I"m a 50 year old man and when listening.... transports me to summer nights of 1978. An only child to a young single mother and these characters are my friends....

55 years old and it is still as magical as when used to listen to it in front of the fireplace when I was 9 years old. Thanks!

My third grade teacher brought this in for us to listen to back in 1980. It was my introduction to the world of JRR Tolkien. The very next year my parents got me a library card and the first thing I did was check out the novel. Read it five times that year.

The first time that I heard "Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold" my dearest Uncle sang it to me when I was terribly sick.. Tolkien influenced my life more than I can properly explain. Thank you John Ronald Reuel Tolkien

I had this on LP back when I was a little kid in the 1970's. It was good to be a kid then.

Now this music has magic in it... and it DOES move through me.

The Rankin-Bass animated version came out when I was 6 years old, and I loved it! I didn't know, at the time, that it was based on a book. The next year I was visiting my dad's parents and my grandma had the book on her shelf, and she let me borrow it. Been a Tolkien fan ever since. My dad bought me the soundtrack boxed set on LP in 1978, and I still have it.

The Great John Huston as Gandalf before Sir Ian McKellen. Legendary.

I was born in 1978 I will be 45 on Friday I love this and always have The first time I heard it It sounded like this This is the vinyl copy Priceless😌

I cannot express how much faster I can fall asleep, how much better I sleep, and how grateful Iam that I can find this no matter where I must rest my head at night. Thank you.

Smaug’s performance is just perfect to me. Tremendous indeed

I'm 37 but hearing this I'm a little boy again.

My sisters and I checked this movie out from the library every week. Eventually, they just gave it to us. Forever grateful to this movie for awakening my love of fantasy and storytelling. Brings back such warm memories of being a kid playing pretend and acting this out every day with my sisters. 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

I'm 53 and this takes me back to when it was first released. I saw it at a drive in and was spellbound for life. My mom got me this audio set, LPs and book, and I played it to death. I recorded it to cassette tape and listened to it each night before bed. Countless nights Tolkien, Bilbo, and Gandalf tucked me in.all the way through my teen years. Thank you so much for so many happy memories flooding back in with this audio treasure. ❤️

This just makes me wanna watch Rankin/Bass movies. Flight of the Dragons, Last Unicorn, this one and Return of the King are of some of the best animated movies they came out with aside from all their Christmas movies

I prefer the animated version by Rankin and Bass to the Peter Jackson trilogy of The Hobbit. I loved this when I saw it with my wife and I still love it to this day. Thank you for posting the soundtrack

I identify completely with the gentleman whose posted right above me..just seeing the record album for the first time is over 40 years at least..was amazing enough ,but to hear the recording which I hadn't heard since somewhere around 1980..was like a massive sudden veritable catapult backwards in time..so staggering and wondrous that I felt literally disconnected from where I am now ,to where I was then..in my bedroom in Florida ,sitting on the brown shag carpet dolls ,toy horses, drawing paper and crayons and markers and pencils all scattered around nearby..a plate of milk and cookies to the side..and my stretching myself out upon my stomach as I listened to the story ,ignoring the slight scratchiness that went along with playing a record which would doubtlessly drive kids nuts today...but we weren't bothered by because we were used to it..i remember how I marveled at how different the illustrations were from all the other animated movies I'd seen ,fascinated as an artist myself ,by the intricacy of the form and design of everything..from the characters to the background ..id seen the movie on tv once ,before I'd gotten the record for my birthday ..i think?..and had been rapt with fascination at the sophistication of the animation,and the maturity level of the story itself ..and receiving the record had brought it all back to me..how much I'd liked it..those were the days before anyone with cable could just type in a movie and see if they could find it ,to rent or buy..all at once..back then we had to wait until something we'd enjoyed came on tv again..and it was in the time between that we listened to our records..it was the closest we could get..my love of Tolkien's work was sparked when I saw the movie for tv animated version in 1977 or 78..and elevated all the more in the years that followed first with the record then the making of the Ralph bakshi version of Lord of the rings which also was unlike anything else I'd ever seen..then came another Rankin and bass tv animated version of the return of the king ,in 1980..which was the one that enthralled and captivated me the most of all..i've been a major fan ,ever since..thank you for taking me back ,for just a while to memories of a time held most dear in my heart..and allowing me to remember myself as a child enjoying listening with the rapt abandonment that only a child can feel..to what was the first of, my most favorite series of fantasy novels of all time..bless you..☺

I remember renting this VHS at my library when I was a kid. I used to think all short people were called hobbits. I learned quickly this was not the case.

