Premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf and Gollum take to the red carpet to premiere the most eagerly-awaited film of the year
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His wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, will not be present as she continues to recover following a bout of severe pregnancy sickness. -
Hundreds of Hobbit fans wait in the cold for hours to get a glimpse of the stars #paprem yfrog.com/kl26rtzj
by LeanneRinne via twitter 12/12/2012 5:05:25 PM -
For those not familiar with JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, it is set some 60 years before The Lord of the Rings and centres on Bilbo Baggins (played by Martin Freeman).
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In the story, Bilbo tries to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from a dragon named Smaug as part of a clan of 13 dwarves.
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Their journey takes them through lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs, Sorcerers and Gollum and his 'precious' ring.
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Soon @IanMcKellen @Martin_Freeman and SirPeterJackson will be among the stars walking this green carpet #paprem pbs.twimg.com/media/A97ckZLCAAA45r5.jpg
by Albertina Lloyd, PA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:11:05 PM -
The UK premiere is a little under two hours away and soon director Peter Jackson and the cast will be greeting fans.
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While cinema-goers will have to wait until Thursday to watch the film, here's a link to the official trailer to whet appetites: www.youtube.com
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Filming of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey started in New Zealand in March 2011. Filming finished in July.
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Peter Jackson will tell the story of The Hobbit in three films, with The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug scheduled to be released in December next year.
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Jackson chose to shoot the film at 48 frames per second rather than the industry standard of 24 to make the special effects and landscape shots look smoother.
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The films enjoyed its world premiere in Wellington, New Zealand, on November 28. It was reported that 100,000 people turned up to watch the stars of the film arrive.
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Air New Zealand, the country's national airline, released a Middle Earth-themed onboard safety video which proved to be something of an online hit.
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For those of you who have not yet seen the clip, check it out here: www.youtube.com
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There are some journalists from the Czech Republic here, and the weather will be making them feel at home #chilly #papremby DavidWilcockPA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:25:43 PM -
Blanchett's in a backless dress, brave on a night like this #parky #papremby DavidWilcockPA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:35:03 PM
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Andy Serkis, who plays Gollum, also here #papremby DavidWilcockPA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:35:07 PM
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Sir Ian McKellen, who plays Gandalf, has also arrived.
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RT @DomsWildThings: Hope every1 waiting at Leicester sq is surviving the cold! I'm gonna get there as early as possible to meet u all x
#thehobbit
#LOTRloyalsby lifeincartoon via twitter 12/12/2012 5:39:27 PM -
The film has received mixed reviews from and while most critics concede that it is visually stunning, a recurring gripe seems to be that, at two hours and 49 minutes, the film is overly long.
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Old school.
#thehobbit
#LOTRloyals
#domswildthings pbs.twimg.com/media/A97M5gTCAAAvhdo.jpgby DomsWildThings via twitter 12/12/2012 5:43:10 PM -
That there is Dominic Monaghan - one of the stars of The Lord of the Rings trilogy - looking dapper ahead of his appearance at tonight's showpiece.
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Stephen Hunter who plays Bombur the dwarf told us meeting Cate Blanchett on set turned him to jelly #paprem pbs.twimg.com/media/A97pmfPCcAA18hW.jpg
by Albertina Lloyd, PA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:45:48 PM -
Richard Armitage (Spooks) and James Nesbitt (Cold Feet) are here, both play dwarves in the film. #papremby DavidWilcockPA via twitter 12/12/2012 5:45:59 PM
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Damon Smith, a film critic from the Press Association, awarded the film a rating of six out of 10.
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Smith wrote: "Visually stunning flashbacks, which fail to advance the plot, are roughly hewn into a sprawling narrative that doesn't kick into second gear for a good 45 minutes."
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He went on to write: "The decision to shoot the film in 3D at the higher rate of 48 frames per second compared to the usual 24 frames will divide audiences."
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Martin Freeman has told Sky News that The Hobbit is likely to be the biggest film he is ever involved in.
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He quipped "sexual" when asked what it was like to wear hobbit feet.
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Cate Blanchett says she is "cold, but very excited" to be at the premiere.
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Blanchett went on to say: "It was relief to put the [elf] ears back on."
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More from Damon Smith: "Everything looks cleaner and crisper - you can see the stitching on Gandalf's hat and prosthetics in minute detail - but this might be too much heightened reality for a sweeping fantasy that romanticises the bonds of trust between gung-ho brothers."
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Cate Blanchett's message to The Hobbit fans: "You are in for an absolute, absolute treat. It is a very special film."
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Sir Ian McKellen has urged people to go see the film, saying: "It's a wonderful picture for the holidays."
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One hour to go before the film gets underway.
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When asked if he was nervous about playing Bilbo Baggins, Martin Freeman said: "No, I had no nerves about taking the part because I knew Pete [Jackson] really wanted me and that relaxes you a lot."
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Cate Blanchett has run inside - she looks chilly in that backless dress #papremby Albertina Lloyd, PA via twitter 12/12/2012 6:04:59 PM
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@antonycotton told us @IanMcKellen invited him on set and gave him a tour of #MiddleEarth #paprem pbs.twimg.com/media/A97uAXCCcAAeas8.jpg
by Albertina Lloyd, PA via twitter 12/12/2012 6:05:08 PM -
In a message to fans considering seeing the film when it comes out on Thursday, Freeman said: "I dare you to be disappointed. You won't be."
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RT @PAshowbiz: James Nesbitt admitted he was daunted moving to New Zealand but ended up loving it #paprem pbs.twimg.com/media/A97t1KQCEAAgkoc.jpg
by USDannyDyerFan via twitter 12/12/2012 6:07:12 PM -
Richard Armitage (Thorin) on working with Peter Jackson: "He's really innovative with what he does with a camera."
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Speaking about the film, Armitage said: "It's a completely new cinematic experience."
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As they say, save the best for last ! #TheHobbit Premiere here in #London is going to be a ripper.
RT #UK #TeamBomburby Stephen Hunter via twitter 12/12/2012 6:14:27 PM -
Love is in the air this evening as a man made good use of the green carpet by proposing to his girlfriend at the premiere.