Video Round-Up: Hobbit Edition

Video Round-Up is a (sometimes) weekly post collecting an assortment of videos from around the web. Whether they be music videos, creative viral marketing, just plain cool, or just plain ridiculous, they will all be found on Video Round-Up.

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit..." So began the story of a very big adventure for a very small fellow. Tomorrow, Bilbo Baggins and company return to the silver screen for one of the most anticipated films of the year, Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. This is not the first time J. R. R. Tolkien's acclaimed novel has been adapted for film. Many people remember the Rankin/Bass made for TV movie, but did you know about the short that came before? What about hobbit rapping? Hit the jump to dive into some strange and insightful videos featuring those easy going, peaceful folk.

This isn't your grandpa's Hobbit. I mean seriously, who wrote the script to this 12 minute short? Any semblance to Tolkien's original tale road off on Shadowfax once the name "Slag" was uttered. Sure, there is a really cool surreal tone to this rendition, but honestly, nothing makes much sense in this 1966 hack job existing solely to retain the rights to the book. At any rate, Peter Jackson's take will be better than this, that I can assure you. 

First aired in 1968, this short look into the life and rising fame of Tolkien by the BBC is still a good and informative watch today. There is also a very nicely done and more complete documentary using parts of the footage in this video (and even narrated by Judi Dench!) done by the BBC, but that is still only available on VHS as far as I know.

One of my favorites from an earlier Age of the Internet. Before the Digg times. Quickbeam and Bombadil lay down as many references found between the Grey Heavens and the Cracks of Mount Doom. There's no shame in knowing all the words to this either. Elf girls like to rock and roll!

I think you know who the original Hobbit celebrity fanboy is. Vulcan singing is not a thing to miss!

Gollum plays an important role throughout the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, but in his off time he plays rocking duets and scat duels with Tenacious D.

Least we forget the most annoying video to come out of the fandom, but I'd be fool of a Took for saying I don't crack up at it!