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Title: The Lord of the Rings (BBC Dramatization) by IAN HOLM, Dramatization, J.R.R. TOLKIEN ISBN: 0-553-45653-9 Publisher: Random House Audio Pub. Date: 01 December, 1999 Format: Audio CD Volumes: 13 List Price(USD): $69.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.54 (108 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A superb dramatisation on CD at last !
Comment: I bought the audio-cassette edition of this years ago, before the days of CD and online shopping, and I've long been hoping that it would one day be released on CD. It really is a magnificent achievement - the thought, planning, respect and sheer professionalism that have gone into creating this is simply remarkable. What a contrast to the execrable Mind's Eye edition ! The BBC version is not a complete reading of the book, but rather a (judiciously) abridged and compact dramatisation. Having said that, it's still very long. It's like listening to a really good, long (13 hours!) film of LOTR with your eyes closed. The atmosphere and feeling of the book has been captured wonderfully, with great, stirring performances from internationally-known and respected actors like Ian Holm, Michael Horden and Robert Stephens. The music and songs are haunting and dramatic, and the sound effects are so authentic that you really feel like you're there with the Company on its quest to destroy the ring. Even the packaging is of the highest quality, another thing the people that made the Mind's Eye version should take note of. The CDs come in a very nicely designed box with artwork, maps, and other information. Quite a few people have been asking which CD edition to buy - if you want an amateurish, cartoon-style version this isn't for you. If, however, you are looking for excitement, intelligence, humour, a sense of wonder, and faithfulness to the spirit of Tolkien's masterpiece, then the BBC edition shouldn't disappoint.
Rating: 5
Summary: Wonderful Dramatization of a Beloved Work - Highly Recommend
Comment: This is a terrific dramatization of the epic Lord of the Rings. All of the actors give true, heart-felt performances. Especially note-worthy is Peter Woodthorpe's interpretation of Gollum, truly frightening and pitiful; Ian Holm's Frodo, heart-breakingly felt; William Nighy's Sam Gamgee, very funny; and Michael Hordern's Gandalf, strong and commanding.
The background sounds; birds singing, horses stamping their hooves, hobbit feet tramping in the woods, even the sound of the wind in the trees will make you feel as though you were right in the middle of it. I especiallly enjoyed Tolkien's poems set to original music, very inspiring!
Be warned that this is an abridged version, the Tom Bombadil, Old Forest chapters are deleted, as well as, a few passages here and there. However, it doesn't take away from the sheer impact this will leave you with.
It helps to read the books, but it's not necessary to enjoy this particular adaptation. Enjoy!
Rating: 5
Summary: Yes! You should hear this, even if you've seen the movie!
Comment: I have owned a copy of this remarkable BBC radio dramatization of the Lord of the Rings for probably 15 years, and still remember its appearance on National Public Radio over twenty years ago. I read the books thirty years ago. I have loved the movies.
I feel I'm qualified to answer the question: "Is hearing this worth it?" "Do I really need to own this?"
You need this. The books are wonderful (and unlike all other versions are of course "unabridged"). However, how often can you read them? The movies are wonderful, however again how often can you find the time to commit to watch them. Plus, everything is "invisioned" for you. This is a work of imagination! Shouldn't you use your own imagination?
This radio drama sits in the pleasant middle ground. You can use your mind to see what your ears hear. This is a portable experience, you can take it with you, and multi-task while you're experiencing it.
Artistically, this production is as wonderful as the movie production, and has a more quiet charm. You have high quality actors in top form (Michael Hordern, Robert Stephans, Ian Holm to name a few). You have quieter music (chamber strings and harp mostly) You have more of Tolkien's own lyrics and poetry. You also have more of Tolkien's original plot, the Scouring of the Shire is not in the movie.
I will restate what other reviews have said: "Stay away from the Mind's Eye version!" Unfortunately, only the BBC really knows how to turn out high quality, aurally detailed radio drama. (Well, so does ZBS media, but that's another story.)
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Title: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Full Cast ISBN: 0807288845 Publisher: Bantam Books-Audio Pub. Date: 27 February, 2001 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
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Title: The J.R.R. Tolkien Audio Collection by J. R. R. Tolkien, Tolkien J. R. R. ISBN: 0694525707 Publisher: HarperAudio Pub. Date: 02 October, 2001 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: The Atlas of Middle-Earth (Revised Edition) by Karen Wynn Fonstad ISBN: 0618126996 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: 10 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $24.00 |
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Title: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Gift Set by J. R. R. Tolkien, Rob Inglis ISBN: 1402516274 Publisher: Recorded Books Pub. Date: January, 2002 List Price(USD): $129.99 |
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Title: The Silmarillion by J.R.R. TOLKIEN ISBN: 0345325818 Publisher: Del Rey Pub. Date: 12 January, 1985 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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