Official Movie Guide (The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug)

I was not sure what to expect from this book, but I was satisfied very quickly with my purchase.This book gives excellent insight into the work happening behind the scenes we see in the movie. The author knows the crew since the time of the Lord of the Rings and delivers a string of interesting interviews with cast and crew, as well as great photos documenting the making-of process. I very much appreciate to learn which daily miracles were made to happen by costume designers, set decorators, make-up artists, WETA-props and prosthetics makers and countless many more people, so to manufacture an incredible end performance. These movies are not just about the right plot and good acting, hundreds of people were involved to create them and I am very keen to understand how they contributed. From the hair-punchers to the knitters, all of them were important and I very much like the thought that these easily overlooked crew members get their deserved acknowledgement as well.The style of wirting is entertaining and informative at the same time. The persons interviewed are strategically well chosen, so the reader can get a comprehension of the dedication and commitment of ALL cast and crew which was administrated.If you love the LotR and Hobbit-movies, I can only recommend to read this book, particularly if you are interested how your favourite characters or scenes were made to come "real".I absolutely enjoy reading this book, I also bought the Official Movie Guide of the Unexpected Journey, but haven't read it yet - I trust it is of the same quality.

I have not yet seen any of the film trilogy, but without reading this guide and also the guide to the Five Armies, I would not have recognised the films being a true representation of Tolkien's descriptions of the Hobbit.The additions of various characters that do not appear in the book would have been confusing without reading the guides.

I've now got all 3 in the series - an excellent look at behind the scenes!

Another fantastic insight into the hard work that goes into the making of these awesome films. Recommended for anyone who enjoys learning about the logistics of making movies, or if you are a fan of the book and films.

The making of book. Very similar. To the other making of books. Gives profiles on characters actors back room staff production info. .very good book and a must for all Tolkien film buffs