Finally watched the Battle of Five Armies: Extended Edition. My Thoughts.

11/2/2015

Long post ahead, but I do hope that you read it all. Many of you know I'm not the biggest fan of the Hobbit trilogy in its current form, but I wanted to sit down and give Peter Jackson one last chance to redeem himself with the Battle of Five Armies Extended Edition. I've heard mixed opinions on the EE...some are happy to have what they feel should have been the TE, and others are still upset that more scenes weren't included. I tried going into this with an open mind, and did my best not to watch the film and think about which new scenes I would/wouldn't include in my Hobbit fan edit later this month. So! With all that being said, here's how I feel about the BOFA EE.

It sucks.

Maybe some of you are happy with it, but for the life of me I cannot fathom how anyone thinks this is a good film. The theatrical version was already violently incoherent, and almost fully devoid of Tolkien's spirit. This extended version is even MORE violent and only slightly less incoherent. There were such high hopes that PJ & Co would fix all the plot holes and unresolved arcs with the EE, and those hopes have been dashed in favor of tasteless blood and gore.

I've followed SO many speculative posts over this past year on TORN, with everyone weighing in on the awesome new footage we'd hope to see in the EE. We even tried estimating how much time each new scene would be given. Maybe 2-3 minutes for the Bilbo/Bofur scene, a meaty 4-5 minutes for the funeral and coronation, at least 1-2 minutes of Beorn tearing it up on the battlefield, proper conclusions for Bard and Thranduil. Yeah. Almost all of those estimates were way off. The funeral was largely disappointing for me, and there was no coronation...Dain nods his head and that's it. Better than nothing, I guess. Beorn got maybe 5-6 SECONDS of new footage, and is now officially the most shafted Tolkien character in this trilogy. But hey, we did get that nice scene with Bofur and Bilbo, right? Doesn't that excuse all the other shortcomings?

No, it does not. Which leads me to the other 90% of new footage. Violence, blood, guts, dismemberment, decapitations and so on. Oh, and more Alfrid. None of which actually moves the story forward. The last thing that BOFA needed was more violence for the sake of it. The man who brought us the LOTR films is not the same man who gave us these Hobbit films. Peter Jackson is clearly more interested in playing with his computer sandbox at WETA than actually delivering a satisfying story on film.

Don't blame the studio on allegedly withholding the additional 10 minutes of footage we were "promised." Don't hold out hope for a non-existent Super Extended Mega Mithril Edition. Will that honestly make this film THAT much better? The version of the Hobbit you are hoping to see does not exist. A few extra minutes of footage will not save it now.

I am now more convinced than ever that the only way I'll ever enjoy The Hobbit films is to watch a completely re-edited version of them. Without all the excess bloat and over-the-top violence that has ignored the charm and spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien's sublime little fantasy novel. I can only do so much with the footage available to work with, but I can assure you with all bias aside that there is a much better Hobbit film beneath the three films we've been given. And the nice part is that I'm only one of several people working on a fan edit of the Hobbit...so if you don't like the changes I've made than I'm sure you'll find another version that might suit your liking!

This was the last time I'll ever watch PJ's Hobbit films in their original form. From here on out I'm watching J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.

60 Comments

Peter

11/2/2015 08:35:27 pm

Hi Dustin, I can't tell you how much I agree with you about the EE edition of BOFA. It was a bad theatrical version, and a bad extended edition...

That being said, after seeing your fan edit, and seeing some of the extended scenes, I think the only thing that was a saving grace for me was that maybe, just maybe, JRR Tolkien's the Hobbit could use some of the battle scenes, funeral scene, and Bofur scenes to help make your version of the Hobbit complete. A tough task, but I believe you can do it Dustin!

Dustin

11/3/2015 08:06:26 am

Thanks Peter, it was a very disappointing Extended Edition for sure. I will be including a number of new scenes from the EE, but for the most part I will ignore the extra material. Too much violence and too little story/character development.

11/3/2015 12:30:01 pm

As I said Dustin, I'm very excited to see what you'll be able to salvage out of what could have been a great representation of the The Hobbit... I guess I'm curious as to weather or not you will start the battle the way the EE edition is, or the way the theatrical version was?

