History TearJerker / TheHobbitAnUnexpectedJourney

[[caption-width-right:350: ''There was no feast...nor song that night...'']]

** Indeed, Gollum's face was of a lost boy, looking for his mother. Slow tears and all, and utter sadness. This is how Gollum is in reality: not a vengeful monster, or a Dark Lord, he's just this poor hapless Hobbit dude who fell victim and succumbed to the Ring's evil simply by ''looking at it'', driving him to murder his brother and leaving him a deformed crazed wretch skulking around in dank caverns alone.

** Indeed, Gollum's face was of a lost boy, looking for his mother. Slow tears and all, and utter sadness. This is how Gollum is in reality: not a vengeful monster, or a Dark Lord, he's just this poor hapless Hobbit dude fell victim who succumbed to the Ring's evil simply by finding it, driving him to murder his brother and leaving him a deformed crazed wretch skulking around in dank caverns alone.

** Indeed, Gollum's face was of a lost boy, looking for his mother. Slow tears and all, and utter sadness. This is how Gollum is in reality: not a vengeful monster, or a Dark Lord, he's just this poor hapless Hobbit dude who succumbed to the Ring's evil, driving him to murder his brother and leaving him a deformed crazed wretch skulking around in dank caverns alone.

** Indeed, Gollum's face was of a lost boy, looking for his mother. Slow tears and all, and utter sadness. This is how Gollum is in reality: not a vengeful monster, or a Dark Lord, he's just a little guy who succumbed to the Ring's evil.

* The plight of the Erebor dwarves is one horrid tearjerker after another. Not only do they lose Erebor and all the priceless relics within, but Moria and dozens of other strongholds began to fall one after another. This would be hard for any people to endure, but dwarves in particular value their ancestral homes in a way few humans can comprehend.

** And, in addition to losing Erebor, the beginning of Thorin's grudge against the elves. Thranduil shows up with his army, but when he sees there's nothing they can do against Smaug, he retreats. (Several viewers have criticized him for this, but really, what was he ''supposed'' to do against an entrenched dragon?) It's not as if he doesn't care, though; you can see by the look on his face that he ''hates'' having to do this. Unfortunately you can also see the look on Thorin's face, thus witnessing his despair and utter betrayal, and it doesn't help that Thorin probably mistook his look of sorrow for aloofness and arrogance. PoorCommunicationKills, indeed.

* Just before the dwarves sing "Misty Mountains", Thorin and Balin have a private conversation in the hallway. Heartbreaking for so many reasons:
** Their closeness. Those who watch this again after seeing ''Battle of the Five Amies'' will mourn how their closeness gets torn apart due to Thorin's dragon sickness. Fortunately, they get better.

** Their closeness. Those who watch this again after seeing ''Battle of the Five Amies'' [[spoiler: will mourn how their closeness gets torn apart due to Thorin's dragon sickness]]. Fortunately, [[spoiler: they get better.]]

*** Which can gain a little extra significance later, when [[spoiler: Thorin is consumed by dragon sickness]]. He pleads to not be spoken to as if he were still Thorin Oakenshield, insisting instead that he is his men's king. A reason why the dragon sickness consumes him so deeply is because it's based on something else far deeper than raw greed: taking the mantle of "king" to Thorin is confirmation that he has honored and avenged his forefathers, who were kings themselves, and that he has taken up their responsibilities. This reinforces that same values of family Thorin has always had, [[spoiler: albeit being shown in a less than healthy way]].
** Knowing that [[spoiler: they'll both die equally tragic deaths; Thorin by Azog's hand and, sometime during the timeskip between ''The Hobbit'' and ''The Lord of the Rings'', Balin by orcs near Moria.]]

* The death of [[spoiler:Sebastian, Radagast's hedgehog]]. He gets better, sure, but the look on Radagast's face is heartbreaking all by itself. Considering he named and doted on him, and his panic at trying to cure him, he probably thought of Sebastian and all the animals in the forest as his children. Any parent who's ever had a sick child knows the same fear and dread he was going through.

