The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood
Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in the Shire, until Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) arrives and persuades Bilbo to join a group of dwarves, who are on a quest to reclaim the kingdom of Erebor. The journey takes Bilbo on a path through treacherous lands swarming with orcs, goblins and other dangers; not the least of which is an encounter with Gollum (Andy Serkis) and a simple gold Ring, that is tied to the fate of Middle Earth in ways Bilbo cannot even fathom.
Choice plays a powerful role in this film and nowhere is it illustrated more vividly than in the character of Bilbo Baggins, and the choices that he must make, as he embarks on this journey with Gandalf and the Dwarves. While Bilbo faces difficult choices as the quest unfolds, his most significant choices are made when this little Hobbit is alone.
Bilbo’s first choice comes when he must decide whether to follow Gandalf and the Dwarves on their noble quest to reclaim the Dwarves kingdom of Erebor or stay safely tucked away in his warm and comfortable Hobbit-hole. Initially, Bilbo adamantly refuses Gandalf’s invitation to go on an adventure – calling adventures a disturbing and uncomfortable thing that will make you late for dinner. Although Gandalf tries to compel Bilbo to change his mind and join them – first by sending a gaggle of Dwarves into Bilbo’s home, to enjoy a feast and have their secret meeting, (which makes the little Hobbit most perturbed), and then by asking Bilbo to which side of his character he wishes to be: the brave and adventurous Took, or the timid and well-mannered Baggins, Bilbo only chooses to join their Company when he wakes up alone the next morning.
Bilbo’s next choice - choosing to show mercy to Gollum, after he (Bilbo) takes the One Ring - is one illustration of a choice that Bilbo makes on his own. When Gandalf gives Bilbo the Elvish sword, Bilbo says that he has never used a sword in his life. Gandalf wisely tells Bilbo in this moment, “True courage is about knowing when to take a life and when to spare one.” We see the Dwarves running past Bilbo with Gandalf leading them. Gollum is sitting there, unaware that Bilbo is watching him from the shadows. As he watches Gollum search for him, Bilbo faces a choice: does he kill Gollum in this moment, or does he show mercy and follow the Dwarves? We know from Gandalf's talk with Frodo that Bilbo is not going to kill Gollum in this moment – that instead, he shows Gollum pity - but this moment is crucial for Bilbo, because this moment cements Bilbo's story arc as a noble character; this character who has changed from the stuffy, timid Hobbit, into this brave and noble – albeit unexpected – hero, who wants to help the Dwarves reclaim their home. Bilbo shows honor and true courage in this moment, by allowing Gollum to keep his life, despite knowing that Gollum tricked him in their game of riddles and tried to kill him.
Bilbo’s final choice comes when the company have escaped from the Goblin King’s lair. He is still wearing the Ring, and while he is invisible, Bilbo overhears the Dwarves say that he has abandoned them. Bilbo could have easily chosen to just slip away in this moment, and return to his warm, comfortable Hobbit hole, and no one would have been the wiser. It is in this moment, that Bilbo, without any coercing from Gandalf or the Dwarves, willingly chose to reunite with them and help Thorin find his home again. When the Orcs attack Thorin, and he is lying helpless and defeated, it is Bilbo who bravely returns to defend his fallen comrade. And it is this decision…putting the Dwarves lives before his own, that proves to Thorin that Bilbo has courage and a loyal heart, and this is what makes Bilbo a truly honorable character.
Director: Peter Jackson
Cast: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Andy Serkis, Ian Holm, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood
Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) lives a simple life with his fellow hobbits in the Shire, until Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) arrives and persuades Bilbo to join a group of dwarves, who are on a quest to reclaim the kingdom of Erebor. The journey takes Bilbo on a path through treacherous lands swarming with orcs, goblins and other dangers; not the least of which is an encounter with Gollum (Andy Serkis) and a simple gold Ring, that is tied to the fate of Middle Earth in ways Bilbo cannot even fathom.
Choice plays a powerful role in this film and nowhere is it illustrated more vividly than in the character of Bilbo Baggins, and the choices that he must make, as he embarks on this journey with Gandalf and the Dwarves. While Bilbo faces difficult choices as the quest unfolds, his most significant choices are made when this little Hobbit is alone.
Bilbo’s first choice comes when he must decide whether to follow Gandalf and the Dwarves on their noble quest to reclaim the Dwarves kingdom of Erebor or stay safely tucked away in his warm and comfortable Hobbit-hole. Initially, Bilbo adamantly refuses Gandalf’s invitation to go on an adventure – calling adventures a disturbing and uncomfortable thing that will make you late for dinner. Although Gandalf tries to compel Bilbo to change his mind and join them – first by sending a gaggle of Dwarves into Bilbo’s home, to enjoy a feast and have their secret meeting, (which makes the little Hobbit most perturbed), and then by asking Bilbo to which side of his character he wishes to be: the brave and adventurous Took, or the timid and well-mannered Baggins, Bilbo only chooses to join their Company when he wakes up alone the next morning.
Bilbo’s next choice - choosing to show mercy to Gollum, after he (Bilbo) takes the One Ring - is one illustration of a choice that Bilbo makes on his own. When Gandalf gives Bilbo the Elvish sword, Bilbo says that he has never used a sword in his life. Gandalf wisely tells Bilbo in this moment, “True courage is about knowing when to take a life and when to spare one.” We see the Dwarves running past Bilbo with Gandalf leading them. Gollum is sitting there, unaware that Bilbo is watching him from the shadows. As he watches Gollum search for him, Bilbo faces a choice: does he kill Gollum in this moment, or does he show mercy and follow the Dwarves? We know from Gandalf's talk with Frodo that Bilbo is not going to kill Gollum in this moment – that instead, he shows Gollum pity - but this moment is crucial for Bilbo, because this moment cements Bilbo's story arc as a noble character; this character who has changed from the stuffy, timid Hobbit, into this brave and noble – albeit unexpected – hero, who wants to help the Dwarves reclaim their home. Bilbo shows honor and true courage in this moment, by allowing Gollum to keep his life, despite knowing that Gollum tricked him in their game of riddles and tried to kill him.
Bilbo’s final choice comes when the company have escaped from the Goblin King’s lair. He is still wearing the Ring, and while he is invisible, Bilbo overhears the Dwarves say that he has abandoned them. Bilbo could have easily chosen to just slip away in this moment, and return to his warm, comfortable Hobbit hole, and no one would have been the wiser. It is in this moment, that Bilbo, without any coercing from Gandalf or the Dwarves, willingly chose to reunite with them and help Thorin find his home again. When the Orcs attack Thorin, and he is lying helpless and defeated, it is Bilbo who bravely returns to defend his fallen comrade. And it is this decision…putting the Dwarves lives before his own, that proves to Thorin that Bilbo has courage and a loyal heart, and this is what makes Bilbo a truly honorable character.