Nicolae Andrei

11/3/2015 02:48:13 pm

Me and a bunch of friends are preparing to do a middle earth marathon and we are basically waiting for your blu-ray final edit, which includes 1080p and DTS 5.1 sound. I have my own private small cinema and whilst there are portions that I enjoyed from the Hobbit, I believe that the original trilogy is overly bloated for no reason. As such, for me at least, your version will be the definite final edition of The Hobbit. So please, take your time and do it proper (as you usually do). Oh, and for the love of God, please remove the 15 minute break black screen from the middle of the movie...we have pause buttons now. Also, I don't know if you want to or not, but could you keep the original Hobbit logo that appears in the movie? It looks more like solid gold and better detailed, compared to the 2D logo you have used (I also like your logo too, just not as much).

11/3/2015 07:14:32 pm

Wow that's awesome to hear! I will be releasing the digital HD version first, and the Bluray version will come soon after that. It will be a two-disc set, so that means two very large ISO files to download. More details on that to come though.

As for the Intermission...come on now, it's only 2 minutes long haha. I like having it for several reasons...it breaks a very long 4-hour film in half in case you just want to watch the first or second part. Or if you do watch the whole thing at once, it gives you time to use the bathroom, make popcorn, or stretch your legs to avoid deep vein thrombosis. It's a nod to the old epics like Lawrence of Arabia. And last but not least, it's my way of acknowledging the exact point where PJ would have split the Hobbit when it was still two films.

As for the logo, I'm going to try using a different version for the opening credit. Thanks for the comments!

Allan

11/7/2015 07:44:08 am

It's the first I've heard about the 'intermission' and have to say I really like the idea. The break was always welcome while watching classic epics and I like seeing that transferred onto bluray as it was always part of the cinema experience, I'm nostalgic that way! Also the idea of having the break where the first film would have ended had it been in two parts is pretty cool. A welcome break to open another bottle of red...

Sandro

11/7/2015 01:07:03 pm

I am also a proponent of having the 2-minute intermission. True, we have pause buttons but we also have fast forward buttons. I myself think that this is the right point of the film to take a break. It's the moment at which I would stand up from my seat to stretch my legs and. Also: some people prefer to watch this as two separate movies, as originally intended for The Hobbit.

Jaime link

11/4/2015 03:02:18 am

Hi Dustin! I´m loging for your version!! I edited a spanish version in order to enjoy the movie in my language but I´m also excited about yours. Three litlle questions and one advice (if I may):

1.I did this edit for the Misty Mountains song and I also watched something similar in an english edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxdqBIEBGpk
I improved it later, of course, but the thing is that point in telling you this is that this flashback sequence would fit perfectly in your edition. It´s just 3 minutes long and gives the story a huge background you put also in the Durins Folk film but shortened in The Hobbit´s film.
2. As others told you, please not need for the intermission!!
3. I hope the beggining of the battle is the one of the Theatrical Version. What are your thoughts about it?

Thanks!

11/4/2015 06:17:11 am

Hi Jaime, thanks for the link. I have seen another fan edit that inserted Erebor flashbacks during the Misty Mountains song, and thought it was pretty cool. I'm not really sure I'd want to include it in my fan edit however, just because I'd like to keep The Lonely Mountain offscreen until the company actually reaches it in the film.

I will not be using the Extended Version of Dain's battle entrance. The goats and ballistas will not appear, and the elves and dwarves will not fight each other.

Dave

11/4/2015 08:51:44 am

Hi Dustin, I'm a big fan of your work and totally have faith your fan edit will be the best version of the Hobbit that we deserve!

That said. Are you sure about not including the beginning of the battle from the EE? It totally changes the mood and makes the elves joining together much more powerful. Also if gives a much needed explanation of how they get up to Ravenhill. I'm not sure if there is better way to get that point across.

Just food for thought. Would you reconsider using the EE opening of the battle? If not, how would you explain the dwarves getting up to Ravenhill?

As always, many thanks!

11/4/2015 10:23:40 am

Hi Dave, I am pretty set against using most of the EE battle footage. Especially the beginning where we see dwarves and elves killing each other. It didn't happen in the book and serves no purpose in the film.

There are no goats in my fan edit. Thorin tells Dain he is heading to Ravenhill, we get a few scenes with Bilbo and Gandalf to break things up, and eventually we come back to Thorin who has made it to Ravenhill. No goats!

