History Fridge / TheHobbit

* Why are there far more instances of unrealistic physics than the original ''LOTR'' trilogy and several subplots that were invented for the film, such as the love story? Because much like his recitation of the troll scene in ''Fellowship'', Bilbo's book is meant for children and so he's [[UnreliableNarrator purposefully embellishing parts]] of the story to make them more exciting, while omitting some of the nastier elements to tone down the NightmareFuel. This would also tie with how Tolkien retconned the scene where Bilbo wins the Ring from Gollum in the first edition of ''The Hobbit'', having Gandalf explain it away in ''LOTR'' as a lie Bilbo made up under the influence of the Ring.

* Why are there far more instances of unrealistic physics than the original ''LOTR'' trilogy and several subplots that were invented for the film, such as the love story? Because much like his recitation of the troll scene in ''Fellowship'', Bilbo's book is meant for children and so he's [[UnreliableNarrator purposefully embellishing parts]] of the story to make them more exciting, while omitting some of the nastier events to tone down the NightmareFuel. This would also tie with how Tolkien retconned the scene where Bilbo wins the Ring from Gollum in the first edition of ''The Hobbit'', having Gandalf explain it away in ''LOTR'' as a lie Bilbo made up under the influence of the Ring.

* Why are there far more instances of unrealistic physics than the original ''LOTR'' trilogy and several subplots that were invented for the film, such as the love story? Because much like his recitation of the troll scene in ''Fellowship'', Bilbo's book is meant for children and so he's [[UnreliableNarrator purposefully embellishing parts]] of the story to make them more exciting. This would also tie with how Tolkien retconned the scene where Bilbo wins the Ring from Gollum in the first edition of ''The Hobbit'', having Gandalf explain it away in ''LOTR'' as a lie Bilbo made up under the influence of the Ring.

* On the Fridge page for ''LOTR'', people noted the odd quality of the Ring never bouncing when it falls. Now watch ''Film/TheHobbit'' and see that it bounces like a normal object. It doesn't yet have the weight it will have in the sequels, both metaphorically ''and'' literally. Also, maybe it ''wanted'' to bounce. The rings abandons Gollum, after all. It wanted to get away, so it [[IncrediblyLamePun bounced.]]

* In the [[WesternAnimation/TheHobbit 1978]] adaptation, [[DeathByAdaptation seven dwarves are dead]] as opposed to Thorin, Filí, and Kilí. Aside from witnessing Bombúr bite the dust, we don't know who the remaining dwarves are. While naturally Gloín wouldn't be, Bālin, Orí, and Orin can't be. Why? They have to die in Moira.

* On the Fridge page for ''LOTR'', people noted the UncannyValley quality of the Ring never bouncing when it falls. Now watch ''Film/TheHobbit'' and see that it bounces like a normal object. It doesn't yet have the weight it will have in the sequels, both metaphorically ''and'' literally. Also, maybe it ''wanted'' to bounce. The rings abandons Gollum, after all. It wanted to get away, so it [[IncrediblyLamePun bounced.]]

* In the [[WesternAnimation/TheHobbit 1978]] adaptation, [[DeathByAdaptation seven dwarves are dead]] as opposed to Thorin, Filí, and Kilí. Aside from witnessing Bombúr bite the dust, we don't know who the remaining dwarves are. While naturally Gloín wouldn't be, Bālin, Orí, and Pin can't be. Why? They have to die in Moira.

* In the [[WesternAnimation/TheHobbit 1978]] adaptation, [[DeathByAdaptation seven dwarves are dead as opposed to Thorin, Filí, and Kilí. Aside from witnessing Bombúr bite the dust, we don't know who the remaining dwarves are. While naturally Gloín wouldn't be, Bālin, Orí, and Pin can't be. Why? They have to die in Moira.

* At the end of the third film Thranduil advises Legolas to go north and look after [[spoiler: a certain Ranger called Strider. This can cause Tolkien purists to do double-takes, since in the book-verse Aragorn was only about ''ten'' when the events of ''Literature/TheHobbit'' were happening, and was still in hiding at Rivendell. However, Jackson's film timeline is different to Tolkien's, since the seventeen years between Bilbo's 111th birthday party and Frodo's flight from the Shire were omitted; thus, this version of Aragorn is probably in his twenties. Assuming the dates stated in the films are exact, Aragorn tells Eowyn that he's 87 in the Extended Edition of ''The Two Towers'', and assuming the statement "for sixty years, the ring lay quiet in Bilbo's keeping" is exact, that means film!Aragorn would be 27 circa ''The Hobbit''.]]

