'The Hobbit' Post-Production Video Blog Shows The Production Getting Down To The Wire

Here's the latest behind the scenes video chronicling the production of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. By this point we've seen quite a lot of footage from the film — enough for someone to cut together nearly eight minutes worth of the story — and no small amount of behind the scenes stuff.

This video focuses on post-production, which is appropriate as the New Zealand premiere of the film is only days away, on Wednesday November 28. And the movie hits the States on December 14, which isn't that far off at all. Peter Jackson is back in his "I really need a nap mode," as is just about everyone else shown in the video. After seeing the huge scope of the production in past blogs, it's pretty fun to see the little tiny editing room where Jackson and his editor are assembling the film. This also gives a new glimpse at quite a few new effects shots that we haven't seen in the past, as well as a look at the pipeline for the creation of the film's last effects. 

Opening in 3D, 2D and IMAX 3D theaters on December 14, the anticipated film follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever... Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities... A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.