The Timeline Connection Between 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' and 'The Lord of the Rings' Trilogy

When delving into the vast universe of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, it's essential to understand the timeline connections between his novels and the film adaptations. The The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and the The Lord of the Rings trilogy are two pivotal phases in the broader narrative. This article explores how these two major film series interconnect, specifically how much time passes between them and the implications for the Middle-earth timeline.

The Timing of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is set in the Third Age (TA) of Middle-earth, specifically around the years 2941-2942. Meanwhile, the events of the The Lord of the Rings trilogy occur roughly 60 years later, beginning in 3018 and concluding in 3021 of the Third Age.

Timeline Overview

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Timeframe: Approximately 2941-2942 TA.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy

The Fellowship of the Ring: Begins in 3018 TA. The Two Towers: Continues in 3019 TA. The Return of the King: Concludes in 3021 TA.

Time Between the Two

The time that passes between the end of The Hobbit and the beginning of The Lord of the Rings is approximately 77 years. Specifically, The Hobbit ends around 2942 TA, while The Lord of the Rings begins in 3018 TA. This significant gap illustrates the broad expanse of time and the enduring themes of Middle-earth.

Events and Time Gaps

The Hobbit movies begin in Third Age 3001 during the opening scene of The Fellowship of the Ring. Bilbo is preparing to leave the Shire after his birthday party. He had just finished The Red Book, which was his account of his first adventure, as we know it as The Hobbit, and he was explaining to Frodo that he hadn't written down the whole truth. Then he launched into the "real" story.

The action then switches back to TA 2941 when Bilbo was sitting on his doorstep and Gandalf happened by. The three Hobbit movies take place during TA 2941-2942. The movies end with Gandalf arriving at the Shire with his wagon of fireworks. So, the bulk of The Hobbit occurs 60 years before the beginning of The Lord of the Rings. Another 17 years pass between Bilbo leaving the Shire and Gandalf telling Frodo that he has to leave. The bulk of the Lord of the Rings happened during TA 3018 and 2019.

Timeline Reflections

The Hobbit movies, while faithful to the original text, stretch the timeframe of the story to fit a longer film series. This stretch is both a fan-fiction disaster and a creative necessity. The timeline of The Hobbit starts exactly 61 years after Bilbo's arrival in Esgaroth and the start of the original book's timeline, which itself was set during Bilbo's 50th birthday.

The Lord of the Rings "Long Expected Party" occurs on Bilbo's 111th birthday and Frodo's 33rd birthday, marking 61 years since Bilbo's arrival in Esgaroth, which also coincides with the end of The Hobbit. This direct reference underscores the intricate connections between the two narratives.

In conclusion, understanding the timeline between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings is key to grasping the vast universe of Middle-earth. The 77-year gap between the two sets of movies offers a detailed look at the lasting impact of Bilbo's adventures and the preparation for the more dire events of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.