This was my first introduction to the world of Tolkien. Loved it ever since.

My 4th grade teacher showed us this in class and that was it. Created a fantasy fiction fan and reader for life.

As a huge fan of the Hobbit and LOTR books, I watched this animated special on TV when it first came out in the 1970's and I immediately asked for the album for Christmas. I listened to it after school many days. Love this version. Perfect for little kids.

As a child I found this LP in a store, I had no idea of the author, the story or anything else. I was enthralled by the images and had to have it. I played it and looked at the pictures and was addicted to the audio feast that I enjoyed so many times that I could mimic the entire story. One day. a few years later, the television was on and I heard my old friends on the screen. I collapsed on the floor and watched the animated spectacular that was "The Hobbit". I fell in love again. I memorized all the names of the voice actors and although it took me a good twenty years I finally connected a face to each of the voices. I'm 51 and this movie is still a favorite of mine. Purists have condemned this version but really, what should a child be exposed to, Peter Jackson's dark epics? Or a gentler version like Rankin Bass' and then later they can watch the more mature versions of The Hobbit and LOTR.

I still have this record & book box set. It’s one of my prized possessions. Seriously. Parents took me to the movies to see it. Then gave me this record box set at Xmas. I listened to it nightly as a kid. Stacked records & then flipped them all over. It never got old. ❤️

"Gollum's" performance is unbelievable.... his torment and hatred are palpable . Bless us and splash us !

I played this audio book every single night to go to sleep as a kid. Thank you for granting an old dream ❤

I haven't heard this in decades. Love the memories it brought back!

Thanks for this--it brings back some wonderful memories. Between the Rankin/Bass HOBBIT and STAR WARS, the year 1977 had a huge impact on my subsequent life of geekdom.

Bless you. This particular story began my love of reading.

Ty for not deleting/removing this. It brings me great comfort and rest. I come back often to listen and get some mental watching of the amazing watercoloring of this movie.

How the hell have they poured so much soul into this? Why is the music much better than the new hobbit?

I remember this and the last unicorn were my top favorites, I probably watched the laser discs forty times. Many thanks for such a great work shared ❤

I've always loved this version - especially the music

Blows my mind how so many people across different ages all have the same memories of falling asleep to this to the point where they could quote it front to back. I'm a 2002 kid, with this audio loaded onto CDs, then after that my first ipod touch. Even though I haven't listened to the entire thing in years, I've still got it memorized down pat. This really established my childhood, and I'm thankful for my 1960's dad for introducing it to me.

This is a blessing to have. Never get rid of this .

Thank you for posting this. I grew up on this movie and only now realise how much of my skills as a voice actress were influenced by Orson Bean, John Huston, etc.

My mom used to read this to my brother and I as a bedtime story, I'll always be grateful for that

I would watch this over and over apparently as a little baby. It's engrained into my soul and comforts me so deeply. Thank you for posting

53 now, still remember sitting cross legged in front of the TV watching this as a kid.

You have no idea how much this is helping me right now. This is my favorite movie of all time. I am in quarantine for the 2 weeks because I tested positive for covid 19. My symptoms keep getting worse and I went into a full blown anxiety attack. This is one of the few things that help me to relax again. If you guys believe in prayer, please pray for me.

I’m 52. This is a MASSIVE flashback! I remember sitting in my room listening to this record over and over and over. Thanks for putting this on the KZfaqs

This is incredible and will always be my favorite rendition of the Hobbit 💗

I grew up listening to this.. I must have played the records so many times that the record needle must have worn through the records themselves. I would visualize the picture book and scenes coming to life and play it in my imagination. I was disappointed as the animated cartoon version was released and other versions. I listened to the other versions of audio and none ever came close to inspire and invoke my imagination as did this version. I knew it so well, that as a young boy that I had older relatives who were amazed at my memory and my ability to recite it word for word.. and to narrate into different voices of all the characters. Books and records and the like was all I had.. really.. they were my best friends.. my escape.. I had all sorts of books.. westerns and fantasy and all sorts of stories and fables. Lots of history books and science stuff.. encyclopedias and learning materials.. It wasn't that I didn't have friends or neighborhood kids to play with..I just found these better..far more entertaining and less harmful. I had siblings as well...and I preferred the books and reading to them by far. These were my world of escape from the reality I lived....which was not the safest or best by any means. It was not completely horrible or horrific... Not all the time..just some times.. and when I had books and such to escape into..the world was just better. Especially with my imagination. I was not a child lost in fantasy or make-believe..life was not fiction for me..by far...and far from it. But my time to escape and read and find a place all to myself. To read and read..turning pages. Very fond memories. And I read everything. But this ..this one album set.. I think it is my fondest of all.. all those nights I would lay listening to it. ..there in the darkness. I lost that album whenever as I got older..who knows when or how.. But one day at a garage/yard sale I saw this same set in a stack of stuff that I assumed was either not sorted or not for sale. I asked the older couple if I could buy it.. name the price..and they were not sure what I was talking about. I told them how I loved to listen to it as a kid growing up.. the memories.. It was in very good condition and complete..it has been protected and well taken care of or stored away. They gave it to me without cost.. and I went down to thrift stores to find a portable record player. I must have listened to that thing several times that day.. just reliving memories..

