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Home > Books > Audio Books > Fantasy Audio Books > The Lord Of The Rings: BBC Radio 4 Dramatisation (Audio Book) - J.R.R. Tolkien

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for The Lord Of The Rings: BBC Radio 4 Dramatisation (Audio Book) - J.R.R. Tolkien

Rating Summary based on 22 reviews

  • 5 Stars
    		18
  • 4 Stars
    		3
  • 3 Stars
    		1
  • 2 Stars
    		0
  • 1 Star
    		0

Detailed rating

  • Characters
  • How does it compare to other audio books by the same author?
  • How does it compare to similar audio books?
  • Listenability
  • Story
  		• 4.0
  		• 3.5
  		• 4.0
  		• 4.0
  		• 5.0
Previous page Next page Page 1 of 3 | 1 to 10 out of 22 Review(s)
  • 27 of 27 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of lobourse

    lobourse

    5 Stars The old that is strong does not wither 04/07/2007
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages True to a fantastic story, excellent actors, great music

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Finding time to listen, might surprise those who only know the film

    Before Peter Jackson’s remarkable film trilogy, if you didn’t want to plough your way through the mighty tomes that make up J.R.R.Tolkein’s ‘Lord of the Rings’, the only option available was the BBC Radio 4 radio adaptation, which was first broadcast in 1981. Fortunately, this is one of the finest pieces of radio drama ever made, with a host of star names playing the roles. VERY QUICK PLOT OVERVIEW The second age of middle earth is drawing to an end, which marks the passing of the age of elves and the coming of the age of men. The last struggle of the old order is to ensure that the One Ring ... more
  • 44 of 44 Ciao users found the following review helpful
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    Bryn_Pearson

    5 Stars you can hear it this week 18/01/2002
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Good adaptation with some great actors

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Remembering to tune in. Not very well promoted.

    Back in 1981, the BBC undertook a particularly challenging project: To bring Tolkein's "The Lord of the Rings" to the listening masses. This is a huge piece of work, spanning 13 hours of listening time. If you missed it first time round, tapes and cds of the recording are availble - Amazan has the cds for about fifty eight pounds. Better still however is the news that radio Four are running the series again (You've missed the first two, but there is time to catch up.) This January (2002) onwards, you can hear the classic serialisation at 2.30pm every Saturday, in hour long blocks. ( 92-95 ... more
  • 73 of 73 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of Excelle

    Excelle

    5 Stars In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie 01/09/2001
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Brings the book to life, excellent detail and music

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Songs can grate a bit, and pricey

    Have you ever read a book that pulls you in so completely that you become completely attached to it? When you read it, you feel good about yourself, but when you finish it, it's somewhat depressing – something is missing from your life. This, however, just causes you to read it all over again! This is what I found with the Tolkien classic 'The Lord Of The Rings'. But now can you imagine the same book, but in a fully radio-dramatised form? All your imaginings brought to life before your very eyes, um, ears? - The roots of obsession My love of 'The Lord Of The Rings' unsurprisingly started ... more
  • 49 of 50 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of dave27

    dave27

    5 Stars More important than life itself 12/12/2001
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages A brilliant, brilliant story

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Absolutely none

    Quick note - it has been pointed out to me (see comment below) that this opinion is off topic. The full opinion has now been moved to the right section under Books. Sorry for any misunderstanding and I will edit this opinion to make it more relevant shortly - Thankyou ************************* This is a magnificent opinion Dave but.... It's in the section for audio books and as such is meant to be about the BBC dramatisation. The BBC dramatisation is a fantastic piece of work in it's own right and can be purchased on cd or cassette from the BBC online store. The audio adaptation is more than ... more
  • 18 of 19 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of camuk84

    camuk84

    5 Stars Good, But not as good as the book 31/08/2001
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages It's a superb story told Superbly with a huge cast.

