This review is for The Fellowship of the Ring, BBC Dramatization, radio program. The audio quality is fantastic. The dramatization is superb, as well. Unfortunately, I think that too much of the original book is left out. I was confused with the start of every new scene. Several times I stopped the CD, so my son, who already read the book, could explain to me what was happening. This is a great CD set for someone who has already read the trilogy.

Love the books, which I have read before, but was looking for something to listen to in the car so I got these at the library. I would have preferred a lot more narration to give some of the wonderful details Tolkien includes. And, having read the books I knew what was going on, but if someone was not familiar with the novels I think some of the dramatization would be difficult to follow.

Listening to this dramatisation has become something of an annual event for me. I started in 1997, Thanksgiving Day, listening to the entire 13-hour series as I cooked & ate my Thanksgiving Day meal and drew the first of my illustrated Christmas cards (beginning another tradition). I still tend to do that when I can, but since I do get to spend Thanksgiving with family these days, I either listen to it on another day or serially during the month of November. Brilliant adaptation, featuring Ian Holm and Bill Nighy.

A good adaptation of the novel.

The beloved classic that everyone knows and loves. While it may not be in my top 5, or even top ten fantasy series based just on enjoyment, I feel it does deserve a high rating based solely on respect and the influence it's had on the entire fantasy genre. Its influences are still felt in new releases today and I will always be able to pick up any one of these incredible books and do a re-read and enjoy it just as much as the first time. Easy 5 stars for the entire series.

Vastly faster paced than the books. More to my liking. Kind of a Cliff Notes version.

listened to this on a cross country road trip. it was really entertaining. slightly abridged, but good. ian holm as frodo, beautiful swelling music, but the yelling! so much yelling!

Having heard this a dozen times growing up, a favorite bed-time story, the masterful voice acting still delights me when I encounter a film with a voice I recognize (which isn't that rare, considering some of the cream of the BBC crop in this). Though I love the movies, I find myself disappointed when at times it falls short of the expectations of this masterpiece; a line is delivered with less fervor or, most of all, the music and poetry which, in snippets, makes this piece so exceptional is nowhere to be found. While you're at it, be sure to get yourself the version with the CD of just the music, as that is a treasure of its own.

I was happy to learn that much of the music is performed by the Ambrosian Singers, who I have loved (I refuse to blush about this) since hearing the music to the musical Chess. Even those pieces not performed by them are memorable; the film version mumbling of "The Road Goes Ever On and On" is a shaded memory hearkening to a younger Ian Holms handling the fine tune on these albums.

Some of those who have loved the action scenes of LOTR, be it in imagination or film, have expressed disappointment in the audio; fair enough. But Tolkien has made an epic of epics that transcends action alone, and anything disappointing in the fight with Shelob, for instance, is more than made up for in that inducer of my childhood nightmares as the hobbits slosh through the Swamp of the Dead, or the valiant glory of Aragorn humbly but strongly leading humanity's hope.

This BBC Radio full-cast audio presentation is really well done, minus some weird echoing effects. However, if I wanted a dramatic retelling of the story, I would go watch the movies. I was looking for the actual story, and will not be continuing with this version.

Fantastic for a long road trip! I'm usually not a fan of audio books while driving -- they can sometimes make me drowsy depending on the reader. But this isn't someone reading the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy; it's the BBC acting it out. I felt like I was listening to those old timey radio programs where the sound of a horse galloping is made by knocking two blocks of wood together. So not only was it a great story (a given), it was fun to wonder how they made those sounds.

This was pretty incredible to listen to. I'll remember the screaming laugh of the Nazgul forever. Very well voiced with engaging music and audio effects. Some parts become incredibly intense. Narrator is excellent. Also recommend the Star Wars dramatizations if you liked this! I think they are even better produced.

You either love them or you have no imagination.