Fanedit Complete! Download info below

4/1/2015

**UPDATE: TORRENT FILE ADDED TO DOWNLOADS PAGE. SEE LINK BELOW.

After two long years, I finally have the first completed version of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit available for viewing! It turned out incredibly well and I hope you all enjoy it. Remember, this fanedit will not be totally finished until the Extended Edition of Battle of the Five Armies is released later this year.

Follow the link below to our brand new Downloads Page. Here you will find access to the MP4 file I created, along with multiple versions of the box art that I created for this fanedit. The video file is large (10GB), but you don't want a lousy pixelated version of this film, do you?? Enjoy and let me know what you think!

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE DOWNLOADS PAGE

102 Comments

Josh

4/1/2015 05:26:16 am

Can't wait to download when I get home! How long did your edit end up being?

Dustin

4/1/2015 05:38:41 am

Not including credits, the film is just under four hours.

TCZ

4/1/2015 09:54:05 am

FANTASTIC JOB! I can't tell you how awesome this edit is and how it all flows together and there are hardly any continuity issues. I have only one question. Bilbo says on Ravenhill that Azog has another army to the north, but how does he find this out? I suppose its just Gandalf saying they need to be warned of more enemy troops. Did you feel there were any other continuity issues that couldn't be fixed due to the source material?? Again, great job and many thanks!

Dustin

4/4/2015 12:17:51 am

Thank you! Regarding your question, I just left the northern army's presence as implied. However, there is a brief scene where Legolas rides in and warns Bilbo/Gandalf of the northern army. Perhaps I could re-insert that, as long as you're OK with a little more Legolas...?

Jake

4/1/2015 10:09:05 am

The download page won't work with internet explorer and that's all you can do on a Surface. Any way it could be uploaded elsewhere too?

Dustin

4/1/2015 10:39:24 am

Ok, I have added a torrent link to the downloads page. You'll need a torrent client like uTorrent or BitTorrent to download it however. Let me know if you still have trouble.

Jake

4/1/2015 05:25:44 pm

Tried torrent link got a web page full of gobbledygook but no download! I have a torrent program that works fine but no luck on this one. Maybe it's just my device though.

zolee

4/4/2015 11:42:54 pm

Surface Pro here, works OK with internet explorer.

William

4/2/2015 04:57:21 am

Will you be distributing hard copies via DVD with artwork? This is amazing!

Dustin

4/2/2015 05:44:50 am

Distributing physical DVD copies of the film would probably cross the line of legality. However, when the final version is done in November I will make an ISO image for both DVD and Bluray, which you can download and use to burn your own physical copy. I have also provided box and disc artwork on the downloads page here, so all you need to do is print them out and you can have your own physical copy!

Dante

7/19/2015 11:52:10 am

How many DVDs do you anticipate it needing?

Sandro

4/3/2015 05:52:10 am

Just finished watching your edit. I must start by congratulating you on your fine work so far. I do have a couple of suggestions that I might share later on.

Keep it up!

Dustin

4/3/2015 06:33:36 am

Great, feel free to share any detailed feedback you might have!

Sandro

4/3/2015 06:36:22 am

A couple of my points might be a bit long. Is it alright to share it in this blog or should I send a message to a certain adress?

Dustin

4/3/2015 06:47:31 am

Sure, you can just submit your comments via the contact form on the top bar on this webpage. Thanks!

Jose

4/3/2015 09:52:49 pm

I've just watched your fanedit and it is GREAT. Much better than the Tolkien Edit (I don't like that version... I think it is rushed) and even better than the Dwarfed Edition. Congratulations!

Just one question: will you use DTS sound instead of AAC in the final edit once the the Extended Edition of Battle of the Five Armies is released?

I think most of us wouldn't mind if the file is 15 to 18 GB instead of 10 GB and the difference in quality would be much appreciated.

Dustin

4/4/2015 12:22:14 am

Thanks Jose! I do plan to release the final version with DTS-HD sound, yes. There will be several different download options for the final edit, starting from a lower-res stereo MP4 file all the way up to a Bluray ISO with 5.1 DTS-HD encoding (for those that want the full experience)!

Jose

4/4/2015 07:24:20 am

Great, thank you!

Eric P.

4/4/2015 04:14:34 am

Dustin, first of all - excellent work. Absolutely incredible. Obviously there are things I enjoy about PJ's Hobbit films, but I simply cannot wrap my mind around how anyone can think they were good films in the form they were released. So much garbage. You took what was a bloated, confusing, poorly written and even more poorly executed mess with absolutely no focus whatsoever and turned it into a clear and compelling story. Well done.

My only criticism would be the loss of some Bilbo-centric scenes, as I think Martin Freeman's Bilbo was one of the absolute best things about this whole project. He was frustratingly underutilized and surprisingly absent from the trilogy that bears his name. The two that pop to mind right away are him exploring Rivendell in daylight and him sticking up for Thorin on the Master's steps in Laketown.

I am not saying I am right and to put them back in, I would just love to hear your thought process behind losing scenes such as that. They only add seconds to the overall run-time but I honestly feel that in general more Bilbo is always better (as long as he's not turning into Jason Statham from the Transporter only with Sting during the first part of their journey!)

Dustin

4/4/2015 06:52:00 am

Thanks Eric! I am gathering everyone's comments/complaints/suggestions for this edit and will use them to improve the final version later this year.

