes that one more step will mean it is the furthest he’s ever been from home.
This moment really hits home how out of their element these Hobbits are. They are not used to grand adventures and have no idea what is in store for them out there. But Frodo’s encouragement of Sam to take that next step shows how they will get through this together.
9 Sam Thinks He Lost Frodo
There were a number of heartbreaking separations in Lord of the Rings, but Sam and Frodo always stuck close together. A big reason for that is Sam’s complete dedication to keeping an eye on Frodo and ensuring he’s safe.
Shortly into their journey, Sam panics thinking he’s lost Frodo in a cornfield. He is relieved to find him again and explains he promised Gandalf he wouldn’t lose him. It is a funny little moment but it comes back again and again as Sam fights to keep that promise.
8 Sam Is Ready For Home
By the halfway point in The Fellowship of the Ring, Sam and Frodo had already been through so much. They finally reach Rivendell and appear to be safe from harm. Despite being in this magical place they’ve never seen before, Frodo finds Sam already packing up for his return home.
Sam insists they did the job they had set out to do and got the ring this far, so they should be able to go home. This moment shows how much the adventure life is not for Sam and how he just wants to be back in the Shire. That makes it all the more heroic when he volunteers to continue the rest of the way with Frodo.
7 Frodo’s Gardener
While the Lord of the Rings movies are known for their huge battles and epic moments, there are also some nice touches of levity sprinkled in. But even though these moments can make the audience laugh, they can also be poignant.
When Frodo and Sam are taken by Faramir, he questions who they are. After Frodo introduces himself and Sam, Faramir asks if Sam is his bodyguard. Sam replies with considerable attitude, “His gardener.” It’s a funny moment that also shows Sam is a hero despite being a simple gardener.
6 Seeing The Oliphaunt
While making their way to Mordor with Gollum, Sam and Frodo come across an army of mercenary soldiers marching to join Sauron’s army. Among the army are great beasts known as oliphaunts. Sam and Frodo take a moment to watch, remarking that no one back home would believe this.
Even in the midst of such a dangerous mission, these two friends are able to take a moment to be in awe of what they are seeing. It is also yet another reminder of how far they have come from their home.
5 Sam Cheers Frodo Up
There are plenty of heroic and powerful characters in these movies, but Sam is the character who would make the best friend in Lord of the Rings. He can worry and get scared, but he is also someone who will push his friend and maintain an optimistic attitude.
This is especially helpful for Frodo, who is carrying a heavy burden with the ring. But even when he is tired and miserable, he is charmed by Sam’s enthusiasm for their elvish bread. As Frodo tells Sam, “Nothing ever dampens your spirits.”
4 Sam Encourages Frodo To Carry On
Characters like Aragorn and Legolas might be the more typical heroes of the story, but what makes Frodo and Sam stand out as the most heroic is that they are vulnerable. They struggle with every step in their journey yet keep moving forward.
Their friendship and mission nearly collapse in The Two Towers with Frodo saying he can’t go on. Sam agrees they shouldn’t even be doing this in the first place, then simply adds, “But we are.” It is facing those unthinkable challenges and continuing that makes them so inspiring.
3 Sam Tells Frodo To Escape
Sam is undoubtedly the nicest Lord of the Rings character to the point of being completely selfless. There is not a moment where he is thinking about himself rather than Frodo and he is willing to make a lot of sacrifices to ensure his friend makes it.
After being captured by Faramir and his men, Sam encourages Frodo to use the ring to vanish and escape. It is a plan that will mean Sam himself is left behind, but it is clear that his own well-being never crossed his mind.
2 Samwise The Brave
Frodo and Sam really are the perfect characters for such a heroic fantasy adventure. In fact, at times they recognize that they are right in the middle of the kind of epic tales they would hear about back in the Shire.
As their journey continues in The Two Towers, Sam starts imagining the young children will ask their parents to tell the story of Frodo and his quest. Frodo insists the real hero of the story will be “Samwise the Brave.” The pride that shows on Sam’s face at this moment is so endearing.
1 At The End Of All Things
Many fans have poked fun at the scene in The Return of the King when the eagles rescue Sam and Frodo from Mount Doom. However, that distracts from a really beautiful moment before that when Sam and Frodo think they are going to die.
After everything they have been through, these two friends embrace one last time, think of home, and face the end together. Frodo tells Sam he’s glad to be with Sam “at the end of all things,” cementing their friendship as the best bromance in Lord of the Rings.
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