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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Official Movie Guide
Enter Bilbo Baggins’ world through exclusive interviews with director Peter Jackson, Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and all the principal cast and filmmakers, who share film-making secrets and tales of what it was actually like making movie magic in Middle-earth.
Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of behind-the-scenes photos of the actors, locations, sets, creatures and costumes, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Official Movie Guide has been produced in collaboration with the filmmakers who have brought J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel into breathtaking three-dimensional life.
Lavishly illustrated with hundreds of behind-the-scenes photos of the actors, locations, sets, creatures and costumes, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Official Movie Guide has been produced in collaboration with the filmmakers who have brought J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel into breathtaking three-dimensional life.
168 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
38 people are currently reading
2297 people want to read
About the author
Brian Sibley
100 books99 followersBrian Sibley is an English writer, broadcaster, and award-winning dramatist.
The author of over 100 hours of radio drama and hundreds of documentaries and features for the BBC, he is best known for his acclaimed 1981 radio adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, co-written with Michael Bakewell, as well as dramatizations of C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast novels, and Richard Adams’s Watership Down.
Sibley has also written numerous original plays for radio, presented popular BBC programmes including Kaleidoscope and Talking Pictures, and produced documentaries on figures ranging from Lewis Carroll and Ray Bradbury to Julie Andrews and Walt Disney.
His contributions to broadcasting have earned him accolades such as the Sony Radio Award and the BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Adaptation.
In print, Sibley is the author of many acclaimed film “making of” books, including Harry Potter: Film Wizardry, The Lord of the Rings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy, and Peter Jackson: A Filmmaker’s Journey, as well as companion volumes for The Hobbit films, The Golden Compass, and Disney classics. His literary works range from Shadowlands to children’s books like The Frightful Food Feud and Osric the Extraordinary Owl, with stories appearing in official Winnie-the-Pooh collections.
A noted Disney historian, Sibley has contributed essays to The Walt Disney Film Archives and recorded DVD commentaries for classic films. He is the editor of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Fall of Númenor, winner of the Tolkien Society’s Best Book award in 2023.
Sibley has served as President and Chair of The Lewis Carroll Society and is an honorary member of The Magic Circle, the Tolkien Society, and The Children’s Books History Society.
The author of over 100 hours of radio drama and hundreds of documentaries and features for the BBC, he is best known for his acclaimed 1981 radio adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, co-written with Michael Bakewell, as well as dramatizations of C. S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia, Mervyn Peake’s Gormenghast novels, and Richard Adams’s Watership Down.
Sibley has also written numerous original plays for radio, presented popular BBC programmes including Kaleidoscope and Talking Pictures, and produced documentaries on figures ranging from Lewis Carroll and Ray Bradbury to Julie Andrews and Walt Disney.
His contributions to broadcasting have earned him accolades such as the Sony Radio Award and the BBC Audio Drama Award for Best Adaptation.
In print, Sibley is the author of many acclaimed film “making of” books, including Harry Potter: Film Wizardry, The Lord of the Rings: The Making of the Movie Trilogy, and Peter Jackson: A Filmmaker’s Journey, as well as companion volumes for The Hobbit films, The Golden Compass, and Disney classics. His literary works range from Shadowlands to children’s books like The Frightful Food Feud and Osric the Extraordinary Owl, with stories appearing in official Winnie-the-Pooh collections.
A noted Disney historian, Sibley has contributed essays to The Walt Disney Film Archives and recorded DVD commentaries for classic films. He is the editor of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Fall of Númenor, winner of the Tolkien Society’s Best Book award in 2023.
Sibley has served as President and Chair of The Lewis Carroll Society and is an honorary member of The Magic Circle, the Tolkien Society, and The Children’s Books History Society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
September 29, 2025
Briljant. Leest vlot en veel achtergrond info voor een diehard fan.