Jeremy

1/18/2016 08:32:10 pm

Hi. Actually, it does happen in the book. "bows twang and their arrows begin to whistle" -- the dwarves and elves do just begin fighting before being interrupted

11/4/2015 11:29:22 am

I'm just wondering if it seems a little abrupt to all of a sudden have the crew at Ravenhill when its so far away and orcs are clearly all around thorin when he says that. I'm not trying to tell you how to do your edit, but I am wondering if you feel there is a continuity issue with that transition and if you use some (not all) of the cart scene maybe at the beginning, it can help with the transition of Erebor to Ravenhill. Again, its your edit, you can do what you want. Just thought I'd bring up a possible issue!

Many thanks again!

11/4/2015 12:43:02 pm

Thanks Dave, feel free to check out the April 2015 version of my fan edit on the Downloads page, so you can see how I approached that sequence. It hasn't really bugged me and I'd rather not add 2-3 minutes of superfluous CGI action just to show exactly how they get to Ravenhill.

Will

11/4/2015 11:29:50 am

Couldn't agree more, Dustin. I'm actually more excited for your edit than I was to see ROTK in cinemas 12 years ago. I can't wait to marathon your edit alongside Peter Jackson's LOTR trilogy.

On another note, do you think you could enlighten us to what you're going to include from BOFA's EE? Also, do you think you could include the Mirkwood EE scenes? Specifically when Bilbo and the dwarves cross the river, as well as the part where the dwarves are arguing before the spider attack? In my opinion, Mirkwood was one of the high points of DOS for me.

11/4/2015 12:44:38 pm

That's great to hear! I will be making a separate post about my planned edits for the BOFA EE soon. I doubt that I'll include the Mirkwood EE stuff though...it really slows the pace of the film down and adds very little to the story.

11/4/2015 01:21:51 pm

I think the river scene is a really good nod to the book, allows for a bit of comic relief, and gives Bilbo more screen time (at the end of the day, more Martin Freeman is never a bad thing). However, you could make a few cuts as the scene does go on for about 4-5 minutes.

I did notice in the background of the scene where Bilbo climbs the tree, you can see some of the dwarves carrying an unconscious Bombur. So it might be a good idea to show he became unconscious.

But, at the end of the day, it's up to you. I'm just offering my feedback.

11/4/2015 12:08:45 pm

I agree with you completely Dustin. When I saw The Battle of the Five Armies in theaters I already knew there was something really off about it. I maintained that it was still a fun film, but now I've really come to realise that the movie as a whole is actually flawed. It has some wonderful scenes for sure... But the extended edition once again proves that there isn't much to improve upon.

I really hoped to see the thrush re-inserted as the one to inform Bard of Smaug's weak spot. I don't even think that scene was filmed in the first place... I was also looking forward to Alfrid's death scene since that seemed like the only way to redeem this character for even existing. But his actual death scene just made him worse.

But look on the bright side: we did get two or three nice new scenes, especially the one with Bofur (who is one of the best characters). The funeral and 'coronation' scene, though too brief, are still loaded with emotion and will do just fine I think. One extra minute of Beorn kicking orc ass? Better than nothing... I think once your edit is finished it will seem like all the bad stuff never existed in the first place.

One question, now that you have seen all the material... are you still planning to kill Alfrid off during Smaug's attack? Maybe you should do another list on what new changes we could expect in the final edit.

My regards,

Sandro

11/4/2015 12:44:22 pm

I believe Dustin has mentioned that he intends to completely remove Alfrid after Smaug's death (hooray!). So we're left to assume that he dies at the same time as The Master.

11/6/2015 01:27:34 pm

Yes I'll probably re-insert that shot of Alfrid getting kicked off the boat, since it's only a few seconds.

11/4/2015 12:53:29 pm

I just went through the shores of Laketown footage last night, to see if I could pull Alfrid out completely. I don't think it will be possible. The way the scene is structured and paced makes it extremely difficult to avoid Alfrid. This is a nagging issue for me and I'd like to solve it, but we might just have to deal with a bit of Alfrid after Smaug's attack.

As for the funeral, I'm only planning to cut that single shot of Gandalf, Radagast and Beorn. Radagast is right in the middle and I don't think I can remove him. It's a horribly green-screened shot anyways.

