Movie Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Monitored: Special Circumstances “American Humane monitored all of the significant animal action. No animals were harmed during such action”
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In this adaptation of Tolkien’s classic, The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins embarks on a journey with a group of dwarves to reclaim their gold.
American Humane’s Role
American Humane Association monitored all of the intense animal action in The Hobbit during May through November 2011 when the animal action scenes were filmed. We focused our attention on the most intense animal action after carefully reviewing the script and discussing with production safety precautions for the remaining scenes featuring mild or routine animal action. All of the action observed by our monitor was acceptable and production adhered to the Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media.
Our stringent Guidelines for the Safe Use of Animals in Filmed Media were rigorously applied and followed during production. However, in 2011 while filming was being conducted in New Zealand, the production company made us aware that some of the animal actors being used for the production had died while on a farm that was being used only as housing. None of the animals in question died during filming action or were being used as animal actors when they died. As our jurisdiction does not encompass off set activities, our on-set representative had not previously conducted a review of the farm. Nevertheless, after the deaths, upon the request by the production company, we traveled to the farm and conducted a thorough examination. We made safety recommendations to the animals’ living areas. The production company followed our recommendations and upgraded fence and farm housing, among other things. Working together with the production company, we were able to increase safety for animals on the farm.
A majority of the film was shot on soundstages due to the heavy use of green screen technology. Therefore, many of the horses were filmed on a soundstage. In order to get the horses conditioned to walking on the floor of the stages the trainers and our AHA Representative had them walk on a black plastic tarpaulin repeatedly to get them used to the changes in surface. The set had a rough latex surface applied to all the areas so the horses had improved traction. In addition, a large holding area was built inside the sound studio for the horses to rest between takes. The area was fully carpeted and all the riders were instructed by the trainers to keep their horses on the carpet and off the smooth stage floor.
The AHA Representative also examined the horses’ costumes for comfort and viability. Most of the costumes were one-piece suits, thrown over the back of the horses and then zipped in several places. This left a gap in the groin area and the axilla on both sides. The thin mesh layer of the costumes allowed for good ventilation. A veterinarian was on site conducting regular body checks for temperature and respiratory rates.
Featured Animal Action:
In the opening sequences where we encounter Bilbo’s home, several cows and goats are grazing in the background and were tethered to the ground to keep them still. In the scene where Bilbo runs down a pathway to find Gandalf and startles chickens, some of them scattering off the roadway, trainers used both tethered and untethered chickens in this sequence. The chickens that were tethered were secured close to the pathway so they could react when Bilbo ran down the path.
All horse action scenes including galloping/running were well choreographed, and actors used caution while on and near the animals. The horse(s) rearing was a trained behavior.
In the scene where Gandalf leads an army of men on horses through the woods and Bilbo runs up and talks to them, the AHA Representative checked the trail for protruding rocks and tree roots that could be an issue for the horses. In the subsequent scene where Bilbo rides a pony, all horseback riders were stunt riders or experienced actors who were skilled at riding, mounting and dismounting.
In the scene where the men ride their horses down a hillside, again the AHA Representative checked the trail for rocks and roots. All horses were given water between takes. A horse wrangler led the group in the front, and another wrangler followed them from behind to make sure the line of horses remained stable.
In the scene where the horses surround the campfire after a day’s riding, they were attached to lead ropes tied to posts.
In the scene where the Elrond riders enter a courtyard and surround the dwarves, the scene was shot in a sound stage. Each horse had rubber/plastic shoes on all of their front hooves to improve traction on set. And as described above, the horses were familiarized with the soundstage’s flooring before shooting. The lights were turned down to reduce heat in the stage and the crew was directed to work quietly around the horses.
In the scene where the horses cross a bridge, the bridge was specially constructed for the film and had a full concrete foundation and wood flooring. It was also equipped with a rubber surface which provided traction for the horses.
The scenes featuring rabbits, porcupines, butterflies, birds and hawks, plus some of the horse scenes, were all done through CGI.
American Humane Association’s On-Set Oversight
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