For information on his name and origin see Early Years.

Boromir in the Book "And seated a little apart was a tall man with a fair and noble face, dark-haired and grey-eyed, proud and stern of glance.  He was cloaked and booted as if for a journey on horseback; and indeed though his garments were rich, and his cloak was lined with fur, they were stained with long travel. He had a collar of silver in which a single white stone was set; his locks were shorn about his shoulders. On a baldric he wore a great horn tipped with silver that now was laid upon his knees. He gazed at Frodo and Bilbo with sudden wonder." [of Boromir from FotR]

Boromir According to Fellowship of the Ring & TT

June 21[20Shire], 3018 Mordor attacked Osgiliath. The Ringwraiths and their dreadful captain issued once more from Minas Morgul. Boromir fought valiantly, but was forced across the Anduin - one out of only four to survive. They continued to hold Osgiliath for some time before it later fell. On the eve of the attack, Boromir's brother Faramir had a dream and later Boromir had it as well. Here is a quote from the Red Book:

"In that dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and
there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light
lingered and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying:"

Seek for the Sword that was broken:
In Imladris it dwells;
There shall be counsels taken
Stronger than Morgul-spells.
There shall be shown a token
That Doom is near at hand,
For Isildur's Bane shall waken,
And the Halfling forth shall stand.

"Of these words we could understand little, and we spoke
to our father, Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith, wise in the
lore of Gondor. This only would he say, that Imladris was
of old the name among the Elves of a far northern dale,
where Elrond and Halfelven dwelt, greatest of lore-masters.
Therefore 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,
and long have I wandered by roads forgotten, seeking the
house of Elrond, of which many had heard, but few knew where it lay."

Boromir travelled to Rivendell(Imladris) to learn of the answer to the dream. He set off in the Summerdays[July4Shire] and arrived in the "grey morning" of October 22[25Shire] and was summoned to the Council of Elrond. For more information see Boromir's Journey. Later he was chosen as the fifth companion in the Fellowship of the Ring. Boromir can be credited for saving the lives of the Fellowship on Caradhras, tunneling through the snow to get the party to safety. Boromir was valiant in battle, as he proved in Moria, however, he had been tempted by the power of the Ring since he first learned of its whereabouts, wishing to use it to save his city and his people and restore Gondor to its former glory...the temptation finally proved too much for him at Amon Hen, where he attempted to take the ring from Frodo by force. He instantly repented, but he forced Frodo's immediate decision to leave the Fellowship, and strike out for Mordor on his own. Boromir was killed shortly thereafter, defending Pippin and Merry from a raiding orc-band. The date was February 27[26Shire], 3019 Third Age. Aragorn and his companions sang a beautiful lay for him as they sent his funeral boat drifting down the Anduin.

"The mightiest man may be slain by one arrow, and Boromir was pierced by many. When last I saw him he sank beside a tree and plucked a blackfeathered shaft from his side. But I honour his memory, for he was very valiant. He died to save us, my kinsman Meriadoc and myself, waylaid in the woods by the soldiery of the Dark Lord; and though he fell and failed, my gratitude is none the less." [Pippin about Boromir in RoftheK]

Boromir According to Fellowship of the Ring the Movie

Boromir in the movie was wonderful! He was portrayed exactly how I always thought of him - noble, strong, and passionately loyal to Gondor. His speech at the council was very well done, as was his reaction to Aragorn. I loved the "One does not simply walk into Mordor..." speech. What was interesting was the little touches that were in it that showed his compassionate side as well. For example, in the mines of Moria, when Gimli is upset by Balin's death, Boromir looks kindly at him and puts a hand on his shoulder. After Gandalf dies, he again comforts the others, and even shouts "Give them a moment's peace for pity's sake!" He keeps his head too - he is the one that carries Frodo away after Gandalf's death to safety.

Another part they added was his scene on Caradhras as he picks up the ring and gazes on it. This first time he was able to give it up with great strength of will, but one does not hold the ring and look at it for long before it begins to grow on your mind. This small act was the beginning of his downfall.

I think one thing that was especially good was his relationship with Merry and Pippin. I mean I know that he would leap to save perfect strangers, being a valiant knight, but his having gotten to know them more gives a more personal touch to his death. Notice, he is attempting to teach them to fight at the pass, as well as running about with them. He is the one who navigated their boat down the river. Obviously they had become pretty good friends.

And as for his sacrifice...it is worth enduring the rest of the movie to see it. I have seen it over ten times and I still sob desperately when he is getting shot by arrow after arrow, yet still bravely fighting on. My favorite part of Boromir in the entire movie was when Pippin and Merry first found themselves surrounded by orcs...the situation was frightful...a large orc-chief raised his ax to bring down the final swing...at that moment through the trees leapt Boromir who dashed the orc down in one skillful stroke. That is Boromir, the true Boromir. How noble he looked as he dashed to their rescue. That is how I remember him, the proud man of Gondor, fighting with his last breath to save his friends and the quest.

Note: All dates converted to Steward's Reckoning