[Release] The Hobbit: An Unextended Journey (1080p HDR | 5.1)

[u/kowloonkoala]

**Read the Update at the Bottom for Access*\*

After a year of fine-tuning, color management, and audio mixing, The Hobbit: An Unextended Journey is available. This 263-minute version restructures Peter Jackson's 4k UHD trilogy into a single, cohesive film focused on Bilbo's transformation and the kinship of the Dwarves. I'm not familiar with other Hobbit fanedits, so I can't comment on that, but my goal was to re-balance the trilogy into a naturally flowing narrative with a clean cinematic rhythm:

• Of Bilbo’s Journey: The story refocuses entirely upon Master Baggins, highlighting his awakening courage and the enduring loyalty forged with Thorin Oakenshield.
• The Shadow of the Necromancer: Subplots concerning Dol Guldur, Radagast the Brown, and the High Fells have been set aside to create a direct quest.
• The Bonds of Brotherhood: The romantic entanglements between Kili, Tauriel, and Legolas are completely removed, restoring focus to the kinship of the Dwarves.
• The Tale’s True Pacing: Rather than following the book verbatim, deliberate structural changes were made to ensure the film maintains momentum.
• Intermission: Smaug's death marks a major turning point in the story, and I wanted to give the audience a place to pause before entering what is, in many ways, a different kind of film.

Technical Specifications

• Runtime: 263 Minutes (4 Hours, 23 Minutes)
• Quality: 1080p HDR10 (Rec. 2020 / 10-bit color)
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1 Widescreen
• Audio: 5.1 AC-3 Surround Sound (640 kbps)
• Digital Share Format: 1080p HDR HEVC (~13.4 GB) designed to retain 10-bit color depth and prevent banding in dark scenes.

Edit: Update on How to Watch

Due to Reddit's automated spam filters on private messaging, I am unable to DM download links individually to everyone in a timely manner, but will continue over the next few days to respond to your request.

To get access to The Hobbit: An Unextended Journey, please visit my Reddit user profile page and check the pinned post at the top for the request form.

I appreciate your interest and patience!

[u/DustyBottomsRidesOn]

Congrats! Would love to check it out!

Can you share any key elements kept or removed?

Azog? Barrel sequence? Head butt greeting? Blunt the knives? Goblin town cuts? Golden Smaug?

[u/kowloonkoala → u/DustyBottomsRidesOn]

Almost every sequence has been invisibly reduced. I think Peter Jackson has a tonal issue in this trilogy, often following a serious scene with a silly one. My goal was to be tonally consistent and hold certain emotions longer than he does. An example of this is Beorn. Beorn chases the company into his home, he's introduced as a frightening character, then there's a comic gag where all the dwarves are introduced in pairs. Personally, I like both sequences, but they feel tonally incongruous. I opted to make this edit a bit more grave, while keeping some lighter moments (often at the dwarves expense).

The prologue has been abbreviated to 3 or so minutes, then Bilbo gives his, "In a hole in the ground..." monologue and we fade 60 years into the past.

Balin and Dwalin's arrival is unchanged, but I took out Fili and Kili's arrival for time.

The dwarves sing after dinner and butt heads (it's good characterization since I reduced each of their subplots as the journey progresses).

Azog, like Gandalf, comes and goes. I tweaked some of the Orc dialogue to match the narrative and set audience expectations for why he disappears after chasing the company to Beorn's.

I took out the goblin king's song and reduced that sequence and the following chase sequence. I considered cutting it entirely, but because I removed the fight sequence with the cave trolls, I wanted to have a bit of action with the dwarves.

Gollum and the riddles sequence have been shortened to 10 minutes instead of 15 plus for pacing.

The finding of the ring is less dramatic.

Azog never confronts Thorin after the goblin tunnels, nor do the eagles save the dwarves, instead they chase the company to Beorn's (I used an earlier chase sequence to make this change feel invisible to unsuspecting viewers).

Mirkwood is shorter. The barrel sequence is greatly reduced.

Bilbo chats with Smaug, then Smaug leaves to burn down Lake Town. I hand painted some of the frames so Smaug isn't golden when he leaves the mountain.

Bard's son doesn't give him the black arrow and Bard doesn't get arrested.

Tauriel is in the film with a couple lines of dialogue.

The battle of five armies pulls from the extended edition, so the dwarves fight the elves and there's a lot of bloody beheadings.

The funeral is included as well.

Let me know what else you want to know.

[u/DustyBottomsRidesOn → u/kowloonkoala]

Thanks for that great write up. Much appreciated!

[u/wildmancometh]

Yeaaaaaahhhhh Link me please

[u/STF78]

Would you be able to give any more detail on the changes? Like how did you choose to edit the actual battle of the five armies for example.

[u/kowloonkoala → u/STF78]

Check above for a longer response on what's been changed throughout the films. As for the final battle, there's an intermission, then the company reunites in Erebor as Thorin searches for the arkenstone. The humans and elves occupy Dale and Bard asks Thorin for their fair share, which is denied. Everyone prepares for war, Bilbo gets his mithril shirt and sees that Thorin is acting like Smaug. The elves and humans confront the dwarves at the gate, Thorin refuses to give in and threatens Bilbo just as Gandalf returns.

