I thought Tom Bombadil was one of the more interesting characters and was disappointed with his absence in the movie adaptations as he always seemed central to the theme; the spirit of a disappearing time and age.

But then again blockbuster movies rarely have time for such symbolic exposition.

If you like Tom as a character, you might like the book all about him: http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Tom-Bombadil-J-Tolkien-eboo...

It's quite amusing.