Book To Movie Monday (26)


For this weeks Book To Movie Monday I have decided to cover The Hobbit I felt it only fitting that my last Book To Movie Monday of 2012 covered The most anticipated, awesomely epic film of the year. Let's get to it shall we!


First Let's Discuss The Book. Below Is The Cover:

Now for a little back story in case some of you aren't familiar with the Novel. The Hobbit is a fantasy novel written by Author J.R.R. Tolkein. The Hobbit was published September 21, 1937 by George Allen&Unwin. The book debuted to widespread critical acclaim and due to this the publishers asked for a sequel which would later become The Lord Of The Rings. The Hobbit has been translated into over 40 languages and remains a popular staple in the literary world even to this day.


Let's look at some of the characters now shall we.

Main Protagonist

Bilbo Baggins- Bilbo is the most important character in the book. Bilbo is a Hobbit and lives in happily in Bag End. Hobbits are quite comfortable in their existence preferring food and drink over adventure,fame and fortune. Gandalf an old friend of Bilbo's enlists his help in a quest to find treasure. As the book goes on Bilbo grows from mild mannered, even complacent Hobbit to a brave and courageous Hero at the end.

Gandalf- Little is known of Gandalf in The Hobbit. We learn he is a great and powerful Wizard and that he has agreed to help Thorin in his quest for treasure. Why he agrees to help is never revealed and it is made clear that the treasure means nothing to him. Gandalf seems to have a heightened awareness that we the reader are never privy to in regards to the unfolding events in The Hobbit. He remains a beloved character by many.

Thorin- Leader of the dwarves. Brave, stubborn, proud his personality is very typical of his race. Thorin's quest for treasure ultimately corrupts him and leads him to make poor and careless decision putting the group in jeopardy. Oddly enough Thorin's actions seem to be the tipping point that makes Bilbo rise to and eventually overtake Thorin as hero and leader.


Major Differences Between The Book and the Movie

In the Book Bilbo is asked to join the quest because they need a "burglar" to steal back the lost treasure.
vs.
In the Movie Bilbo is told it is a noble quest to reclaim the dwarves homeland.

In the Book the Necromancer is a threat but since The Lord Of The Rings didn't exist yet the threat isn't as large.
vs.
In the Movie since we know of Sauron, ring wraiths and the one ring already the threat of the Necromancer becomes quite significant.

In the Book we learn Thorin's father Thrain was found captive in Dol Guldur but what exactly happened to him is left unmentioned.
vs.
In the Movie we learn how Thrain was hunted by Sauron's emissaries and tortured before having his ring stolen.

In the Book Azog is a minor nuisance to Thorin's family and is said to have been the one to have killed Thorin's grandfather Thror.
vs.
In the Film Azog is turned into a villain who hunts down the dwarves throughout the story.

In the Book we never learn who the members of The White Council are.
vs.
In the Film we learn at least Saruman, Galadriel and Elrond are on it.

In the Book Radagast only makes a brief appearance.
vs.
In the Movie Radagast shows up protecting woodland creatures and driving a rabbit-driven sleigh.

In the Book Frodo doesn't exist yet.
vs.
In the Movie Frodo is seen in the beginning as a way to tie together The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings.

In the Book when they are trying to escape the goblins under the mountain you can feel how serious the threat is were they to be captured.
vs.
In the Movie while the scene exists it is much more lighthearted and has many slapstick elements added to it.

In the Book Gandalf mentions Bilbo's Took side as being why he chose him for the adventure.
vs.
In the Movie Gandalf recalls Bilbo as a child being adventurous but is disappointed that as an "Adult" he had become boring and conservative.

In the Book Bilbo feels pressure to join the quest and when he does so it is noted he is not even carrying a handkerchief.
vs.
In the Movie he leaves carrying a backpack showing he prepared.

In the Book Bilbo finds the weapon later named Sting all on his own.
vs.
In the Movie while searching the trolls cave Gandalf finds the weapon and presents it to the reluctant Bilbo.

In the Book when the group arrive at Rivendell they are greeted by happy, singing elves.
vs.
In the Movie the group are confronted by a large group of elves returning from an Orc hunt. It is mentioned they slay most of them.

In the Book Thorin and group leave Rivendell ( albeit reluctantly)and the Elves sing to them as they do.
vs.
In the Movie Thorin who is distrustful of the Elves makes the group leave at night though Galadriel watches them from afar.

In the Book Bilbo finds the ring by feeling the ground after recovering consciousness.
vs.
In the Movie Bilbo watches Gollum drop the ring when he finds an injured Goblin to eat. As Gollum is distracted Bilbo sneaks up and steals the ring.


The above mentioned are only a small sampling of changes made between book and film but the ones I felt were the most significant. The question remains which do I prefer? It might be a cop out but I have to say they are a tie. You should read the book it's a classic after all but..... the film is just gorgeously shot and does the book justice. Plus it's Peter Jackson, hello!

Well that about wraps up this weeks Book to Movie Monday. Have a recommend for an upcoming Book to Movie let me know in the comments below. Have you read the book or seen the film? If so, Which did you like better? Why? I'll post the trailer down below so you can check it out. Like what you see? Please share!

Comments

  1. Ooh I haven't read LOTR or seen the movies but I've still been tempted to see this movie!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In all honesty you are probably at an advantage seeing the film beforehand and in a small way I wish this was made first so I could of discovered the characters in order of how they were meant to be introduced.

      Delete

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