The Hobbit

The Hobbit (1977) is an animated television film produced by Rankin/Bass that you can watch online on iFILM. Directors Jules Bass and Arthur Rankin Jr. adapted J.R.R. Tolkien's novel, sending hobbit Bilbo Baggins — voiced by Orson Bean — on an unlikely journey across Middle-Earth alongside thirteen dwarves and the wizard Gandalf, voiced by John Huston.

Their destination is the Lonely Mountain, where the dragon Smaug — brought to life by Richard Boone — sits on a hoard of treasure that once belonged to the dwarves. Getting there means trolls, goblins, riddles in the dark with Gollum beside an underground lake, and more trouble than any sensible hobbit would sign up for. Bilbo has no sword training and no ambition to be a hero. That turns out to be exactly what the quest needs.

Released four years before Tolkien became a mainstream cultural fixture, this production found its audience quickly and held it. Songwriter Glenn Yarbrough contributes several folk-style numbers throughout. Stream The Hobbit (1977) in full online on iFILM.