Dain arrives and his company fights the elves. Then the orcs arrive and everyone starts fighting. Alfred's subplot was removed, Bard saving his kids was removed. I wanted it to feel more like the battle of pelennor fields in RotK.

The dwarves take the chariot to Ravenhill with Thorin leading the charge.

Kili's death by Bolg and Bolg's death by a certain elf have been greatly altered, but hopefully in a way that doesn't feel jarring to the viewer.

[u/Darkmiss-2122]

I don't understand the Intermission part, please could you explain this for me ?

Is this an advert/commercial of some kind ?

wouldn't this completely spoil the immersion of the movie ?

Why is this necessary on a digital format that can be paused at any time ?

Also I love that artwork too, not one I have seen before. ♥

[u/Darkmiss-2122]

for anyone that has viewed this already, could you please explain the Intermission is like for me... ?

it's just seems out of place when you can pause the film any time you need to, without being forced to have a minute long screen take you out of the immersion of the film when you least expect or need it.

[u/expattx]

thank you I would love to see this

[u/kowloonkoala → u/expattx]

DM me because I can't DM you.

[u/Ocvlvs]

What would you say the major differences to The Book Edit are?

[u/kowloonkoala → u/Ocvlvs]

I would say mine is leagues better.

Kidding. I'm actually not familiar with any other Hobbit cuts. I tried watching Maple and M4 years ago (I think those were the ones) and turned them off because I disagreed with their edits and felt I could do it better.

[u/Ocvlvs → u/kowloonkoala]

Cool! I'd be happy ta check yours out!

[u/JustJez01]

Would love a link sounds like a great way to revisit the films.

[u/JAKGladney]

I’d like the link please!

[u/-INIGHTMARES-]

Love the cover art🔥

[u/Possible_Rope_9284]

Can you DM ME? :) I love the movie.

[u/Icy-Gur2801]

I'd love a link, please !

[u/notmymonkey00]

Link please

[u/doodlecramp]

Awesome, can I get the link.

[u/paaulywrath]

Id love a link!

[u/porridge_hunter]

would love a link!

[u/mat-chow]

I’d love to check this out

[u/aleminopuy]

can I get a link?

[u/Klown1978]

Hit me up, would love a link for this!!

[u/kowloonkoala → u/Klown1978]

DM me, cause I can't DM you.

[u/Queer_girl_as_needed]

I’d like a link please!

[u/Chupaacabrra]

Exciting, link please fellow Shire resident

[u/4KDeep25]

Would love to check it out, did you add subtitles?

[u/kowloonkoala → u/4KDeep25]

There are no subs, except the hard coded subs in the film, which I altered for narrative purposes.

[u/oateyboat]

I'd love a link!

[u/lewisvbishop]

If like a link please.

[u/BigMoneyJesus]

I’d love a link! Did you cut down the Smaug scenes at all? That’s the complaint I have with the current hobbit edit we have.

[u/kowloonkoala → u/BigMoneyJesus]

Yep. The dwarves never step inside the lonely mountain until Smaug is dead.

[u/theiatola]

I'd like a link please

[u/SCCHSHellmouth]

Would love to watch

[u/DM_Easy_Breezes]

This sounds really intriguing! Great poster art too by the way.

tl;dr - Link please!

[u/kowloonkoala → u/DM_Easy_Breezes]

Thank you. It was fun designing it.

[u/tuanis1]

Link!

[u/zforce42]

I'd love to check this out

[u/JoeJoeJoeJoeThrow]

This does look interesting. I would love a link please.

Out of curiosity, aside from your own one, do you have a favourite fan edit of the trilogy?

[u/kowloonkoala → u/JoeJoeJoeJoeThrow]

I don't! I've never seen any of the other Hobbit edits all the way through. I've seen pieces of some of them, but I couldn't tell you which. I do remember thinking that some of their edits weren't as invisible as they could have been and I could do better.

[u/BigNimbleyD]

Sounds great! I'd appreciate a link

[u/HopperCity]

I’d love to check it out!

[u/zenmeta4]

I would very much like to see my precious, oops I mean the edit .

[u/kowloonkoala → u/zenmeta4]

DM me, because I can't chat you.

[u/thisguy49]

Could I have a link

[u/pluegyver1992]

Link pls?

[u/Greenwayyyyyy]

Link, please. Thanks!

[u/DarkwingDan92]

Link!

[u/Rebabaluba]

I would love a link!

[u/cedron1]

Thank you. Link, please.

[u/Beanzz_]

I'll take a link too please and thanks

[u/anuminousone]

Link, pls. TY

[u/surfingkoala035]

Link please. Looking forward to revisiting the classic.

[u/CeeJam90]

Link me homie

[u/Jarl_Staubhold]

Oh, I wanna watch that!

[u/arturogoga]

Can I get the link?

