Hobbit Book Chapters to Movie Scenes
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 ambush them. With the help of Gandalf they escape but Bilbo hits his head in a dark tunnel and loses consciousness.
This chapter begins with the dwarves traveling the mountain path. As they near the steeper parts of the pass, a storm breaks loose.
As the storm rages, 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 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 around the cavern. Soon, they have all dropped off to sleep except for Bilbo.
Bilbo is lying on his side trying to get to sleep when suddenly the cave wall cracks open. He lets out a cry and in a moment orcs come pouring through.
They grab Bilbo and the dwarves, but the moment they get near Gandalf, there is a crack like gunpowder. 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 interrupts the conversation, holding up Thorin’s sword Orcrist. At this, the Great Goblin lets out an awful scream. 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.
One of them catches up to the group, and grabs Dori’s leg. Bilbo falls and hits his head, completely knocked-out.