Heartwarming / The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

An Unexpected Journey

I'm sorry I ever doubted you.

Spoilers Off applies to all "Moments" pages, so all spoilers are unmarked.

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• It felt good to see Bilbo and Frodo again after so long. Especially Frodo.
  • What's even better is that the camera pans away from the older Bilbo and over to a door in the hall, where some viewers probably expect the scene to transition in a flashback to the plot proper where younger Bilbo might emerge from the frame. But instead, completely unexpectedly, out steps Frodo.
• While sorting through some souvenirs of the quest in the prologue, Bilbo uncovers a portrait of his younger self which he had apparently forgotten about or thought he'd lost. Ian Holm's sentimental expression speaks volumes as he admires it.
• Some Heartwarming in Hindsight; consider that the Erebor story Bilbo relays in the prologue of the film is mostly seen through Thorin's perspective. Thorin must have told Bilbo everything, including Thrór's gold sickness and his difficulties after Erebor fell, and Bilbo took that all to heart when he began writing the story of his own adventure.
• One of the scenes from the Extended Edition features a Midsummer's Eve from Bilbo's childhood. Gandalf is there, setting off his fireworks, laughing, and playfully jousting with young Bilbo. Mithrandir, the grumpy Big Good of Middle-Earth, the one constant, ever-vigilant enemy of Evil, is just relaxing and having a good time with the Hobbits. You get the sense that he's been doing this almost as long as there's been a Shire. It's like Superman coming home to Smallville: no matter how heavy the weight on his shoulders, there's one place where he can just smoke his pipe and hang out with merry, simple folk.
• Likewise, Bilbo's mother greeting Gandalf with a hug suggests that Bilbo wasn't the only Hobbit friend Gandalf has had.
• A minor thing, but Glóin is heard remarking at Bag End that Gimli would like the place.
• The dinner scene. While it must be a huge emberassement for Bilbo, for unknowing visitors to come and eat his entire food supplies, the dwarves get along very nicely with each other. And them passing the dishes while singing without breaking any of them, doubles as a funny moment too.
• When Balin expresses some reservations about a band of only 12 dwarves going on the quest, many of whom are not even warriors, and those that are (like himself) are getting on in years, Thorin's response is simple:
  I would take any one of these dwarves over an army from the Iron Hills. For when I called, they answered. Loyalty, honour, a willing heart - I can ask no more than that.
  • There's also Thorin's comment that there are warriors among them - clearly referring to Balin himself.
  • Balin is clearly anxious about going on the quest, since he tries to reassure Thorin that he has led their people honourably and made a good life for them in the Blue Mountains, and reclaiming Erebor is not necessary to give the dwarves peace and prosperity. Yet when Thorin explains (with an air of sadness) that he has no choice in the matter, Balin simply pats him on the arm and says, "Then we are with you, laddie. We will see it done."
• Bilbo wakes up next morning to find the Dwarves gone, and the entire house looking exactly as it was before (minus the empty pantry, I imagine). Think about it: the Dwarves got up before Bilbo, and cleaned everything up neatly, while probably taking care not to wake the Hobbit sleeping in the next room. They may be a rowdy bunch, but their hearts are in the right place.
  • A minor heartwarming moment coupled with a funny moment: In case Bilbo did agree to join the party during the meeting, the dwarves decided to eat all of his food so it wouldn't go bad while he was away, which would present a putrid surprise when he got home. Strange logic? Perhaps. But sweet nonetheless.
• Bilbo sprinting out of his house and through Hobbiton and, when asked where he was going in such a rush, he shouts his answer with a huge grin on his face.
  "I'm going on an adventure!"
• After deciding to leave the Shire and go with The Company, Bilbo sees that everyone was betting on whether or not he would come with. When Bilbo asks Gandalf what he thought, someone tosses Gandalf his winnings from the bet. Gandalf catches the money, smiles at Bilbo, and tells him he never doubted him for a second.
• You can count the number of times Thorin looks happy during AUJ on one hand, but if you're watching closely, he smiles at Kíli in Bag End when he first arrives. Very subtle but indicative of how much he loves his nephews.
  • And later in the thunder battle when it looks like Fíli, Bilbo and a few others were separated from the main group and believed to have been crushed, Thorin loses his composure and screams his nephew's name. When they find Fíli and the others alive and unhurt, Thorin visibly slumps over with relief. He really does care for them.
• When Radagast heals his hedgehog friend Sebastian, he pauses for a moment to coo over the little guy. It's such a relief when he finally recovers.
  • And earlier, Gandalf telling Bilbo that Radagast is a great wizard "in his own way." We later see that Saruman doesn't have much respect for Radagast's loner tendencies or his choice to live among the forest animals, but it's clear Gandalf respects his abilities and can see the value in what he does.
