I've read the Tolkien books for many years. Completely enjoyed the Lord of the Rings trilogy, so was looking forward to what Peter Jackson was going to do with The Hobbit. He's taken a fairly short book and is turning it into 3 movies. So he has expanded beyond the original. He's taken stuff from Silmarillion and brought in some other things, but in general he is true to the story and the original author's concept. Definately worthwhile seeing. Looking forward to part 2.