The Russian animated Hobbit film that was never finished

Niffiwan · 12-18-2008, 07:17 PM

Hi folks. Does anyone remember me being on this forum 8 years ago?

Anyway... I think some of you may find this interesting:

The Treasure Under the Mountain (EDIT: removed old link which no longer works)

To quote myself from the Youtube description:

Quote:

This is the prologue to a feature film that was never finished or released, based on Tolkien's "The Hobbit". This video dates from about 1994, and was made by Argus International. Some have speculated that maybe work was stopped because artists in Russia were just finding out about how copyright laws limited what they could make. In the USSR, artists could adapt anything they chose with no regard for copyright, especially in the 1980s when ideological restrictions were relaxed. Then suddenly the 1990s come around, and you're finding that the older ideological artistic restrictions are replaced by newer ones, except that this time you're not allowed to adapt any popular artistic creation within the last 100 years or so (because if it's popular, the upfront fees will be astronomical).

Translation/subtitles were made by myself.

Credits:
http://animator.ru/db/?ver=eng&p=show_film&fid=5606

Full text of song translation:
Goodness and laughter, laughter and joy
Smiles light up the faces of all
and souls, like windows, are thrown wide open.
The sky up above shines clear and blue.
No-one wants to believe that bad dreams may come true,
nor know that some day
that some day the weather will worsen.

But the tempest arrived, as is always the case.
Disaster moves in to take merriment's place,
With fire and armor and no shred of mercy.
The desperate bell tolls too late to assist,
And how will a mere paper dragon resist
a brave paper dragon
against one that's real?

When all is stretched thin by eternity's freeze,
When all is enveloped by blankets of time,
The Earth bit by bit becomes merged with the sky,
And night bit by bit becomes merged with the day.
But somebody here's left a track in the snow
which leads to a faraway
which leads to a faraway hope.

hectorberlioz · 12-19-2008, 12:13 AM

This is indeed very interesting! The animation was great. Very similar to the American cartoon of The Hobbit, but more vibrant.

It's also weird as heck

.

Niffiwan · 12-19-2008, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hectorberlioz

This is indeed very interesting! The animation was great. Very similar to the American cartoon of The Hobbit, but more vibrant.

It's also weird as heck

.

Just out of curiosity, what did you consider weird?

***Alcuin*** · 12-19-2008, 03:51 AM

That's really good! Is there any more of it?

It isn't quite The Hobbit: it's a different telling of the tale. I can see that getting it licensed might have posed a problem. But it is quite good. What became of the rest of it, if you know?

Niffiwan · 12-19-2008, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alcuin

That's really good! Is there any more of it?

It isn't quite The Hobbit: it's a different telling of the tale. I can see that getting it licensed might have posed a problem. But it is quite good. What became of the rest of it, if you know?

I have no idea. I believe this is all that was made before they stopped working on it, but I'm sure that a script, storyboards and various production art survives somewhere.

The thing you mentioned about telling the tale in a different way is typical of Russian animated films, particularly from the Soviet era when they could adapt all of this stuff without worrying about copyright. They would completely change the look and style of the work being adapted if needed, but the result would often be a stronger film. An often-cited example are the Russian Winnie-the-Pooh films (1, 2, 3), which are drastically different from Disney's. Or the Dr. Seuss adaptations (but you won't find any of those on Youtube because Seuss Ent. takes them all down, even though they had nothing to do with the making of them). I think that many of the cartoons more accurately portray the "heart" of the stories, even while they ignore the surface similarities. By contrast, many Western adaptations often strive to get the outward "look" just right, but completely ignore the "soul" of the originals.

However, as far as this Hobbit adaptation goes, I can't see anything non-canon in this prologue. It actually seems to stick to Tolkien quite well, aside from not starting off at Bilbo Baggins' hobbit hole, of course.

P.S. The voice of Gandalf was done by Nikolai Karachentsov, a fairly popular actor.

**Mari** · 12-20-2008, 11:53 AM

I need to learn Russian >_<
But on topic: I like the way of telling the story. It's all quite musical and easy to visualize the mood of the story. I like it.
I wonder if they will ever bring out the whole story...?

hectorberlioz · 12-20-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niffiwan

Just out of curiosity, what did you consider weird?

Well, I guess "weird" to me would be the strange song at the beginning. But like I said before, the mood of the clip was remarkably like that of the American version of The Hobbit. Even Gandalf looked the same.

Olmer · 12-20-2008, 05:10 PM

All in all the beginning was promising, although they could pick up a singer with a less "scratchy" voice.

Too bad the Tolkien Estate won't merit any attempts on cutting into their big, lumpy "pie".

Any way, thanks for sharing.

Gordis · 12-21-2008, 03:21 PM

Looks quite cute. Pity they abandoned it.

***Tessar*** · 12-21-2008, 03:45 PM

I really liked it!! It was so vivid... and I love that 'old time' animated feel... it's not like the super smooth animation of today. I think I prefer the old style.