** In ''Film/TheHobbitAnUnexpectedJourney'' Thranduil's army appearance in the Prologue seems forced: did he just march his entire army to help, only to turn around on the mere sight of the Dragon? How did he learn of the impending Dragon attack to be able to assemble and march his host so swiftly? And if he did not intend to help at all, why bring the army in the first place? Then, ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies'' puts it into perspective: he always intended to reclaim what he deemed rightfully his from the Dwarves by force, he just choose the timing poorly and had the misfortune to arrive just behind the rampaging Dragon. Helping the refugees was never in question, but since the treasures were lost, there was no point in attacking them either.
** Alternately, the elven army was there as a warning to ''Smaug'' not to push his luck too far, by attacking the elves next. Yes, their army just lined up and glared at the dragon rather than challenging him - so long as he's not turning their own forest into charcoal, they won't try to stop him from assaulting the neighbors - but its presence probably helped remind the dragon that the ''elves'' may have had a few Black Arrows in their stockpiles too, and are generally better shots than men or dwarves.
* While it's a shame we never get to hear a full length rendition of ''Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold'' in the movie, the prologue to ''Film/AnUnexpectedJourney'' contains several visual nods to individual lines within the song.

* Tolkien described Mirkwood elves as more rustic and closer to nature, something Thranduil's father wanted to return to. A point is made out of them being less disciplined and not as well armed as the Noldor at the battle of the Last Alliance in which Thranduil barey escaped with his life after his father got himself and his entire host killed. Yet in the Hobbit movies they show excellent military discipline and sport armor that would have fit even the Feanorian Noldor who were the most "civilized" elves when it comes to crafting and forging. Thranduil learned his lesson in military armament and tactics... that he's still being unwise by playing isolationist is another matter.

* Wife's keepsake or not, Thranduil's obsession with the white gems to the point of abandoning the Dwarves completely and later jailing Thorin and company over them shows an obsessive streak that in his case at least highlights how Thranduil is NotSoDifferent from the Dwarves he so despises.

* The goblins here are far more civilized and well-fed than their cousins in Moria. The book mentions that they made a living by ambushing travellers, so they'd have learned Common and have a steady supply of food, as opposed to the Moria goblins, who have very little to eat and are constantly being terrorized witless by a literal demon.

** Why are the dwarves so mean as to eat everything in Bilbo's larder without asking first or respect to Bilbo? Well, if he's probably coming with them then they don't want all that good food to spoil, do they?
** They were invited for a dinner, weren't they? Gandalf probably used food as a deal-maker, considering that dwarves can't have been terribly enthusiastic about a detour for the sake of a hobbit burglar. Clearly a wizard's word has more weight than the guy who actually lives there.

* The underground orcs are poorly armored and thus easily killed. Therefore orcs could never be a total threat on their own, without Sauron / Saruman. This is what Gimli later means under "Rabble of mindless orcs". By contrast, Uruk-hai (from ''[[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings "The Two Towers"]]'') are better armed and armored - "Their armor is thick and their shields broad" - and therefore are much more formidable opponents.

* Though Tolkien never describes the rune on Bilbo's door in the book, Peter Jackson was pretty clever in picking the one for the movie. The sign is Middle-Earth's 'G' for Gandalf, and is shown as his insignia in ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings,'' but it also matches the Norse rune Fehu, which in Norse mysticism stands for possessions won or earned, luck, a sign of hope and plenty, and success. In short, all the things that the Dwarves hope for in their adventure. The sign reversed refers to a loss of personal property, greed, and discord--in other words, a short summary of the fall of the Dwarf kingdom. It also refers to poverty (which the Dwarfs are in) and dullness/cowardice (which Gandalf wants to jolt Bilbo out of).

* Why did Gandalf only shield himself against Sauron at Dol Guldur, rather than trying to end it there while Sauron was still relatively weak and at point-blank range? Part of the instructions the wizards were given before leaving Valinor was not to try and match Sauron's power for power, to avoid another [[WorldSundering Beleriand]] incident - ''he wasn't allowed to engage in direct combat'', and so was trying his best to survive without attacking.

* As much a TearJerker as it is, Kíli/Tauriel doesn't cheapen the relationship Legolas and Gimli has in the LotR trilogy - simply because it doesn't work out. If anything, it serves as a precedent for Legolas/Gimli - that yes, elves and dwarves can fall in love/have a lifelong bond. It also potentially adds some layers to the animosity between Gimli and Legolas in the beginning: Gimli presumably knows from his father about Thranduil's actions in the past. Meanwhile, Tauriel, who was Legolas's comrade and who he is implied to have had some feelings for, fell in love with a dwarf and may even have died of a broken heart after Kíli's death.