* In the Extended Edition, there is a scene where Thranduil has arrived to pay homage to Thror, and Thror holds out a box with white gems inside: they're the White Gems of Lasgalen and quite possibly a memento of Thranduil's late wife. Thranduil reaches out his hand to touch them… and the box slams shut. The look on Thranduil's face as he's reaching out for them, and his look afterward, speak volumes for how much he cherished his wife and anything that reminded him of her. Becomes an even bigger TearJerker when you realize ''this'' might have been the real cause of the rift between Thranduil and the dwarves - another tragedy caused by Thror's greed.

* Just before the dwarves since "Misty Mountains", Thorin and Balin have a private conversation in the hallway. Heartbreaking for so many reasons:

** Their subject matter: Balin is earnestly telling Thorin that they ''don't have to'' undergo the quest. He says that Thorin has helped the survivors of Erebor's destruction and the battle at Moria find a fine life where they are, and he thanks Thorin. But Thorin ''won't'' turn away from his quest. Why? Because regaining their lost home was his father's and grandfather's dream, and he wants to personally see to it that he honors their wishes. Family and responsibility are ''deeply'' important to Thorin, and it shows. Later, when Bilbo finds the burglar contract, the viewer can briefly see Thorin's signature: "Thorin son of Thrain", instead of Thorin Oakenshield.

** Their subject matter: Balin is earnestly telling Thorin that they ''don't have to'' undergo the quest. He says that Thorin has helped the survivors of Erebor's destruction and the battle at Moria find a fine life where they are, and he thanks Thorin. But Thorin ''won't'' turn away from his quest. Why? Because regaining their lost home was his father's and grandfather's dream, and he wants to personally see to it that he honors their wishes. Family is deeply important to Thorin, and it shows. Later, when Bilbo finds the burglar contract, the viewer can briefly see Thorin's signature: "Thorin son of Thrain", instead of Thorin Oakenshield.
*** Which can gain a little extra significance later, when [[spoiler: Thorin is consumed by dragon sickness]]. He pleads to not be spoken to as if he were still Thorin Oakenshield, insisting instead that he is his men's king. A reason why the dragon sickness consumes him so deeply is because it's based on something else far deeper than raw greed: taking the mantle of "king" to Thorin is confirmation that he has honored and avenged his forefathers, and reinforces that same value of family he has always had.

** Their closeness. Those who watch this again after seeing BotFA [[spoiler: will mourn how their closeness gets torn apart due to Thorin's dragon sickness]]. Fortunately, [[spoiler: they get better.]]

** And, in addition to losing Erebor, the beginning of Thorin's grudge against the elves. Thranduil shows up with his army, but when he sees there's nothing they can do against Smaug, he retreats. (Several viewers have criticized him for this, but really, what was he ''supposed'' to do against an entrenched dragon?) It's not as if he doesn't care, though; you can see by the look on his face that he ''hates'' having to do this. Unfortunately you can also see the look on Thorin's face, thus witnessing his despair and utter betrayal.

** Adding to this (combined with {{Fridge Horror}}): Ori, that adorable little dwarf who, at the party, politely asks Bilbo where to put his plate, and grumbles about the green food in Rivendell, will - fifty/sixty or so years later - be writing the horrific words Gandalf reads in Moria during ''Fellowship of the Ring'': "We cannot get out. They are coming."
** And he will die on an expedition led by the equally ill-fated Balin, the kind, wise, CoolOldGuy of the dwarves, Bilbo's devoted friend and one of the most endearing characters.
** There was a third member of their party who joined the expedition: Óin, who was unceremoniously eaten by the Watcher in the Water (the giant squid-thing that almost got Frodo in the first movie). He also happens to be Gimli's uncle and Glóin's brother.

** Bilbo realizing how insensitive his comment was and almost immediately attempting to backtrack on it more than likely helped assuage the blow.

