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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
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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I was given this on cassette when I was very young and loved it. I was very surprised to find it as an audiobook and couldn't wait to listen to it again! I did wonder, reading some of the more negative reviews if I might only have remembered this as brilliant because I was a child when I last listened to it but I honestly enjoyed it every bit as much this time around! While I can appreciate some of the criticism in other reviews, I do think that much of the vitriol with which these criticisms are expressed is unfounded. Perhaps some reviewers should take a day off every once in a while!

The Hobbit is a much lighter story aimed at a far younger audience than is LOTR. The major beats of the story are all hit upon, it is paced generally quite well and the performances are all very good and cohesive. The tone throughout is great, with a good deal of humour and warmth woven into the tale while still managing to deal with the themes of the importance of courage and the dangers of greed.

This is a brilliant entry point into Middle Earth, especially for younger listeners.

Childhood favourite

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One of the best dramatizations I have ever listened to of one of my favourite books of all time!

A good dramatization of a good book

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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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