I chose to cut Bilbo's wandering scenes in Rivendell because they slowed the pace down a bit too much. It is pretty scenery but doesn't really advance the story!

Bilbo vouching for Thorin didn't make sense to me, because I would assume all the dwarves would speak up immediately to vouch for him. I also didn't want to give Alfrid any more lines in the film, lol.

Eric P.

4/4/2015 07:14:03 am

Dustin - Thanks for the quick reply. I can see your point on both scenes, especially anything involving Alfrid at all.

Again, I didn't want you to think I was nit-picking - what you've done with your edit of these films is phenomenal. Truly excellent work.

Jackie

6/1/2015 11:37:35 pm

I also miss Bilbo in Rivendell...it would be a nice bridge to LotR because the older Bilbo so much wants to go back to Rivendell and see it again..its just because in that scenes he fell in love with it!

Jose

4/4/2015 07:26:08 am

As I explained in my prior comment, I think that you did an astonishing work. I only have one suggestion. It is related to Azog:

We all know that he didn't appear in the original novel of J. R. R. Tolkien, so all the fanedits have tried to minimize his part in the films. I'm OK with that but, as Peter Jackson made him the main antagonist of his trilogy and he commands the attack of the orcs at The Battle of the Five Armies, it is important to explain what pushes him to hunt Thorin and the dwarves.

For example: when the fellowship escapes from the goblins dungeons, it is not fully explained why he suddenly appears and pursues the dwarves. Yeah, I know that not long before the Great Goblin sent a messenger to inform Azog that they had captured Thorin, but that doesn't explain his desire to kill Oakenshield in the first place.

A casual spectator that is not versed in the Tolkien universe and watches your fanedit (most of the fanedits, I must add) will not understand where Azog comes from and why he chases the dwarves. That could be solved adding a little of background about him before he appears for the first time. It would not be necessary to reproduce the battle outside the Dwarven kingdom of Moria completely, but maybe a few shots would help to explain the origin of his will against Thorin.

Dustin

4/5/2015 11:15:54 pm

Yeah, Azog is a difficult character to handle in these fanedits. Maybe when the great goblin is talking about Azog, I could show a few shots from the Moria battle? Real quick shots- Thorin and Azog engage, he cuts off Azog's arm, the orcs retreat into Moria, etc. I'll see what I can do, thanks!

Jake

4/4/2015 07:58:57 am

Watched it and it's very good. My suggestions (and I can't believe I'm saying this) is more Azog and Legolas.

Basically, I'd add in the brief shot at the end of the barrel chase where Thorin saves Legolas (Show a brief bit of the elves on the bank to set this up during the scene), the bit where Legolas warns Gandalf and Bilbo of the approaching army, and finally where he tosses Orcrist to Thorn (which would give his character a bit of an arc without becoming superman, he goes from hateful to willing to at least acknowledge Thorn saving his life).

Azog, I'd consider the suggestion of others where Azog and the Eagle rescue does happen, trimmed down, they are placed on Carrock, then have Balin telling the hobbit the story of the Moria battle shortened and end on the part with Balin saying "there was one I could call my king." The Carrock is tall enough Balin telling the story then would work with the high rock wall behind him. Then cut to the next day. This deepens the stakes to show why Azog wants to find and kill Thorin and his family and specifically. Also sets up the Eagles to show up at the end.

Dustin

4/5/2015 11:19:57 pm

Hi Jake, many other people have suggested adding Legolas just to warn Gandalf about the other orc army, so I will at least try to work that scene in. Getting Legolas up to Ravenhill might be more trouble than it's worth however!

I'm also going to find a way to give Azog a little more background too, just so his beef with Thorin makes more sense. Thanks for your comments- I am making a list of everyone's feedback and will use this to improve the final cut!

infracaninophile

4/4/2015 01:04:43 pm

I'm anxious to see this! Have downloaded using uTorrent, and went to transfer to a flash drive so I can watch on my Blu-Ray player. I put a new 64g drive in and tried to send it there, but it says "cannot copy JRRTolkien's the Hobbit because the disk is full." But it has 64 gigs available! (I tried another new drive, same thing). I haven't had any trouble copying or sending to flash drives before. Can you suggest what the fix might be?

Dustin

4/4/2015 11:36:48 pm

Have you formatted your flash drive? Many flash drives are defaulted under FAT32, which doesn't let you transfer a file larger than 4GB. Try reformatting it to EXFAT, and let me know if that works.

zolee

4/4/2015 11:39:18 pm

Gee, bad timing I guess :)

infracaninophile

4/5/2015 05:16:09 am

AHA! Thank you, you are correct -- it is formatted FAT32, and I wasn't aware of the file size restrictions. I will try reformatting and report back.

infracaninophile

4/25/2015 07:36:20 am

Hi Dustin, I tried your suggestion and reformatted my 64g Lexar drive to ExFat, then transferred the file onto it (and some others as well).