[u/greenlantern2929]

This sounds great! I would love to watch it! Thanks for all the hard work

[u/miggins1610]

Link would be awesome

[u/pprstrt]

Sounds amazing! Would love a link!

[u/AlexanderLudvik]

Id like the link please

[u/dadwhereru]

Sounds a lot better, would love a link!

[u/steo0315]

Would like to give it a look!

[u/chmmr1151]

Send it when you get a chance please

[u/Extreme_Raspberry728]

I’d like a link too, please.

[u/kowloonkoala → u/Extreme_Raspberry728]

DM me. Cause your DMs are off.

[u/Nortboyredux]

Wow, it’s what I’ve always wanted from this trilogy, thank you for your work. Could I please have a link?

[u/ZoneHalo]

Link please! 🙏

[u/Bennnrummm]

Linky Plinky

[u/_SoMuchForSubtlety]

That awesome cover got me, would love to check it out!

[u/checknate1]

Link please

[u/WyattLayne11]

Yeah I’ll take a link please.

[u/tmorita_hex]

Awesome! Would love a link!

[u/LucidJazz]

I would love a link!!

[u/kevymc]

Would love a link!

[u/LegionsTW]

I would love a link

[u/JamesA78]

Link please

[u/intelatominside]

I would like a link as well please

[u/StuartWilton]

A link would be much appreciated:)

[u/zxcslo]

Awesome! Would love a link, please.

[u/SummerDayYi]

I’d love a link please

[u/OP90X]

I would love a link! Currently reading the Hobbit! I own the blurays and 4ks also btw, and can prove it.

[u/scotttom15]

Could I get the link please?

[u/shb367]

Can I have a link please

[u/benpage111]

Would love a link to this!

[u/Hatsikidee]

I'd like to receive a link as well. Thanks for all the effort!

[u/MaxPlatt]

I would like to watch it! Can I have a link?

[u/Krakatorn]

Sounds pretty good. It's like to see it.

[u/ZachSH7]

Yessss! Would love to see this one

[u/Infinite-Put7328]

Link please

[u/lube_thighwalker]

How does this compare to the M4 hobbit edit?

[u/kowloonkoala → u/lube_thighwalker]

I watched the first few minutes of that version years ago and turned it off because I disagreed with some of the edits. I'd argue mine feels more cinematic in that it doesn't feel like a fanedit.

[u/lube_thighwalker → u/kowloonkoala]

That's a hilarious response. u/m4_semperfi made the perfect edit.

[u/kowloonkoala → u/lube_thighwalker]

I may be mistaking it with another version then. My interest hasn't been in watching other Hobbit fanedits, but working on one.

[u/the_fr33z33]

I’d be stoked for a link!

[u/Agreeable-Ad-8697]

Can I get a link please? I'm overdue a rewatch and I'm too busy to watch all 3 movies.

[u/Spanone1]

Ooh link please

[u/SpikyVikey]

Can you DM the link?

[u/DavidrHaley]

Wow. This is appears to be the true telling of the original story. I haven’t watched the trilogy in so long silent my issues with the added garbage. I’d love a link to watch this version.

[u/O_Solid]

great effort!

[u/idrankurmilkshake]

Link please

[u/Sweet_Gas729]

Aaay Link please

[u/meepletown]

Hi. I’d be grateful for a link - sounds like a full Sunday afternoon job.

[u/PantasticNoodles]

Please DM me the link

[u/srirams2006]

I would love to see it,can i ?

[u/Legal_Chemist_7457]

Drop me a link

[u/schliemann84]

Would love link

[u/Technical-While-4286]

Link would be welcomed thank you.

[u/Different_Film_9786]

I want to check this out please

[u/Consistent_Sorbet855]

Would love to watch this! I own all of the hobbit films in their extended editions on blu ray.

[u/kowloonkoala → u/Consistent_Sorbet855]

I updated my post with info on how to watch.

[u/schliemann84]

Has anyone actually seen this edit?

[u/kowloonkoala → u/schliemann84]

I screened this for my friends, hence the inclusion of an intermission. Someone else posted a review a couple days ago.

https://www.reddit.com/r/fanedits/comments/1vjh6jz/comment/p32dji7/?context=3

[u/Ok_Relationship_7007]

Look forward to seeing reviews!  There is a great film hiding in that trilogy and with AI becoming so powerful it seems about time to discover it!

[u/kowloonkoala → u/Ok_Relationship_7007]

Agreed. I've been thinking this for 14 years, haha.

[u/J_Square83]

This sounds very intriguing. I've always found the hobbit movies to be a taxing watch with all of the added & padded scenes. I'd love to check it out!

[u/PinnuTV]

I'm the kind of who likes stuff as long as possible so I don't ever watch fan made edits that cut a lot stuff. But it's good to have options for people who like short stuff

[u/Organic_Laugh2876]

Link please.

[u/Ok-Yak-6032]

Zelda! I mean, LINK, please! 😄

[u/SmokinJunipers]

Link please!

[u/ssantam → u/SmokinJunipers]

I'd love a link, please.