11/6/2015 12:25:46 pm

For the sake of continuity, would you consider including the scene where The Master kicks Alfrid off the boat, just to show how he's still alive after Smaug's attack?

11/4/2015 12:29:51 pm

Oh, and one other question about the funeral scene. I myself would suggest including it as a whole since the last thing it needs to be is shorter. It's also nice to see Beorn one last time. Then again, you did go out of your way to delete Radagast from the picture. So how are you going to fix that? He does look a bit like a dwarf, so he could easily be just an extra who people will overlook. Also, since he is present in your Durin's folk companion film... it's not that bad to acknowledge in this movie he exists.

11/4/2015 03:40:55 pm

Dustin. I've researched the scene and, to be honest, I have completed faith in your editing and story telling skills as a movie editor that whatever you decide, even if its not every little thing everyone wants, will end up being the best version of the Hobbit there can be!! Best wishes to you as you head towards your Dec. 1st release date. I'm so excited for it!!

Sam

11/4/2015 10:05:20 pm

Hi Dustin. Huge fan of your work and I have no doubt your final edition will be awesome!! That being said, after watching your edit, I have one minor continuity concern that maybe you can explain for me.

When Thorin and Azog begin fighting after Fili and Kili's death on Ravenhill, they engage in fighting against each other, then it cuts to bolg knocking out Bilbo and Dealing fighting, then when we see Tjorin and Azog again, they are far apart for some reason. Is there anyway to show why they are far apart when the last time we saw them they were engaged in hand to hand combat?

Your input would be appreciated!

11/5/2015 07:46:26 am

Thanks Sam, you may remember in the original film that Azog knocks Thorin on the ice and inexplicably sends a video-game style wave of orcs to finish him off. I cut this part because like I said, it feels like a video game, and it cheapens Azog's desire to fight/kill Thorin personally.

So in my fan edit, we just have to assume Thorin and Azog continue fighting while we see Bilbo get knocked out and the bats descend on the battlefield, leading to them facing off on the ice.

11/5/2015 11:03:38 am

I think you could include a little more of the Thorin/Azog fight showing Azog knocking Thorin onto the ice, intercutting it with the other material you have already (the bats attacking, Bilbo and Dwalin fighting the Orcs). But cut out the rest of the orcs that appear out of nowhere. You could still have Thorin the two orcs that attack him in the stone structure, assuming that they're some of Azog's orcs that were present when he killed Fili, and that those orcs attack Thorin out of their own volition.

But I do agree that Azog sending in orcs cheapens their final fight, so maybe you could cut just as Azog knocks Thorin onto the ice, as well as remove Azog's dialogue and subtitles.

11/5/2015 12:52:47 pm

That is actually a really good point I never thought about: the idea that Azog using henchmen cheapens the idea of him trying to kill Thorin personally. Still, like Sam said: there is the small continuity issue of Thorin and Azog being far apart and staring each other down spaghetti Western-style for no reason. It's also weird to see all those dead orcs on the ice, since there's really no one around to have killed them. Maybe this could be solved the following way:

- Extend the first battle between Thorin and Azog a little bit: show the part where Thorin knocks Azog off the stairs.
- After that, Thorin gets attacked by a wave of orcs (who don't seem to be directly following Azog's orders, they're just reacting to him being knocked out). Thorin kills a few of them.
- Azog then appears and knocks Thorin on the ice. You could change Azog's subtitles to have him say something like: 'leave him to me!'. On the run Thorin kills one more orc who happens to be standing on the ice.
- Then cut away before we see the second wave of orcs jumping on the ice.

This wouldn't explain how ALL those dead orcs got on the ice... maybe the rocks are a real slippery slope. The way I see it, there's no perfect solution for this issue. So maybe Dustin's current version is the best we will get.

11/5/2015 01:29:16 pm

In the end, I think if Dustin wouldn't mind working on seeing if he could make it work somewhat better for continuity reasons, that would be great. But if Dustin feels like it would make the film worse off, then I'd say we should just trust Dustin to make it the best way he sees fit!

11/5/2015 03:18:23 pm

I think the way you've laid it sounds really good. I guess the only way we'll be able to find out if it works is if Dustin tries it out himself and uploads it here for feedback.

But, as Sam says, if he feels like it would diminish the quality of the film, then I trust Dustin's judgment.