Then I settled back and intended to watch the film. I plugged the flash drive into the USB port on my Sony Blu-Ray player but....a message came up saying something like, "This format is not recognized," or something like that. It did not show the list of any of the files on the drive, so it wasn't the Hobbit file specifically. I got out the Sony manual, and it said it recognized various video files, including mp4, avi etc. etc. but nothing explained why this one isn't recognized. Is it the ExFat? The manual did say, some USB devices may not work with this player. However, all my other Lexar flash drives worked fine.. Apparently there are no DVDs that will hold 10 gigs so i can't try that either, I am stumped what to do or try next. If I thought it would work I would try putting it on the SD card on my Galaxy Tab S but I don't know if that would work and don't want to mess with the SD card unless it is likely to work.

zolee

4/4/2015 11:37:50 pm

Your new drive is probably formated FAT32, which means that you cannot put files bigger than 4 GB there. You must format it again as an exFAT or NTFS partition. See a tutorial how to do it on the operating system you use, if you don't already now.

Dustin

4/25/2015 10:16:13 am

Wow, I'm sorry you're having such a rough time! To be honest, your best option would be to plug the drive into a computer/laptop and watch it off there. From my own experience, Bluray players don't always cooperate with MP4 video clips from USB drives.

Jose

4/6/2015 07:15:38 am

I've been thinking about your fanedit and I have another suggestion:

I think there is a continuity problem related to the part where Thorin releases the molten gold hidden inside the giant dwarf sculpture (I suppose that you kept it to justify why Smaug is covered in gold when he flies to Lake town). How they get such amount of gold in a matter of minutes?

This issue could be solved if you add a few shots of Smaug unintentionally turning on the furnaces with its fire. That would show how the dwarves get the molten gold. But PLEASE, PLEASE, skip the part of Thorin surfing the river of gold ;-)

Dustin

4/6/2015 11:51:04 am

I actually did include shots of Smaug accidentally lighting the forges...did you not see that part? It's right after Smaug charges at the dwarves.

Nathan

4/6/2015 11:41:51 pm

Yeah, the lighting of the forges is definitely there. It's actually one of my favorite bits of this re-edit because it works so perfectly. It uses film as a visual medium to show you what you need to know without having the dwarves tell you everything.

MIchelle Johnston link

4/6/2015 06:05:34 pm

Hi Dustin,

First a huge thank you for all your hard work on this project. I would like to start with some general observations:-

1) Momentum the one quality I love about this edit is it has a pulse and energy about it which makes it a delight to watch. You dwell on the unfolding story in a entirely proportionate way. I actually felt I was watching a film like the many many films I watch during the course of the year where the normal rules of film engagement apply.

2) Relative prominence .By excluding material which had no story telling virtue and sub plot story lines which grew out of proportion you gave the film back to Bilbo, Thorin and the Dwarves.

3) I see this edit as driven by respect and love for Tolkien. However whatever our preferences for story, which I will come on to, there are a number of outcomes in the trilogy which you have removed which are universally disliked by all, even despised by some. Peter Jackson refers to many of them in a positive way in his directors commentary and I can only conclude he has lost the art of making proportionate films which focus on the important and in away that is respectful of Tolkiens world and adult cinema in general.

What did i miss and this tells you something about my view of story telling.

In both Thranduil and the Masters world Tauriel and Alfrid were respectively introduced to give perspective to the lead character and along with Legolas and Bard produced in the early part of their sub plot some nice band width. The scene with Narzag in Thranduil's case and with the Master and Alfrid in the set up first scene. What of course happened is those original intentions got completely out of hand but to gain a little more persecutive on Thranduil and Master their reintroduction would work for me.

One other thought, would it make sense to introduce the baiting of Thranduil by Thror with the necklace of Lasgalen flashback during the Thrandul/Thorin standoff?

The other key antagonist for Thorin is Azog and I really enjoyed the way you returned to the book and gave us a startling surprise intro at the BOFA. This of course resulted from you setting aside the Dol Gulder plot which because it was so badly mishandled I did not miss at all. I think the character of Azog/Bolg is one of the most undeveloped parts of the films he could have been a fascinating adversary which we could have gained an insight from with multiple perspectives but that chance is lost and i think you made the best of a bad job presenting a
two dimensional villain less is better.

Once again thank you and I look forward to playing this through again using my Sony Home Entertainment system.

Dustin

4/6/2015 11:53:48 pm

I wouldn't say that Peter Jackson has entirely lost his way, but in the case of the Hobbit he seemed more infatuated with the tools used to tell the story than the actual story itself. I also think he felt more or less obligated to complete the Hobbit after Del Toro left, instead of having a true passionate desire to make the films himself (like LOTR).

Thranduil and the Master are ultimately supporting characters, especially the Master who is really only in two scenes in my fanedit. Thranduil is difficult to work with since so many of his scenes also involve Tauriel & Legolas, whom I've tried to avoid! I also don't like that they made him so cold-hearted in the film, as compared to the book.

Michelle Johnston link

4/7/2015 04:24:00 am

Thanks for your reply. If you can remove 210 minutes from a 460 minute film and still tell the story with as much emotion and sense of journey then there is some thing fundamentally wrong with yours and your teams capacity for economic and well constructed story telling.
You can put the necromancer plot back in and the Eagles and you are still left with 160 minutes of some thing that is not needed to tell the story.

I have listened very carefully to his commentaries on the first two and he believes those empty jeopardy less over long action sequences are the highlights of the films e.g. barrels and forges and even after all the criticism you have managed to cut out 60 minutes of the final film most of which I suspect is empty action sequences with no consequences or pick up for the audience, besides about ten minutes of legolas and Tauriel sans action.

Andrea

4/7/2015 11:57:30 pm

would you also add english subtitles in future? I think many of us would be really thankful, especially those who don't live in english-speaking countries!

