The Hobbit (1977 film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Hobbit |
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Cover of 1991 USA video release by Warner Home Video
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| Genre | Fantasy |
| Written by | Romeo Muller |
| Directed by | |
| Starring |
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| Theme music composer | Glenn Yarbrough |
| Composer(s) | Maury Laws |
| Country of origin |
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| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | |
| Running time | 78 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
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| Release | |
| Original network | NBC |
| Picture format | Color |
| Audio format | Dolby |
| Original release | November 27, 1977 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | The Return of the King |
The Hobbit is an animated musical TV special from 1977. It was made by Rankin/Bass, a studio famous for its holiday shows. The animation was done by Topcraft in Japan, which later became Studio Ghibli. This film is based on the popular 1937 book The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. It first aired in the United States on NBC on November 27, 1977.
Contents
The Hobbit's Exciting Adventure Story
Bilbo's Unexpected Journey Begins
The story starts with a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. He lives a quiet life in his cozy hobbit-hole. One day, Gandalf, a powerful wizard, visits him. Gandalf is looking for someone to join an adventure.
Soon, thirteen dwarves arrive at Bilbo's home. They are led by Thorin Oakenshield. The dwarves invite themselves in, eat dinner, and play music. The magic of their songs makes Bilbo want an adventure too.
Thorin explains that the dwarves want to reclaim their home. They were driven out of the Lonely Mountain by a dragon named Smaug. Smaug also stole their huge treasure. Gandalf agrees to help, and Bilbo decides to join them. The next morning, they all set off.
Facing Trolls and Goblins
The group soon finds a camp of three large trolls. The trolls capture everyone except Gandalf. Gandalf uses his magic to make the sun rise quickly. When daylight hits the trolls, they turn to stone. Inside the trolls' cave, they find stolen treasure, including two old swords and a dagger.
Gandalf shows Thorin a map of the Lonely Mountain. It has a secret passage. When they stay in Rivendell, Elrond discovers hidden letters on the map. These letters can only be seen in moonlight. They show how to find the secret entrance.
Traveling through the Misty Mountains, the group hides from a storm in a cave. There, goblins capture everyone but Gandalf. Gandalf kills the Great Goblin, and the dwarves escape. Bilbo gets lost after hitting his head.
Bilbo and the Magic Ring
Bilbo finds an underground lake. There, he discovers a magic ring. He also meets Gollum, a strange creature. Gollum challenges Bilbo to a riddle contest. Bilbo wins by tricking Gollum.
Gollum goes to get the ring to use against Bilbo. But he finds it missing. He suspects Bilbo stole it and hunts him. Bilbo discovers the ring makes him invisible. He follows Gollum to the cave's exit and rejoins the dwarves.
Spiders, Elves, and a Dragon's Fury
The goblins chase the group into a pine forest and set it on fire. Giant eagles rescue them and fly them to Mirkwood Forest. Gandalf leaves them there. Bilbo is now in charge.
Bilbo and the dwarves are captured twice. First, by giant spiders, which Bilbo bravely fights off. Then, by the wood elves. Thorin refuses to answer the elf king's questions. He doesn't want to share the treasure. Bilbo uses the ring to steal the guard's keys. He then floats the dwarves in barrels down the river to Laketown.
The people of Laketown help the company recover. Finally, they reach the Lonely Mountain. They follow the map's instructions to enter. Bilbo goes in first, using the ring to stay hidden. He meets Smaug, the dragon.
Bilbo and Smaug talk. Smaug thinks Bilbo is from Laketown. Bilbo finds a spot on Smaug's skin not covered by scales. When Smaug attacks him for stealing, Bilbo escapes. Smaug then flies off to get revenge on Laketown.
Bilbo sends a thrush bird to tell Bard the Bowman about Smaug's weak spot. Bard shoots and kills Smaug. Smaug destroys Laketown as he dies.
The Battle and Farewell
The dwarves reclaim their treasure. But the people of Laketown and the Elves arrive. They want payment for Smaug's damage. Thorin refuses to share and declares war. Bilbo scolds him, pointing out they are greatly outnumbered. Thorin insults Bilbo, nearly ending their friendship.
Thorin's cousin Dain arrives with more dwarves. Before the battle starts, Gandalf appears. He warns everyone that the Goblins are coming. The men, elves, and dwarves unite against their common enemy. Bilbo hides as a great battle rages.
Later, Bilbo finds a dying Bombur. Bombur tells him the battle is won. Bilbo learns that only seven of the original thirteen dwarves are left. Gandalf leads him to Thorin, who is also dying. Thorin and Bilbo say a sad goodbye, regretting their angry words.
