The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
A Full-Cast BBC Radio Dramatisation
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The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Buy Now for £8.99
About this listen
With its first broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on March 8, 1981, this dramatised tale of Middle Earth became an instant global classic. It boasts a truly outstanding cast including Ian Holm (as Frodo), Michael Hordern (as Gandalf), Robert Stephens (as Aragorn), Bill Nighy (as Sam Gamgee) and John Le Mesurier (as Bilbo).
Brian Sibley's famous adaptation has been divided into three corresponding parts, with newly-recorded beginning and end narration by Ian Holm, who now stars as Bilbo in the feature films based on The Lord of the Rings.
Part One, The Fellowship of the Ring, introduces us to Frodo Baggins. With his uncle Bilbo having mysteriously disappeared, Frodo finds himself in possession of a simple gold ring that has great and evil power. It is the Ruling Ring, taken long ago from the Dark Lord, Sauron, who now seeks to possess it again. Frodo must do everything he can to prevent this, and with the help of Gandalf the wizard and a band of loyal companions he begins a perilous journey across Middle-earth. Sauron's Black Riders are on their trail as they travel to Rivendell, attempt to cross the snow-swept Misty Mountains and, in desperation, enter the terrifying Mines of Moria.
©2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2018 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd
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I grew up listening to the cassette tapes of this play and there are some changes. 99% of it is the same, but it's been re-edited. There are alternate takes and extended scenes that I just find so jarring as they weren't in the original version. At first I thought I was losing my memory.
The title music is sped up with a new voiceover, but as it's only at the front of the play it's not too distracting. The pacing has suffered, because now it's no longer in 13 parts, the end of each episode is now a chapter. There is no longer a little cliffhanger and as a result it feels a tad less exciting. I liked the music and used to look forward to hearing it again. The score is excellent and some of the score was woven into the end title music on some episodes, which is now sadly lost.
it's still a brilliant drama with some of the best voice acting on Audible, but it's not quite the version I grew up with.
If you aren't over familiar with the original broadcasts you'll probably think I'm nitpicking. You're probably right.
I'd have been preferred it in 13 parts
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Thoroughly enjoying this so far (about half way through this part) and am really excited to get into the next!
Also... a lot of people are upset that the 13 part drama has been split down into 3 parts.
What's the problem?! Do you REALLY want to pay 13 times to have each individual part? I certainly don't: 3 Books, 3 Parts sounds fine to me.
Thanks for taking the time to put this masterpiece online, Audible - this is great!
Amazing Audio Drama embracing Tolkein's world
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Old classics never gets old
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These radio plays are a true gem. Each of the cast plays their part well. The production is excellent.
It appears that every version of these suffers the same background noise issue - as if you are listening to an audiotape and picking up the other side.
Why four stars? Well, the above is one reason. Another is that the Old Forest and Tom Bombadil are skipped entirely.
But still thoroughly recommended.
Superb presentation so why only 4 stars?
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Part of my life!
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