The Hobbit

1977

Warner Brothers

Rated: G

Running Time: 90 min.

Starring the voices of:  Orson Bean, John Huston, Hans Conried, Otto Preminger

The Lord of the Rings has been made in both cartoon and live theatrical versions, and as of this writing the Hobbit has only ever seen a cartoon adaptation from its book source.  I would like to see a Hobbit film very much, and I imagine it could be done well, but strangely I doubt a live version could easily replace the wonderful heart endearing cartoon version by Rankin/Bass.

 The story is almost identical and few liberties are taken with the source material.  In fact, so much is taken directly from the book that it’s clear there was respect for the book and author by the production team.  Bilbo the Hobbit gets recruited by Gandalf and the dwarves to go with them on the perilous quest to Lonely mountain to reclaim a lost treasure.  From beginning to end it’s a well done and surprising film considering it is a cartoon made mainly for younger viewers.

 The only differences from the original book are subtle, sometimes unnoticeable, save for the complete absence of the bear-man Beorn and the stealing of the Archenstone from Thorin.  Much dialog is missing of course, but that is to be expected as a thorough adaptation would stretch this film far beyond 90 minutes.  The fundamentals are there, as well as some surprising renditions of some of the books most interesting moments.

 The animation is strange looking, but it was made by a Japanese company.  It happens to work excellently in the film’s favor, for after all we are supposed to be seeing another world long, long ago, and the style gives the film a unique quality that helps create that illusion.  The voices are delightful, and no better a Bilbo could there be than Orson Bean or a Gandalf by legendary director John Huston.  Like another source said, no one quite says “Behold!” like John Huston. Interestingly, Bean would later voice Frodo in the Return of the King animation.

 The music in the film was also a great surprise.  Though it does have some effects of late seventies rock (percussions and all) and a made-up song that follows Bilbo all through the movie, many of Tolkein’s own songs are included in the background or prominently, and they are beautifully performed.  I don’t read the Hobbit anymore without using the melodies of the cartoon, for they are excellently fitting.

 There are some interesting designs on some of the non-main characters, some of which are quite silly.  The Goblins (later known as the Orcs) look like pit bulls with huge horns on their heads, nothing like the “former elves” that the books speak of later, though I am not too familiar with the distinction between orcs and goblins.  Also, the Wood Elves look quite evil, not beautiful and ethereal like I believe most elves in Middle earth are supposed to look.  Heck, even Dark Elves are supposed to look beautiful.

 I’m not bashing the directors, because not everyone is a Tolkein nut and neither should they be.  The cartoon is very well done, and even if they were unaware that Gollum was supposed to have been a Hobbit himself once upon a time, I find this film’s “frog” rendition of the character creepy, haunting and incredibly likeable.  Like I said, none of the detractions or changes in the Tolkein legend harm the source or make it any less.  Smaug the Dragon was especially well done, better than I ever imagined it in the book.

 Overall I think this cartoon a true classic, no matter how old and cheap it may seem.  If there is ever a Hobbit film they would do well to be as creative, appealing and respectful of the source as this “children’s” cartoon was.  For me, this is the Hobbit I love seeing before I pop in the LOTR trilogy.  It’s magical, and another fun take on the Middle Earth universe.

Animation: It’s quite an old toon now, but it’s basically no different than what we would consider good anime today.