Fanedit Feedback & requests for changes

6/1/2015

It has been two months since the initial release of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, and I have received TONS of great feedback from all over the interwebs! I am very happy that so many of you have enjoyed this fanedit, and your comments and suggestions have been greatly appreciated.

I have taken the time to tally up the most-requested changes to the fanedit, and will list them below for your convenience. They are sorted in order of most requested to least. If you have other suggestions or would like to chime in on the ones I've listed, please leave a comment below!

Re-insertion of the Eagle rescue sequence. Wow, I couldn't believe how many of you mentioned this one. I was very pleased with how I transitioned from the end of AUJ to the beginning of DOS, but you guys really want to see those darn eagles, don't you? Lol. So I am going to re-edit that sequence with the eagles, upload it here and see what you all think. If you like it, I'll put it in the final version of the fanedit. If not, it stays out!
Northern orc army warning. A lot of viewers found it confusing that the second orc army shows up out of nowhere in BOFA. I am hoping there's a bit more to work with in the Extended Edition, but at the very least I can insert Legolas' warning to Gandalf about the northern army. No problem.
More Azog. This also surprised me considering the lukewarm reception that Azog received from Hobbit fans. But like it or not, he is the main villain of the films and many of you felt he didn't get enough screentime in my fanedit. This could be partially solved by the re-insertion of the eagle rescue, so that's two birds with one stone!
Remove the gold statue bit completely. Even though I cut the silly action scene in the forges, along with Thorin surfing on liquid gold, many viewers have asked for the entire gold statue scene to be cut. This will be tricky to do because the ONLY shot of Smaug breaking out of Erebor, shows him covered in gold. So I'm going to do this the hard way and try to manually remove the gold coating from that shot. Wish me luck.
More battle footage (BOFA). Many people would like to see more of the actual Battle of Five Armies. This may be easier to address once the Extended Edition is released, since we know for a fact that some battle scenes were cut from the theatrical version.
Insert Mirkwood EE scenes. Specifically the enchanted river bit with Bombur. I know this was close to the book, but I felt that this extra scene slowed the pace of the film down too much. So I don't think I'm going to consider inserting it until after I've gone through the BOFA EE scenes.
Add more shots of the dwarves originally left behind in Laketown. Since my fanedit removes the subplot of Kili/Fili/Oin/Bofur remaining in Laketown, I'm banking on the illusion of there being more dwarves in the company than there really are when they arrive at Erebor. Even though I digitally added the four dwarves in a wide shot, several of you would like to see more of them. This is easier said than done, but I'll see what I can do!
Insert the Beorn EE Intro. Here's another book-faithful scene that I just felt didn't work on screen. However, many of you disagree! Lucky for you though, if I'm able to re-insert the eagle sequence then Beorn's EE intro may in fact be inserted too! I've seen a few other fanedits that transitioned between these two scenes and it worked well. So we'll see how it looks for this version!

31 Comments

Steve

6/1/2015 09:28:18 am

First off, great job on the edit and thanks for making it!

I was wondering what your approach to the color correction on the final version will be. The text on the blu-ray cover says your goal is "to be more visually consistent with the Lord of the Rings trilogy". Will that mean the final version will have less vibrant colors in general?

I feel that the LotR trilogy has a more realistic color palette to it whereas the Hobbit trilogy has a more vibrant color palette, and that's actually something I like about the Hobbit films. I think the colors for the LotR movies work fine for the grittier, more somber story that they tell, but for what it's worth I think the more fantastical, adventurous story of the Hobbit would look best in a brighter and more vibrant palette.

Best of luck with editing the gold coating by the way, that sounds like a difficult piece of work!

Dustin

6/1/2015 10:48:21 am

Hi Steve, I am planning to color correct the Hobbit so it has a flatter and less vibrant look. An Unexpected Journey was especially oversaturated and bright, and looked far too cartoonish compared to LOTR. I'm not going to make The Hobbit look like Saving Private Ryan or anything...it will probably be somewhere between LOTR and the original Hobbit films.

john

6/2/2015 07:20:07 pm

I think that when the dwarves are singing the misty mountains song you should include a flashback of erebor when it is being attacked by smaug. Ive seen it in another edit and it was awesome

Troy

6/3/2015 04:26:18 am

Thanks for making some of these additions. Your edit has been my favorite that I have seen thus far.