Dustin

4/8/2015 12:24:09 am

I hadn't thought of subtitles actually. If someone is willing to transcribe the film and send me the text file(s), I will gladly insert subtitles! It would be very time consuming for me to do this on my own.

Andrea

4/8/2015 10:38:14 pm

I can't promise you anything, but I might do it. I just have to look on how to do it

Dustin

4/8/2015 11:12:43 pm

Thank you for the offer! There is no rush since we are several months away from the final release anyways. I believe there are free subtitle programs you can find through a quick Google search. In any case I would need a SRT file with timestamps in order to make it work!

Nathan

4/8/2015 03:59:05 am

I'm about halfway through the piece and I'm really loving what I see so far. Your judicious cutting of many of the action sequences is a blessing and really helps the film feel like it is part of the Lord of the Rings saga. I really look forward to seeing your final version in the fall.

A few suggestions from one editor to another.

1. I would leave some form of the campfire sequence that introduces the heroic backstory of Thorin and Azog. It's critical not only for Azog to have any kind of a history, but also why Thorin is seen as such a leader of these dwarves. Without it, he's more the leader because he can bellow more than anyone else. While the entire sequence is way too long, there's too much good there to scrap it all. Plus, it starts to endear Bilbo to this harsh-talking dwarf.

2. Please remove the shot of Gollum paddling his boat towards Bilbo. It's totally unnecessary and I hate it in the theatrical version. Let alone, it ruins the full Gollum reveal just moments later. It's far creepier for Gollum to disappear from his island and then already be right on top of Bilbo.

3. While I can appreciate where you were coming from with the intermission, I feel that it's out of place here. Please consider doing a version without an intermission.

PS - I can't believe the magic you worked with the Mirkwood sequence. It's works so much better with all the trims you made.

MABarracus

4/8/2015 04:24:59 am

I just saw this, just to say that for me the Intermission is perfectly OK.
It's a four hour movie, it's hard to watch it on one run.

Nathan

4/8/2015 04:27:10 am

I love how no dwarves were left in Laketown. Amazing how you were able to make that work. I wonder, maybe adding a line of ADR after Thorin tells Bilbo that they have to move on after Gandalf isn't there to say, "Kili, Fili, come on" or something like that. There's tons of those kind of lines in the film, but that would help solidify that they are actually in the scene. Maybe even a cutaway somehow of the missing dwarves would help. I'm not sure what material you could pull that from, but it's the only slight bit that stood out while watching it. I think the ADR would help greatly.

Nathan

4/8/2015 04:30:00 am

True, but anyone can pause their movie at any time and create their own intermission. Having a version without the intermission wouldn't hurt. I have digital copies of the Lord of the Rings extended editions without intermissions and it plays just fine without.

Nathan

4/8/2015 05:12:28 am

Also, you may want to think about removing the entire bit of Bard being imprisoned. I came off rather strangely that Bard is a wanted man. Was it because he spoke out against the dwarves?

Plus, it would remove the silly getting out of jail storyline that is so inconsequential that it doesn't even need to be in the film. Just have Bard's son hide the arrow, Bard punches the guards and runs off. The next time we see Bard, he's kicking in the window to get the bow and arrows in the middle of Smaug's siege on Laketown.

Dustin

4/8/2015 05:36:14 am

Thanks for the feedback Nathan! I'll add your comments to my list and will try to fix what I can. Several people have asked for a little more background on Azog so I may have to find a way to include at least some of that Moria flashback.

I might be able to slip in a shot of the four dwarves from their separate journey to Erebor, to further sell the illusion that the entire company leaves Laketown at once. As for getting Bard out of prison, I'm not so sure if that can be done smoothly. Fortunately I have plenty of time between now and the end of the year to work on it!

Nathan

4/8/2015 05:55:49 am

Thank you for your reply, Dustin, and for your efforts! I have no doubt that your final version will forever replace the original for me. That said, I will certainly own the official version because it is an interesting piece of comparison (much like the Blade Runner set) in the various ways to tell the same story with various degrees of excess or restraint.

MABarracus

4/8/2015 04:23:35 am

This is amazing! Thank you, you have made this films very enjoyable!
Also, a little suggestion, could you (or someone add english subtitles?)
There are some non native english speakers that would love to fully appreciate your work.

Dustin

4/8/2015 05:38:13 am

I'd be happy to include subtitles but the task of transcribing a 4-hour film is a little too daunting for me. If there is anyone else here that would be willing to do this I would certainly credit them in the film!

Sandro

4/8/2015 05:53:00 am

Sounds interesting. I think it would save the people in charge a lot of time if the subtitles of the original movies are used to copy and paste. If we want the subtitles to be in different languages then it would be best for a couple of guys to work together. For example, I also speak Dutch and Spanish. If someone could do the English version, I could translate it. It is like you said a 4-hour film... I know how much time it takes to transcribe a 10-minute youtube video. It's best to wait a little since you're not done editing yet.

MABarracus

4/8/2015 06:18:40 am

With a quick search i found some transcripts for all the three
movies:

AUJ

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oxKorXTe8HNWnle-7qmPs3OEFrgPYSnor0bsfpoCT1U/edit

TDOS

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tehSv_j4NxmkGiBlkjPQH7tphfJzFL5v6lXQl08xz-U/edit

TBOTFA

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kfi_XleHetmOzV9BPdL-YmjUWUsrTYOsziatZq--NAo/edit

The thing to do is to synch it (perhaps using some existing subs) and remove some dialog.

