The Lord of the Rings: "The Fellowship of the Ring", "The Two Towers", "The Return of the King" (BBC Radio Collection)

This production of Lord of the Rings is no exception. Whilst I do enjoy Peter Jackson's films, there are of course areas where I feel he has it completely wrong (almost inevitable given the length and depth of the books): compressing distances and times, over-enthusiastic editing of the "slower movements" and expansion of the action, insertion of some (stupefyingly silly) plot lines (which detracted from the story rather than adding to it) and a general "dumbing down" of Tolkein's masterpiece. Whilst the BBC has edited certain sections (the main omission being the Old Forest/Tom Bombadil), they have been more faithful to the overall feel of Tolkein's world and the themes running through the books, and they certainly haven't fallen into the traps which snared Jackson: namely, underestimating your audience and catering for the lowest common denominator.

This production provides superb acting (the casting was inspired), ground-breaking sound effects and a directorial pacing which drives the narrative at an engaging rate whilst allowing the story and characters to breathe. I first heard it during its second airing when I was around 10 years old, having recently read the books. This edition is of course slightly different from the original broadcast, with each episode shorn of it's "top and tail" necessary for broadcast, but with added narration from Ian Holme. Whilst I am not convinced that his addition enhances the production, it does not detract, and the lack of the half-hourly cast list certainly improves the listening experience.

On balance I feel this is the better version to listen to than the original production, although it would benefit from the original boxing/maps rather than the less atttractive generic packaging that it comes in now. Perhaps the BBC will revert to the old style- here's hoping!

I would certainly recommend this, both to those who have only seen the films, and to those who have "only" read the books.

Oh, and by the way. Peter Jackson DID hear this before he made the films. I only wish he's taken a little more notice. The pictures are always better on the radio.


A production so precious-s-s-s-s-s-s!!!   December 7, 2002
27 out of 28 found this review helpful

I recently borrowed the 14 cd boxed collectors edition of the radio series and was blown away.
A fantastic adaptation by BBC Radio 4 with John Le Mesurier as Bilbo, Ian Holm as Frodo (now Bilbo in the films!) but the real star is Peter Woodthorpe as Gollum, he perfectly captures his split personality and the voice he provides is a joy to behold.(He also did the voice of Gollum in Ralph Bakshi's incomplete animated film version of the story, but seems to take it to a whole new level in this adaptation).
I bought this new 12 cd set and it differs from the previous edition - the story has been re-edited so that each book of the trilogy continues unbroken without the radio programme's original intro and ending, it is no longer split into neat 1-hour long episodes, thus enabling it to fit onto just 12 cds.
The removal of these breaks means that the story flows better, although you may feel compelled to put the next cd in to continue the story as a result!!!
In addition to this re-editing Ian Holm has recorded new epilogues and prologues.
The final cd contains music from the series, and the music is very good indeed.
If you like The Lord Of The Rings and don't yet own the radio series then i can recommend this completely.
If you enjoyed the Fellowship film and would like to know the ending of the trilogy before Christmas 2003(and doubt you could read the epic book in that timeframe!) then this set is ideal.
Believe me, as soon as Gollum appears on the first CD you'll know you've made the right decision!
At 13+ hours long this is excellent value for money, too.


This is it - the First full version to appear on radio.   September 9, 2007
Jay Dunlop (UK)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is the CD collection of the wonderful BBC Radio adaptation of the Lord of the Rings. I remember tuning in every week to listen to the next installment, and wishing that they were longer! I loved it then; I loved it when it became available on cassettes and I love it now on CD.
I first read Lord of the Rings as I entered my teens. Then I struggled with the pronuciation of the names and the Sindarian quotes. But I read it, re-read it and continue to re-read it to this day more than 40 years down the road. These books are rightly famous and this radio epic has achieved its own status. It was the 'First'. The characterisation was wonderful then and even managed to enter the wonderful triology by Peter Jackson in the person of Ian Holm.
Of necessity this, like the films that followed, was an 'abridged' version. Hardly surprising given the length of the books. The pictures are, of course, better on radio than on any screen and I found myself enjoying anew the tale as told by the Beeb.
Long may they continue to turn out drama of this quality!


Peter Jackson hold your head up high !   December 26, 2003
9 out of 13 found this review helpful

For those of you who thought that the recent films based upon this modern classic was utterly briliant and of course that it is a clear exercise in HOW to do things properly... buy this immediately.

Why ? .... because this TOO is BRILLIANT !!!

A truly inspired piece of radio dramatisation, the cast is excellent (especially Peter Woodthorpe as Gollum), the music superb and with this edition now edited together to be one continuous piece instead of the 26 or 13 episodes originally broadcast. This is a good ...ALTERNATIVE... lesson in how this sort of thing should be done.

Granted, some of the characters and episodes have been edited out (as in Peter Jackson version) but this does not detract from the over scale and brilliance of the piece (as it didn't in Peter Jackson version)

I'm sure someone MUST HAVE bought a copy of this for Peter Jackson before he went ahead with his masterpiece bringing these books to the screen.