Considering that the original plan for these movies was to have two films, and the fact that your is already pushing up against the four hour range, do you think you would consider having a two-film cut that includes these additional edits plus the stuff you're putting into Durin's Folk And The Hill Of Sorcery? I was just curious because I have always thought that this would be a great two-film series, rather than an OK trilogy.

6/3/2015 04:50:28 am

Thanks! I'm still packaging this as a single film, but that is why I have an Intermission in the middle so people can choose to just watch half of it if they wish. The side quest film will still be its own standalone piece, because it is so tonally different than the main story of The Hobbit!

Jose

6/4/2015 02:04:57 am

Thank you for taking into account our suggestions, Dustin.

I'm positive that this is going to be the ultimate fanedit of The Hobbit's trilogy.

Sandro Algra Barradas

6/4/2015 05:54:44 pm

Hi Dustin,

Nice to hear from you again. It's great to see how accepting you are of fan feedback (I wish Peter Jackson would listen to some of the criticism). I think most of these points will do fine in the new cut (though I'm not yet sure about 5 and 6).

I've been doing some thinking. I hope your new edits will help clarify 2 things:

- Thorin's rivalry with Azog: We do hear that Azog would pay a high price for Thorin's head, but what are their reasons to hate each other? Maybe a quick glimpse of the Moria flashback where Azog beheads Thror will do the trick. This could also clarify why Thorin is called Oakenshield. I don't think you need to insert the entire flashback. But maybe you could show small glimpses of it before the Eagle's rescue. I just hope the rescue scene won't be too long, keep the action short.

- Fili and Kili's relasionship to Thorin: Since you cut the Moria flashback, Kili's prison conversation with Tauriel and the Dwarves left behind in Laketown we don't hear much about Fili and Kili being Thorin's nephews. At least not until they are killed off by Azog I believe. It'd be nice if you could establish early on who the members of Durin's line are, if only with a quick mention.

Maybe both of these points would work better in the Durin's Folk and the Hill of Sorcery movie...

6/9/2015 12:46:25 am

Hi Sandro, I actually inserted the entire Moria flashback into Durin's Folk and the Hill of Sorcery. I am going to try finding a way to show a little more backstory in the main fanedit if possible. That flashback scene is 6-7 minutes long, which is a ton of time.

Michelle Johnston link

6/7/2015 08:19:34 pm

Thank you for the feedback on the feedback. I was most interested to hear what other viewers wish for which all makes sense. I am looking forward to the EE at an academic level but most interested to see your final outcome. I have not raised your edit on the site I contribute to because I was advised otherwise on the grounds of illegality. I was also censored for referring to you by your forename which apparently is breech of privacy.

When the time comes as a mere consumer I need to talk to you about the practicality and legality of you providing actual Blu Ray discs which i do not have the knowledge to create. If it can be done for a not profit cost without breeching any copy right rules I would welcome it.

6/9/2015 01:06:31 am

Thank you for the feedback on the feedback on the feedback! When the time comes later this year after I have a final version ready, we can discuss physical Bluray availability. I'm sure many people would prefer a physical copy and won't have the means or knowledge to create one from my provided files.

Justin

6/9/2015 11:32:29 pm

It really surprises me that people want MORE Azog. Personally, I would love to see an edit that completely removes him and Legolas from the movies entirely (along with everything else you've already removed). Then again, I didn't realize this was going to be a trilogy when I went to see the first movie, and I have never been more disappointed in my life about anything. Sorry for the melodrama. I like the work you've done! Makes me wish I knew more about video editing so I could gut it down to about 2 hours lol.

6/10/2015 12:29:41 am

Yes that surprised me too. Azog was poorly handled in the film, but from a narrative perspective he sort of has to be there because of his showdown with Thorin at the end. I just wish they had made him a real actor in prosthetics instead of a tacky CGI creation.