Also, for the language thing, it would be copy-paste with the DVD translates. (Btw, i am also spanish, so I can help there).
And for other languages, it

MABarracus

4/8/2015 06:21:24 am

Also, you could try to find help in reddit or some other place r/The Hobbit or r/movies perhaps

Sandro

4/8/2015 06:36:04 am

Synching the subtitles should not be that big a deal. As long as you have the right software to open and edit subtitle files, you can simply edit the dialogue to the right time. The point is finding the people who are willing to spend time on this. Together we could do three different languages. If someone who speaks a different language is willing to help out we could do more. It'd be fun if Dustin could include the subtitle files in the movie file itself and allow the viewer to choose.

Dustin

4/8/2015 07:01:46 am

I am able to add subtitles into the movie files, yes. I believe you need to have SRT file types for them. The text must be timestamped so that the dialogue appears to be synched with the subtitles. I can get the original SRT files for the three films, but it would be fruitless to begin work on this until I have a completed edit. Changing a scene even by a few seconds will throw the entire SRT file off!

English, French and Spanish are the most common subtitles. If Sandro and Barracus split the workload on a Spanish translation, that would make things much easier. I will try to find some volunteers for the English subtitles.

michelle johnston link

4/8/2015 07:30:23 pm

Hi Dustin,

My thoughts on the matters raised.

1) I like the intermission it is a highly professional interlude to pause on a two evening viewing.
2) Azog you have the Thrain and Thror material out of which you night be able to contextualise the antipathy between Thorin and Azog. As you know JRRT mentions both in the book so to know a little more about his father and grandfather (though with changed circumstances) makes sense.Thror is beheaded Thrain is mutilated and Thorin (Oakenshield) leads a charge and wounds Azog. I am sure you are aware of that terrible pause when Thorin could have killed Azog. Overall I think you could make this work like your Kili adjustment re organising certain sections.

3) Bard in jail Initially I wondered whether this was done to provide space for legolas fighting but young John Bell is in the boat and has to pick up the black arrow from its hiding place so its an original idea. On the whole I think this is the screen writers penchant for mini jeopardy arcs. That said it works. What doesn't work is the position of the Masters Barge which in the 2011/12 footage is heading out in front of the Dwarf boat to safety with Stephen Fry surviving but in some late probably CGI adjusted footage is still back in the centre of Lake Town .

Nathan

4/8/2015 11:17:39 pm

My main issue with Bard in jail is that the breakout is so goofy in comparison to how serious this edit is. He's barely in jail for a couple of minutes that it isn't necessary. The climax is whether or not Bard will kill Smaug not whether he'll get out of jail. We all know he will get out and it isn't satisfying when he does. It barely works in the theatrical version, but is unnecessary here.

I also think that the son doesn't even need to hide the black arrow. He takes it when Bard tells him to take it, but we don't see the son again until he shows up in the tower to deliver the arrow. We just assume that the son has been running around Laketown or we possibly forget about him until he shows up to help save the day.

Dustin

4/9/2015 12:00:18 am

I admit that Bard being sent to jail is somewhat odd, especially in this edit. But there is a sequence of events that must play out for this arc in Laketown to make sense. Which I will list here.

-The origin of the black arrow flashback, with Girion defending Dale
-Bard revealing to his kids that he has a black arrow
-Bard is separated from the black arrow and his kids, because of his arrest
-The black arrow is hidden by his son Bain
-Bard escapes from jail and desperately tries to kill Smaug
-His son Bain retrieves the arrow and gives it to Bard
-Bard kills Smaug with the black arrow. End of arc.

If I were to remove Bard's arrest, I would have to explain why he becomes separated from his kids and the black arrow. OR if I choose not to show the scene where Bard reveals he even has a black arrow, I still have to explain how his son got his hands on one when he gives it to Bard.

There is also the issue of cinematic pacing and the music score, which sometimes makes the flow of a sequence very difficult to disrupt. If I cut too much from this arc, it might be obvious to the viewer that something is missing, and the music cues would fade at odd places. Phew! Editing can be hard sometimes!

Michelle Johnston link

4/10/2015 07:37:12 pm

I watched the first half through my home entertainment system it looked and sounded with the limits of the audio for this version great. It is wonderful to sit down with the confidence that I want to watch all of the film. Well done again and thanks

Dustin

4/10/2015 10:52:43 pm

Thank you Michelle!!

Patrick

4/10/2015 10:18:53 pm

Dustin,

I love your edit; I think your choices are absolutely perfect from the opening to the troll cave. I especially appreciate that you left so much of the dinner in. Just right.

On the issue of the jailing of Bard: the only reason it is needed is to explain the presence of Bard's son on the tower - and I really hate, hate, hate that addition to the movie.

Have you taken a look at the "There And Back Again - A Hobbit's Cut" (01212015 version)? The editor did some clever editing there to remove the son entirely from the tower/black arrow scene. If you were to remove that in such a manner, you could then remove:

"-Bard is separated from the black arrow and his kids, because of his arrest
-The black arrow is hidden by his son Bain
-Bard escapes from jail and desperately tries to kill Smaug
-His son Bain retrieves the arrow and gives it to Bard"

and then retain only the core of the arc:
"-The origin of the black arrow flashback, with Girion defending Dale
-Bard revealing to his kids that he has a black arrow...
-Bard kills Smaug with the black arrow. End of arc."