  • Also, Radagast's interactions with Gandalf have shades of a scatter-brained little brother with his more responsible big brother, particularly when Gandalf is trying to calm Radagast down to learn what Radagast is trying to tell him.
• It's brief, but Bilbo doting on his pony, Myrtle, talking to her and feeding her an apple. There's also the fact that he was willing to risk his life to save the ponies from the trolls.
  • And when Fíli and Kíli remark that the ponies missing, you realize that not only did the company name every one of them, but they're all adorable ones like "Bungle", "Minty", and "Daisy".
  • Adding to the above, when the ponies end up bolting upon hearing the Wargs approach, this ultimately means that they won't end up being eaten by the Goblins like they were in the book. While it was troublesome for the dwarves and Bilbo, animal lovers will appreciate it.
• Kíli seems to become quite attached to Bilbo. He's the first to attack the Trolls when Bilbo is discovered. Then, Thorin has to stop him from attacking again when they threaten to rip Bilbo apart, forcing the Dwarves to surrender. The look on Kíli's face when he realizes he can't help Bilbo is heartbreaking.
  • Thorin instantly stops the battle against the Trolls when he sees Bilbo is in danger. By this point, he isn't too fond of the Hobbit, but he still orders his team to stand down when a comrade's life is threatened.
  • When Thorin is yelling at Bilbo at the end of the movie, Fíli and Kíli are the only two Dwarves whose reactions you can clearly see. Kíli looks confused, even a bit indignant on Bilbo's behalf, and keeps glancing at the others as if asking whether they should do or say something. It's rather sweet.
• The flashback to Azanulbizar, when Balin talks about how Thorin took leadership of the Dwarves in their battle against the Orcs.
  Balin: "...and I thought to myself; there is one I could follow. There is one I could call king."
  • The flashback then ends with Thorin turning to the group, and all of them stand ready as if waiting for orders. It's at this point you understand that the respect between Thorin and the Dwarves goes both ways. Thorin would take them over the mightiest army and they would follow him anywhere in return.
  • One more: Dwalin's and Balin's Manly Tears as they discover they're both alive after the battle, and the way they wearily bump heads and embrace, surrounded by their dead kin.
• It was a small and quick moment, but when Elrond's army came back to Rivendell, the Dwarves prepare to be attacked by them. The Dwarves grab Bilbo and form a circle with Bilbo in the middle. None of them question this move or have to talk about it. They automatically put Bilbo in the middle which ensures he is protected from harm. Though part of their reasoning for doing this might be because they believe Bilbo would be useless in a fight, it is still heartwarming to see them with their weapons out and willing to protect Bilbo if necessary.
  • Thorin also pushes Kíli into the middle of the group next to Bilbo.
  • Also from that scene, the fact that Elrond offered the Dwarves food and hospitality. It was rather nice of him considering Thorin's open hostility towards his people.
    • Elrond gets to show his kinder side much more than in LOTR. For instance, he and Gandalf seem genuinely happy to see each other after such a long time with Elrond even briefly hugging his old friend.
    • In the extended edition, Elrond even befriends Bilbo, complimenting the Hobbits' "resilience" and "comforts of home". He even invited the Hobbit to stay in Rivendell anytime he wanted.
• A minor moment that is both heartwarming and amusing is this exchange between Gandalf and Elrond before the Rivendell banquet. What makes it heartwarming is the tone of Elrond's reply, telling you everything you need to know about their friendship.
  Gandalf: Kind of you to invite us; not really dressed for dinner.
  Elrond: Well, you never are!
• The White Council has met Gandalf, and Saruman is dismissive of his concerns about the Necromancer, even after Gandalf displays the Witch-King's blade; furthermore, they will not help Thorin's Company. Gandalf is weary and upset.
  Galadriel: Mithrandir. Why the halfling?
  Gandalf: I don't know. Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I've found that it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness, and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.
  Galadriel: Do not be afraid, Mithrandir. You Are Not Alone. (In Elvish) If you have need of me, I will come.
  • Gandalf, despite everything, still believes that evil can be defeated, not by brute strength, but by the everyday kindness of regular people like Bilbo. And Galadriel does not hesitate to pledge her private support.
  • Extra touching when you realize that Bilbo's simple act of mercy towards Gollum is what leads to Sauron's downfall and saves Middle Earth.
  • While Gandalf doesn't know it at the time, it's also a fair explanation of the future: years later, he discovers that Bilbo's nephew has the Artifact of Doom whose destruction could save all Middle-Earth. Once again hobbits get involved in a quest too big for them, and once again, their kindness, loyalty, and love play havoc with the manipulations and dark power of the enemy.
