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The Hobbit (Dramatised)

The Classic BBC Radio Production

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The Hobbit (Dramatised)

By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Narrated by: Heron Carvic, Paul Daneman, Anthony Jackson, Francis de Wolff, John Justin, John Pullen, Full cast
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About this listen

 Dwarves, elves, goblins, trolls, dragons and wizards - these are the ingredients of J.R.R. Tolkien's wonderful fantasy, the prelude to The Lord of The Rings, now the subject of a major feature film series. The hero of the tale is Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving unambitious hobbit who is suddenly thrust into what turns out to be the biggest adventure of his life. Guided by Gandalf the wizard, Bilbo and a company of dwarves set out to destroy Smaug the Magnificent, a ferocious dragon who guards a treasure hoard. Their journey contains many dangers, and in facing them the reluctant Bilbo's great resourcefulness and courage surprises everyone - not least himself! Since it was first broadcast in 1968, this BBC Radio 4 dramatisation has become a classic in its own right, perfectly evoking Tolkien's magical other world and its enchanting, fantastic inhabitants.© and (P)1988, 1994, 1997, 2002 BBC Audiobooks Ltd Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Funny Feel-Good Adventure Adaptation

Critic reviews

The Hobbit delivers a classic adventure. If you’re travelling with children and have a three-hour-42-minute journey to fill, the 1968 BBC dramatisation starring Paul Daneman and Anthony Jackson will keep everyone on the edge of their car seats.
anyone who wishes to get an idea of what The Hobbit might be like as one faithful film... should seek this out. It might lack the dynamism of the cinematic adaptation, but the world it creates feels more dangerous and real - www.denofgeek.com, Andrew Blair, 13/12/2013 (Andrew Blair)
The BBC adaptation is well structured and Paul Daneman is incredibly well cast as Bilbo. If you don't already own this, then now is the perfect time to add this wonderful radio play to your collection. (Nick Smithson)
All stars
Most relevant
My father had this on cassette tape and growing up I would listen to this story as I went to sleep at night. Takes me back to sinpler times. Brilliant performance expertly delivered. Great way to get the kids into middle earth on long car journeys

Superb nostalgia

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If you’ve read the book you’ll recognise the lighter tone and fantasy of the original book. The films are great but have taken some artistic license in emotion and tone.

Enjoyed it, especially the actor playing the hobbit.

Dinged it by one star as music can sometimes be a bit jarring, however this maybe due the sound quality (not great as it was recovered from non-original sources)

Captures the original tone of the book

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Only complaints are Gandalf's voice - perhaps I am too used to Sir Ian Mckellan doing it and the strange pronunciation of Gollum which sounds like Golloom. Those are the only things that annoyed me. Overall very good though.

Good considering the age of the recording...

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have loved this version for years I have it on tape 😂 and still do. perfect journey listening for the car or for a night when you can't sleep

reliving my youth

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The sound quality of this was so quiet and hushed and speed needed lowest option available. Really spoilt a best seller book

Bad version of it

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