Bill the pony in the film
Bill was Samwise Gamgee's pony during the first adventures of the Fellowship of the Ring, until they reached Moria.
Biography
Bill was purchased in Bree after all the horses and ponies in The Prancing Pony's stable had been set free or stolen, including the ponies that had been brought by Merry, Frodo, Pippin, and Sam. Bill Ferny sold them Bill for twelve silver pennies, which was three times his real value. Bill was described as being old, weak, and sickly. Barliman Butterbur, the innkeeper of the Prancing Pony, paid for Bill and gave Merry an additional eighteen pence to make up for the disappearance of the other ponies.
During Bill's stay with the Fellowship in the city of Rivendell, it was observed that his once poor health had improved and Rivendell had a similar renewing effect on all the members of the fellowship.
When the creature of the lake (Watcher in the Water, which killed Óin brother of Glóin) attacked, Bill fled in fear. Sam, who cared for him greatly and had grown attached to him, thought him to be dead, and grieved. He also thought that Bill had been devoured by wolves. On their way home, however, they found he had returned safely to Bree. Bill played a small part in the winning of the Battle of Bywater by kicking his former master, Bill Ferny, in the backside, and thereby freeing the Shire from further entanglements from the foul man.[1]
Portrayal in adaptations
Ralph Bakshi
In the animated movie The Waters tentacles go near him, and Sam says "Poor old Bill. Poor old Bill.", showing the pony had been killed.
The Lord of the Rings film trilogy
In Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, however, Bill was released on the grounds since they could not take him into the Mines of Moria. Sam gave his beloved pony a fond farewell while Aragorn assured him that Bill knew the way home, and he walked away into the night.
Video games
In The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest, Frodo Gamgee receives a horse descended from Bill.
In LEGO The Lord of the Rings, Bill the Pony is mentioned in the "Pass of Caradhras" level. In this level he can be found in a concealed cave as a secret Easter Egg. Also, the player will receive the treasure item Bill's riding crop upon finding him.