Trevor

11/5/2015 08:39:15 am

Completely agree with your last comment Dustin. Overall I feel PJ made his action scenes waayyy too much like a video game. I love how you've been able to take out the "lucky falling" from most of the action scenes but have still kept some of the realistic battle moments from those scenes (ex. Goblin tunnels, barrel chase, inside Erebor) it keeps the action but removes the stupidity, a true sign of Superior editing on your part.

I'm wondering if you are also working on you side quest with the extra EE scenes and if the Beorn intro or mirkwood river would make it into that film. I think someone with your editing skills could make those scenes (particularly the Beorn intro) work in the side quest because we are never fully introduced to the dwarves in that film.

11/5/2015 08:44:48 am

Thanks, I do plan on trying to work Beorn's EE intro into my side quest edit. The Mirkwood river scene wouldn't make sense because we're following Gandalf at that point!

11/5/2015 10:38:59 am

That sounds awesome Dustin! I feel like your side quest allows for scenes that are nice and everything, but would slow down the pace of the Hobbit main film. This way, all the scenes are there in a much more cohesive way and its more enjoyable all the way around! I must say, your version of the main film, side quest, trailor, one minute gag reel, and menu with subtitles (hopefully!) Will be the definitive Hobbit edition I've been hoping for since they announced they would be made. Thanks so much for your hard work and dedication that many fans, movies and book fans alike, will now treasure forever!!

God bless you good sir. Can't wait!!

Nathan

11/5/2015 03:57:56 pm

Dustin. I believe that the clip of the Azog vs Thorin showdown that's on the Facebook page has Thorin falling down from the rocks, then it cuts to Dwalin and Bilbo, then when it comes back, Thorin and Azog have their showdown. Since Thorin falls from the rocks, he's separate from Azog, so when we come back to them, it seems to explain why they are separate. Not sure if you would want to do this scene that way again, but its the video from the Facebook page if you think its better that way. You did both edits so it s up to you lol. Love your work btw

Jacob

11/6/2015 11:16:56 am

Hi Dustin. This is more a question about DOS, but is there a reason given for why Bard is arrested? Or is it simply because the master doesn't like him and he is a trouble maker? Not sure of this is a consistency issue with your edit or the source. I'd like to know!

11/6/2015 11:46:31 am

Yeah, Bard's story line is very tricky actually. I think I need to re-insert the first scene with the Master and Alfrid talking about Bard being a troublemaker, otherwise there's not enough context for why he is arrested.

If I remove Bard's arrest completely, that would require a ton of restructuring and still wouldn't cover up some plot holes that would arise.

11/6/2015 12:51:34 pm

I think you need to keep the Bard being arrested arc. I think I'm putting either that first scene, the extra scene from DOS EE or a mixture of the two where Alfird and the master discuss arresting Bard. Try to keep Alfrid out as much as possible if you can tho lol

11/6/2015 01:29:55 pm

Alfrid will appear in the film for the absolute minimum amount of time needed to have the story make sense! I don't mind adding the scene with him and the Master back in.

George

11/6/2015 03:43:15 pm

Dustin, I believe the fight with azog and thorin (someone else mentioned this) used to be edited differently than your final version which had thorin fall off the rocks and then the scene cut like in this edit of yours

https://vimeo.com/123344182

Will you be editing it back like this or will you keep the duel as is currently constructed?

11/8/2015 07:29:41 am

I have since added a few extra seconds of Thorin and Azog fighting, yes.

11/9/2015 06:21:25 pm

Do you think the extra fighting scences help the movie more, or did you like your initial edit more? Are you OK with how it transitions to Thorin and Azog staring at each other for a final showdown? Just wondering! Love what you've done!

11/9/2015 06:44:21 pm

It was nice to have some more dwarf-related battle shots to work with. There should have been way more Beorn than what we got in the EE, so I'm still not happy about that. Overall I think the battle flows better with the extra 1-2 minutes of footage I've added in. The Thorin/Azog showdown works just fine for me!

Dante

11/7/2015 01:32:12 pm

I cannot agree with you enough, Dustin. I also cannot wait for the full release, and have been preparing for it by buying blank DVDs for it alone. I hope you are still planning on a DVD ISO release alongside the bluray.

