Chicago, see trilogy-closer The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies early and for free

This winter, Peter Jackson’s three-part Hobbit series, itself a prequel to The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, comes to a close with The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies. That’s a whole lot of Hobbit – well over 1,000 minutes of Hobbit, in fact. Reportedly, the final installment is set to include a 45-minute battle climax with dwarves, elves, eagles, orcs, and one desolate Smaug in the mix. As Jackson has proven with The Return Of The King, he knows how to create a compelling final chapter, so this is one not to be missed. The films opens nationally on December 17, but The A.V. Club has an opportunity for you to see it early and for free on December 11. For your chance to win passes to this advanced screening, follow the link here and enter the code AVC1211. Remember, seats are first come, first serve, so arrive early. An official synopsis and trailer can be found below.

“The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and the Company of Dwarves. The Dwarves of Erebor have reclaimed the vast wealth of their homeland, but now must face the consequences of having unleashed the terrifying Dragon, Smaug, upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. As he succumbs to dragon-sickness, the King Under the Mountain, Thorin Oakenshield, sacrifices friendship and honor in his search for the legendary Arkenstone. Unable to help Thorin see reason, Bilbo is driven to make a desperate and dangerous choice, not knowing that even greater perils lie ahead. An ancient enemy has returned to Middle-earth. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide—unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends as five great armies go to war.”