July 10, 2023
في الجزء الأول من السلسلة المرافقة للفلم سنتعرف على شخصيات قصة الهوبيت من وجهة نظر الممثلين كيف يرونها مع لمحات صغيرة هنا وهناك إلى كيفية التحاق الجميع بهذا العمل.
الكثير من التفاصيل المتعلقة بالمكياج باروكات الشعر وإعداد الأقزام للعمل حيث لم يقم أي من الكادر بالتمثيل باستخدام أنوفهم الحقيقة ^_^!! على الأقل في كادر الجزء الأول من العمل
و الكثير إيضا حول الملابس نوعيتها تصميمها واختيارها
عمل ضخم تطلب إعداد 7 من كل شيء تقريبا للشخصية الواحدة عدا عما يستبدل بسبب التلف
كانت فكرة إتلاف الملابس واستهلاكها لتبدوا انها خاضت المغامرة مع أصحابها من أكثر التفاصيل المبهرة التي لفتت نظري إلى الدقة المتناهية في عمل ضخم كهذا
إلى غيرها من تفاصيل رسم الخلفيات ثم بناءها في استديوهات ضخمة من أجل تمثيل المشاهد المطلوبة ، في الحقيقة تفاصيل ساحرة ومميزة.
أعتقد انه كتاب مناسب للمهتمين بصناعة الأفلام وانتاجها.
الكثير من التفاصيل المتعلقة بالمكياج باروكات الشعر وإعداد الأقزام للعمل حيث لم يقم أي من الكادر بالتمثيل باستخدام أنوفهم الحقيقة ^_^!! على الأقل في كادر الجزء الأول من العمل
و الكثير إيضا حول الملابس نوعيتها تصميمها واختيارها
عمل ضخم تطلب إعداد 7 من كل شيء تقريبا للشخصية الواحدة عدا عما يستبدل بسبب التلف
كانت فكرة إتلاف الملابس واستهلاكها لتبدوا انها خاضت المغامرة مع أصحابها من أكثر التفاصيل المبهرة التي لفتت نظري إلى الدقة المتناهية في عمل ضخم كهذا
إلى غيرها من تفاصيل رسم الخلفيات ثم بناءها في استديوهات ضخمة من أجل تمثيل المشاهد المطلوبة ، في الحقيقة تفاصيل ساحرة ومميزة.
أعتقد انه كتاب مناسب للمهتمين بصناعة الأفلام وانتاجها.
May 18, 2025
This was such a splendid read! I love the Hobbit films so much so it was lovely to learn more about the making of it. It really made me appreciate all the hard work that went into making this film. I loved seeing all the art and sets that were made. I feel like if you love these films you should check this book out.
February 10, 2019
So good, so interesting!
December 18, 2012
When I like a movie, I like to read the "making of" book that's generally released with it. They're usually pretty glossy, with lots of picture behind and in front of the scenes, with anecdotes from the cast and crew about what it was like to be filming the movie (or TV show). I probably haven't learned enough from these books to go make a blockbuster of my own, but I have learned something about the movie biz. Mainly, though, I read them because--for me--it's a way to prolong the enjoyment of the movie during that period between the theater and the DVD release.
That being said, my son--knowing my proclivity for such books--bought this book for me for my birthday (which happened to be the day we went to see the movie "The Hobbit") and I started it immediately, reading it in the car as we're an hour from a movie theater. This had all those things I like in a "making of" book, and was well written. The author, Brian Sibley, is well known to many of us Tolkien fans as the man who wrote the scripts for "The Lord of the Rings" radio drama that was released on the BBC years ago, so his knowledge of Tolkien and hobbits is well established.
One thing this particular book didn't have that I found refreshing was the "battle chapter". All books about the making of a major studio movie have a requisite chapter about the difficulties of getting the movie green-lighted. They follow a similar pattern of "no one believed in the project" and "it was going to be too expensive" but, eventually, the director or producer finds someone in the studio office who becomes a champion for the project and, praise be, the movie gets made in spite of the luddites and trolls who work for studios and, apparently, have it as their life's goal to see that no good movies are made.
