MIDDLE-EARTH TIMELINE
This twelve-minute short is the very first screen adaptation of Tolkien. It was directed by Gene Deitch in Prague for producer William L. Snyder of Rembrandt Films, who held the film rights to The Hobbit and had to deliver a colour film by June 30, 1967 to keep them. It was shown in a New York screening room on that last day, to an audience paid to attend.
Made quickly with artwork by the Czech illustrator Adolf Born and camera movements over still pictures, it takes great liberties with the book. Gandalf and a princess named Mika ask Bilbo for help, the dragon is called Slag, the trolls and goblins become Gromes and Grablins, and Bilbo comes home married to Mika.
The film stayed forgotten until Gene Deitch revealed it in 2012. He remembered it as made in 1966, but documents later confirmed 1967.
Gandalf and Princess Mika ask Bilbo Baggins to help them against the dragon Slag, in a very free retelling made only to keep the film rights.