11/8/2015 07:31:02 am

Yep, DVD ISO is still on the menu! Make you have dual-layer DVDs by the way. It will be a two-disc set. More info on that soon.

Adam

11/8/2015 04:39:41 am

Dustin, whats did you think about the funeral scene? Too short or just right? have you seen the clips of Gandalfs eulogy at all? Maybe you could use his voice over to lengthen the funeral scene...

11/8/2015 07:35:04 am

I liked the funeral scene...not as good or long as I had expected it to be but still baffling that it was cut from the theatrical version. I am planning to insert Gandalf's eulogy into the finished sequence, yes! But the overall length will still be the same.

Fuzz

11/11/2015 12:53:17 pm

Might I recommend adding the deleted scene of Bilbo planting the acorn if you've seen it? I really don't like Bard's speech (very hammy), but I do quite like Bilbo in it. Perhaps Bard's bit could be edited out, so it just looks like him and Gandalf are despairing and that prompts Bilbo to plant the acorn?

11/11/2015 04:45:13 pm

I have seen the acorn planting scene. It's just a bit too preachy and hammy all around. I feel like they were trying to mimic Sam's speech at the end of Two Towers but it came off wrong. I can see why they decided to cut it, so I will probably leave it out of my fan edit.

11/12/2015 10:11:24 am

Fair enough, though if you're wavering, count me as a vote that would like to see more Bilbo!

Big fan of your work by the way, your fan edit makes the most sense to me and feels the most seamless of any that I've seen.

Nicolas

11/12/2015 09:52:22 am

I think the Extended Edition still has some few scenes worth of being included in your final edit. This is my opinion,

-Smaug chases Bard: 50/50. There are like, just 30 seconds of new footage in Esgaroth, so there wouldn't be much difference if you don't include it.

-Bilbo's chat with Bofur at the parapet. It resembles a scene from the book (just with Bofur instead of Bombur) and is one of the only scenes that provides some character moments. Also it deepens on the Bilbo-Bofur friendship.

-Battle scenes: I'd only include the shots of Thranduil and Dain fighting, cutting the troll with demolition balls. In your current edit the first stages of the battle seemed too short for me, and the sad "Darkest Hour" music appeared out of nowhere just moments after the battle started. Personally, I would be glad if your manage to include some extra battle moments.
-The Gundabad Army: As you cut the Gundabad scenes with Tauriel and Legolas, we never have a proper look of the Gundabad Army. You should include those ten extra seconds that show the Gundabad Orcs just before Azog and Thorin's duel.
-Beorn and the Eagles: Sadly there weren't many extended shots of Beorn and the Eagles during the battle, but you could easily add the extended shots of Beorn fighting the Gundabad Army.
-Thorin's Funeral: I think you should include the whole scene, though I don't know if you can digitally remove Radagast from that one shot. Also you could use Gandalf's deleted speech as a voiceover.

Other ideas:
I think it would be nice to have the Laketown politics scene back, because we see Bard being arrested by the Master without previous explanation. Hopefully with more Master and less Alfrid.

You could add the short scene with Legolas arriving to Dale and warning Gandalf and Bilbo about the Gundabad Army (so the appearance of the northern orcs makes sense later in the battle). No need for Tauriel shots.

Greetings!

11/12/2015 10:13:53 am

I agree almost 100% with your post. Just about everything you've listed is how I am approaching the EE!

Ryan

11/25/2015 09:20:22 am

Personally, I would also keep the fight between the dwarves and the elves at the start of the battle. I know it doesn't add anything story-wise, but it was very cool. When I was watching BOFA in cinemas, I was really looking forward to seeing the dwarves and elves face off. And when it didn't happen I was a bit disappointed, so I was glad to see it in the EE. There is also another scene where the elves launch a volley of arrows onto the orcs, which was very cool too. So, I would like to see both of those in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.

Gabriel Miller

11/13/2015 10:19:34 pm

Hey! I have seen a few edits of these movies and have to say that this one is for sure the best. Along with others, I agree that more scenes of the BOFA could be added, but I would suggest two altercations. I personally cannot stand Dain. I know his character is important but the CGI is just silly looking to me. I think the movie could go without him. Also, the battle between Azog and Thorin on the ice is pretty strange. I have mentally compiled parts of the fight between those two into a more coherent less weird fight scene that I think could be edited to flow smoothly. If anyone can do it, I know you can. Just some suggestions.