Following the success of "The Lord of the Rings" there was no such problem with "The Hobbit". There were a few minor difficulties, like finding the right director and deciding which studio actually owned the rights, but there was never any doubt that the studios couldn't wait to throw buckets of money at this project.
I love going to movies and watching TV, and I like reading these books, but I don't think I would like being in "the biz". The idea of spending two days to film 8 seconds of screen time would drive me nuts. So I'll just enjoy the end product--and these books about how they got there.
That being said, my son--knowing my proclivity for such books--bought this book for me for my birthday (which happened to be the day we went to see the movie "The Hobbit") and I started it immediately, reading it in the car as we're an hour from a movie theater. This had all those things I like in a "making of" book, and was well written. The author, Brian Sibley, is well known to many of us Tolkien fans as the man who wrote the scripts for "The Lord of the Rings" radio drama that was released on the BBC years ago, so his knowledge of Tolkien and hobbits is well established.
One thing this particular book didn't have that I found refreshing was the "battle chapter". All books about the making of a major studio movie have a requisite chapter about the difficulties of getting the movie green-lighted. They follow a similar pattern of "no one believed in the project" and "it was going to be too expensive" but, eventually, the director or producer finds someone in the studio office who becomes a champion for the project and, praise be, the movie gets made in spite of the luddites and trolls who work for studios and, apparently, have it as their life's goal to see that no good movies are made.
Following the success of "The Lord of the Rings" there was no such problem with "The Hobbit". There were a few minor difficulties, like finding the right director and deciding which studio actually owned the rights, but there was never any doubt that the studios couldn't wait to throw buckets of money at this project.
I love going to movies and watching TV, and I like reading these books, but I don't think I would like being in "the biz". The idea of spending two days to film 8 seconds of screen time would drive me nuts. So I'll just enjoy the end product--and these books about how they got there.
March 8, 2015
Cover
Auf dem Cover ist Gandalfs Gesicht in einer Nahaufnahme zu sehen. Er hält sein Schwert Glamdring seitlich an seinem Gesicht und blickt den Leser sehr eindringlich an. Ich finde dieses Cover unglaublich toll. Gandalf ist ein so ausdrucksstarker und wichtiger Charakter. Außerdem sind wir doch mal ehrlich, Sir Ian McKellen ist einfach unglaublich toll.
Meine Meinung
Die Hobbit-Trilogie hat sich sehr schnell zu meiner absoluten Lieblings-Trilogie gemausert, noch vor dem Herrn der Ringe. Dieses erste offizielle Filmbuch war für mich ein unfassbar großes Geschenk. Da mein „Fanatismus“ sich erst im letzten halben Jahr so manifestiert hat, habe ich mir dieses Buch sogar erst 2015 gekauft und gelesen, oder soll ich besser sagen verschlungen. Mit nicht einmal 170 Seiten ist es nicht besonders dick, doch es bietet eine unglaubliche Fülle an Informationen zu den Filmen und bietet einen tollen ein Blick hinter die Kulissen.
Das Buch enthält unglaublich viele wunderschöne und hochauflösende Bilder zu dem ersten Teil der Trilogie. Man wird in viele Geheimnisse und Geschichten eingeweiht, die die Figuren des Filmes erst so richtig zum Leben erwecken. Die Schauspieler geben schöne Interviews und Statements so wohl zu ihren Figuren als auch zum gesamten Film und der Arbeit der verschiedenen Departments bei Weta und der Produktion selbst ab. Auch erhält man viele spannende Informationen zu den Schauspielern selbst und wie sie zu diesem Film gekommen sind.
Mir hat es unglaublich gut gefallen, wie sehr hier das Augenmerk auf die Figuren und die Schauspieler gelegt wurde. Das ist in kaum einem der anderen beiden Bücher so. Es gibt, neben dem offiziellen Filmbuch, auch noch die Chroniken zum Hobbit. Hierbei wird das große Augenmerk auf die Konzeptzeichnungen und die Gestaltung des Filmes gelegt. Zu diesen Büchern möchte ich aber in speziellen Rezensionen zu sprechen kommen.
