The Hobbit vs The Lord of the Rings

7. Rivendell

Criticised by many for its inclusion in The Hobbit, Rivendell's importance in the quest for Erebor cannot be questioned. Without the wisdom and guidance of the elven lord Elrond, the company could never have hoped to uncover the secret entrance into the lower passages of the Lonely Mountain.

In terms of representation, Jackson's alternative perspective of Rivendell in An Unexpected Journey is one of joyous wonder; there is an air of elegance and mysticism that was never apparent in The Fellowship of the Ring, and the film certainly benefits from it.

For the sake of comparison, this entry will not contrast Rivendell with Rivendell - there is no logic in that. However, both films do convene a separate council whilst in the home of Elrond. In An Unexpected Journey, Jackson's inclusion of the White Council - a meeting that never occurred in the text - ties both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings into one another nicely, emphasising to the audience that both stories are, essentially, congruent with one another. However, when held up against the Council of Elrond, it fails to surpass the sheer majesty of such a gathering.

Winner - The Fellowship of the Ring