I'm honestly not sure The Hobbit could be cut down to two hours and still work as a satisfying film. Even the 3-hour fanedits I've seen don't work very well because there's just so much ground to cover.

Ahmed Husssein

6/11/2015 09:38:20 pm

Thanks for the feedback, I will address each of you points:
1. Even though the tree scene was nicely done, I don't think we need to see another action scene and another eagle rescue, so .. no, I don't think you should include this.

2. Just like you said, Legolas' warning should be enough, and even that is not really necessary.

3. I don't think we need more of Azog, and this is coming from someone who actually liked Azog. The only thing you should probably add is a shot of him when the goblin king is talking to Thorin about him in a flashback manner, just so we can know that it is the same guy who chases them after they escape the goblin town.

4. If you could remove the gold coating, that would be a amazing.

5. Yes, there were some stuff that I missed, like the giant breaking the wall with his head, Thranduil kicking ass after his elk died, and PLEASE remove Dain's stupid headbuttings,

6. Yes, you must include that, those scenes were great. I highly disagree with you, it doesn't slow the pace, but not including it makes the whole sequence feel rushed with no proper build up for the spider attack.

7. I actually think you should include the separation, I think it provides some dramatic elements to the story.

8. No, you definitely shouldn't include that, it's slow, it's unfunny and it provides absolutely nothing to the story or to the next sequence.

Komodo

6/16/2015 01:10:35 am

I've watched both of your edits and they look awesome. They're the most professional edit so far and the ones which do the best job adapting the story. However I thought some little bits of footage could improve the edit a bit.
1. I think the tree scene should be included to have a bit more of screentime for Azog and the Eagles, which seem far too rushed in the ending battle. To cement rivalry between Azog and Thorin you should keep Azog taunting the dwarf, but cut the climax duel and Bilbo saving Thorin. Make the eagles arrive just after the dwarves throw burning pinecones to the wargs.

2. Just have Legolas arriving to warn Gandalf about the Angmar army, just before Gandalf goes to ask Thranduil for help. That would be enough; Legolas and Tauriel's mentions of Gundabad in the shores of Long Lake, along with their journey to Gundabad aren't needed.

3. As I said before, you should include the tree scene with Azog taunting Thorin about his father. Or in the goblin king scene, include a brief, seconds-long flashback of Azog killing Thrór and being disarmed by Thorin when the Goblin king mentions the pale orc.

4. I wish you can remove all of the gold statue bull***, the scene is just plain unbelievable and WTF. I hope you're able to remove Smaug's gold coating when he leaves the mountain.

5. I missed Azog's signs to his army in the battle. They made the battle look more like a tactical movement, though they may not be so necessary. You should include Thranduil and the elves retreating to Dale, so it's explained why they are suddenly there. If there are Wargs in the extended edition, please use them in later editions as they were an important part of the battle in the book.

6. I would like to have the enchanted river crossing though. The first half of the Mirkwood sequence is quite slow-paced, so the accident at the river could increase the tension a bit until the final spider encounter.

7. Not sure about this one. In the threatical version the separation of the company was only made to rush the love story. However it looks strange that four of the dwarves (including some of the main ones) don't have interventions during the Erebor entrance scene. It's difficult to include the Laketown scenes though, as the athelas curing, the orc raid and Tauriel's appearance are all cut. A possible solution is not including Bolg shooting Kili with the Morgul arrow at the barrel escape. Make it just a random wound during the escape (Kili could have hit himself against the barrel, some branch or rock during the ambush) but one that could be deep and painful.

8. I would include the Beorn scene because it's faithful to the book and gives Beorn more screentime. However I would make all the dwarves hurry in introducing themselves so they take less time to appear before Beorn.

If the extended editions has this scenes, please include the dwarves funeral, the treasure sharing and Dain's coronation, for a more satisfying ending.

Marius

6/18/2015 05:09:12 am

I agree with this! Btw, are you still planning on keeping the intermission..?

Ryan

8/16/2015 10:49:29 am

This edit is very professional. It is the best I have seen yet. I would only suggest two small changes.

