Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

PlatinumRead Just so...so bad

MonsterPerfect Good idea lost in the noise

Bob This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

weirdok I remember not too long ago, when Tolkien fans would trash this cartoon saying it was silly, stupid and such. I felt weird because, I loved this cartoon to death! If you ask me. it was a much better adaptation than the mega budget recent production.The part that always glued me to the set and still gives me chills to hear today, is when Bard takes up the black arrow. Nuff said. This was one of the book's greatest moments and has never since been portrayed in film as successfully as in this film.Beat me with a stick if you like, but I love the songs too.The voice acting was incredible. I don't think people even have the capability today to enjoy the excellent characterizations and talent displayed in this wonderful little film. It's like going back to watch Lon Chaney portraying the "Phantom of the Opera" and really grasping what a fantastic silent actor he really was.Yet, you can! Give it a try. This is definitely like finding your old childhood teddy bear still quite huggable. :D

TheLittleSongbird I don't think The Hobbit is one of Rankin/Bass' best productions, but it is I feel better than it is given credit. Okay, the film is too short and the character designs do look rushed and not particularly appealing, for example while I can see the intent Gollum's description from the book is taken too literally here. However there are a lot of praiseworthy things. The backgrounds and colours are quite atmospheric and handsome, a little like Flight of Dragons and Last Unicorn though not quite as good. The music is good, the lyrics are true in spirit to Tolkein and the style didn't jar too much and sticks in your head. The Greatest Adventure was the standout. The dialogue is droll with the dwarfs yet thoughtful with Gandalf, and while slow moving and quite simple- too much for some- the story does have the essence of fantasy and adventure with a Riddles of the Dark scene that is both terrifying and moving. The characters are just as memorable as in the book, especially Gandalf, Gollum and Smaug. Bilbo is a likable "goes-on-a-journey"(from a story and character standpoint) character, and the dwarfs have distinctive personalities. The voice acting is terrific and for me the most consistent asset of the film, John Huston IS Gandalf and Brother Theodore's voice for Gollum will send shivers up the spine. Orson Bean is a likable Bilbo, and Richard Boone and Hans Conried are similarly perfect for Thorin and Smaug. All in all, an above decent animated adaptation. And I personally do prefer it over Peter Jackson's recent version(which I actually did like), which had the stronger production values and music and an even better Riddles of the Dark scene, but to me we get to know the characters more here and the script and story seemed more focused. 8/10 for this version though. Bethany Cox

richard.fuller1 What I fondly remember is this premiered on Thanksgiving or at best, the day before, but I think it was on Thursday.And it would run incredible lengths, nearly 30 minutes, before it would go to a commercial. It was evenly divided between the commercial breaks like this, long stretches.It was Rankin-Bass artwork and style, but that never bothered me.I would not see this thing again, after the '77 viewing, until I found it on VHS tape and ordered it, nearly 25 years later.Enjoyed it then, enjoy it now.

siderite I am rating below average because it is really quaint, with choir songs that tell the story and all characters in the film seeming rather simple minded. The animation is not great either, but today's standards, probably looking old even by 1977 standards.The story is that of a hobbit convinced (almost coerced) by Gandalf to go on an adventure with some dwarfs. His purpose: a burglar, to get some gold and split it with the 13 dwarfs. Of course, there is something weird with that, but only at the end Gandalf's plan will be revealed.The characters are all goofy, including Gandalf, and for no good reason, either. While I enjoyed watching it, the film rather bored me and I would not recommend it to anyone.