    Disadvantages Disadvantages It's expencive and rare, but it's worth paying alot for and searching alot for

    The title is normally something i would say about a film especially as this "The Lord Of The Rings" and "The Hobbit" (which I would love to write a review on except that the site doesn't include it) are the only 2 stories I have on tape. However I have to say that this isn't as good as the book it just doesn't have the detail. But that’s all I can say negatively about it, I'm very confident it is better then the up and coming film will be, it's not over dramatised, they don't change the story that J R R Tolkien wrote, they don't try and shorten it to make it easier for them selves, and ... more
  • 31 of 35 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of Aussieme1106

    Level 5 Aussieme1106

    Member since 16/05/2004

    Reviews written: 65

    5 Stars Middle Earth has no greater story... 07/07/2004
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages The chance of a lifetime.

    Disadvantages Disadvantages none whatsoever.

    What a way to experience Tolkien at his finest !!! The Cast held me spellbound for the entire time. Listening to Ian Holm as Frodo was outstanding. I lay in my bed, eyes closed, imagination running wild and free over the terrain, I found myself transported to Middle Earth, and could feel the magic of it all.The feeling of hearing the voices and trying to put faces to them was a task on its own, but they told the story so well, I felt I was there. The music was well placed, and the sorrow was felt. I first read The Lord of the Rings aged 11, and if I had had this back then, it would have made ... more
  • 15 of 16 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of Owensmiff

    Owensmiff

    5 Stars Watch out Peter Jackson 10/04/2003
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Fantastic production and detail

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Some of the songs go on a bit

    What can I say? I remember when this first came out on the radio, trying to imitate Gollum's glottlestops. You are right there in Middle Earth throughout, and get to know the characters as if they were friends - and its all in the mind without any computer-generated wizardry! Whilst it is long, it is easier than reading the books which are so very heavy-going. Like the film, it cuts out the chapters with Tom Bombadil, but this will only upset ardent Tolkien fans as the story does flow a little better. Some of the detail is missed (eg the Council of Elrond, again like the film, is abridged) ... more
  • 7 of 24 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of dibblerip

    dibblerip

    5 Stars A Repeatable Experience 03/03/2003
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Exiting, dramatic, wonderful characters, magnificent language,unusual scenery descriptions

    Disadvantages Disadvantages may be too long for some people

    When you have to make long journeys by car you need something to keep life interesting. The BBC dramatisation of the Lord of the Rings provides you this and so much more. From the wonderfully believable lovable hobbits to the , sometimes hidden, magnificence of Gandalf all the characters become closer than your friends as you journey with them on this epic trip. And there are bad characters too, some of them also misleading, like Saruman the White. The purpose of their quest is true to all the best of mythology and the battles are more dramatic and spellbinding than any others you will ever ... more
  • 6 of 20 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of katzen

    katzen

    5 Stars Lord of the Rings - your way 04/09/2003
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Good for the imagination

    Disadvantages Disadvantages Need to listen to the whole recording at once

    The audio recording is the best way to tackle this fantastic novel. The reaon I say this is because it lets your imagination run riot. Peter Jackson has done a remarkable job with the films and most of the characters coincide with my own private version. The only thing I can criticise is the journey through the Mines of Moria. There is no way that the flim version can compare to listening to the audio version, lying on your bed, in the dark, or with only one candle lit. It is an unforgettable experience. You must remember to unplug the telephone first though. The audio version cannot be beaten ... more
  • 5 of 16 Ciao users found the following review helpful
    Picture of catasc

    catasc

    5 Stars Better than the films 16/09/2004
    User recommends the product

    Advantages Advantages Fantastic for listening to in the car when you want to escape into the world of Tolkein

    Disadvantages Disadvantages It is quite expensive and very long

    Listening to this radio play is even better than watching the films as it allows you to immerse yourself into the story without images being forced upon you. The songs and poems in Tolkein's languages help to bring the story alive. My main concern with this audio book is the price but it is probably worth it for the hours of entertainment it can give as I have found that I can listen to it again and again as it is so exciting. If you have seen the films before listening to this book Ian Holm as Frodo rather than Bilbo who he plays in the film can be a little confusing. These concerns are not ... more
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