Surprisingly, I didn't mind the singer. I thought it was interesting.

hectorberlioz · 12-21-2008, 05:49 PM

I actually like the idea of an animated The Hobbit better than the idea of a live-action movie now.

The Telcontarion · 12-21-2008, 11:58 PM

Very interesting...

***Jonathan*** · 12-23-2008, 10:14 AM

Thanks for sharing, Niffiwan!
Old animations have something about them. This one I think conveys a cosy atmosphere. Imagine your Russian grandmother telling this fairytale one night at the fireplace

On another note, it's quite extrordinary to see a mooter return after eight years of absence, isn't it?

Welcome back Niffiwan!

barrelrider110 · 01-07-2009, 11:23 PM

Niffwan, Very, very well done. Thank you for sharing. Totally new to me. It looks like they were about to tell the story from the viewpoint of the Dwarves, instead of Hobbits. I wonder how they would have treated the ring. Very very interesting.

Speaking of copywright laws, I daresay NBC would have something to say about that Peacock!

Niffiwan · 01-10-2009, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrelrider110

Niffwan, Very, very well done. Thank you for sharing. Totally new to me. It looks like they were about to tell the story from the viewpoint of the Dwarves, instead of Hobbits. I wonder how they would have treated the ring. Very very interesting.

Oh, I doubt that very much. This is just the introduction, remember? It tells the backstory. I suppose it's a little like how the first Star Wars film began with the droids aboard the spaceship rather than with Luke Skywalker on his farm.

Plus, this let them put off the difficult task of designing Bilbo himself until they were sure whether the film would actually go forward.

***Valandil*** · 01-10-2009, 09:57 AM

Very interesting. Nice prologue/forward - sort of like what they did for the LOTR movie.

The way the Dwarves marched made me think of 'Snow White'.

**Mari** · 01-10-2009, 10:38 AM

*chuckles*
I thought that too ^_^

FirstClassRanger · 01-16-2009, 02:45 AM

If it had been finished I would've watched it, had it been translated into English. I don't mind reading subtitles, but the voice of the singer was eerie. The animation was wigging me out, too, but I could've lived with it. Not bad animation... just the tone of the voices and the mood it put forth was creep-tastic... and in some shots it looked animated like Rankin-Bass and then in others it looked more like Bakshi's irritating half-animated-half-wanna-be-live-action... so I got a little freaked. I wouldn't watch it in the dark.

Niffiwan · 12-17-2012, 12:54 AM

The Russian Hobbit movie is gone from Youtube but I've re-uploaded it here (hope the subtitles work):
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xke...994_shortfilms

I noticed something neat, by the way:

Peter Jackson's new movie has an homage to this Russian Hobbit adaptation in the beginning of the movie. The destruction of Dale is portrayed similarly to the way the Russians did it, right down to the flying kite-dragons that are shown before the real dragon shows up.

***Rían*** · 12-17-2012, 02:32 PM

That was an interesting clip - thank you!

12-19-2008, 12:13 AM	#2
hectorberlioz Master of Orchestration President Emeritus of Entmoot 2004-2008 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Lost in the Opera House Posts: 9,328	This is indeed very interesting! The animation was great. Very similar to the American cartoon of The Hobbit, but more vibrant. It's also weird as heck . __________________ ACALEWIA- President of Entmoot hectorberlioz- Vice President of Entmoot Acaly und Hektor fur Presidants fur EntMut fur life! Join the discussion at Entmoot Election 2010. "Stupidissimo!"~Toscanini The Da CINDY Code The Epic Poem Of The Balrog of Entmoot: Here ~NEW! ~ Thinking of summer vacation? AboutNewJersey.com - NJ Travel & Tourism Guide Last edited by hectorberlioz : 12-19-2008 at 12:15 AM.

12-20-2008, 11:53 AM	#6
Mari Elf Lady Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In the lands where mountains are but a fairytale Posts: 8,588	I need to learn Russian >_< But on topic: I like the way of telling the story. It's all quite musical and easy to visualize the mood of the story. I like it. I wonder if they will ever bring out the whole story...? __________________ Love always, deeply and true ★ Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer. ★ Friendship is sharing openly, laughing often, trusting always, caring deeply. ...The Earth laughs in flowers ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Hamatreya"...

12-20-2008, 05:10 PM	#8
Olmer Elf Lord Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: LI-woods, NY Posts: 653	All in all the beginning was promising, although they could pick up a singer with a less "scratchy" voice. Too bad the Tolkien Estate won't merit any attempts on cutting into their big, lumpy "pie". Any way, thanks for sharing. __________________ Uruk-hai, or the journey to there.

