The Lord of the Rings (BBC Dramatization) 
asked by daddyadd on November 16, 2006 11:18 PM
Dramatization
Thirteen CDs, 13 hours
In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, The Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell, by chance, into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins.
From his fastness in the Dark Tower of Mordor, Sauron's power spread far and wide. He gathered all the Great Rings to him, but ever he searched far and wide for the One Ring that would complete his dominion.
On his eleventy-first birthday Bilbo disappeared, bequeathing to his young cousin Frodo the Ruling Ring and a perilous quest -- to journey across Middle-earth, deep into the shadow of the Dark Lord, and destroy the Ring by casting it into the Cracks of Doom.
The Lord of the Rings tells of the great quest undertaken by Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring: Gandalf the Wizard, the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam, Gimli the Dwarf, Legolas the Elf, Boromir of Gondor, and a tall, mysterious stranger called Strider.
Thirteen CDs, 13 hours
In ancient times the Rings of Power were crafted by the Elven-smiths, and Sauron, The Dark Lord, forged the One Ring, filling it with his own power so that he could rule all others. But the One Ring was taken from him, and though he sought it throughout Middle-earth, it remained lost to him. After many ages it fell, by chance, into the hands of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins.
From his fastness in the Dark Tower of Mordor, Sauron's power spread far and wide. He gathered all the Great Rings to him, but ever he searched far and wide for the One Ring that would complete his dominion.
On his eleventy-first birthday Bilbo disappeared, bequeathing to his young cousin Frodo the Ruling Ring and a perilous quest -- to journey across Middle-earth, deep into the shadow of the Dark Lord, and destroy the Ring by casting it into the Cracks of Doom.
The Lord of the Rings tells of the great quest undertaken by Frodo and the Fellowship of the Ring: Gandalf the Wizard, the hobbits Merry, Pippin, and Sam, Gimli the Dwarf, Legolas the Elf, Boromir of Gondor, and a tall, mysterious stranger called Strider.
Reviews
0%
0%
The problem with this version is something many will remember who first listened to this on Radio 4 itself.
That is it appeared their radio reception was faulty (a sort of fluttering static noise) in a few episodes. Unfortunately this wasn't the case, the original broadcast itself was at fault.
Most episodes are unaffected, and as such this dramatisation is without equal, going well beyond simple unabridged audio versions of the books or even the movies themselves or perhaps I should say a more accurate version for the purist.
However another "edition" of this dramatisation exists, in a five CD pack that also includes the dramatisation of The Hobbit.
This version is free from the audio defects that plague a few episodes from this CD set, the fluttering / static we remember from listening to the radio itself.
Be that as it may, this version is approximately half the cost of the one I'm suggesting, last seen at Barnes and Noble for $75.00.
The choice is yours, ofcourse, either pay for a true unabridged audio reading of the books, this slightly flawed - but cheaper - version of a non-unabridged radio dramatisation, brilliantly acted, and a more accurate version than the movies - or the clearer, but considerably more expensive version that also includes The Hobbit.
That is it appeared their radio reception was faulty (a sort of fluttering static noise) in a few episodes. Unfortunately this wasn't the case, the original broadcast itself was at fault.
Most episodes are unaffected, and as such this dramatisation is without equal, going well beyond simple unabridged audio versions of the books or even the movies themselves or perhaps I should say a more accurate version for the purist.
However another "edition" of this dramatisation exists, in a five CD pack that also includes the dramatisation of The Hobbit.
This version is free from the audio defects that plague a few episodes from this CD set, the fluttering / static we remember from listening to the radio itself.
Be that as it may, this version is approximately half the cost of the one I'm suggesting, last seen at Barnes and Noble for $75.00.
The choice is yours, ofcourse, either pay for a true unabridged audio reading of the books, this slightly flawed - but cheaper - version of a non-unabridged radio dramatisation, brilliantly acted, and a more accurate version than the movies - or the clearer, but considerably more expensive version that also includes The Hobbit.
reviewed by pauls on November 25, 2006 10:25 PM
0%
0%
This version(if I can call it that)is Superb. I have no complaints.
There are a few minor omissions though. Tom Bambadil is not in this drama(and I think he should not have been in the book either). I cant remember what else.
But all in all this is very nicely done and it is really fun to listen to
Dont wait buy it, it is worth it.
There are a few minor omissions though. Tom Bambadil is not in this drama(and I think he should not have been in the book either). I cant remember what else.
But all in all this is very nicely done and it is really fun to listen to
Dont wait buy it, it is worth it.
reviewed by miceandmen on November 28, 2006 5:46 AM
0%
0%
The recent film version of Tolkien's epic fantasy novel inspired me to go back and listen to this BBC radio version from the 1980s.
The beauty of radio drama is that it leaves more scope for the imagination than film or television do, and that works very much to the advantage of this production. Add to that mostly excellent casting, good music, and judicious use of sound effects and you're on to a winner.
Editing and scripting such a grandiose work for 13 hours of radio must have been a challenge, but it's one the producers rose to here. Only very occasionally does the dialogue sound awkward as characters describe events or things they can see and we can't. Though Ian Holm (Frodo) and William Nyigh (Sam Gamgee) are a bit too syrupy at times, the cast is otherwise hard to fault.
All in all, then, a rewarding experience. Radio drama is a genre too many people forget these days. This production is an illustration of why they shouldn't. Recommended.
The beauty of radio drama is that it leaves more scope for the imagination than film or television do, and that works very much to the advantage of this production. Add to that mostly excellent casting, good music, and judicious use of sound effects and you're on to a winner.
Editing and scripting such a grandiose work for 13 hours of radio must have been a challenge, but it's one the producers rose to here. Only very occasionally does the dialogue sound awkward as characters describe events or things they can see and we can't. Though Ian Holm (Frodo) and William Nyigh (Sam Gamgee) are a bit too syrupy at times, the cast is otherwise hard to fault.
All in all, then, a rewarding experience. Radio drama is a genre too many people forget these days. This production is an illustration of why they shouldn't. Recommended.
reviewed by glassysurf on November 29, 2006 9:12 AM
0%
0%
I enjoyed the similarities to Peter Jackson's trilogy. It's like visiting an old friend, and hearing a story in a slightly different and yet very familiar way. I love it!
reviewed by selena on November 29, 2006 3:45 PM
0%
0%
I bought the Lord of the Rings huge book about a year and a half ago. Shortly after I finished the book I bought the american version of this story but thought it cheesy at best. I just purchased and am now listening to the BBC version of this story and am absloutely delighted with it!
It's storyline allows for so much of an imagination that you can almost invison that your in "Middle Earth"!! I intend to buy the Unabridged version one day but, until then I'm content with and absolutley delighted with the BBC version! A must have for all you LOTR fans!! All I can say is BUY IT!!!!!!
It's storyline allows for so much of an imagination that you can almost invison that your in "Middle Earth"!! I intend to buy the Unabridged version one day but, until then I'm content with and absolutley delighted with the BBC version! A must have for all you LOTR fans!! All I can say is BUY IT!!!!!!
reviewed by benzdrives on November 29, 2006 5:07 PM