What is the most pernicious and persistent myth about The Lord of the Rings that is believed by people who have seen Peter Jackson's movies but haven't read the books?

Well, there are specific changes to the story (Elrond teleports to Rohan with a sword and then buggers off again), outrageous character changes (Denethor becomes a greedy old fool, not a proud and noble man mad from grief and wrestling with Sauron via the Palantír), and omissions (Bombadil). But I think the worst, in a way that few people will probably acknowledge, is turning Frodo into a very young and rather callow hobbit. Hollywood insists on YOUNG heroes unless they're grim old tough guys like Eastwood. Frodo is neither young nor callow. He's in early middle age by hobbit standards, and beginning to wonder if a comfortable life in Bag End is all there is. The Ring has been safe for about 20 years when Gandalf turns up and tells him he had better go. The psychology of this is very different from that depicted in the movies. Also, it distorts his relationship with Sam. Sam, not Frodo, is supposed to be the youth, full of fight when necessary. A gardener who is older than his master is unlikely to be so  servile.

Frodo also turns into a pumpkin every time a Nazgûl gets near him. The Ring exerts far too much power on him too early. It should have been Frodo, not Arwen, facing down the Black Riders at the Ford of Bruinen. That would have shown us more of his courage and strength of character.

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Ernest W. Adams on Quora:

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