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It's not just a matter of the film makers not understanding [Bombadil's] importance, I doubt the average movie-goer would.

Heck, I'm not even sure that I do.

Bombadil demonstrates the complete lack of power that the One Ring has over him by putting it on, and failing to become invisible. The ring has nothing to offer to Bombadil, therefore there's nothing there to be tempted by. And it would seem that because of this, Bombadil would be the absolute, best possible Ring-bearer, and it's suggested during one of the Councils that Bombadil should be recruited for the task. But he's ruled out by Gandalf (if I remember correctly) because it is felt that Bombadil has other priorities, and that he might not take the task as seriously as it needed to be taken (I'm working from memory here, so forgive me if I'm screwing this up).

So, is Bombadil there in the book to point out that we aren't or can't or shouldn't be entrusted with missions or tasks that we don't have a stake in?

What's your take on Bombadil?

A lot has been written on who Bombadil is. Is he Orome? Is he a personification of the Old Forest? I think he is Tolkien in Tolkien's greatest fantasy. Knowing each tree in the forest, living with his beautiful wife, enjoying great food and pipe and telling stories all night. But he has a lot of things to do rather than worry about some silly ring. The ring and the characters will take care of themselves, even if he needs to rescue them sometimes.

Once after Lewis had read through The Two Towers, but before Tolkien had finish The Return of the King, Lewis asked him, "How does it end?" Tolkien responded, "I don't know, I haven't got to the end of the story myself."