We break down that new Hobbit trailer (+video)

The decision to split JRR Tolkien's slim Hobbit tome into three movies initially caused controversy among fans and critics, for fear the classic adventure would be watered down or even lack momentum.

But their worries seem unfounded - judging by a new trailer for the forthcoming final film in the trilogy.

The teaser for The Hobbit: Battle Of The Five Armies promises every dramatic special effect and battle sequence director Peter Jackson and his Weta Digital workshop can pull out of their magical hats.

Having attempted to destroy Benedict Cumberbatch's sneering fire breathing dragon in The Desolation of Smaug; the dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield and aided by hobbit Bilbo Baggins, left the towns surrounding the Lonely Mountain at risk of destruction by a scaly beast intent on revenge.

In a lull before the storm, the trailer begins with Bilbo's voice drifting over footage of elf Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly) looking alarmed as Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) rides through battlegrounds; Smaug destroying Lake-town in a fire-breathing fit of rage and Legolas (Orlando Bloom) surveying the smoke filled wreckage.

"One day I'll remember," he says. "Remember everything that happened. The good, the bad. Those who survived and those that did not."

The journey for the dwarves and Bilbo may have led them to attempt to recover their lost treasures taken by Smaug in The Lonely Mountain, but the elves and men of Lake-town are eager to receive their share.

Cue the five armies descending and the battle between the Dwarves, Legolas's Mirkwood Elves, the Men of the Long Lake, the great Eagles of the Misty Mountains and the evil Goblins.

The trailer promises drama, but also sorrow, and is set to mournful song The Steward of Gondor (Mist and Shadow) first seen on Lord Of The Rings and performed by the hobbit Pippin (Billy Boyd)

The one minute 50 second trailer flashes between battle sequences, Bard The Bowman (Luke Evans) appearing in front of an army clad in gold, Elvenking Thranduil in battle and a Lake-town man asking Thorin: 'Will you have peace or war?'

Dressed in armour and furs, Thorin (Richard Armitage) roars 'I will have war!'

There are some tender moments however, with Elf Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) kissing the head of the battle warn Gandalf, and Tauriel and Legolas becoming closer in war.

As the prequel to the dark days of Lord Of The Rings, The Hobbit hints at the bleakness to come, even flashing an image of the Eye Of Sauron - the main protagonist of the Rings movies.

The trailer ends with Thorin pleading: "Will you follow me one last time?"

The Hobbit: Battle Of The Five Armies is released on December 12.

- Daily Mail