* The look on Gollum's face when he knows his "precious" is lost. Bilbo can't even try to kill him after that. And even though you know what will happen with him later on, you can't help but feel at least a tad sorry for him.
** Indeed, Gollum's face was of a lost boy, looking for his mother. Slow tears and all, and a complete sadness. This is how Gollum is in reality: not a vengeful monster, or a Dark Lord, he's just a little guy who succumbed to the Ring's evil.

* Seeing Frodo in the beginning, helping Bilbo get ready for his birthday party. He looks so happy and innocent and you cannot help but smile/{{squee}} at his young self. Then you remember that this is his last truly happy day. From here on out, it's all downhill for him. He'll never be truly happy again once he's become the Ringbearer.
* True, his greed caused the whole disaster, but it is honestly heartbreaking to see poor Thrór as Smaug attacks his home, stealing all the wealth he'd amassed over the years and taking away his heart's desire. You really do have to feel sorry for him.
* The lyrics to the song "Misty Mountains" are absolutely heartbreaking, as it is a song about the [[DoomedHometown destruction of Erebor.]]

* Thorin's story. His city razed, his people mostly dead (including his grandfather, little brother, and most likely his father), on a seemingly hopeless quest... When he turns around after Balin's InfoDump and just looks so ''broken'', you just want to give the poor guy a hug.

** Adding to this (combined with {{Fridge Horror}}): Ori, that adorable little dwarf who, at the party, politely asks Bilbo where he can put his plate, and murmurs about the green food in Rivendell, will - fifty/sixty or so years later - be writing the horrific words Gandalf reads in the Mines of Moria during ''Fellowship of the Ring'': "We cannot get out. They are coming."
*** Doubly so, for those who've played ''VideoGame/TheLordOfTheRingsOnline'', as, during one point, you play Ori during the final stand in the Chamber of Mazarbul (where Balin's tomb is). And the instance there only ends when Ori dies. Which how {{Adorkable}} and likeable he is that much more painful here.

* The plight of the Erebor dwarves is one horrid tearjerker after another. Not only do they lose Erebor and all the priceless relics within, but Moria and dozens of other strongholds began to fall one after another. This would be hard for any people to endure, but dwarves in particular value their ancestral homes in a way few humans can comprehend.
** If this wasn’t bad enough, according to the book, after the Battle of Azanulbizar where Thorin fought Azog there were so many dwarven casualties that they couldn’t bury them in time before they were claimed “By wolves or worse”. They were forced to cremate the dead instead, which the dwarves consider ''sacrilege''. A short while ago, Smaug incinerated hundreds of dwarves, effectively killing them and desecrating their bodies simultaneously. A few years later, a similar desecration occurred, only this time the dwarves were forced to ''inflict it on themselves.'' On the other hand, this becomes a point of pride for the dwarves' families - "He was a burned dwarf" is a statement of pride, not shame.
** And, in addition to losing Erebor, the beginning of Thorin's grudge against the elves. Thranduil shows up with his army, but when he sees there's nothing they can do against Smaug, he retreats. (Several viewers have criticized him for this, but really, what was he ''supposed'' to do against an entrenched dragon?) It's not as if he doesn't care, though; you can see by the look on his face that he ''hates'' having to do this. Unfortunately you can also see the look on Thorin's face, thus witnessing his despair and utter betrayal. Their next meeting is ''not'' going to be pretty.
*** It makes sense considering Thranduil's past. The last time his people helped another army out led to the deaths of 2/3 of their army including Thranduil's father Oropher, and that was for the fate of all Middle-Earth. Thranduil wasn't going to risk that again for one dwarf kingdom. In addition, Mirkwood was fighting its own battles against the darkness that was slowly taking over and he couldn't spare any of his warriors for a battle he knew would lose.
* The death of [[spoiler:Sebastian, Radagast's hedgehog]]. He gets better, sure, but ''still''.
** The look on Radagast's face is heartbreaking all by itself. Considering he named and doted on him, and his panic at trying to cure him, he probably thought of Sebastian and all the animals in the forest as his children. Any parent who's ever had a sick child knows the same fear and dread he was going through.
** The forest creatures dying as the Shadow spreads over Greenwood/Mirkwood.
* In the Extended Edition, we see Thorin overhearing Elrond and Gandalf talking about how insanity runs in Thorin's family. Despite his bluster, it's clear that Thorin feels the weight of what he is attempting and having his sanity questioned and his father and grandfather spoken of is like a knife in his heart.

