Product Description

A BBC radio dramatisation of the first book in J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Brian Sibley's famous 1981 adaptation, starring Ian Holm and Michael Hordern, has been divided into three corresponding parts, with a newly recorded beginning and closing narration by Holm. Soon to be released as a feature film.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #254139 in Books
• Published on: 2001-11-12
• Released on: 2001-11-12
• Format: Audiobook
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 4
• Binding: Audio CD

Customer Reviews

A world apart...
Surely, surely this has to be the ultimate radio drama. A story of epic proportions set in a rich and varied folkloric landscape, adapted here with a seamless brilliance that pulls you irresistibly into its world of adventure, folklore, and deep, deep lyricism. The cast is a perfectly matched ensemble of actors almost as legendary as the characters they play - Ian Holm as Frodo making the transition from carefree youth to anguished anti-hero with complete conviction, Robert Stephens' majestic Aragorn an always commanding presence, and Michael Hordern's Gandalf somehow managing to capture both the twinkling humour and the somewhat melancholic wisdom of the wizard. Over all this, Stephen Oliver's strange and beautiful score adds an atmosphere of intense, otherworldly mysticism that enriches the whole, and emphasises the often overlooked poetical depth of Tolkien's Middle Earth.

Never underplaying the seriousness of its story, this production is quite simply an astounding achievement, and highly recommended to anyone - whether you have read the books or not.

Very pleased
I decided to replace my battered copies of these books, and wanted to go for the set of three (Yes, I know I am excluding the Hobbit here) rather than the single volume edition. This is of course the first of them. The reason I like this particular edition is of course because it is illustrated by Alan Lee, whose illustrations are both hugely popular and also what inspired and informed what we see in the movies directed by Peter Jackson. Alan Lee has also illustrated many other great pieces of work, not only J.R.R Tolkien books, for example, there is a wonderful edition of the Mabinogion that he illustrated.

A second reason to buy these is in the bigger-size of the books. They are large :) And of course, the best bit is that they are hardback, so I do not have to worry about them falling apart like my other ones did.

If you have not read these books, but always wanted to, I would suggest picking up this version of them. The illustrations are wonderful, and the division into three parts combined with the size of the books themselves, make the story very approachable :)

invigorating listening from which you never tire.
having read the lord of the rings many years ago, reliving the story through audio tapes was a wonderful experience. living in times which are constantly rushed, listening to books such as the fellowship of the ring, whilst driving in the car, sitting at the computer or doing work around the house makes life more enjoyable. i can't wait to see the new film.