J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit may present a narrative that is less expansive than its sequel, The Lord of the Rings, yet it is rich in intriguing elements, particularly the renowned Five Armies. This tale was initially crafted for Tolkien’s children, which results in a more intimate focus on Bilbo Baggins’ adventures, juxtaposed with the ominous presence of the One Ring that looms large in his later works. It is essential to note that while The Hobbit serves as an initial foray into Tolkien’s larger Legendarium, its charm lies in its simplicity and depth.
Although The Hobbit may lack the epic tension found in LOTR or the comprehensive lore of The Silmarillion, it embodies a captivating story with its climactic sequence: the Battle of the Five Armies. This critical confrontation, featuring Dwarves, Elves, Men, Orcs, and our beleaguered Hobbit, forms the foundation of both the film adaptation and the original novel. However, the cinematic representation diverges from Tolkien’s written accounts in various ways.
The Five Armies Represented in the Movie
During the Battle of the Five Armies, the tense standoff at the gates of the Lonely Mountain escalates dramatically. Thorin Oakenshield, consumed by “dragon sickness,”dismisses diplomatic attempts, resulting in a fierce conflict with Elven-king Thranduil. Tensions escalate further with the arrival of Dwarven reinforcements, ultimately giving way to a chaotic clash as two Orc factions descend upon the scene, eager for destruction.
Thorin, Dain Ironfoot, and Their Dwarven Forces
The first army, representing the Dwarves, is comprised of two distinct factions. On one side, Thorin Oakenshield leads his Company, a formidable group of highly trained warriors maintaining a fortification at the gates of Erebor. On the other, Thorin’s cousin Dain Ironfoot commands a substantial force, which includes Dain riding a massive boar, cavalry mounted on goats, and ballistae, all supported by heavily armored infantry wielding shields and pikes.
Bard and the Lake-Men of Lake-town
Bard, alongside the residents of Lake-town, participates as one of the nominal armies; however, they are mainly composed of a handful of irregular fighters and archers. With no official standing military, the Lake-men are equipped chiefly with hunting skills, mirroring Bard’s own talents. Rather than engaging directly in the battle, they retreat to safeguard Lake-town from rampaging Orcs.
Thranduil and the Elven Forces of Mirkwood
Thranduil, from atop his majestic elk, commands a significant force of Elves from Mirkwood, aiming to extract reparations from Thorin. This predominantly archer-based army bears similarities to the Elven divisions seen in both the Siege of Barad-dûr and the Battle of Helm’s Deep, characterized by their agility and tactical support capabilities.
Azog the Defiler and the Orcs of Dol Goldur
Azog the Defiler serves as the commander of the Orcs, spearheading a significant force from Dol Goldur with the objective of capturing Erebor and eliminating Thorin. His army primarily consists of heavily armored Orcs, drawing on designs reminiscent of the Uruk-hai seen in The Lord of the Rings.
Bolg and the Orcs of Gundabad
Bolg, Azog’s son, is dispatched to summon additional troops from the Orc stronghold of Gundabad as the battle looms. This contingent includes not only heavily armored Orcs but also several gargantuan Trolls of various types, transformed into formidable engines of destruction. Moreover, the fearsome Were-worms, capable of tunneling through solid rock, allow Bolg’s forces to launch unexpected attacks on the battlefield.
Variations Between the Book and Movie Depictions of the Five Armies
Tolkien’s original narrative offers some contrasting details regarding the armies involved. Notably, Azog was deceased long before the events of the Battle of the Five Armies, having been killed by Dain during the skirmish at Moria, which also resulted in the loss of Thorin’s father. In this version, Bolg leads Goblins rather than Orcs and is assisted by an army of intelligent Wargs that can communicate. However, the alliances among Men, Elves, and Dwarves remain largely unaltered between both perspectives.
Were the Eagles Considered One of the Five Armies?
In discussions surrounding the Battle of the Five Armies, whether analyzed through the lens of the book or the film, it is a common misconception to regard the Eagles as one of the armies. In reality, both narratives depict five distinct military forces engaged in battle, with the Eagles and Beorn intervening only after hostilities have commenced. Furthermore, the Eagles are not particularly renowned for their structured military conduct.
Despite the narrative disparities between Tolkien’s book and the film adaptations, the ultimate outcome remains unchanged: Bolg is defeated, the Orc forces are vanquished, and the surviving heroes emerge victorious, albeit at a profound cost. Tragically, Thorin, Fíli, and Kíli meet their end on the battlefield or shortly thereafter due to their injuries. Nonetheless, the Battle of the Five Armies serves as an epic and poignant conclusion to the narrative of The Hobbit.