Dustin

4/10/2015 11:04:44 pm

Yes I have seen that version of the scene and I thought it was well done! However I would disagree with you on the original scene with Bard's son on the tower- I thought it was one of the few changes from the book that I actually liked, especially in BOFA. Not because his son is there, but the fact that there's an actual showdown between Bard and Smaug. The direction, music and editing in that sequence was altogether great. When Smaug starts charging at the tower and Bard tells Bain to "look at me"...ooo, the feels.

TCZ

4/13/2015 04:18:25 am

I agree with you Dustin, I like your edit with bard and his son much better than having cut out the son. It feels like there is continuity issues when watching that edit. Again, your editing is superb with limited to none continuity issues.

Robert

4/23/2015 03:09:00 am

Just finished watching last night! The pace is the best. Not too short like other edits, but not too long like the original. No tauriel, no Alfrid, no stupid action or lines. Can't wait for your side quest! Many thanks!!!

I've made DVD menus and split it in 4 one-hour parts. Put in on single layer dvds at 9mb/s bitrate. Used the DVD art cover too. So awesome. Any ETA on Hill of Sorcery??

Dustin

4/23/2015 04:15:45 am

Great, thanks Robert! For the final version later this year I will have DVD/Bluray ISO files available for download, and they will come with interactive menus built in. The first cut of the side quest film will be released online in another month or so, but that will also be updated once the BOFA EE comes out!

Robert

4/23/2015 05:42:15 am

How big do you think the final iso file will be? Will I need dual layer DVDs for it?

Side question: are you going to add more legolas? Not saying you should or shouldn't, just noticed some comments about him.

Dustin

4/23/2015 06:05:09 am

I'm going to have 2 DVD ISO files, for a two-disc set. The film will be split in half like the LOTR EEs. Most likely single-layer, so they will be 4.5GB each.

I will also have 2 Bluray ISO files for a two-disc bluray set. These will probably be 20GB each, real big kahunas!

On top of all that I will have a single HD digital file for those that want to keep things simple.

The only Legolas scene I may add is when he warns Gandalf and Bilbo about the second army in BOFA.

Wayne

5/30/2015 03:00:13 am

What a totally awesome edit, thank you.
I have one small request, can you please include in your final cut the rescue of the hobbit and company by the eagles from the burning tree.

This is such a memorable scene from the book and one that I never forgot.

Thanks in advance.

Robert

4/23/2015 06:14:45 am

That sounds great! My only question is, will those 2 DVD iso files be the best possible quality for DVD? And I'm assuming from some commenter already that someone will be making subtitles for you?

Dustin

4/23/2015 06:43:48 am

The ISO files will be the best quality possible quality for single-layer DVDs, yes. Same goes for the the Bluray ISOs.

Some people here have volunteered to help create foreign subtitles for this fanedit once it is fully finished. I'll still need help getting the English subtitles made however!

Robert

4/23/2015 08:16:44 am

That's great! I go someone skilled is up to the task of English subtitles!

Would the DVD iso be at greater quality if you were to use dual layer DVD's instead? Then you could increase the bitrate to its highest because you would have roughly double the space per disc.

Dustin

4/23/2015 11:45:23 pm

Yes, the DVD ISO would be higher quality if they were encoded for dual-layer, but for the sake of simplicity I'm keeping them single-layer. Plus if you really want the highest quality possible I'd suggest downloading the Bluray ISO.

I also don't want to confuse people with too many options. Ultimately you will be able to choose from these four options,

- Lower-res HD MP4 file (6GB, stereo)
- High-res HD MP4 file (12GB, stereo)
- DVD ISO image (2 separate files for a 2-disc set, 5.1 and stereo option)
- Bluray ISO image (2 separate files for a 2-disc set, 5.1 and stereo option)

Donavon Bailey

4/23/2015 10:02:15 am

I'm finally finishing my viewing of the film, and I love it.

My only complaint is that I was hoping you would include the DoS Extended Edition scene of Beorn being introduced to the Dwarves. It also sounds as though the musical cue between leaving Rivendell and the next walking scene feels a little bit rough. I'm pretty sure Thorin's clothes changed during the fight with Smaug, as well.

Those are only really nitpicks, though. Very, very well done!

Dustin

4/30/2015 02:10:13 am

Hi Donavon, thanks for watching! I have been gathering feedback from everyone and I appreciate your comments. The EE scene with Beorn was fun but it really dragged the pace of the film down. It's also a bit redundant since the audience has already been introduced to the dwarves earlier in the film. I may consider re-inserting this scene into my sidequest film "Durin's Folk and the Hill of Sorcery" however!

Robert

4/24/2015 01:23:35 am

Ah i see. OK, thank you Dustin! Thank you for you're tireless efforts to make this classic story into the classic movie we've waited for!!!

Eric

4/30/2015 12:22:10 am

Bless my beard. Wow. Just wow. Thank you so much for doing this. Excellent, excellent work on cleaning up PJ's mess. I always knew there was a good movie hidden somewhere under all the unnecessary stuff they decided to add. I will never watch The Hobbit in any other way from this day. You have truly made it justice. But, as has already been mentioned in the comments, there is still room for a few improvements and I'm really looking forward to see the final version in all it's glory, and of course the side-quest film! I might even consider making a swedish translation when you're done with the final version, or i might just use already existing subtitles for the three movies and sync it up with this edit. Thanks again for all your work!

