Journal Post 3: Comparison to "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"

The movie "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is very similar to the novel, even though it covers only up to the beginning of chapter 8. However there are differences, some vital and some insignificant:

• Three characters that are simply mentioned in the book are key characters in the movie: Radagast the Brown, Azog the Goblin and The Necromancer
• The film features two prologues: The first features Smaug invading the Lonely Mountain and driving out the Dwarves. In the novel, this is explained by the Dwarves in the first chapter. The second prologue is set ten minutes before the scene of Bilbo's 111th birthday party in "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring". This event does not occur in the novel.
• In the novel, the Dwarves have different coloured hooded cloaks and come in an organized order. However in the film they do not wear any cloaks and the Dwarves almost arrive all at once.
• The Dwarves' beards are noted as being vibrant colours such as blue and yellow. In the film, their beards are standard human hair colours. 
• The morning after the gathering at Bag End, Thorin and the Dwarves leave Bilbo a short note on his mantle. In the film, Bilbo is given a long contract the day of the gathering.
• Bilbo meets up with the Dwarves at the Green Dragon Inn in the novel. however in the film, Bilbo catches up to them on their way out of Hobbiton.
• When the Dwarves, Bilbo and Gandalf encounter the three trolls in the movie, the trolls capture the Dwarves first then Bilbo. However in the book, it is in the opposite order..
• Gandalf saves Bilbo and the Dwarves by smashing a boulder with his staff, letting the sunlight through turning the trolls to stone in the movie. But in the book, Gandalf imitates their voices so that they would get into a fight with each other and not notice the rising sun.
• In the novel, Bilbo takes his new sword eventually to be named "Sting" form the Trolls' treasure hoard; in the movie Gandalf presents it to him.
• At Rivendell, Gandalf speaks with the other members of the White Council: Elrond, Galadriel and Saruman The White. This does not occur in the book.
• The Dwarves and Bilbo sneak out from Rivendell in the movie without Gandalf
• The Goblins in the film use a trapdoor in the cave to capture the Dwarves. In the book a crack opens at the back of the cave.
• When the Wargs attack Gandalf, Bilbo and the Dwarves in the novel, the trees magically fight back. In the movie, Gandalf lights pine cones on fire and throws them at the wargs.
• The eagles in the book can talk. They are mute in the movie however.

Despite these differences, they are both still great.