Bucklebury Ferry (scene)

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Bucklebury Ferry is eleventh scene of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and the fourteenth scene of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (extended edition).

Synopsis

Frodo asks Merry what is the fastest way to reach Bree, who responds that the Bucklebury Ferry is the best way. The Hobbits run from the Nazgul through the Old Forest as night falls. Eventually, the Hobbits reach the Ferry and barely manage to cut it loose from the docks before the Ringwraiths catch up. As they float away, the Ringwraiths veer off to follow the river to the nearest bridge, 25 miles away. The hobbits soon disembark and make their way to Bree.

Differences

• Tom Bombadil, the Barrow Wight, and associated events are omitted entirely. This is done due to time constraints and to simplify an already complex story. Outside of the Scouring of the Shire, this is perhaps the biggest omission of anything in the books. Some of Tom Bombadil's dialogue survives in other scenes, but there is no mention of him at all. Likewise, the Barrow-wight is entirely absent. The only artifact of its presence at all are the daggers that Aragorn will give Frodo and company later in the film.

• In the books, the Hobbits are not nearly as panicked at the ferry, and only one rider slowly arrives at the dock as they are already leaving.