Release: 2012-12-12
Runtime: 2h 49m (169 minutes)
Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit enjoying his quiet life, is swept into an epic quest by Gandalf the Grey and thirteen dwarves who seek to reclaim their mountain home from Smaug, the dragon.
Watch this on:
Provided by JustWatch
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Action
Cast: Elijah Wood, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett, more
Elijah Wood
as Frodo Baggins
Benedict Cumberbatch
as Necromancer
Cate Blanchett
as Galadriel
Ian McKellen
as Gandalf the Grey
Ian Holm
as Old Bilbo Baggins
Andy Serkis
as Gollum
Martin Freeman
as Bilbo Baggins
Christopher Lee
as Saruman the White
Hugo Weaving
as Elrond
Peter Jackson
as Running Dwarf in Erebor (uncredited)
Richard Armitage
as Thorin Oakenshield
Lee Pace
as King Thranduil
Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit enjoying his quiet life, is swept into an epic quest by Gandalf the Grey and thirteen dwarves who seek to reclaim their mountain home from Smaug, the dragon.
From the smallest beginnings come the greatest legends.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a fantasy adventure film released in 2012. Directed by Peter Jackson, it features a screenplay co-written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Jackson himself, and Guillermo del Toro. The movie is based on The Hobbit, a novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, published in 1937. This film marks the first part of a trilogy that serves as a prequel to Jackson's earlier work, The Lord of the Rings.
The film is set in the mythical land of Middle-earth, taking place sixty years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. The plot follows Bilbo Baggins (played by Martin Freeman), who is persuaded by the wizard Gandalf (played by Ian McKellen) to join thirteen Dwarves on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. The Dwarves are led by Thorin Oakenshield (played by Richard Armitage).
The movie premiered on 28 November 2012 in Wellington, followed by releases in New Zealand and the United States on 12 and 14 December, respectively. It became a commercial success, earning over $1.017 billion at the box office, making it the fourth highest-grossing film of 2012.
Despite its box office success, the film received mixed reviews from critics. It was praised for its stunning visuals and special effects, but some found its pacing slow. The film holds a 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences gave it an average positive score of over 80%.
In terms of accolades, the film was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Production Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Visual Effects. It also received several nominations from various critics' associations.
The film's technology also sparked debates, particularly its use of a high frame rate of 48 frames per second, which some viewers enjoyed while others felt it looked unnatural.
The cast features several notable actors, including Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Christopher Lee as Saruman, and Andy Serkis as Gollum. The film also includes characters such as Radagast, portrayed by Sylvester McCoy.
Following this film, two sequels were released: The Desolation of Smaug in 2013 and The Battle of the Five Armies in 2014. The trilogy has left a lasting mark on fantasy cinema, continuing to draw audiences into Tolkien's richly imagined world.