Bilbo returns home to Hobbiton with Gandalf. Gandalf warns him that his adventure is not over. It is only just beginning, thanks to the magic ring he found.
Making the Animated Hobbit Film
The Creative Team
The film was made and directed by Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass. Their company, Rankin/Bass Productions, is in New York City. Romeo Muller wrote the script for the film. Arthur Rankin Jr. also designed how the film would look. He said he would not add anything to the story that wasn't in Tolkien's original book. The New York Times reported that The Hobbit cost $3 million to make.
In 2003, Rankin said he loved Tolkien's work. He explained he could make the film because The Hobbit book was available for use at the time.
Voice Actors Bring Characters to Life
The main hero, Bilbo Baggins, was voiced by Orson Bean. The famous director and actor John Huston voiced Gandalf. For other roles, comedian Brother Theodore voiced Gollum. Thurl Ravenscroft sang the deep voices of the goblins.
The dragon Smaug had a rough voice, provided by Richard Boone. Hans Conried voiced Thorin Oakenshield. The film was the last Rankin/Bass project for Australian actor Cyril Ritchard, who voiced Elrond.
Animation and Art Style
The Hobbit was animated by Topcraft in Tokyo, Japan. This Japanese studio later became Studio Ghibli, famous for films like Spirited Away. Some animators from Topcraft also went to work for Disney. Topcraft worked with Rankin/Bass on other animated shows too.
Arthur Rankin said the film's look was inspired by the early drawings of Arthur Rackham. The main designs for the characters were done by Rhode Island artist Lester Abrams. He had seen Abrams' drawings from The Hobbit in a magazine. The same animation team also worked on the sequel film, The Return of the King.
Music and Soundtrack
Jules Bass used many of the original songs from Tolkien's book for the film's music. He also helped Maury Laws create a new main song. This song was called "The Greatest Adventure (The Ballad of the Hobbit)". Glenn Yarbrough sang this folk song. It became very well known and he sang it again for the sequel film in 1980.
The film's music and dialogue were released on an LP (a type of record) in 1977. Later, a shorter version was released with "storyteller read-alongs" for children. Another music album by Glenn Yarbrough, inspired by The Hobbit, was also released.
Sequel Film: The Return of the King
Before The Hobbit aired, Rankin/Bass was already planning a sequel. Around the same time, another animated film, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, was released in 1978. That film was meant to be the first part of a two-part story.
However, the sequel to that film was cancelled. So, Rankin/Bass decided to make their own sequel to The Hobbit. They brought back most of the same animation team and voice actors. They used parts of the last The Lord of the Rings book that the other film hadn't used. They created a musical film called The Return of the King.
To connect the two films, both The Hobbit and The Return of the King start and end with Bilbo staying in Rivendell. This helped link the story directly to the popular Hobbit film.
Voice Cast of The Hobbit
- Orson Bean – Bilbo Baggins
- Richard Boone – Smaug
- Hans Conried – Thorin Oakenshield
- John Huston – Gandalf / Narrator
- Otto Preminger – The Elvenking
- Cyril Ritchard – Elrond
- Brother Theodore – Gollum
- Paul Frees – Bombur, Troll #1
- Jack DeLeon – Dwalin, Fíli, Kíli, Óin, Glóin, Ori, Nori, Bifur, Bofur, Troll #2
- Don Messick – Balin, Goblin, Lord of the Eagles, Troll #3
- John Stephenson – Dori, Bard, Great Goblin
- Glenn Yarbrough – The Balladeer
- Thurl Ravenscroft – Goblin (singing voice), Background voice
The Team Behind the Scenes
- Producers/Directors – Arthur Rankin Jr., Jules Bass
- Writer – Romeo Muller
- Based on "The Hobbit" by – J. R. R. Tolkien
- Music – Maury Laws
- Lyrics – Jules Bass
- Production Designer – Arthur Rankin Jr.
- Animation Coordinator – Toru Hara
- Animation Supervisor – Tsuguyuki Kubo
- Character Designers – Lester Abrams, Tsuguyuki Kubo
- Background Designer – Minoru Nishida
- Animation Directors – Katsuhisa Yamada, Koichi Sasaki
- Animators – Kazuyuki Kobayashi, Tadakatsu Yoshida, Hidemi Kubo, Yukiyoshi Hane, Hidetoshi Kaneko, Kazuko Ito
- Sound Effects – Tom Clack
- Sound Recorders – John Curcio, Dave Iveland, Bob Elder
- Choral Director – Lois Winter
- Associate Producer – Masaki Iizuka
See also
In Spanish: El hobbit (película de 1977) para niños