I had this as a child! I listened to it over and over. My mom bought it for me after we saw the movie in the theater. I was 5

I watched this movie for the first time today, at 19 years old. Now I wish I had grown up with it. It’s funny how we feel nostalgic for things we never even experienced, isn’t it?

Very upsetting knowing that with Orson Bean's death earlier this year all of the cast members of the film are now gone 😥

"WHO ARE THESE MISERABLE PERSONS??!!" (21:50) The quality level of the supporting cast and antagonists, makes any story that much better (or worse). The Goblin King is to me, certainly not the weakest link in this timeless tale. 👍👍

Born in 2000 My Gram still has this tape and it’s always been my favorite movie

I pestered the hell out of my elementary school’s librarian until she finally gave me the promotional poster Xerox had sent out ahead of the premiere. At 53, my wife had it framed and now it hangs in our den.

Still the most haunting Gollum voice....

Better than any of the movies. This captures the original wonder of the book. Watched this with my 7 year old son and he loved it!!!

Love this so much. The BBC radio audiobook version, and this. 😍

My mom was driven to despair because I played this record over and over multiple times a day even into my early teen years. I needed a nice comforting background today so I looked to see if it was posted by someone.

Thanks so much! Love the sound of the record. The warm crickling and crackling. Great stuff. This was actually a great movie, in my opinion. I loved it as a child and it sparked my interest in Tolkien.

You can hear the record player in this. Excellent! By that I mean the lack of bass and treble. It's mostly mid range. It sound real. Saw this in '78 on TV. 56 here.

Had it and saw "Star Wars" that same year - '77 was an unforgettable one for boys. John Huston bringing the gravitas.

Back when life was simple and the worries you carried could fit in your pocket unlike the dark times we share today, back when children could believe and expand their minds and had places to go in their minds on long summer days how I miss the times!!

I knew one of the ex Disney artists that worked on this movie. She was my mothers best friend; they worked together on Sleeping Beauty. They are both gone now. My mother died a few months ago.

I still have my copy of this record . Am 53 now . :)

I had this 4 record collection, which I recorded to a 120min cassette so I wouldn't have to flip records! It basically is the audio track to the Rankin & Bass cartoon from the 70's. I used to be able to quote much of the story, cause I listened to it so many times, but especially everything Smaug said to "Burglar" Baggins! (Always thought maybe if Smaug brushed his breath wouldn't be death!🤭😁😂🤣) Saw the cartoon the first time on a reel to reel projector rented from our local library, and it had 2 reels of film that had to be changed half way through the movie!

I am so grateful for this. Not only is it the whole thing you took the time to put in the visuals. This reminds me of when I was a kid and on rainy days I would play the record and read the book. This brings back so many wonderful memories. Thank you so much.

This makes me so happy. The Hobbit is one of my favorite animated films

I have this Deluxe 2 album box set! It is currently behind me on the shelf. I bought it at record store in the early 80s. I listened to it many times while in college. Great times! Thanks for sharing!

Absolutely one of my absolute favorites since childhood along with the animated version of The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe

Thank you i love this story had it on tape to listen to when a kid i am 50 years old now. still love it.

Thank you so much for uploading this. I loved the cartoon and think Orson Bean was the definitive voice of Bilbo. And I love John Huston's narration so much. My kids will probably only ever want to think about the Peter Jackson version of this but for me THIS is the one I want to listen to and watch.