Dustin

4/30/2015 02:13:16 am

Thank you Eric! I'm glad you enjoyed it. If you have any suggestions for improvements I'd love for you to share them. I'm gathering up everyone's feedback and will try to address them as best as I can.

As for subtitles, we'll have to wait until the third EE comes out and I have what is called "picture lock" on the film. That means all the scenes will be in place and then we can start working on subtitles. Thank you again!

jagmur

5/1/2015 08:58:26 am

Fantastic work Dustin!
Looking foward for the finished version after the last EE is released.
Is there maybe a German dubbed version possible?

Dustin

5/4/2015 10:47:14 am

Thank you! Please stay in touch on this website as I will have updates throughout the year leading up to the final release, probably in late Nov or early Dec. I am hoping to have some help making subtitles in different languages, however a dubbed foreign language version will not be possible.

Jose

5/1/2015 08:56:27 pm

Hello Dustin,

Yesterday I watched the Ironfoot Edition and, although I'm not overly fond of this fanedit, I think there are a number of additions that I think are fantastic. Some are minor details if you want, but nonetheless contribute to improve the pace of the film and solve continuity problems.

Just to name a few:

-Once the company discovers the Orc's treasures and leave their cave, there's a shot passing in front of a waterfall (the shot originally appears when they leave Rivendell) that makes the transition smoother before they arrive to the hidden valley. It helps to create the sensation that Rivendell is far away (as it really is) from their current position and that they have to travel a lot before getting there.

-In your fanedit, when they are into the Misty Mountains, we suddenly watch Bilbo hanging in the cliff without knowing what happened to get him in that dangerous position. The Ironfoot Edition, instead, adds a shot showing how he slips. I know it is a minor change, but it is very welcomed.

-The transition between the moment the company escapes from the goblins and they get into Beorn's home is, by far, the best I've watched. Azog has been digitally removed, the eagles are still there and the continuity issues have been solved. My only doubt is how Azog will be introduced to the audience in the BotFA once he commands the attack.

-He has been able to keep more shots of Beorn by changing some of his lines.

I don't know if you have watched this fanedit, but if not I recommend it. As I explained before, it has some things that I don't like at all (too much Tauriel for example), but it also has some well thought additions.

By the way, here is the link to this fanedit:
http://hobbitironfoot.tumblr.com/

Dustin

5/4/2015 10:51:23 am

Thanks for the notes Jose. I'm working on adding that extra shot of Bilbo slipping in the Misty Mountains- my original version was a little awkward. I watched the Ironfoot version of the eagle/Beorn scene and it was edited almost the same as David Killstein's There and Back Again edit! The eagles have definitely been a common request from most people that have seen my fanedit, so maybe I should take the hint!

Neal

5/4/2015 08:36:48 am

Is it possible to get a custom cover and .nfo file to use in Kodi? The best edit I've seen so far, and it'll take the place of the bluray rips on my media centre.

Dustin

5/4/2015 10:53:09 am

I've actually never heard of Kodi or .nfo files, can you explain what they are and how I might make one?

Jaime

5/9/2015 08:53:47 pm

HI!! I enjoyed your movie a lot and I´ll try to do an Spanish subs archive for the definitive version (as I´m Spanish)

I also recommend you not to put that INTERMISSION, as some people already told you we can pause the movie whenever we want so it´s not necessary. The Return of the King EE has that length and does not have that intermission.

Thanks for reading

Marius

5/11/2015 03:01:55 am

This is just a really really good edit, and I must thank you for all your hard work, Dustin! I could write a short essay of praise for this great effort, but that wouldn't be very constructive.. Instead I compiled a list of the things that I didn't like that much in the edit, and some other nitpickings:

- It has been mentioned before, but Bilbo hanging off the cliff for no apparent reason in the Misty Mountains.
- We don't get to know why Gandalf doesn't leave Rivendell with the party (at least I didn't get that part)
- Beorn's first arrival as a bear is a bit sudden.It looks like the dwarves are running from the orcs, and then suddenly there's the bear behind them instead. It was a bit confusing.
- The intermission.. To be frank I really don't like it. I've allready had several intermission of my own making at this point, and I was just waiting for the intermission to end, having no idea how long it would be. If you want to force an intermission, it would be better to split it into two movies.

- Bard's daughter wondering if "they're going to die" felt a bit sudden and excessive just because they heard a noise in the mountain.
- Smaug lighting up the furnaces felt a bit too convenient, and it made the whole molten gold-affair even more confusing than it originally was. The best thing would've been removing the molten gold all together, but I'm guessing that's not possible with Smaug being covered in gold and all..
- The refugees of Laketown appeared a bit suddenly at Dale, so it wasn't really clear where these ruins that they are camping and later fighting in were. It might be a good idea to try to keep some of the footage of the refugees arriving there.
- The elves sudden appearance in Dale was even more sudden. :) When they first arrive it looks as if they are Bard's army, it was a bit confusing. I'd even tolerate some of Alfrid to improve these two.
- I would personally have liked to see the battle drag out just a little bit longer. The way it's cut now sees the battle going ill extremely fast after the initial charge.
- Less Dain headbutting armored orcs please..
- Some shots of the dwarves climbing Ravenhill would have been good, but I get that that's probably not possible, without including those damn goats or whatever that was in the original..
- And finally, the shot of Beorn on the eagle was a bit brief, but that's probably hard to fix with Radagast being out of the picture.