** Indeed, Gollum's face was of a lost boy, looking for his mother. Slow tears and all, and a complete sadness. This is how Gollum is in reality: not a vengeful monster, or a dark lord, he's just a little guy who succumbed to the Ring's evil.
** Its his eyes for me, especially when The Sméagol side looks at Bilbo and they remind you of a child who doesn't understand what's going on or what just happened. How sad and broken he looks as Sméagol was basically just a child being bullied around by The Gollum part into doing bad things

** And, in addition to losing Erebor, the beginning of Thorin's grudge against the elves. Thranduil shows up with his army, but when he sees there's nothing they can do against Smaug, he retreats. (Several viewers have criticized him for this, but really, what was he ''supposed'' to do against a dragon?) It's not as if he doesn't care, though; you can see by the look on his face that he ''hates'' having to do this. Unfortunately you can also see the look on Thorin's face, thus witnessing his despair and utter betrayal. Their next meeting is ''not'' going to be pretty.

* One of the goblin's [[KickTheDog smashing Óin's ear trumpet.]] It's just so cruel that it's hard not to feel sorry for the poor old dwarf.

* For many a longtime fan, [[http://youtu.be/G0k3kHtyoqc the trailer of the first movie]] was enough to do it.

** And he will die on an expedition led by the equally ill-fated Balin, the kind, wise, CoolOldGuy of the dwarves, Bilbo's dear friend and one of the most developed characters.

** The look on Radagast's face is ''heartbreaking'' all by itself.
*** Yeah considering he doted on him and named him and his panic at trying to cure him, he probably thought of Sebastian and all the animals in the forest as his children. Any parent who's ever had a sick child knows the same fear and dread he was going through.

* One of the goblin's [[KickTheDog smashing Óin's ear-horn.]] It's just so cruel that it's hard not to feel sorry for the poor old dwarf.

** [[spoiler:[[FridgeBrilliance As you've read the stories or watched the movies,]] [[SpannerInTheWorks Bilbo's compassion is what saved Middle-Earth.]]]]
* The ending where Thorin and Bilbo reconcile is also one [[ForegoneConclusion if you know how their relationship will end.]]

** There was a third member of their party who joined their expedition: Óin (the dwarf who used an ear-horn), who was unceremoniously eaten by the Watcher in the Water (the giant squid-thing that almost got Frodo in the first movie). He also happens to be Gimli's uncle and Glóin's brother.

*** It makes sense considering Thranduil's past. The last time his people helped another army out led to the deaths of 2/3 of their army including Thranduil's father Oropher, and that was for the fate of all Middle-Earth. Thranduil wasn't going to risk that again for one dwarf kingdom. In addition, Mirkwood was fighting it's own battles against the darkness that was slowly taking over and he couldn't spare any of his warriors for a battle he knew would lose.
**** From ''TheUnfinishedTales'': "Oropher was slain in the first assault on Morder, rushing forward at the head of his most doughty warriors before Gil-galad had given the signal for the advance. Thranduil his son survived, but when the war ended and Sauron was slain (as it seemed) he led back home barely a third of the army that had marched to war."

* For those who know how the book ends, many of the dwarves being as likable as they are. Especially Fíli and Kíli.
** Almost as a precursor to this, during the stone giants scene the dwarves are separated when part of the cliff they are on comes alive, with Fíli and a few others being carried away. Seeing Kíli reaching out helplessly to try and grab his brother's hand is bad enough, but when the giant falls and appears to have crushed the group Thorin just about loses his composure and runs towards the wreckage screaming Fíli's name. Never mind that the rest might also have died - in the end, Thorin values his nephews above all.