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Chapter 4 - Over Hill and Under Hill
In Chapter 4 Bilbo and the Dwarves must pass over the Misty Mountains. While they are travelling the mountain pass, bad weather forces them into a cave, where goblins are ambush them. With the help of Gandalf they escape, but Bilbo hits his head in a dark tunnel and loses contiousness.This chapter begins with a film montage of the dwarves traveling the mountain path. As they near the steeper parts of the pass, a storm breaks loose, and the camera fixes in on Bilbo as he struggles through the rain. As the camera passes over the dark mountains, flashes of lightning reveal stone-giants hurtling rocks below. The company tries staying below an overhang but it is no use, rain is coming from every direction.
Thorin decides to send Kili and Fili, the two youngest dwarves, out to look for a shelter. They return soon after with news about a dry cave just ahead. The company eagerly takes shelter inside. Upon entering the cave Gandalf insists on checking it thoroughly, which they do. Finding nothing unusual they set out their wet clothes and watch as Gandalf blows colored smoke rings all about the cavern. Soon, they have all dropped off to sleep except for Bilbo.
Bilbo is lying on his side trying to get to sleep. The camera is looking over him towards the wall of the cave. Very slowly, the cave wall slides open with a quiet scratching sound. Bilbo stirs, and lets out a cry the moment orcs come pouring through. They grab Bilbo and the dwarves, but the moment they get near Gandalf, there is a crack like gunpouder. He is gone, but several dead goblins lay where he had been standing. At this, the orcs drive Bilbo and the dwarves ahead of them, running down the tunnels.
When they reach the main hall, the dwarves are taken to the Great Goblin. He questions them about who they are and what they are doing. At this, Thorin replies smugly, "Thorin the dwarf at your service." He goes on to explain that the group is on their way to visit family in the east. Just then, a goblin interupts the conversation, holding up Thorin's sword Orcrist. At this, the Great Goblin lets out an awful scream. As the camera zooms up on his disgusting face he screams, "Murderers and Elf-friends! Slash them, Bite them, Beat them!" He jumps up out of his seat and charges at Thorin as if to bite his neck off.
Just as it seems hopeless for Bilbo and the Dwarves, all of the lights go out, and the fire in the center of the main hall erupts with blue smoke. Sparks fly all about, burning straight threw any nearby goblins. The scene culminates into so much chaos that Tolkien describes it like this: "Several hundred wild cats and wolves being slowly roasted alive together could not have compared with it." Suddenly, the light of Glamdring appears, cutting straight threw the Great Goblin. Soon, Gandalf, Bilbo, and the dwarves are making their escape.
The group runs as fast as they can (Dori carries Bilbo) but the orcs are too quick for them. After rounding a corner, Gandalf and Thorin draw there swords and cut down a load of goblins. After being pushed back, the goblins are afraid to round the corner again. By the time they do, the dwarves already have a good start on them, so they send out their fastest and quietest goblin scouts. The camera follows Gandalf, Bilbo, and the dwarves as they run through the dark tunnels. Suddenly, on the corner of the screen, we see the shadow of a goblin pursuing them stealthily. Then as the tension grows, a hand shoots out of nowhere, grabbing Dori's leg. Bilbo falls and hits his head as the camera fades to black.
-Notes-
The scene with the stone-giants is slightly controvesial. Some people argue that since they are not really mentioned anywhere else in Middle Earth, they should not be included.
The goblins refer to Orcrist and Glamdring as Biter and Beater.
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