Why The 1977 Hobbit Movie Is The Most Problematic Lord of the Rings Film

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It can be argued that each movie outside of Peter Jackson’s original trilogy for “The Lord of the Rings” might not shine as brightly compared to the others, but there’s one often overlooked in discussions. Analyzing it would benefit future filmmakers and TV producers by providing insights on how to create a more impressive adaptation.

In addition, it is often overlooked compared to Jackson’s films, as many people aren’t familiar with it. However, this film has been in existence for quite some time now, allowing us to form a well-grounded opinion about it. Surprisingly, contrary to popular belief, Peter Jackson’s famous trilogy was not the world’s initial adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, with the first installment debuting as early as 1967.

1971 saw Sweden produce a movie adaptation of “The Lord of the Rings,” while in 1977, Rankin and Bass released “The Hobbit.” Critics argue that “The Hobbit” might be the most challenging film within the franchise. Despite following it with “The Return of the King” which received even worse reviews, “The Hobbit” set the series into motion. This initial release led to ongoing issues for Rankin and Bass’ interpretation of the “Lord of the Rings” world.

1977’s The Hobbit Movie Got So Much Wrong About The Lord Of The Rings

Rankin & Bass’ Hobbit Movie Contains Some Hilarious Faux Pas

The most challenging interpretation of “The Lord of the Rings” movies might be the 1977 version of “The Hobbit,” as it had several inaccuracies regarding the storyline. Positioned before the occurrences of “The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Hobbit” plays a crucial role in the chronology of “The Lord of the Rings.

The narrative commences with the Third Age tales, as many Western viewers are familiar with them, reaching its climax in “The Return of the King“. Although “The Silmarillion” forms the core of the mythology of “LotR“, the 1977 movie adaptation of “The Hobbit” played a crucial role by introducing a large number of people to the beginning of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic story.

In the “Hobbit” movie by Rankin and Bass, there were a few areas where the storyline deviated significantly from Tolkien’s books, causing some confusion among viewers. By contrast, Peter Jackson’s adaptation of “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” remained faithful to the original text in many aspects, even though it made certain changes like omitting Tom Bombadil.

In the 1977 version of “The Hobbit”, the Arkenstone was left out, a key element that played a much larger role in the movie’s narrative compared to Tom’s significance in “The Fellowship of the Ring”. Furthermore, certain interpretations presented in this adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work strayed quite far from the original storyline crafted by this esteemed English author.

The Rankin/Bass Hobbit Movie Changed Tolkien’s Story For The Worse

The Hobbit Is Not An Ideal Intro To The Lord Of The Rings

1977’s adaptation of “The Hobbit” is an enjoyable film, no doubt, but it unfortunately altered the original story in ways that were detrimental. The omission of the Arkenstone was particularly regrettable, as it diminished the overall impact of the plot. Consequently, even “The Return of the King,” a significantly inferior film, started off on a disappointing note.

As a humble movie critic, I must confess that Bilbo Baggins, though not overtly strong in muscle, stands tall among the mightiest heroes in “The Lord of the Rings.” The removal of the Arkenstone from his possession diminishes his significant impact in the tale.

Instead, in the 1977 Hobbit film adaptation, Bilbo found himself merely observing the happenings of the Battle of the Five Armies without having a chance to mediate between opposing factions.

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1937 children’s book, Bilbo Baggins played a significant dual role, both as a diplomat and a burglar, ultimately securing peace by the end of the story. However, this aspect of Bilbo’s character was omitted from later adaptations, making him appear less courageous and compassionate. Consequently, Frodo, Bilbo’s nephew, had less resonance in subsequent films.

The Animated Hobbit Movie Was Rejected By Critics & Fans

The Hobbit Received Criticism From Different Angles

Regarding the 1977 film adaptation of “The Hobbit,” while opinions within the fandom differ on certain aspects, there is a common understanding about some of its shortcomings. Both critics and fans tend to concur that Thranduil and his people were notably peculiar in their design.

In the Hobbit films directed by Peter Jackson, Lee Pace shone brilliantly as Thranduil, a character who embodied arrogance and frostiness perfectly. On the other hand, the Silvan Elves portrayed by Rankin and Bass seem to stray far from their Elven roots, with bald heads and aged green skin instead.

Critics pointed out that in the movie version of The Hobbit, they felt that Gollum’s frog-like appearance didn’t align with his Hobbit ancestry. Even though some fans appreciated how this made Gollum more unsettling and frightening, it undeniably deviated from the original plot conceptualized by Tolkien.

While Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy strayed further from the original book than Rankin and Bass’ animated version, it’s worth noting that the cinematic portrayal of The Hobbit film posed a challenge for many viewers. Creatures like Gollum, Silvan Elves, and even Smaug, though beautifully executed, seemed to have an oddly feline quality about them.

Why The Hobbit Is Still Worth Checking Out (Even Though It’s Terrible)

The Hobbit Had Many Original Ideas

Regardless of its noticeable imperfections, there is much delight to be found in Rankin and Bass’ Hobbit film. The music is undeniably exceptional, even if some argue otherwise. Catchy, darkly humorous lyrics such as “Where there’s a whip, there’s a way” will linger in memory long after the movie comes to an end.

In this song composed by Glenn Yarbrough for Rankin and Bass, the Orcs were skillfully portrayed as villains. The overall tone of the movie is light-hearted, mirroring the whimsical and delightful aspects of the original children’s book. The play on words found throughout the soundtrack and script significantly enhance the streamlined narrative.

The 1977 adaptation of “The Hobbit” might be considered the most challenging interpretation among the “Lord of the Rings” films, given its significant departures from established lore and its influence on subsequent audience expectations and cinematic works. However, despite causing some issues for itself, it still surpasses “The Return of the King,” overall.

This animated adaptation, particularly when taking all factors into account, might even surpass Ralph Bakshi’s 1978 “The Lord of the Rings.” The animation is unique and captivating in its own right, making it a delight for dedicated fans. The music and visuals combine to create an eccentric yet endearing take on “The Hobbit.

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2025-07-04 19:01