3. Writing
J. R. R. Tolkien may be a genius, the voice of a sub culture and one of the most successful authors of all time but his story wasn't suitable for screen (as the Rankin Bass animated picture will attest). The structure of the book is as follows, the Dwarves get into trouble, Gandalf, Bilbo or the Eagles get them out of it... repeat. This type of story just wouldn't have worked in a modern day movie as it s episodic nature just isn't suitable for film screenplays. What a film needs is an overarching plot featuring character development and themes and Jackson's team provide. The inclusion of the acknowledgment that both Bilbo and the dwarves are constantly preoccupied with thoughts of their homes is a clever stroke as Bilbo is always talking about his 'nice cosey Hobbit hole' in the book. In fact whenever there is a quiet moment he goes off into a fantasy about nice buttered crumpets before the fire in his living room. Whenever he is in need of courage he reassures himself with a flash back to one of his many guest bedrooms. The dwarves quest too is to find a way to reclaim their home. The identification of this connection in Bilbo soliloquy just before the climax unites the group and allows the audience more sympathy with the dwarves than in the book (where they are a whiny, self righteous bunch) since they have this connection with our every man Bilbo. In addition the relationships between the characters that were added into the film make for more rounded interpretations of the characters. Gandalf and Thorin's confrontations over power over the group make for some interesting viewing whilst the surprisingly vocal Bifur's friendship with Bilbo gives him valid motivation to stay. Overall the writing of the film fills in plot holes or unanswered questions about the story of the book and provides for the reader a fuller version of the famous tale.