How does it happen in the movie?
After Faramir took Frodo and Sam as his prisoners and brought them to the secret hideout in Hennêth Annun, he tries to gain more information about the death of his brother. Later, we see Faramir with Boromir’s broken horn in his lap. He remembers a vision he had, or a dream, of Boromir’s funeral boat floating by. Then we see a memory of better times, before Boromir left for Rivendell: the Gondorian army reclaimed Osgiliath, and we see Boromir and Faramir celebrate this occasion as brothers. Then their reunion is interrupted by their father, Denethor, who informs his eldest son that Isildur’s Bane was found and assigns to him the task of bringing it to Gondor. We catch a glimpse of what life is like in the ‘of Gondor’ family: Faramir is close to neglected, and Boromir seems torn between his loyalties.

How did it happen in the books?
The Floating Bed
Faramir‘s vision of his brother is taken straight from the book: ‘I sat at night by the waters of Anduin, in the grey dark under the young pale moon, watching the ever-moving stream; and the sad reeds were rustling. (…) Then I saw, or it seemed that I saw, a boat floating on the water, glimmering grey, a small boat of a great fashion with a high prow, and there was none to row or steer it.
An awe fell on me, for a pale light was round it. But I rose and went to the bank, and began to walk into the stream, for I was drawn towards it. Then the boat turned towards me, and stayed its pace, and floated slowly within my hand’s reach, yet I durst not handle it. It waded deep, as if it were heavily burdened, and it seemed to me as it passed under my gaze that it was almost filled with clear water, from which came the light; and lapped in the water a warrior lay asleep. A broken sword was on his knee. I saw many wounds on him. It was Boromir, my brother, dead. (…) And I do not doubt that he is dead and has passed down the River to the Sea.’ [4.V.]

It’s not exactly clear anywhere, why Boromir would appear to his brother in this fashion. Generally, two of more explanations could be given: either the bond between the brothers is so strong that Faramir senses Boromir’s death; or the fact that Boromir was placed in a Lothlórien boat, hallowed by the Elves, caused some sort of vision for Faramir’s benefit. In the movie, this is not explained. In the books, Faramir only says that dreamlike it was, and yet no dream for there was no waking. [4.V.]

In the book, also, Boromir is wearing a golden belt, but his horn is not with him. Faramir notices these two things immediately (says something about ol’ Boro’s fashion sense too), and Frodo’s identifying the golden belt as a gift from Galadriel helps him believe the rest of the halfling’s tale.

Osgiliath
In Appendix B, Tolkien notes that Osgiliath is attacked by Sauron on June 20th of TA 3018. Boromir leaves Minas Tirith for Rivendel on July 4th. This means the timeframe of the movie’s re-telling of the events is correct.

During the War of the Ring, Osgiliath is attacked from the East twice: once in June of 3018, and the second time in March of 3019. The first time Boromir in his capacity of Captain of the Tower Guard manages to throw back the assault. Victory is certainly not complete however, because the Gondorians can only defend their own half of the city. The eastbank of the Anduin has been controlled by Mordor for decades by that time, and is not regained. This aspect of the divided city seems to be missed or ignored by the filmmakers.
There’s no mention, to my knowledge, of Faramir being there at the time, but that doesn’t mean he couldn’t have been: the Rangers of Ithilien contributed heavily on keeping the east border safe. I would bet good money against Denethor II being there, though.

The Quest for the Ring
Denethor: Elrond of Rivendell has called a meeting. He will not say why, but I have guessed its purpose. It is rumoured that the weapon of the enemy has been found.
Boromir: The One Ring. Isildur’s Bane.
Denethor: It has fallen into the hands of the Elves. Everyone will try to claim it: Men, Dwarves, wizards. We cannot let that happen. This thing must come to Gondor.
Boromir: Gondor.
Denethor: It’s dangerous, I know. Ever the Ring will seek to corrupt the hearts of lesser Men. But you, you are strong. And our need is great. It is our blood which is being spilled, our people who are dying. Sauron is biding his time. He’s massing fresh armies. He will return. And when he does, we will be powerless to stop him. You must go. Bring me back this mighty gift.
Boromir: No. My place is here with my people. Not in Rivendell.

Hum. Let me count the way this scene contradicts Tolkien’s works:
– First of all, Elrond of Rivendell didn’t call a meeting at all. Elrond explains it like this: I have not called you to me, strangers from distant lands. You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so. Believe rather that it is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none others, must now find counsel for the peril of the world. [2.II.] It was already clear from The Council of Elrond-scene in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ that PJ, Boyens & Walsh didn’t stick to this rather mythical take on things. In this dialogue, they (finally) explain Boromir’s presence at the council.
– Boromir and Faramir have no idea what ‘Isildur’s Bane’ is, exactly. For Boromir to be able to identify it immediately as a ring, is completely un-canon.
– So why does Boromir go to Rivendell, if not for the Ring? He had a bad dream. Actually, he and his brother Faramir have the same bad dream about Imladris, halflings, dark forces and the end of Gondor. He travels to Rivendell to find out what the meaning is behind the words, and he can hardly be called reluctant. At the council, he says: My brother, seeing how desperate was our need, was eager to heed the dream and seek for Imladris; but since the way was full of doubt and danger, I took the journey upon myself. Loth was my father to give me leave,… [2.II.]

Mistakes
– ‘Isildur’s Bane’ is not immediately identified with ‘the One Ring’ in the minds of Boromir and Faramir. So Boromir couldn’t have made that link, and I even doubt Denethor would have.

Borrowed Lines

Bookie Details