12-21-2008, 05:49 PM	#11
hectorberlioz Master of Orchestration President Emeritus of Entmoot 2004-2008 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Lost in the Opera House Posts: 9,328	I actually like the idea of an animated The Hobbit better than the idea of a live-action movie now. __________________ ACALEWIA- President of Entmoot hectorberlioz- Vice President of Entmoot Acaly und Hektor fur Presidants fur EntMut fur life! Join the discussion at Entmoot Election 2010. "Stupidissimo!"~Toscanini The Da CINDY Code The Epic Poem Of The Balrog of Entmoot: Here ~NEW! ~ Thinking of summer vacation? AboutNewJersey.com - NJ Travel & Tourism Guide

12-21-2008, 11:58 PM	#12
The Telcontarion The one true King of the human race, direct descendant of Adam and heir to the kings of old. "You owe me your fealty." The Tar Minyaturion Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: By the shores of cuivinien Posts: 694	Very interesting... __________________ Proverbs 21:3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Ecclesiasticus 2:1-5 1 My son, if thou come to serve the Lord, prepare thy soul for temptation... ...4 Whatsoever is brought upon thee take cheerfully, and be patient when thou art changed to a low estate. 5 For gold is tried in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of adversity. Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

12-19-2008, 03:51 AM	#4
*Alcuin* Salt Miner Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: gone to Far Harad Posts: 987	That's really good! Is there any more of it? It isn't quite The Hobbit: it's a different telling of the tale. I can see that getting it licensed might have posed a problem. But it is quite good. What became of the rest of it, if you know?

12-21-2008, 03:21 PM	#9
Gordis Lady of the Ulairi Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Minas Morgul Posts: 2,783	Looks quite cute. Pity they abandoned it.

12-21-2008, 03:45 PM	#10
*Tessar* Master and Wielder of the Cardboard Harp of Gondor Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: IM IN UR POSTZ, EDITIN' UR WURDZ Posts: 6,433	I really liked it!! It was so vivid... and I love that 'old time' animated feel... it's not like the super smooth animation of today. I think I prefer the old style. Surprisingly, I didn't mind the singer. I thought it was interesting.

12-23-2008, 10:14 AM	#13
*Jonathan* Entmoot Attorney-General, Equilibrating the Scales of Justice, Administrator ♎ Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 3,891	Thanks for sharing, Niffiwan! Old animations have something about them. This one I think conveys a cosy atmosphere. Imagine your Russian grandmother telling this fairytale one night at the fireplace On another note, it's quite extrordinary to see a mooter return after eight years of absence, isn't it? Welcome back Niffiwan! __________________ An unwritten post is a delightful universe of infinite possibilities. Set down one word, however, and it immediately becomes earthbound. Set down one sentence and it’s halfway to being just like every other bloody entry that’s ever been written. ☻

01-07-2009, 11:23 PM	#14
barrelrider110 Peer of the realm of Sanguine Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: The Hill, Marlton, NJ Posts: 798	Niffwan, Very, very well done. Thank you for sharing. Totally new to me. It looks like they were about to tell the story from the viewpoint of the Dwarves, instead of Hobbits. I wonder how they would have treated the ring. Very very interesting. Speaking of copywright laws, I daresay NBC would have something to say about that Peacock! __________________ “"I am the friend of bears and the guest of eagles. I am Ringwinner and Luckwearer; and I am Barrel-rider," Fear Complacency! ___________________ Something under the bed is drooling

01-10-2009, 09:57 AM	#16
*Valandil* High King at Annuminas Administrator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Wyoming - USA Posts: 10,752	Very interesting. Nice prologue/forward - sort of like what they did for the LOTR movie. The way the Dwarves marched made me think of 'Snow White'. __________________ My Fanfic: Letters of Firiel Tales of Nolduryon Visitors Come to Court Ñ á ë ?* ó ú é ä ï ö Ö ñ É Þ ð ß ® ™ [Xurl=Xhttp://entmoot.tolkientrail.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=ABCXYZ#postABCXYZ]text[/Xurl] Splitting Threads is SUCH Hard Work!!

01-10-2009, 10:38 AM	#17
Mari Elf Lady Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In the lands where mountains are but a fairytale Posts: 8,588	chuckles I thought that too ^_^ __________________ Love always, deeply and true ★ Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer. ★ Friendship is sharing openly, laughing often, trusting always, caring deeply. ...The Earth laughs in flowers ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Hamatreya"...

01-16-2009, 02:45 AM	#18
FirstClassRanger Sapling Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 5	If it had been finished I would've watched it, had it been translated into English. I don't mind reading subtitles, but the voice of the singer was eerie. The animation was wigging me out, too, but I could've lived with it. Not bad animation... just the tone of the voices and the mood it put forth was creep-tastic... and in some shots it looked animated like Rankin-Bass and then in others it looked more like Bakshi's irritating half-animated-half-wanna-be-live-action... so I got a little freaked. I wouldn't watch it in the dark.

12-17-2012, 12:54 AM	#19
Niffiwan Sapling Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 10	The Russian Hobbit movie is gone from Youtube but I've re-uploaded it here (hope the subtitles work): http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xke...994_shortfilms I noticed something neat, by the way: Peter Jackson's new movie has an homage to this Russian Hobbit adaptation in the beginning of the movie. The destruction of Dale is portrayed similarly to the way the Russians did it, right down to the flying kite-dragons that are shown before the real dragon shows up. Last edited by Niffiwan : 12-17-2012 at 08:35 AM.

12-17-2012, 02:32 PM	#20
*Rían* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	That was an interesting clip - thank you! __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!

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