i be fond of this film and it vex me that so many reviewer rank it below the peter jackson trilogy . a filmed novel be always interpretive while in particular an animated film relies on the artist vision and should be judge on it own term . speaking a a purist and this be a fine homage to tolkien than the updated version . while this film have it flaw it stay truer to the source and especially so far a the character be concern . in the jackson version tolkien frodo be barely recognizable represent from the first scene he be portray a a weakling and constantly waver and manipulate by force around him and never stand on his own two foot ( this be physically and metaphorically true . ) you wonder why fate chose this limp biscuit to carry the one ring to the crack of doom . jackson unforgivably rewrite tolkien and rob frodo of his fine moment when he allow arwen to rescue him from the ringwraiths . bakshi version respect the original and present a frodo who demand the wraith go back and trouble me no more . bakshi sustain frodo character a tolkien conceive it . we see his decline a the weight of his burden increase . frodo be so pivotal to lord of the ring you wonder why jackson take such liberty ( he do so with numerous character ) since character development propel the plot to it inevitable conclusion . bakshi film well explore the companionship between legolas and gimli in a few judicious scene that be completely lack in jackson version . similarly we see boromir horse with pippin and merry and further the idea of fellowship . for my like the camaraderie be more developed in the animated version than the live action . tolkien poetry be an important ingredient in the novel and bakshi make tribute to this in one of my favorite scene represent when frodo sing the merry old inn song and minute before stumble into strider . the cheery tune be chillingly juxtapose with the darker theme music when second later and invisible to his friend but visible to the wraith and frodo be dangerously expose . this be one of the most atmospheric portion of the film and chill me whenever i see it . the well documented budget or time restriction limit this film final impact but have it be complete it may have resonate with more viewer . a it be and it worth a look . even it detractor admit that peter jackson derive much of his inspiration from this prototype .