Eric P.

11/29/2015 11:02:06 am

Dustin,

There is a roughly one-minute or so sequence on Youtube of Beorn fighting a bunch of orcs on the field and on the mountainside that culminates in him killing a troll and standing over its body letting out a triumphant roar from the behind-the-scenes material. It looks like it is only pre-viz and it is extremely far from finished. Much of it is simply grey and blocky but it in my opinion it is a absolutely crucial scene to the story. The film feels extremely incomplete without it. It caps off the Beorn storyline in an at least somewhat satisfactory fashion while also showing what actually happens to the Gundabad army, as the eagles are seen swooping in and out of frame and in the background reeking havoc on the orcs.

If you look at the sequence there may be a way to finish at least some of it off to an acceptable level. I know this might sound crazy, but I feel like it could almost look impressionistic, like some of the artwork and paintings I have seen depicting the Battle of Five Armies where everything is shrouded in smoke and Beorn's rage and size has turned him into a force of nature.

I know you have already done an INSANE amount of work on your edit, and it is greatly appreciated by many, many people around the world - but I just wanted to know your thoughts on this sequence. It is something I would be interested in tackling myself or finding others to help.

Honestly, I am not one to even care about finished CGI or missing backgrounds if the scene is important to the narrative, but I know you have done a lot of extremely hard work to make your version of the films look incredible and finished. The behind-the-scenes material from this trilogy is absolutely brimming over with unused footage of incredible actors in scenes that completely enrich the story and infuse the narrative with sorely lacking character moments - it is such an incredible shame that Peter Jackson had no use or time for such things and chose instead to focus on stupid, slapstick humor and inane, cartoonish CGI action.

11/29/2015 12:34:08 pm

Hi Eric, I watched that deleted Beorn sequence and there is absolutely no way I can use it. The animation is a rough pre-viz...the effects are on par with an advanced N64 game. Plus there are no finished sound effects. I'm sorry but that's just impossible for me to do.

11/29/2015 01:24:49 pm

Dustin,

Thanks for the quick response. I don't want to seem ungrateful for all of the hard work you have done. I completely understand about the Beorn sequence. It is in extremely rough shape. I guess I was just getting carried away with wishful thinking. With more than an additional year to work and no ratings restriction whatsoever and no limit on run-time that we know of, why the (heck) was this sequence left out???

In your opinion what do you think happened with these films - did Peter Jackson run out of money or did he just stop giving a (crap)? Even in extended edition form the movie feels woefully incomplete as if at a certain point everyone just walked away from it and that's what we ended up with. I honestly feel like he was sick of the entire endeavor by the time BOTFA came around and that they maybe did a few weeks of extra work for the extended edition but then just called it a day and that's what we got.

11/29/2015 04:24:30 pm

It's OK. The Hobbit films were hamstrung from the beginning for a variety of reasons, and I don't think it's fair to blame Peter Jackson directly for a lot of things. He was put under tremendous time constraints by the studios and everything just boiled over when they decided to make a trilogy. To me, the single character that suffered the most from the production troubles was Beorn. From what I've read and heard rumors of, he had a much larger role in the film(s) before they decided to expand Legolas further. When you come down to it, Beorn's only real contribution to the entire plot in the films is that he lets the dwarves borrow his ponies until they reach Mirkwood. That's it.

11/29/2015 08:58:22 pm

Dustin,

On one hand I do agree that Peter Jackson was under enormous pressure and all sorts of time constraints, but on the other hand the guy is a professional who spent $745,000,000.00 of other people's money to do a job and at the end of the day that job just didn't come out that good at all.

I don't really buy the time-constraint argument for the extended edition either, as they had an entire year of extra time to work on the film. A year should be far more than enough time to complete scenes that were simply too rushed for the original release. I really am baffled as to how especially this third film was allowed to be released as such sloppy, incoherent, unsatisfying mess.

Alex

3/3/2016 04:48:33 am

Thanks for all of your hard work on the final HD edit, Dustin. JRR Tolkein's The Hobbit is one I will watch over and over again and will introduce my kids to when they're older. I've donated fifty bucks via paypal - hope it helps! Cheers, Alex

3/7/2016 11:53:56 am

Wow, thank you Alex! That really means a lot to me!

JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit