Middle-Earth Tours

Tour 1: The People of Middle-Earth

Sam Gamgee
It would be the death of you to come with me, Sam,' said Frodo, 'and I could not have borne that.'
    'Not as certain as being left behind,' said Sam.
    'But I am going to Mordor.'
    'I know that well enough, Mr. Frodo. Of course you are. And I'm coming with you.'
    'Now, Sam,' said Frodo, 'don't hinder me!...I must go at once. It's the only way.'
    'Of course it is,' answered Sam. 'But not alone. I'm coming too, or neither of us is going. I'll knock holes in all the boats first.'
    Frodo actually laughed.... 'Leave one,' he said. 'We'll need it.' --FOtr, "The Breaking of the Fellowship"
detail of Frodo and Sam,
by Alan Lee

detail of Sam, by John Howe

 But almost before [Shelob] was aware that a fury was upon her greater than any she had known in countless years, the shining sword bit upon her foot and shore away the claw. Sam sprang in, inside the arches of her legs, and with a quick upthrust of his other hand stabbed at the clustered eyes upon her lowered head. One great eye went dark.
    Now the miserable creature was right under her, for the moment out of the reach of her sting and her claws. Her vast belly was above him with its putrid light, and the stench of it almost smote him down. Still his fury held for one more blow, and before she could sink upon him, smothering him and all his impudence of courage, he slashed the bright elven-blade across her with desperate strength. --TTT, "The Choices of Master Samwise"

detail of Frodo and Sam in Mordor, by John Howe
detail of Sam, by John Howe
detail of Sam, by Michael Kaluta

In the movies, Sam is played by Sean Astin, a second-generation American actor who's been in the business since childhood.

image from Ain't It Cool News


from a commercial on the
official movie site
image from the October 2000 Vanity Fair, with thanks to ringbearer.org
image from the official movie site


from a trailer on the official
movie site
'Master!' cried Sam, and fell upon his knees. In all that ruin of the world for a moment he felt only joy, great joy. The burden was gone. His master had been saved; and was himself again, he was free. And then Sam caught sight of the maimed and bleeding hand.
    'Your poor hand!' he said. 'And I have nothing to bind it with, or comfort it. I would have spared him a whole hand of mine rather. But he's gone now beyond recall, gone for ever.'
    'Yes,' said Frodo. 'But do you remember Gandalf's words: Even Gollum may have something yet to do? The Quest would have been in vain, even at the bitter end. So let us forgive him! For the Quest is achieved, and now all is over. I am glad you are here with me. Here at the end of all things, Sam.' --RotK, "Mount Doom"
image from the official movie site

Full-size versions of these pictures are on display at Rolozo Tolkien, the official LotR movie site, and theonering.net.