This TV show was the cover of the weekly TV program guide in the Sunday paper and when it was coming on I checked all the two or three other channels and decided there was nothing else on so I turned back to watch this. In Jr Highschool only girls read the book so I wasn't expecting much but I quickly realized I was wrong and I ended up reading the book and then the Lord Of The Rings and still love this for introducing me to it all. I love Glenn Yarborough's singing too and he's perfect for this as is Richard Boone as Smaug

Rest In Peace, Jules Bass, also known as the creator of Frosty the Snowman, the Hobbit film, & Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Claymation

I never heard the song ever before till recently my god , I cried it sums up to he Hobbit so well I love it

Thank you so much for posting this! I watched the movie as a kid and listened to the soundtrack on long car rides. I was missing it. Now I can listen to it on long car rides again. Thank you.

Thank you for uploading this. This recording still has the magic of its story telling of a classic tale

Loving this movie and the rest of the Rankin/Bass movies, I made sure to introduce my children to them as they were growing up!

Was born in 1978. Saw this on a VCR tape recorded by my parents, and afterward went on to read the books many times. I've gone on to read them to my children. I never forgot the songs.

Wow, I had no idea that an artbook existed with the record set. It looks amazing and I envy you having such a wonderful collectible.

In the 70's and 80's there was something PURELY MAGICAL about LOTR and The Hobbit and the world of JRR Tolkien. It surely inspired my imagination. This soundtrack is PURE MAGIC. It captures the spirit and essence of Tolkien like no other. IMO, it's much better than the modern movie versions they've put out. There's SOUL, there's HEART, there's MAGIC and WONDER in this soundtrack that comes alive in us when we hear it.

Thank you so much for sharing this video.

Thank you for posting this. In short, "It's a delight." This has always been my favorite version of this story.

Thank you for this. Truly.

OMG my childhood come back i was only 7 yrs when i seen this 📺 stayed up and watch I'm gonna cry

I forgot how much the Goblin song slaps.

This is awesome! Memories of 8 year old me!! Thank you!

Cool! I got this record set for my birthday when I was 16 & have always loved it! I will be 61 in December & still have it! I read The Hobbit & the LOTR trilogy at least once a year. I have it on audiobook as well as the books. Listening to this on YT will be much easier! LOL! Thank you!

Had a stressful day, then my bestie sent me a link to this, now I'm better

Just found this. Thank you. I watched this so many times as a kid, and had no idea about the record (I will now me searching goodwill and garage sales for it!) But loved audio books too.

This trip down memory lane relaxes me and allows me to sleep. Thank you Time travel

I still have this cartoon on VHS. It still is today one of my favorite films of my childhood. ^^

I used to listen to this when I was a little boy. I still have the record and book.

I can't tell you how happy I am to have found this! I've been a Hobbit fan since I was six. I had the LP's, the book, the board game - and watched all 3 cartoon movies. I listened to the LP's so much, I memorized it. In fact, listening to it now 40 years later, I still know 99% of it by heart. I don't know whatever happened to my Hobbit paraphernalia, but I've missed it over the years. Thank you for this. P.S. I now know where I picked up the habit of saying "bother" & "confusticate it". LOL.

There's something soothing, about the way this actor is speaking! So glad l found this channel. I guess, lm just a big kid at heart! 😂😂😂 But l just love, all these books! Thank you for sharing. Say safe, stay well. Moira From England.

Thank you! I had this record set when I was a kid and I can quote the whole darn thing even still. I'll have to let my family know about your post!

The second LP I ever bought, after the Star Wars soundtrack, naturally. Add D&D and Space Invaders to the mix...who knew the late seventies would come to seem like a golden age for preteens?

I finish our 6th grade school year with this, after reading David Wenzel’s graphic novelization. 53 now, and first read The Hobbit + trilogy 6th grade. Hope to inspire new Inklings.

_May the hairs on your toes never fall out!!!_ Thank you so very much for uploading!

The Great Richard Boone as Smaug is perfection!

Mrs. Milspaugh introduced this movie to me in 6th grade (‘79). It made me want to see Peter Jackson’s movie and I became an instant fan! Then I read the book. Awesome story...

As a child I saw this Movie and the others. They were fantastic. I didn't know until today about this book and the record. I miss books with complimentary records. They were great imaginary fun, just closed our eyes and drifted off on gossamer wings..😊

I love the cast, the artwork, and the music. This was good.

This is WONDERFUL, thank you so much!

I had this book and record when i was little. The nostalgia is overwhelming.

Thank you for this! I still have the book but lost the record years ago. I loved it so much, I wrote my name all over it. Brings back wonderful memories with magical music. Thank you!

Only 24 years old am I, and god how I missed this version 🥺 I love all the films and animated movies made for The Hobbit and LoTR. They all have something unique about them.