Dustin

5/12/2015 11:41:46 pm

Thanks for the comments Marius, many of the points you bring up I am trying to work on for the final cut. There are also many issues that I cannot fix, especially with the third film. I'm hoping the Extended Edition can give me a lot more to work with (and therefore fix!). Thanks for watching and please stay tuned for updates!

Sam

5/16/2015 02:53:44 am

Hi Dustin, great job with the edit. I'm just wondering, do you have a list of any of the things you will most likely be implementing in your final cut? I.E. the eagles or Bilbo falling off the cliff? Just wondering... Great job again!

Dustin

5/17/2015 11:16:29 pm

Hi Sam, I am working on a list of changes I'll be making to my final cut based on feedback I've received so far. Many people have asked to have the eagles re-inserted and I'll see what I can do, but no promises yet!

Dale Pease link

5/25/2015 05:11:24 am

What better way to spend the holiday than to watch this amazing work. Dustin, you did an absolutely amazing job with this. I can't thank you enough for finding the gem of a movie I so desperately wanted to see within the jumbled mountain that was created by Peter Jackson. Bravo!

My only critique, since I know you are interested in hearing them, is I would like to see you get rid of the gold statue exploding on Smaug scene. I know others have said you did this to explain why he was covered in gold when he left the mountain, but I think you could easily cut from him telling Bilbo he's going to destroy Laketown, to him vaulting into the air after he shakes the gold off. He's even headed in the right direction (off the right of the screen) after Bilbo and when he flies. I just thought that scene was so cheesy, and it's the only one of the many that remained.

Other than that, I absolutely LOVED it! Thanks again!

Dustin

5/25/2015 11:38:37 pm

Thank you Dale! I only wish this was what we got to see in theaters, ha. As for the gold statue scene, I've been trying to find ways around it. Some fanedits I've seen leave the dwarves out on the doorstep when Smaug leaves, so it's more like the book. I like that the film gives them some screen time together in the mountain though.

Since there is only that one shot of Smaug breaking out of Erebor, it is difficult for me to show that and not explain why he is covered in gold. Even when he launches into the air, gold flakes are flying all over the place. I could remove the shot but then we never see how the gate is broken open. I've also tried doing some VFX work on the shot to remove the gold off of Smaug, to moderate success. Perhaps I can get it cleaned up enough for the final release later this year :)

Dale Pease link

5/26/2015 12:17:11 am

I don't think it would be jarring to show Smaug launching into the air, if you cut it just as a few flakes of gold are falling (it'll seem more like sparks.) And do we really need an explanation to why the gate is broken. Wouldn't that be assumed to be the work of the Dragon? Just a thought. If you could get rid of all that furnace time, gold statue, etc... I think it would be stronger. BUT this is your edit, and it's fantastic, so do what you think is best.

Marius

5/26/2015 01:31:14 am

It would be extremely impressive if you were able to edit the VFX, because I agree with Dale here, it's incredibly cheesy.

Dustin

5/27/2015 03:41:20 am

I have managed to remove the gold coloring from Smaug without too much trouble. However his skin still has a metallic sheen to it that doesn't match his normal scaly look. I will try doing some texture experiments with the shot but it may not look perfect. Fingers crossed!

Phillip

7/27/2015 06:34:13 am

Not to nit pick, and I've agreed with most of your changes and others suggestions, but if you could remove Tauriel's "where is the keeper of the keys" line, as well as the shot of Kili looking at her fighting when he's wounded at the gate, that would further help the illusion that she is not in this film. Also, maybe intro Bolg somehow? I know its hard cause of the source material. Great job!

Dustin

7/27/2015 11:17:45 pm

Hi Phillip, I'm OK with Tauriel having a bit role in the film like she does now. Just a couple of lines and maybe a few orc kills. Nothing wrong with a female elf and to Evangeline Lilly's credit, she have a good performance. I just hated that PJ turned her into a love interest that distracted from the actual plot.

Bolg will remain a nameless orc, only because they mangled him and Azog so bad and I'm trying to minimize his screentime.

Dante

7/27/2015 07:54:25 am

Fantastic edit. Just wanted to let you know that with the cover that you made, the front and back are about a cm off center. I don't know if this was intentional(though it didn't come across as intentional) I just thought I would let you know, in case you did not already. Anyways, fantastic job with the edit, I cannot wait for the final version

Dustin

7/27/2015 11:14:02 pm

Uh oh! Is it off to the left or right? I can fix that for the final release.

Dante

7/28/2015 03:32:15 am

It's closer too the spine on both sides ( so on the actual image, moving the front cover image to the right and the back the left should do the trick) and thanks about the durins folk comment, does this mean that the entire project will only require 2 DVD's? Thank you :)

Dustin

7/27/2015 11:19:59 pm

For some reason I couldn't reply to your other comment on the Durin's Folk page. That film will come bundled with my main fanedit as a special feature, so there will not be a separate disc for it!

Dustin

7/29/2015 01:10:39 am

Thanks Dante. The entire project will only require two discs, although they will have to be dual-layer in order to fit everything on them!

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