Product: The Hobbit [VHS] (1977)
Rating: 3.0
Enjoyable Film, DVD Quality Not So Much
I've always enjoyed this version-loved it as a kid, still find it entertaining and nostalgic as an adult. But like many others here, I have to talk about the screwy sound problems this DVD has. You'd think with modern technology and the current LotR interest, they'd do a much better job with this new version, but it's actually inferior to the older ones, mostly due to the absence of a great number of the sound effects. It's as if an entire track is missing, but nobody involved in the production noticed. It's very odd to be watching a scene where something's happening, and you *know* you should be hearing noise, but all there is is silence. Or Bilbo responds to something Thorin has said, only this version doesn't have Thorin's line in it so you don't know what Bilbo's talking about! Also, a large part of Elrond's discussion of the swords is distractingly overlayed with a continuation of an Elf song sung during the previous scene, which was NOT how it was in the original version. I kept expecting him to suddenly turn around and yell, "Will you guys just SHUT UP!"There are also some visual problems; every once in a while the image darkens for a few moments, and there's noticeable deterioration of the original film stock in a few scenes, smudging and warping, etc.I can't figure out how all these problems got by WB's quality control. It's really a sub-par effort, something I'd expect from cheapie knock-off tapes, not something issued by WB. If you're thinking of owning this film, try to find an older version, or hope that WB will repair this one and do a reissue at some point.