Das offizielle Filmbuch zum ersten Teil hat mich in meinen Vermutungen bestätigt, das dieser Film ein absolutes Meisterwerk ist und ich mich zu Recht völlig in ihm verlieren kann. Die Bilder sind so schön und klar. Sie zeigen so viel mehr, als im Film zu sehen ist. Ich kann sie jedem Fan der Filme nur ans Herz legen.
Wertung (5/5)
www.valaraucos-buchstabenmeer.com
Auf dem Cover ist Gandalfs Gesicht in einer Nahaufnahme zu sehen. Er hält sein Schwert Glamdring seitlich an seinem Gesicht und blickt den Leser sehr eindringlich an. Ich finde dieses Cover unglaublich toll. Gandalf ist ein so ausdrucksstarker und wichtiger Charakter. Außerdem sind wir doch mal ehrlich, Sir Ian McKellen ist einfach unglaublich toll.
Meine Meinung
Die Hobbit-Trilogie hat sich sehr schnell zu meiner absoluten Lieblings-Trilogie gemausert, noch vor dem Herrn der Ringe. Dieses erste offizielle Filmbuch war für mich ein unfassbar großes Geschenk. Da mein „Fanatismus“ sich erst im letzten halben Jahr so manifestiert hat, habe ich mir dieses Buch sogar erst 2015 gekauft und gelesen, oder soll ich besser sagen verschlungen. Mit nicht einmal 170 Seiten ist es nicht besonders dick, doch es bietet eine unglaubliche Fülle an Informationen zu den Filmen und bietet einen tollen ein Blick hinter die Kulissen.
Das Buch enthält unglaublich viele wunderschöne und hochauflösende Bilder zu dem ersten Teil der Trilogie. Man wird in viele Geheimnisse und Geschichten eingeweiht, die die Figuren des Filmes erst so richtig zum Leben erwecken. Die Schauspieler geben schöne Interviews und Statements so wohl zu ihren Figuren als auch zum gesamten Film und der Arbeit der verschiedenen Departments bei Weta und der Produktion selbst ab. Auch erhält man viele spannende Informationen zu den Schauspielern selbst und wie sie zu diesem Film gekommen sind.
Mir hat es unglaublich gut gefallen, wie sehr hier das Augenmerk auf die Figuren und die Schauspieler gelegt wurde. Das ist in kaum einem der anderen beiden Bücher so. Es gibt, neben dem offiziellen Filmbuch, auch noch die Chroniken zum Hobbit. Hierbei wird das große Augenmerk auf die Konzeptzeichnungen und die Gestaltung des Filmes gelegt. Zu diesen Büchern möchte ich aber in speziellen Rezensionen zu sprechen kommen.
Das offizielle Filmbuch zum ersten Teil hat mich in meinen Vermutungen bestätigt, das dieser Film ein absolutes Meisterwerk ist und ich mich zu Recht völlig in ihm verlieren kann. Die Bilder sind so schön und klar. Sie zeigen so viel mehr, als im Film zu sehen ist. Ich kann sie jedem Fan der Filme nur ans Herz legen.
Wertung (5/5)
www.valaraucos-buchstabenmeer.com
February 2, 2013
I have all the LotR movie guides and behind the scenes books, so it was a given I would get the ones for the Hobbit! Brian did such a great job on the LotR I figured no problems here, and that was correct. Really enjoyed reading the anecdotes and info from the production, and thoughts from the actors, director, producers, etc. Looks like a lot more Green Screen environments which was interesting to see. As this is now a trilogy, looks like I will have 2 more matching volumes to get in the future. One thing I liked, they spread the 13 dwarf segments out across the entire book, so you didn't have like, 50 pages of dwarf only reading which might have gotten old. This kept it fresh for me.
