The Quest for the Fifth Army in The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies

In the film The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies, the conflict is primarily centered around four distinct armies: Men, Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs. However, an intriguing question often arises: where is the fifth army mentioned in the title? Let's delve into the roles and identities of the various forces, focusing on whether the Eagles can be classified as the fifth army.

Eagles as a Separate Force

The Eagles: Although not strictly an army like the Men, Elves, Dwarves, or Orcs, the Eagles of Middle-earth play a crucial role in the climactic battle. They serve as a unique, critical force that significantly influences the outcome. In the movie, the Eagles are specifically referred to as the fifth army, aiding the free peoples against the orc forces. Their role in the battle is pivotal, symbolizing divine intervention or a powerful ally. Despite their sentience and formidable size, the Eagles are not a traditional military unit, making them a unique entity in the battle hierarchy.

Orcs: Two Distinct Forces

Orsz and Bolg's Forces: The film The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies introduces two distinct armies of Orcs: Azog's force and Bolg's force. Azog, leader of the Defiler's army, attacks first, and Bolg follows with a separate contingent from the north. This distinction indicates that the Orcs, despite being of the same race, are organized into two separate forces, adding complexity to the conflict.

The Book's Perspective: Wargs as the Fifth Army

The Book's Narrative: When discussing the book The Hobbit, a different perspective emerges. In J.R.R. Tolkien's original work, the fifth army is not the Eagles, but the Wargs. The book explicitly mentions that the battle of five armies includes the Elves, Men, Dwarves, Orcs, and Wargs. Wargs, which are described as giant wolves, are a significant force in their own right. They possess their own motives and are a powerful cavalry force, contributing to the overall conflict. In this context, the fifth army is more definitively the Wargs, reflecting the grand scale and complexity of the conflict in Tolkien's literary universe.

Open Interpretation and Generic Forces

Open for Interpretation: The classification of the fifth army is subject to interpretation, depending on one's reading or viewing perspective. Some argue that the Wargs should be considered as a distinct force due to their significant role and their possession of sentience. Others might consider the involvement of the Eagles as a more modern and cinematic approach to the narrative. The Rankin-Bass cartoon also features the Goblins and Wargs as a united force, with the Eagles taking the fifth position. This raises the question of why the book did not present such a configuration, possibly due to the eagles' smaller role or their integration into the overall battle scenario.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the fifth army in The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies depends on the perspective taken. While the Eagles can be seen as the fifth army in the film for their significant and unique role, in the book, the Wargs hold this position due to their intricate contribution to the conflict. Understanding the nuances of both the film and the book allows for a more comprehensive appreciation of the intricate battle dynamics and the diverse forces involved. Whether considering the Wargs, Eagles, or both, the fifth army adds to the rich tapestry of Middle-earth's epic struggle.