lets not act like either movie stuck strictly to the books. even though the Hobbit certainly took more liberties. the complete exclusion of Bombadil and the barrow-downs. the fact that Aragorn gets the remade sword at the council of Elrond before the fellowship sets out. it all works out in the end. even if the Hobbit is different from the books I still found it a fine watch. not as good as LOTR granted.