One, add the scene of Azog on Weathertop. It introduces Azog as the villain and explains that he is hunting the dwarves. We don't need to see the elves ambush the orcs in order for this scene to work since Elrond mentions it in passing to Gandalf at Rivendell. Now, Azog would have proper introduction before his sudden appearance after the Goblin Town Escape sequence. I suggest inserting this scene in-between the Troll Cave scene and your edit to Rivendell. Hopefully, it should make that edit invisible since the camera is cutting back and forth.

Two, I also think the Stone Giant cut is somewhat noticeable. Bilbo suddenly appears hanging of the edge of the mountain. I realize it is implied that he slipped but it still doesn't look quite right. Instead, I suggest cutting straight to Thorin finding and entering the cave. Then, insert the extended scene of Bilbo and Elrond talking in Rivendell as a dream sequence since it provides motivation for Bilbo to want to leave the company. This was done very well in the 'There and Back Again' edit at 50:00. Perhaps, the scene could also be edited to make it appear more dream-like. For example, increasing the brightness or saturation slightly. Lastly,cut out Bilbo saying, 'Throin said I should never have come and he was right'.

Thank you for your hard work on this edit. I am looking forward to see what changes you make when BOFA EE is released!

Ryan

P.S.
My idea to get Smaug out of the mountain without the gold is to simply cut away when Smaug leaves Bilbo to either the scene of the dwarves when they say, "Was that an earthquake?" and Balin replies, "That, my lad, was a dragon" or the scene of Bard and his family when dust falls from the roof and Bard takes the black arrow and says, "Not if I kill it first". This would imply that Smaug broke through the door without having to show it. However, obviously it would be better if you could remove the gold coating from Smaug.

8/24/2015 06:43:17 am

Thanks for the comments Ryan! I'm going to rework that stone giants scene so we actually see Bilbo slip. I like your idea of cutting right to the cave and using the EE scene in Rivendell as a flashback. I'll mess around with that and see if it works or not.

Armando

9/28/2015 06:14:41 pm

+1!

Fred Chater

8/24/2015 04:27:35 am

Hello Dustin,

Many congratulations on your version - I enjoyed it hugely and expect it will become preferred version in the years ahead. I am also pleased to see the proposed changes you are looking at which will further improve something that is already working well. I do fall into the camp that likes the idea of adding in favourite book moments so I was happy to see you are looking to accommodate more of these (especially more Beorn, the eagle rescue and - hopefully - the enchanted stream).

However, I expect that a bigger problem for you might end up being what to cut, as the running time grows. For me there are a few areas that spring to mind:

1) After the goblin town rescue moves to Bilbo and Gollum, stay with those two characters and show no more of the Dwarves until they are seen running past the hidden Gollum. The Goblin chase never worked well to me in the PJ version so I advocate a case of less is more!
2) The barrel escape - avoid any contact with the orcs (I saw one clip where the scene went quickly with - other than a quick look from Legolas - no elves and orcs were seen. It didn't suffer from being short either!
3) Smaug - don't worry about removing the gold! Whatever the merits of seeing Smaug leaving the mountain, it is not essential to have that shot there. Which them means you can remove the dwarves and forges entirely from in-mountain sequences until after Smaug departs.

Those are my suggestions anyway and (apart from suggesting removing the fade to black / Hobbit credit during the smoke ring bit... better in the opening credits really as there is no longer any need for a subtitle) congratulations on your effort, which really improves on the original and makes these three films much more fun; a real case of the sum being better than the parts...

8/24/2015 06:57:38 am

Hi Fred, I have received a few comments from viewers that would like to see the goblin escape sequence shortened even more. To me, it was a much-needed action scene after so much buildup plus we actually get to see the dwarves use their weapons.

I did initially try to cut the orcs out of the barrel escape but it led to a chain reaction of continuity issues. Such as Kili's leg wound, Bard asking them about the arrow marks on the barrels, etc.

So you are suggesting to remove all of the gold statue-related clips, correct?

