"The Hobbit" Character Interpretations: 1977 Cartoon v. Peter Jackson's Live Action Films

I, like many, grew up on a steady diet of Tolkien. Criticize the cartoons all you like, it was still a formative part of many people's childhoods. Some of the artistic renderings are truly creative and beautiful, and the same can be said for the new live-action version. Here are some basic side-by-side comparisons of how the films interpreted characters.

The Company- Cartoon

The Company- Live Action

Bilbo Baggins

Gandalf the Grey

Gollum/ Sméagol

Fili and Kili, Thorin's nephews

Both brothers were killed while defending the mortally wounded Thorin Oakenshield in the Battle of the Five Armies.

Dori and Nori

Dori was a dwarf of Durin's Folk who joined The Company with his two brothers, Nori and Ori

Nori was a Dwarf of Durin's folk who lived in the northern Blue Mountains in Thorin's Halls and later the restored Lonely Mountain

Ori

Ori is depicted here holding his book. Gandalf ultimately discovers with his body in Moria during the Fellowship of the Ring. Ori died writing the Book of Mazarbul.

Bifur and Bofur

A descendant of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm

Also a descendant of the Dwarves of Khazad-dûm

Balin was a Dwarf leader, the son of Fundin, and elder brother of Dwalin. A Dwarf Lord, Balin was old and wise, he was one of Thorin's closest friends and advisors, and was always willing to listen and offer wise counsel. Balin is distantly related to Thorin, and is a descendant of the noble house of Durin.

Durin later went to reestablish the kingdom of Dwarves, Moria, along with Ori and others, but in five years it was taken by Orcs, and he was killed there

Dwalin

Dwalin is the brother of Balin and the youngest son of Fundin.

Oin and Gloin

Oin, Gimli's Uncle

Gloin, Gimli's father

Bombur

Bombur, brother to Bofur and cousin to Bifur

Thorin Oakenshield: Thorin II, also called the Oakenshield, King under the Mountain or the Mountain King,[1] was the son of Thráin II, the older brother of Frerin and Dís, the grandson of King Thrór and the uncle of Fíli and Kíli. Thorin was best known for his deeds as leader of a company that infiltrated the lost Kingdom under the Mountain to take it back from Smaug and for leading an alliance of Men, Dwarves, and Elves in the Battle of the Five Armies.

No explanation needed really, but the rightful heir to the throne of the Dwarves. General badass. Dies in the Battle of the Five Armies

"Elvenking"

Aka Thranduil, only son of Oropher. Ruler of the Woodland Realm in the Second and Third Ages. Helped fight against Sauron in the War of the Ring. Father of Legolas.

Trolls!

Goblin king

"The Great Goblin"

Smaug- much more feline in the cartoon

Smaug, voiced by Beelzebub Crampyleg

FP EDIT:

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