September 29, 2014
Dieses Buch ist definitiv ein Must-Have für jeden Hobbit-Fan. Die vielen tollen Fotos und die Erzählungen rund um das Set, die Schauspieler und die Aufnahmetechnik ermöglichen einen tiefen Einblick in die Welt des Hobbit. Mit dem tiefen Verständnis, welches dieses Buch einem vermittelt, freue ich mich schon sehr auf den dritten und abschliessenden Teil der Hobbit-Trilogie.
December 25, 2012
I think this is the first time I've read a book like this cover to cover. I've seen the movie twice now and love it (of course), and this book was a great companion piece. It delves deeper into both the characters and the technical aspects of the movie-making process.
January 22, 2013
This is a behind-the-scenes guide to the first installment of The Hobbit. I enjoy learning about the costuming and getting the actors point of view on various things. This was well done and fed my frenzy to know more about how the movie was made and who was in it.
March 20, 2013
Very cool! It made me want to see it again!!!
Loved getting to see the make-up artists at work, hobbit feet and orcs! The only reason it didn't get a 5...was because the sets took some of the magic away. Those places should be real! :) Fun read...great pics.
Loved getting to see the make-up artists at work, hobbit feet and orcs! The only reason it didn't get a 5...was because the sets took some of the magic away. Those places should be real! :) Fun read...great pics.
December 26, 2012
Beautiful pictures matched with fantastic interviews make this guide a perfect companion to the movie. Sibley is a fan who knows his lore and it shows.
December 23, 2012
Awesome :) some great facts too (like that I'm exactly the same height as Bilbo) but had to knock a star off...two films?!?! It's three!! The 'official' movie guide should get it right lol!
December 31, 2012
Amazing details that really add depth to the watching of my fave film of this year, superb book and such coverage!!
January 28, 2013
An excellent book for anyone who enjoyed pt 1 of The Hobbit movie. Some great photos, very interesting information and a highly enjoyable read overall.
July 30, 2017
The journey of Frodo Baggins and Gandalf the gray, joined by elves and dwarves who are sworn enemies but agree to unite to defeat a dragon who has been burning villages across middle earth. Frodo has never ventured outside of Bag End, hobbits don't go on adventures, or do anything that leads away from their homeland. A knock at the door finds him face to face with an Elf asking if any of the others have arrived yet? Frodo has no idea what he's talking about, what others? Another knock and another, soon Frodo's quaint little hobbit home is filled with Elves and Dwarves and awaiting Gandalf to explain it all. Poor Frodo is beside himself with concern, these beings are eating him out of house and home, making a huge mess while they are eating his best food and drinking his best wine, not to mention smoking his pipe weed.
This tale will take you on a great adventure. A journey to faraway lands and treasures beyond belief.
There are battles to be won and treasure to be found. Frodo is included because it is rumored he is the greatest of thieves.
Truly one of the best books ever written. We lost a great storyteller when J R R Tolkien went to the other side. I never read this as a child but was recommended it as an adult. Having friend that read are a true blessing, one blessed me with The Hobbit.
This tale will take you on a great adventure. A journey to faraway lands and treasures beyond belief.
There are battles to be won and treasure to be found. Frodo is included because it is rumored he is the greatest of thieves.
Truly one of the best books ever written. We lost a great storyteller when J R R Tolkien went to the other side. I never read this as a child but was recommended it as an adult. Having friend that read are a true blessing, one blessed me with The Hobbit.
July 19, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
Always go with the official guides - regardless of what it’a for, you’ll always get the most (and the best) with the official/endorsed versions.
This was brilliant and gave so much new knowledge, insight, and behind the scenes stories than any other “guide” or “making of” I’ve ever read. Would highly recommend to Tolkien fans, especially ones that were upset with or didn’t like the Hobbit movie adaptions, as this will give you a new appreciation for the level of work and dedication they put into each of these movie.
All the unique and high quality images shown in this book prove that author Brian Sibley had direct access during and after filming, not to mention all the individual interviews with cast and crew included throughout the book as well.
I’m greatly surprised and genuinely impressed with this read.
Always go with the official guides - regardless of what it’a for, you’ll always get the most (and the best) with the official/endorsed versions.
This was brilliant and gave so much new knowledge, insight, and behind the scenes stories than any other “guide” or “making of” I’ve ever read. Would highly recommend to Tolkien fans, especially ones that were upset with or didn’t like the Hobbit movie adaptions, as this will give you a new appreciation for the level of work and dedication they put into each of these movie.
All the unique and high quality images shown in this book prove that author Brian Sibley had direct access during and after filming, not to mention all the individual interviews with cast and crew included throughout the book as well.
I’m greatly surprised and genuinely impressed with this read.
Read
August 9, 2025For fans of Middle-earth and filmmaking alike, this official movie guide offers an incredible behind-the-scenes look at the creation of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Filled with exclusive interviews from director Peter Jackson, cast members like Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen, and the creative team, it reveals fascinating insights into bringing Tolkien’s world to life.
The lavish illustrations and hundreds of photos showcasing sets, costumes, and creatures make this a visual feast. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the books or a movie enthusiast, this guide enriches the viewing experience by sharing the magic, challenges, and artistry behind the film.
It’s a perfect companion for anyone who wants to dive deeper into the making of this epic adventure and celebrate the craftsmanship of Middle-earth on screen.
The lavish illustrations and hundreds of photos showcasing sets, costumes, and creatures make this a visual feast. Whether you’re a longtime fan of the books or a movie enthusiast, this guide enriches the viewing experience by sharing the magic, challenges, and artistry behind the film.
It’s a perfect companion for anyone who wants to dive deeper into the making of this epic adventure and celebrate the craftsmanship of Middle-earth on screen.
July 28, 2021
I recently read an old edition of Tolkien's The Hobbit and became interested in the cover art. Then I started looking into the various illustrations of the book over the years. I haven't seen the movie yet, but after reading this book, I feel sufficiently prepared.
February 4, 2024
I LOVED THIS BOOOK SO COOOL THAT I COULD READ ABOUT HOW THEY MADED IT LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' !
March 18, 2021
One of my favourite authors and book series.
December 10, 2021
This story is very increíble and espectacular.
March 2, 2023
No deja indiferente
September 24, 2023
I couldn't put the book down! The story had me hooked from the first page, and I absolutely loved it. The plot was amazing, and I enjoyed the storyline immensely.
June 15, 2024
A great book to read and gift to someone
October 17, 2025
Amazing storyline! Loved Bilbo!❤️
December 11, 2012
Der Hobbit - Eine unerwartete Reise. Das offizielle Filmbuch von Brian Sibley, erschienen im Klett-Cotta Verlag, beschäftigt sich mit allen möglichen Details rund um die Entstehungsgeschichte des ersten Hobbit-Films der kommenden Trilogie von Peter Jackson. Neben unglaublich vielen und schönen Bildern von den Sets wird in diesem Begleitbuch auch ein besonderes Augenmerk auf die Darsteller gelegt, wodurch man diese besser kennenlernt, ihre bisherigen Karrierewege erfährt und ihre Gründe, Teil dieses Films werden zu wollen, versteht. So lernt man unter anderen die Schauspieler Martin Freeman (Bilbo Beutlin), Richard Armitage (Thorin Eichenschild) oder John Callen (Oin) kennen, erfährt, dass die Zwerge Balin und Ori bereits im Herrn der Ringe Teil die Gefährten aufgetaucht sind (wenn auch nur als Skelette in Moria) und dass einige der Zwergen-Darsteller auch in die Rolle der Trolle geschlüpft sind.