8/25/2015 02:01:09 am

I think removing the gold statue bits would work and simplify the need to digitally remove gold. You'd be heroic to do that... But I think equally valid, and faster for the run time would be removing any gold statue or gold coated dragon at all. I don't mind that sequence really but neither does it add much.

Appreciate your replies on the barrels and the goblin chase. I can see your points on these, and if it cannot be done without continuity issues, best not done at all, I agree.

Thanks for your kind reply and for all your efforts on this - really did enjoy your cut, and eagerly awaiting the final one!

Kyle

9/7/2015 07:48:46 am

Dustin:

Just found this last night and I'm super excited to watch it. I'm really glad you're doing this the highest quality video and audio you can get. That rocks.

One thing though that is bugging me: would you consider restoring the “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit" line to match the book (dropping the bit about all the comforts of home, etc.)? I have seen it done in another fan edit, and it made my day to hear the iconic line restored because I wasn't expecting it.

Thanks a lot for your hard work! Keep it up!

9/8/2015 07:39:08 am

Hi Kyle, I will check and see if I can fix Bilbo's line at the beginning. I honestly can't remember how it played out since I haven't watched the original film in a while!

9/10/2015 08:50:05 am

Awesome, thanks!

Also, I have a suggestion and a request.

- I think the appearance of the title (smoke ring against black) looks cheesy and doesn't fit with the film's mood at all. I liked the original better.

- I have put together a modified title graphic for this film based on the original The Hobbit film logotype. Could I email it to you, and would you be willing to consider using it (or at least take a look at it)? I drew up a vector drawing and a colored gold/chiseled/metal version in Illustrator and Photoshop, respectively.

Kyle

9/10/2015 09:31:14 am

Sure, I'd be willing to take a look at your modified title graphic. Send me your email address via the Contact form at the top of the page and we can go from there!

Will

9/23/2015 01:51:05 pm

I feel like in regards to number 5, you could include more battle footage to focus a bit more on Bard and Thranduil. Obviously you want to keep the focus of the battle on Bilbo and the dwarves. But just a few action shots here and there of Bard and Thranduil would give the battle a bit more variety and clarity.

Also, definitely add in more Mirkwood scenes from the EE. I feel like Mirkwood was one of the things from The Hobbit that PJ got really right. It would be awesome to see the enchanted river bit (more Bilbo, and a nice nod to the book), and more of the trippy bits as well.

Nicolas

10/21/2015 10:24:17 am

Hi Dustin

After watching the deleted scene of Bilbo burying Beorn's acorn in Dale halfway during the battle, I would be very glad if you manage to include it in your fan edit once you get the EE. I think it could be one of the best character moments in the entire film, it gives some protagonism to Bilbo and a very touching and optimistic message. It's a shame it wasn't included in the final cut. It was fantastic.

If you get this particular scene and include it in the final cut of your fan-edit, I would be very grateful.

Greetings!

10/21/2015 04:30:16 pm

I mean, I know some bits of the background are unfinished when Bilbo speaks, but I know you could do your best effort.

If you can't include it for whatever reason, I'd like to see the short scene between Bofur and Bilbo when the hobbit goes to Dale.

11/3/2015 08:43:37 am

Hi Nicolas, I have to admit I'm a bit torn on the acorn planting scene. It is nice to have a character moment with Bilbo, but at the same time I feel the scene is a little too preachy. Plus Martin Freeman's acting is surprisingly off here. I will try to include it but no promises! However, I can guarantee you the scene with Bofur and Bilbo will be in!

Andrés

11/4/2015 04:05:37 pm

Hi Dustin! I'm super excited by the work that you are doing! thank you so much for it. As you know there are other fanedits and there is one scene in one of them that I believe is really powerful. I was wondering if it would be possible for you to include something like it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d68YYGU0WMw

Anyway, please keep up the great work!

11/5/2015 09:00:26 am

Or at least to include the full song. I had the impression the song is pretty popular. I think is one of the best things in Jackson's realization :)

Fanedit Feedback & requests for changes

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Fanedit Feedback & requests for changes

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©2018 Maple films ltd.
all rights reserved