The Hobbit (1977 film)

The Hobbit
Cover of 1991 USA video release
Genre	Fantasy
Based on	The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Written by	Romeo Muller
Directed by	Arthur Rankin, Jr. Jules Bass
Starring	Orson Bean Richard Boone Hans Conried John Huston Otto Preminger Cyril Ritchard Theodore
Theme music composer	Glenn Yarbrough
Composer(s)	Maury Laws
Country of origin	United States Japan
Original language(s)	English
Production
Producer(s)	Arthur Rankin, Jr. Jules Bass
Running time	78 minutes
Production company(s)	Rankin/Bass Topcraft ABC Video Enterprises
Budget	US$3 million
Release
Original network	NBC
Original release	November 27, 1977 (1977-11-27)
Chronology
Followed by	The Return of the King

The Hobbit is a 1977 animated musical television special created by Rankin/Bass, a studio known for their holiday specials, and animated by Topcraft, a precursor to Studio Ghibli, using lyrics adapted from the book. The film is an adaptation of the 1937 book of the same name by J. R. R. Tolkien and was first broadcast on NBC in the United States on Sunday, November 27, 1977.

The plot of the animated production is in most respects similar to that of the book; but certain plot points are significantly compressed or removed due to the time limitations of the format. In addition, certain scenes are obviously edited for commercial breaks. In general, alterations are confined to simple omission of detail, and the plot adheres to the written text, including lyrics adapted from the songs in the book but in much longer and greater format.

The film was produced and directed by Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass of Rankin/Bass Productions and was adapted for the screen by Romeo Muller, with Rankin taking on the additional duties of production designer. When interviewed for the film, Rankin declared that he would add nothing to the story that wasn't in the original.The New York Times reported that The Hobbit cost $3 million.

The story's hero, Bilbo Baggins, is voiced by Orson Bean, backed up by noted Hollywood director and actor John Huston as the voice of Gandalf. In supporting roles, the comedian and performance artist Brother Theodore was chosen for the voice of Gollum, and Thurl Ravenscroft performed the baritone singing voices of the goblins. The gravelly voice of the dragon Smaug was provided by Richard Boone, with Hans Conried as Thorin Oakensheild, rounding out the cast of primarily American voice actors.