Das Gute an diesem Buch ist aber auch ein Schwerpunkt auf den Akteuren welche hinter der Kamera agieren, so lernt man Alan Lee und John Howe kennen, welche für die Skizzen verantwortlich sind oder Liz Mullane und Miranda Rivers, welche sich um das Casting gekümmert haben. Es ist sehr beeindruckend zu sehen und indirekt mitzuerleben, wie ein so gewaltiges Projekt umgesetzt wird und welch großer Aufwand in so einem Film steckt, seien es die neuen und innovativen künstlichen Silikon-Körperteile, die unglaublich toll inszenierten Kulissen, Fakten über Größenverhältnisse von den Filmsets oder das Motion-Capture Verfahren.
Darüber hinaus lernt man noch jede Menge interessante Hintergrundinformationen kennen. So wusste ich bisher nicht, dass es von jedem Zwerg vier Double gegeben hat und das oft wirklich scharfe Waffen beim Dreh verwendet wurden.
Ein unglaubliches Buch was bis zum Rand voll mit wunderbaren Informationen ist.
Leider sind mir relativ oft Buchstabendreher (Adain statt Aidan), doppelte Worte oder veraltete Tatsachen aufgefallen, welche mich gestört haben, so ist bspw. auf S. 79 die Rede von "Beide(n) Filme(n)", dabei ist schon längere Zeit bekannt das es eine Trilogie wird oder auf S. 127, wo die Rede von "Elfen" und nicht von "Elben" ist. Diese groben Fehler führen leider zum Punktabzug und schmälern den ansonsten durchweg positiven Gesamteindruck dieses tollen Begleitbuches zum Hobbit-Film.
Fazit:
Wer die vielen Produktionsvideos zur Entstehung der Hobbit-Filme gesehen hat, wird sich in diesem Buch sofort sehr wohl fühlen aber auch alle anderen, die sich für Informationen zur Entstehungsgeschichte eines so umfangreichen Filmprojektes interessieren und über einige Rechtschreibfehler hinwegsehen können, sollten hier unbedingt zuschlagen. Ein nahezu perfektes Buch mit unglaublich vielen interessanten und verblüffenden Informationen. Ich freue schon jetzt auf den zweiten Band dieser Reihe und kann es natürlich nicht erwarten, diesen Film endlich im Kino zu bewundern.
Das Gute an diesem Buch ist aber auch ein Schwerpunkt auf den Akteuren welche hinter der Kamera agieren, so lernt man Alan Lee und John Howe kennen, welche für die Skizzen verantwortlich sind oder Liz Mullane und Miranda Rivers, welche sich um das Casting gekümmert haben. Es ist sehr beeindruckend zu sehen und indirekt mitzuerleben, wie ein so gewaltiges Projekt umgesetzt wird und welch großer Aufwand in so einem Film steckt, seien es die neuen und innovativen künstlichen Silikon-Körperteile, die unglaublich toll inszenierten Kulissen, Fakten über Größenverhältnisse von den Filmsets oder das Motion-Capture Verfahren.
Darüber hinaus lernt man noch jede Menge interessante Hintergrundinformationen kennen. So wusste ich bisher nicht, dass es von jedem Zwerg vier Double gegeben hat und das oft wirklich scharfe Waffen beim Dreh verwendet wurden.
Ein unglaubliches Buch was bis zum Rand voll mit wunderbaren Informationen ist.
Leider sind mir relativ oft Buchstabendreher (Adain statt Aidan), doppelte Worte oder veraltete Tatsachen aufgefallen, welche mich gestört haben, so ist bspw. auf S. 79 die Rede von "Beide(n) Filme(n)", dabei ist schon längere Zeit bekannt das es eine Trilogie wird oder auf S. 127, wo die Rede von "Elfen" und nicht von "Elben" ist. Diese groben Fehler führen leider zum Punktabzug und schmälern den ansonsten durchweg positiven Gesamteindruck dieses tollen Begleitbuches zum Hobbit-Film.
