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The Lord of the Rings

michael bakewell j.r.r. tolkien brian sibley

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Widely regarded as a broadcasting classic, the 1981 BBC Radio dramatisation of The Lord of the Rings stars Ian Holm, Michael Hordern, Robert Stephens, John Le Mesurier and Peter Woodthorpe. This box set contains all three parts of the epic tale - The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King. Sauron, the Dark Lord, has gathered to him the Rings of Power - the means by which he will be able to rule the world. All he lacks in his plan for domination is the Ruling Ring, which has fallen into the hands of the hobbit, Frodo Baggins... Brian Sibley, one of the original dramatists, has written new opening and closing narration for the character of Frodo, played by Ian Holm. This collection also includes a bonus CD featuring Stephen Oliver's complete musical score, and a demo version of 'Bilbo's Last Song'.

13 CDs. 13 hrs 15 mins.

null pages, Audio CD

First published January 1,1987

This edition

Format
null pages, Audio CD
Published
December 1, 1999 by Random House Audio
ISBN
9780553456530
ASIN
0553456539
Language
English

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About the author

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brian sibley

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Brian Sibley is an English author who has written over 100 hours of radio drama and has written and presented hundreds of radio documentaries, features and weekly programmes.

In 1981, he co-wrote BBC Radio 4's adaptation of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings with Michael Bakewell, and has also adapted C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia and Mervyn Peake's Gormenghast for Radio 4, for which he received a Sony Radio Award in 1985.

As a broadcaster, he was a contributor to and then regular presenter of the former BBC Radio 4 arts programme Kaleidoscope and the BBC World Service arts magazine, Meridian. He also presented the Radio 4 film programme, Talking Pictures and chaired the radio panel games Break A Leg and Screen Test, and presented several seasons of the BBC television programme, First Light.

The Daily Telegraph radio critic, Gillian Reynolds gave him the accolade "magician of the airwaves".

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 108 votes)
5 stars
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108 reviews All reviews
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JulianGesicht
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 17,2025
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Excellent audiobook for lovers of the Lord of the Rings. The BBC did a great production, with excellent actors and sound effects. This isn't a reading of the novel; it is a radio drama. Definitely worth the listen.
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Grimmm
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 17,2025
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Terrific interpretation. I've listened numerous times. In some ways I enjoy more than the movies. Primarily, I think Ian Holm makes a great Frodo. Brian Sibley nailed it with this BBC radio adaptation!
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shaitman
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 17,2025
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The casting was fantastic and the atmosphere was well conveyed. I enjoyed the experience mostly due to the fact that some of the "boring" and lengthy parts of the original were omitted in favor of the overall story.
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romancuzyes
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 17,2025
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Great dramatization. I listened to this dramatized version on my way to work. Because it was an adaptation, I'm counting this as only one book, not three. I think it's the second time I've listened through these CDs. I was going to finish on my birthday (March 24), but I heard that Sauron was defeated on March 25, so I put it off until then.
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zlood
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 17,2025
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This was fantastic, and so much fun listening to in the car while driving. There were a couple times that the acting seemed slightly over the top, but overall it was really amazing, and those moments didn't distract from the story at all.

Now all I want to do is reread the book and rewatch the films...
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RohitKun
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 17,2025
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Long considered one of the best adaptations of the Lord of the Rings, this audio drama deserves all the praise it receives.

The voice acting is excellent, with Ian Holm as Frodo, and the actor as Gollum standing out in particular.

This series manages to pull together the various components of Lord of the Rings, while skipping over some of the extraneous details (sorry Tom Bombadil :( ).

The series excels at making engaging and riveting dialogue choices; however, it struggles some during the various fights and combats in the story. The lack of a major narrator presence means most fights are the various characters yelling, some clangs, and orc yells and squeaks, and after the fact the characters summing things up "Oh that was a close call with that orc spear Mr. Frodo." While this works, it doesn't quite allow a listener to picture what action is taking place. I could see this as particularly challenging if someone isn't already familiar with the scenes.

Some of the sound effect choices are not great, while others are amazing. The Ringwraith's scream for instance is funny, rather then horrifying, but the jingle of horse reigns for Shadowfax, as well as the accompanying music, works quite well.

A final note, the songs of Lord of the Rings are things that I think any adaptation will struggle with. the BBC Radio Collection is no different. Some of them are very well done, while others, particularly the song once the King returns, are piercing and nearly un-listenable.

Overall, well worth a listen for any Tolkien fan, though I may not suggest it as a first introduction to the series.
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Si-Ran
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
March 17,2025
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Did you know that amidst the throes of World War II, Tolsky dispatched drafts of his burgeoning masterpiece, "The Lord of the Rings," to his son Christopher, then stationed in South Africa? Captivated by the timeless saga of good versus evil, Christopher shared the unfolding tale with his comrades during the tranquil hours of the evening. These nightly readings became a cherished ritual, offering a glimmer of hope amid the chaos of war. As the South African Air Force grappled with adversity, these stories emerged as a source of unity and resilience, inspiring the troops to persevere and ultimately alter the course of the conflict in South Africa's favor.

This fascinating anecdote adds a poignant layer to the enchanting tale that is Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Consisting of "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers," and "The Return of the King," this trilogy is a masterpiece of fantasy literature that transports readers to the magical realm of Middle-earth.

In "The Lord of the Rings," Tolkien beckons us into an extraordinary odyssey, where hobbits, elves, dwarves, and men unite in a quest to vanquish the ominous figure of Sauron. Through Tolkien's lyrical prose and vibrant imagination, Middle-earth burst forth in all its splendor and peril, a realm where valor and solidarity sway.

"The Fellowship of the Ring" introduces us to Frodo Baggins and his intrepid companions as they embark on a perilous quest to rid the world of the One Ring's malevolent influence. In "The Two Towers," the fellowship confronts formidable trials and unforeseen alliances in their relentless struggle against the encroaching darkness. In "The Return of the King," the destiny of Middle-earth teeters on the brink as heroes rise to meet their fate and usher in a new era.

Although this book is traditionally placed in the Fantasy genre, it is equally categorized as literary fiction with its rich descriptions and character development. Tolkien's trilogy transcends the bounds of traditional fantasy, evolving into a timeless saga of camaraderie, self-sacrifice, and the enduring triumph of righteousness over malevolence. With its sweeping vistas, this trilogy not only ignites the imagination but also delves into the depths of the human condition, reminding us of the enduring power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit.

So, whether you're a seasoned voyager of Middle-earth or embarking on your maiden journey, Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy promises an unforgettable expedition into a realm where magic and literary finesse converge in perfect harmony.
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