  • It's also touching because one of the wisest and most powerful beings in Middle-earth is saying an ordinary and seemingly insignificant little Hobbit gives him courage.
  • Galadriel and Gandalf in general. Everyone always turns to the wise and unflappable mentor figure for all the answers, but who can Gandalf turn to for support? Now we know.
  • The crowner of all the above is that Galadriel wasn't kidding. In The Battle of Five Armies, she personally walks into Dol Guldur to rescue Gandalf.
• Bilbo's rescue by the dwarves during the storm. All of them pitch in to save him, cementing him as part of the team.
  • The fact it was Thorin who climbed down the ledge and risked falling to haul Bilbo up.
• Bofur trying to stop Bilbo from leaving after Thorin's harsh claims of Bilbo not being one of them got to him. At the end, Bofur does let him go (though circumstances prevent him to), but his attempt at stopping Bilbo is rather heartwarming.
  • What is especially heartwarming about this scene is when Bofur states that Bilbo is one of them now and cannot possibly leave. Even though they have only traveled a short time together, Bilbo has already integrated himself into the Dwarves' company. It doesn't matter that Bilbo is a Hobbit or wishes to go home. In Bofur's eyes, Bilbo has done more than enough to prove he is part of their team.
  • And Bofur sincerely wishing Bilbo well when his attempts to persuade him fail.
• When the Dwarves have been captured by the Goblins, they are ordered to start torturing the youngest first. Ori (understandably) looks terrified. Immediately, Thorin steps forward and reveals himself.
• Sméagol, vile creature that he is, getting so excited and child-like when Bilbo suggests the game of riddles. Granted, the potential ending is scary, but Sméagol's expression and playfulness after having been alone with himself for so long just briefly outweighs it.
• When Bilbo has the chance to kill Gollum before escaping the Misty Mountains, he almost takes it, but the sight of Gollum so heartbroken is enough to make Bilbo hesitate, and then choose to spare his life. While heartwarming on its own, it's even better when you realize that, with one single act of mercy, Bilbo unknowingly saved all of Middle-Earth in the long run by allowing Gollum to live.
  • As Bilbo is about to strike Gollum from behind, the familiar theme of the Shire starts to play. You can just imagine the words Gandalf told him earlier running through his mind.
  Gandalf: True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.
• Just like in the book, you could see the friendship between Bilbo and Balin grow. Such as when Balin smiles and welcomes Bilbo to The Company after receiving the contract and the little clap to Balin's shoulder that Bilbo gives him when Bilbo reappeared after escaping from the Goblin caves.
• When Bilbo counters Thorin's claim that he doesn't belong on the journey because he is always thinking of home:
  Bilbo: ...I often think of Bag End. I miss my books. And my armchair. And my garden. See, that's where I belong. That's home. And that's why I came back, 'cause... You don't have one. A home. It was taken from you. But I will help you take it back if I can.
• It's very easy to miss, but when they're climbing trees to escape the Wargs, Kíli is shown giving Fíli a hand up. The heartwarming bit is when you realise this is because Fíli must have made his little brother get to safety first.
  • And earlier when the company is running away from the orc patrol to the hidden elven passage, Fíli is fairly close to the opening when Gandalf finds it, but Kíli is further out, shooting at orcs to guard their rear. Fíli should have been one of the first down the hole but instead is one of the last, only a step ahead of his brother.
• When Bilbo tackles the orc who's about to behead Thorin and stands between him and Azog. He is utterly terrified, but he is willing to die to protect Thorin.
  • Fortunately, he doesn't have to, because immediately after the rest of the dwarves charge in to save them — and then the eagles arrive.
  • Also from that scene - while every other member of the company is holding onto the tree for dear life, and even Bilbo only charges in when Azog's mook is close to killing Thorin, the instant Thorin is knocked down, Dwalin tries to go help him and nearly falls to his death when the branch he grabs gives way.
• "I've never been so wrong in all my life." Cue Man Hug from Thorin to Bilbo.
  • And just before that, when Thorin wakes up, the very first thing he does is ask if Bilbo is all right. Then he yells at Bilbo for putting himself in danger in the exact same tone of voice a parent might use to tell a child "Don't you EVER scare me like that again!"
  • The scene could have easily come off as sappy or overdone, but the acting and directing turned it into a beautifully emotional moment between Thorin and Bilbo.
• Thorin's face when he finally sees the Lonely Mountain for the first time in ages. The hopeful and awed smile strips years away from his face and gives a glimpse of the happy prince shown in the prologue. Thorin was only 24 years old when Smaug took the mountain, barely a teenager in Dwarf years. One hundred seventy YEARS pass by before they begin their quest. He hasn't seen his home in over a century and a half, and he's so glad to see it again.
• If you look closely during the prologue, you can see a Dwarf soldier carrying a child.

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