Fazit:
Wer die vielen Produktionsvideos zur Entstehung der Hobbit-Filme gesehen hat, wird sich in diesem Buch sofort sehr wohl fühlen aber auch alle anderen, die sich für Informationen zur Entstehungsgeschichte eines so umfangreichen Filmprojektes interessieren und über einige Rechtschreibfehler hinwegsehen können, sollten hier unbedingt zuschlagen. Ein nahezu perfektes Buch mit unglaublich vielen interessanten und verblüffenden Informationen. Ich freue schon jetzt auf den zweiten Band dieser Reihe und kann es natürlich nicht erwarten, diesen Film endlich im Kino zu bewundern.
January 1, 2013
I read “The Hobbit” then went to see the movie in 3D high definition and then read this movie guide. Everything is “hobbit” in my life at the moment and I love it. This movie guide took me by surprise with how exceptional it was, an unexpected treasure. It was incredibly insightful and informative. It was loaded with behind-the-scenes details including photos, concept art, sketches, actors in and out of character, interviews with not only the lead cast but with the directors, production crew, movement choreographer, costume designer, make-up and hair designers, and so on. It delved into the depth of each individual character telling bits about them. For example, Fili is the nephew of Thorin and should anything happen to Thorin then he is next in line for the throne. Seeing their costumes up-close was fantastic to see such exquisite designs and oh so many varieties of facial hair—who knew there were that many. Such eccentric Dwarf hairdos. It all made them come to life. I was captivated by the section “Arming the Dwarves” where their weapons were displayed and explained. It distinguishes their characters even further. My favorite weapon of choice—knuckle-duster’s! The actor playing him said “I have a pair of knuckle-dusters. I mentioned that I saw Dwalin as the kind of guy whose hands are as much of a weapon as his hammer. So if he ever finds himself with no weapons, he still has his hands.” Dwalin is quickly becoming my favorite dwarf—he’s formidable. I love his fierce look brandishing a bald tattooed head and hands. The actor said “To me, the tattoos on my hands, arms and head are a pictorial history of our people, rites of passage, tokens commemorating what has happened to the Dwarven race.” Cool right? That’s not all…he carries two axes: “Grasper” and “Keeper.” I know!!! I would not want to get on his bad side. I was shocked that I hadn’t noticed how many weapons some of them carry. In an extreme case Fili “has practically everything, including the kitchen sink, attached to his body.” Now I have a better grasp altogether on telling the 13 dwarves apart. I have to watch the movie again with my growing appreciation for how much work went into this film.
July 3, 2013
Being a huge fan of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, when I saw this on Amazon while looking for something else, I knew I had to have it. The Movie Guide has interviews with all of the actors and just about all of the key members of the production crew along with many behind the scenes images from The Hobbit. These two make an excellent combination because the images are generally very good and so are the interviews. The tone of the writing is warm and enthusiastic which will appeal to fans of The Hobbit. I was impressed by how thoughtful many of the actors' comments were and how the author showed both their excitement and interest for the movie and even some of their insecurities. I also think the interviews with Peter Jackson are excellent and show his reluctance to take this movie on in an honest and relatable way.
For me the biggest revelation of this book was marveling at some of the beautiful sets from the movie and appreciating those for quite possibly the first time. The people who are able to create such real looking sets have incredible talent. My only real complaint about the Official Movie Guide is that the larger images (two page spreads) are blurry which is a real shame considering how beautiful many of the images would be. Any fans of The Hobbit will really enjoy this book and I know I will gladly display it on my bookshelf. People who want to know more about how movies are made will find some interesting sections in here even if this isn't quite a must purchase.
For me the biggest revelation of this book was marveling at some of the beautiful sets from the movie and appreciating those for quite possibly the first time. The people who are able to create such real looking sets have incredible talent. My only real complaint about the Official Movie Guide is that the larger images (two page spreads) are blurry which is a real shame considering how beautiful many of the images would be. Any fans of The Hobbit will really enjoy this book and I know I will gladly display it on my bookshelf. People who want to know more about how movies are made will find some interesting sections in here even if this isn't quite a must purchase.
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