Watch The Hobbit

In 1977, an animated version of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved novel, The Hobbit, was brought to life. This adaptation, directed by Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr., stars Orson Bean as the voice of Bilbo Baggins, John Huston as the voice of Gandalf, and Theodore Gottlieb as the voice of Gollum. The Hobbit tells the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who is content with his quiet life in the Shire until the wizard Gandalf shows up at his doorstep with a proposition. The dwarf king, Thorin Oakenshield, and his company of dwarves are on a mission to reclaim their homeland, the Lonely Mountain, from the dragon Smaug. They need a burglar to help them sneak into the mountain undetected, and Bilbo is the perfect hobbit for the job. Despite his initial reluctance, Bilbo agrees to join the dwarves on their quest. Along the way, they encounter all sorts of dangers, including treacherous mountains, dark forests, and deadly spiders. They also meet the elf king, Thranduil, and his son, Legolas, who are less than helpful. But even greater dangers await them in the Lonely Mountain. Smaug is a fearsome dragon who will stop at nothing to protect his hoard of gold. And the dwarves must also contend with the evil dragon Sauron, who wants nothing more than to see them fail. The animation in The Hobbit is charming and whimsical, with colorful characters and magical landscapes. The voice acting is also superb, particularly Orson Bean's performance as Bilbo, which perfectly captures the hobbit's wit and wry humor. One of the highlights of the film is the scene in which Bilbo plays a game of riddles with Gollum in the depths of the Misty Mountains. The exchange between the two characters is both tense and humorous, with Theodore Gottlieb's performance as Gollum being particularly memorable. Another standout moment is the song "The Greatest Adventure," which serves as the film's main theme. Sung by Glenn Yarbrough, the song perfectly captures the sense of wonder and excitement that Bilbo and the dwarves feel on their journey. Overall, The Hobbit is a delightful animated film that does justice to Tolkien's beloved novel. While it may not have the budget or special effects of more recent adaptations, it more than makes up for it with its charm and heart.