The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

A closer look at the story

With Laketown left devastated by the dragon Smaug, the dwarves at last hold Erebor and the vast hoard inside the mountain. Others, however, lay claim to that wealth too: the people of the ruined town and the elves of Mirkwood. While the hobbit and his companions guard the hoard against these claims, a great Orc army under Azog is closing in on Erebor. The future of Middle-earth depends on whether dwarves, elves and men can stand together. Directed by Peter Jackson, who adapted the novel by J. R. R. Tolkien together with Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro, the 144-minute 2014 film stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Richard Armitage in a fantasy adventure.